In a boost for the Australian space industry, the iLAuNCH Trailblazer has announced a further $1 million in funding to accelerate university research towards commercialisation. Part of the $180 million Trailblazer program, the iLAuNCH Accelerator’s Fast Track fund provides seed funding for proof-of-concept demonstrator technologies with long-term commercial prospects. Fast Track will provide funding pathways…
CSIRO has opened up its Innovate to Grow programme to small to medium enterprises (SMEs) hoping to advance their innovative ideas in the food innovation and technology sector. Led by experienced researchers, the programme helps participants examine technical and business challenges, explore research and development (R&D) opportunities, and develop actionable business and funding plans for…
CSIRO has released what it says is a world-first assessment providing “a comprehensive overview” of innovation opportunities for value-adding to critical minerals in the global energy transition. Released on Wednesday, From Minerals to Materials focusses on the local “mid-stream processing industry” opportunities across lithium, cobalt, silicon, rare earth elements and graphite. According to a summary,…
By Ian Lowe, Griffith University and Kylie Walker, Australian National University Australia’s clean energy transition is already underway, driven by solar, wind, batteries and new transmission lines. But what about nuclear? Opposition leader Peter Dutton last month committed to building nuclear reactors on the site of retired coal plants – triggering intense debate over whether…
BHP sets new copper smelting records BHP has set new records for smelted copper production at its South Australian copper mines centred on the Olympic Dam mine, concentrator and smelter. The company achieved record copper mined and concentrate smelted at Olympic Dam in FY24 production was up by 39 per cent to 322kt in the…
By Bill Grace, The University of Western Australia Before renewables came along, coal-fired power stations pumped out electricity (and carbon emissions) 24 hours a day. But now, this type of “always on” baseload power is no longer necessary or commercially viable. This is one of many reasons why the Coalition’s proposed nuclear strategy is flawed.…
CSIRO has worked with Dell Technologies to build a high-performance computer (HPC) system which will speed up scientific discoveries and help grow Australia’s industry and economy. Named Virga, the HPC system is built on Dell PowerEdge XE9640 servers and is the first deployment of its kind in Australia, designed to optimise artificial intelligence (AI) workflows…
CSIRO is accepting applications for a new round of its free, ten-week Innovate to Grow program for SMEs, this time focussing on digital technologies and artificial intelligence. According to a statement from the national science agency on Monday, the program will connect businesses working on solutions in digital technologies and AI with knowledge, resources, and…
By Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra Opposition leader Peter Dutton has announced seven sites for reactors, unveiling his long-awaited and highly-controversial policy for nuclear power with the claim it could start operating from the 2030s. The locations are the sites of former or current coal plants. They have the technical attributes needed for a nuclear…
By Bruce Mountain, Victoria University CSIRO’s latest annual GenCost update, released last month, was billed as Australia’s “most comprehensive electricity generation cost report”. GenCost has proven to be highly controversial. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton previously levelled robust criticism at the report, specifically the high costs attributed to building nuclear power in Australia, and called for…