TECH NEWS

USA: New shape-memory material

Engineers have created shape-memory materials made of ceramic rather than traditional metal, opening a new range of applications, especially for actuators in high-temperature settings such as inside a jet engine or a deep borehole. Shape-memory metals have long been used as simple actuators in a variety of devices but are limited by the achievable surface temperatures of the metals used, usually a few hundred degrees Celsius at most. Ceramics can withstand much higher temperatures, sometimes up to thousands of degrees, but are known for their brittleness. Now, the team has found a way to overcome that and produce a ceramic material that can actuate without accumulating damage, thus making it possible for it to function reliably as a shape-memory material through many cycles of use. The material is a new variation of zirconia. But some atoms of different elements have been introduced into its structure in a way that alters some of its properties. These elements dissolve into the lattice, and they sculpt it.

MIT

Diagrams show the two different ways that the atomic structure of the shape-memory material, zirconia ceramic, can be configured. The two colours indicate the two different configurations.

USA: Battery breakthrough for mass adoption of affordable EV

A breakthrough in electric vehicle battery design has enabled a 10-minute charge time for a typical EV battery. This is a recordbreaking combination of a shorter charge time and more energy acquired for longer travel range. The fast-charging technology works for most energy-dense batteries and will open a new possibility to downsize electric vehicle batteries from 150 to 50 kWh. The smaller, faster-charging batteries will dramatically cut down battery cost and usage of critical raw materials such as cobalt, graphite and lithium, enabling mass adoption of affordable electric cars. The technology relies on internal thermal modulation, an active method of temperature control to demand the best performance possible from the battery. Batteries operate most efficiently when they are hot, but not too hot. Keeping batteries consistently at just the right temperature has been a major challenge for battery engineers. The team regulates the temperature from inside the battery - developing a new battery structure that adds an ultra-thin nickel foil as the fourth component besides anode, electrolyte and cathode.

Pennsylvania State University

China: New meta-surface shows different images depending on light source

A meta-surface device that displays three types of images depending on how it is illuminated has been developed by a team at Wuhan University in China. The three-channel device is an advance with potential applications in anticounterfeiting, or to offer a new way of securely delivering encrypted information. “Meta-surfaces are artificial materials with tiny nanostructures that can be used to manipulate light,” said research team member Qi Dai. “In this work, we exploited both the size and orientation of the nanostructures to design a metasurface with three working modes.” Because this multi-functional meta-surface features twofold safeguards, it could provide a simple but effective approach to fight against counterfeiting.” Meta-surfacebased anticounterfeiting devices have been developed, but the hidden information is usually retrieved either on the surface or via a far-field holographic image. To create a more secure three-channel meta-surface, the researchers merged watermarked structuralcolour nano-printing with holographic imaging.

The Engineer

USA: Modified microwave oven cooks up next-gen semiconductors

A household microwave oven modified by an engineering professor is helping to cook up the next generation of cellphones, computers and other electronics after the invention was shown to overcome a major challenge faced by the semiconductor industry. Semiconductor manufacturers are now approaching a critical limit in which heating the highly doped materials using traditional methods no longer produces consistently functional semiconductors. A microwave oven was modified to selectively control where the standing waves occur. Such precision allows for the proper activation of the dopants without excessive heating or damage of the silicon crystal. This discovery could be used to produce semiconductor materials and electronics around the year 2025. A few manufacturers are currently producing semiconductor materials that are three nanometers. This new microwave approach can potentially enable leading manufacturers such as TSMC and Samsung to scale down to just two nanometers.

Cornell University

Australia: Microgravity spacesuits design

Human Aerospace, an Australian company, has teamed up with researchers from RMIT, NASA, and the European Space Agency in an ambitious project to design spacesuits to combat the effects of microgravity. Dr James Waldie and his team at Human Aerospace have designed a full-body compression suit, tailor-made for each individual, that places pressure from a person’s shoulders all the way down to their toes. The team hopes the suit will play a key role in NASA’s missions to send humans to the moon for extended periods of time, and eventually even to Mars. According to Dr Waldie, the suits are designed to mimic the “normal gravitational loading experienced when we stand here on Earth”. The suits are similar to those worn by athletes, however, instead of focusing on one particular part of the body, the suits are designed to provide the right amount of pressure to the body as a whole, with some parts of

the suit applying more pressure where necessary. Prototypes of the suits were sent into space in 2015 and 2017, with astronauts on the International Space Station testing the suits for extended periods of time.

spaceconnectonline.com.au

UK: 3D printing drones build and repair while flying

Researchers have created a fleet of bee-inspired flying 3D printers that build and repair structures while flying. Aerial-AM uses both a 3D printing and path-planning framework to help the drones adapt to variations in geometry of the structure as a build progresses. The fleet consists of BuilDrones, which deposit materials during flight, and quality-controlling ScanDrones that continually measure the BuilDrones' output and inform their next manufacturing steps. They are fully autonomous while flying but are monitored by a human controller who checks progress and intervenes if necessary. The technology offers future possibilities for building and repairing structures in tall or other hard-to-access locations. Next, the researchers will work with construction companies to validate the solutions and provide repair and manufacturing capabilities.

Imperial College London

USA: Shrimp shells harnessed to strengthen cement

Shrimp shell nanoparticles have been added to cement to make the material 40% stronger, an advance that could lead to reduced seafood waste and lower carbon emissions from concrete production. A team of Washington State University and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers created nanocrystals and nanofibres of chitin from waste shrimp shells to add to cement. As well as making the material stronger, the team found that the set time for the cement was delayed by over an hour, which is advantageous for long-distance transport and hot weather concrete work. Cement production comprises about 15% of industrial energy consumption and about 5% of total greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. High consumption of the material is also partly driven by the challenge of durability — concrete cracks easily and must be repaired or replaced often.

The Engineer

USA: 3D printing one of the strongest stainless steels

For the first time, 17-4 PH stainless steel (a remarkably strong and corrosion-resistant alloy) can be consistently 3D-printed while retaining its favourable characteristics. The strategy is based on data about the printing process using high-energy X-rays from a particle accelerator. The new findings could help producers of 17-4 PH parts use 3D printing to cut costs and increase their manufacturing flexibility. The approach may also result in a better understanding of how to print other types of materials and predict their properties. The authors, now equipped with a clear picture of the structural dynamics during printing, were able to fine-tune the makeup of the steel to find the right a set of compositions. As a bonus, some compositions resulted in the formation of strength-inducing nanoparticles that, with the traditional method, require the steel to be cooled and then reheated. 3D printing can now allow manufacturers to skip a step that requires special equipment, additional time and production cost.

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

A microscopic image of 3D-printed 17-4 stainless steel. The colours in the left-side of the image represent the differing orientations of crystals within the alloy.

USA: Single-step 3D printing method to make robotic materials

Engineers have developed a new design strategy and 3D printing technique to build robots in one single step. The breakthrough enabled the entire mechanical and electronic systems needed to operate a robot to be manufactured all at once by a new type of 3D printing process for engineered active materials with multiple functions (also known as metamaterials). Once 3D printed, a 'meta-bot' will be capable of propulsion, movement, sensing and decision-making. The printed metamaterials consist of an internal network of sensory, moving and structural elements and can move by themselves following programmed commands. With the internal network of moving and sensing already in place, the only external component needed is a small battery to power the robot. These “meta-bots” can also explore hazardous environments. In a collapsed building, for example, a swarm of such tiny robots armed with integrated sensing parts could quickly access confined spaces, assess threat levels and help rescue efforts by finding people trapped in the rubble.

University of California - Los Angeles.

USA: Recipe for improving any autonomous robotic system

Engineers devised a recipe for improving any autonomous robotic system. Their optimisation code can automatically identify how and where to tweak a system to improve a robot's performance. The team showed that the tool was able to quickly improve the performance of two very different autonomous systems: one in which a robot navigated a path between two obstacles, and another in which a pair of robots worked together to move a heavy box. The researchers hope the new general-purpose optimiser can help to speed up the development of a wide range of autonomous systems, from walking robots and self-driving vehicles to soft and dexterous robots, and teams of collaborative robots.

MIT

GoMicro Spotcheck

Check spoilage and ripeness of various kinds of fruit and vegetable? There’s an App for that.

Can a one dollar device that attaches to a mobile phone become a pivotal tool to help solve the $1Tn #foodwaste problem? GoMicro CEO and founder Dr. Sivam Krish says the answer is yes. GoMicro’s Spotcheck App and a phone attachable magnifier designed for accurately assessing the level of ripeness or spoilage of fresh foods. Dr. Sivam Krish provided evidence of GoMicro’s Spotcheck device effectively reading the accuracy of food spoilage in his presentation at the 400M Agrifood Innovation Forum in Toowoomba, Queensland in July. Dr. Krish believes GoMicro’s innovation, which provides greater accuracy through a superior imaging system and AI App, could save our agricultural industries vast sums of money. “We can assess the ripeness or spoilage of fruits and vegetables with a 86to-99% accuracy, measured in days,” says Dr. Krish. “It’s very topical issue for the food industry to address, with an estimated 30% of our food being spoiled,” he added. “We can see that there are some very strong commercial opportunities for a cheap and portable devise to have the power to make accurate food spoilage assessments.” Dr. Sivan Krish says the GoMicro team took 100 images of an array of different vegetables every day to gather training images for building the AI application. Typically, AI applications require thousands of images for training and are unable to achieve high accuracies in field conditions. The SpotCheck is the latest important step for GoMicro, a microscopy 4.0 company based at Flinders University’s New Venture Institute that started in 2020 as an Edtech company and has pivoted to be an AgTech company. GoMicro won the Bayer Grants4Ag competition, which has led to an ongoing relationship with Bayer Crop Sciences, and won second prize in the 2021 Rocket Speeder FOOD WASTE + LOSS Accelerator Program pitch competition. GoMicro’s aim of re-inventing the microscope and instilling it with artificial intelligence is designed to make the highest quality technology accessible to the public and not just scientists. The company’s patent-pending technology creates lab-quality imaging conditions that significantly increase the accuracy of detection, reducing the number of images needed for training purposes, resulting in the most accurate AI detection that is available at this level of magnification. GoMicro has placed its initial focus on agriculture to help farmers and agronomists detect pests, leaf disease and assess food quality accurately. “Any farmer with a phone will have the diagnostic capability of an agronomist – through building a more accurate AI engine into the Spotcheck microscope attached to a phone,” says Dr. Krish. “It’s an important breakthrough, because microscopic information can provide a vast array of information across a wide range of agricultural issues. More importantly we will be making it possible for anyone to build and deploy accurate AI applications.”

gomicro.co flinders.edu.au

ATG gloves

ATG introduces the MaxiDev, the first hybrid glove, a new technology providing additional protection.

On the job site, hand protection is paramount to safety in the workplace, workers should be protected at all times. It is vitally important to choose the right glove for the job. Traditionally, features such as mechanical protection, comfort and dexterity ranked highly when making this decision, however, today's gloves may also need to provide their wearer protection from liquids, unknown substances and viruses. ATG Intelligent Glove Solutions has released the world’s first hybrid glove, MaxiDex, combining the best of mechanical handling gloves and the best of disposable gloves, taking comfort to a new level. MaxiDex is certified to EN ISO 374-5 VIRUS and incorporates a virucidal called ViroSan within the coating which not only protects worker’s hands, but also their integral health. ViroSan prevents the spread of viruses which may deposit on the glove surface, and has been successfully tested against NL63, the human strain of COVID. With all-day use in mind, MaxiDex includes AD-APT cooling technology to keep your hands cool, dry and productive. They are touchscreen compatible allowing workers to conduct daily tasks without the need to remove their gloves during the course of their work, and are ultrathin ensuring maximum comfort and dexterity. MaxiDex can be laundered up to three times at 40°C, providing a longer usable life of the glove which in turn, reduces waste and saves money. The gloves are suitable for multiple applications and can be purposed for a variety of functions including assembly works, laboratories, janitorial, hospitals and hospitality, mechanical works, warehousing, horticulture, and aged care.

atg-glovesolutions.com

Rohde & Schwarz MXO4

Rohde & Schwarz introduces the R&S MXO 4 series, the next generation oscilloscopes for accelerated insight.

Rohde & Schwarz is adding a completely new series to its oscilloscope portfolio that delivers a number of industry firsts. The new R&S MXO 4 series oscilloscopes feature the world’s fastest real-time update rate of over 4.5 million acquisitions per second. Development engineers can now see more signal detail and infrequent events than with any other oscilloscope. The 12-bit ADC in the R&S MXO 4 series has 16 times the resolution of traditional 8-bit oscilloscopes at all sample rates without any tradeoffs for more precise measurements. A standard acquisition memory of 400 Mpts on all four channels gives the instrument up to 100 times the standard memory of comparable instruments. Rohde & Schwarz presents the new R&SMXO 4 series, the first in the next generation of oscilloscopes. The R&S MXO 4 oscilloscopes come in four-channel models with bandwidths of 200MHz, 350MHz, 500MHz, 1GHz, and 1.5GHz. They have a starting price of A$11,400, many unparalleled functions and excel in both performance and value. Instant view of signal details

R&S MXO 4 series oscilloscopes boast the world’s fastest update rate of 4.5m acquisitions per second, revealing more signal activity than any other available oscilloscope. Development teams can quickly see and isolate infrequent events, get a better understanding of physical layer signals and test faster. This is unparalleled in the industry. A unique 200Gbps processing ASIC makes this feature possible. It is one of several new technology blocks Rohde & Schwarz engineers developed and implemented for the first time in the R&S MXO 4 series. “The new hardware and software technology blocks and architecture allowed our development team to achieve a once-in-a-decade engineering breakthrough,” Dr. Andreas Werner, Vice President Oscilloscopes at Rohde & Schwarz, explains. “Our customers will experience a whole new level of performance, and all at a price more affordable than has ever been seen on the market.” The R&S MXO 4 series incorporates a 12-bit ADC that operates across all the instrument sample rates with an 18-bit vertical resolution architecture for greater resolution precision than any other oscilloscope. The R&S MXO 4 series also has the lowest noise and largest offset range (+/- 5V with a 500uV/div scaling) in its class. Users can see DC and other signals with more precision than with any other oscilloscope on the market. Deepest standard memory

In addition to bandwidth and sample rate, memory depth is an important factor and determines whether an oscilloscope can handle a large range of troubleshooting tasks. More acquisition memory enables oscilloscopes to capture more time and retain rated bandwidth information for shorter time base settings. With a simultaneous standard acquisition memory of 400Mpts on all four channels, the R&S MXO 4 series has up to 100 times the standard memory of its primary competition. The additional memory also provides extra measurement capability when needed. Once only available in higher performance oscilloscopes with higher price points, the digital trigger comes standard with all R&S MXO 4 series oscilloscopes. The trigger sensitivity of 1/10,000 division can isolate difficult-to-find small physical layer anomalies in the presence of large signals. No competitive oscilloscope has this degree of trigger sensitivity for isolating small signals. The digital trigger complements the 18-bit vertical architecture, allowing users to fully utilize the precision of the R&S MXO 4 series. Superior RF measurement capability

Many development engineers need to debug products and test in both the time and frequency domains. In addition to time domain measurements, R&S MXO 4 series oscilloscopes have superior RF spectrum measurement capabilities. They are the first oscilloscopes to perform 45,000 FFTs (Fast Fourier Transforms) per second, while comparable oscilloscopes deliver fewer than 10 FFTs per second. This base feature lets engineers view more RF signals than with any other oscilloscope in its class. Using an oscilloscope is a visual experience, where a lot of time is spent viewing a display. The R&S MXO 4 series incorporates a 13.3-inch full-HD capacitive touchscreen and an intuitive user interface. The instrument’s small footprint, audible noise of less than a whisper, VESA mounting and a rackmount kit for installation in integrated environments make R&S MXO 4 oscilloscopes ideal for any engineering workspace. When users have more demands, a number of upgrade options are available, including 16 integrated digital channels with a mixed signal oscilloscope (MSO) option, an integrated dual channel 100MHz arbitrary generator, protocol decode and triggering options for a variety of industry standard buses and other options that expand the oscilloscope’s capabilities. The new R&S MXO4 series oscilloscopes are now available from Rohde & Schwarz and selected distribution channel partners.

rohde-schwarz.com

Heavy haulage side tip trailers

Air Tip trailer to be manufactured in Alice Springs with the assistance of the Northern Territory Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund (AMEF).

An Alice Springs-based manufacturer, led by an Alice Springs local, will scale-up manufacture of the world’s first pneumatic, sidetipping, haulage trailer dubbed Air Tip. The new haulage trailers, for bulk transport, pastoral and mining operations, are set to reduce emissions and operating costs for freight operators, while increasing fleet flexibility and payload capacities. The project will grow Territorybased design and engineering capability with co-investment from the Northern Territory Government via the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) managed Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund (AMEF). Developed in collaboration with Ross Engineering and the Complete Group, the durable pneumatic side tipping trailer will offer improved payload capacity, reduced operational costs, reduced emissions and does away with the need for a power-take-off (PTO) mechanism to be fitted to trucks – allowing for greater flexibility and improved use of vehicle fleets. The fully integrated trailer makes use of the truck’s standard pneumatic system which removes the need for fitment of expensive hydraulic systems – which can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Owing to its unique design, Air Tip’s trailer integrity is improved whilst still reducing the overall weight of the trailer by 12% and increasing the trailer’s payload by 4.8%. Through its engineering partner, Ross Engineering, Air Tip will also embark on establishing bespoke design, fabrication and contract manufacturing capabilities to support the NT manufacturing ecosystem. Air Tip’s co-funded project, worth $553,000, will combine equal investments of $276,500 from the Northern Territory Government’s AMEF and Air Tip and is anticipated to create ten new jobs in the Northern Territory over five years, including engineering, fabrication, professional and apprentice roles in Alice Springs. “This co-investment will have broader implications across the Territory, giving Air Tip, Ross Engineering and the Complete Group the capability to design, engineer and fabricate componentry in Alice Springs,” Clarke Petrick, Founder and Managing Director of Air Tip said. “The addition of new robotic laser cutting and CNC capabilities will enable us to test, develop and commercialise the Air Tip system in shorter timeframes, reducing the lag effect of having to outsource core manufacturing processes,” said Petrick. The Northen Territory’s Minister for Advanced Manufacturing, Nicole Manison said “Advanced manufacturing is creating the jobs of the future, right here in the Northern Territory. Air Tip will grow Territorybased design and engineering capability in Alice Springs. “By making these important investments, the Northern Territory Government is growing industries, expanding exports, creating new opportunities for investors and securing exciting local jobs for Territorians,” said Manison.

rossengineering.com.au amgc.org.au

FOBA green laser

Cool touch laser marking for delicate substrates: FOBA launches green laser.

FOBA has developed a 532 nanometers wavelength green laser marking system which offers new possibilities for industrial direct part marking. Supplemented by FOBA’s comprehensive marking workflow, the low heat laser applies perfect marks on materials with extraordinary absorption properties. Such materials include white, transparent, or red plastics as well as highly reflective metals. The green laser completes the range of laser wavelengths in FOBA’s portfolio of marking systems. A significant increase in marking speed and marking quality on previously insufficiently markable materials are the main benefits of FOBA’s green laser. Affected materials include special plastics like UHMWPE, HDPE or PMMA for which additives might no longer be necessary, as well as glass or shiny substrates. Compared to other laser types like UV or fiber, the green laser shows better marking results while achieving superior marking speeds. The application of the green laser marker can be facilitated using FOBA’s proven laser marking workflow with camera and mark alignment software. “The optical part inspection and validation of marked contents as well as the automated and precise positioning of the laser mark have long been valued by our customers as a reliable and safe workflow solution”, says Philipp Febel, Director of Product Management at FOBA. “Our green laser can easily be equipped with various laser alignment tools and works with any of the available FOBA user interfaces.” The FOBA V.0071-gr and FOBA V.0141-gr green laser marking systems close the gap between UV (355nm)- and fiber (1,064nm)laser markers. The combination of relatively high laser power and a vanadate source enables extended applicability and high speed. “Based on customer requirements, we have developed a leading edge marking solution with to address the most challenging marking applications,” says Febel. The new marking laser is available with either seven- or 14-watt laser power variations. It can flexibly be integrated into production environments due to a small marking unit (compared to the UVlaser), a broad range of available interfaces and five possible marking field sizes. The lifetime of FOBA’s green laser vanadate laser source is twice the lifetime of a UV laser source, which minimizes the total cost of ownership. fobalaser.com

Suhner grinders

Suhner Australia unveils new grinders with exceptional speed stability.

Suhner Australia, a leader in metal finishing solutions, has released its next-generation of variable speed, 125mm Angle grinders – the Suhner UWG 11R and the UWK 11R. Both models provide unrivalled speed stability regardless of whether they are operating at 2,800rpm or 10,500rpm, to help deliver a variety of quality finishes. Specifically designed to keep vibration at bay, both grinders provide the correct speed and stability under torque, allowing the user to operate them for an extended period of time. This ensures a consistent, quality finish on stainless steel, aluminium, brass, other alloys and ferrous metals. Moreover, the Suhner UWG 11R and UWK 11R can be combined with a variety of abrasive, cutting or hook and loop discs as well as a range of non-woven and fine finish products, so that users can attain a wide variety of finishes. Made in Germany and built to last, both the UWG 11R and UWK 11R grinders are quality tools suitable for working on a range of applications including structural fabrication, balustrades, vehicle components, medical products, aircraft parts, and many other light or heavy manufacturing applications. The Suhner UWG 11R and UWK 11R variable speed grinders are ergonomic, slimline and lightweight. The UWG11 has 1100W of power, yet weighs only 2.1kg. It is ideal for fine sanding applications with fibre, hook, and loop or flap discs and then, any cutting requirements. The UWK 11R has 1700W of power and weighs only 2.5kg. It is a ‘muscle-machine’ that enables use of high torque and can be combined with various grinding and finishing discs including Suhner’s Magic grinding discs. It also provides more than the recommended power for optimal use of 3M® Cubitron fibre discs. Other key features of the new UWG 11R and UWK 11R variable speed 125mm angle grinders include a soft-start for jolt free work, tool-free and easy disc changing, an anti-vibration handle, and a host of safety features including under voltage and thermal protection. Optional extras include replaceable filters to help prevent swarf and aluminium dust entering the electronics of the tool. Highly reliable and easy to use, both the new Suhner UWG 11R and UWK 11R are very competitively priced. Better still, the quality performance of the UWG 11R and UWK 11R saves users both time and money by eliminating the need for rework. True work-horses, both grinders are a testament to the company’s ability to deliver real and viable solutions for industry. Suhner also stocks high-levels of tools and consumable items for quick and easy shipment. The Suhner UWG 11R and UWK 11R grinders carry a professional warranty and Suhner also provides on-site training and demonstrations on request. suhner.com

Evonik launches three new photopolymers for 3D printing

INFINAM photopolymer portfolio expanded with seven new 3D printing formulations in less than two years confirm high innovation strength.

Evonik is continuing its materials campaign in 3D printing. The specialty chemicals company is launching three new INFINAM photopolymers for industrial 3D applications expand the photoresins product line launched last year for use in common UV-curing 3D printing processes such as SLA or DLP. With a total of seven new photopolymer formulations, Evonik has diversified the additive manufacturing material landscape in less than two years. Photopolymers product line continues to grow

INFINAM RG 2000L is a photo resin for the demanding eyewear industry. The clear liquid formulation cures quickly and is easy to process. A low yellowing index – even after prolonged UV irradiation – not only makes the high-performance material attractive for additively manufactured eyewear frames, but it is also suitable for applications such as microfluidic reactors or transparent high-end prototypes for observing the inner workings of complex assemblies. The excellent light transmission of INFINAM RG 2000 L also opens up further applications such as lenses, light guides, and illumination covers. INFINAM RG 7100 L was specially developed for DLP printers and enables the production of parts with isotropic properties and low moisture absorption. The mechanical properties are comparable to those of an ABS material and the black-coloured formulation can also be used on high throughput printer systems. The printed parts exhibit fine features such as smooth and glossy surfaces making the new photopolymer ideal for demanding design visualizations. INFINAM RG 7100 L can also be used in applications such as drones, buckles or automotive parts that require high ductility combined with high impact strength. The printed parts can be machined and remain fracture resistant even when subjected to high forces. INFINAM TI 5400 L is another example of application-focused product development. With this formulation, Evonik is responding to customers’ requests-especially from the Asia region-for a PVC-like resin for the rapidly growing market of limited edition designer toys. The white-coloured material is ideal for objects with a high level of detail and excellent surface quality that is virtually indistinguishable from comparable injection-molded parts. The fully cured material combines excellent impact strength with high elongation at break and exhibits long-lasting thermomechanical performance. Driving 3D printing at scale through innovation

“As one of Evonik’s six innovation growth fields, we are investing above average in the development of new formulations or the further development of existing products. A broad material landscape is a basis for permanently establishing 3D printing as another large-scale industrial manufacturing technology,” says Lutz Mindach, Head of Research Development & Innovation Additive Manufacturing at Evonik. corporate.evonik.com/en

AdvanCell wins Good Design Award of the Year

Sydney radiopharmaceutical company AdvanCell has received the 2022 Australian Good Design Award of the Year for its world-first Alpha Isotope Generator designed by leading Australian product development consultancy, Design + Industry (D+I).

The announcement was made at the Annual Good Design Awards Ceremony held on Friday Evening (16th September 2022) at the International Convention Centre, Sydney, Australia. The Good Design Awards attract new and innovative design projects from around the world, celebrating the very best in all areas of design, architecture, engineering, research, fashion and social impact. The Awards are one of the longest-running international design awards in the world, promoting excellence in design and innovation since 1958. “AdvanCell’s Generator is a revolutionary product that is going to have a remarkable impact on the lives of many people,” said Dr Brandon Gien, CEO of Good Design Australia and Chair of the Awards. “The attention to detail in the design of the device is exemplary, the use of materials and thoughtfulness about the experience of the user are a real highlight as is the use of recycled materials to create the actual isotopes. Two other astounding features include the fact that this product replaces a machine the size of a small bedroom and it negates the requirement to source radioactive elements from Russia, thus securing supply of this precious resource,” “AdvanCell will change the game for people in the medical industry, victims of cancer and quite frankly, the world. Despite dedicated efforts of researchers in the field, this level of breakthrough is rare and deserves recognition for its massive contribution to the medical industry and more specifically, towards the progression of cancer treatment,” said Dr. Gien. In just under two years, AdvanCell has grown from a small group with specific scientific, clinical and commercial expertise to attracting global investment and partnerships as a result of its medical innovations developed here in Australia. In order to take their technology to market, AdvanCell engaged D+I as a proven turnkey product development solution, leveraging the company's full-service in-house capabilities which included Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering and Electronics Design (ISO 13485:2016 Certified for the compliant development of medical devices). “AdvanCell is an Australian company dedicated to changing the course of cancer treatment,” Andrew Adamovich the CEO of AdvanCell said on the night. “The pharmaceuticals we and our partners develop rely on the production of isotopes from this generator. This technology enables a revolutionary treatment called Targeted Alpha Therapy. The genesis of the Company arose from an insight that Julian Kelly, AdvanCell’s Chief Nuclear Scientist, had about a novel method to produce an isotope with properties well suited for cancer treatment. I would like to thank the entire Design and Industry team for their hard work and ingenuity.” Pairing research with industry specialists, government support, venture capital and business leaders has created a platform for AdvanCell to be a leading player in the growing global radiopharmaceutical market (expected to reach US$30bn by 2030, with the Targeted Alpha Therapy market segment currently experiencing growth of over 20% per year.) The AdvanCell ²¹²Pb Generator is a proprietary manufacturing platform capable of delivering a scalable solution to fully automated, GMP compliant manufacture of targeted alpha therapies. The Generator is an innovative combination of source containment, gas supply, high-temp steam delivery and vacuum capability within a compact bench-top system that enables a decentralised scalable supply for clinical trials and large patient populations. One of the challenges in the delivery of treatments to patients is the severely limited supply of clinically useful alpha isotopes. Existing sources are enough to treat perhaps 2,000 patients a year. This is not enough to supply small clinical trials, let alone large patient populations. Existing solutions are limited due to the complexity of production, where the manufacture requires large capital equipment such as a nuclear reactor or a cyclotron, and the use of severely limited source material for the reaction that is required to make the isotope. In addition, manufacture can rely on highly secure fissile material that is unlikely to be made available to industry. And even then the decay chain attributes of some of those accelerator or reactor produced isotopes can present currently insurmountable radiochemical challenges, resulting in these drugs being used exclusively in late stage disease. AdvanCell’s solution relies on a widely available feedstock that among its other sources can be recovered from mining tailings, a use that would leverage Australian mineral resources to directly supply the parent isotope and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. AdvanCell now routinely manufactures Alpha 212 (AdvanCell’s trademarked isotope product) through a fleet of the award-winning generators enabling full control of the supply chain for global manufacture of a pipeline of targeted alpha therapies. By enabling a scalable, local isotope production capability, the Generator will be able to fast track the access to and delivery of these cuttingedge cancer treatments to patients who need it most. In early September 2022, AdvanCell announced an A$18m Series B funding round led by Morningside to advance their lead clinical program and expand their manufacturing platform.

advancell.com.au