Illite fantastic: research points the way for cheap, low-emission cement substitute 

Researchers at RMIT University say that a new method to process a clay type into a low-carbon substitute for cement in concrete could prove “economically and environmentally scalable”. According to a statement from the university on Thursday, the team has demonstrated a way to turn cheap and abundant illite clay with low-grade kaolinite clay into…

ClearVue subsidiary lands first commercial greenhouse contract

ClearVue Technologies subsidiary OptiCrop has secured its first commercial project worth approximately $80,000 for ground-source heat exchange technology at a greenhouse installation. The ASX-listed company announced on Wednesday that OptiCrop will provide its proprietary cooling solution for a one-acre greenhouse being built by a global irrigation and greenhouse provider. The cooling coils will optimise nutrient…

Industry calls for heat pump rebate pause over safety concerns

The air conditioning and refrigeration industry has called for government heat pump rebate schemes to be suspended until safety and performance standards are implemented. The Australian Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturers Association warned on Monday that New South Wales and Victorian rebate programs are plagued by safety risks, poor performance and fraud. AREMA managing director Greg Picker…

WA commits $130,000 to boost biomedical industry skills

The Cook Government has announced $130,000 in funding for two new grant rounds aimed at developing Western Australia’s health and medical life sciences sector. Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson (pictured) said on Monday the funding would support the Accelerator Program Access Grants and Entrepreneur in Residence scheme, following successful first rounds. The Accelerator Program Access…

Update: June 25 event gains guests from Quickstep, Harvest B for an important “missing middle” conversation

New guests have been added to @AuManufacturing‘s upcoming Spotlight on Scaling Up event, with Quickstep Acting CEO Demi Stefanova and Harvest B Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer Alfred Lo announced as panellists. Stefanova and Lo, leaders from a composites specialist and food technology startup respectively, will appear in conversation with Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre Chair Paul…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Foundations laid for Australia’s first liquid hydrogen flight test programs AMSL Aero and Stralis Aircraft, two Australian companies that are developing hydrogen-powered aircraft, have successfully registered a family of liquid hydrogen tanks. According to a statement from AMSL Aero on Monday, the tanks will be used for refuelling and enabling zero-emission flights, are known as “Dewar vessels”, and…