Hino trucks chooses SEA Electric EV drive train
Manufacturer of electric vehicle drive trains SEA Electric has announced that Toyota offshoot Hino trucks has selected the SEA-Drive power-system to be fitted to both the Hino Trucks’ M and L Series. The system is already fitted to SEA Electric branded class 5 trucks. SEA Electric’s SEA-Drive 120a power-system was part of Project Z, Hino Trucks’ first advancement into zero-emission vehicles in the medium-duty space. President of Hino Trucks Ellis said: “We are pleased to add SEA Electric’s SEA-Drive power-system to our M and L series product offering. As our industry introduces electric options, Hino Trucks can now offer an option for all the markets affected by ACT mandate.”
Nyrstar aims for Port Pirie hydrogen manufacturing
South Australian Trade and Investment Minister Nick Champion has met with Trafigura – owners of the Nyrstar Port Pirie multi-metals facility (pictured) operators to discuss plans for a hydrogen manufacturing facility at the historic metals smelter. The proposed project involves a full-scale plant to produce 100 tonnes of green hydrogen per day from a 440MW electrolyser, enabling it to meet both export and domestic supply needs. The oxygen created in the production of hydrogen would be used by the Nyrstar Port Pirie smelter, and 100 per cent renewable electricity would be used to run the project’s electrolyser, contributing to the decarbonisation of the existing facility’s power supply. The State Government accelerated the Front-End Engineering Design for the project with a $2.5 million grant from the Jobs and Economic Growth Fund.
Archer achieves control of biochip devices
Quantum technology developer Archer Materials has progressed the development of its on-chip detection system targeting biomolecules. The Sydney company told investors that it had developed software and hardware on its biochip platform addressing issues which have limited graphene field effect (gFET) transistors. Its systems had demonstrated electronic control of the sensitivity of gFET devices on its biochip. Archer told investors overcoming this technical challenge was a significant step in progressing towards a functional and operational biosensing device. “It is critical for the selective detection of target molecules.”
Lion Energy buys hydrogen storage equipment
Lion Energy has bought a compressor, hydrogen storage tanks, dispenser and two tube trailers for its planned Port of Brisbane Green Hydrogen Hub. Lion paid US$1.8 million for the package from Fueltech Hydrogen for the hub which is geared towards heavy vehicle fleets, with an initial focus on hydrogen fuel cell public buses. Lion Executive Chairman Tom Soulsby said the company had been working closely with the bus industry around their requirements around refuelling reliability and speed. The equipment, capable of refuelling hydrogen buses in less than 10 minutes, will be delivered in September, 2023.
Chemist Warehouse joins Wellnex Life medicinal cannabis JV
Chamist Warehouse has joined healthcare company Wellnex Life and OneBotanicals in their joint venture and will launch medicinal cannabis products in its pharmacy stores. The pharmacy chain will receive a 10 percent interest in the JV which is selling products under the Special Access Scheme B (SAS-B) market in Australia. Wellnex will initially launch five medicinal cannabis products under a new JV brand across the Chemist warehouse network. The venture aims to deliver the new products by the end of FY23.
Imagion Biosystems secures $15 million in funding
Medical imaging company Imagion Biosystems has secured a funding facility of up to $15 million to support the next phase of clinical trials and oncology technology development. The company, which is commercialising its MagSense non-radioactive cancer imaging system, will receive an initial $1.5 million in convertible securities through Mercer Street Capital Partners, with the remainder subject to shareholder approval. Imagion’s MagSense combines biotechnology and nanotechnology to detect cancer and other diseases. Specialised MagSense nanoparticles are coated with tumour targeting antibodies which can be detected with sensitive magnetic fields.
Quantum Brilliance appoints co-founder to CEO role
Diamond-based quantum computing company Quantum Brilliance, has announced that co-founder Mark Luo is now the company’s Chief Executive Officer. Former CEO and co-founder, Andrew Horsley, will become Chief Technology Officer (CTO), leading the company’s product engineering roadmap. Luo has and previously held the executive role of Chief Operating Officer role, leading the company’s expansion into Germany, the company’s installation of the world’s first room temperature quantum computer in a supercomputing center, and the company’s partnership with NVIDIA, Quantum Brilliance said on Thursday. “I hope to continue fostering the company’s unique take on quantum computing and expand our reach into untapped markets,” said Luo.
Avalon 2023 a record year, say organisers
The recent Avalon airshow was ” the largest, and many say the best, since the event’s inception” according to the event’s organisers. In its newsletter this week, the AMDA Foundation said there was record trade visitor numbers, exhibition space at capacity, and both Saturday and Sunday public airshow tickets sold out. The figures included 48,516 industry day attendances (up 24 per cent), 794 Participating Exhibitor Companies (up 14 per cent), 281 official delegations from 38 nations, 22 chiefs and 14 representatives, 11 US dignitaries, and over 248,000 attendances across the event, which ran from February 28 to March 5.
Weld Australia weighs in on subs announcement
Weld Australia has said that the nation’s welders are more than capable of building the new fleet of eight nuclear-powered submarines agreed to in the $368 billion AUKUS deal this week, though the biggest risk facing the submarine build is whether enough skilled welders can be recruited and trained. The welding industry body has called for a Shipbuilding Welding Academy to be established and funded by the federal government. “There has been some discussion in the media over whether the quality of Australian welders is sufficient to build the proposed AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines. Australia’s qualified welders are more than [capable] of building the new fleet,” said Geoff Crittenden, CEO of Weld Australia. Crittenden said the biggest risk was not welder capability, but the recruitment and training of enough skilled welders, with a predicted shortage of 70,000 welders by 2030, even before the AUKUS submarine announcement this week.
K-TIG Completes $2 million capital raise
Welding technology company K-TIG announced on Thursday that has raised $2 million (before costs) from sophisticated and existing investors through the issue of 2,000 convertible debt notes. The notes will automatically convert into fully-paid ordinary shares on completion of a future capital raising, the company said. Proceeds from the raise would be used “to support sales momentum, progress the UK nuclear strategic initiatives, expenses of the raise and for working capital purposes.”
Picture: Nyrstar Port Pirie multi-metals facility
