Page 11
Author: Laura Timberlake
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The new insulation on the block
A report by researchers featured in Nano Letters has revealed a new type of lightweight foam could reduce energy costs by more than a third. Made from wood-based cellulose nanocrystals, the material is thermally insulating, can reflect sunlight and emits absorbed heat. The researchers connected the cellulose nanocrystals together with a silane bridge, before freezing and […]
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New method for dissipating heat in electronic devices
A research team from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and University of California (UC) Berkeley has published a paper that explores a new cooling method for electronic devices. Electronic devices often generate high temperates, and these need to be cooled to prevent the device being compromised or damaged. Traditionally, exisiting cooling methods can have […]
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Understanding acoustics and mechanical services
AIRAH is hosting a Streamline webinar about acoustics and mechanical services. This “acoustics 101” webinar will offer a basic understanding of key terminology and corresponding calculations; the standards/guidelines that govern acoustics criteria; basics of mechanical noise; good design tips/tricks; and lessons learnt. Senior acoustic consultant from Resonate, Jake Werden, will present on the topic. His […]
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Sustainability Pays
The Institute for Sustainable Leadership is hosting a free webinar about sustainable leadership on Tuesday, May 24. Dr Gayle Avery will cover the benefits of sustainable leadership, providing evidence and cases. She will explain why sustainable practices like trusting staff, being ethical and developing everyone on the team are behind business success. According to the […]
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Solar power after dark
A research team at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has discovered how to harness “night-time” solar power. The team, from the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, made the breakthrough by using a semi-conductor device called a thermoradiative diode to generate electricity from the emission of infrared light. The results of the study […]
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APCO launches recycled packaging pledge
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has launched an initiative to drive a greater uptake of recycled content in packaging. The Recycled Materials Pledge challenges major brands across all industries, including HVAC&R, to publicly commit the volumes of specific materials they will transition from virgin materials to recycled materials by 2025. It will play a […]
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Engineers Australia introduces construction AoP
Engineers Australia has introduced a new Construction Engineering Area of Practice (AoP). The new AoP will help maintain growth in the construction engineering industry to meet the demands of the nation’s construction sector. Engineers Australia has been working with the Australian Constructors Association (ACA) since 2020 in a collaborative effort to produce the AoP. Engineers […]
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Overcoming the stigma of VET
Vocational education and training (VET) has long been surrounded by negative perceptions. In a recent “What if” paper, VOCEDplus discusses what would happen if we could overcome these negative perceptions. The paper notes that societal perceptions of VET are influenced by a variety of factors, including the terminology surrounding vocational training versus higher education. VET […]
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Sydney Build 2022
The Sydney Build 2022 Expo is taking place at ICC Sydney from June 1–2. One of the largest construction events in Australia, this year it promises more than 500 exhibitors and 450 speaker presentations. The free two-day event, co-hosted with the Sydney Infrastructure Expo, will include eight conference stages with speakers covering topics such as […]
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NABERS + CBD Conference 2022
The NABERS and Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) “United in Action” conference is being held online on June 8, 2022. Free to attend, the conference will showcase the latest innovation, advances, and trends in building sustainability. It will explore the latest products and wider industry developments, and focus on how to build a better future in […]
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New body to focus on commissioning
A new association focusing on commissioning has formed and is seeking industry support. The Testing and Commissioning Association (TACA) began when a group of building commissioning organisations saw a lack of ongoing professional development and local support for the Australian and Asia-Pacific commissioning industry. The association consists of commissioning specialists from around Australia and says […]
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Sustainable development in refrigeration
The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) has released its corporate Activity Report, detailing how the Institute has set its strategy and actions within the framework of the sustainable development of the refrigeration sector. The IIR states refrigeration is present in most areas of human activity, and is absolutely necessary for life. The Institute defines its […]
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Vale Warwick Stannus
Long-time industry stalwart Warwick Stannus, M.AIRAH, passed away on Sunday, April 24, 2022. With a strong background in both consulting and contracting in the HVAC&R industry, Stannus is recognised for his work in developing industry standards and his 19-year career at A.G. Coombs. He started working at A.G. Coombs in 2003 in the newly created […]
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i-Hub Outcomes Summit
The Innovation Hub for Affordable Heating and Cooling (i-Hub) is holding the i-Hub Outcomes Summit online and in Sydney on Tuesday, May 17 from 12 noon–5pm. i-Hub brings together leading universities, researchers, consultants, building owners, and equipment manufacturers to create a connected research and development community in Australia. Taking place in conjunction with AIRAH’s Refrigeration Conference […]
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University to use food waste for heating
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UW-Oshkosh), USA, is planning to install a biogas-powered hot water boiler to generate heat in the coming winter. The university already has a biodigester that generates approximately 8 per cent of the campus’s electricity through capturing methane campus food waste and grass clippings. The school submitted an application last autumn […]
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Purdue calls for papers
Purdue University’s Herrick Conferences deadline for paper submissions has been extended to April 18, 2022. Herrick Labs has hosted international conferences on compressor engineering, refrigeration, air conditioning, and high-performance buildings since 1972. These include the International Compressor Engineering Conference, the International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference and the International High Performance Buildings Conference. The conferences […]
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Breakthrough material for heat storage
Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and the University of Leipzig have developed a new heat storage material that could improve energy efficiency in buildings. The material can both store heat and send it back into the environment as needed. While similar materials exist, this new one is more stable, made from non-harmful substances, […]
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National Energy Efficiency Conference 2022
The Energy Efficiency Council is partnering with the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) to host the National Energy Efficiency Conference 2022 in Melbourne on May 26 and 27. The conference will focus on the critical role of energy management as our energy system transitions to net zero, with the major theme […]
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Heat pumps show promise in industrial applications
As heat pump technology grows in popularity across Europe, Australia has also turned its eye towards renewable energy in industrial settings. Commercial businesses such as brewers, pet food producers and food processors are exploring whether thermal storage and heat pumps could help reduce the use of natural gases. ARENA supplied $460,500 in funding to the Australian […]
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Going from Great to Good – call for speakers
CIBSE is calling for speaker and paper submissions for its webinar series running in August and September, titled “Going from Great to Good”. The series will cover how sustainable building design needs to be considered across current and future builds. The main themes will include: Beginning with the end in mind – moving to a […]