Archived News for Engineering Professionals - May, 2014
A joint state and federal funding scheme will see millions spent showing new ways to use brown coal.
Confused figures widen concern over NBN
The Communications Minister has been caught contradicting his own department’s figures in his attempt to spruik the Coalition’s NBN model.
Leighton leaks millions over misleading and management
An expensive few days at Leighton Holdings, as the engineering and construction giant pays out a $70 million class action and gives a $23 million golden handshake to two departing executives.
Light shines on building, buying and burial in NSW
One of Australia’s largest coal supporters has given a glimpse of how much money it costs to “do business in New South Wales”.
Nuclear firm says frozen wall could work
Japan's Industry Ministry has given a glimpse of the soil-freezing technique it hopes will stop the spread of a radioactive material from the Fukushima nuclear disaster site.
Green thinking moves to working after federal fund fix
Australian treasury cost-cutters appear to have scoured legislation for any mention of “clean”, “green” or “renewable” spending, and promptly hacked it down.
New DNA builds incredible unnatural life
In a truly incredible breakthrough, scientists have engineered a bacterium with three pairs of DNA bases, rather than two.
Port report finds leaks in legislation
An independent inquiry has found environmental conditions on a central Queensland port expansion were virtually meaningless.
Research re-jig sees commercial cuts and bio-med boost
Australia’s research industries have been reformed after last night’s budget announcements, with healthy boosts in some areas but deep cuts in others.
A cheap and easy way to trap centuries of supply
An Australian expert has put forth a proposal that could protect the nation from water scarcity for generations.
Charity book brings water-purifying particles to the poor
A charity has put together a book that may be the perfect combination of practical and academic advice to save lives.
China signing to start huge African rail deal
China has signed a deal to build the first stage of a line that will cross several African nations.
Graphene graft gives new drug checking base
Sensing chemicals is one of the fundamental tasks in almost every biological process, but engineers have now taken this natural ability and re-purposed it for technological use.
Idea floated for innovative solar fix
A wastewater treatment site in South Australia is looking to solve two problems with one high-tech fix.
Learning arm helps robots catch human skills
As robots begin to have an increasing presence in our lives, it is likely that they will greatly annoy some people, luckily, researchers are planning for this.
Doors open for QLD's $16 billion mega-mine
The Queensland Government is pushing for a $16 billion coal development in the Galilee Basin.
Multi-purpose plan to improve roads through light and power
The advance of solar energy is linked to the surfaces on which panels can be stuck, and a new project adds roads and highways to that list.
Big fund to help workers grow away from old industry
The Federal Government has given more details of a large funding pool created to help displaced auto-workers find new jobs.
Housing plan to appease all needs in NT
Architecture students have helped design and build innovative outdoor homes for a remote Indigenous community in the Northern Territory.
Sleep apnoea latest victim of futuristic production
Australia’s wizards of titanium printing have unveiled their latest product - a mouthpiece that could save lives.
Evolving light box blocks better range on command
Engineers have used a genetic approach to create a material that can protect against electromagnetic radiation over a wide range of wavelengths.