Two new research laboratories at RMIT University’s Melbourne City campus will focus on developing high-performance advanced materials and improving manufacturing and fabrication. Researchers will use the labs to improve solar cell technology, battery efficiency, magnesium implants for patients, and water sensing and purification. RMIT deputy vice-chancellor research and innovation and vice-president, professor Calum Drummond, said … Continue reading New labs advance materials, manufacturing and fabrication research →

The first half of 2019 is going to be tough for the Australian economy – but it’s not all bad news, according to one expert at AUSPACK 2019. Economic guru Stephen Koukoulas took guests at the AUSPACK 2019 Business and Industry conference through the state of the economy and what lies ahead. Koukoulas said Australia … Continue reading Australian economy sees tough first half of 2019, expert explains →

The Australian government is purchasing the next MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft. This aircraft is the second of a planned fleet of at least six Triton aircraft that Australia is acquiring through a cooperative program with the United States Navy. Minister for Defence, Christopher Pyne, and Minister for Defence Industry, Linda Reynolds, announced on March … Continue reading Australia commits to next Triton remotely piloted aircraft →

The search for Western Australia’s latest innovators is now on with Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly opening applications for the 2019 WA Innovator of the Year program. The program, which started 13 years ago, acknowledges and rewards exceptional Western Australian innovators who have developed outstanding products, technology or services. “This program has a proven … Continue reading Western Australia searches for best and brightest innovators →

Australian businesses will have more opportunities for growth through open trade and global investment following the signing of the Australia-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement and associated Investment agreement. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the signing is part of the Australian government’s plan for a stronger economy. “Better integrating Australia’s trade and … Continue reading Free trade agreement drives industry growth →

There is still a chance for companies to be a part of Australia’s most prestigious manufacturing awards ceremony as nominations have been extended. The Endeavour Awards will once again bring the manufacturing industry together for an evening of celebrations at the Arts Centre in Melbourne on May 16, 2019. The awards recognise industry for achievements … Continue reading Nominations for Endeavour Awards extended for two weeks →

buildingSMART Australasia, a not-for-profit body that leads the development of open digital information flows across the built asset economy, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GS1 Australia to enable the construction industry to benefit from their combined expertise using the standards and services they deliver. The use of global buildingSMART and GS1 standards, for product identification … Continue reading buildingSMART and GS1 Australia advance global standards in construction →

Opening on Tuesday in Melbourne, AUSPACK 2019 was off to a vibrant start. Highlights included far-reaching discussions about sustainability in the sold-out conference, to the latest technologies in Industry 4.0 displayed across the largest AUSPACK floor space ever. The first of more than 7,000 expected visitors and 300 delegates came through the doors of the … Continue reading Sold-out conference one highlight of many at AUSPACK opening day →

Students are accessing augmented reality technology simulation, allowing them to consolidate their welding competence and fast track their skills. The new Advanced Welder Training Centre (AWTC) at Regency Campus has 12 augmented reality welding simulators which can provide instant feedback on student performance, maximise safety and enhance the development of welding techniques through multiple practice … Continue reading Students bond with new augmented reality welding technology →

The University of Melbourne’s new purpose-built biosciences facility is boosting Victoria’s bioscience research and biotechnology capabilities. Minister for Higher Education Gayle Tierney visited the university’s Parkville campus to tour the new Western Edge Biosciences facility on March 25. Bioscience remains one of Victoria’s key strengths within the research and tertiary education sector. “The Western Edge … Continue reading New biosciences facility boosts research opportunities in Victoria →

AUSPACK has kicked off with hundreds heading through the doors of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on March 26. The expo, which is part of Packaging and Processing Week, encompasses the manufacturing, food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. The event, which runs until March 29, is packed with companies from across Australia and the globe … Continue reading People pack into AUSPACK expo on first day   →

Packaging in Australia is creating huge problems. Landfills are overflowing, oceans are being polluted and plastic is causing all kinds of issues along the line. AUSPACK organisers spoke to Craig Reucassel, writer and host of the ABC’S War on Waste and The Chaser, about ways that manufacturers can help reduce the levels of waste in … Continue reading A manufacturer’s duty to reduce waste, explained by expert →

As part of a global industry research project, combustion experts from the University of Sydney’s School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering are one step closer to developing a more efficient and cost-effective access to space platform for satellite launches. Making up the University’s Clean Combustion Group, associate professor Matthew Cleary, associate professor Ben Thornber, and Dr Dries Verstraete … Continue reading More efficient satellite launch platform on the horizon →

Toyota Australia, with funding assistance from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), has unveiled plans to build a $7.4 million Hydrogen Centre at the mobility company’s former site of car manufacturing at Altona in Melbourne’s west. The Hydrogen Centre is part of a larger plan to transform the former Altona site into a Centre of … Continue reading Toyota’s Altona site will house Victoria’s first hydrogen refuelling station →

Blockchain could provide greater legal security and contribute to the economic and social development of countries with limited land management systems, according to RMIT property law experts. RMIT’s Rebecca Leshinsky, senior lecturer from the School of Property, Construction and Project Management, said blockchain has the potential to open up opportunities for countries that don’t have a … Continue reading Blockchain set to enable better land management systems →

BAE Systems Australia and the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) will bring Industry 4.0 to reality through participation in the Joint Strike Fighter defence program. The $750,000 project will develop a new approach to supply chain digitisation that avoids having to use expensive, proprietary software which is currently one of the major barriers to Australian … Continue reading Supply chain digitisation to be tested on Joint Strike Fighter →

Two Indian entrepreneurs will tour Queensland as part of an initiative to boost trade and education links. Innovation Minister Kate Jones announced the 2019 Queensland-India Innovators Experience while on a trade mission to India in late 2018. Jones said the campaign to promote opportunities for Indian entrepreneurs to research, work and study in Queensland, had … Continue reading Indian entrepreneurs set to promote Queensland overseas →

Former federal court judge, Dr Annabelle Bennett, has been appointed chairperson of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Board (ANSTO). Bennett is currently chancellor of Bond University and practices as a consultant senior counsel, a mediator and an arbitrator. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews congratulated Bennett on her appointment for a … Continue reading Former judge to lead Australian science board →

The United Kingdom has signed a contract with Boeing to acquire five E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft. Minister for Defence, Christopher Pyne, and Minister for Defence Industry, Linda Reynolds, welcomed the announcement and said the acquisition represented an acknowledgement of the world-leading nature of the Wedgetail aircraft. “The Wedgetail is a true … Continue reading UK Wedgetail acquisition to create Australian jobs →

Researchers at Monash University are part of an international team that has developed a blockchain system that can successfully defend malicious activity by attackers who possess more than half of the system’s computing power. The system, RepuCoin, introduces the concept of ‘reputation’ to blockchain, effectively making it thousands of times more expensive to attack than Bitcoin. … Continue reading Blockchain system defends malicious activity by attackers →