Deakin develops new battery electrolyte

Deakin and University of Queensland researchers have developed a new non-flammable electrolyte material for use in sodium batteries, which they believe is a safer and cheaper alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Electrolytes in traditional lithium and sodium batteries are commonly flammable, so the discovery published this month in the prestigious journal Nature Materials, could pave the…

Greenbird and Quickstep to develop advanced air mobility products

Composites manufacturer Quickstep has teamed up with aviation collaboration platform Greenbird to further commercialisation of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in Australia. Greenbird Managing Director Sara Hales said having on board an Australian manufacturing organisation with considerable capabilities was a major step to advancing AAM in Australia. She said: “We want to see Australia making strides…

AML3D to certify 3D printed aerospace components

Wire additive manufacturing (WAM) 3D printing technology developer AML3D has begun AS9100D:2016 quality systems accreditation for its additively manufactured aerospace parts. AS9100D:2016 is one of the highest levels of certification available for manufacturing companies that produce components for aviation, space and defence industries. The process for accreditation is expected to be completed in the second…

Austal wins more US Navy construction contracts

Austal’s bold move to invest in steel shipbuilding at its Mobile, Alabama shipyard continues to pay off with the company awarded further construction contracts from the US Navy. Austal has been awarded a $225.5 million contract option for the construction of two additional Navajo-class Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ships (T-ATS), adding to two previous contracted…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Elphinstone delivers sixth underground grader to South Africa Underground mine equipment manufacturer Elphinstone has delivered a fifth UG20K Underground Motor Grader into South Africa through distributor Barloworld Equipment. The grader, introduced to the market in 2018, is a robust, reliable and productive machine based on Caterpillar equipment. It is used to maintain haul roads which…

BlueScope takes out defence science collaboration award

BlueScope Steel and its research partners have taken out the Defence Science and Technology Enterprise Collaboration award for 2022 – the inaugural year for the Department of Defence’s new More, Together awards for excellence. Announced at the Australian Defence Science, Technology and Research Summit, the inaugural three awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of organisations, teams…

Incannex to trial drug for inflammatory conditions

Melbourne cannabinoid and psychedelic medicine manufacturer Incannex Healthcare will go ahead with phase 1 clinical trials of its combination anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical IHL-675A for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and lung inflammation. IHL-675A is a combination cannabinoid drug comprising cannabidiol (‘CBD’) and hydroxychloroquine (‘HCQ’) which the company said outperforms either CBD and HCQ…