New materials developer First Graphene will supply its PureGRAPH graphene product to improve the performance of face masks (pictured) manufactured by planarTECH Holdings. The Perth company will supply the graphene coating to provide anti-static and bacteria resistant properties to the masks, as well as investigating the use of graphene in other personal protective equipment (PPE).…
Automotive manufacturer APV has been awarded a three year US$500,000 contract to supply passenger restraints for BAE Systems military vehicles in the United States. The company’s APV military seatbelts will be used by BAE Systems for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle programme for the US Marines and the Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle programme for the US Army…
Two New South Wales consortia have been selected by the state government to produce prototypes of new hospital ventilators to treat cases of Covid-19. Groups led by the University of Sydney and by Newcastle-based Ampcontrol were selected from five applicants and will produce an initial 10 prototypes each for testing and approval by the Therapeutic…
Comment by Peter Roberts One of the biggest issues with Australia’s love affair with manufacturing offshore in supposedly low-cost locations is habit. Over the long years of the decline of the old protected manufacturers followed by a resources-boosted currency, procurement managers and financial managers alike got used to reflex thinking that buying overseas is always…
A mega-project to generate electricity from renewables in the Pilbara region for export has received approval from Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority, subject to conditions. EPA chair Dr Tom Hatton announced that the proposed Asian Renewable Energy Hub comprising onshore wind turbines and solar panels situated about 220 kilometres east of Port Hedland, with a…
Biotechnology giant CSL has begun development of a blood-derived treatment for Covid-19, known as COVID-19 Immunoglobulin. The Melbourne company believes the product could be used to treat people seriously ill with the complications caused by the virus, particularly those whose illness is progressing towards the need for ventilation. The treatment will be derived from blood…
Circuitwise has joined a consortium of innovative local businesses to manufacture emergency ventilators being developed as part of Australia’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The contract is to manufacture printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies at its Bella Vista, Sydney factory (pictured) to control 2,000 ventilators being developed by a consortium of companies led by Grey…
New materials technology developer Archer Materials has signed an agreement with computing giant IBM to advance their quantum computing ambitions. The company, which is progressing development of a quantum computing chip, has joined the global IBM Q Network as an ‘ecosystem partner’. Archer’s chip, known as the CQ qubit processor, will now utilise IBM’s open…
BAE Systems has been selected to provide key components of the Loyal Wingman unmanned jet aircraft being developed by Boeing Defence Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Adelaide-based BAE will supply the unmanned flight vehicle management technology, simulation capabilities, flight control computers and navigation equipment for the aircraft. BAE has considerable experience in…
By Peter Roberts Perth global shipbuilder Austal has received a blow with the US Navy selecting another group to design its next-generation frigates. Austal had been funded to be in competition with three others to build the frigates which will be commissioned in large numbers to help boost USN ship numbers. Austal had further developed…