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Tech
Scientists at the University of Melbourne have come up with a device that can harvest water from humid air and split it into hydrogen and oxygen.
Plus, it can operate in areas where the humidity (the concentration of water vapor in the air) is as low as 4 per cent.
The device is a prototype electrolyser which is powered by electricity from renewable energy and can break water into its hydrogen and oxygen.
“This so-called direct air electrolysis (DAE) module can work under a bone-dry environment with a relative humidity of 4 per cent, overcoming water supply issues and producing green hydrogen sustainably with minimal impact to the environment,” the researcher’s said.
Not a bad idea really, considering moisture in the air is generally inexhaustible and universally available – and could have potential applications in areas of extreme drought or lacking clean drinking water.
DroneShield has been selected for the Australian Department of Defence Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare (ISREW) Standing Offer Panel (Panel) – which covers a range of services to support the design, development, integration, and acquisition of ISREW equipment.
Notably, the scope of services may include R&D, engineering development (including limited platform integration), conducting test and evaluation services, prototyping and low rate production, delivery of supplies; and rapid acquisition (to support urgent operational requirements).
“In addition to our rapidly growing counterdrone business, the ISREW work is a highly complementary, adjacent market,” CEO Oleg Vornik says.
“We already have real experience in this space via our second Electronic Warfare contract with the Australian Department of Defence, as well as an ISR contract with the Defence Innovation Hub.
“The significance of being on the Panel is access to additional work for sensitive projects which cannot be openly tendered for, by the Commonwealth.”
HARVEST TECHNOLOGY GROUP (ASX:HTG)
Harvest has picked up a two-year US$60,000 contract with a defence force of the European Union (EU) for the supply of its ultra-low-bandwidth, high-quality secure Nodestream technology – which it says will play a key role in supporting the defence force’s remote operations.
The contract will see field deployment of the latest Nodestream Rugged (NSR) devices.
“The deployment of Harvest’s technology into this sector reinforces the credibility of the Nodestream technology to other potential customers who need reliable, secure connectivity in remote locations,” the company said.
In another defence force contract, Etherstack’s subsidiary Etherstack Pty Ltd has secured a follow-on $1.7m contract to the first stage Australian Defence contract announced in December 2020.
The company will supply Etherstack technology, services, and third-party equipment to the Australian Department of Defence.
“This program builds upon existing Etherstack technology and creates a significant Australian export opportunity,” CEO David Deacon said.
“The solution is repeatable and the first of its kind that will be compliant to a specific military standard.
“Etherstack expects interest from both existing and new radio manufacturer customers internationally, as well as other sovereign nations where we will attempt to rapidly capitalise through licensing the solution.”
This company specialises in the development of 3D metal printers and powders and says the last print of its print demonstration campaign has been successfully completed – with the aim of demonstrating A3D’s technology as capable of repeatedly producing material to draft SAE international aerospace standards.
A3D says it will be one of the first additive equipment companies compliant to print metal parts to the aerospace 3D printing standards – once they are approved.
Physical specimen testing is set to commence shortly with the first samples having arrived in the US where they will be analysed, heat-treated and will undergo various mechanical tests.
The results are expected in Q4 FY22 and will be used to refine system operating and maintenance procedures and to help in the design for the manufacturing process.
GLOBAL DATA CENTRE GROUP (ASX:GDC)
The company has welcomed the news that its Etix Everywhere investment has signed a conditional agreement to acquire two 2.7 MW data centres in Lille, France for €56 million ($81.2 million1).
The assets complement Etix’s current two data centre interests in its Northern France cluster and increases the maximum potential capacity across Etix portfolio to 11.6MW.
“This will offer our customers scalability and a dominant position on edge DC market in France,” Etix CEO Louis Blanchot said.
“The two data centres are state-of-the art facilities and among the best peering points in France.”
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