Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Saber space traffic microservices program certified in US

Saber Astronautics’ microservices program, COSMOS, completed security reviews to deploy to military operators at the US Space Force (USSF). Saber said over the weekend that that program includes a number of microservices, including tools allowing operators to analyse and visualize the space domain using live data from commercial and government sensors. Saber trialled the COSMOS suite during global live-fire space domain awareness exercises (SACT) to help identify, track, and see spacecraft positions, get alerts on spacecraft behaviour and understand their movements. The system received the Certificate to Field, signifying that the tools meet US Department of Defense-specific security requirements. COSMOS program development began in 2019 in parallel to an SBIR Phase II grant Saber received to develop next-generation operations software for USSF warfighters. The tools are also in use with Saber’s commercial space operations, via the Responsive Space Operations Center (RSOC), which has sites in the USA and Australia.

University of Queensland and Sanofi take action on mRNA vaccines

Queensland will become a global mRNA vaccine hub with a $280 million Translational Science Hub to be established in Queensland. Global healthcare company Sanofi and the Queensland Government have today signed the agreement for the research facility, along with The University of Queensland and Griffith University as foundational partners. The Hub will link leading Queensland researchers with scientists at the Sanofi mRNA Centre of Excellence in France and the United States, placing them at the forefront of global vaccine development and biomedical research. University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said: “The pivot to mRNA technologies was accelerated during the pandemic and UQ has invested in both the people and facilities to ensure mRNA for pre-clinical research can be developed and produced in Queensland. “Collaboration and partnership are at the heart of all great research, and we look forward to making a difference to global health in collaboration with our partners.”

BlueScope ‘disappointed ‘in ACCC decision

Steel producer BlueScope is disappointed by a ruling by Federal Court Justice Michael O’Bryan in favour of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The commission had taken proceedings against BlueScope and its former general manager of sales and marketing Jason Ellis over allegations of price fixing. The court found that the there had been attempt a decade ago to induce competitors to enter into price fixing arrangements. BlueScope said it was reviewing the grounds for the decision and now had ‘the opportunity to determine whether there are grounds for appeal’. BlueScope Chairman John Bevan said: “In the time since BlueScope first became aware of the conduct which led to the legal proceedings, BlueScope has implemented number of steps to substantially strengthen its programmes to enhance awareness of, and compliance with, competition law. The company has also made improvements to our organisational structure, internal systems and processes, training for employees, and developed in-house advisory capabilities in competition law.”

Extracta produces first products out of discarded grape marc

Extracta, which is developing products made out of a variety of agricultural waste streams, has produced its first products using grape marc. The consumer range includes spice blends and baking mixes, marketed under the Devine Connoisseur name. CEO Rod Lewis said these were just the beginning, with many other agricultural waste sources to be upcycled. “The new products will be available at several outlets in the Hunter Valley which makes sense because they contain Hunter grape skins and seeds which would otherwise have ended up in landfill,” he said. “There are other companies who use agricultural waste like grape marc, but unlike most others, we will be utilising 100 per cent of waste rather than just one element. We will also use the same factory to process other waste streams which gives us economies of scale.” The company said it saw significant export opportunities, with US agents now involved, and once in full-scale production, its main focus will be on making wholesale products like sugarcane husk and pectin. The range includes a dry rub, seafood spice blend, all-purpose seasoning, brownie mix, and a focaccia and pizza base mix.

ANSTO showcases new beamline at event

An inaugural event was held by ANSTO at its Australian Synchrotron on Friday night for more than 30 funding organisations, showcasing the first of the $100 million BRIGHT Program’s brand new, state-of-the-art beamlines. The event at Clayton also marked the official welcoming of the BRIGHT Program’s latest funding partnership with the University of South Australia as the 32nd contributor to provide additional capital funding for beamline construction. BRIGHT began in 2018 and has received funding from Australian universities and medical research institutes, New Zealand entities via the New Zealand Synchrotron Group, and the Australian government through the CSIRO, Defence Science and Technology Group, and ANSTO. It enables the design, installation, and commissioning of eight new beamlines at synchrotron to meet growing demand from researchers and industry partners. Director of the Australian Synchrotron, Professor Andrew Peele said the event was a valuable opportunity to bring everyone together under the same roof to acknowledge the support of contributors and staff and see firsthand the operations of the new beamlines.

Chemistry Australia voices support for “unprecedented steps” in gas market regulation

Chemistry Australia and its members “welcome the significant gas market reforms announced by the Albanese Government” the organisation said on Monday. CEO Samantha Read described the said the measures — which will see parliament recalled to pass legislation for a code of conduct, capping gas prices at $12 a gigajoule for 12 months — address barriers to investment resulting from unsustainably high prices, and would help the manufacturing sector to add value to gas. “The chemistry industry supports the unprecedented steps proposed to shield the Australian economy from record-high gas prices and safeguard Australia’s significant investments in its manufacturing base,” said Read. “Affordable gas is essential for Australia to allow continued investment in its domestic manufacturing industries, which will be critical to the delivery of decarbonisation solutions such as hydrogen and green ammonia.”