January 2023

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New process extracts silicon from solar panels to build better batteries

Researchers have developed a sustainable and highly lucrative way to address two big issues in the clean energy transition, reclaiming one of the most valuable elements from end-of-life solar panels and reconfiguring it to build better batteries. More than 100,000 tonnes of end-of-life solar panels are estimated to enter Australia’s waste stream by 2035. Scientists from Deakin University’s Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) have successfully tested a new process that can safely and effectively extract silicon from old solar panels, then convert it into a nano material worth more than $45,000 per kilo. This nano-silicon is then mixed with graphite to develop a new type of battery anode shown to increase lithium-ion battery capacity by a factor of 10, a critical breakthrough in energy storage technology. Lead researcher Dr Md Mokhlesur Rahman said that for Australia (and the world) to address the enormous issue of solar panel waste and develop a successful recycling program to divert it away from landfill, scientists must find a way to harvest and repurpose the panels’ most valuable components. “Solar panel cells are fabricated using high-value silicon, but this material cannot be re-used without purification, as it becomes highly contaminated over the 25 to 30 years of the panel’s life,” Dr Rahman said. “We have developed a process that returns silicon collected from used cells to greater than 99 per cent purity, within a day and without the need for dangerous chemicals. This thermal and chemical process is far greener, cheaper, and more efficient than any other technique currently on the market.” But it’s the next step that’s the real game-changer. The Deakin process then takes this regular-sized purified silicon and reduces its size to nanoscale using a special ball-milling process. Again, without the need for toxic chemicals. “We are using that nano-silicon to develop […]

Registration now open for Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2023)

To be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023, the 2023 Melbourne show will be back on home ground and slated to be a big event. Once again organised by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will occupy more than 10,000 square metres of exhibition space at the MCEC in Melbourne, with 300 leading industry exhibitors taking stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services to expected crowds of over 10,000. AMW2023 will be the ‘must attend’ event in the manufacturing landscape. There will be seven Zones on the show floor of Australian Manufacturing Week, each with their own distinct specialisations. These include: Austech Machine Tools, sponsored by ISCAR; Additive Manufacturing Zone; Australian Manufacturers Zone, sponsored by Sutton Tools; Manufacturing Solutions Zone, sponsored by Adobe; Robotics & Automation Zone; Weld and Air Solutions Zone, sponsored by AtlasCopco; Plastic Technology Zone. “AMW2022 at ICC Sydney was a great success and we look forward to an even better AMW2023 at the Melbourne Convention Centre in May,” said Frank Yao of Innofocus Photonics Technology. AMW is the One event that showcases the latest innovations, technologies, and equipment in the advanced manufacturing sector. Visitors and exhibitors can explore new opportunities, meet, and network with Industry leaders and technology experts, all Under one roof at one show. Register Now to attend Now is the time to register online to visit Australian Manufacturing Week in Melbourne. It’s going to be the biggest manufacturing show in the Southern Hemisphere. To register, go to australianmanufacturingweek.com.au https://australianmanufacturingweek.com.au/?utm_source=australianmanufacturingnews.com&utm_medium=editorial &utm_campaign=visprom_2022&utm_content=604×270

Unbreakable rubber-and-fabric isolators curtail energy waste

Vibration occurs in all rotating or reciprocating machinery as a result of forces generated within it. Sometimes the vibration is intended, as in vibrating screens and vibrating conveyor sections, used by the food, beverage and the mineral processing and bulk handling industries, for example. Sometimes it is caused by imbalances in rotors, bearings, springs, and gears as vibration migrates from its source to surrounding structures and wear-prone components. If this vibration is not controlled within its intended limits – and where metal springs may bottom out, settle, crack, or break occur as a result – the consequences of unintended actuation and isolation patterns can include: Energy waste due to kinetic energy required for unwanted vibration Bottoming out under overload and surge, sending a large amount of stress to all of the machine’s components. Bearing failures, metal spring cracking and collapse, metal structure cracking and weaknesses – potentially leading to unexpected plant shutdowns. Operator fatigue and noise nuisance (NVH – noise, harshness, and vibration, which is increasingly a factor in workers’ compensation issues) A simple, robust, and effective means of solving vibration and isolation problems created by such equipment is provided by Marsh Mellow springs, which are fabric-reinforced solid rubber isolators used for quiet isolation of machinery vibration and for general shock absorption throughout industry. The cylindrical springs, developed by Firestone – the world’s biggest producer of air springs for isolation and actuation – are used world-wide as an alternative to metal coil springs for applications involving building, construction, computer, electrical and electronic equipment isolation, including with motors, gearboxes, compressors, conveyors, materials handling machinery and shock absorbers. Marsh Mellows give consistent performance regardless of changing loads, while offering high lateral stability and compact size, says James Maslin, Technical Product Manager, for Marsh Mellows’ Australian distributor, Air Springs Supply Pty Ltd, […]

Improving rail access at the Port of Melbourne

As part of their 2050 Port Development Strategy to define critical infrastructure needs and support the economic growth of Victoria, the Port of Melbourne initiated the Port Rail Transformation Project (PRTP) to improve rail freight access across the Australian state. Spanning more than 500 hectares of land at the mouth of the Yarra River, the Port of Melbourne handles about a third of Australia’s container trade. The AUD 125 million railway initiative aims to facilitate and increase rail-road share. It will enable more containers to be moved by rail more efficiently by increasing rail terminal capacity and improving rail terminal operations at the port. When complete, PRTP will provide a rail solution to meet the needs of a growing port and reduce truck movements across Victoria, particularly in Melbourne’s inner western suburbs. “It’s about taking more trucks off inner-city roads and putting more containers on trains destined for outer-suburban logistics terminals,” said Matthew Brooks, senior project manager of port rail infrastructure at Port of Melbourne. With more than 130 years of technical excellence in transport infrastructure, WSP was selected as part of an alliance with the contractor and client to provide design consultancy services for the project. The scope of their responsibilities included designing and building a new rail terminal interfacing with one of the container terminals, as well as upgrading existing lines and connections to improve access and provide operational flexibility for all trains accessing the port. To optimise design and efficiently meet the Australian community’s needs for mobility, connectivity, sustainability, and resilience, WSP set out to digitalise workflows and information management across the three organisations working on the PRTP. A Need for a Connected Digital Environment With approximately 250 multidisciplinary project team members spread across three organisations, the project presented information management and coordination challenges, compounded by a […]

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Record rainfalls across Australasia and Asia pose sticky challenges

Outback storms and record rainfall are hindering coal and mineral production and distribution with rocky and sticky material flowing through production and transport systems Record rainfalls across Australasia, Asia, and elsewhere are posing major challenges to materials handling, production, and profits at a time of high prices for coal and strong demand for high-value minerals including iron ore, lithium, nickel, gold, and others. While urban centres such as Sydney have attracted headlines with its highest rainfall ever recorded in 2022 – more than 2.2m months before the year was over – the problem has also been equally dire in major coal areas of the Eastern States and major mines and ports in the West and North. NZ, SE Asia, and India have also been saturated and flooded. “All this moisture and long-term rain makes coal sticky, heavier, and harder to handle for the mines, as well as for the organisations transporting it and the ports and power stations where it arrives. Ceaseless rain also causes major disruptions – even Force Majeure events – at iron ore and other mineral mines,” says engineering plastics specialist Laurie Green, Managing Director of Cut To Size Plastics. Cut To Size fabricates to individual requirements globally proven low-friction WearexUHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) chute, bin, truck, rail, and ship loader linings that assist product flow and avoid blockages and the OH&S risks and downtime that go with them. “When using wet or hard-to-handle coal, for example, the use of high molecular weight polyethylene plastic chute liners has become a number one method to improve the flowability of coal chutes, says Mr Green. The same benefits apply to harder mineral ores, where clogging, production hang-ups, and loading and unloading issues can cause costly production interruptions and OH&S issues.” Working with miners, transport operators, ports, and stockpilers, […]

Australia – India strategic research grants now open

Australian researchers can today apply for a share of $6 million in grants to support research collaborations with their counterparts in India. Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic encouraged Australian researchers to apply as part of Round 15 of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF). “International collaboration is a cornerstone of scientific excellence,” Minister Husic said. “Up to $6 million in grant funding is available to support Australian researchers from public and private sectors to work alongside Indian scientists on leading-edge scientific research and technology projects,” Minister Husic said. Minister Husic said the fund is the Australian Government’s largest bilateral science program, highlighting the importance of our relationship with India. It supports research collaborations in science and technology, generating novel solutions to challenges facing both countries. “The AISRF helps build links between Australia and India’s top universities and research institutions. It continues to enhance Australian-Indian collaboration in mutually significant areas,” Minister Husic said. “Previous projects have made important progress in agriculture, biomedical devices and implants, renewable energy, nanotechnology and vaccines. “Science and commercialisation are essential to the productivity and economic growth of both countries, and we will continue to achieve great things by working together.” Since the program was established in 2006, the Australian Government has supported over 360 projects, fellowships and workshops in areas of importance to Australia and India. The AISRF is jointly administered by the Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources, and the Indian Government’s Department of Science and Technology and Department of Biotechnology. Applications for Round 15 of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund Collaborative Research Project grants are open until 15 March 2023. More information is available here: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/australia-india-strategic-research-fund-round-15.

Backing research centres to boost economic output

Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic has announced that Round 24 of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) grants program had opened for application. CRC grants provide funding for industry-led research centres that can transform Australian know-how into practical outcomes for Australian businesses. The grants can support industry-led collaborative research centres of up to 10 years’ duration. “The Government’s CRC program supports research and development initiatives that result in significant benefits to industry and the community,” Minister Husic said. “This funding can provide an often-missing step between research and commercialisation.” The latest evaluation of the CRC program, released today, shows it is working to strengthen the bond between industry and research organisations. “This evaluation found CRCs will contribute about $32.5 billion towards economic productivity by 2025 through commercialisation of new technologies, products and services that solve real problems for industry,” Minister Husic said. “The evaluation also concluded CRCs will continue to help address Australia’s economic, environmental and social challenges by enhancing capability of the research workforce.” Grant applications are open to all industry sectors and research disciplines, with applicants at least matching the funding sought through cash or in‑kind contributions from partners. Since the CRC program was launched in 1990 under the Hawke Labor Government, it has delivered more than $5.5 billion to establish 236 CRCs and 189 CRC Projects, leveraging a further $16.8 billion in cash and in-kind contributions from partners. “This program generates tangible economic outcomes by supporting projects designed to bolster the productivity and sustainability of Australian industries,” Minister Husic said. Applications for CRC Round 24 close on 7 March 2023. www.business.gov.au/crc. Minister Husic said a schedule for future rounds would soon be published allowing applicants to be better prepared to build collaborations and develop grant submissions. Round 25 is expected to open in December 2023.

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Australian Manufacturing Media Kit 2023 now available

The Media Kit 2023 focusses on key areas of manufacturing and technology integral for our manufacturers in this challenging year. This includes the best content to keep you up with the game, and assist your company to achieve its goals. Contact us to have your story read, your latest innovations you want to share with the world, including Asia where our media platform www.asismanufacturingnewstoday.com can have your news read about to the world’s largest business audience. Regards, Doug Green, Publisher

New training for pilots

With growing concerns for safety in Private Aviation, a new start-up in South-East Queensland is using advanced technology and developing exciting new training techniques, with a mission to produce the safest private pilots in the industry. TEAM Aviation is a boutique flight school giving would-be pilots in the south east corner the opportunity to learn to fly on their own terms, utilising a fleet of high-tech Cirrus Aircraft – with each aircraft fitted with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) – a rocket-propelled airframe parachute designed to save the lives of aircraft occupants in emergency situations. The decision to use Cirrus Aircraft aligns with the company’s ongoing commitment to safety, with Cirrus recently being publicly awarded for their efforts in reducing fatal aircraft accidents worldwide. Founder Alyce Johnson said in addition to improving safety, TEAM’s goal was to make learning to fly a smoother and more customer focused process, targeting business professionals who want to reduce travel time to meetings and conferences, and those who simply want to explore Australia on their own terms. “At TEAM Aviation we are changing the way things are done in the flight training industry – we travel to our members, have safe, luxurious Cirrus aircraft and we are building a network of like-minded aviation enthusiasts and experts,” said Ms Johnson. “We save members’ time by bringing the plane to a location convenient for them and by offering training packages which provide half-day and full day lessons structured and designed to maximise safety and learning.” TEAM Aviation has quickly grown to a staff of 9 passionate aviation professionals, all sharing a common goal of driving innovation in an industry renowned for being resistant to change. Through constant investment in world class aircraft and flight simulator technology and an unrelenting dedication to customer experience, TEAM Aviation […]

How the role of the CISO is shifting

-Geoff Schomburgk, vice president, Asia Pacific, Yubico The popularity of Working from Anywhere (WFA) arising from the pandemic has accelerated Digital Transformation for many organisations. As companies take on digital transformation projects and evolve their IT infrastructure, the risks are changing, too. As cyber threats have grown in intensity and sophistication, cybersecurity has become a more strategic business priority and is no longer the sole responsibility of the CISO’s office; it has become a broader corporate responsibility. Due to this corporate focus on cybersecurity, many organisations’ security functions have changed dramatically in recent years. Security departments used to be completely separate and were often perceived as an obstacle to new initiatives, however, this is now unthinkable due to the pace of modern business. CISOs have had to evolve in their role to become transformational leaders who can empower the business and drive innovation. Increasingly strategic The CISO’s role was previously limited to safeguarding an organisation against cyber threats and reducing potential risks. However, with ongoing digital transformation, the focus of the CISO has shifted and the role is rapidly becoming more strategic and influential. Today, the role of the CISO is measured not only in whether the business suffers losses because of a data breach but also in how security preempts new initiatives and makes it possible to launch new services and applications to market faster. Implementing robust technology solutions to protect digital assets remains a core component of the role of the CISO. However, they are increasingly facilitating Digital Transformation projects with Zero Trust frameworks that secure identity as the new perimeter. Modern authentication is seen as a “continuous process” and identity is an essential building block for implementing a Zero Trust strategy. Responsibility for regulatory compliance As businesses become more digital, the CISO must be aware of the […]

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January 2023