Looking for Heroes! Not a TV show unless you export it
The Australian Institute of Export would like to enlist help in identifying candidates for the 2007/2008 Heroes Awards. The Australian Export Heroes awards recognise individuals who have demonstrated outstanding vision and commitment in making a significant and unique contribution for their organisation, and Australia, in the international market place.
Nominations close 31 January 2008. For further information go to www.aiex.com.au or for further information contact Ian Murray on 02 8243 7400 or email info@aiex.com.au
Looking for Gold? Nuggets reveal their inner secrets
A study of the characteristics of gold nuggets from around Australia has overturned many years of accepted scientific wisdom on how nuggets form. The research reveals the gold nuggets formed deep underground at high temperatures. For the full media release: http://www.ausimm.com/main/wir/week43_csiro.pdf
Don’t break your garbage bin with your old computers
In this week’s column I&I looks at how two organisations are turning old computers into useful products as well as providing employment, rather than have them added to landfills. We also look at a new software application aimed at assisting recycling generally.
New Lives for Old Computers – example 1
Computer Bank Illawarra commenced operations in October 2005 to provide access to computers for disadvantaged people, or people on a low income. It is a not-for-profit, non-government, volunteer based organisation. It provides free basic computer systems to disadvantaged individuals, families, and community groups.
Part of Computer Bank Illawarra’s workshop
The organisation was started by Josh Reid and now is run by 100 per cent volunteers. To date the organisation has given away 300 computers. For information on how to supply old computers go to www.cbi.org.au
New Lives for Old Computers – example 2
Wesley E-Recycling specialises in the refurbishment of computers for individuals, families and community organisations in need. An activity of Wesley Mission, one of the largest charities in New South Wales, Wesley E-Recycling aims to connect and empower disadvantaged individuals with technology, while diverting e-waste from landfill. It operates via the generosity of schools, organisations and individuals who donate computers which Wesley E-Recycling refurbishes to assist those in need. It also dismantles computers unsuitable for refurbishment and on-sells the components for reuse. Wesley E-Recycling retails refurbished computer packages of high quality at very affordable prices with a 3-month back-to-base warranty. They are internet ready and customised to suit specific needs.
The company is a member of the Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher (MAR) program and provides Windows software free of charge to other non-profit organisations and holders of current health care cards. Operations Manager Alfonso Moraga says Wesley E-Recycling currently has about 26 people on its payroll, a combination of highly trained staff committed to continuous improvement and disabled people who enjoy secure long term employment, training and development in a professional and productive work environment.
Alfonso is establishing relationships and meeting people within the recycling industry to expand the operation’s expertise and knowledge in this area. Alfonso says the e-recycling sector provides meaningful work that will enhance the jobs and skills development prospects of Wesley E-recycling’s supported employees.
He has already been introduced to the Freedom-Bay recycling application through the Western Sydney IT Cluster and is hoping to make further connections that can both enhance Wesley E-Recycling’s operations and contribute to a sustainable and equitable Western Sydney. For further information contact Alfonso Moraga on 02 9684 6366.
Get the Freedom to recycle on line
Glenn Groves, CEO of software developer Freedomsoft, has launched his newest creation, the Freedom-Bay, on-line sustainability application. Freedom-Bay sets up a market space where users can freely seek to obtain or dispose of waste equipment or materials. Glenn’s inspiration arose from his participation in Western Sydney IT Cluster’s collaboration project last year.
Glenn is excited with the potential of the Freedom-Bay application, though it is moving into new territory for him. Unlike working with a single client, the Freedom-Bay application needs a number of strategic partners to develop its potential. Glenn is in negotiation with a number of local government and industry bodies, to build up a network of users. Freedom-Bay is an open re-cycling system but Glenn sees it as particularly useful for recycling e-waste.
For more information contact glenn.groves@freedomsoft.com.au or
Ph: 02 9687 4861.
Wafers go solar
IBM has pioneered a process to recycle the estimated three million defective silicon wafers that are discarded worldwide each year, reusing them in solar panels. It has also launched an energy efficiency certificate program where companies can measure the reduction of energy at data centres and possibly trade energy reductions as credits on the carbon trading market.
IBM estimates 250,000 silicon wafers are produced every day throughout the world to make semiconductor chips for computers, mobile phones, video games and other consumer electronics. About 3.3% of these wafers are scrapped because they need to be near perfect to be used in electronic products.
A repurposed solar panel (courtesy of IBM)
The wafers contain intellectual property and cannot be sent to outside vendors to be reclaimed, so they are crushed and sent to landfills or melted down and resold.
Through its reclamation process IBM is able to remove the intellectual property from the wafer surface. This makes them available either for reuse in internal manufacturing operations or for sale to the solar cell industry, to meet a growing demand for the same silicon material to produce photovoltaic cells for solar panels.
(From www.EnvironmentalManagemmentNews.net) Events:
27–29 November 2007: Checking out student industrial design skills
Industrial design students at the University of Western Sydney will be exhibiting their skills at Customs House Sydney to industry on 27th November (5 – 9pm) and the general public on 28th & 29th (10am - 5pm). While UWS industrial is relatively new it has the benefits of using first class technology and machinery including rapid prototyping, CNC, 3D scanners, CAD/CAM and rendering software that students and industry both have the opportunity to use.
For information contact: Christian Tietz (c.tietz@uws.edu.au or 02 9852 5975)
27 November 2007: ‘How to Get a Better Deal on Your Telecommunications’
Discover ways to save thousands in business expenses at the Australian telecommunications Users Group (ATUG) Breakfast Briefing, 7.30am –10am at DSRD Western Sydney Business Centre. To register Ph: 02 9495 8999 or email: elizabeth.lawler@atug.org.au. Invitation at: http://www.atug.com.au/SeptOct07SME.cfm
6 December 2007: ‘Innovation and Venture Creation’
OpenCoffee international entrepreneurs network conference, 8.30am - 4pm at DSRD Western Sydney Business Centre. A must for those commercialising new applications or seeking to expand their businesses! To see program: http://innovation07.pbwiki.com/; to register Ph: 0414 618 425 or email: rgh@rhiltd.com.au Your Ideas, Innovations or Events?
If you want publicity for an idea, innovation or technically related event, contact the I&I editor, Colin Seaborn on 4254 0258 or 0419 841829 or click here->
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