24 minute read
University Spotlight - The University of Sydney
Source: Sally Wood
Founded in 1850, The University of Sydney is Australia’s oldest university. For over 170 years, the University has broken conventions and established new ones. Today, thousands of students become part of Australia’s rich tapestry in academia. In 1856, students received their first degree ranging from classics to science and mathematics, and political thoughts. By 1874, the University of Sydney Union was established—the first of its kind in Australia.
One of the most transformative changes occurred in 1881, when women were admitted into the University’s courses—becoming one of the few institutions to do so.
At the turn of the century, the University was making strides with Nigel Barker becoming its first Olympian, and Dame Constance D’Arcy became the first woman to be elected to the University’s Senate. In 1951, the University awarded its first PhDs and by 1965 Charles Perkins led the Freedom Bus Ride Tour to fight for the rights of Indigenous Australians. Perkins then became Australia’s first Aboriginal graduate in 1966. “The story of the Kalkadoon People is one survival against all odds but they, and all First Nations People, bear the scars of our dispossession,” said Tony McAvoy SC. The University established the Dr Charles Perkins AO Memorial Oration and Prize in 2001 to celebrate the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the community. Today, the University of Sydney boasts over 73,000 students who learn at the state-of-the-art facilities from over 8,100 teaching staff. Students have a range of international opportunities to gain experience and develop overseas, this includes over 250 exchange opportunities. Over 380,000 alumni make up the University’s community from over 170 countries. The University is not afraid of challenging existing ideas and breaking the mould. Today, researchers use the University’s world-first facilities to drive a cleaner, brighter, and more sustainable future. From renewable energy to waste transformation, the University’s expertise is often called upon when it comes to bringing research into practice.
The University of Sydney’s materials science and engineering space provides researchers, students, and industry alike with a suite of knowledge about emerging technologies and materials. Researchers and students work together to understand the relationships between the properties of materials and how they intersect with engineering design. This is crucial when it comes to understanding the properties of fracture and fatigue, composite materials, and ceramics. Across the engineering stream of research, scientists are engaged in a range of areas: • Complex systems • Data science and computer engineering • Energy, resources and the environment • Food products, process and supply chain • Healthcare engineering • Infrastructure and transport • Internet of things • Robotics and intelligent systems For example, researchers have worked with carbon fibre reinforced polymers, which have traditionally lacked a viable recycling method. “Until now, it has been impossible to continuously recycle products made of carbon fibres. Given that most recycling involves shredding, cutting or grinding, fibres are worn out, decreasing a future product’s viability,” said Dr Ali Hadigheh from the School of Engineering. “To combat this issue and to support a true circular economy, we developed an efficient and cost-effective method for recycling carbon fibre, which is present in tablets through to BMWs.”
The University of Sydney is also showing that actions speak louder than words when it comes to sustainability. From 1 July, the University became 100 per cent reliant on renewable electricity to power its campuses and student accommodation.
The University is on a mission to reach net zero emissions by 2030. This step is the equivalent of removing 31,200 cars from the road.
“Reducing emissions to combat climate change is a priority for our staff and students and we are committed to embedding sustainability in every aspect of University life,” said ViceChancellor Professor Mark Scott AO.
The University relies on a wide range of facilities to make these dreams a reality. The state-of-theart laboratories and workspaces are centralised, which provides a unique space for researchers to exchange ideas and collaborate.
Some of these facilities include: • Research and prototype foundry • Analytical • Cytometry • Imaging • Sydney informatics hub • Sydney manufacturing hub • Mass spectrometry • Microscopy and microanalysis At the Research and Prototype Foundry, researchers are able to transform their brightest thoughts for devices and structures at the micro- and nanoscale into a reality. The facility offers deposition and etching technology, which allows for atomprecise experiments to be conducted. There are also fibre fabrication capabilities, which create uniform lengths of fibre including polymers and fluidic microstructures.
Meanwhile, at the Sydney Cytometry facility, researchers use innovative instrumentation techniques to develop breakthroughs in biological or biomedical research. For example, the facility provides cell-sorting technologies, which have been applied in a range of clinical research trials. Around 400,000 people die from malaria each year, according to the World Health Organisation. But University of Sydney researchers have studied the body’s immune response to reduce the amount of white blood cells available that ‘stick’ to infected red blood cells. A similar technique has been studied for COVID-19 patients who are suffering from acute respiratory disease syndrome. “The cutting-edge instrumentation and world-class analytical data pipeline at Sydney Cytometry will allow us to monitor changes in the blood profiles of patients in this trial in unprecedented detail and are absolutely crucial to its success,” said Professor Nicholas King. Students and postgraduate researchers are also a key part of the University of Sydney’s academic endeavours. At the Mechanical Testing Laboratory, early-career researchers develop the skills to work with metals, polymers, composites, and other materials. This allows scientists to test: • Tensile and compressive modulus • Strength and strain at failure • Fracture toughness • Friction and wear resistance testing for a number of environmental conditions
In addition, The University of Sydney has several initiatives, which have been identified as joint research and education collaborations.
Australian Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis
At the Australian Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis, researchers use high-end equipment to bridge the knowledge gaps in microscopy research. The centre has been pioneering functional nanomaterials, cancer technologies, atom probe tomography and the design of light alloys for over 60 years. In one instance, researchers are working towards three-dimensional imaging of atoms in advanced titanium alloys and the advanced characterisation of zirconium alloys for the world of nuclear activity. Together, this research paves the way for a new era in materials science.
The Centre is led by Professor Julie Cairney, who is a trailblazer in materials science research at The University of Sydney. Professor Cairney was recently the recipient of the 2022 ANSTO Prize for Innovative Use of Technology. She created a new microscopy workflow to map out the 3D position of hydrogen atoms, which are traditionally light and mobile. These atoms are typically quite difficult to see using existing microscopy methods. But Professor Cairney’s research will help to slow hydrogen embrittlement in steels, which is a major challenge when hydrogen is transported as a clean fuel. “Hydrogen makes alloys brittle, which is a major issue for a future hydrogen industry in Australia. In my lab, we’ve developed a research technique that can show the position of hydrogen atoms in three dimensions,” said Professor Cairney. Professor Cairney is also involved in other projects, which investigate novel artificial intelligence alloys for high toughness design environments alongside cluster strengthening.
Centre for Advanced Materials Technology
Engineering science and technology is the core focus for researchers at the Centre for Advanced Materials Technology. The Centre was established in 1989 and seeks to conduct high quality research into materials science and technology. It has a wide range of research areas, including: • Biomaterials and functionally graded materials • Composites science and technology • Nanomaterials • Nanomechanics and nanotribology • Smart materials and structures • Theoretical and applied fracture mechanics • Structures with embedded intelligence and multi-functionality For example, researchers are working on fibre-polymer functionality graded materials to provide longevity, strength, and sustainability to the aerospace industry. The Microscopy and Materials Characterisation Laboratory sits within the Centre for Advanced Materials Technology. It is equipped with technology to determine sample structure, composition, thermal and mechanical properties.
Digital Science Initiative
At the world-class Digital Science Initiative, researchers live by the motto: engineering for the future. Together, they embark on an ambitious research agenda to bring fundamental digital sciences and applied digital technologies to life. Unlike some digital technologies, which cover a broad range of ‘vertical’ applications like health imaging, agriculture, and defence; digital sciences cover ‘horizontal’ research areas. These areas include artificial intelligence, data-centric engineering, and other modern applications. In a recent example, the founders of the global technology company Appen will fund a $1 million acceleration of the Digital Sciences Initiative. The funding will support Professor Gemma Figtree's research to achieve the 'holy grail' of cardiac disease research—the discovery of blood-based biomarkers that indicate the earliest signs of heart disease. "As part of our study, we will analyse blood samples of individuals who have advanced imaging of their coronary arteries and characterisation of their coronary plaque burden,” Professor Figtree said. “We will use advanced technology platforms to measure hundreds of thousands of small molecules in the blood, including, RNA, protein and metabolites, as well as genomic variations. With the help of machine learning, we will then be able to train our systems to discover novel signatures of coronary plaque.” Researchers will develop a new method for early diagnosis, which could pave the way for the early detection of coronary heart disease. “Our vision is for a simple blood test that your GP could order on a regular basis to detect the earliest phases of coronary heart disease,” Professor Figtree said.
Sydney Manufacturing Hub
Sydney’s factory of the future has arrived at the University of Sydney’s Manufacturing Hub. The facility brings state-of-theart technology with world-leading scientists to bridge the gaps between knowledge and practice. The University of Sydney’s ViceChancellor Professor Mark Scott AO said the Hub is a research and development leader in the region, which will be working closely with the public and private sector. “The Sydney Manufacturing Hub, situated in Darlington at the very heart of ‘Tech Central’ is a key demonstrator for what is ultimately possible when government, industry and higher education work together on highimpact technologies,” he said. The Hub works across aerospace, autonomous vehicles, biotechnology, defence and maritime technology and robotics. Together, it brings capabilities for design, the 3D printing of metals, ceramics and polymers, as well as post-processing heat treatment, advanced characterisation and other advanced manufacturing technologies crucial for developing the industries of the future. Professor Simon Ringer is the Director of the University of Sydney’s Core Research Facilities, who said the Hub will drive the state’s Industry 5.0 ambitions with the help of advanced manufacturing. “Using these technologies we could soon see Australian designed and built space rocket engines, hypersonic vehicles, satellites, eco-active building and construction, and fast tracking of the electrification revolution in propulsion.” “On one hand, we are looking at the periodic table with fresh eyes—additive manufacturing lets us combine elements to make new materials with entirely new combinations of properties at scale. On the other hand, additive and advanced manufacturing has made manufacturing more accessible, with digital workflows making it easier for local companies to enter competitive global markets,” Professor Ringer said. The University has partnered with General Electric subsidiary, GE Additive as part of a strategic fiveyear agreement to advance Australia’s manufacturing capabilities. Researchers and industry representatives will collaborate on research and development opportunities for new materials by using metal printing technologies from GE Additive.
“The Sydney Manufacturing Hub is now open for business and ready to engage with industry across NSW, particularly SMEs where there is significant opportunity for new highskilled jobs,” said GE Australia Country Leader Sam Maresh.
“This facility will support the collaboration of industry and researchers and is set to become a commercialisation hub for new products and innovations across a range of advanced manufacturing industries.” New South Wales is positioning itself as a trailblazer in the additive manufacturing space within the AsiaPacific region. “The Sydney Manufacturing Hub is a significant step towards achieving that ambition,” Maresh said
APICAM2023
Abstracts close 31 January 2023
21st - 23rd June 2023 The University of Sydney
The 3rd Asia-Pacific International Conference on Additive Manufacturing (APICAM) is the not-to-be-missed industrial
The 5th Asia-Pacific International Conference on Additive Manufacturing application focused conference of 2023. (APICAM) is the not-to-be-missed industry conference of 2023. APICAM was created to provide an opportunity for industry professionals and thinkers to come together, share knowledge and engage in the type of networking that is APICAM was created to provide an opportunity for industry professionals and academic researchers to come together, share vital to the furthering of the additive manufacturing industry. knowledge and engage in the type of networking that is vital to the furthering of the additive manufacturing industry. Some of the leading minds in the industry will give presentations on pressing issues and the ways in which innovations can navigate challenges. Important Some of the leading minds in the field of additive manufacturing areas such as 3D printing and additive manufacturing in the automotive, will give presentations on pressing issues and the ways in which biomedical, defence and aerospace industries will be covered by experts from innovations can navigate challenges. Important areas such as each respective field. applications of additive manufacturing in the, biomedical, defence The event is being curated by Materials Australia, the peak Australian materials and aerospace industries will be covered by experts from each technology body, which has drawn on its considerable pull in the industry to respective field. create a world-class event that is a must-attend for anyone involved in the The purpose of this conference is to provide a focused forum additive materials industry. for the presentation of advanced research and improved The main features of APICAM 2023 will include presentations by experts understanding of various aspects of additive manufacturing. as well as workshops that will help attendees sharpen their skills and then The APICAM2023 organizing committee is seeking abstracts for be able to pass on this knowledge to other industry professionals. The event has been designed to allow for ample networking time so that important either an oral or poster presentation. knowledge-transfer can take place and partnerships can be created that will enrich the industry.Enquiries:
Tanya Smith | Materials Australia
Tanya Smith | Materials Australia
+61 3 9326 7266 | imea@materialsaustralia.com.au
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
You can submit an abstract in the following areas of interest:
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT Additive Manufacturing Defence
YOUR ABSTRACTApplication
Additive Manufacturing Green/Clean
Energy Abstracts are able to be submitted in the Additive Manufacturing Space following areas: Application
Additive Manufacturing of Metals Additive Manufacturing Post-
Additive Manufacturing of Polymers Processing
Additive Manufacturing of Concretes Bioprinting and Biomaterials
Advanced Characterisation Techniques and
Feedstocks Ceramic and Concrete Additive
Computational Modelling of Thermal Manufacturing
Processes for Metallic Parts Design, Qualification and Certification
Part Design for Additive Manufacturing Digital Manufacturing
Failure Mechanisms and Analysis Emerging Additive Manufacturing
Mechanical Properties of Additively Technologies
New Frontiers in Additive Manufacturing Modelling and Simulations
Process Parameter and Defect Control Polymer Additive Manufacturing
Process-Microstructure-Property Relationships
Testing and Qualification in Additive Sustainability
Manufacturing
Graphene Oxide Membranes Reveal Unusual Behaviour of Water at the Nanoscale
Do more pores in a sieve allow more liquid to flow through it? As material scientists recently uncovered, this seemingly simple question may have an unexpected answer at the nanoscale.
Researchers from UNSW Sydney, University of DuisburgEssen (Germany), GANIL (France) and Toyota Technological Institute (Japan) who experimented with Graphene Oxide (GO) membranes, have discovered the opposite can occur at the nanoscopic level. The research shows the chemical environment of the sieve and the surface tension of the liquid play a surprisingly important role in permeability. The researchers observed that a density of pores does not necessarily lead to higher water permeability. “If you create more and more holes in a sieve, you expect it to become more permeable to water. But surprisingly, that is the opposite of what happened in our experiments with graphene oxide membranes,” said Associate Professor Rakesh Joshi, who was a senior author of the study at UNSW. The chemical compound is made up of a single layer of carbon atoms with oxygen and hydrogen atoms attached. For example, when LEGO bricks are scattered on the floor; its ground surface are the carbon atoms, while the LEGO bricks would form the oxygen and hydrogen atoms. In chemistry, molecules can have what is known as ‘functional groups’ that are either hydrophobic (water repelling) or hydrophilic. The pores in graphene can also be hydrophobic or hydrophilic, according to Tobias Foller, who is a UNSW Scientia PhD candidate and lead author of the study. “Surprisingly, more important for the water flux (flow of water through a membrane) isn’t the number of pores, but whether the pores are hydrophobic or hydrophilic,” said Foller.
Scientia PhD Candidate Tobias Foller and A/Prof. Rakesh Joshi. Image credit: UNSW Sydney. Monash University Professor Andy Tomkins (left) with RMIT University PhD scholar Alan Salek holding a ureilite meteor sample at the RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility. Image credit: RMIT University
Professor Dougal McCulloch (left) and PhD scholar Alan Salek from RMIT with Professor Andy Tomkins from Monash University (right) at the RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility. Image credit: RMIT University
Mysterious Diamonds Came from Outer Space, Scientists Say
Strange diamonds from an ancient dwarf planet in our solar system may have formed shortly after the dwarf planet collided with a large asteroid about 4.5 billion years ago, according to scientists. Researchers believe they have confirmed the existence of lonsdaleite, which is a rare hexagonal form of diamond, in ureilite meteorites from inside the dwarf planet. The team compromised scientists from Monash University, RMIT University, CSIRO, the Australian Synchrotron and Plymouth University. Together, they found evidence of how lonsdaleite formed in ureilite meteorites and published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal. One of the senior researchers involved, Professor Dougal McCulloch from RMIT, said the team predicted the hexagonal structure of lonsdaleite’s atoms, which made it potentially harder than regular diamonds. “This study proves categorically that lonsdaleite exists in nature,” said Professor McCulloch. “We have also discovered the largest lonsdaleite crystals known to date that are up to a micron in size—much, much thinner than a human hair.” The team discovered the unusual structures of lonsdaleite could help inform new manufacturing techniques for ultrahard materials in mining applications. Professor McCulloch and his team believe there are a range of industry applications for this research. “Nature has thus provided us with a process to try and replicate in industry. We think that lonsdaleite could be used to make tiny, ultrahard machine parts if we can develop an industrial process that promotes replacement of pre-shaped graphite parts by lonsdaleite.”
Engineers Develop New Integration Route for Tiny Transistors
Researchers from UNSW Sydney have developed a tiny, transparent and flexible material to be used as a novel dielectric (insulator) component in transistors. The new material would enable what conventional silicon semiconductor electronics cannot do—get any smaller without compromising their function. The research, recently published in Nature, indicates the potential for large-scale production of a 2D field-effect transistor—a device used to control current in electronics. The new material could help overcome the challenges of nanoscale silicon semiconductor production for dependable capacitance and efficient switching behaviour. Researchers believe this is one of the crucial bottlenecks to solve for the development of a new generation of futuristic electronic devices.
“Not only does it pave a critical pathway to overcome the fundamental limit of the current silicon semiconductor industry in miniaturisation, but it also fills a gap in semiconductor applications due to silicon’s opaque and rigid nature,” said Professor Sean Li from the UNSW Materials and Manufacturing Futures Institute. “Simultaneously, the elastic and slim nature could enable the accomplishment of flexible and transparent 2D electronics,” he added.
A transistor is a small semiconductive device used as a switch for electronic signals. They are an essential component of integrated circuits. As they have become smaller and more powerful over time, so too have electronics. But developing more powerful future electronics will require transistors with sub-nanometre thickness—a size conventional silicon semiconductors cannot reach.
“As microelectronic miniaturisation occurs, the materials currently being used are pushed to their limits because of energy loss and dissipation as signals pass from one transistor to the next,” Professor Li said.
Dr Jing-Kai Huang, Dr Ji Zhang, Dr Junjie Shi and Professor Sean Li from the UNSW Materials and Manufacturing Futures Institute. Image credit: Robert Largent.
Decarbonising with Green Solar Hydrogen Energy
Global urbanisation and industrialisation are leaving mighty dents and enormous carbon footprints, which are unable to be ‘absorbed’ and remain resilient in the environment. Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, the world's carbon emissions will need to be cut by 50% by 2030 in order to keep a global temperature rise well within 1.5°C above the pre-industrial level. But Associate Professor Chong Meng Nan from the School of Engineering at Monash University, Malaysia believes most countries are still highly dependent on using carbonderivative fuels as their primary energy sources. “This means we’ll need to ‘decouple’ the relationship between global urbanisation and industrialisation activities from carbon emissions – indicating that while we’re urbanising and industrialising more rapidly, the carbon emissions in the environment will need to take a significant dip,” said Associate Professor Chong. Researchers have created a green engineering approach through the support of various universities, and national and international competitive funding schemes. “We’re adopting a ‘whole of system design’ concept in our engineering approach,” Associate Professor Chong said. For example, the team is developing a pragmatic and advanced nanotechnological system for scale-up production of green H2 fuel encompassing its entire production life cycle. There are also other advanced systems being developed within the research team, focussing on the production, storage, transportation and use of green H2 fuel. “By working closely with the industries, we’re anticipating a rapid translational and adoption of our technology in establishing Malaysia as a globally-competitive supplier in exporting green H2 fuels as early as 2027,” Associate Professor Chong said.
Metal Shows its Steel Against Fungal Infections
University of Queensland (UQ) researchers recently found metal compounds could be the answer to the growing problem of drug-resistant fungal infections. Associate Professor Mark Blaskovich, Dr Alysha Elliott and other researchers from UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience, together with Dr Angelo Frei from The University of Bern in Switzerland, found one in five metal compounds displayed antifungal properties. Dr Blaskovich said the compounds showed potential to be used in the development of much-needed antifungal drugs. “Fungal infections cause an estimated 1.5 million deaths a year and are especially dangerous for people who are immunocompromised, such as chemotherapy and transplant patients.” “As well as bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics, fungi - which cause meningitis and infections of the skin, lungs and bloodstream—are becoming resistant to known treatments,” Dr Blaskovich said.
The team had previously shown metal compounds like the platinum-containing anticancer agent cisplatin have antibacterial properties. A such, they carried out first largescale screening to investigate their antifungal potential. “We found 21% of the metal compounds screened showed antifungal activity—compared to only 1% of the 300,000 non-metal compounds screened previously,” Dr Blaskovich said.
The research team found those with the highest antifungal activity also showed low toxicity in preliminary tests. “The beauty of metal complexes is their three-dimensional structure, meaning they could work in different ways to existing antifungal drugs and overcome resistance.” “We’d like to see more researchers submit their metal complexes for antimicrobial testing so we can speed up the pipeline to produce new antifungal drugs and prevent a resistance crisis,” Dr Blaskovich said. printed while also minimising fabrication costs."
Scanning Electron Microscopy images of synthesised (UxZr1-x)O2 samples with x = 0.88 (left) and x = 0.44 (right). Image credit: ANSTO.
Research on Nuclear Fuel Burnup Supports Reduction of Waste and Fuel Costs
Researchers have investigated what occurs at the interface of the uranium oxide fuel pellet and the surrounding cladding, which supports efforts to increase the burnup level of nuclear reactor fuel.
The United States’ Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency are aiming to increase burnup from 50 gigawatt-days per metric ton (GWd/MTU) of uraniumto 75.
If this can be done safely, it decreases fuel costs, increases proliferation resistance and decreases the amount of fuel waste.
“When the burnup exceeds 50 GWd/MTU, a pellet clad bond layer (PCBL) forms between the uranium dioxide nuclear fuel and the zirconium alloy cladding,” explained Dillon Frost, who is a UNSW PhD candidate and AINSE scholarship recipient. Mathematical modelling was used before researchers synthesised samples of the material (U,Zr)O2, which makes up the pellet-clad bond layer. “This work is important because a validated model to predict thermal properties such as heat capacity and thermal expansion can be used in updating fuel performance codes, used to ensure the safety of the fuel during reactor operation, and contributing to an increase in fuel burnup,” said Dr Jessica Veliscek Carolan from ANSTO. The scientists used ANSTO’s specialist laboratories for the handling of radioactive materials. The models were then validated using high-temperature x-ray diffraction techniques and inelastic neutron scattering on the Pelican instrument at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering. Simulations predicted that between 300-500 K, the (U,Zr) O2 had lower thermal conductivity than the UO2 fuel. However, at higher temperatures, there were no significant differences between the bond layer and the fuel.
$40m Funding Boost for Sydney Medical Research
University of Sydney researchers have been awarded almost $40 million under the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund, with projects spanning cardiovascular disease, dementia, and genomics. The projects include funding to: • Embed RNA diagnostics within the Australian health system • Improve timely dementia diagnoses • Evaluate immunotherapy treatments for a rare yet expensive cause to treat neurological disorder The Medical Research Future Fund aims to transform health and medical research and innovation, improve lives, build the economy and contribute to health system sustainability. In one project, Professor Sandra Cooper from the Kids Neuroscience Centre at Children's Hospital at Westmead received $2.9 million to embed RNA diagnostics within the Australian health system and provide genetic answers for families who previously had none. In addition, Associate Professor Fiona Stanaway from the Sydney School of Public Health received $782,008 for a project that quantifies ethnic inequalities in access to best care for cardiovascular disease.
International research has demonstrated large inequalities related to ethnicity in the frequency of cardiovascular disease, its outcomes and access to care. However, many of these inequalities remain unrecognised in Australia.
Executive Dean and Vice-Chancellor Medicine and Health Professor Robyn Ward congratulated the grant recipients. “I’d like to congratulate all of our successful grant recipients. This is an outstanding result for the University which demonstrates the breadth of our world-class research across priority areas in public health— cardiovascular disease and dementia—and in emerging areas of research, such as genomics,” she said. Professor Ward said these projects will have a “lasting impact” on the Australian health system and the health outcomes of many people.
Industry and Science minister Ed Husic with Katy Gallagher and Anthony Albanese. Image credit: Facebook.
Science and Business Leaders Join Ed Husic’s Quantum Advisory
Staying true to both the scientific and business complexities Australia faces in unlocking the national interest benefits of quantum computing is a crucial milestone. As such, Minister for Industry Ed Husic recently named a mix of eminent commercial and scientific leaders to a new National Quantum Advisory Committee. Chaired by Australia’s Chief Scientist Cathy Foley, the 15-person committee is part of a push to coordinate the nation’s quantum capability across research, industry and government. The committee will also help shape the national quantum strategy being developed by Dr Foley, which is expected to be delivered by the end of the year. Husic compared the national ambitions and potential benefits of building a successful, globally focussed quantum industry with the ambition and technological benefits of the original Snowy Hydro Scheme. “We have a comparative advantage in building and commercialising quantum technologies. We need to ensure we embed quantum capability and value here in Australia, for the benefit of Australians,” said Husic. The National Quantum Advisory Committee includes some of the nation’s brightest minds. “We are acknowledged as having some of the best minds in quantum anywhere in the world,” Husic told the Pearcey Foundation. “I want to ensure that the Australian quantum community is embedded in the global development of quantum technology – that we build a lasting and sustainable research community and support a thriving commercial industry right here in Australia,” he said. The program is underpinned by the National Quantum Strategy, which focuses on the wide involvement of Australia’s sharpest innovators and companies.
