The Australian Space Agency is seeking the views of researchers and businesses on the application of the federal government’s International Space Investment (ISI) initiative. The government announced the initiative in its 2018-19 Budget under the Australian Technology and Science Growth Plan, which committed to providing $15 million over three years from 2019-20 to support strategic … Continue reading Government seeking advice on space industry funding strategy →

Will robots take our jobs? Or will they provide new opportunities for better working conditions for manufacturing workers? In his presentation at AUSPACK 2019, Universal Robots’ Peter Hern said the introduction of collaborative robots into firms is bringing the human element back in an age of machines and computers. AUSPACK 2019, Australia’s largest packaging and … Continue reading Overtaking Industry 4.0: the coming of the cobots →

The federal government will provide $8.5 million in funding for Australia’s cyber security sector in the second round of AustCyber’s Projects Fund. Announcing the opening of the second round of AustCyber’s Projects Fund, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews encouraged companies that can make a significant contribution to the sector to apply. “Australia’s … Continue reading Cyber security sector to receive $8.5 million in federal government funding →

CSIRO and the University of British Columbia have announced that they will collaborate on clean energy research that is to align with the latest call to action from the Mission Innovation initiative. Mission Innovation consists of 23 countries and the European Commission working to accelerate clean energy innovation through research, development and demonstration. Launched in … Continue reading CSIRO and University of British Columbia to collaborate on clean energy research →

Applications are now open for two of the state’s most prestigious science and innovation awards – the Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation and the Victoria Fellowships. The Victoria Prize and Victoria Fellowships celebrate our top scientists as well as early-career researchers and provide real support for their important work. The coveted Victoria Prize for … Continue reading Applications open for Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation →

Sensor specialist Innovation Sensor Technology IST AG, an Endress+Hauser Group subsidiary, has officially opened an expansion of its plant in Ebnat-Kappel in eastern Switzerland. The facility, built at a cost of nearly 15 million euros (AUD $24 million), now offers double the floor space. Mirko Lehmann, CEO of Innovative Sensor Technology IST AG, Matthias Altendorf, … Continue reading Innovative Sensor Technology IST AG expands its plant in Switzerland →

An APLNG-Armour Energy joint venture is to seek out gas projects in Queensland’s south west for the sole supply of Australian manufacturers. Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham today announced the joint venture’s successful bid for 18 square kilometres of land 22km south-west of Chinchilla. Under the permit’s conditions, gas can only be sold to Australian … Continue reading Joint-venture prospecting gas projects to supply manufacturers →

Sydney Water has announced that Roch Cheroux is to be the organisation’s new chief executive officer. Cheroux, who is currently Chief Executive of SA Water, will start with the Sydney utility on 2 September. Sydney Water chairman Bruce Morgan said that Cheroux was identified after an extensive executive search process both in Australia and overseas. … Continue reading Sydney Water names Roch Cheroux as its new CEO →

ImpulseCheck from Phoenix Contact is the first intelligent assistance system for surge protection in the field of mains protection available on the market. The condition of the system and surge protection is recorded on a continuous basis thanks to the real-time measurement of electromagnetic interferences and surge currents. This makes the remaining service life expectancy … Continue reading Intelligent monitoring system for surge protection →

Sydney Water is funding a project involving Professor Francois Ladouceur from the UNSW School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, Thales Underwater Systems and Zedelef that will test the ability of optical sonar array technology to accurately detect leaks in Sydney’s water pipes. An estimated 10 per cent of water is lost daily from Sydney Water … Continue reading Sydney Water teams up with UNSW, Thales and Zedelef to detect water leaks →

Australia’s energy mix is projected to change radically due to progressive consumer demands and new technologies, according to TransGrid’s Fiona Orton. Orton, who is the future grid manager at TransGrid, said that developing a long-term vision for the energy sector requires careful consideration about how technology, regulation, market structures and customer needs may evolve over … Continue reading Integrated approach required to keep up with energy developments →

Backplane Systems Technology presents Winmate’s new IP69K flat stainless P-Cap panel PC, the W24IB3S-SPA269. Extending their already strong line of panel PCs, Winmate is adding a new 23.8″ model to the selection. Designed to be rugged, their line of stainless steel panel PCS are fully sealed to meet IP69K standards of protection against intrusion from … Continue reading Backplane Systems Technology presents Winmate’s new 23.8” IP69K flat stainless P-CAP Panel PC →

Michell Instruments’ QMA601 process moisture analyser has been selected by a major European manufacturer to monitor trace moisture in ethylene at point of entry from the supply pipeline. After a year-long trial at the plant, Michell’s QMA601 quartz crystal microbalance moisture analyser was shown to be measuring within specification throughout with no adjustments needed. The … Continue reading Fast-responding quartz crystal moisture analyser from Michell selected for European ethylene pipeline →

The reappointment of Karen Andrews as federal minister for industry, science and technology in the Morrison cabinet has been welcomed by sectors of Australia’s science and technology community. Andrews was first appointed to the role in August last year after Morrison became prime minister. Morrison announced Andrews would continue in her ministerial role in the … Continue reading Karen Andrews’ ministerial reappointment welcomed by STEM sector →

The Western Australian government has launched a new science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills strategy. The strategy, which was an election commitment for the McGowan government, was developed by a panel made up of industry experts, researchers and educators, and chaired by WA’s Chief Scientist, Professor Peter Klinken. Called “Future Jobs, Future Skills: Driving … Continue reading WA government launches STEM strategy →

A 3D printing company in Cairns and 19 other businesses will share in over $850,000 under the latest round of the Queensland Government’s Business Growth Fund. Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman announced Trinity Engineering Consulting received more than $9,000 to boost and grow their business. “We know that small business take a … Continue reading Cairns-based 3D printing company gets government funding boost →

The NSW Government is to invest $12.5 million to support the expansion of the Innovation Precinct at the Lucas Heights campus of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). State Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, Kevin Anderson, visited ANSTO to be briefed on how the investment will assist scientists, students, start-ups and industries … Continue reading ANSTO Innovation Precinct to receive $1.25 million from NSW government →

A Swinburne University research team has been focussing its efforts on groundbreaking work on sensors and nanomaterials and their practical use for health and environmental monitoring. The team is led by Dr Shafiei, a Swinburne Vice-Chancellor’s Women in STEM research fellow. These fellowships have been designed designed to address the under-representation of women in science, … Continue reading Swinburne researchers exploring use of nanomaterials in sensors →

Federal Labor Senator Kim Carr has announced that he will not renominate as Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, ending a two-decade stint on the frontbench in both government and opposition. Carr has been on Labor’s frontbench since 1996, serving much of that time as the party’s spokesperson for industry, science and research. … Continue reading Labor’s Kim Carr stands down from Opposition frontbench →