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Stronger Turbine Blades with Molybdenum Silicides

Tsukuba, Japan - Gas turbines are the engines that generate electricity in power plants. The operating temperatures of their combustion systems can exceed 1600 degrees Celsius. The nickel-based turbine blades used in these systems melt at temperatures 200 degrees Celsius lower and thus require air-cooling to function. Turbine blades made out of materials with higher melting temperatures would require less fuel consumption and lead to lower CO2 emissions. Materials scientists at Japan's Kyoto University investigated the properties of various compositions of molybdenum silicides, with and without additional ternary elements. Previous research showed that fabricating molybdenum silicide-based composites by pressing and…

Exports fall 8.7 percent as milk powder hits seven-year low

Milk powder exports fell in August 2016 to the lowest level since August 2009, contributing to a large 8.7 percent fall in the monthly value of exports when compared with August 2015, Statistics New Zealand said today. The milk powder, butter, and cheese commodity group fell $135 million from August 2015, with milk powder leading the fall (down $90 million). All top destinations of milk powder fell in value and quantity, with both China and the United Arab Emirates seeing a drop in value of over half. Meat and edible offal had a large fall, down $111 million, with falls…

The origins of the NMEC

The 2016 National Maintenance Engineering Conference takes place at the Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton on 9/10 November so it seemed timely to take a look at the origins of the event and how it has developed over the years with Craig Carlyle. The origins of the NMEC came about after a request by a national meat company, who had engineers all over New Zealand and recognised the regional differences and different engineering solutions and wished to bring engineers together in one spot. Up until that time there were existing engineering conferences but the problem was that all the conferences…

Commission recommends deregulating Spark’s wholesale voice services

The Commerce Commission has released a report for consultation indicating its intention to recommend to the Minister for Communications that Spark’s resale voice services be deregulated. Spark’s resale voice services enable other retail service providers (RSPs) to rebrand and on-sell fixed‑line phone services based on Spark switches, avoiding the need to deploy their own infrastructure. These services are provided on a commercial basis. The inclusion of these services in the Telecommunications Act gives the Commission the ability to specify terms for the services but this has not been required to date. Telecommunications Commissioner Dr Stephen Gale said providers including Chorus,…

Joint Food Technology programme launches in Singapore

The delivery of the Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours programme at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) is underway, with the first cohort of students beginning lectures in Singapore earlier this month. The programme is a joint partnership between Massey University and SIT. Sixty food technology students have begun their studies on SIT’s Dover campus. Fifty are in second year, articulated into the programme after completing a diploma, while another 10 students are starting their first year. Massey staff from the College of Health and College of Sciences travelled to Singapore to teach, including Associate Professor Marie Wong and…

Communities shine during World Rivers Day

This Sunday is World Rivers Day, and Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA) is joining over 60 countries around the world to raise awareness of the need to take better care of our water resources. LAWA is marking the day by launching a video that celebrates New Zealand’s waterways and the community effort being put into protecting them. Rivers are not only essential for water supplies, but they are also home to aquatic plants and animals, including many species native to New Zealand. Many of our rivers are also a recreational playground for anglers and water sports. There are many communities…

Reserve Bank consults on new dashboard for banks

The Reserve Bank today released a consultation document on a proposed new ‘Dashboard’ approach to quarterly disclosure for locally incorporated banks. This proposal comes from the Bank’s Regulatory Stocktake, that was completed last year and aimed to improve the efficiency, clarity and consistency of prudential requirements for banks and non-bank deposit takers. Effective disclosure is a critical part of the Reserve Bank’s approach to prudential regulation, which is based upon the three pillars of market discipline, self-discipline and regulatory discipline. Deputy Governor Grant Spencer said: “While current public disclosures by locally incorporated banks largely achieve their purpose, these disclosures could…

All women's Ficci delegation on biz visit to NZ

An all women business delegation of FICCI ladies Organization (FLO), the women wing of industry body FICCI, consisting of 42 women entrepreneurs and professionals from pan- India will begin a 14 day visit to New Zealand from Thursday ending on October 4, to strengthen cooperation in various spheres. The delegates led by FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) president, Ms Vinita Bimbhet during the 14 day business trip will be visiting the city of Auckland followed by Wellington, Queenstown, Franz Josef and Christchurch. The Business Interest of the delegates includes Education, textile, gems & jewellery, Chemical, garments, Agriculture, Waste Management, Real estate…

2017 engineering tertiary study scholarship – applications now open

Eastland region university students have until 31 October to apply for Eastland Group’s annual tertiary study scholarship. The scholarship offers $5,000 to students studying engineering, and comes with the possibility of paid holiday work with the company. Group chief executive Matt Todd said a new category of engineering study had been added to the scholarship conditions for 2017. “Our aim is to select students studying subjects that complement Eastland Group’s business and operations. Therefore, applicants must be studying civil, mechanical or electrical engineering. This year – given our long-term commitment to geothermal energy – we have added chemical and process…

West Coast Leading Light Business Excellence Awards finalists named

The finalists in the 2016 West Coast Leading Light Business Excellence Awards have today been revealed, with 21 finalists vying for the prestigious awards. Development West Coast Chief Executive Chris Mackenzie says the finalists represent a wide range of local businesses, across a variety of industries. “And that embodies the spirit of awards which is to showcase the very best in business and industry across our region. I am very much looking forward to the evening so that we can celebrate our people and their achievements and I am pleased that DWC is able to take a key role in…

Champion Canterbury Business Awards winners announced

Canterbury Development Corporation congratulates the winners of the Champion Canterbury Business Awards 2016. The annual awards ceremony was held on Wednesday 21 September, with heritage and technology taking out the top honours. The Isaac Theatre Royal won the supreme award in the small enterprise category, while ARANZ Medical Ltd – who specialise in 3D scanning equipment to assess wounds and custom-fit orthotics and prosthetics – took out the supreme award in the medium/large enterprise category. More than 1000 people attended the awards, which are in their 14th year and recognise local businesses for their talent, innovation and diversity. Champion Canterbury…

Zespri Board Announces Succession Planning For New CEO

The Board of Directors of Zespri will start a search process next year to select a new Chief Executive Officer. The succession is being planned with a view to having the new CEO in place by the beginning of 2018. The current CEO Lain Jager, who was appointed Zespri CEO in December 2008, will remain in the role until the new CEO starts. Zespri Chairman Peter McBride says the Board is balancing continuity and renewal in the leadership of the organisation. “The Zespri Board has set out a process for succession at an optimal time. The timeframe helps to ensure…