Technology

Innovation challenge announced to solve battery fires

Published

1 year ago

May 27, 2025

WRIQ launches Challenge Waste to find the best ideas to solve the Lithium Ion Battery fire epidemic

BRISBANE, Australia, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Waste and Recycling Industry of Queensland (WRIQ) has launched Challenge Waste – the Lithium Ion Battery Challenge – to find breakthrough solutions that can make an immediate impact in reducing battery fires within Queensland’s waste streams.

Lithium batteries are one of the recycling industry’s most urgent priorities. Last year, there were more than 12,000 fires caused by improperly disposed lithium batteries across Australia. This equates to more than 30 per day. Of these fires, 7% resulted in injuries with the average cost to business $417,000*.

The competition will be judged by a panel of waste and recycling industry experts and government leaders. They will evaluate applications and shortlist candidates for funding based on market fit, product readiness, commercial business case and potential impact.

WRIQ’s project to deliver industry engagement on the management of end-of-life batteries is proudly funded through the Queensland Government’s Recycling and Jobs Fund.

“Actual bin fires have doubled over the past five years. The batteries that power our lives are putting the lives of our waste industry workers at risk,” said Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation, The Hon Andrew Powell MP.

“We are proud to support this initiative that will attract the brightest minds from international, national and state innovators to work with industry and government on developing technology products and services to solve this issue.”

There is an opportunity for applicants to receive mentorship and support from industry leaders to implement their innovation commercially across Queensland’s waste management facilities.

There are 6 categories open for this challenge:

Early detection – creating new ways to spot batteries before they enter the waste stream and cause potential hazardsWorkplace safety – developing solutions to safeguard our workforce and valuable equipment from battery firesSustainable recovery – designing systems for efficient battery recycling that make economic and environmental senseSmart extraction – innovating methods for safely handling and removing batteries embedded in devicesIncident response – creating better ways to prevent and rapidly respond to battery-related firesFuture-ready design – proposing improvements to battery design that reduce risks in waste handling

“Challenge Waste is designed to celebrate ingenuity, particularly innovations that are hidden from view right across our economy,” said WRIQ CEO, Alison Price.

“There are so many fantastic ideas being generated in universities, research organisations and startups here and around the world. We aim to solve one of the most problematic challenges the industry faces while celebrating innovation with the right funding and support, and a pathway to commercialisation for the best and brightest,” Price continued.

No matter how big or small, every idea – from any industry or part of the world – has the opportunity to apply to Challenge Waste.

“If you have a great innovation that delivers a demonstrable impact to solving this issue, this is your opportunity to showcase your ideas and make a real impact. Your innovation could transform how our industry handles lithium batteries, making waste recycling safer and more sustainable,” concluded Price.

Entries to the WRIQ Challenge Waste Competition are now open. Submit your entry here.

*Source: Brett Lemin, Executive Director, Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association of NSW, FWR conference, February 2025

ABOUT THE WRIQ CHALLENGE WASTE COMPETITION

Challenge Waste is a one-off program to attract and foster international and Australian ingenuity that will be open from Thursday 15 May 2025 to Monday 30 June 2025. The challenge is an initiative of the Waste Recycling Industry of Queensland (WRIQ). Entry is free and open to entrants of all ages, from anywhere in the world. All entries will be judged individually on their merits, and a shortlist will be selected by a judging panel of experts who are senior leaders of industry and government.

WRIQ’s project to deliver industry engagement on the management of end-of-life batteries is proudly funded through the Queensland Govenrment’s Recycling and Jobs Fund.

ABOUT WRIQ

The Waste and Recycling Industry of Queensland (WRIQ) is the unified voice of waste management, recycling and resource recovery in the State.

Representing more than 90 Queensland-based organisations ranging from multi-nationals through to small family owned and operated businesses, WRIQ engages in a broad range of state-specific issues of strategic importance to the sustainability and development of the sector.

Media contact
Natasha David, WRIQ
projects@wriq.com.au
+61 401 389 638

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SOURCE WRIQ

Technology

Club Offers for Travel Enthusiasts in the U.S.

Published

10 minutes ago

November 8, 2026

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Travelzoo® (NASDAQ: TZOO), the club for travel enthusiasts, announces six of many new Club Offers for Club Members in the U.S.

Rigorously vetted and negotiated for us travel enthusiasts:

$589—COSTA RICA IN PEAK SEASON: 6 NIGHTS WITH FLIGHTS
Experience two sides of Costa Rica, from Arenal’s volcano and tropical rainforests to Tamarindo’s beaches. This six-night trip includes roundtrip flights (from Florida or New York), hotels, breakfast and a rental car. All during the dry season.$93—THE BEST OFFER FOR THIS BROADWAY SHOW
Club Members save nearly 30% on tickets to Broadway’s blockbuster “WICKED.” This is the best offer for tickets to this show. And only Travelzoo’s Club Members have access to select Orchestra seats at New York’s Gershwin Theatre.$225—LONDON 5-STAR HOTEL WITH CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST
Through our exclusive agreement with the 5-star South Place Hotel, we receive a complimentary upgrade to a junior suite. The hotel is home to a Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant and located steps from trendy Shoreditch. A daily Champagne breakfast for two is included. We pay $225 per night. Everyone else pays $720.$99—HOTEL STAYS NATIONWIDE
We’ve negotiated savings of up to 60% off regular rates at well-reviewed hotels in cities across the country, including Washington, D.C., Chicago, New Orleans, Boston and California’s coast. All with stays for $99 (or less).$579—MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND: 4 NIGHTS WITH FLIGHTS
Explore Malta’s medieval cities, cobblestone streets and Mediterranean coastline. We get roundtrip flights from Boston, four nights at a 4-star resort and daily breakfast—for less than the cost of airfare alone.$1385—LAST MINUTE ST. LUCIA ALL-INCLUSIVE GETAWAY FOR 2
Be among the first to stay at this new luxury retreat on Reduit Beach. This is the most popular stretch of sand in St. Lucia. For three nights (or longer) anytime through Dec. 19, Club Members get beachfront accommodations with a private terrace, butler service and all-inclusive dining. We save over $1400 compared to regular prices.

Offers have limited inventory and are subject to availability.

Are you a travel enthusiast? Join the club today: https://travelzoo.com

Who are we?
We, Travelzoo®, are the club for travel enthusiasts. We reach 30 million travelers. Club Members receive Club Offers negotiated and rigorously vetted by our deal experts around the globe. Our relationships with thousands of top travel companies give us access to irresistible deals. Our club and its benefits are built around the lifestyle of a modern travel enthusiast.

Media Contact:
Jonathan Jones – New York
jjones@travelzoo.com

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SOURCE Travelzoo

Technology

TCL CSOT to Explore the Future of Displays in the AI Era at DTC 2026

Published

2 hours ago

November 8, 2026

WUHAN, China, Nov. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The TCL CSOT Global Display Tech-Ecosystem Conference 2026 (DTC 2026) will take place in Wuhan, China, on November 13. Under the theme “TRUE VISION, AI IN MOTION,” this year’s conference will present TCL CSOT’s latest advances in Inkjet Printing OLED (IJP OLED), APEX display technologies, AI applications, and next-generation display solutions.

Displaying the Future in the AI Era
As AI accelerates change across digital content and intelligent devices, the ability to deliver rich colors and fine details while meeting the needs of different usage scenarios is becoming essential for translating display technology into experiences users can see and feel.

At DTC 2026, TCL CSOT will examine how AI is reshaping content creation, device form factors, and human-machine interaction, offering a closer look at how these shifts are expanding the role of displays in future intelligent experiences.

IJP OLED Moves toward Large-Scale Commercialization
Following more than a decade of research and development, TCL CSOT’s IJP OLED technology is advancing from technical validation toward large-scale production, marking a critical stage in its commercialization. Its expanding applications from medical displays into IT and consumer products demonstrate the growing potential of IJP OLED across monitors and future intelligent devices, attracting increasing attention throughout the display value chain.

At DTC 2026, TCL CSOT will share further updates on its IJP OLED development and continued exploration of the technology. As a major highlight of the conference, these advances will offer a closer look at the potential path for the development of next-generation display technologies.

APEX Platform Innovations Bring the Future of Display to Life
At DTC 2026, TCL CSOT will bring together a broad lineup of APEX platform innovations, highlighting advances in display experience, visual health, sustainability, and form-factor innovation. By connecting technology development with real-world applications, the showcase will translate the value of a “great display” into tangible experiences. From picture quality and viewing comfort to new product forms and use cases, the exhibits will offer industry partners and guests a clearer view of the diverse possibilities shaping the future of displays.

Industry Leaders to Exchange Perspectives on the Future of Displays
Beyond its technology and product showcases, DTC 2026 will bring together industry leaders and cross-sector thinkers to explore the future of displays. Jun Zhao, Senior Vice President of TCL Technology and CEO of TCL CSOT; Xiaolin Yan, CTO of TCL Technology and TCL CSOT; and science writer and Wenjin Book Award Winner Weigang Wan are expected to join the conference.

Their discussions will examine how AI is reshaping display standards, human-machine interaction, product development, and user experience. By bringing together perspectives from technology, content, and applications, DTC 2026 aims to present an integrated view of the forces shaping the future of displays and foster closer collaboration across the display ecosystem. More highlights from DTC 2026 will be announced soon.

SOURCE TCL CSOT

Technology

Club Offers for Travel Enthusiasts in the UK

Published

4 hours ago

November 8, 2026

LONDON, Nov. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Travelzoo® (NASDAQ: TZOO), the club for travel enthusiasts, announces four of many new Club Offers for Club Members in the UK.

Rigorously vetted and negotiated for us travel enthusiasts:

£420PP—DELUXE TUSCANY BREAK WITH DINNER & COOKING CLASS
Hotel Villa Il Patriarca sits in extensive grounds, surrounded by mature pine and cypress trees. This offer includes three nights in a Junior Suite, a 6-course dining experience at Michelin-listed I Salotti, a cooking class with the chef, and wine tasting. We have negotiated savings of £373 per couple in spring and summer.
  £200PP—2 NIGHTS AT NEW CORNWALL HOTEL
Travelzoo Club Members are invited to be the first guests at this new hotel when it opens in January. Elysium St Mawes in the Cornish village of St Mawes has been completely redesigned. We have negotiated savings of 50% on regular rates. Includes two nights, champagne, cream tea, and a session in the thermal spa.
  £199PP—FRENCH RIVIERA WITH FLIGHTS
Winter in Cannes means fewer crowds, golden light, and mild weather. This special rate is just for us Club Members—three nights at the Juliana Hotel Cannes in a balcony room, a stone’s throw from the famous Boulevard de la Croisette. Includes return flights.
  £99PP—TOP WEST END SHOW WITH DINNER
“Miss Saigon” returns to the West End for the first time since 2016. Tickets usually cost £99 per person but, with this offer, we also get a 2-course meal and drink at Gaucho Piccadilly before the show.

Are you a travel enthusiast? Join the club today: https://travelzoo.com

Who are we?
We, Travelzoo®, are the club for travel enthusiasts. We reach 30 million travellers. Club Members receive Club Offers negotiated and rigorously vetted by our deal experts around the globe. Our relationships with thousands of top travel companies give us access to irresistible deals. Our club and its benefits are built around the lifestyle of a modern travel enthusiast.

Media Contact:
Cat Jordan – London
+44 77 7678 1525
cjordan@travelzoo.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/club-offers-for-travel-enthusiasts-in-the-uk-302932597.html

SOURCE Travelzoo