Microsoft and Invensys have combined Invensys&rsquo process and manufacturing applications with Microsoft@rsquos platform, technology and enterprise products.

Engineers at Princeton University and Hewlett-Packard have invented a combination of materials that could lead to inexpensive, compact electronic memory devices for archiving digital images or other data.

Perth company, Hitec Energy has been offered an Australian Government R&D start grant for an innovative mineral extraction process that produces the key ingredient for alkaline batteries in a more cost effective way.

Researchers at Harvard University have demonstrated that they can apply a film of silicon nanowires to glass and plastic. The development could pave the way for futuristic consumer electronics such as disposable computers and optical displays that can be worn in clothes or contact lenses.

Researchers at Northwestern University, led by Mark Hersam, assistant professor of materials science and engineering, have become the first to measure a unique and versatile nanoelectric effect - called resonant tunnelling - through individual molecules mounted directly on silicon.

Microlog, is a miniature data logger that weighs less than 10 g and has a 4 mb memory, a 16 byte microprocessor and satellite and mobile phone technology packed into one third of the size of a matchbox. It has been developed by a father and son team at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne's Stephenson Centre.

Scientist at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne have created a new gold nitride material which could save the electronics industry millions each year.

Philips Electronics will participate as a core partner in IMEC's sub 45 nm research programs. IMEC is an independent semiconductor research organisation specialising in the development of semiconductor process technologies at geometries of 45 nm and beyond. Research will start on 200 mm and gradually transition to 300 mm.

Engineers have designed a new diode that transmits more electricity - conducting 150,000 A per square centimetre. Unlike other diodes in its class, called tunnel diodes, the new diode is compatible with silicon, so manufacturers could build it into mainstream electronic devices such as mobile phone and computers.

If all goes as planned, two rovers named Spirit and Opportunity will explore the surface of Mars next year, gathering geologic information and beaming the results back to Earth. However, the environment is so extreme that the rovers will be equipped with heaters to keep the electronic gear warm enough to operate properly as temperatures can dip to -120 degrees C. Futures space probes will involve even more extreme environments, with temperatures as high as 460 degrees Celsius on Venus and as low as -180 Celsius on Titan, the largest moon of Saturn.

Maser Technology has been appointed as distributor of Belden's range of electronic control, industrial and instrumentation cables. Maser will assist companies looking for specialist cables for automation and robotics, PLC control, manufacturing, mining, SCADA and security applications.

Tekelek has launched a new services division to provide design and manufacturing support to industry in the United States.

While silicon is still the mainstay of the industry, circuit designers also would like to put materials like gallium nitride and silicon carbide into wider use.

Researchers at UMR and Motorola are developing 3D switches and tiny fuel cells to improve the reception quality and extend the operating time for wireless communications and other wireless sensing devices.

The Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) has approved the formation of SNIA (Australia and New Zealand) Ltd as a regional affiliate. The organisation will develop educational and marketing programs to promote the use of storage networking solutions to IT professionals via the working together of vendors, developers and integrators.