Sydney quantum computing hardware manufacturer Silicon Quantum Computing’s (SQC) Michelle Simmons was named last night as the winner of the 2023 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science. Professor Simmons (pictured) was recognised for creating the new field of atomic electronics which are ‘powering the transition from the digital to the quantum age’. Simmons, who has already…
A new facility billed as a first-of-its-kind secure collaborative research and innovation facility at the forefront of cybersecurity, data protection and defence technology has opened at he University of Technology Sydney (UTS). NSW Premier Chris Minns officially opened the UTS Vault, a Department of Defence compliant facility which enables collaboration between private sector tenants, academia…
Drone manufacturer Insitu Pacific (IPL) and aeronautical manufacturer Innovaero are to collaborate in the development of a long-range strike capability using uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). Insitu is a subsidiary of Boeing which is also building the its MQ-28A Ghost Bat autonomous jet aircraft, formerly known as Loyal Wingman, while Innovaero is an Australian company based…
Lockheed Martin Australia today announced a 12-month sponsorship of the Melbourne Space Program (MSP), a not-for-profit dedicated to developing Australia’s future space leaders. Lockheed Martin Space Regional Director, Australia and New Zealand David Ball said in a statement that the partnership was part of a commitment to nurture and empower the next generation of engineers,…
Penfolds’ manufacturer Treasury Wine Estates is reaping the benefits of its switch out of commercial wine production to focus on expanding its sales of luxury and premium wines such as Penfolds Grange. Outgoing Chairman Paul Rayner told the company’s annual general meeting that the premiumisation trend where commercial wine sales were soft remained strong across…
Critical aluminium materials manufacturer Alpha HPA is nearing the completion of upgrades to its small-scale, commercial high purity alumina (HPA) production facility in Gladstone, Queensland. Supported by a $15.5 million grant awarded under the federal government’s Critical Minerals Development Program, the upgrade will add a HPA circuit including an HPA tunnel kiln and five rotary…
The first two new suburban railcars to be built in Western Australia after a gap of 27 years are now undergoing field testing on the Perth Metronet network (picture) The railcars were constructed at the new Bellevue Railcar Manufacturing and Maintenance Facility, operated by Alstom Australia. The railcars are the first of 246 C-series cars…
Passive radar manufacturer Silentium Defence has made its first US sales of the MAVERICK M8 passive radar system, and established a US opereating entity. A key milestone in its global growth strategy, the US entity will enable Silentium to provide responsive customer engagement, and capitalise on recent momentum across the defence, national security, and intelligence…
Pact releases sustainability report Pact Group today released its 2023 Sustainability Report which reveals the company recycled more than 54,000 tonnes of plastic waste last financial year, the equivalent weight of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The plastic waste was recycled at seven facilities operated by Pact and its joint venture partners in Australia and New Zealand, converted…
By Adam Bartley, RMIT University and Matthew Warren, RMIT University A 12-tonne fishing boat weighs anchor three kilometres off the port of Adelaide. A small crew huddles over a miniature submarine, activates the controls, primes the explosives, and releases it into the water. The underwater drone uses sensors and sonar to navigate towards its pre-programmed…
