Archived News for Research Sector Professionals - June, 2011
A team of Australian researchers from the CSIRO and the University of Melbourne has developed a solar panel that can be painted directly to any surface.
With help from the CSIRO, University of Melbourne PhD student Brandon MacDonald has worked out how to make solar cells so small they can be suspended in liquid, such as ink.
"We can then apply this ink onto a surface, so this could be glass or plastics or metals," Mr MacDonald told ABC’s AM.
Adelaide University pushes for clean hydrogen energy
Adelaide University has announced advanced research into the use of metal nanoparticles in the generation of hydrogen energy.
Probity Board to advise on DSTO operations
The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, has announced the establishment of an independent probity board that will guide decision making within the Defense Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO).
NICTA software to speed up biotech research
Australia’s national ICT research centre, NICTA, has unveiled three new products at the international biotechnology forum, Bio2011, in Washington.
Victorian Biotechnology Advisory Council established
The Victorian Government will establish a new advisory council for Victoria’s biotechnology sector, with funding of $1.2 million over four years to operate the council.
New life sciences body for Queensland
The Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, has announced the creation of a new peak industry body for the life sciences sector, Life Sciences Queensland, with state government support of $1.86 million over the first four years, matched by industry support.
Queensland targets biofuels technologies
Researchers in Queensland are preparing to make a bid to provide the US Navy with biofuels for ships and planes by 2020.
Queensland Government announces Smart State fund allocations
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has announced how the Queensland government will allocate $100 million in a new round of Smart State funds.
Mechanical pressure to electricity breakthrough
A co-operative team from RMIT University and the Australian National University (ANU) have developed a method that will allow mechanical pressure into electricity.
New Pork CRC underway on July 1st
Ensuring Australian pork is a high integrity meat that is welfare optimal, environmentally responsible, safe and nutritious is the focus of the new CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork.
New water R&D group launched
A new collaborative group is bringing together key players within the Australian water community who undertake the role of research and development knowledge brokers, with an aim of sharing information on R&D and promoting knowledge and adoption of research outcomes to the industry.
FASTS becomes Science & Technology Australia
The Federation of Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS), the peak body that brings together nearly 60 member groups in the science and technology sector, has been rebadged to become Science & Technology Australia.
Solar thermal research hub launched
Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson and Member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson officially opened the CSIRO Solar Tower which will focus on solar tower research, development and commercialisation in the Hunter Region.
R&D Tax Credit to be introduced on July 1st
The Federal Government has announced crossbench support for the new R&D Tax Credit with a new start date of 1 July 2011. The new $1.8 billion R&D Tax Credit will replace the R&D Tax Concession.
Bionics Institute launched
Australia’s first bionics institute will be a leader in neurobionic research, with the aim of developing devices for conditions such as epilepsy.
Space research projects funded
Three new collaborative research projects have been allocated funding totalling $6.1 million under Round 4 of the Australian Space Research Program (ASRP.
Germans and NICTA sign IT security agreement
NICTA (National ICT Australia) and German IT security specialist secunet (Security Networks AG) signed a research agreement to develop high-security IT products for the defence and government sectors.
Funding announced for Defence protection equipment research
The Federal Government has announced it will contribute more than $9 million toward research for the protection of soldiers of the Australian Defence Force.
Rural Research & Development Corporations funding to continue
The Federal Government will continue its matching contributions to rural research and development corporations, following the release of a review on Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) by the Productivity Commission.
Melbourne Uni life sciences computation facility criticised
A report by the Victorian Auditor-General has criticised the University of Melbourne for failing to establish that its investment in a $100 million life sciences computing facility represents the most effective use of a $50 million state government grant.
Synthetic fuel facility launched in WA
Australia’s first synthetic fuels facility, the $5 million Synfuel and Catalysis Research Facility (Syncat), has been launched in Perth. The facility is a public private partnership housed at the Australian Resources Research Centre in Western Australia's Technology Park.