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PIC 1 a Bspkl - Jerome Leveneur and Christina Houlihan

KiwiNet Awards 2023 finalists announced

Finalists for the 2023 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards have been announced. Winners will be presented on 28 September. The finalists include: Award Category Sprout Breakthrough Innovator Dr Jerome Leveneur -BSPKL/GNS Bspkl co-founders Dr. Jérôme Leveneur CTO and Christina Houlihan CEO of the company which is a finalist in the Pwc Breakthrough Project Award category. Jerome is Science Co-Founder and CTO of Bspkl, New Zealand’s first deep technology hydrogen start-up. This new manufacturing technology, targeting the electrolyser and fuel cell market, supports the world’s transition to a more sustainable future. He was an Ion Beam Materials Scientist at GNS Science when he developed a new manufacturing technology that could drastically reduce the amount of precious metals used in the production of catalyst-coated membranes (CCM), used in technologies for hydrogen production, while also increasing the speed of the CCM manufacturing process. This led to the invention of Bspkl – a revolutionary approach to ion beam modification with a wide range of potential industrial applications, and which no one else in the market can currently produce. Bspkl was spun-out in April 2023 with a $2.8 million seed investment round led by WNT Ventures. As the first start-up to be formed with IP from GNS Science, it represents the culmination of many years of innovation and championing of commercialisation. It is a testament to Jérôme’s tenacity, perseverance, and positivity, being a key leader in successfully navigating the path to spinout and solving many challenges along the way. Jérôme is deeply passionate about creating real-world impact, and he continues to work on collaborative new IP with other public research institutions, helping to generate other new IP that can move Aotearoa closer to a zero-carbon future. At a time when the world is increasingly interested in investing in green hydrogen, Jérôme has helped put New Zealand […]

ICWES19 elevates women in science and engineering

Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau and the New Zealand Association for Women in the Sciences will launch the three-day 19th International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists (ICWES19) on Sunday 3 September. Engineering New Zealand General Manager Tania Williams FEngNZ says, “It’s crucial that women can see themselves represented in, and leading, engineering and the sciences. That’s why I’m really proud we’re able to co-host this event and the significance of doing so is huge – it’s the first time ICWES has been held in Aotearoa.” The core conference includes 28 speakers, five keynote sessions, and workshop sessions. Williams says there are many ways to get involved “no matter where you are in the country or what piques your interest – and many of these options are very affordable.” Individuals and groups can participate remotely, and education providers and non-for-profit organisations can access sessions for affordable ‘group watch’ events. A STEM Diversity session will be perfect for senior leaders and champions looking to advance diversity and equity in their organisations. A ‘Shaping Space’ breakfast will provide senior secondary students with the chance to hear from a panel including a rocket scientist, space lawyer, astrophysicist and Māori astronomer about the different ways STEM is advancing our understanding and exploration of space. “I’m looking forward to welcoming engineers and scientists from all over the world to ICWES19, and I urge all engineers to get involved in this terrific event,” says Williams. ICWES is the flagship triennial conference of the International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES). Find out more or register for ICWES19

Slow train coming: only a genuine shift to rail will put NZ on track to reduce emissions

-Philip Laird, Honourary Principal Fellow, University of Wollongong Both the Labour government and the opposition National Party have now released major transport polices that put the emphasis on maintaining and expanding roads. The cost and priority of various projects will clearly be an election issue. But at the heart of the debate lies an inconvenient truth about climate change: encouraging road transport while needing to reduce carbon emissions simply does not add up. We can see this tension in transport agency Waka Kotahi’s own policy statements: road safety and better travel options on the one hand, addressing sustainability on the other. But transport is responsible for 17% of New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, road vehicle use has been increasing, as has the popularity of larger cars and SUVs that create more emissions per kilometre. Road congestion has become worse, with the popular response being to expand road capacity. Hence the present government’s recently announced plans for a second harbour crossing in Auckland involving two road tunnels. And the main thrust of National’s Transport for the Future policy is on more urban and intercity roads. Both Labour and National favour a second Mount Victoria tunnel in Wellington. In the background sits the government’s Rail Plan, which sets out the “vision and priorities for rail over the next decade and beyond”. But given the clear need for New Zealand’s transport policies to change, the planned improvements need to be on a fast track. Light rail right next door Cars and planes are convenient, but both have low energy efficiency compared to rail. Data source: Greenhouse gas reporting: conversion factors 2019 A car’s carbon emissions per passenger kilometre can be around four times that of domestic rail (as shown by the graph above, based on UK data). The government’s transport plans for Auckland do include light rail, but National has promised to scrap the […]

A data-driven approach to reducing operating costs

-Adam Sharman, Senior Partner, Dsifer In New Zealand these cost pressures are compounded by high shipping costs and unfavourable exchange rates that impact New Zealand manufacturers’ price competitiveness and/or margins. All of which is contributing to a contracting in manufacturing performance in New Zealand and most of the world. In challenging times, most organisations look to reduce production costs and non-essential spending. However, too often we see organisations making knee-jerk approaches to cost cutting, resulting in short-term decisions that constrain their ability to improve or accelerate when the economic environment improves. Whilst it may seem paradoxical, challenging cost environments can be the foundation of future growth, if managed through an evidence-based, future-focused approach. In this article we will explore three key ways a data-driven approach to managing through challenging economic environments can help balance the need for short-term cost reduction with long-term performance. Understand the true drivers of production costs Most organisations already collect a huge amount of data at multiple stages of the manufacturing process. However, a significant proportion do not use this data to inform process efficiency, asset optimisation and waste reduction. A data analytics approach that identifies trends in process, machine and people data can identify correlations between multiple factors that explain the drivers of production efficiency, bottlenecks or opportunities to optimise. Having identified these drivers, scenario modelling can then be used to play out different combinations of variables identifying the optimal combination. For example, identifying the root cause of systemic asset failures, and modelling out an optimal maintenance schedule to mitigate future unplanned downtime. Evaluate the true impact of cost reduction decisions Building on the ability to understand the drivers of production costs, a data-driven, evidence-based approach allows for the interrogation of cost reduction strategies to understand their true impact on production and prioritise them accordingly. […]

Women in Engineering

In 1876, Helen Connon was the first woman to enroll in a New Zealand university, graduating in 1880 with a B.A. in Latin, Mathematics, English, French and Physical Science. By 1897 women had graduated in both medicine and law. But it would be another almost 70 years before a woman would graduate from a New Zealand university with an engineering degree. Leslie Robertson led the way, graduating with a degree in electrical engineering from University of Canterbury in 1965. By 1981, women still only made up 2.4% of engineering graduates from University of Canterbury, compared with Law 33.7%, medicine 31.8%, and architecture 24.3%. By the end of the decade, the percentage of women graduating in law and medicine had risen to 50%, but engineering trailed behind at only 7%. University initiatives There have been numerous initiatives over the decades to encourage women to consider a career in engineering. In 1989, University of Auckland created the position of Liaison Officer for Women in the Physical Sciences and Engineering, and appointed Liz Godfrey to the role. It was a full-time position and the first of its kind in New Zealand. Studies looking at women’s low participation rates in engineering identified a number of issues. Far fewer girls than boys continued with maths and science subjects to senior high school level; teachers and students had little knowledge of the breadth of career possibilities an engineering degree could offer and did not promote it to their female students; young women did not see engineering as relevant to their lives; and the lack of female role models meant that they could not see themselves represented within the engineering profession. Liz worked closely with schools, and in collaboration with others, developed programmes to promote engineering and science careers to students. SOS – Skills and Opportunities in […]

Showcasing the marvels of modern manufacturing

By Catherine Lye Head of Advanced Manufacturing and Export Communities EMA Manufacturing in New Zealand is full of clever, practical people solving complex, challenging problems with ingenuity and relentless hard work, making something from nothing and then making it better. There is some really smart stuff being made and we have got to get better about telling the stories that will inspire the next generation and greater diversity into this incredible, innovative sector of the NZ economy. The future of work was on display last week at the Canvas Careers Expo in Tauranga. Secondary school students saw innovation in action including high-end titanium road bikes produced through 3D Printing machinery, and the intricate and complex designs that are not possible with traditional manufacturing methods. The EMA and seven Tauranga manufacturers collaborated in a joint effort to build awareness, shift perceptions, and raise the profile of the manufacturing sector with students, educators, parents, potential and current workers. Manufacturing offers interesting and diverse opportunities to all people. Advanced Manufacturing has been prioritised for industry transformation due to its scale and potential to significantly increase productivity, higher wage jobs and a globally competitive low emissions sector. “Advanced” manufacturing refers to the use of modern technologies and processes, rather than whether the final products are high tech or not. The vision of the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Transformation Plan is “a thriving Aotearoa NZ manufacturing sector of world-class creators, innovators, and makers, delivering quality products, sustainable solutions, and intergenerational well-being.” One of the priorities developing and attracting a diverse high-skilled and high-wage workforce and showcasing the industry at events like the Canvas Careers Expo highlight the possibilities. The EMA had the support of twenty representatives from manufacturing companies Trimax Mowing Systems, Bluelab, Powerglide Elevators, Florentines Patisserie, Bay Blinds, RAM3D and Oasis Engineering. The expertise and capability […]

Nico Patchay - Niche Modular Construction

Wellington company showing the way for low carbon

The drive for low carbon has rapidly become a focal point for Aotearoa’s construction sector, where the most forward-thinking and innovative operators are partnering with other experts to decarbonise in ways that also deliver biological, ecological, and social co-benefits. One company showing the way is Wellington-based volumetric offsite manufacturing company Niche Modular Construction, whose technical manager Nico Patchay (left)spoke to HERA’s CEO Troy Coyle on the Stirring the Pot podcast about the business’ adoption of HERA’s Zero Carbon Steel program, Hōtaka Whakakore Puhanga Waro, which launched last year in a global first for the construction sector. The offsetting program means there is now a zero-carbon steel option for most steel products used in Aotearoa, noting that the sector has a number of other decarbonisation initiatives in play, including the recently announced plans to construct an Electric Arc Furnace at New Zealand Steel. The program is supported by the work of thinkstep-anz, which HERA commissioned to develop robust program rules to determine the underlying requirements for calculating the emissions for offsetting. HERA’s partnership with Ekos, a leader in carbon management and environmental financing, underpins the administration of the offsetting process, and offsets are sourced from native forest projects in the Pacific Islands. Niche Modular Construction was the first company to use HERA’s Zero Carbon Steel program, and is utilising the carbon offsets to reduce the net emissions of its steel modular building projects, which are primarily classroom buildings. Niche operates in both the public and private sectors and is also exploring the potential application of offsets in modular apartments. Niche currently utilises around 15 tonnes of steel in its builds and has its own engineering department that handles all aspects of the structural steel components. Niche Modular reports the additional costs of using Zero Carbon Steel have been manageable; it bears […]

Will digital enablement make our company less human?

-Scott Adams, Argon & Co The answer is a clear “no,” quite the opposite, as it will require clever design, selection, implementation, and maintenance. And if you have done it right it will provide you with more time to do human things like strategy, talking with clients and colleagues, and with increased overall productivity rather than less time working, and more time enjoying life. The automation of routine, complex or dangerous activity is an inevitable and logical path forward for New Zealand businesses. We should be increasingly looking first to a digital solution for any problem or opportunity and always one that is easy to use and maintain. For instance, there is a vast amount of software solutions that are easy to buy, and use, and if we have done well the software will even integrate with other software to digitally enable an end-to-end process. Therefore, we can make our working life much easier if we understand our business processes and therefore our requirements. Many of us in business are getting quite practiced at this new and necessary skill set. Right now, depending on your role you are doing a good proportion of your work without having to think too hard. You, and NZ, would be better off if a larger proportion of our working time was spent thinking hard. Solving big problems, dreaming up new designs, creating rich content, crafting a chair, and writing songs. For most of us we would need that harder work compensated for with more rest and leisure time. So, this might seem like a logical and forgone conclusion of increasing digitisation, but the journey and destination are not certain at a company level. It would be best to prepare well to approach this increasingly digital future with more confidence. Firstly, start by educating the […]

Women founders lay down challenge for New Zealand to do business better

2023 women founder conference, Electrify Aotearoa: Auckland, saw the best and brightest women in business lay down the challenge for New Zealand to do better. The best and brightest women in Aotearoa business want improvements to the business sector and they’re not going to wait around for someone to fix things.. Organised and presented by Ministry of Awesome and hosted at the SkyCity Theatre, Electrify Aotearoa saw keynotes from a broad selection of Aotearoa’s most electric founders, including Janine Grainger of Easy Crypto , Maru Nihoniho, of Metia Interactive, and Frances Shoemack of Abel along with 20 other inspirational speakers and startup experts conducting masterclasses and panel discussions. A key challenge for New Zealand business laid down by Electrify Aotearoa was to support and invest capital in as many women-led start-ups as men. Other panels at the event included, Barriers to investment led by Theresa Gattung, Founder mindset led by Suse Reynolds of Angel Association NZ with Supie’s Sarah Balle and Jessica Manins, Co-Founder at Beyond, as well as masterclasses in brand and go-to-market, suitable for entrepreneurs at all stages of their growth trajectory. Sold out for its second consecutive year, Electrify Aotearoa again underlined the inportance of building deeper connections among entrepreneurial wahine, to lift each other up and open doors for one another. Ministry of Awesome CEO, Marian Johnson said the event was a “thunderclap” moment for women in business in Aotearoa to demand and lead the change the country needs. “To every woman in this room, this is your call to action to believe, to activate, to connect with each other and power up. Every one of our speakers is a trailblazer and an innovator so tell their stories, tell your own, and share that inspiration around,” Johnson said. “For NZ to be a world leading innovation economy, […]

Electrical apprentice challenge back for 2023

With the annual challenge to find New Zealand’s best electrical apprentice back for 2023, the winners of the 2022 challenge have some sage advice for those considering entering, and for the employers of the young sparkies about to be put to the test. Exposure to all the varied elements of the industry that the competition provides is invaluable, says Mathew Masters, who won the Industrial Award in last year’s Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge, sponsored in part by Schneider Electric. “Taking part in the challenge is a rewarding way to upskill. The team at Dalton Electrical supported me with my learning going into it, and I was given opportunities many apprentices wouldn’t get to touch. “There’s a lot I didn’t know about the expanse of the industry when I came into it; I just wanted to do something hands-on after university, and now I’ve found what I’m good at. “I come from a programming background and the challenge was a catalyst for me to learn my way up. People want homes that run off their phones, but automation is becoming applicable in so many contexts now – including industrial – and I’ve been able to see the technical side of it, which opens up a whole new space in the electrical industry for me to explore.” Mathew’s advice for young people is “not to be afraid of the trades,” a sentiment shared by Palmerston North-based Thomas Mitchell, who recently completed his apprenticeship with Hedley Electrical and was the Domestic/Commercial Award winner in the 2022 Challenge. “I left school with an Excellence in NCEA but wasn’t overly excited about any of the careers that seemed to stem from university education. I came up against a bit of stigma about the trades being held in less esteem as a viable professional path, but […]

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