News

Small investment makes big returns

jeanettep — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:54:56 +1200

Self confessed serial entrepreneur and e-vangelist Stefan Korn is proof that a little money can go a long way.

He received just $3,500 from the Foundation? for Research, Science and Technology to work on challenging software development and is now using new knowledge and capability to turn other people’s ideas into successful Internet businesses.

Push for wider use of low temperature geothermal energy

jeanettep — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:16:34 +1200

New Zealanders will have more opportunity to use heat energy drawn directly from the ground in the future as a result of research being led by GNS Science.

Government-owned research and consultancy organisation, GNS Science, has been awarded funding of $2.6 million over the next three years to lead a research programme aimed at increasing the use of low temperature geothermal energy in New Zealand.

Sport and science in sponsorship mix

jeanettep — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:34:11 +1200

When the top young scientists of the year are announced for 2008 they’ll be backed by one of New Zealand’s big sports sponsors, recognising that sport and science contribute in their own ways to economic growth.

Fisher and Paykel Appliances has been a Silver Ferns netball sponsor for 12 years as part of the company’s commitment to New Zealand, is also a significant backer of A1 Grand Prix motor racing and is principal sponsor of the 2008 MacDiarmid Young Scientists of the Year Awards.

Budget 2008 Fact Sheet

jeanettep — Mon, 26 May 2008 10:37:32 +1200

The Foundation? for Research Science and Technology will have $536 million (GST inclusive) to invest in the 2008/09 financial year, as a result of the Government’s Budget 2008. This is an overall increase of $79 million over the 2007/08 year, though various transfers between financial years means the new net funds from Budget 2008 and previous Budgets amount to approximately $35.5 million.

Research delves into new literacy training for adults

jeanettep — Thu, 22 May 2008 11:04:43 +1200

A four-year Wanganui-based research project is providing volumes of new information to help improve adult literacy standards in New Zealand.

The Foundation? for Research, Science and Technology has invested almost $2 million in the study, being carried out by Massey University researchers in partnership with the Wanganui District Library.

Appointments to the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology Board

jeanettep — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:25:08 +1200

The Minister of Research, Science and Technology, Pete Hodgson, has announced two new appointments to the Board of the Foundation? for Research, Science and Technology – the main government funding body for science and technology.

They are:

Ms Denise Church, former Chief Executive of the Ministry for the Environment and current Chair of the Wellington Zoo Trust and the WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature) New Zealand.
Professor Roberta Farrell, Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Waikato.

Big global demand for energy saving electric motors

jeanettep — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:17:16 +1200

New Zealand electronic motor company Wellington Drive is growing its manufacturing capabilities to meet global demand for its energy saving technology.

The radical technology in Wellington Drive’s units, which uses unique embedded software, results in the motors using about a third of the energy, and requiring significantly less steel and copper, than conventional motors.

Kiwi saver hits the mark

jeanettep — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:44:55 +1200

Smart sensors that monitor kiwi behaviour in the bush are revolutionising efforts to track breeding birds and improving survival rates for chicks.

The innovative electronic ‘egg timers’ developed by Havelock North company Wildtech and the Department of Conservation are cutting the time needed for kiwi monitoring by up to a half in many kiwi projects, and delivering savings of around $160,000 for every 100 kiwi monitored.

School trial of disease breath-testing brings early detection closer

jeanettep — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:06:42 +1200

A successful trial at two Aranui schools of a Christchurch-designed smart instrument that breath-tests for chronic diseases has brought early detection of asthma and diabetes in at-risk children closer.

The mobile breath-testing device, Voice200, has been developed by Christchurch hi-tech company Syft Technologies, whose research programme into breath-based disease diagnosis has been supported by investment of $4.8 million from the Foundation? for Research, Science and Technology over the past four years.

Record entries in awards for top young scientists

jeanettep — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:46:03 +1200

A record 141 researchers and scientists have entered this year’s MacDiarmid Young Scientists of the Year Awards.

Named after one of New Zealand’s most prominent international scientists, Professor Alan MacDiarmid, the awards are hosted by the Foundation? for Research, Science and Technology with principal sponsor Fisher & Paykel Appliances.