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Eye-tracking tech identifies building defects using laser focus
New eye-tracking technologies are being developed by Australian engineers to identify building defects early in the construction process. The tech could potentially save millions of dollars in time and resources. Embedded in 3D headsets, the technology is designed to help construction workers undertake more thorough checklists, cutting down on the estimated 60 per cent of […]
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Fujitsu marks Mark Taylor milestone with free money promotion
Fujitsu General is celebrating a 25-year partnership with cricket legend Mark Taylor. Taylor’s ambassadorship was established in 1998, and is one of the longest personal endorsement agreements in Australia, says Fujitsu. To mark the occasion, Fujitsu General is giving away $25,000 to 10 lucky winners* as part of this year’s free money promotion. “Mark has […]
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Industry seeks solution on pipework insulation
Tests conducted by a specialist refrigeration piping contractor have confirmed negligible energy benefits from using higher R-value – and thicker – insulation on refrigeration pipework for air conditioning systems. As a result, industry stakeholders are now calling for a revision of the relevant section of the National Construction Code (NCC) to address the issues associated […]
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ARC activates fully online licence applications
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has now activated a completely online licence application process. ARC chief executive officer Glenn Evans says the system has been built around improving convenience for applicants, enabling them to upload qualifications and photographs and then finalise payment by credit card online. “The system puts control of an application or renewal […]
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ASHRAE calls for conference presentations
ASHRAE is now accepting presentation proposals for the 2023 Decarbonization Conference for the Built Environment, slated for October 25–27, 2023 Washington DC at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel. The conference is organised by ASHRAE, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), International Facility Management Association (IFMA), APPA, and the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA). […]
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Coconut and lemon composite to heat and cool homes
Researchers in Stockholm, Sweden have developed an eco-friendly material that they say can be used to cool and even heat homes. The team of researchers at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology – Sweden’s largest technical university – used coconuts, lemons, and modified wood, to create a “wood composite thermal battery.” According to the research […]
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Greater visibility coming for gender pay gap
A major step towards addressing the gender pay gap has been taken with the passing of the Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2023 in federal parliament. From 2024, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) will publish gender pay gaps by employer, in addition to publishing the gender pay gap at […]
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Engineering essential for improving indoor air
Improving indoor air quality was the focus of a recent full-day event at Parliament House in Canberra that brought together leaders from public health, engineering, architecture, law, economics and politics to discuss the state of play and the way forward. The Clean Air Forum was opened by Australia’s Chief Health Officer Professor Paul Kelly, who […]
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Australian Manufacturing Week dates announced
Australia’s premier manufacturing solutions event, the Australian Manufacturing Week, will be held this year at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on May 9–12, 2023. An Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL) initiative, Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW) is an industry exhibition encompassing all aspects of manufacturing in Australia. In May this year it will become […]
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New tool tracks global contributions to climate change
University of East Anglia (UEA) researchers in the UK have published findings that show how countries have contributed to global warming through their emissions of key greenhouse gases since 1850. The work builds on published records of historical emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) – gases that have made significant […]
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A-Gas expands presence in New Zealand
A-Gas, a global specialist in the supply and life-cycle management of refrigerants and associated products, has expanded its operations in New Zealand. “We are excited to be bringing our life-cycle refrigerant management (LRM) capabilities to New Zealand,” says A-Gas (Australia) Managing Director Brett Ferguson. “Our unique capability in the recovery, reclamation and repurposing of refrigerants […]
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Stulz adds R513A units to its range
Stulz Oceania has announced that selected units from its CyberAir 3PRO DX range are now available with R513A, a low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant. According to the company, this highlights its ongoing commitment to providing the most sustainable air conditioning systems for data centres, and it is working on further product conversions that will […]
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Professional Engineers Act 2023 passed in the ACT
The Professional Engineers Act 2023 has been passed in the ACT Legislative Assembly. This brings the ACT into line with other states that are rolling out professional registration regimes, or that already have them in place, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. In Queensland, practising engineers have been required to be registered since 2002. […]
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Cambodia sets example for climate action in cooling
Cambodia, with support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), has launched its first national strategic plan on cooling for a greener, cleaner and low-carbon future. “Sustainable approaches to cooling are critical to tackle climate change,” says UNEP. “Such approaches reduce […]
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A-Gas expands refrigerant management capabilities
A-Gas has announced that its PyroPlas refrigerant destruction technology will soon be available in Australia and New Zealand. The equipment is designed to deal with halons, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and mixtures of all previous generations of used refrigerant, as well as an increase in the prevalence of flammables. A-Gas has operated PyroPlas in the US for […]
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Europe commits to ambitious HFC phase-down
The EU Parliament has voted to accept revisions to the F-gas regulation that will result in a steeper phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) on the EU market from 2039 onwards, with a full HFC production and consumption phase-out by 2050. This aligns with the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality goal. “To stimulate the uptake of climate-friendly solutions […]
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Scientists back hydrocarbon heat pumps
As the debate over the revisions to the F-gas regulation rumbles on, a group of more than 40 scientists from 24 different universities and research institutes in Europe have signed a position paper supporting the use of hydrocarbons as refrigerants in heat pumps. The researchers argue that hydrocarbons such as propane and isobutane are just […]
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Phase-change inks to revolutionise cooling and heating
A team of researchers from the University of Melbourne has developed new phase-change inks that could slash energy use in buildings through passive heating and cooling. According to the research team, the inks can adjust the amount of radiation that passes through them based on the surrounding environment, and could be used to develop coatings […]
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EEC to launch flagship report on clean energy
The Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) is launching a major new report on the changing role of energy management, in Sydney on April 5. Clean Energy, Clean Demand looks at how energy efficiency, electrification, renewables, storage, buildings and vehicles fit together as Australia transitions to zero emissions. It makes the case for energy efficiency and energy management […]
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Bringing the Australian air filter standard up to speed
Standards Australia has started with implementation of ISO 16890, bringing the Australian Standard for air filters used in general ventilation and air conditioning in line with world’s best practice. Part 1 of the standard is now out for public comment, and can be accessed via the Standards Australia website. According to Daniel McCaffrey, M.AIRAH from […]