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 →

Two local companies have received funding from the federal government to improve technical capabilities in Australia’s growing space sector, enabling a future role in NASA’s Moon to Mars project.  The second round of Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability Improvement grants follows the allocation of more than $1 million in the first round of grants in … Continue reading Moon to Mars grants boost Australian supply chain capabilities →

The Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) has encouraged applications for IMCRC activate, a funding initiative to help Australian SMEs recover from COVID-19.  This will be achieved through shorter-term, agile research and development collaborations, with matched cash funding between $50,000 and $150,000 available per project.  Launched in 2020, IMCRC activate supports highly targeted, cost effective and innovative R&D projects in … Continue reading IMCRC activate R&D project opportunities for manufacturing SMEs →

Australia and Germany will invest in a series of new initiatives to accelerate the development of a hydrogen industry, through a Declaration of Intent on the Australia-Germany Hydrogen Accord.  This initiative will create new economic opportunities and jobs, while reducing emissions.  The Australia-Germany Hydrogen Accord builds on each government’s respective strengths, with Australia looking to be a major hydrogen exporter. Germany holds expertise in hydrogen technology and plans to import … Continue reading Australia-Germany Hydrogen Accord accelerates hydrogen industry →

Queensland’s Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program will provide three far north Queensland manufacturers with over $930,000 between them. This will enable the adoption of new technology, create local jobs and grow the businesses. A manufacturing powerhouse, with support the region can secure and deliver a high volume of manufacturing jobs, according to minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water Glenn Butcher.  “The Palaszczuk government’s plan … Continue reading Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program to fund north QLD businesses →

Australian cleantech developer Mineral Carbonation International (MCi) has been awarded a $14.6 million federal government grant. The funding will accelerate MCi’s technology for transforming CO2 emissions into advanced manufacturing and consumer products.  As one of six individual grants from the $50 million Carbon Capture Use and Storage (CCUS) fund, the grant will go towards constructing a mineral carbonation mobile demonstration plant in Newcastle, … Continue reading MCi awarded $14.6m to transform CO2 into manufacturing products →

Approximately $34 million will be invested in the delivery of vehicle workshops, hardstands and shelters in Swanbourne, Western Australia to support modernisation of the Australian Defence Force and Royal Australian Air Force vehicle fleet.  Lendlease will deliver fit-for-purpose facilities and infrastructure to sustain the new fleet of trucks and trailers being procured for the Australian Defence Force, … Continue reading Australian Defence Force vehicles modernised under $34M funding →

NXP Semiconductors, automotive processing company, and the world’s largest semiconductor foundry TSMC have released two new processors into large scale production. They incorporate TSMC’s 16 nanometre (nm) FinFET process technology.  As automobiles evolve into powerful computing platforms, NXP’s S32G2 vehicle network processor and S32R294 radar processor will help simplify vehicle architecture and deliver a fully connected and configurable car.  NXP Semiconductors’ new vehicle network processor will allow service-oriented gateways for secure cloud connectivity and … Continue reading NXP Semiconductors release two processors with TSMC technology →

Supermicro Computer Incorporated, a server technology manufacturer, is doubling its capacity to meet global server and storage demand, as Cloud, AI and 5G/Edge drives unprecedented growth in new data and applications.  Expansion at Supermicro’s Taiwan and US facilities is near completion, aiming for production this year.  “Supermicro is investing in the future of the data centre, whether on-premises or for … Continue reading Supermicro doubles manufacturing capacity, expands facilities →

The Federal government will aid Australian manufacturers in commercialising ideas with over $3.7 million in grants as part of the Commercialisation Fund, including the development of a rapid COVID-19 test.  Alcolizer Pty Ltd in Balcatta Perth is among six companies to share in funding under the government’s $30M Commercialisation Fund, which brings together industry and researchers … Continue reading Commercialisation Fund provides $3.7M+ in manufacturing grants →