The Gartner Hype Cycle (see below) has gotten a workout during the current generative AI boom. It can be an interesting framework to superimpose on the progress of any new technology that attracts a surge of interest. For the green hydrogen industry, SolidHydrogen CEO Philippe Odouard says the peak was probably about two years ago.…
By Peter Layton, Griffith University In the past five years, uncrewed aerial vehicles (drones) have become indispensable in modern warfare. The Russia–Ukraine war has accelerated their ascent: on any given day, there may be hundreds or even thousands of drones operating across the frontlines and behind them. Cheap, mass-produced consumer technology is the foundation for…
Sponsored Modern manufacturers are turning to advanced technologies to accelerate innovation, help them scale and deliver greater productivity whilst becoming more resilient and sustainable. Automation, robotics, faster prototyping, additive manufacturing, IoT sensors, and novel materials all offer new ways of delivering products at lower cost and/or greater quality. However, they also add complexity to your…
By Amir Razmjou, Edith Cowan University Critical minerals are having a moment. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is at the White House to talk up Australia’s rich deposits with President Donald Trump. China, which has a global stranglehold on rare earth elements, recently imposed new export restrictions, much to Trump’s annoyance. It’s clear there’s an era…
By John Quiggin, The University of Queensland The federal government’s announcement of a A$600 million rescue package for Glencore’s copper smelting and refining operations in Mount Isa and Townsville marks a definitive shift in Australia’s industry policy. The announcement follows the $2.4 billion rescue of the Whyalla steelworks, and a smaller assistance package for metals…
By John Griffin, Lancaster University Three scientists have been awarded the 2025 Nobel prize in chemistry for discovering a new form of molecular architecture: crystals that contain large cavities. Susumu Kitagawa from Kyoto University, Japan, Richard Robson from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and Omar M. Yaghi from the University of California, Berkeley, in the…
By Bruce Mountain, Victoria University Two years ago, Snowy Hydro announced a reset for its troubled Snowy 2.0 giant pumped hydro project amid cost blowouts. The supposed final cost was A$12 billion. Last week, Snowy Hydro acknowledged this figure was no longer viable after a cost reassessment. I estimate the final cost will be well…
Astroscale, HEO partner on space monitoring This week Japanese satellite servicing company Astroscale Holdings and Sydney-based non-Earth imaging specialist HEO announced a three-year memorandum of understanding. According to a statement from Astroscale on Tuesday, the agreement deepens an existing partnership on monitoring, assessing and ultimately servicing allied defence, government and commercial assets. The pair will…
QUT has launched an upgrade to its Mackay-based Pioneer BioPilot, which it says has made the facility into the nation’s top pilot-scale fermentation facility. The $18 million investment in the QUT Pioneer BioPilot included support from the federal and state governments and the Australia’s Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA), and will “empower innovative companies” to…
By Niusha Shafiabady, Australian Catholic University and Xiaoying Qi, Australian Catholic University For more than a century, global geopolitics has revolved around oil and gas. Countries with big fossil fuel reserves, such as Saudi Arabia and Russia, have amassed significant wealth and foreign influence, helping shape the world order. But the global shift toward renewable…