Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading.

5) “DEVELOPING ADVANCED MANUFACTURING IN AUSTRALIA” INQUIRY UNDERWAY

A federal parliamentary inquiry into manufacturing has begun its work, and is accepting written submissions until the end of next month.

The “Developing Advanced Manufacturing in Australia” inquiry by the  House Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Resources cited an aim of “supporting Australian industry, creating jobs and reviving our ability to make world class products here in Australia” in a statement on Wednesday. It is chaired by Labor’s member for McEwen, Rob Mitchell.

Terms of reference (linked here) include consideration of opportunities, international trends, local strengths, barriers to growth, and skills needed by the industry.

4) AUKUS INNOVATION: ABOUT FAR MORE THAN SUBMARINES

The focus of reporting on the AUKUS agreement between Australia, the US and the UK has been on the promise of locally built nuclear-powered submarines.

But it is about so much more from AI and quantum computing, to hypersonic aircraft and systems.

In this article, Michael Sharpe explains how AUKUS will unlock the power of innovation Pillar Two of the agreement – Technology and Capabilities.

3) NEW APPROACH ‘FAR MORE COST-EFFECTIVE THAN ANY OTHER GREEN HYDROGEN’ METHOD: RMIT RESEARCHERS

Researchers from RMIT University have developed a method of creating hydrogen directly from seawater, which is the subject of a provisional patent and a new article in the journal Small.

According to a statement from the university on Tuesday, lab-scale tests have shown the process creates no carbon dioxide and no chlorine, the latter of which is currently “the biggest hurdle” in using seawater to create hydrogen.

“Our method to produce hydrogen straight from seawater is simple, scaleable and far more cost-effective than any green hydrogen approach currently in the market,” said Dr Nasir Mahmood, a Vice-Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellow at the university and the study’s lead researcher.

2) RIO TO SUPPLY ITS FIRST EXPORT GREEN ALUMINIUM – THE GREEN FUTURE IS HERE 

The green industry dam is burst – after years if not decades of talk that Australia’s minerals will one day have to go green to survive in a world where trade favours green production, Australian company Rio has received its first big international green order.

Aluminium producer Rio Tinto has been contracted by Japanese trading house Marubeni to supply a sustainable and reliable supply of Rio Tinto’s Responsible Aluminium products to Japanese downstream manufacturers.

As part of a new strategic Collaboration Agreement to secure green aluminium the first sale is of a batch of Rio Tinto’s RenewAlTM high purity aluminium, from the renewably powered New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS), to a major Japanese motorcycle manufacturer committed to reducing carbon emissions throughout its supply chains and manufacturing process.

1) BAE SYSTEMS COULD BE IN THE BOX SEAT TO BUILD AUSTRALIAN N-SUBS

BAE Systems and its Australian arm could be the front runner in the supply of nuclear-powered submarines to the Royal Australian Navy under the AUKUS agreement, writes Peter Roberts.

The London Sun reported that senior ministers were open to the idea of supplying partly-constructed Astute class submarines (pictured) to Australia which are constructed at BAE Systems’ yard at Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

The Sun said: “PM Rishi Sunak is set to unveil the plan alongside more details on the AUKUS deal when he visits Washington DC next month.”

And in case you missed our podcast…

Ahmed Mahil, co-founder and CEO of Luyten, told us about the company’s story so far, adoption of their technology here and abroad, and why the country needs a stronger electronics industry in episode 45; and

Dr Andrew Horsley, co-founder and CTO of Quantum Brilliance, told us about growing qubits in diamond chips, and why the growth of the quantum computing industry will need tonnes of roles involving non-quantum specialists, in episode 46.

Picture: Royal Navy/HMS Astute