By Jens Blotevogel, CSIRO and Naomi Boxall, CSIRO Lithium-ion batteries are part of everyday life. They power small rechargeable devices such as mobile phones and laptops. They enable electric vehicles. And larger versions store excess renewable energy for later use, supporting the clean energy transition. Australia produces more than 3,000 tonnes of lithium-ion battery waste…
A new Industry Trainer Program addresses skills and knowledge retention challenges in manufacturing businesses, according to TAFE Queensland and Manufacturing Skills Queensland, the two organisations partnering to deliver it. According to a joint statement from the pair on Friday, the program includes a “self-directed, six-week online course with two optional one-hour virtual sessions each week”…
Chemicals R&D business Sparc Technologies has announced execution of an agreement with coal miner BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) for a 24-month field trial of a graphene additive at a coal handling and processing plant. Sparc’s graphene-based additive product, ecosparc, will feature in a coating, and Sparc claimed the trial as “another key milestone in validating”…
CSIRO has launched a new R&D grant program, offering mining and manufacturing SMEs (fewer than 200 employees) specialising in graphite between $10,000 and $50,000 per project as well as access to facilities and expertise. In a statement on Friday, the nation’s scientific agency said the grant opportunity’s focus is on “accelerat[ing] the growth of the…
