Sub builder ASC signs new contract with MTSA

Submarine construction and maintenance company ASC has renewed its longstanding supply chain partnership with defence contractor MacTaggart Scott Australia (MTSA). ASC built the conventionally powered Collins class submarines at Osborne in Adelaide and is heavily involved into the future in the planned Life of Type Extension (LOTE) for the fleet. ASC’s Chief Executive Officer and…

We built a ‘brain’ from tiny silver wires. It learns in real time, more efficiently than computer-based AI

By Zdenka Kuncic, University of Sydney and Ruomin Zhu, University of Sydney The world is infatuated with artificial intelligence (AI), and for good reason. AI systems can process vast quantities of data in a seemingly superhuman way. However, current AI systems rely on computers running complex algorithms based on artificial neural networks. These use huge…

Moderna launches mRNA Platform Incubator Network

US-based biotech company Moderna has announced the launch of the mRNA Platform Incubator Network, linking Australian organisations with strength in translational and pharmaceutical science, early-phase clinical trials and regulatory science.  According to the maker of the Spikevax COVID‑19 vaccine, the group aims to “advance mRNA medicine, foster scientific excellence in clinical translation in Australia and…

New report looks at skills needed for Australian semiconductor moonshot

Following its Australia’s semiconductor manufacturing moonshot report last year, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute has published a follow-up report on developing the talent pipeline needed to underpin a local chip industry. Published on Thursday, Australia’s semiconductor manufacturing moonshot: securing semiconductor talent looks at the importance of developing skills, global human capital challenges, and – as…