Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer

Hydrogen is widely viewed as a critical part of Australia’s clean energy future. Yet discovering natural sources of hydrogen - a potentially significantly lower priced option than other H2 sources. - continues to present a core challenge. The Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer in partnership with Xcalibur Smart Mapping are enabling Australia's clean energy future by investing in an exciting technology to identify low concentrations of hydrogen seeping from the ground from an airborne platform. Check out our latest article to find out how this project has the potential to support Australia's pipeline of hydrogen projects valued at $225 billion. #hydrogen #hydrogendetection #investment #trailblazeruniversity Australian Government Department of Education Curtin University Media Curtin Institute for Energy Transition

📢 Exciting Opportunity: Associate Professor (Advanced Process Control Engineer) Are you passionate about bridging academia and industry to solve real-world challenges in the minerals and resources sector? We’re looking for a proactive, industry-focused researcher to join our world-class team at Curtin University, based at the historic WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering in Kalgoorlie, WA! 🌏 This role involves teaching and supervising HDR (Higher Degree by Research) students while developing a demand-driven research program. If you have qualifications, and a strong background in process engineering/control with a passion for applying research to real-world industry challenges, we invite you to read on and apply. 🔹 Key Responsibilities: Deliver high-quality teaching and supervision, innovating curriculum content to develop future leaders. Forge strong industry partnerships, applying research to real-world contexts in mining and beyond. Build an industry-engaged research program, advancing knowledge in both the mining and oil & gas sectors. ✨ Why Curtin? Curtin University is ranked among the top 1% of global universities (ARWU 2023) and offers an inspiring work environment with campuses worldwide. Generous benefits, including competitive remuneration, superannuation, housing support, and more are on offer for the right candidate. 📍 Location: Kalgoorlie, WA - where a rich mining history meets breathtaking outback landscapes and a vibrant community. 🚀 Ready to make an impact? Apply by 11:30am AWST, 28 November 2024, and help us drive innovation at the intersection of academia and industry. For more info, visit: https://lnkd.in/gk8-R9xv #advancedprocessing #jobalerts #jobopportunity #miningjobs #education

The results of a new survey released this week by CSIRO has found Australians agree that the resources sector plays a key role in the nation’s energy transition. The 2024 'Australian attitudes towards mining' report surveyed 6,400 Australians and found 73% agreed that access to critical minerals is essential for Australia to achieve net zero emissions whilst 71% of survey respondents agreed that mining is important to the Australian way of life and 72% believe it will support Australia’s future prosperity. Conducted in collaboration with Voconiq, this latest survey marks the third instalment in a decade-long program of research, providing an update to the national surveys conducted in 2014 and 2017 and critical information for policymakers, industry leaders, and communities seeking the social license to proceed confidently with vital critical minerals projects. Trailblazer Director Rohan McDougall said the results were encouraging. "The energy transition simply cannot happen without access to critical minerals. The Trailblazer research projects are designed to accelerate the energy transition in partnership with industry and having the support of Australians to conduct this work will be key to our success."   For more information about the report, visit CSIRO's website: https://lnkd.in/gAkmEUjv #criticalminerals #mining #resources #technology #trailblazeruniversity

Yesterday, Assistant Minister for Education Anthony Chisholm met with representatives of the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer in Clayton, Victoria at CSIRO's Lab22 Innovation Center to explore our newly acquired PX100 Digital Metal Binder Jet System. The state-of-the-art technology provides cost competitive alternatives to conventional metal manufacturing and supports high volume metal production. Curtin University's Tejas Bhatelia has been spearheading the use of this equipment since its arrival in Australia last month on recent projects funded through the RTCM Trailblazer such as SpiroPak: “The PX100 Binder Jetting System represents a step change in the reduction of 3D printing costs, a core element of SpiroPak’s production processes. The technology is the first of its kind in Australia. By reducing these costs, we can now investigate a wider range of applications for SpiroPak’s structured packaging technology, thereby increasing the value and impact of this ground-breaking research.” The equipment was purchased as part of the Australian Government Department of Education $45 million partnership with CSIRO to boost Australia's industrial manufacturing capabilities via the Trailblazer Universities Program. Minister Chisholm also received a tour of similar technical equipment acquired by the iLAuNCH Trailblazer, Defence Trailblazer, and Australia's Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA). Read more about the opportunities now available to researchers and industry in the resources and critical minerals sectors through this exciting news via our website: https://lnkd.in/gzmgRsqF #criticalminerals #resources #csiro #technology #innovation #commercialisation Curtin University Curtin University Media The University of Queensland James Cook University Sustainable Minerals Institute Australian Government Department of Education

Congratulations are in order to the team behind 'Nepternal Hydrogen' who took home the Woodside Energy Platinum Award for Energy Innovation Award at last night's WA Innovator of the Year Awards. Nepternal Hydrogen - with support from the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer - has developed a breakthrough system that produces 99.999% ultra-pure hydrogen directly from seawater in Western Australia, with an impressive 76% efficiency and an energy consumption of just 43.6 kWh per kilogram of hydrogen. In addition to hydrogen, the system generates pure water and 99.999% pure oxygen as valuable by-products. Backed by Curtin University's Venture Studio, Nepternal Hydrogen provides scalable, cost-effective electrolyser solutions leveraging local natural resources, positioning WA as a key player in the global hydrogen industry. Hosted by the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, the WA Innovator of the Year celebrates and recognises the outstanding Western Australians developing innovative products, technologies, and services with support from notable research, innovation and resources sector players including Rio Tinto, CSIRO and Griffith Hack. Congratulations to Jiayi Tang, Zongping Shao and Andy Hart for this momentous achievement! #hydrogen #cleanenergy #resources #curtinuniversity #wainnovatoroftheyear #wainnovatoroftheyear2024 Curtin University Media

Great to see another of our Trailblazer-funded projects presenting to industry last week! Australian Government Department of Education Anthony Millgate Jason Clare MP #trailblazeruniversity #resourcestrailblazer

Earlier this year, Australia's Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley reflected on the release of the STEM Career Pathways Report, saying the report "suggests Australia is not getting the full value of its investment in STEM education." In light of this, the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer is proud to be supporting the CoRE Learning Foundation to develop a pilot STEM education program launching at Tom Price Senior High School in the Pilbara next year to give Year 11s and 12s a unique STEM learning experience to broaden their awareness about the career opportunities available to them. The program will work with industry partners from the region to provide access to mining sites and projects in the Pilbara and provide students with the opportunity to learn from real professionals. We're excited to be supporting this important program and look forward to the launch next year! Australian Government Department of Education Curtin University Curtin University Media Jason Clare MP Tony Buti Stephen Dawson Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation #stemeducation #stem #education

Corrosion under insulation (CUI) is an oxidation process that develops on the surface of insulated metal pipes or vessels, such as those used in the oil and gas industry. The longer insulated pipes are in contact with wet insulation, the greater the extent of corrosion. With CUI management accounting for approximately 40-60% of energy producer's total piping maintenance budgets, this project aims to identify optimal material selection and design for future piping systems to prevent the issues currently experienced, saving time and money in the process. Check out more details from the Curtin Corrosion Centre below 👇

Last week, we held the final event for 2024 in our Spotlight on Commercialisation series at Curtin University. Supported by the Trailblazer, the series provides staff and students at Curtin the opportunity to gain invaluable commercialisation knowledge to build capability in the translation of research outcomes for commercial value. Charlie Gunningham, renowned entrepreneur ecosystem builder, shared a fantastic presentation on the various sources of funding available to researchers looking to commercialise that are available in WA and Australia. For more information about Spotlight, visit the Curtin website: https://lnkd.in/gKSCdewX Australian Government Department of Education Anthony Millgate Jason Clare MP #trailblazeruniversities #trailblazer #criticalminerals #commercialisation

Another exciting update from one of our Trailblazer funded projects! If you or your company are interested to find out how the Trailblazer program is revolutionising the drilling sector, connect with us at trailblazer@curtin.edu.au.