Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

New ATSE President appointed

Dr Katherine Woodthorpe will become the next President of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engneering (ATSE) on January 1 next year. “It is an honour and a privilege to be elected President by over 900 of Australia’s brightest minds in science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said Woodthorpe. “At a time when more ambitious climate action is crucial and building a skilled workforce fit for an uncertain future is urgent, ATSE and its Fellows are in prime position to foster evidence-based action between government, industry and academia.” Described in a statement from ATSE as a “scientist, industry leader and climate champion” the chemist will be the first woman to lead the Academy in its 47-year history, and take over from Professor Hugh Bradlow, who has held a six-year presidency.

Lockheed, SimCentric collaborate on training tool

Lockheed Martin Australia has announced that is collaborating with SimCentric, Australian defence training innovator, to deliver a next-gen live fire range safety capability that LMA says supports the Australian Army to train in more complex scenarios and enhances safety without trading off realism. The two companies will work on integration of Simcentric’s safety tool, SAF FORESIGHT, with Lockheed Martin’s target management system, VisualShot, enabling a digitised target management system with a 3D safety overlay that will provide secure and realistic training events. The joint land training capability will concentrate on SimCentric’s range safety, planning, visualisation, risk assessment, and safety interventions, matched with Lockheed’s proven operational analysis, and target / range management systems to transform live fire land training capabilities in line with the Australian Army’s range modernisation programs.

Australia’s battery recycling scheme releases first performance report

The nation’s official, government-backed battery recycling scheme, B-cycle, released its first performance report this week, titled  Positive Charge. According to the organisation behind it, the Battery Stewardship Council, it highlights the rapid scale and pace of the product stewardship scheme since its February launch. The national collection rate of loose batteries and power tool batteries has doubled, with the equivalent of 38 million AA batteries recycled in its first six months. Highlights for the six months include 3,200 drop-off points across all states and territories have been established, over 918,000 kilograms of used batteries collected across Australia, and over 100 organisations participating including 48 importers and 28 retailers.

Australian company claims global milk industry digestibility breakthrough

Naturo has said its Australian world-first processing technology can deliver milk which is twice as digestible as any other processed cow’s milk available on the Australian market. According to the company, the processing technology gives fresh milk a 60-day shelf life, and received validation through consumer trials in 2021 and recent CSIRO research showing the Haelen Method results in 100 per cent fresh, natural milk that is twice as digestible though adds nothing to the milk, instead treating “the often-problematic whey proteins.” The company has said its technology offers ” “the biggest breakthrough in the global milk industry since pasteurisation in 1864”.

Picture: Naturo’s CEO Jeff Hastings (credit www.haelen.com.au)