Best of the week — the five most popular stories among readers, May 12 – May 16, 2025

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

5) Researchers develop breakthrough solar thermal technology to reduce industrial emissions

UniSA and partners have launched a world-first solar thermal demonstrator that could revolutionise how Australian industries generate heat while slashing carbon emissions, according to a statement released on Monday.

The innovative project combines lightweight plastic mirrors with advanced reflective coatings to create a concentrated solar thermal (CST) system that can generate temperatures between 100°C and 400°C—ideal for industrial processes that currently rely on fossil fuels.

4) Another nail in the industry coffin

With Ed Husic’s demotion to the backbench, our longest-serving and technically capable minister in a decade has been rolled because of some factional back-room deal, writes John Broadbent.

The revolving door for federal industry ministers has resumed also operations, he believes.

3) Scientists accidentally create gold from lead at Large Hadron Collider

In a remarkable case of accidental modern alchemy, physicists at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Switzerland have transformed lead into gold during high-energy collision experiments, according to Monash University physics professor Ulrik Egede.

Writing in The Conversation, Professor Egede explains that while smashing lead atoms together at near light-speed, researchers at the ALICE experiment inadvertently produced tiny amounts of gold—just 29 trillionths of a gram.

2) Five misconceptions about manufacturing that belong in the past

When we think about AI transforming industries, manufacturing is probably not the first one that springs to mind. And, yet, the sector is embracing the technology more rapidly than oil, gas and mining, government administration, and even healthcare.

Misconceptions about manufacturing are not contained to tech, either, writes Madeleine North.

1) Gilmour Space set for historic Australian rocket launch this Thursday

Gilmour Space Technologies has received final regulatory approval to launch Australia’s first home-grown orbital rocket in 50 years, with the countdown now set for Thursday morning from its Bowen Orbital Spaceport in Queensland.

The Australian Space Agency gave the green light on Friday for the company to proceed with the launch of its 25-metre three-stage Eris rocket, capable of carrying payloads up to 305 kilograms. For this maiden flight, the rocket will carry just a jar of Vegemite and a camera.

Note: Gilmour has since postponed the launch, citing a technical issue, with founder Adam Gilmour telling the ABC on Friday that an investigation into the issue is expected to take two weeks.

Picture: credit Gilmour Space Technologies