By Michael Fuhrer, Monash University The past few weeks have seen a huge surge of interest among scientists and the public in a material called LK-99 after it was claimed to be a superconductor at room temperature and ambient pressure. LK-99 garnered attention after South Korean researchers posted two papers about it on arXiv, a…
The federal government has announced funding of $12.4 million to support five major projects that will help Australian researchers collaborate globally on clean energy research and development. The International Clean Innovation Researcher Networks grants will support networks focussed on renewable energy and clean technologies such as solar, wind, storage, green metals, and their supply chains.…
Toulouse, France-based H3 Dynamics and Melbourne-based electric aviation motor manufacturer Kite Magnetics have joined forces to develop cutting-edge hydrogen-electric propulsion system for the aviation sector. The collaboration aims to support aircraft manufacturers in adopting new green hydrogen and electric technologies and accelerating the development of advanced aero-compliant systems. Founder and CEO of Kite Magnetics Dr…
Business and industrial researchers led by Adelaide defence company leader Jim Whalley have featured in the King’s Birthday 2023 Honours List among 1,192 recipients. Whalley, Deputy Chair of Nova Systems and a former RAAF officer, was among the six appointed to the top category of Companion of the Order for distinguished service to business, particularly…
Rail operator Aurizon has contracted Progress Rail to convert one of its diesel locolotives to full battery electric operation, paving the way for the greening of its freight-haul rail fleet. This will be the first freight unit to be constructed in Australia powered by batteries, according to Aurizon, with the locomotive’s battery also capturing re-generative…
By Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian, Swinburne University of Technology; Alex Stojcevski, Swinburne University of Technology, and Saad Mekhilef, Swinburne University of Technology Electric vehicle advocates say the cars ultimately have a smaller carbon footprint than their fossil-fuelled counterparts and could resolve our energy concerns for good. Well, fair enough, but questions arise when we dig into the…
Researchers from the University of NSW have developed artificial synapses and sensors to create an electronic material, able to detect subtle human motion and monitor physiological signals, and inspired by human skin. The scientists published their work in Advanced Functional Materials, describing a device that required little power to run and that was “able to…
By Hussein Dia, Swinburne University of Technology Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy, released on Wednesday, details the government’s long-awaited plans to accelerate the adoption of these vehicles. Consultations on the strategy began last September. The climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, then promised the strategy would make Australia a globally competitive market for…
@AuManufacturing is searching for Australia’s 50 most innovative manufacturers, and today we feature our latest nominee for recognition, technology investment powerhouse PPK Group. Here, Peter Roberts interviews co-founder and Executive Chairman, Robin Levison. Robin Levison is an unlikely entrepreneur focussing on commercialising university research in the advanced manufacturing of totally new materials. His background is…
An international team, led by RMIT University researchers, has reviewed the production methods and current applications of zinc oxide nanocrystals in the journal Chemical Reviews, publishing findings that suggest a high potential for the material in electronic products.
