Biochip meets performance and clinical requirements, says Archer
Semiconductor developer Archer Materials this week announced successful results from the first stage of its silicon Biochip project, carried out in partnership with IMEC, showing that the silicon devices meet blood potassium accuracy requirements. According to the company, Archer and IMEC achieved a potassium sensing accuracy of ±0.3 mM, matching both its latest graphene field effect transistor (gFET) performance and the clinical CLIA standard, and representing a first major step in accelerating development and commercialisation for the lead application of Archer’s Biochip platform. “Demonstrating that our technology can be built using silicon, rather than graphene, significantly broadens our manufacturing options and strengthens our path to commercialisation,” said Dr Simon Ruffell, CEO of Archer. “By leveraging IMEC’s world-class silicon fabrication capabilities alongside Archer’s proprietary sensor functionalisation methods, we’re now positioned to develop a scalable, cost-effective, and clinically relevant biosensor platform.”
Resmed Introduces full face fabric mask
Sleep technology specialist Resmed announced the Australian launch of a new a new CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) full face mask on Wednesday. The company said its AirTouch F30i Comfort is designed to help more people start and stay on CPAP therapy, and earned Gold at the 2025 Australian Good Design Awards earlier this month. “Resmed creates health technologies that people love and trust,” said Justin Leong, chief product officer at Resmed. “That means making it easier for people to start and stay on CPAP therapy, helping them sleep, breathe, and live healthier lives. With the AirTouch F30i Comfort, we’re raising the bar on comfort and innovation to help more people get the good sleep they deserve.”
RAAF P-8A gets major upgrades
The first Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P‑8A Poseidon has been inducted into an upgrade program, Boeing has announced, as the service also begins to integrate its 13th aircraft into the fleet. In a statement on Thursday, the company said that under the four-year Increment 3 Block 2 modifications, the RAAF’s P-8As will receive new antennas, sensors and software to improve computer processing and communication systems, allowing aircrews to search for, detect and target the world’s most advanced submarines. Australia is the first global P-8A customer to receive Increment 3 modifications. The newest RAAF P-8A Poseidon was delivered September 29, with the 14 aircraft scheduled for delivery next year. The first two RAAF P-8As will be upgraded by Boeing at the Jacksonville maintenance, repair and overhaul facility. The RAAF aircraft are also the first international planes to be upgraded at the facility where teams continue to upgrade and deliver P-8As to the US Navy.
Breakthrough invests $75 million in venture capital funds
State government investment vehicle Breakthrough Victoria (BV) this week announced cornerstone investments totalling $75 million in a collection of venture capital funds, which it says will bring “dedicated investment management expertise into Victoria, as well as leverage private capital to help scale Victoria’s innovation ecosystem. The funds are Virescent Ventures Fund II, SYNthesis BioVentures Fund I, Scale Venture Fund 1, Galileo Ventures Fund II, and an unnamed “specialist North American healthcare fund manager as they launch their first Australian fund.” Since 2021, BV has made 69 investment commitments totalling more than $480 million. state economic growth minister Danny Pearson said of the investment in funds: “This investment is a catalyst to significantly increases the venture capital available to support innovation-intensive Victorian companies , transforming Victoria’s economy and creating highly skilled jobs.”
New Avalon Airport freight facility opens
A new, $8 million freight processing facility opened on Monday at Melbourne Avalon Airport, with the Victorian government saying this will “provide a new gateway for international freight and speed up delivery times.” Industry minister Colin Brooks said facility is capable of processing 100,000 tonnes of cargo – a tenfold increase on current levels — and will operate 24 hours a day. It is predicted to ease congestion by reducing the number of trucks currently transporting freight between Melbourne Avalon Airport and Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. “This new freight facility will be a game-changer for Victoria, speeding up deliveries and creating new job opportunities for the region,” added Brooks.
Sleeptite introduces FlexiSense
Electronics company Sleeptite has announced FlexiSense, which it describes as a patented advanced manufacturing process developed in collaboration with RMIT University, “enabling the creation of new wearables, nearables, and smart environments—anywhere a sensor can be embedded into fabric or material.” In an update on Linkedin, the company said FlexiSense enables integration of sensors into flexible materials for applications across healthcare, defence, sport, workplace productivity and other settings, and is currently used in the REMi Home platform.
Picture: AirSense 11 with AirTouch F30i (credit Resmed)
