By Tessa Leach, Monash University and Anna Malos, Monash University Aluminium is an exceptionally useful metal. Lightweight, resistant to rust and able to be turned into alloys with other metals. Small wonder it’s the second most used metal in the world after iron and demand is set to soar. But aluminium comes at a cost…
By John Quiggin, The University of Queensland Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s plan for nuclear power in Australia has provoked a great deal of discussion and analysis – most of it critical. Experts point out the Coalition’s long-awaited modelling involves both highly optimistic costings and a massively lower demand for electricity than expected in official projections. In…
Do you have what it takes to be named as one of Australia’s top 50 in @AuManufacturing’s annual Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers campaign? @AuManufacturing news is again looking to identify and celebrate Australia’s 50 most innovative manufacturers. Nominees are assessed by an expert panel, are selected for a shortlist, are profiled by our editors…
Australia’s manufacturing industry will have to continue to forge ahead alone as the government response remains light on details and lack clarity in helping the industry remain resilient. Here, Sandy Plunkett highlights the government’s glaring gaps and lack of commitment to Australia’s advanced manufacturing. The primary takeaway from the Federal government’s long-awaited response to last…
By David Tuffley, Griffith University In a significant blow to Australia’s defence capabilities, the federal government is cancelling what would have been the nation’s largest-ever space project: a A$7 billion military satellite communications system. The decision was confirmed in a press statement today. It comes just 18 months after the Albanese government gave the green…
By Peter Draper, University of Adelaide Finally, Australia’s rock lobster industry will be able to export to China again, following a deal struck on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Laos last week. It will take some weeks to finalise the paperwork, but Chinese diners can expect to eat our high-quality crustaceans as we…
By Anna Malos, Monash University; Josh Solomonsz, Climateworks Centre, and Matthew Benetti, Climateworks Centre Australia’s push for net-zero emissions received a welcome boost on Thursday, with the release of an official report showing how Australia can seek to cut domestic emissions across each sector of the economy. The Climate Change Authority prepared the report, which…
By Chris Briggs, University of Technology Sydney As Australia’s electricity supply shifts to clean energy, a big challenge is looming. How do we “keep the lights on” as big coal plants close, and a far-flung network of wind and solar generators replaces them? This balancing act was outlined in the latest annual stocktake by the…
Quantum technologies – which may soon provide huge advances in computing, communication and sensing – are rapidly growing in strategic importance.
By Charlie Huang, RMIT University Australia is at the forefront of efforts to turn steelmaking green. Earlier this year Australian iron ore producers Rio Tinto teamed up with Australian steelmaker BlueScope to develop “near-zero emission-intensity” pathways for making steel from Pilbara iron ore. Renewable electricity and hydrogen would replace coking coal. Iron ore miner Fortescue…