Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Memphasys claims defining milestone for Felix Reproductive technology company Memphasys has announced the successful data from a “pivotal clinical trial” for the Felix System, “confirming its best-in-class performance in sperm selection for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).” Conducted in partnership through Monash IVF, Memphasys said on Monday that the trial results show Felix as “non-inferior to…

UQ biotech innovation partnership forges a second startup

A new startup aimed at discovering and developing anti-inflammatory disease medicines has been formed by The University of Queensland’s commercialisation arm UniQuest and global biotech company Molecule to Medicine (MTM), according to a statement released on Tuesday. Curlew Bio will leverage expertise from the Queensland Emory and Drug Discovery Initiative (QEDDI) and research developed by…

New panels could make temporary housing “cheaper, lighter and more sustainable”: UQ

Lightweight timber-cardboard construction panels developed at University of Queensland’s School of Civil Engineering offer a promising solution in temporary housing for displaced people, according to the university.  According to a statement from UQ on Wednesday, the panels are the subject of a new paper in the journal Structures, and come with benefits including reduced cost…

More coal and gas, less renewables: what a nuclear power plan for Australia would really mean

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…

Precision fermentation potentially “transformative” for industry, says FaBA

The University of Queensland-based Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA) has released a report on what it says is a “transformative opportunity” offered by precision fermentation. In a statement on Monday, UQ said that while fermentation itself is nothing new, its more recent version of the technique was “on the brink of producing tailored, sustainable food…

Monash lithium technology could treat new mineral sources

Monash University engineers have developed and tested EDTA-aided loose nanofiltration (EALNF), a new method enabling direct lithium extraction from lithium-rich saltwater sources which are untappable using current methods. With some predicting global lithium supply could fall short of demand as early as 2025, the innovative technology sets a new standard in lithium processing, according to…

Researcher says more needs to be done to cultivate vertical farming’s potential 

The University of Queensland’s Professor of Protected Cropping, Paul Gauthier, has said technological solutions, for example around energy use, and a change of mindset are needed to help controlled environment agriculture live up to its potential and feed a growing population. In a statement from the university on Wednesday, Gauthier mentioned long-term thinking and a…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

More rocket launches planned for Koonibba Test Range German rocket manufacturer Hyimpulse is negotiating further space launches from Southern Launch’s South Australian launch facilities following the successful launch its SL1 sub-orbital vehicle from the Koonibba Test Range near Ceduna, SA (pictured). The launch tested Hyimpulse’s novel propulsion technology. The company now plans further launches from…