Archived News for Engineering Professionals

Australian astronomers will have access to one of the most advanced devices in the world for investigating the origin of stars, with the launch of a $13 million tool.

No mirage in 1000 MW desert solar plan

Work will soon begin on a truly immense solar power project in Pakistan, which will one day generate up to 1000 megawatts of electricity.

Debt deal for North Korea helps Russia move gas south

Russia has waived about $10 billion of North Korean debt in exchange for a gas pipeline through the secretive country to South Korea.

Renewable review stalls green works in Tassie

Clean energy companies say the threat of changes to the renewable target scheme is spooking investors.

China looks to boost future by re-thinking today

A recent conference has heard of a shift in China, re-tooling its education sector to produce the science and technology that will fuel the future.

Queensland numbers jump for females in engineering

Females make up just under a quarter of new engineering undergrads at one university, proving the efficacy of a program to boost numbers.

Better metal through simple strains at Monash

A new technique is being developed in Australian labs, which promises to produce metals with greater strength, better corrosion resistance and increased biocompatibility.

Dam study paper to ease cost of hydropower

Humans may love building dams, but they have not been so great for fish, until now.

Sine panel shines on dark alleys

All around the world people are working in dark, cramped little alleyways and backstreets, but as cities become taller and more dense the light is fading for many.

Super laser burns path to new knowledge

A lab in the US has fired its new 12 gigaelecton-volt laser.

Power shift costs less than price of inaction, IPCC says

The latest report all but screams the need for governments to change their energy mix toward less carbon-reliant sources.

Road, rail and plane plans mean big building in Victoria

Victoria’s travel plans are up for debate, as parties spruik their transport visions ahead of this year’s election.

Mining pup barks with quiet backing

A mining company from the smaller end of the scale says it has backing for a multi-billion-dollar port and rail project at Oakajee in WA’s Mid West.

Issues raised in Asian defence technology trades

There has been plenty of discussion on the terms of the free trade agreement between Australia and Japan, which will see the lucrative exchange of multi-billion dollar military technologies.

Green fund fears for future investment in NSW

Two solar farms in New South Wales have their financial backing secured, but there is some trepidation around the future of the state’s renewable investment.

Robot clam learns from organic partner, and from itself

Progress has been made on a digging robot inspired by the unique style of an oceanic clam.

Atom trapper helps quantum memory

A powerful new microchip is under development in the UK, which is capable of holding the voltage equivalent to a micron-scale bolt of lightning.

Old building trick translates on nano-scale

The decades-old practice of embedding concrete with reinforcing bars has been taken to the nano-scale, with engineers creating reinforcing a layer of carbon atoms with nanotubes.

Plant parts charge supercapacitors' step forward

Trees may soon play a role in making high-tech energy storage devices, after an exciting chemical discovery.

Uni and industry combine to bring big mining robots online

Over half a million dollars will be spent on a trial to introduce automated draglines; robots that could save millions for mines worldwide.

Air power ascends to new level of efficiency

Wind power is often seen as the least consistent source of renewable energy, but a new project will reach great heights to put the fans in a better spot.