Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Imagion completes move to new R&D, production facility

Breast cancer detection company Imagion Biosystems has moved into new facilities housing its offices, R&D activities and nanoparticle synthesis operation. The facility provides additional manufacturing capacity for its specialised MagSense nanoparticles. These are coated with tumour targeting antibodies which are used to test for HER2 positive breast cancer. The test replaces today’s practice requiring surgical biopsies of the lymph nodes, with the antibodies located in a patient by weak magnetic fields. Imagion is attempting to extend its capabilities to other cancers such as prostate and brain cancers, as well as cardiovascular disease.

Elphinstone sells 100th underground mining agitator

Elphinstone Pty Ltd has commemorated the sale of its 100th Underground Mining 20 Tonne Platform, a WR820 10m3 Agitator (pictured) designed and manufactured at the company’s facilities in Burnie, Tasmania. In 2016 Elphinstone recommenced its underground mining equipment business, developing a new range of specialised underground support vehicles. That same year, Elphinstone introduced the WR820 Agitator at MINExpo in Las Vegas, signifying its return to the Underground Hard Rock Mining sector. Since 2016, the company has delivered over 240 underground and surface mining machines worldwide.

Viraleze sales approach $5 million

Anti-viral nasal spray manufacturer Starpharma has reported a doubling in sales of its flagship Viraleze and VivaGel products to $4.9 million in FY22. Viraleze, which is on sale internationally including most recently Vietnam and Italy but not yet approved for Australia, is effective at killing the virus that causes Covid-19. The company reported a loss after tax of $16.2 million, an improvement from $19.7 million the previous year, driven by lower R&D expenditure, higher sales and favourable foreign exchange movements.

Novel solar cell research at UNSW awarded ARC Linkage grant

Professor Xiaojing Hao from UNSW Engineering has received $798,000 for a project exploiting the potential of low-cost solar cells through an emerging material called perovskites. The materials have impressive conversion efficiency but poor stability, said the university in a statement, and this was impeding commercialisation. Hao’s project aims to develop strategies for stable perovskite solar cells. “Extending the working life of perovskites could further reduce the cost of solar panels with the potential to revolutionise photovoltaic technology and cement Australia’s leading position in this area,” Hao said.

Early construction underway at new train manufacturing workshop 

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has turned the first sod on early works construction for a train manufacturing workshop near Maryborough. The workshop is part of what the state government says is the largest investment in train manufacturing in Queensland’s history. 65 new trains will be built under the $7.1 billion Queensland Train Manufacturing Program, with a claimed 800 jobs to be created in Maryborough from construction through to manufacturing over the program’s life. “Construction of the new trains would add to a long history in train manufacturing with the first Queensland Rail contract awarded to build trains in Maryborough in 1896,” said Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders. “It’s an honour to mark the start of works here, with early works and site preparations to be carried over the coming months.”

Picture: Elphinstone Pty Ltd

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