Circular economy advisory group to hold first meeting this month
A new Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group, chaired by Professor John Thwaites, will meet for the first time this month.
Researchers turn seawater into hydrogen with high efficiency
An international team led by University of Adelaide researchers have created green hydrogen from seawater by electrolysis without pre-treatment, using a non-precious and cheap catalyst, and claiming “nearly 100 per cent efficiency”.
Our future could be full of undying, self-repairing robots. Here’s how
By Jonathan Roberts, Queensland University of Technology With generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems such as ChatGPT and StableDiffusion being the talk of the town right now, it might feel like we’ve taken a giant leap closer to a sci-fi reality where AIs are physical entities all around us. Indeed, computer-based AI appears to be advancing…
Former Holden site at Elizabeth now producing premium mushrooms
The former Holden car assembly site at Elizabeth, South Australia has begun its newest chapter cultivating and processing mushrooms, with its operator Epicurean Food Group expecting onsite employee numbers to grow from 37 now to 350 around mid-2024. A $110 million facility is currently producing about 20 tonnes per week of gourmet mushrooms in six…
Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed
Bega sells share in Vitasoy beverages Diversified food and beverage manufacturer Bega Cheese has sold its 49 percent shareholding in plant milk manufacturer Vitasoy to Vita International Holdings. The sale, for $51 million, follows the exercise of an option by Vita International to buy back the shareholding which was held by Bega offshoot National Foods…
XTEK awarded $0.8 million in grants to update CNC centre and forming press
XTEK has been awarded two grants from the Department of Defence, totalling $0.8 million. The ASX-listed defence contractor announced on Tuesday that the grants were through the Defence Global Competitiveness programs and Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority program and valued at $164,268.50 and $658,209.20 respectively. The DGC-backed project covers investment in a new “CNC Virtual Machining…
Swinburne University’s first Founder in Residence will focus on aerospace R&D
Rachael Barritt from Dovetail Electric Aviation has been named Swinburne University’s first Founder in Residence, with a focus on “new ideas and ventures” related to aerospace and aviation. According to a statement from Swinburne on Tuesday, Barritt (pictured) would work closely with the team at its Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub (AIR Hub), which is involved…
Monash rail research centre hosts Ayres
The Monash Institute of Railway Technology (IRT), which is advising the development of the federal government’s National Rail Manufacturing Plan, hosted assistant manufacturing minister Tim Ayres on Monday. Ayres – who also visited cutter and grinder tool manufacturer ANCA yesterday to announce a a $3 million grant – is leading development of the rail plan. …
What’s driving the potato chip shortage and when will it pass?
By Flavio Macau, Edith Cowan University Potatoes are among Australia’s favourite vegetables. However, we are facing a shortage of processed potatoes, especially of frozen chips. Coles introduced a two-item limit for shoppers seeking frozen potato products. Fish and chip businesses are under pressure and some are outraged McDonald’s is launching a new potato product in…
BluGlass launches laser diode range at US industry event
ASX-listed semiconductor company BluGlass has used the SPIE Photonics West industry conference in San Francisco to release their first collection of gallium nitride (GaN) laser products. In an announcement on Monday morning (Sydney time), BluGlass said the six products newly-available to commercial customers range across the 405, 420 and 450 nanometre wavelengths and had passed…