Researchers from Deakin University have developed an everyday, consumer-focused application for smart sensing technology. The researchers have invented a “smart” schoolbag, using internet of things (IoT) technologies and an array of sensors. Functionalities of the bag include the ability to send alerts to students, parents and teachers when the bag does not include items essential … Continue reading Smart bag demonstrates everyday application of IoT technology →

Researchers from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have discovered a material with reversibly changing properties that could be used in 3D printing and manufacturing. In collaboration with scientists from Ghent University (Belgium) and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany), the team have created a reprogrammable material using green LED light and darkness as the switches … Continue reading Light-dependent advanced material discovered →

The Australian Space Agency has announced that it has signed a statement of strategic intent with Australian satellite data start-up Myriota. Myriota provides internet of things (IoT) data connectivity via low Earth orbit satellite, to allow local and international industries to obtain sensor and location data. According to deputy head of the Australian Space Agency, … Continue reading Satellite data SME signs on with Australian Space Agency →

A $90 million investment to overhaul Kogan Creek Power Station will create 400 jobs over the course of two and a half months. Located near Chinchilla in Queensland, the coal-fired power station is owned by CS Energy and has a capacity of 750 MW. Jobs created include positions for electricians, boiler makers, riggers, fitters, welders, … Continue reading Power station renovation drives regional jobs →

In a speech delivered at the National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Michaelia Cash, announced that the federal government sees the vocational education and training (VET) sector as important to the economy as universities. Noting that the government wishes to transform the delivery of skills and … Continue reading Minister Cash places renewed focus on VET →

A University of Sydney researcher is attempting to overcome accessibility issues associated with virtual buttons. An essential part of many electronic devices, virtual buttons that appear on a screen as an image are difficult to use for the vision impaired due to their lack of tactile response. This is made particularly tricky on essential devices … Continue reading Artificial skin overcomes barriers to virtual buttons →

The Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) has partnered with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Brisbane surveying company Monitum to manufacture smart sensors for the construction industry. Using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) techniques, the sensors will provide cheap and reliable monitoring of infrastructure projects at a higher level of precision than currently … Continue reading Industry partnership to manufacture low power sensors for construction industry →

Researchers at the University of Wollongong (UOW) have developed artificial muscles made from inexpensive materials that have 40 times more flex than a human muscle. The findings come from a global research project, with contributions from researchers at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES). The artificial muscles are made from materials vary … Continue reading Artificial muscles created from everyday materials →

Four collaborative research centres at the University of Adelaide have received a boost in funding from the South Australian government and the University of Adelaide. Both the South Australian government and the University of Adelaide will each contribute $6.77 million in funding for advanced manufacturing, defence, resources, biomedical and agriculture research. Specifically, the organisations that … Continue reading SA and University of Adelaide partner for research infrastructure →

This week the Western Australian government has announced two grants for innovative businesses to set up in the state. The state government will provide support for local businesses through the X-TEND WA program. Six education programs for investors and innovators are part of the $516,000 pilot program. The programs range from business scale up strategies … Continue reading WA offers investment for innovation →

As robotics researchers, students and enthusiasts gathered at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, home-town teams from universities in Sydney were hoping for simulated and solid success. Two local universities came out with first place honours, University of Sydney (USYD) and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), in the Soccer Simulation 2D League and the … Continue reading RoboCup results in wins for local universities →

A research partnership between CSIRO, The University of Queensland, the Australian National University (ANU) and Charles Darwin University will focus on the challenges brought on by innovation in science and technology. The collaboration will inquire into areas including synthetic biology, robotics, precision health, hydrogen and artificial intelligence, and ask what issues these advances present for … Continue reading Research partnership examines ethics of innovation →

South Australian company Airspeed has been selected by BAE Systems to support the Global Combat Ships program. The program will build three ships in Glasgow, Scotland for the UK Royal Navy as part of the multi-billion-dollar UK Type 26 program. The Type 26 frigate is the original model which led to the Hunter class frigate, … Continue reading BAE Systems selects SA manufacturer for UK naval shipbuilding contract →

On July 10, federal Science Minister Karen Andrews and her WA counterpart, Dave Kelly, signed an MoU outlining WA’s involvement in Australia’s space capabilities. The agreement involves $6 million in investment from the federal government to develop partnerships and engagement between WA industry and the global space ecosystem. The investment will be separated into two … Continue reading WA to join in Australia’s space efforts →

Bio-pharma company THC Global Group is licenced to produce medical cannabis from its Southport Manufacturing Facility. According to THC Global, initial annual production could exceed 12,000kg of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) isolates, created under Good Manufacturing Practices  (GMP) compliant methods. “We expect to be supplying Australian patients with Australian produced medicinal cannabis by early 2020, … Continue reading Largest bio-pharma extraction facility receives licence →

Austrade recently led a delegation of nine Australian health service providers to hospitals and medical facilities in Beijing, Chengdu and Guangzhou. As China pursues its Healthy China 2030 strategy, opportunities are opening up for Australian healthcare manufacturers to tap into the Chinese market, according to Austrade’s trade commissioner in Chengdu, Tim White. “The mission clearly … Continue reading A fit future for Australian healthcare technology providers in China →

Researchers from RMIT and the University of New South Wales, (UNSW) have discovered magnetic properties within atomically thin structures that could be used for a new generation of devices, known as “spintronics”. With further research in this field, ultra-thin devices could be produced for industrial applications. This research created devices with three layers, a non-magnetic … Continue reading Researchers suggest possibility of ultra-thin electronics →

The Victorian government is supporting farmers to invest in Internet of Things (IoT) technology, boosting advanced manufacturing enterprises with applications in the agricultural sector. Horticulture, dairy, sheep and grains farmers are encouraged to be involved in the current trial, which is funded through a $12 million program. According to a statement on the program from … Continue reading Victorian farmers encouraged to adopt IoT technologies →

The Australian Defence Forces awarded Canberra-based Penten Services a $2.2 million contract to improve the Australian Army’s cyber capabilities. The technology required will be used by the Army to send messages over unsecured networks. Additionally, funding will go towards the construction of cyber-management capability and the improvement of security countermeasures. In sum, the contract will … Continue reading Canberra company receives funding for defence cyber solutions →

In launching the Western Australian (WA) government’s Diversify WA vision, the state government identified technology and advanced manufacturing as one of the key economic sectors that will build a more resilient, sustainable and growing economy. To achieve this vision, the WA government will reduce barriers to diversification, foster innovation and demonstrate fiscal responsibility so to … Continue reading Manufacturing key to future of WA economy →