A new case study published by Australia’s Economic Accelerator this week (linked) highlights a UNSW Sydney project aiming to optimise the speed and power of an electric pushbike. The project is led by electrical engineering researcher Dr Matthew Priestley and supported by an AEA Seed grant, and has “developed an algorithm to perfect the balance between motor speed and gearbox size” for lighter, smaller and more efficient powertrains. “This project aims to reduce production cost, power consumption, lower audible noise and take Australian university and industry collaboration to the global stage,” said founder and CEO of TAV Systems Nithesh Pushparaj, in the case study, adding that his company was happy to work with the university on development of motor that will use 40 per cent less rare earth material.
Space machine passes milestone
The Australian-Indian Space MAITRI project, featuring Australia’s Space Machines Company and India’s NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), has cleared a preliminary design review (PDR). In a Linkedin update on Wednesday, SMC said the review “confirmed we’re on track with our spacecraft design, operations planning, risk management, and innovative technology development. Up next: Critical Design Review (CDR) targeted for H2 2025.” SMC and NSIL signed an agreement on the project in June last year. Assisted by an $8.5 million grant from the Australian Space Agency, it aims for planned 2026 launch from India of SMC’s Optimus orbital servicing vehicle aboard NSIL’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV.)
Satnav tech benefits from Australia-India collaboration
In other news related to Australian-Indian space collaboration, RMIT University announced on Wednesday that a satellite navigation system incorporating light-based microchip technology is being scaled up for low Earth orbit applications. The university teamed up with Australian air traffic management company Skykraft and microchip manufacturers in India to develop “microcombs”, which they say is based on photonic microchips, and “can be rapidly adapted to any application that uses light including with positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) capabilities.” The project aims to speed development of these chips and establish a supply chain for their eventual manufacture, and the invention could one day “enable smaller, more affordable” PNT to “complement both GPS and alternative navigation satellite systems.”
We want more scientists involved in policy-making: survey
Two-thirds of Australians think scientists should actively advocate for specific policies, and more than 60 per cent think scientists should be more involved in policy-making, according to a global study released by the Australian National University this week. Over 71,000 people were surveyed, and ranked Australia equal fifth highest for trust in scientists. “This study highlights the strong trust Australians have in science and scientists, and that people see the crucial importance of using that science to inform and guide policymaking,” said STA CEO Ryan Winn in a statement. “Indeed, the majority of people want scientists to be more closely involved in policymaking.”
SunCable appoints new CEO
SunCable, the company hoping to build the Australia-Asia PowerLink moving solar energy generated in the Northern Territory to customers in Singapore, has announced the appointment of Ryan Willemsen-Bell as the new Group CEO. On Wednesday the company said the new CEO comes from Origin Energy, where he spent the last 16 years working in senior roles, most recently as General Manager of Future Fuels and Carbon. Over two stages of development, the company’s project aims to deliver up to 6 gigawatts of continuous electricity, with approximately 4 gigawatts to “stay in Australia to power green industrial customers in Darwin” and 1.75 gigawatts to go to “customers in Singapore via a 4,300km subsea cable through Indonesian waters.”
