The State Library of NSW has been able to transform its archives into a a public gallery offering a pictorial history of NSW. Collections are displayed in separate rooms for portraits and landscapes. The background to each artwork and its location is displayed on this screen in a display box and people can select an artwork to view. Many donors have helped to restore the artworks. Restoration of the painting shown was supported by Dr Wendy Michaels. https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/about-library/foundation

Aussie scientists have developed a technology they say could make all plastic recyclable. https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-20/scientists-may-have-found-solution-to-plastic-recycling-problem/11679326?pfmredir=sm&sf224046270=1&sf224047497=1.

A plant-based source of protein that looks and tastes like real meat has been launched in Sydney by a new company with ambitious plans to break into international markets. CSIRO’s Deputy Director for Agriculture and Food, Martin Cole said “By 2050, the world’s demand for protein will double,” he continued, “We’ve almost got to make a second trillion-dollar protein industry to look after the health of people and the planet,” https://bit.ly/2XsqAW1

Desalination technology is not new, but it uses high-power pumps and is notoriously energy-intensive (and therefore expensive). The solar-microgrid system that GivePower has created, however, can produce almost 20,000 gallons of fresh drinking water each day. It relies on Tesla batteries for energy storage, and it uses two parallel pumps so that the system can run at all times, even if one pump requires maintenance. www.businessinsider.com/solar-powered-device-turns-salt-water-into-fresh-drinking-water-2019-7

“Urban Theatre Project BLAK BOX embraces the First Peoples concept of ‘deep listening’ which is based on stories and silences. It is an innovative model that encourages audiences to step inside and simply listen to sound, ideas and language from a First Peoples perspective. BLAK BOX utilises cutting-edge surround-sound equipment in an enclosed space designed to be the perfect for conversation, in this instance, an inter-generational conversation. The pavilion, glows luminously from dusk, straddling sound, creative writing, architecture and temporary public art. It is a mechanism for daydreaming and conveys, “an idea of contemporary Aboriginality”. Now playing at Barangaroo Reserve.