Archived News for Engineering Professionals

Using futuristic gels and even living cells, 3D-printing of soft body parts is getting closer.

Excited scientists reveal Martian flows

“There is liquid water today on the surface of Mars,” came the announcement overnight from Michael Meyer, the lead scientist on NASA’s Mars exploration programme.

Micromotors make big step to cleaner oceans

Nanoengineers have unveiled a new type of microscopic motor that runs on enzymes, and could one day help clean the Earth’s oceans.

Roy Hill juggles court and contracts

More contract fights have broken out at the Roy Hill mine, amid which the company has announced some new deals.

Self-healing tyres tested

Engineers are working on a new kind of rubber that does not require vulcanisation and can even repair itself when torn.

Shell shuts down Alaskan drill plans

Royal Dutch Shell has stopped its controversial search for oil off the Alaskan coast, leading environmentalists to claim a huge victory.

Tassie truck firm gets explosive boost

Tasmanian-based Haulmax has been given a $3 million Federal Government grant to help develop new mining technology.

Car-maker making moves away from software scandal

Insiders say Volkswagen's staff and suppliers knew about software designed to thwart emissions tests years ago.

CSIRO oil search questioned

The Wilderness Society has questioned a deal that will see energy giant Chevron pay for CSIRO’s research ship Investigator to conduct oil and gas exploration in the Great Australian Bight.

Greens go against renewable plan

The Tasmanian Greens are walking a fine line between two of their major policy areas – announcing their opposition to an experimental renewable energy system in a Wilderness World Heritage Area (WWHA).

Powerful boost to reduce water drain

Local engineers are working on a device that could greatly reduce the amount of water that outback power generators need.

Tech giants join bold bid for better world

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates have bought into a multi-billion dollar scheme to bring internet access to everyone in the world by 2020.

Flood-free promise in new concrete

A British company has developed a new kind of concrete that could ease the heavy damage that floodwater can bring.

Car chiefs face fines in the billions

UPDATE 23/09 - Volkswagen has now admitted installing its dodgy emissions test “defeat devices” in 11 million clean diesel cars sold worldwide, the vast majority of which were in Europe.

Nahan slams SA's ship cred.

WA Treasurer Mike Nahan says South Australia's ship building industry is a “basket case”, and Western Australia should run the nation's naval supply program.

Nerve repair achieved in 3D-printed sleeve

Bio-engineers have a developed a 3D-printed implant that can help regrow damaged nerves.

Probe hears sub-contractors staying silent

A Senate inquiry into construction industry insolvency has heard some sub-contractors are afraid to speak up when they are being ripped-off.

Union trial hears of huge paper trail

Explosive allegations and evidence have been aired at the trade union royal commission.

CFMEU forced to fork out for concrete stoush

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) must pay around $9 million in damages and legal costs to Boral after the union's boycott of the construction company was ruled illegal.