Inside Advanced Manufacturing will take place across Queensland from 12-16 July, with 20 advanced manufacturers hosting invited delegates on 36 behind-the-scenes tours sharing new designs, technologies, processes and practices transforming the sector.  Local manufacturers will see first-hand how Queensland’s leading advanced manufacturers have transformed their businesses and become internationally competitive.  “As part of the Palaszczuk government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan, we’re working with … Continue reading Inside Advanced Manufacturing shares Industry 4.0 practices →

Three Western Australian organisations have been awarded $600,000 in funding as part of the federal government’s Moon to Mars Demonstrator Feasibility Grants program.  These local organisations will develop technologies to support future space missions, receiving $200,000 each.  A total of 20 organisations across Australia have each received funding to conduct feasibility testing and transfer their projects from concept to next … Continue reading Moon to Mars Demonstrator Feasibility Grants funds 3 WA projects →

The Victorian government has confirmed it will invest $5 million to support Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) to manufacture doses of the mRNA vaccine for trials, due to start within months.  The novel mRNA-based vaccine will enable a Victorian manufacturer to develop critical manufacturing capability of mRNA vaccines for clinical trials, a level of expertise which is currently … Continue reading Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences to trial mRNA manufacture →

The Resources Technology Showcase at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre will uncover some of Western Australia’s new technological advances for the resources, defence and space industries.  Supported by the Western Australian government, North Metropolitan TAFE and South Metropolitan TAFE have partnered to provide an interactive experience of some of the high-tech equipment in their training arsenals. This includes one of … Continue reading Resources Technology Showcase uncovers new training technologies →

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is investing $750,000 in Hysata, newly launched electrolyser manufacturing company, on behalf of the federal government to commercialise electrolyser production technology, aiming to bring down hydrogen production costs.  The CEFC’s first hydrogen-related investment, researchers from the University of Wollongong have been working to overcome barriers to enable the broader use of electrolysis. This is a critical technology for producing hydrogen from renewable resources.  Having … Continue reading Hysata to commercialise UOW electrolyser for hydrogen production →

Unions NSW is launching the McKell Institute “Build It Here” report, encouraging the NSW government to publish the wider economic benefits of awarding contracts to Australian companies, rather than offshoring major projects.  The Unions NSW report analysed six of the NSW government’s transport contracts including the new intercity rail fleet made in South Korea, the light rail made in France and … Continue reading Unions NSW report encourages onshoring manufacturing projects →

The Queensland government has announced new trade commissioners have filled key offshore roles for Korea and South Asia, leading Australia’s presence around the world.  Trade and Investment Queensland is the state’s dedicated global business agency with a network of regional and international offices.  Queensland’s new trade commissioners fulfil critical roles in Australia’s continued efforts to recover … Continue reading New trade commissioners to promote Queensland exports →

ForestrySA has awarded three new contracts to local South Austrailan sawmills, achieving growth and supporting local jobs in regional communities.  Sawmills in the Adelaide Hills, the South-east and Mid North will benefit from the outcomes of ForestrySA’s recent tender for long term supply of timber from state forests in the Mount Lofty Ranges.  The successful tenderers are:  KSI Sawmills, Nurioopta – industrial log and … Continue reading ForestrySA timber supports South Australian sawmill supply chains →

The federal government has provided the Australian National University (ANU) with a $2.5 million grant to establish a National Space Qualification Network (NSQN), offering end-to-end payload testing services to manufacturers.  The funding will mean the ANU and its space research partners can ensure that Australian-made satellites and other sensitive electronic equipment operates correctly in space.  Creating an end-to-end testing capability will save space … Continue reading National Space Qualification Network to boost testing capability →

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has appointed Swinburne Manufacturing Futures Research Institute founder Professor Bronwyn Fox as chief scientist – almost 30 years after she began her career with CSIRO as a research assistant.  As CSIRO’s fourth female chief scientist, Fox joins the agency from Swinburne University of Technology where she is deputy vice-chancellor for Research and Enterprise.   Fox will bring a great depth … Continue reading Swinburne Manufacturing Futures Research Institute founder joins CSIRO →

General Motors (GM) and Wabtec Corporation, global transport equipment and systems provider, will collaborate to develop and commercialise GM’s Ultium battery technology and HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell systems for Wabtec locomotives.  “The rail industry is on the cusp of a sustainable transformation with the introduction of batteries and hydrogen to power locomotive fleets,” Wabtec president and CEO Rafael Santana said.  “Our FLXdrive locomotive, the world’s first 100 per cent battery powered locomotive, … Continue reading GM, Wabtec to develop Ultium battery, HYDROTEC fuel cell systems →

The US Department of Energy and the Clean Energy Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CESMII) have announced a $4.8 million RFP to develop smart technologies for the manufacturing sector.  These technologies include advanced sensors, cloud-based computing, advanced modelling and simulation and AI. The aim is to improve productivity and operating efficiency in the manufacturing sector and reduce waste, preparing the US for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.  … Continue reading CESMII, US Department of Energy RFP for manufacturing technology →

A consortium of universities, hospitals and industry have received $1 million in federal government funding to develop and commercialise a durable Total Artificial Heart, led by Monash University and BiVACOR.  Through the federal government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), the Artificial Heart Frontiers Program will develop and commercialise these new devices to remedy this global health problem.  The research team seeks to take this new … Continue reading Total Artificial Heart to be commercialised by Monash and BiVACOR →

Global vaccine experts have been enlisted to provide advice on mRNA manufacturing capability in Victoria, with an international pioneer to team up with local leaders to form mRNA Victoria’s new Scientific Advisory Group.  The Victorian government announced the members of the Scientific Advisory Group, including Dr Barney Graham whose ground-breaking research into the spike protein … Continue reading Scientific Advisory Group for mRNA Victoria establishes manufacturing capabilities →

A research collaboration led by Queensland Semiconductor Technology (Questsemi) and Griffith University is establishing the performance, characterisation and manufacturability of silicon carbide (SiC) Schottky diodes at a wafer level. SiC Schottky diodes are small semiconductor devices, or one-way electronic switches, used in power conversion systems. Due to their thermal conductivity, high switching performance and efficiency, they … Continue reading Questsemi and Griffith University develop energy efficient technologies →

Queensland has shortlisted three train manufacturers – Alstom, CAF and Downer Rail – to enter the next phase of the Rollingstock Expansion Program (REP), which will build the state’s next passenger train fleet.  This followed an extensive Expression of Interest (EOI) process run by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). The chosen manufacturer will be responsible for building the first 20 … Continue reading REP shortlists Alstom, CAF and Downer Rail to build new trains →

The Federal government has continued its support for Australian manufacturing projects, including new medical technologies, through its most recent round of Accelerating Commercialisation grants.  One of these projects is Melbourne-based medical technology start-up Cyban Pty Ltd, which will use its $350,000 grant to commercialise its non-invasive continuous brain oxygen level monitoring device. This device will be used for critically ill patients with traumatic brain injuries, while also helping to eliminate secondary injuries.  Medical … Continue reading Accelerating Commercialisation supports Australian manufacturing →

Kalgoorlie Health Campus is now home to Siemens Healthcare’s 1.5T Magnetom Sola MRI machine, the first Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology to be available in the Goldfields region.  As a key election commitment for the Western Australian government, the $1.75 million MRI machine can automatically adjust to the anatomy of each patient. This leads to a more accurate diagnosis and assessment.   The 1.5T Magnetom Sola MRI machine also has the unique ability … Continue reading First modern MRI machine for Goldfields region now available →

The NSW Government has committed $1.15 billion to start work on the Bradfield City Centre, supporting jobs at the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and creating an Indo-Pacific economic hub.  The funding will pave the way for project work to begin this year, creating a city precinct that will support up to 17,600 highly skilled jobs, according to … Continue reading Bradfield City Centre to unlock investment in advanced manufacturing →

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced the pending launch of the $43 million Industrial Energy Transformation Studies Program under the 2021-22 Federal Budget. It will aim to identify opportunities for reducing energy costs and emissions in the industrial sector.  In the first round, the Industrial Energy Transformation Studies Program will provide $25M in funding to support feasibility … Continue reading Industrial Energy Transformation Studies Program reduces emissions →