Carbon-free nuclear power
As carbon handbrakes take effect around the world, Australia has growing opportunities to leap ahead with nuclear technology. By Michael Sharpe.
Labor-led manufacturing inquiry delayed to next year
A Labor-led Senate inquiry into Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector has been delayed until late January, likely giving the Opposition some ammunition in what is shaping up to be a key election issue.
Leadership in factory automation — Building capability through automation
In this final part of our Leadership in factory automation series, Colin Thomas describes some of the benefits of automating, drawing on his three decades of experience and a consideration of several different viewpoints within a manufacturing company.
Pore performance: RMIT/CSIRO team develop new copper type with remarkable antibacterial properties
A team of researchers has boosted the effectiveness of copper against bacteria, acting 120 times faster in killing golden staph, which they believe could lead to a diverse set of product applications. The team from RMIT University and CSIRO published their work, titled ‘Robust bulk micro-nano hierarchical copper structures possessing exceptional bactericidal efficacy,in the journal…
Bedding company announces new collection and recycling program
Bedding business Ecosa has announced a new recycling program, which it says is aimed at preventing thousands of tonnes of material ending up in landfill each year. In what it said was an industry first, Ecosa’s initiative will recycle mattresses, sheets and pillowcases “into a range of new products” with a pickup service offered for…
Australia’s Adblue shortage is serious, but there are ways to avoid the crisis going critical
By Flavio Macau, Edith Cowan University Australia is going through another supply chain crisis. Stocks of AdBlue, an exhaust fluid used in newer diesel cars and trucks to reduce pollution, is getting dangerously low. The culprit is a shortage of synthesised urea, an ingredient which local AdBlue makers import mostly from Russia and China. It…
Study shows Australian manufacturer’s 10-minute test as sensitive as PCR for detecting Covid
Drug and alcohol testing kit manufacturer Alcolizer has announced successful results from a study of its ten-minute, saliva-based antigen tests for Covid-19.
Future-focussed and fast
New high-speed rail routes better connecting Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong would drive new opportunities if we included freight. By Michael Sharpe.
New AI accelerator program for manufacturers to begin in 2022
The Brisbane-headquartered ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Hub has launched a new training program, beginning next year, for “micro-to-medium sized manufacturers” wanting to use artificial intelligence to improve their operations.
Applications to open this month for $280 million in federal manufacturing grants
A second round of grants will be made available through the Translation and Integration streams of the federal Modern Manufacturing Initiative, with applications to open next week. According to a statement from industry minister Angus Taylor on Thursday, $280 million would be available through the second round. Grant funding of between $1 million and $20…