Archived News for Engineering Professionals

Google is taking the next step in wearable technology, teaming up with jean maker Levi Strauss to make touch-screen clothing.

Next step in sun-fired circumnavigation

A revolutionary solar plane has continued its quest to circumnavigate the globe.

Off-grid options for cut-off communities

As extreme weather events increase in frequency and severity, experts say rural communities may have to look beyond the grid.

Outlook worse for civil works

Analysts say the civil construction sector in Australia is will decline even further over the next two years.

Young minds to tackle old industry issue

Some budding environmental engineers are helping Master Builders WA find new ways to tackle construction waste issues.

Homemade bio-sensors bring great promise

Citizen science and biological education have a new tool in their arsenal, made of objects most people already own.

STEM surge grows, Abbott looks other way

More authorities have joined the push to boost STEM education in Australia, while the Prime Minister mocks the idea.

3D models for new view of ancient vista

The WA Department of Agriculture is taking a high-tech approach to land and water surveying, using 3D-printers to render the vastness of the outback in a small scale.

Australia's electric uptake investigated

An American researcher is investigating the slow uptake of electric cars in Australia, with just under 2000 sold in the last three years compared to more than 300,000 in the US.

DNA gets new role as nano-builder

Engineers are getting genes to do their dirty work, designing DNA that can build nanostructures for them.

Prefab palace to change local game

The University of Melbourne will soon be home to an advanced centre for prefabricated housing, in a move some say will transform the Australian building industry.

Road-users use report to look for better deal

Transport lobbies and authorities have jumped on a new report that claims Australia could be choked by its own congestion, unless big new projects start soon.

Space mining bill for bold new digs

The US has taken a technical step in the new space race, passing a bill to allow mining in space.

Fukushima fallout hurts Japan's nuclear view

A new survey shows the shifting view of nuclear power in Japan since the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

Gas boom slows in analysts' eyes

There are claims this week that Japan's Inpex Corporation is struggling to keep the $A43.5 billion Ichthys LNG project on schedule due to delays with the South Korean shipyard manufacturing the massive offshore platform.

Grattan slams rooftop rort

A new report says the cost of programs to encourage rooftop solar systems have outweighed the benefits by $9 billion.

James Hardie builds big on last year's base

James Hardie has seen its annual profit almost triple, up to $A369.57 million on the back of its US and European operations.

New towers go beyond new limits

The Victorian Government has approved seven new apartment towers in Melbourne, in an area some consider poorly served by public transport.

States aim to make powerful new target

Now that the Federal Government has successfully slashed the Renewable Energy Target, progressive State Governments could fill the void.

Getting a fix on quantum switch

An international team featuring Australian researchers has released a study looking at how quantum matter changes when it makes a ‘quantum phase transition’.