An enzyme to break down plastic
27 October, 2016Researchers from the University of Auckland are looking to synthesise and secrete a plastic-degrading enzyme that will ultimately improve recycling.
Agricultural robot kills weeds and saves farms
21 October, 2016QUT has unveiled Agbot II — a fully autonomous agricultural robot that could reduce the costs of weeding in Australia's farm sector by $1.3 billion a year.
How busy is your city? The temperature will tell you
18 October, 2016Melbourne's busiest day is Thursday, Sydneysiders are hardest at it on a Friday and Sunday commonly appears to be a day of rest, according to research led by the University of Melbourne.
Better urban design could create healthier cities
26 September, 2016A new series published in The Lancet quantifies for the first time the health outcomes that could be gained through changes to urban design and the transport system.
Could a filter made of graphene solve the water crisis?
29 July, 2016Researchers have developed a graphene-based filter that they believe could be the key to managing the global water crisis.
Lack of federal policy prevents urban greening, says report
01 July, 2016Research by Josh Byrne & Associates has identified the top 10 challenges preventing greener and more liveable cities — with the federal government's lack of formal recognition of the value of plants and trees in cities said to be the single greatest challenge of all.
A new phosphor for more efficient lighting
29 June, 2016Researchers from KU Leuven have discovered a new phosphor that could make next-generation fluorescent and LED lighting even cheaper and more efficient.
Electric car batteries boosted by salt baths
14 June, 2016Scientists have shown that pretreating a battery's lithium metal electrodes with an electrolyte salt solution extends the battery life and increases performance and safety.
Environmentally friendly wine on tap
09 June, 2016TAP. Wine has announced a fresh approach to 'wine by the glass' service, preserving varietals in stainless steel wine cylinders before pouring wine from custom-designed towers.
'Breathing Wall' removes toxins from the air
07 June, 2016UTS researchers have found that a new green wall system is particularly effective at removing the harmful airborne chemicals found in modern workspaces.
Light-emitting cement
09 May, 2016Dr José Carlos Rubio has created a light-emitting cement that has a life span of 100 years. By absorbing solar energy and returning it to the environment, the material will be able to light roads, highways and bicycle lanes without the need for electricity.
CSIRO climate centre goes some way to offsetting cuts
27 April, 2016 by Lauren DavisIt seems that Australian climate science is refusing to die, with the announcement that CSIRO is establishing a national climate research centre to be based in Hobart.
Nanomaterial to help turn heat into electricity
27 April, 2016Physicists have demonstrated a new artificial material, or metamaterial, that glows in an unusual way when heated. The findings could drive a revolution in the development of cells that convert radiated heat into electricity, known as thermophotovoltaic cells.
Extracting value from waste wool
05 April, 2016Researchers have used a non-toxic, biodegradable chemical process to 'dissolve' waste wool and unwanted woollen products. The technique produces a high-value protein called keratin and other by-products with potential applications in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and even animal feed markets.
Enphase expands Christchurch R&D facility
22 March, 2016Enphase Energy has made a US$4.4 million investment to expand its global research and development (R&D) facility in Christchurch, New Zealand.
