About Us

Worldwide experience has shown that advances in materials technology are often the absolute essence of a competitive advantage for many of today's manufacturing industries. However, many companies, especially small to medium sized enterprises, often miss out on opportunities for advancement because they simply don't have the structures and people in place to monitor the many rapidly evolving technologies available.

Now, Future Materials ensures Australian companies have access to a national materials technology network comparable to those available in the USA, Japan and Europe. In these countries it has long been the norm for engineering and technology based companies to have close working ties with universities and research institutions.

What is Future Materials?

Future Materials (a research institution-based network) connects researchers and industry in the field of advanced materials technology. It provides an independent service for industry creating a one stop shop for materials technology.

Future Materials

With links in all Australian States and Territories, regardless if your organisation is large or small or you are seeking small materials based consultancy through to linking with researchers for new applications, Future Materials is your first point of contact.

Instant access to high technology

Given the proven track record of Future Materials' partners, together with our highly skilled, experienced team of professionals, Australian companies now have easy access to the kind of services and equipment previously difficult to attain. For instance:

The scope is almost limitless, because now you have economical access to an extensive range of sophisticated equipment from Australia's leading research institutions.

How can we help you?

If you have a materials problem or project in the planning stages, a call to your local Future Materials office could well see your project's performance exceed even your highest expectations.

Future Materials News

 

From Oz to Europe (and back again)

I want to start by thanking all of our newsletter readers that contacted me after the release of the July newsletter either asking for assistance, congratulating us on a story or asking us to share information. It’s a great privilege that we at Future Materials and the Australian Nanotechnology Alliance (ANA) can act as a conduit sharing information and resources; but what I like best is the networking that I’ve started to note between our readers and the story participants.
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Research News
 

HIPS – a super-tough, super-adaptable fireproof coatings

CSIRO researchers have developed a new fire-resistant coating that can withstand temperatures of over 1000°C. Current commercial coatings used on building materials and structures usually break down at between 150-250°C.
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Tin Tacks
 

Tombstones track pollution

Did you know that marble headstones in cemeteries can be used to measure levels of pollution? It’s true; the rate of weathering of marble gravestones can indicate changes in pollution or climate between locations and over time.
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Know your material
 

AccessNano climbs into space with nanotubes

A space elevator is a mechanism for transporting objects and materials into space. It’s basically a long cable that’s tethered to the ground and attached to a satellite in a geostationary orbit (ie, orbits at the same speed of the Earth so it’s always above the same position on Earth). Payloads are simply sent up to the satellite by sending them up in ‘elevators’ that climb up the cable.
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Sensational Materials
 

The art and science of a quick sell

How long does it take to pitch a great idea for producing lighter and cheaper magnesium alloys? Dr Dong Qiu from the University of Queensland demonstrated it could be done effectively in less time than it takes to pour a Guinness.
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New amplifier detects magnetic materials

A revolutionary new amplifier designed by a team of physicists at The University of Western Australia may radically improve our ability to remotely sense magnetic minerals and may one day help space explorers locate magnetic asteroids.
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Archive News

Editor - David Salt