Whether you like it or not, we are all in a feverish state of learning new things. The tragedy is that most people are learning the wrong way, so here is a short note on how to do it right, save yourself a huge amount of time and get much better results. [ + ]

Sixty of the world's top agricultural roboticists are meeting this week (2-6 February) at the University of Sydney to discuss future directions for the globe's horticultural and farming industries. [ + ]

With more than 620 companies queuing up to participate in this year's annual Australasian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference (AOG), the event will be bringing together a host of global specialists to present the latest in new ideas and technology. [ + ]

White flecks on sweets with a chocolate glaze are harmless - but aesthetically unappealing. More than just improper storage can diminish the glossy sheen. Researchers have discovered other weak points in the production process. Armed with sophisticated analysis, companies can now protect their products effectively from the undesirable coating. [ + ]

Phased array inspection technologies for draglines and shovels demonstrated at non-destructive testing conference in Brisbane. [ + ]

Phased array inspection technologies for draglines and shovels demonstrated at non-destructive testing conference in Brisbane. [ + ]

Many food, beverage and primary processors in the Australasian and Asia-Pacific region have traditionally viewed their wastewater primarily as a problem that has to be solved to meet local discharge standards. [ + ]

Germany's Industry 4.0 initiative aims to develop industrial machinery with built-in intelligence based on smart self-monitoring functions. Researchers have now come a step closer to the ideal of a self-maintaining machine. [ + ]

Kaeser Compressors has satisfied Tatura Milk Industries' stringent internal benchmarks for air quality in its food processing operations. [ + ]

The world's leading oil and gas industry process control specialists are coming together in Perth next year for the annual Australasian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference (AOG).

A prototype electric motor that uses a new principle for transforming electricity into rotary force is being developed at C-Motive Technologies, a company co-founded by UW-Madison assistant professor Dan Ludois. [ + ]

More than 800 sensors strategically positioned on the wind turbines at Australia's newest wind farm will play a key role in ongoing research by Siemens to optimise performance and minimise the need for potentially costly maintenance. [ + ]

The School of Engineering and Architecture at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts chose the Simatic PCS 7 Microbox version as the process control system to clearly present the processes in a new rectification plant to its students.

AccessPack, from Western Australian company CASWA, uses smart card technology to prevent unauthorised operators from using high-risk or critical equipment. [ + ]

The rise of technologies such as lightweight robots, 3D printing and power computing tools will play an important role in helping the Australian manufacturing industry through one of its most critical junctures. [ + ]