Processing of rare earth elements will be a key area of focus for the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s Minerals unit following a $13.9 million funding allocation under the Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub. The Minister for Resources and Minister Madeleine King announced the funding for a research project to accelerate the…
Directed energy and artificial intelligence company AIM Defence has been chosen by the government of Canada to demonstrate its laser system in an international counter-drone exercise beginning in May. In a statement on Tuesday, AIM – which bills itself the creator of Australia’s first laser-based counter-drone system – said its Fractl high-power laser system will…
Researchers from RMIT University are using nanodiamonds to create smart textiles that can cool people down faster. The study found fabric made from cotton coated with nanodiamonds, using a method called electrospinning, showed a reduction of two to three degrees Celsius during the cooling down process compared to untreated cotton. They do this by drawing…
The Nupress Group is the latest SME to be awarded a contract to supply components for the new KONGSBERG Naval Strike Missile. Nupress is to partner with Kongsberg Defence Australia to deliver ‘First Class’ manufacturing with the supply of mechanical components for the NSM capability being delivered under Project SEA 1300 Phase 1 – Navy…
The Trailblazer for Recycling & Clean Energy (TRaCE) and Virescent Ventures have announced that they will partner to invest $1.6 million in climate tech startups through UNSW Founders Climate 10x accelerator program. The 10x program accepted its first intake last year, with a program running from August 2 until October 6, with a demo day…
Austal’s 18th LCS warship for the US Navy completes acceptance trials The future USS Kingsville constructed by Austal USA, part of the Perth-based shipbuilder Austal, has successfully completed acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico for the U.S. Navy. During acceptance trials, comprehensive testing is conducted on the ship’s major systems and equipment in order…
Plumbing solutions company Reliance Worldwide Corporation has announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Holman Industries for $160 million ($US 105 million), a seven times multiple on Holman’s EBITDA for the last 12 months. Holman is a Perth-headquartered, family-owned manufacturer and distributor of branded plumbing and watering products, sold through retail and…
Perth-based building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) company ClearVue Technologies has achieved fire safe certification for buildings over 18 metres tall and in high-risk environments, In a statement on Tuesday, the company said their solar glazing unit was certified under “stringent classifications for non-combustibility, little or no smoke propagation, and no flaming droplets” by TÜV SÜD under the…
Sydney-based quantum computing startup Diraq has completed a Series A-2 capital raise of $29 million (US$15m) to advance the company’s R&D initiatives to realise the full potential of quantum computing. The funding for Diraq, a leader in quantum computing based on silicon quantum dots, was led by Paris-based specialist investor Quantonation with participation from John…
Biotechnology manufacturer CSL has failed to prove the efficacy of one of its most promising drugs under development – CSL112 (apolipoprotein A-I [human]). As recently as last year the Melbourne company was testing the drug in reducing the risk of follow on adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or…