Archived News for Engineering Professionals - December, 2015
The head of a major European coal lobby says the industry will be “hated and vilified” like “slave-traders” after the Paris climate deal.
Call for more than funds for 'ideas boom'
Some potential recipients of the Federal Government’s $1.1 billion “ideas boom” investment say revolutionising the economy will take more than just money.
Gas giants get serious in WA seas
The ocean off Western Australia will become an even bigger hive of mining activity next year.
High-tech foam burns former fire-fighters
Researchers have unveiled a new kind of fire-fighting foam that becomes stronger as the temperature increases.
New depth for nano-scale cameras
Engineers at MIT have created a new atomic force microscope (AFM) that can create near real-time videos of nano-scale processes.
Palmer's plays keep hundreds at risk
The Queensland Government and the French territory of New Caledonia are avoiding Clive Palmer's attempts to keep his refinery afloat.
Locals leaping into big batteries
Australian energy firms Natural Solar and Origin will be the first to install Tesla Energy’s Powerwall in the local market.
Paris deal tries to get real on climate
The Federal Government signed an international climate change deal in Paris on Saturday night, which seeks to limit the future increase in global temperatures to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius.
SA planning change put aside
Controversial planning law changes have been put aside for the SA Parliament’s Christmas break.
Tassie urged to take cable deal
The Tasmanian Government is considering paying up to $20 million to attach the state to a global underwater digital cable network.
Tech think tank to guide safe AI
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has kicked in to fund a new non-profit research company that seeks to promote ethical and safe artificial intelligence (AI).
Urine-powered socks stride into energy future
Researchers have unveiled a pair of high-tech socks that turn urine into power.
Volkswagen plays down dodgy software
Embattled car-maker Volkswagen is working hard to minimise its emissions-test scandal.
Wind farm money re-jigged
Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has given the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) a mandate that allows it to invest in wind projects.
East West report slams both sides
Victoria’s auditor-general has slammed both sides of Victorian politics and the public service in his report on Melbourne’s failed $23 billion East West Link (EWL) project.
Hazelwood review finds big holes
A new round of inquiry has slammed various aspects of Victoria’s Hazelwood mine, which caught fire and burned for 45 days last year.
Study gleans green use for tree waste
Researchers in the US have discovered a new material for making biofuel, which had previously been discarded as part of the process.
Blood spot-check set to sell
A quick and easy new blood-type test is near the end of its journey from high-tech Australian laboratories to the market.
Iron decline still going
Iron ore is down again, continuing its slow decline to land at US$39.40 per tonne on the Steel Index.
Surat hiring spike expected
Queensland businesses are beaming at the prospect of 2,000 new construction jobs lined up in the Surat Basin region.
Wendelstein awakening this week
German engineers are about to take the next step toward what could be the future of energy systems.