Applications opened on Monday for Round 16 of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF), a bilateral program offering science and technology researchers between $200,000 and $1 million per project. According to a statement from federal industry minister Ed Husic, the round has a total allocation of $4 million, with funding open for joint research projects,…
A sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) pilot program at RAAF Base East Sale, involving Viva Energy Australia and UGL and running for 12 months, has begun. According to a statement from defence on Sunday, the pilot began recently and aligns with the goals of increased energy security and transitioning to lower-carbon energy “without detriment to military…
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…
Nominations opened on Thursday for Round 17 of Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grants, which offer between $100,000 and $3 million in matched funding for short-term (up to three-year) collaborative projects led by an industry partner. An update on the industry department’s website explains that support is open to all sectors, though there is a…
The federal government has announced new contracts through its Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) program to Advanced Design Technology (ADT) and Penten, with a combined value of over $8 million. A statement from defence industry minister Pat Conroy on Thursday asserts that the contracts will provide the two companies with “critical financial support” as they…
Khuda foundation donates $100 million for girls in STEM A donation of $100 million from the Khuda Family Foundation will fund a 20-year program to create a pathway for girls from Western Sydney to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education and careers. The University of Sydney said in a statement on Wednesday that…
Industry association the South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) has blamed factors including “poor policy, cheap imports, government over-taxing businesses and crippling union agreements” for Dandenong-based architectural glassmaker Oceania Glass falling into administration this week. In a statement on Wednesday, following news of Oceania’s collapse on Monday, SEMMA said it was “shocked” at another manufacturer…