Medical research skills gap looms
The nation’s medical research institutes have called on government to fund an additional 300 investigator grants over three years to support early and mid-stage career scientists to remain in the sector.
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Ridley opens new Bendigo feedmill
Ridley Corporation has completed its rationalisation and modernisation programme, opening its new $47 million feedmill at Wellsford, East Bendigo. The mill, capable of producing 350,000 tonnes of feeds annually, will supply poultry and pig farms in Central and Northern Victoria. In keeping with Covid-19 restrictions the opening was a virtual affair, with only the Mayor…
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Lithium Australia demonstrates reduced production costs for cathodes
Lithium materials company Lithium Australia has demonstrated cost savings of between 20 and 30 per cent in chemical and reagent costs used to produce lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO) battery cathodes. The company, which is developing lithium mines, processing technologies, component manufacturing and battery recycling, demonstrated the savings at its subsidiary, VSPC Ltd’s Brisbane pilot plant.…
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Call for a practical degree in manufacturing
An open letter to Professor Alex Zelinsky, the Vice Chancellor, University of Newcastle by Dr John Blakemore. We need an institution that offers a degree in manufacturing and practical skills. The ideal place to revive Australia’s manufacturing capability is Newcastle. Over the last 75 years there has been a continuous decline in Australia’s manufacturing capability…
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Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed
Gilmour Space positive about Abbot Point space launch site Rocket developer Gilmour Space Technologies has responded positively to Queenaland government investigations of a new space launch site at Abbot Point in north Queensland. The company said such a site would give Gilmour access to ‘a very wide range of orbits and inclinations for our customers’.…
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Fire-proof building wrap sparks growth for Australian firm
The launch of a fire-proof and waterproof building wrap designed for high-rise buildings and homes in bushfire zones is set to drive growth for its South Australian manufacturer.
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Australian manufacturing continued to grow in July
Australian manufacturing achieved back-to-back months of overall growth, driven by its two biggest sectors, according to the Australian Industry Group’s Performance of Manufacturing Index.
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Australian purchasing habits still the biggest challenge for growing bioplastics maker
The increased attention to plastic waste in the last few years has been unmissable. Just before the pandemic disrupted life, the country held its first National Plastics Summit on March 2, with hundreds of millions of dollars in investments pledged by companies to address the problem.
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Bortana electric vehicle prototypes under test
Ten prototypes of the locally developed Bortana electric vehicle are making their way to minesites across Australia for testing underground and general mining. The Bortana, a battery powered vehicle fitted into a rugged utility vehicle by Victorian e-mobility group Safescape, has been in use on three sites for the past year. In total up to…
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EOS to launch space terminals and directed energy weapon
Space, communications and defence manufacturer Electro Optic Systems is preparing to launch several new products including a new directed energy weapon. In an activities update, the Canberra company revealed it was preparing to make space communications terminals at its defence systems factory in Huntsville Alabama. The terminals are based on technology acquired by EOS when…
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