THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Catalytic transformation of carbon dioxide to methanol using green hydrogen. This project aims to develop a practically viable technology for converting carbon dioxide (CO2) using green hydrogen to produce green methanol for energy and chemical applications. It can be achieved through the strategic design of a cost-effective, high-pressure CO2 hydrogenation system that optimizes heat management and maximizes methanol selectivity, benefiting the Australian energy industry. The outcomes of this project will provide a technological solution for the efficient use and transport of Australian green hydrogen while simultaneously converting CO2 into valuable methanol. This would significantly improve the sustainability and economic feasibility of Australia's green hydrogen, CO2 conversion, and methanol production sectors. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Urgent research on sustainable fuel generation is imperative for Australia to attain the net-zero emission target by 2050. The project aims to develop a cost-effective and practically viable process for carbon dioxide hydrogenation using green hydrogen, tailoring the selectivity for the production of methanol. It places a premium on achieving outstanding performance from robust catalysts and designing reactor system rationally, enabling methanol production, therefore fortifying the Australian energy industry. This endeavour will advance the cutting-edge sustainable technologies for green hydrogen, and CO2 utilisation, delivering environmental benefits both within Australia and on a global scale. This project will also strengthen the existing collaboration with the two industry partners, fostering sustainable partnerships to address and meet the industry's development needs for green fuel and energy technology. The technology advancements resulting from this project will expedite the growth of Australian energy industries in accordance with the National Hydrogen Strategy and Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) Targets, positioning Australia as a global leader in clean energy technology.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Xenotransplantation a Next Generation Cure for Diabetes using Transgenic... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Long-term perfusion of a metabolically active organ for transplantation Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Unlocking the Modified Proteome . We now know that proteins—the functional molecules that sustain life on our planet—are modified after production in the cell. While such modifications are strikingly common, their effect on protein function is largely unknown. This Fellowship aims to understand how and why nature modifies proteins to control biological activity. This vision will be underpinned by the development of innovative technologies, including automation, to produce modified proteins with exquisite precision and at scale. The project will uncover how modifications govern the activity of major protein classes, leading to transformative discoveries, and will provide significant benefits to Australian industry by transforming the way that therapeutic proteins are made. Field of research: 3404 - Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry Proteins—nature’s functional molecules that are essential for life—are now known to be modified after production in a cell. But why living systems add these modifications, how they influence protein function, and how we can design modern therapeutics exploiting this knowledge, are major unanswered questions. This Fellowship seeks to ‘unlock the protein modification code’ to understand and harness the activity of key classes of modified proteins that influence clotting, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory processes. An entirely new class of antimicrobial molecules will also be developed by exploiting modifications unique to proteins from bacteria. Underpinning this work is the development of innovative synthetic technologies that will revolutionise how modified proteins are produced, building critical capability by integrating automated chemical synthesis with modern robotics to produce large numbers of proteins with tailor-made modifications. This project will provide long-term benefits to Australia, not only by discovering how proteins can be modified to tune biological activity, but also by transforming the way high value proteins are made in the burgeoning Australian biotech and pharma sectors. Strong partnerships with industry will be leveraged for research translation and adoption beyond academia and further benefits will arise from training the next generation of multidisciplinary innovators, ensuring that capacity and expertise is embedded in the Australian workforce.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Defining Treatable Traits of Interstitial Lung Disease Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Biomimetic Design and Optimisation of Gradient Interfacial Structure. This project aims to develop a new approach for creating strong, durable interfacial structures by mimicking natural strategies. It will establish an integrated framework combining recent advances in correlative imaging (lab-based and at synchrotron), multiscale computational modelling, design optimisation, and additive manufacturing. It uses kangaroo joints as a study system, which endure repeated extreme impacts throughout life and are unique to Australia. The project will uncover quantitative principles and deliver tuneable templates to design and optimise bioinspired interfacial structures, for high-performance applications in many areas including transportation, robotics, and wearable technologies. Field of research: 4017 - Mechanical Engineering Interface structure failure has long been a critical challenge in material design and manufacturing due to substantial differences in mechanical properties at junctions. This limits the maximum payload, lifespan, and reliability of engineering applications in several sectors, including transportation, robotics, wearable technology, energy harvesting, and healthcare. By harnessing the latest technologies, this project will introduce a novel biomimetic approach to designing, optimising, and fabricating high-performance, resilient interfacial structures. This work addresses two of Australia’s key research priorities in advanced materials and manufacturing. The project outcomes will result in performant, durable, efficient, and sustainable interfacial structures, significantly reducing costs and enhancing productivity across various sectors. These advancements strengthen Australia’s competitive advantage in global markets by driving innovation and fostering the development of advanced materials and manufacturing processes, thereby supporting critical industries in achieving national goals, including the transition to a net-zero future, supporting healthy and thriving communities, and protecting and restoring Australia’s environment.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Adaptive Long-Range WiFi For Large-Scale Underground Mining Applications. This project addresses the critical need for reliable, cost-effective wireless connectivity in Australia’s underground mining sector by pioneering a transformative WiFi system, Meta-Range WiFi (MRWiFi). MRWiFi will provide a cost-effective solution with seamless connectivity, real-time adaptability, extensive coverage, and enhanced throughput in complex mining tunnels. By enabling ubiquitous, high-performance WiFi coverage in underground mines, MRWiFi will significantly improve operational productivity, worker safety, and environmental sustainability, delivering substantial economic, social, and environmental benefits to Australia and positioning Australia as a leader in innovative mining technologies. Field of research: 4006 - Communications Engineering This project addresses a critical market gap faced by the mining industry: the lack of a high-speed, cost-effective wireless infrastructure capable of ensuring reliable connectivity in harsh underground environments. The project aims to develop an adaptive, long-range WiFi system, Meta-Range WiFi (MRWiFi), to deliver cost-effective, comprehensive network coverage in challenging, non-line-of-sight mining environments, overcoming significant limitations of current wireless solutions. Aligned with Australia’s national priorities, this project strengthens essential telecommunication infrastructure in the resources sector, a vital component of the economy. Economically, this innovation reduces operational costs for mining companies and boosts productivity. Socially, it enhances worker safety through real-time monitoring and swift emergency response capabilities. Environmentally, it supports sustainable mining practices by improving energy efficiency through fewer access points. Collaborated with the KIP Roobuck, we will drive this technology from research to commercialisation, leveraging Roobuck’s network for rapid adoption both domestically and internationally. Supporting the growth of the mining equipment, technology, and services (METS) sector, this project will set a new benchmark for industrial wireless connectivity, driving digital transformation across critical sectors and significantly enhancing productivity, safety, and operational efficiency.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Defining the clinical and serological phenotypes of autoimmune... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Advanced Zinc Metal Batteries for Sustainable Energy Storage. Energy-dense and durable zinc metal batteries for sustainable energy storage. Zinc metal batteries epitomize a cheap, safe, and sustainable alternative solution to store renewable energy. This project aims to innovate and design conversion-type cathodes and efficient zinc anodes for high energy density and long lifespan zinc metal batteries. New element conversion chemistries and novel interfacial mechanisms will be elucidated and leveraged to enable the fabrication of such advanced batteries. This project will generate knowledge from the multidisciplinary research and pave the way to a new generation of affordable energy storage technology supporting Australia’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering This project aims to innovate and fabricate energy-dense and durable aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs). It will address the energy density and stability issues - the Achilles heel to realising the full potentials of AZMBs. New element conversion chemistries and novel interfacial mechanisms will be elucidated and leveraged to enable the fabrication of such advanced batteries. The successful implementation of this project will pave the way to realising a new generation of affordable energy storage technology that directly supports Australia’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The readily available zinc with scalable manufacturing technologies makes the developed AZMBs have an excellent commercialisation potential to build further industrial collaborations. This will reinforce the strategic advantage of Australia as the largest producer of zinc in the world and contribute the efforts in building a leading position for Australia in sustainable energy applications. Beyond academia, the Chief Investigator will potentially patent commercially valuable IP with domestic industries. The breakthroughs from this project will be disseminated to the general public through multiple media outlets, from mainstream Australian media to specialist industry media, and international websites, to seek public awareness and potential industrial collaborators to maximise the research impacts.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

A Co-Design Framework to In-Situ Fabricate Coevolutionary Enabling Devices. Computational methods that allow end users to design and fabricate their own devices can revolutionise how we build assistive technologies. This is of particular significance to disability, age care, and health, where people must rely on assistive technologies to work, communicate and socialise. But mass-produced solutions often fail to fit user needs, resulting in poor adherence and financial losses. This project aims to develop a co-design and fabrication framework using computational and additive manufacturing methods to in-situ fabricate individualised enabling devices. The outcomes will enhance the independence of individuals with disabilities, enabling active contribution to the economy while reducing reliance on social support. Field of research: 4608 - Human-Centred Computing Disability is a significant issue in Australia, with about 4.4 million Australians (17.7% of the population) living with a disability. Many face challenges in accessing education, employment, and daily activities. People with disabilities experience nearly twice the rate of unemployment. This proposal aims to develop effective assistive technologies that can help bridge this gap, enabling individuals with disabilities to achieve independence and productivity. For example, devices such as communication, mobility, and sensory technologies can significantly improve quality of life and facilitate inclusion in the workforce. By leveraging assistive technologies, individuals with disabilities can contribute actively to the economy while reducing reliance on social support. A report from Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre suggests that a 10% increase in employment for people with disabilities could boost Australia’s GDP by around $43 billion over the next decade. The proposal further aims to use additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, which allows for rapid prototyping and tailored designs, addressing a significant problem in current approaches. This not only addresses the specific needs of individuals but also strengthens Australia’s manufacturing sector. Furthermore, the applications of these technologies can be adapted for use in sectors like defence and aerospace, where on-demand, recyclable devices can enhance performance, safety, and operational capabilities.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Mapping the burden of systemic sclerosis in Australia using healthcare... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Sorption Heat Exchanger to Enable Thermal Safety of Electric Aircraft. This project aims to develop a sorption heat exchanger for the electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, Vertiia, by loading sorption thermal storage into airflow channels of the heat exchanger. On the ground, the solid-gas sorption storage with ultrahigh energy density is pre-discharged. During the flight, battery generated heat is then mostly absorbed by the sorption storage by releasing its stored moisture. The novel heat exchanger is expected to significantly improve thermal dissipation capability with minimum weight and onboard energy penalties. This technology not only ensures thermal safety of Vertiia’s batteries, but it also provides more allowable weight for passengers and mitigating thermal-accelerated battery degradation. Field of research: 4012 - Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft could provide cost-effective rapid response air ambulance, passenger transport, and medical delivery services to rural Australia. However, existing battery thermal management systems are inadequate in efficiency, incurring a large onboard weight and energy penalty. This research program seeks to improve energy density of the thermal management system by exploring the use of sorption-based materials into its heat exchanger. This sorption-enhanced heat exchanger aims to not only reduce the weight and energy cost of the thermal management system, but it can also improve thermal safety and prolong the batteries’ lifespan. This is attributed to the ultrahigh thermal energy density of the preconditioned sorption material, approximately twice higher than batteries’ electric energy density. This research will benefit the Australian economy by giving our aerospace industry a competitive advantage in a market predicted to reach USD 115 billion by 2035 in the USA alone. A long-range, cost-effective eVTOL aircraft will furthermore help unlock the economic potential of regional and rural Australia and make health care more affordable for Australians living in remote regions.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Artificial Intelligence for Social Connection and Inclusion in Aged Care. This fellowship aims to investigate how artificial intelligence can be equitably and safely used in aged care to combat social isolation and loneliness. Guided by key aged care stakeholders, this sociological project expects to generate new knowledge on current and potential roles of artificial intelligence to address the complex and rising social needs of older Australians. Expected outcomes include the urgent groundwork to map and plan for fair, collaborative AI and human care delivery, positioning Australia as a leader in AI social science innovation. This should provide vital benefits like improved responses to loneliness and social isolation, more inclusive and just aged care practices, and more sustainable social care provision. Field of research: 4410 - Sociology Older Australians in residential and in-home aged care experience disproportionate levels of prolonged loneliness and social isolation. Loneliness (lack of meaningful relationships) and social isolation (limited social participation and support) cause immense emotional pain and health problems—while also imposing significant societal costs, including escalating hospital admissions and healthcare expenses estimated at $2.7 billion annually. Yet, the aged care sector is increasingly unable to meet older Australians’ rising social needs. Policymakers and investors have proposed Artificial Intelligence (AI), like chatbots or companion robots, as a potential solution. Despite its promise, we have limited knowledge of how to integrate AI into care without negative effects like dehumanising caregiving or replacing essential supports. This fellowship will provide the missing critical evidence and a new framework for co-designing collaborative AI-human care with key stakeholders. Amid a growing ageing population and expanding global AI market, findings will offer, for the first time, evidence-based strategies that involve diverse stakeholders to reduce loneliness and isolation, guide best practices for fair social care delivery, and develop guidelines to improve recipient information and protections. Outcomes will be translated into policy briefs, public reports, an AI-human care industry event, and resources for broader public engagement via media articles and an art exhibition.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Interpretable deep learning for cell programming. This project aims to harness cutting-edge deep learning and single-cell omics technologies to improve the accuracy and efficiency of cell programming, where one cell type is converted into another. This project expects to generate new knowledge of molecular networks and interdisciplinary approaches that utilise such knowledge for addressing key challenges in cell programming. Expected outcomes of this project include the development of advanced computational models that make cell programming more accurate, efficient, and reproducible. This should provide significant benefits by accelerating advancements in synthetic biology, and enhancing efficacy and efficiency in bioproduction and biomanufacturing. Field of research: 3102 - Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Cell programming, the ability to convert one type of cell into another, holds tremendous potential for applications in synthetic biology, bioproduction, and biomanufacturing. However, its application is currently hindered by challenges such as low accuracy, efficiency, and reproducibility. This project aims to overcome these challenges by using advanced artificial intelligence techniques to uncover molecular networks that govern cell identity and cell-fate decisions for making cell programming more accurate, efficient, and reproducible. The outcomes of this project will significantly advance Australia’s leadership in machine learning and computational science, particularly in their application to bioinformatics and molecular biology. Furthermore, the outcomes will enable subsequent innovations in synthetic biology, bioproduction, and biomanufacturing, driving economic, commercial, and environmental benefits for Australia’s burgeoning biotechnology industry. This project will also play a pivotal role in advancing research training and education in Australia, cultivating the next generation of computational and experimental scientists. These efforts will provide lasting benefits to both academia and industry, supporting the development of a skilled workforce and fostering research and collaboration across scientific disciplines.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Dimension-robust and dynamical uncertainty quantification for digital twins. This project aims to develop new, mathematically grounded uncertainty quantification tools to manage stochastic interactions between digital twins and large-scale physical systems, enabling tighter integration of models, data, and decisions. This project expects to advance theory and algorithms of measure transport, creating new sequential inverse problem solvers to update digital twins and reliable risk estimators to support decisions driving these systems. It will develop novel dimension reduction methods to make these algorithms scalable. This should be significantly beneficial for Australian industries by providing accurate, cost-efficient tools for predicting and managing the dynamic behaviour of physical systems using digital twins. Field of research: 4903 - Numerical and Computational Mathematics Digital twins create virtual representations of natural or engineered systems, dynamically update these virtual models with incomplete observations to make predictions, and simultaneously guide decisions that drive their physical counterparts. Digital twins hold great promise for accelerating scientific discovery and revolutionising industries by enabling real-time monitoring, reliable predictions, and informed decisions. Australia has a wide range of applications that rely on such capabilities, including natural resource exploration, personalised healthcare, sustainable groundwater management, and bushfire risk mitigation. This project aims to develop cutting-edge mathematical tools to address key algorithmic gaps in integrating data, models, and decisions in digital twin technology. The anticipated outcomes will enable tighter coupling between digital twins and their physical counterparts, with enhanced prediction and risk assessment capabilities. These innovations will greatly support the digital transformation of many Australian industries, facilitating the adoption of digital twins for advanced applications in healthcare, natural resources, ecology, aerospace, environmental management, and beyond. To maximise impact beyond academia, open-source software will be developed to foster collaboration with Australian industries. In addition, research outcomes will be shared with a general audience via public seminars and forums.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Mechanoimmunology: swarming & mechanical memory in immune cell collectives. Swarming, the rapid aggregation of many individuals around a focal point, is a phenomenon that pervades biological systems, from insects, birds, and fish to larger mammals. In cells, swarming behaviour has been mechanistically described in neutrophil and T cell populations. This project will explore and quantitatively uncover whether swarming is a universal phenomenon among immune cell populations, and determine how such collective behaviour is influenced by the mechanics of the environment, and whether immune cells can retain a memory of the mechanical landscape they traverse. The project will advance our understanding of how the cells of our immune systems communicate and congregate, and also inform engineering solutions of the future. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology This project aims to expand our understanding of the intricate natural principles that govern our immune cells. The outcomes of the project will fill important knowledge gaps about the complex mechanisms that underpin one of the most basic functions of immune cells, namely to migrate and to assemble in great numbers wherever they are needed. Such knowledge will not only advance our understanding of one of our most critical cellular systems, but also expand our grasp of how cells communicate and interact more broadly, which may have impactful biotechnological, medical, and theoretical benefits in the future. The significance of the project outcomes could be far-reaching in future applications outside of biology too, not least in the design of optimal strategies for robot and drone swarms, such as in search and rescue operations, and aerial displays. Moreover, this project presents a unique opportunity to up-skill and train early-career Australian researchers in a multidisciplinary science interweaving physics, biology, and engineering, the intersections of which will be more and more important in the theory, design, and application of scientific principles in the biotechnology and manufacturing spaces more broadly in Australia. Finally, an understanding of mechanical memory will support emerging applications reliant on in vitro cell culture, including conservation biology and biodiversity preservation, as well as industrial applications like bioreactor-grown plant-based meats.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Biodegradable elastomer composites for soft transient sensors. This project aims to investigate key technologies of soft transient sensors by developing biodegradable elastomer composites based on biologically/environmentally resorbable elastomers and sensing materials. This project expects to generate new understanding of the interplay between molecule structure, composite composition, sensor design and their mechanical, sensing, and degradation properties, establishing a fundamental guideline for the development of soft transient sensors. Expected outcome will be the scientific basis for the design and manufacture of high-performance transient sensors for diverse applications, e.g., healthcare and robotics. This offers our country significant economic, commercial, social, and environmental benefits. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Flexible and stretchable sensors have seen a tremendous surge recently, driven by the growing demand for devices for healthcare, soft robotics, etc. However, their rapid growth is generating a huge amount of electronic waste (e-waste), which poses significant environmental hazards and health risks. When these sensors are used as implants, the non-resorbility requires them to be removed by secondary surgeries, increasing infection risks and healthcare burdens. This project aims to address these challenges by developing soft transient sensors with desirable mechanical, sensing properties and programmable degradation. The transient nature enables them to decompose into biologically and environmentally benign components, offering a solution to the issue of e-waste and the problem associated with additional surgeries for device removal. These innovative sensors will find applications in healthcare as wearable or implantable devices for continuous health monitoring, as well as in robotics, aerospace, manufacturing, and mining sectors. Therefore, this project will not only bring economic and commercial benefits but also addresses national priorities in sustainability and health. Established industry collaborations and the licensing of intellectual property will facilitate the design and manufacture of world-class soft electronics, strengthening Australia’s position in the fast-growing flexible electronics market while promoting job creation and enhancing global competitiveness.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Intelligent self-configurable coding and decoding for 6G wireless... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Discovery of a novel dopamine circuit that uniquely contributes to... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Dissecting the cancer ecosystem as a precision medicine approach towards... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Connection via reflections: A new approach to Coxeter groups. This project aims to use a new synthesis of approaches to investigate fundamental properties of reflection groups. These groups are central to mathematics and its applications. The project will combine algebra, combinatorics and geometry to study both the delicate structure of Kazhdan-Lusztig polynomials and the large-scale behaviour of boundaries at infinity, thus answering deep questions in the fields of representation theory and geometric group theory, respectively. The project's new combination of approaches and significant outcomes will forge innovative and productive connections between these two areas; the former is a classical field, well-established in Australia, while the latter is relatively new and internationally vibrant. Field of research: 4904 - Pure Mathematics Mathematics is the language needed to effectively describe phenomena in the world around us, at scales ranging from subatomic structures to social networks to galaxies. It is the theoretical underpinning of all fundamental and applied sciences. This project investigates collections of symmetries which appear throughout mathematics and that are of central importance in crystallography, an interdisciplinary area with a key role in biology, chemistry and physics. The project will answer deep mathematical questions about these collections of symmetries, ranging from the microscopic to the infinite, by developing powerful new tools which combine, for the first time, the best ideas from two key areas of mathematical research. This will provide expansive training for the students and early-career researchers included on the project, and guide international research in these fields. The project includes two carefully-designed early-career workshops, as well as an international conference, all of which will feature many female speakers and mentors. This will forge productive new connections within Australian mathematics, foster connections between Australian and international researchers, mentor early-career researchers and women in mathematics, and enhance Australia's reputation as a leading centre for fundamental mathematical research. The theoretical advances resulting from this project will have future applications in crystallography, physics, cybersecurity and data science.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

A people-centred decision system for community-led emergency preparedness. The aim of this project is to develop an integrated, data-informed decision system to enhance emergency planning and responses for people with disability, through collaboration with local governments, community, and disability-led organisations. The significance of this system lies in its seamless incorporation into existing policies, promoting sustained collaboration and aligning with Australia's Disability Strategy 2021-2031. The benefit is a more inclusive, safe, and effective emergency management environment, improving well-being outcomes for people with disability. The expected outcome is transformation of emergency planning from ad hoc efforts to a robust, capability-focused framework designed to track and improve impact over time. Field of research: 4203 - Health Services and Systems This project builds on pioneering research in Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR), developed through a long-standing academic-industry partnership research program, to create a roadmap for person-centred and inclusive emergency management in Australia. Despite advancements, there remains a significant gap in effectively and consistently translating DIDRR principles into practical actions that ensure no Australian with a disability is overlooked in disaster situations. This research directly addresses the question of who takes responsibility for the support needs of people with disability in emergencies and provides a systematised approach to deciding how that support will be organised and delivered and outcomes measured. Using data-driven approaches, this partnership seeks to empower local governments, community and disability-led organisations to play a more effective role in emergency preparedness with the people they support and develop the evidence needed for tracking and reporting on outcomes for people with disability in disasters. Scalable across jurisdictions and with other at-risk populations, the anticipated impact will be lives saved and injury prevented for 5.5 million Australians with disability at disproportionate disaster risk, including the 7.9% of Australians with severe or profound disability requiring support with daily self-care, mobility, or communication activities (ABS, 2022).

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Holographic WiFi for Digital Mining. Digital mining is an urgent global priority for enhancing productivity, safety, and operational efficiency. However, the lack of scalable, cost-effective ICT infrastructure remains a significant barrier to fully realising the potential of digital mining. The project will deliver HoloFi, a revolutionary WiFi system, that transforms conventional WiFi networks into multifunctional ICT infrastructure. It enables a single WiFi network to simultaneously provide inherent communication, situational awareness sensing, and distributed AI processing at scale, delivering a cost-effective ICT infrastructure. As industries move toward digital transformation, HoloFi will be indispensable, delivering significant economic and social benefits for Australia. Field of research: 4006 - Communications Engineering There is a critical gap in a cost-effective, scalable, comprehensive ICT infrastructure crucial for digital transformation of mining and other large-scale industries. The project will deliver HoloFi, a groundbreaking WiFi system, that transforms conventional WiFi networks into multifunctional ICT infrastructure. It enables a single WiFi network to simultaneously provide inherent communication, situational awareness sensing, and distributed AI processing at scale, delivering a cost-effective and energy-efficient ICT infrastructure. In close collaboration with industry partners, we will translate HoloFi technology into mining and other large-scale industry applications. These and many other industry sectors are likely to greatly benefit from HoloFi’s ubiquitous communication, distributed AI capacities, and large-scale high-precision sensing capabilities. Translation of the breakthrough by our Australian industry partners will enable the nation to play a pioneering role in the digital transformation of the economy. The Fellowship will create a legacy of disruptive HoloFi technologies, making Australia an early beneficiary through both retrofitting existing processes and creating pathways for further industrial innovations. It will provide an ideal platform for training the next generation of research leaders in digital mining innovation.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Development of progesterone biosensors for on-farm detection . Australia’s dairy and livestock industries are crucial to the economy, yet many remote farms lack timely access to veterinary services, creating a need for portable health monitoring tools. In collaboration with Culturon Pty Ltd, this project aims to develop on-farm biosensors for real-time measurement of hormones in fluids from cattle. By combining plasma surface engineering with Culturon’s hormone science expertise, the project expects to create portable electrochemical biosensors to help farmers monitor reproductive health, track pregnancies, and make timely herd management decisions. These biosensors promise to enhance productivity and animal welfare, offering a practical solution for precision livestock management. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Dairy is Australia’s third-largest rural industry, producing 8.8 billion liters of milk in 2022-2023, of which 30% was exported, generating $3.3 billion. Managing reproductive health and herd productivity is especially challenging in remote and rural areas, where farmers lack practical tools to assess progesterone levels in cattle fluids. This project addresses this gap by developing portable, quantitative progesterone biosensors for on-farm use, leveraging plasma surface treatment combined with advanced hormone science. This user-friendly tool will add value to agriculture, enable farmers to monitor the estrous cycle, track pregnancies, and improve reproductive success and milk production while reducing costs associated with involuntary culling. Improved reproductive health management will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, supporting more sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, this innovation enhances Australia’s advanced manufacturing by creating a versatile platform adaptable to other hormone detections, boosting export opportunities for global dairy markets. To support adoption, we will engage with the farming community through partnerships, fairs, and training programs, showcasing the technology’s value and ease of use. Collaboration with industry partners will streamline production, ensuring affordability and accessibility and facilitating its integration into standard farming practices for Australia's more productive and sustainable dairy sector.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Opioid stewardship for patients undergoing hip and knee replacements Category: Medical Research