Developments

It sounded like a dream that could not come true – a price-stable, carbon neutral, almost infinitely available replacement for aviation and motor fuel. And then a small company announced that its engineers had made it happen Ð and had succeeded in creating petrol using just water, electricity and air. AFS readily admits that for some people, reading some of the more lurid reports, the process seems just too good to be real. “In fact, of course, we are serious scientists, engineers and business people at AFS, our sound engineering processes have been supported by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and we have a solid business proposition,” said a spokesperson. And plans for exciting business developments are under way. Thanks to its successful demonstrator programme, AFS is now ready to build a commercial plant capable of producing levels of one tonne a day – perhaps specialist fuels for top-end motorsport applications, initially. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has recognised that the AFS approach is a great example of pioneering UK innovation in green, clean technology. Dr Tim Fox, head of energy and environment at IMechE, said: “Air capture technology ultimately has the potential to become a game-changer in our quest to avoid dangerous climate change. “What was just a smart idea in the minds of a handful of academics a few years ago is now a proven, engineered method for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and making a useful product. “The beauty of petrol from air is that you are effectively recycling CO2 and avoiding further transport emissions.” The business potential was also recognised during a recent Cleantech Investor Future Transport Challenge event. A panel of investors that included Dr Dominic Emery, chief development officer for BP Alternative Energy, and Andreas Schamel, Ford’s chief engineer for powertrain […]

  PowerbyProxi, developer of the world’s most advanced and safest wireless power system, attracted strong interest in its In-Device Wirelessly Rechargeable Battery Solution at the recent China Hi-Tech Fair. The breakthrough technology enables all devices using AA batteries to remain charged eliminating the cost of replacing batteries and the hassle of removing rechargeable batteries to place them in an external charger. “Keeping devices, like TV remotes, cameras and video game controllers, charged throughout their lifespan usually requires purchasing dozens of batteries,”said Greg Cross, Executive Chairman of PowerbyProxi. “We offer a convenient alternative with the added environmental benefit that fewer toxic materials are ending up in landfills.” Cross says PowerbyProxi’s innovative technology has generated a lot of attention at the technology show, the largest of its kind in the world. “We fielded a lot of interest from attendees and local media. Our technology featured on China TV which has an audience of 1.3 billion.” PowerbyProxi’s advanced In-Device Wirelessly Rechargeable Battery Solution, comprising AA wireless batteries and a charging unit, works with any device powered by AA batteries instantly transforming it into a wirelessly rechargeable device. When batteries are low on charge, simply place the device into the In-Device charging unit. This ‘In-Device Charging’ illustrates PowerbyProxi’s innovation in wireless power and miniaturization. PowerbyProxi’s solution delivers major advances in wireless power including the world’s smallest wireless power receivers, integrated directly into the existing form factor of AA batteries. It also houses a unique wireless transmitter design to provide for unprecedented three-dimensional charging with full spatial freedom (the device can be placed in any position and orientation), as well as the ability to charge multiple devices simultaneously. This technology enables consumer electronics OEMs and ODMs and battery suppliers to develop a system capable of re-charging millions of everyday consumer devices completely wirelessly.  

  A free 3D CAD minibike model has been launched by Competenz under its Tools4Work programme for schools. It is available online as a PDF, enabling it to be used on any computer that has Adobe Acrobat, and can be downloaded at tools4work.co.nz The 3D CAD (computer-aided design) model was produced by Competenz, the industry training organisation for the engineering industry, to support students and teachers with the in-school minibike programme, where students purchase a minibike kitset and assemble it, welding the frame and adding their own engine, suspension, steering and bodywork. The 3D model lets students pull apart and re-assemble the minibike on screen. They can rotate the bike to view it from any angle, zoom in on a section, or isolate different parts, for example, the user can isolate just the frame and fuel tank. It is also possible to render different parts transparent to ‘see inside’ the bike, or to view the bike as line-art. A model-tree function means bike parts can be removed and replaced, right down to the smallest nut and bolt. Pre-set views also isolate parts one-by-one, relative to the frame. Click on any part or on the model-tree, and the model-tree will tell the user what that part is, which means users can identify and learn the names of all the parts very easily. The idea for a 3D model resulted from Competenz staff attending the National Secondary Schools Minibike Grand Prix at Manfield last year. They fully understood the enthusiasm the students and teachers had for building the bikes and learning mechanical engineering skills, and were keen to support that passion. The budding young engineers are supported throughout the process by learning resources from Tools4Work. “The minibike programme gives the students practical hands-on skills like welding, which can help them progress into […]

  New Zealand’s most wind-resistant outdoor umbrella range has taken the global market by storm with exports to 35 countries. The newest product, which was designed locally and tested by scientists at the University of Auckland in the country’s strongest wind tunnel was able to withstand wind speeds of up to 40km/ph. The managing director of Shade7 Michael Pearce, says he is thrilled with the wind test results of the 3.5m wide cantilevered umbrella – which he believes will help to grow exports in other markets. “It’s taken us nearly three years to complete the design and testing of the Riviera, which we believe to be the strongest cantilever umbrella in the southern hemisphere right now. “We took this umbrella for a test drive at The University of Auckland wind tunnel – which is the largest wind tunnel in the country, and the umbrella handled the maximum wind speed without any problems,” says Pearce. “The Riviera umbrella is also much larger than most umbrellas ranging from 3x3m square right up to 4.0m wide octagonal. It’s made from marine grade aluminium, stainless steel and plastic resin parts making it ideal for coastal environments common in NZ. “We designed it with NZ conditions in mind and as we all know, there are some places in the country that can get pretty wild and windy, so we know if it can withstand our weather patterns then it’s going to do well overseas,” he says. Shade7’s last bestseller, the Solar cantilever umbrella, was released to the market over 12 years ago. Shade7 is a Kiwi export success story and is run by businessmen and philanthropists David Jesze and Michael Pearce. The company regularly supplies umbrellas to retail stores and commercial projects around NZ, Australia, Fiji, Tahiti and throughout multiple resorts in the Pacific Islands. […]

Kate McGrath (Picture courtesy Victoria University Image Services.) Victoria University is helping launch the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators through a new programme which will bring graduate students together to create advanced technology start-up companies. The introduction of a one-year Master of Advanced Technology Enterprise, commencing in January 2013, will see students combine their skills in a team environment, and culminate with teams pitching their business plans to an expert panel of investors. Graduates from science, engineering, design, commerce, law and other disciplines will develop their technology start-ups with mentoring and support from academic supervisors. They will also work with some of Wellington’s leading companies including Baldwins Intellectual Property, Creative HQ, Deloitte, start-up firms Magritek and Mesynthes, and technology investors Movac and No 8 Ventures. Kate McGrath, Professor of Chemistry at Victoria University and Director of the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, instigated the programme and says it is a unique opportunity for students with a creative, entrepreneurial streak to come together and work intensively on a commercial project. “This is the only programme of its kind in New Zealand where students from a wide range of disciplines can come together and work in an essentially real-world environment, to develop an advanced technology business concept. “We’re hoping that a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators will be able cut their teeth on this programme and that successful companies can be forged through the process. “We’re looking for passionate, creative students from a wide range of backgrounds, who are interested in working in a dynamic environment to set up a business.” Students will take part in an intense four-week development course to learn the practical and theoretical frameworks necessary to develop an advanced technology start-up company, along with collective brainstorming, team development, collaboration and communication skills. During this […]

Picture:The Weta Workshop crew with Mongoose vehicles based on designs from the Microsoft game Halo. To stay ahead of the commercial challenges of the world’s creative industries, Weta Workshop has found necessity and desire to shift from a purely handcraft company to one that utilises all available digital technology – primarily laser cutting, plasma cutting, 3D modelling and printing, and CNC milling. Jordan Thomson has pioneered this division at Weta Workshop and his unique take on the technical design and engineering of the equipment that the team uses has offered the technicians at Weta an extensive suite of tools available for production output. The 3D Department, lead by Mary Pike, includes thirteen digital artists all working with ArtCAM, and PowerMILL CAM system for high-speed and five-axis machining, to service an extensive number of varying jobs per week. Ms. Pike notes, “Deadlines are our primary challenge. The technical know-how and capability of the team is never in question but of course the wild card is always time. This demands a fluid and unfaltering interplay between the digital artist at the computer, the capability of the toolpathing software to realise these complex models, and then the complete reliability of the machines that we have purchased and built here under Jordan’s guidance.” Mr. Thomson acknowledges that “irrelevant of the hardware solutions, it is the fantastic reliability and ease with which the software interfaces with our machinery that makes this such a seamless process. I get asked daily to facilitate some wonderful and whacky jobs on one of the six machines that we run. “It can be like an acrobat juggling plates while balancing on a ball, as you have so many tasks bouncing between all the different machines utilising the appropriate software to output what is required. From a 1mm button to a […]

Scott Technology managing director, Chris Hopkins New Zealand’s high tech firms boosted investment in research and development (R&D) and staff numbers and many posted strong revenue growth despite difficult business conditions, according to a comprehensive survey of the $8 billion sector. The eighth annual TIN100 Report, an analysis of the performance of the top New Zealand-founded high-tech companies published in association with Industrial Research Ltd, reveals an impressive range of increasingly R&D-focused companies who achieved strong revenue growth despite a sluggish economy and currency headwinds. In addition to solid overall growth of 2.2%, this yearÕs TIN100 Report features a wide range of R&D focused companies, from high-tech manufacturing to ICT and biotech, who achieved phenomenal revenue growth. Among those achieving greatest growth by dollar value were Tru-Test and Gallagher Group – both current and former IRL R&D partners. R&D intensive companies featuring in the report are: Dunedin-based, NZX-listed purchaser of IRL’s superconductor technology firm HTS-110, Scott Technology grew an impressive 15.1%, won a key Australian meat industry automation contract worth $11m and graduated from the $20m-$49m category up into the $50m-$99m set, with revenues of $53.6 million. (In its August year end results, Scott Technology reported 19% revenue growth to $65m). Palmerston North-based New Zealand Pharmaceuticals, whose long-time collaboration with IRL is accelerating growth in the high-value pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and delivering substantial foreign exchange earnings to New Zealand, grew 13.2%. Canterbury Scientific Ltd, an innovative Christchurch-based biotech company, leveraged IRL’s newly developed industry focused protein science team to diversify its diagnostic product range, grew its revenues by more than 21%, from $4.2m to $5.1m.  

Composite Helicopter’s has unveiled a revolutionary helicopter that is light, durable and can be built in record time.The fuselage, main rotor blades and tail rotor blades are made entirely of carbon fibre composites. The helicopter uses the same carbon fibre technology that is found in America’s Cup racing boats, high end sports equipment and new aircraft such as Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.   The five-to-six seat helicopter is relatively quick and easy to put together. Composite Helicopter’s innovation was showcased recently at Oshkosh in Wisconsin, the world’s biggest aviation expo, where New Zealand had the largest country pavilion. Before the show, pre-publicity in New Zealand led to seven orders and the company returned with 14 more and potential for another 48 through dealership enquiries. There was also keen interest shown by established helicopter manufacturers such as Bell and Sikorsky and approaches from two Chinese companies wanting to buy the Kiwi company or form a joint venture. With each helicopter selling at around NZ$530,000 Composite Helicopters already has potential sales worth more than NZ$50 million. It currently has two prototypes, both of which were built just north of Auckland. Once commercialised, the helicopter will contribute to the New Zealand aviation sector’s drive to add NZ$15 billion to the economy each year.