Australia risks being left behind as the only country in the OECD that does not have a national science and technology, or innovation policy, according to the Chief Scientist, Ian Chubb. [ + ]

US-based research group Skajaquoda has launched a flexible solar panel with a USB charger that can be mounted on backpacks, camera straps and even bikes. [ + ]

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) recently held the Hawaii Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. [ + ]

Nearly 40% of women who earn engineering degrees quit the profession or never enter the field, reveals a new study. For those who leave, poor workplace climates and mistreatment by managers and co-workers are common reasons. [ + ]

First Solar claims to have achieved 21% efficiency for its cadmium-telluride (CdTe) PV research cell, as certified by the Newport Corporation's Technology and Applications Center (TAC) PV Lab. [ + ]

Scientists from South Korea have converted used cigarette butts into a high-performing material that could be integrated into computers, handheld devices, electrical vehicles and wind turbines to store energy. [ + ]

Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited and ON Semiconductor have announced that they have entered into a foundry services agreement. [ + ]

There is a growing trend to connect embedded products to the cloud/internet for control and monitoring applications. For embedded design engineers designing their first IoT product, knowing where to start can be a challenge. [ + ]

Researchers have developed a new display technology that automatically corrects for vision defects - no glasses or contact lenses required. [ + ]

NBN Co has selected Ericsson Australia to deliver fixed wireless and satellite services to families and businesses across regional and rural Australia. [ + ]

element14 has signed a direct agreement with Swissbit AG, a DRAM module and flash storage manufacturer. [ + ]

Stanford researchers are designing a pure lithium anode for rechargeable batteries. [ + ]

Engineer, entrepreneur and Sydney Engineering Excellence Award winner Matt Barrie, CEO of Freelancer.com, will launch Australian Engineering Week at the Harricks Address, sponsored by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET). [ + ]

A*STAR's Institute of Microelectronics (IME) and its 10 industry partners have launched four joint laboratories, representing a commitment of S$200m between private and public sectors. [ + ]

Imagine being able to instantaneously run an optical cable or fibre to any point on earth, or even into space. That's what Howard Milchberg, professor of physics and electrical and computer engineering at the University of Maryland, wants to do. [ + ]