Researchers have developed an entirely new class of substance that can be used as a lubricant: liquid crystalline fluid. Although it is a liquid, its molecules display directional properties like crystals do. [ + ]

Professor Kevin Galvin has received the 2014 Clunies Ross Award from the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE). The University of Newcastle professor is the creator of the Reflux Classifier. [ + ]

KUKA Robotics has officially opened in Australia. The company has been represented in Australia since 2009 through commercial agents. [ + ]

Polyethylene and polymer manufacturer Qenos will be subject to a mandatory audit after multiple environmental incidents at its Matraville site over the last three years, the NSW EPA has announced. [ + ]

The IICA is hosting technical nights in Newcastle and Sydney in June. Mark Elrick, NSW Manager, Consultant - Automation Systems with Integrated Automation, will deliver a presentation at the technical nights entitled 'There shall be no internet on a site I lead'. [ + ]

Fuchs will showcase its range of food-grade lubricants at foodpro in June. Australia's largest food manufacturing event, foodpro will be held in Melbourne for the first time in the event's history. [ + ]

Safety in Action will return to Perth on 11 and 12 June 2014. The free event will see more than 100 of the safety sector's top influencers showcase their solutions, services and insights into the WA market. [ + ]

Samsung C&T has selected Schneider Electric to deliver 12 switch rooms and supply electrical distribution equipment for the Roy Hill Project in the Pilbara region. The project is a 55 million tonne per annum iron ore mining, rail and port project. [ + ]

British scientists have developed a prototype 3D-printing micro aerial vehicle (MAV) inspired by swiftlets, tiny birds that build their nests using their own saliva. [ + ]

Pilz Australia has announced the appointment of Ian Yeong as its new business development manager. Yeong joined the company in March after eight years with Schneider Electric and three years with Omron. [ + ]

Mechatronics students at the University of Sydney will benefit from a new, state-of-the-art laboratory that was officially opened on 8 May. [ + ]

Schenck Process has named Andreas Evertz as its new CEO, effective as of 5 May 2014. Evertz will lead the company in conjunction with Managing Directors Mike Petkovich and Wolfgang Kleinschmidt. [ + ]

Automation and safety technology from Honeywell Process Solutions has been selected for the third phase of a pipeline project supplying natural gas from central Asia to China, the company has announced. [ + ]

Recent news that a gas project in Queensland has been charged with environmental harm has put the spotlight on underground coal gasification, or UCG. [ + ]

The Fieldbus Foundation has announced progress in its discussions with the HART Communication Foundation on the potential for merging the two organisations. [ + ]