Australia’s place in the semiconductor world — Barriers to bringing wafer production home

Analysis and Commentary, Technology

Today in Australia’s place in the semiconductor world, Andrew McLellan illustrates a case where local innovation requires overseas fabrication, and why the situation is unlikely to change.  While improvements in technology and knowledge have driven significant advances in life sciences and healthcare industries in recent decades, methods for identifying and tracking important biological samples stored…

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Vogue Homes to float on recyclable Biax waffle pads

Manufacturing News, Technology

South Western Sydney home builder Vogue Homes has embraced a newly designed and engineered concrete slab foundation system (pictured) from Biax Foundations that are easier to install and more sustainable. The company began using Biax modules (pictured below) to replace waffle pods that support concrete foundations, allowing more accurate specification of concrete quantities, to provide…

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Legislation to launch National Reconstruction Fund to be tabled tomorrow

Manufacturing News

The federal Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic will introduce legislation to establish the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund – the centrepiece of the government’s approach to boosting manufacturing – promised during the recent federal election campaign. Husic told the national press club that the legislation would be introduced tomorrow which would set in…

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Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Defence, Manufacturing News

BHP chooses Ampcontrol system for Canadian project Electrical systems manufacturer Ampcontrol has been named the supplier for conveyor control systems for Stage 1 at the BHP Jansen Potash Project in Saskatchewan, Canada, its first installation in that country. Predominantly used as a fertiliser, potash provides a rich source of potassium which keeps soils fertile and…

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Calix and Pilbara Minerals to trial lithium processing technology

Manufacturing News, Technology

Industrial process technology developer Calix and Pilbara Minerals have inked a joint venture agreement to develop a demonstration plant at Pilbara’s Pilgangoora Project in Western Australia (pictured) to produce lithium salts. The companies aim to demonstrate the production of lithium salts through an ‘innovative midstream value added refining process’ utilising Calix’s patented calcining technology, and…

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Deakin, Callidus project delivers better ball valves

Manufacturing News, Technology

A project between Callidus Welding Solutions and Deakin University researchers has resulted in seated ball valves with superior durability, according to the participants. Such valves are crucial in hydrometallurgy production of critical minerals such as nickel and gold, and according to the Innovative Manufacturing CRC – which sponsored the project – can cost upwards of…

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Australia’s place in the semiconductor world: repositioning Australia’s chip industry

Analysis and Commentary, Technology

Today’s edition of Australia’s place in the semiconductor world takes a look at the growing importance of compound semiconductors. Stef Winwood argues that if Australia invests strategically, with a view to the future, it could carve out a logical niche and realise compound returns The global semiconductor industry is currently a $US 600 billion a…

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