It’s time for Australia to commit to the kind of future it wants: CSIRO Australian National Outlook 2019
Australia’s future prosperity is at risk unless we take bold action and commit to long-term thinking.
World-first Sydney test aims to drive uptake of geopolymer in roads
A project in Sydney’s Alexandria will test the performance of geopolymer concrete on a stretch of road containing recycled material from coal-fired electricity and steel production.
“We’ve only scratched the surface of the opportunity.” An interview with the new AFCG CEO about Geelong’s fibre future
It is hard to think of carbon fibre in Australia and not think of Geelong. It’s a material with countless uses – in cars, sporting goods, exoskeletons and beyond – and Victoria’s second city is home to the scientific, engineering and commercial expertise needed to develop it into the products of tomorrow.
Sundrop sells solar horticulture business to investors
Sundrop, a world leader in the use of solar concentrator electricity generation to power horticulture production, has sold out to a New Zealand based investment firm. ABC news reports that Sundrop has sold its operating solar powered farm near Port Augusta and two overseas pilot operations to NZ’s Morrison and Co. Private equity firm Kohlberg,…
Getting off the gas
While the gas crisis should arguably be a priority for whoever wins the next election, there is also room for Australian companies the help themselves. According to the International Energy Agency, Australian manufacturers are more energy-inefficient than those of any other developed nation, measured by energy per dollar of output.
Carr pledges $2 million sodium ion battery pilot plant for Geelong
The federal opposition has pledged $2 million for a pilot sodium ion battery manufacturing plant in Geelong as part of a $57 million electric vehicle policy announced yesterday.
Can we bend it? The challenge for Samsung and others to make flexible technology
Imagine the day when you’ll unroll or unfold your smartphone to answer it. If things go to plan, this day may be sooner than you think.
CSR results flat on economy, energy prices
Building products group CSR (ASX: CSR) has reported a modest sales growth and a group profit fall on the back of a weak construction sector and a significant rise in electricity costs which hit its aluminium business. Managing director, Rob Sindel reported building products revenue up one per cent to $1.7 billion and earnings before…
Profiles of success: the Brisbane company charging ahead in the race to power tomorrow’s cars
Electric cars sometimes get described as “batteries on wheels”. A charged 60 kW vehicle could power a home, including its air-conditioning, for four or five days. The possibilities of “bidirectional charging” through vehicles are being taken seriously by Japanese automakers, and widespread adoption of EVs could eventually – and drastically – change the ways people use and buy electricity.
The intense satisfaction of bringing manufacturing back home
Companies making things as varied as caravan electronics and reusable cups have recently told us about why bringing manufacturing home is an advantage.