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Advanced Powder Technology spins-out Nanopowder 03.04.03 - UWA spin-out company Advanced Powder Technology Pty Ltd has developed a patented technology for nanopowder manufacturing at industrial scale. APT has identified high value applications for nanopowders that address strong needs in global markets with substantive growth opportunities. APT is seeking equity investment to fund expansion of its manufacturing facility, new product R&D and market development. Further information: Brian Innes 61 8 93803077 / brian@apt-powders.com.
News And Research: Have NANO research, will travel? 12.11.02 - Are you a researcher with a great idea, but the equipment you need to use is interstate? No problem. If your idea is good enough, you will soon be able to have your travel costs paid to use world-beating technology around Australia.A collaboration between UNSE and Queensland, Western Australia and Sydney Universities has raised $20million to purchase four major pieces of equipment - one for each campus - which will give Australian researchers access to electron microscope technology available in only a handful of labs around the world.The NanoStructural Analysis Network Organisation (NANO) Major National Research Facility was awarded more than half its funding from a Federal Government initiative for major equipment purchases. The remainder of the funding came from the individual universities, their state governments and industry. While the lion's share is for the electron microscopes, more than $2 million has been put aside to meet the travel costs of researchers who want to use the equipment in other states.The director of UNSW's electron microscope unit (EMU), Associate Professor Paul Munro, says that NANO's travel and access program is now open for applications, as the first two of the four pieces of equipment will arrive in early 2003.The University of Queensland's microscope, one of fewer than a dozen in the world, will give 3D images of molecular structures, protein molecules and pharmaceutical molecules. The University of Western Australia will take delivery of a NanoSIMS, only the fourth in existence, which uses a very fine ion beam to achieve high spatial resolution chemical analysis.These electron microscope units find that they consistently underpin about 12% of experimental research at each campus, overwhelmingly from science, engineering and medicine. But Munroe and his staff have assisted research in other areas such as architecture and fine arts, and are available to assist any research that requires electron microscope facilities.Each of the four EMUs in NANO already holds one or two pieces of equipment unique to that campus, and another half dozen microscopes which are more commonly held. But a conversation between Munroe and his opposite number at the University of Sydney, Associate Professor Simon Ringer, about the cost of sophisticated, hitherto unaffordable, equipment led to the collaboration which will see such a vast up scaling of electron microscopy in Australia.After Queensland and Western Australia receive their equipment in 2003, UNSW will take delivery of a combined electron Microscope and an ion microscope. This dual beam nanotechnology permits a less invasive form of imaging and will achieve chemical analyses otherwise not available. Munroe is confident that it will have the highest analytical capabilities of its type in the world.The fourth piece of equipment, destined for the University of Sydney, is a 3D atom probe which will allow the researcher to draw one atom at a time from a sample, giving a 3D map of the atom and its composition, and also allowing atoms to be picked up a rearranged.Researchers with projects which may benefit by using the equipment in Perth and Brisbane can call Paul Munroe, Ph: (02) 9385 4435, or check the NANO website for details of the travel and access program. (By Louisa Wright, UNSW Community Magazine, Nov 02, Issue 9)
