By Jonathan Roberts, Queensland University of Technology With generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems such as ChatGPT and StableDiffusion being the talk of the town right now, it might feel like we’ve taken a giant leap closer to a sci-fi reality where AIs are physical entities all around us. Indeed, computer-based AI appears to be advancing…
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The former Holden car assembly site at Elizabeth, South Australia has begun its newest chapter cultivating and processing mushrooms, with its operator Epicurean Food Group expecting onsite employee numbers to grow from 37 now to 350 around mid-2024. A $110 million facility is currently producing about 20 tonnes per week of gourmet mushrooms in six…
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Sparc Technologies has progressed construction of a modular and scalable manufacturing facility to produce graphene based additives with commissioning expected in Q1 CY23. The facility will enable the production of commercial quantities of graphene based additives for the growing global Coatings and Composites markets, the company said in an update to investors. “The commissioning of…
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Satellite system operator Skykraft will be one of the first customers to benefit from a new 7.3-metre communications antenna unveilled by the University of Tasmania (UTas) at Bisdee Tier (pictured). Part of the Southern Skies Network, the antenna will provide ground support to Skykraft’s Air Traffic Management constellation of satellites under a contract signed with…
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Bega sells share in Vitasoy beverages Diversified food and beverage manufacturer Bega Cheese has sold its 49 percent shareholding in plant milk manufacturer Vitasoy to Vita International Holdings. The sale, for $51 million, follows the exercise of an option by Vita International to buy back the shareholding which was held by Bega offshoot National Foods…
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XTEK has been awarded two grants from the Department of Defence, totalling $0.8 million. The ASX-listed defence contractor announced on Tuesday that the grants were through the Defence Global Competitiveness programs and Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority program and valued at $164,268.50 and $658,209.20 respectively. The DGC-backed project covers investment in a new “CNC Virtual Machining…
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Rachael Barritt from Dovetail Electric Aviation has been named Swinburne University’s first Founder in Residence, with a focus on “new ideas and ventures” related to aerospace and aviation. According to a statement from Swinburne on Tuesday, Barritt (pictured) would work closely with the team at its Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub (AIR Hub), which is involved…
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The Monash Institute of Railway Technology (IRT), which is advising the development of the federal government’s National Rail Manufacturing Plan, hosted assistant manufacturing minister Tim Ayres on Monday. Ayres – who also visited cutter and grinder tool manufacturer ANCA yesterday to announce a a $3 million grant – is leading development of the rail plan. …
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Australian and French defence and foreign ministers meeting in Europe have announced a new collaboration to supply 155mm calibre field gun ammunition to war torn Ukraine. It is understood that French-owned Thales group’s Australian Munitions operation at Mulwala in New South Wales will supply the gunpowder for the manufacture of the shells which will be…
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Machine tool manufacturer ANCA will establish a precision manufacturing cell at its Bayswater, Melbourne headquarters, using a grant delivered through the federal government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative. ANCA is a major exporter of complex manufactures, supplying advanced tool-making machines and technology to aerospace, medical, automotive and electronic industries in more than 45 countries. Assistant Minister for…
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