Biotechnology giant CSL has begun development of a blood-derived treatment for Covid-19, known as COVID-19 Immunoglobulin. The Melbourne company believes the product could be used to treat people seriously ill with the complications caused by the virus, particularly those whose illness is progressing towards the need for ventilation. The treatment will be derived from blood…
Circuitwise has joined a consortium of innovative local businesses to manufacture emergency ventilators being developed as part of Australia’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The contract is to manufacture printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies at its Bella Vista, Sydney factory (pictured) to control 2,000 ventilators being developed by a consortium of companies led by Grey…
New materials technology developer Archer Materials has signed an agreement with computing giant IBM to advance their quantum computing ambitions. The company, which is progressing development of a quantum computing chip, has joined the global IBM Q Network as an ‘ecosystem partner’. Archer’s chip, known as the CQ qubit processor, will now utilise IBM’s open…
BAE Systems has been selected to provide key components of the Loyal Wingman unmanned jet aircraft being developed by Boeing Defence Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Adelaide-based BAE will supply the unmanned flight vehicle management technology, simulation capabilities, flight control computers and navigation equipment for the aircraft. BAE has considerable experience in…
By Peter Roberts Perth global shipbuilder Austal has received a blow with the US Navy selecting another group to design its next-generation frigates. Austal had been funded to be in competition with three others to build the frigates which will be commissioned in large numbers to help boost USN ship numbers. Austal had further developed…
The ACCC will review the sale of Ellex Lasers and Ultrasound to Lumibird Group SA following the sale’s approval by shareholders. While many of the conditions for the sale, announced in December, have been satisfied, Ellex and Lumibird are continuing to work on the remaining conditions. Under the sale agreement Lumibird will purchase Ellex Medical…
The Australian Manufacturing Forum and @AuManufacturing’s campaign to crowd source a new deal plan for manufacturing post Covid-19 is now in its fourth week. Here Iain Wicking proposes a radical approach to technology planning for competitiveness.. The 21st century battlefield thus far has been characterised not by kinetic warfare but by achieving economic supremacy over…
The rise of renewables appears to have displaced gas among desirable sources of electricity in the Australian market. According to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), with four months of the year gone, renewables have provided 24.4 per cent of electricity in the National Energy Market. Gas provided just 7.8 per cent, slightly ahead of…
Rare earths producer Lynas Corporation has announced the restart from today of its Malaysian processing facility, following a general re-opening of the economy by the Malaysian government. The plant, which was shut down as part of national efforts to halt the spread of Covid-19, will operate at 70 per cent capacity. The company told investors:…
Australian SMEs have increased their penetration of the global F-35 Lightning supply chain with the award of a new contract to Chemring Australia. The Geelong company won a $168.4 million (USD$107.5 million) contract with the US Navy to manufacture countermeasure flares for Australian, US and international operators of the F-35. The flares are launched by…