Australian manufacturing experienced its strongest expansion in activity in 12 years, with the Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI) rising by 4.6 points to 58.1 in March 2016. [ + ]

The 14th annual Create the Future Design Contest is now open. Mouser Electronics is once again sponsoring the contest, which challenges engineers and students around the world to create an innovative product idea that benefits society and the economy. [ + ]

STMicroelectronics has extended incentives for designers to choose its STM8 microcontrollers for economical computing tasks in the smart devices that support modern work and life. [ + ]

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have harnessed the capabilities of Google Glass to monitor organs-on-chips when testing the effects of drug compounds. [ + ]

University of Sydney researchers have made a breakthrough that they say could revolutionise our ability to exchange data securely, as well as advancing quantum computing. [ + ]

STMicroelectronics will be demonstrating its latest innovative solutions for the Internet of Things and a smarter world at IoT Asia, to be held at Singapore Expo from 30–31 March 2016. [ + ]

The US defence electronics market is forecast to be worth at least US$134 billion from 2016–2025, according to Forecast International's 'The Market for U.S. Defense Electronics' report. [ + ]

The key to faster, cheaper computer chips could be inside your brain — literally. Researchers are harnessing DNA and using techniques similar to origami to make nanoscale structures that could shrink component sizes. [ + ]

Reporting in the Cell Press journal Current Biology, researchers show that the red bread mould Neurospora crassa can transform manganese into a mineral composite with favourable electrochemical properties. [ + ]

New transatlantic research has created materials that enable the manipulation of excitons at room temperature — a previously unthinkable feat. The research has the potential to facilitate the creation of a new generation of optoelectronic devices. [ + ]

Electronic components manufacturer TDK and Hokkaido University are using perovskites to make ceramic capacitors safer. [ + ]

STMicroelectronics is showcasing its latest technologies and products for smart driving, smart environments and smart things at electronica China. [ + ]

Pulse Electronics Corporation and Powertec Telecommunications have announced a distribution agreement to promote and deliver infrastructure antennas throughout Australia and New Zealand. [ + ]

element14 has announced its partnership with Startupbootcamp IoT | Connected Devices, a dedicated Internet of Things (IoT) accelerator program. The program is seeking applications from start-ups across the world with a focus on innovation in consumer or industrial IoT. [ + ]

Self-healing electronics are a step closer after scientists have built self-propelled nanomotors inspired by the human immune system. The researchers say their work could lead to flexible batteries, electrodes, solar cells and other gadgets that heal themselves. [ + ]