We have no guaranteed long-term supply of indium. It is naturally found only in tiny traces, and is therefore impractical to mine directly. Almost all of the world’s indium comes as a byproduct of zinc mining. Fortunately, we have a potential solution: my colleagues and I have developed a new way to make optically transparent and electrically conductive coatings without indium.
Today @AuManufacturing’s Saving through smarter energy use series looks at Australian research aimed at enabling structural components to become batteries and supercapacitors. Dr Nisa Salim explains how engineered multifunctional composite materials can be the enablers for future e-mobility and space missions.
The Queensland government and supermarket Woolworths have separately invested in early stage venture and development capital to support manufacturers. Queensland treasurer Cameron Dick announced the state had backed a $61 million capital raising by Gold Coast-based rocket manufacturer Gilmour Space Technologies. He did not reveal the size of the state’s investment, however the capital injection…
Comment by Peter Roberts The cooperative Research Centres (CRC) program has assumed even greater importance to the future of manufacturing with the likely demise of the growth centres initiative, though the CRCs too need further federal commitments in the short term to continue their good works. The CRC’s match federal money with cash and in…
By Peter Roberts Adelaide pharmaceutical group BioCina has joined the race to manufacture mRNA vaccines in Australia such as those made by Pfizer and Moderna which have proved effective in preventing infection from Covid-19. The Adelaide company, backed by the University of Adelaide, is one of a number of groups who have responded to a…
The federal government is trumpeting forward spending commitment’s for defence passing the $300 billion mark, following the release of the Defence Innovation Hub’s latest contracts. While there are question marks over the future affordability of this outlay, it represents a massive push to replace a huge range of defence equipment since the coalition came to…
Launch startup Hypersonix and contract manufacturer Romar Engineering have announced the signing of a framework agreement, which will see them “collaborate on 3D printing and other manufacturing techniques” for the space industry.
Biopharmaceutical company Wintermute Biomedical has had its novel Covid-19 therapy included in the US Biden administration’s $3 billion whole of government program with a focus on accelerated development of next generation COVID-19 treatments. Melbourne-based Wintermute, which in April revealed a new anti-microbial chemistry now on sale in Australia as a hand sanitiser and surface cleaner…
Diversified automation and manufacturing company Products for Industry (PFi) has launched an Australian-first titanium membrane filter (pictured) suitable for use in a wide range of industries. The Darra, Brisbane machine automation products, systems and solutions provider has won its first export orders for the new filter into the UK spirits market. Developed by Gilbert Erskine,…
@AuManufacturing’s editorial series – Saving through smarter energy use – looks today at the biggest of big picture Australian industrial technologies which is transforming the production of those most products most critical to our future, cement and lime. Here Peter Roberts profiles Calix Ltd. Since building products group Adbri opened its Brighton cement works in…
