Lockheed Martin Australia has invited industry and academic organisations to submit quotes for research and development (R&D) into advanced technologies as part of the Attack Class Submarine program. With almost $1 billion in funding distributed after the first round of grants, the next round will focus on projects including, reliable communications on an unstable platform, … Continue reading Call for proposals for Attack Class Submarine technologies →

In launching its science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) strategy, the Department of Defence identified industry as a key partner. Presented as part of National Science Week, the STEM Workforce Strategic Vision 2019-2030 outlines how defence will meet the challenges of the future and maintain its position within a changing strategic environment. During the launch, … Continue reading Defence STEM strategy sees industry as key partner →

Star of the MythBusters series and Netflix show White Rabbit Project, Grant Imahara, will continue his science and engineering engagement work with Mouser Electronics, explaining the next big ideas in engineering. Imahara will lead the Empowering Innovation Together series: Engineering Big Ideas. In the series, Imahara breaks down a big idea, in this case, the … Continue reading TV scientist explains engineering’s big ideas →

The NSW government has declared a terminal for the importation of liquified natural gas (LNG) in Newcastle to be Critical State Significant Infrastructure. The proposed terminal, at Kooragang Island in the Port of Newcastle, would allow for the direct import of gas to the NSW network via a connecting pipeline. The proposal, by Newcastle GasDock … Continue reading Gas import terminal gets Critical State Significant status →

The US subsidiary of Port Macquarie, NSW, shipbuilder Birdon, has secured two contracts worth US$390 million ($575 m). The contracts are to supply the US Army and the US Coast Guard. For the US Army contract, Birdon will supply bridge erection boats (BEBs). This contract was first formalised in 2014 but has been renewed for … Continue reading NSW shipbuilder supplies US Coast Guard, Army →

The process of pultrusion has been used by at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) to create composite materials for the oil and gas and transport industries in Australia and overseas. Pultrusion involves creating continuous lengths of composite material by pulling fibre-reinforced profiles through a cross-section of die, resin, and heating and cooling zones. Working … Continue reading Pultrusion creates consistency, productivity →

A program to find applications for a new type of battery material has received $3 million in funding from the federal government’s Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-P) program. The project aims to find and test a new type of material for high performance batteries. Currently, these types of batteries require costly and difficult to source … Continue reading High-performance batteries to be made from new materials →

The University of Queensland opened Australia’s largest university makerspace this week. Named “UQ Innovate”, the space will provide space for students, academics, and researchers to use machines such as 3D printers, vacuum formers, industrial robots, and waterjet cutters. To enable visitors to get the most out of the technology, technical and trade qualified staff will … Continue reading Largest makerspace opens at University of Queensland →

The potential of products made from recycled materials was on display at the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre’s (AMGC) “The Path to a Circular Economy” event. In focus were materials such as plastics and textiles, which through advanced manufacturing processes are being re-used or recycled to create new products. Single-use plastics, which would otherwise end up … Continue reading Circular economy: closing the loop →

Thales, has selected Australian SME, EM Solutions, to provide mobile radio and satellite products and microwave devices. While the two companies have worked together since 2012, when Thales contracted EM Solutions to provide Ka band components for a satellite terminal being built in France, a recent $6.5 million contract to supply components for a connectivity … Continue reading Global partnership extends local manufacturer →

Queensland’s preparedness for autonomous vehicles was trialled this week as the Renault ZOE2 travelled through Shailer Park, a suburb south of Brisbane. Over six kilometres, the automated vehicle travelled on public roads, around roundabouts, and through cross streets. The trial not only demonstrated the capabilities of the Renault vehicle but also the state’s readiness for … Continue reading Queensland prepares for autonomous vehicle arrival →

The Western Australian government’s Future Job, future skills – Driving STEM skills in Western Australia strategy, announced in May 2019, this week announced the brightest minds and support for the next generation of scientists. In a ceremony held as part of National Science Week, the Premier’s Science Awards highlighted those at the pinnacle of science … Continue reading WA STEM strategy highlights state’s science skills →

Defence company, CEA Technologies signed the first $90 million loan of the Defence Export Facility. The loans program is designed to enable small defence businesses to scale up to export their products to global markets. CEA will use the loan to build an engineering and manufacturing facility in their home-city of Canberra. CEA is known … Continue reading Export loan expands local radar manufacturing →

With the Morrison government extolling the virtue of vocational education and training (VET), the benefit of diplomas over degrees differs based on gender, according to a new report. Published by the Grattan Institute, the report found that for students with a lower Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR), VET courses can get them employed faster and … Continue reading Benefit of vocational education comes down to gender →

Students at Monash University have demonstrated Australia’s first student-built, fully autonomous race car. The students are part of the Monash Motorsport team, and have designed the car to compete against Formula Student teams in the driverless category. To get the car onto the track, the students have utilised computer-vision algorithms and developed robust actuation hardware. … Continue reading Driverless race car goes to poll position →

Researchers from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET) at the University of Wollongong and Monash University have found a new phase of matter, the excitonic insulator. Exitonic insulators have been predicted by scientists since the 1960s but until now have remained a theoretical concept. The FLEET and Monash University team … Continue reading World first for Australian low-energy electronics research →

The Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, announced that the federal government will procure $3 billion of gear for Australia’s Special Forces. The purchase order, dubbed Project GREYFIN, will cover body armour, weapons, diving, parachuting, roping and climbing systems, medical search and rescue, communications, and human performance training and support. In a statement released by the Prime … Continue reading Australian defence manufacturers to be part of $3 billion purchase of Special Forces equipment →

A new program designed to encourage more young people to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects is utilising drones in the classroom. The program, delivered by the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) is designed for students in years 5 and 6 and covers the skills needed to operate and manipulate a drone. Teachers … Continue reading Classroom drone program gets students buzzing about STEM →

Victorian businesses are now able to apply for grants from the Workforce Training Innovation Fund. The fund provides support for industry and education providers to utilise innovative technologies and processes to upskill students to fit the needs of employers. Seed funding of $50,000 per project or grant funding of up to $5 million per project … Continue reading Partnerships between industry and education develops new products →

15 years since its launch, Austal’s trimaran vessel is continuing to receive orders. Recent improvements to the design of the trimarans enable the vessel to improve its ride and roll characteristics, ensuring the ship remains stable, providing a secure customer experience. “Austal’s trimaran design has continually proven its superiority in managing challenging sea keeping conditions … Continue reading Australian trimaran manufacturer navigates new waters →