University of Technology Sydney

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-07

Use of recycled materials to reduce track degradation due to impact... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-07

Use of recycled materials to reduce track degradation due to impact... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-07

Upcycling cathode materials from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-07

Upcycling cathode materials from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-07

Large Language Model-based Client Agents for Psychotherapy Simulation Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-06

Thermoelectric Building Modules: Turning Urban Heat into Energy Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-06

Reducing PFAS in Sewage Sludge for a Circular Economy Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-06

Reducing PFAS in Sewage Sludge for a Circular Economy Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-06

Thermoelectric Building Modules: Turning Urban Heat into Energy Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-06

WhY is asthma different in boys and girls? Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-06

ARC Research Hub in Responsible AI for a Sustainable Grain Industry Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-05

Mobility-Aware Digital Twin-Empowered Services in Edge Computing Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-04

A Reliable Knowledge Discovery System on Dynamic Academic Graphs Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-04

A Reliable Knowledge Discovery System on Dynamic Academic Graphs Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-04

Upcycling cathode materials from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Seventh Assessment Cycle... Category: Climate Change

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Facility for Next-Generation Volatilomics Analysis of Complex Samples. Measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is critical to gain a better understanding of our world; and is used to locate missing persons, monitor environmental contaminants and infer health status, with major implications across climate change, human safety and entire ecological communities. The proposed project will establish novel mass spectrometry capabilities that overcome current limitations, leveraging two state-of-the-art mass spectrometry systems that offer complementary capabilities for unprecedented comprehensive VOC covering. This will lead to increased understanding that will inform policy and the development of new interventions to prevent species decline, improve safety and ultimately helping to preserve our natural world. Field of research: 3401 - Analytical Chemistry Measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is critical to gain a better understanding of our world; and is used to locate missing persons, monitor environmental contaminants and infer health status, with major implications across climate change, human safety and entire ecological communities. In order to understand these signalling chemicals and their critical role as indicators of reef, terrestrial and atmospheric health, this project looks into improving the process of volatile analysis. Improved detection and identification of volatiles will allow for the development of new technologies and intervention strategies which will have a significant impact across numerous fields, especially in analytical chemistry and environmental sciences. The generated capability will be unique in Australia and position Australia as a global leader in volatilomics research, furthering international prestige and collaborations. This will bring notable benefit to the Australian society at large as it will help to safeguard our population and Australian environment. The project aims at promoting knowledge on environmental risks and human safety through awareness raising, research publications and interaction with media.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

3D Nanofabrication facility. This project aims to establish a 3D nanofabrication facility with capabilities that will be unique in Australia. It will enable a combination of planar and non-planar nanofabrication capacities with feature sizes spanning nanometers to millimeters. The facility will support research and translation accross quantum technologies, sensing, meta-optics and photovoltaics, including emerging materials that are incompatible with standard nanofabrication protocols. Expected outcomes include breakthrough in device engineering, new economic initiatives and training of Australians on state of the art nanofabrication capabilities, thus expanding the advanced manufacturing and green energy sectors, and growing the quantum technology sector. Field of research: 4018 - Nanotechnology The Australian government is investing heavily in the advanced manufacturing,energy sectors, and the emerging quantum industry. These sectors, deemed critical to economic prosperity and sovereignty of the nation, are underpinned by advanced nanofabrication capabilities and a highly skilled local workforce. This project seeks to establish a 3D nanofabrication infrastructure that will support future-generation research and technologies that underpin these sectors. It will enable training of Australians and help secure a pipeline of local talent for the required high-tech workforce. The infrastructure will benefit the Australian labour market, and it will yield socioeconomic benefits to the nation. The facility will address a gap in Australian capabilities created by a growing need for non-planar nanofabrication of 3D device architectures. It will pave way to innovative nanofabrication workflows for non-conventional advanced nanomaterials that are incompatible with established manufacturing protocols. The facility will accelerate the development of functional materials and devices for quantum technologies, sensing, nanoelectronics, photovoltaics, meta-optics, energy storage, and cybersecurity hardware. Access to the infrastructure by local industries will help secure Australia as an independent, sovereign leader in the advanced manufacturing, green energy, cybersecurity and quantum technology sectors.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Solo Agers and Decision-making: Promoting Choice and Control. A growing number of older Australians are solo agers without close family or friends. They face the serious problem of decisional isolation – the lack of people to appoint into legal roles to support and, if needed, make decisions in the event of impaired capacity. This project aims to investigate expanded options for statutory decision roles for older people that fill the gap between absent family or friends and state-appointed guardians. It will generate multidisciplinary insights into stakeholders’ views, experiences and preferences. Expected outcomes include evidence-based recommendations for legal, policy, and practice changes to enhance choices for older Australians, ultimately reducing reliance on public guardianship systems. Field of research: 4804 - Law In Context A growing number of older Australians are solo agers. They do not have close family and friends to help them through ill health and the end of life. Laws across Australia give older people rights to appoint individuals to support and, if needed, make decisions for them in important area of their lives – finances, services, housing and care. Yet solo agers often have no one to appoint into these roles. They risk having strangers appointed as public guardians or trustees to take legal control over them. This project will be the first national study of solo agers in Australia. It will hear directly from solo agers about who they prefer to take on legal decision roles and explore options such as solo agers connecting with peers, volunteers and professionals. The research will engage with key organisations in Australia, including the Older Person's Advocacy Network, COTA and Dementia Australia. International legal models will also be studied. Ultimately, the project aims to benefit solo agers by giving them more choice and control to appoint trusted people into legal decision roles. It will also benefit older people whose family are not available or suited to taking on these roles. Following nation-wide consultation, the research will produce practical recommendations for action by community groups, service organisations, professions and government. The research will offer economic benefits in reducing reliance on resource-constrained public guardian and administration systems.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Active Load-Pull Facility for Device, Circuit and System Characterisation . This project will establish advanced characterisation capabilities for the semiconductor industries by acquiring a state-of-the-art load-pull system. The system will support cutting-edge technologies, particularly in wireless integrated circuit design, enabling local businesses and research institutions to conduct essential development in Australia. By reducing reliance on overseas facilities, this facility will foster innovation, enhance economic growth, and support workforce development. It will help maintain Australia's competitive edge globally, create high-tech jobs, and encourage public-private collaborations. Expected outcomes include new intellectual property, stronger industry engagement, and enhanced research capabilities. Field of research: 4009 - Electronics, Sensors and Digital Hardware The dependency of local businesses and research institutes on expensive foreign facilities hinders local innovation, economic growth and workforce development. This project proposes a mixed-signal active load-pull facility that directly supports the goals of fostering innovation in advanced technologies such as 5G, IoT, and automotive electronics. By providing local, high-precision testing and measurement capabilities, it will reduce reliance on foreign infrastructure, safeguarding national security and promoting technological self-sufficiency. The facility will drive economic growth by enabling domestic businesses to stay competitive in the global semiconductor market, create high-tech jobs, and attract investment. The project is expected to contribute to strengthening research and development capabilities in both the public and private sectors, supporting Australia’s leadership in emerging technologies. It will benefit the Australian public by providing strategic importance to Australia’s economic, technological, and security interests and enabling the nation to stay competitive globally, create high-tech jobs, and support public-private collaborations. Expected outcomes include the creation of new intellectual property and enhanced engagement with industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

New fuels for proton-boron fusion: Towards clean energy production. Laser-driven proton-boron fusion offers a radiation-free and sustainable nuclear energy source, but is currently constrained by the lack of effective fuels. In collaboration with HB11 Energy, this project aims to develop novel boron-based fuels with optimised composition and physical properties, leveraging our expertise in boron chemistry. We expect to advance knowledge in chemical synthesis, materials fabrication, laser engineering and nuclear physics. Achieving breakthroughs in this area could deliver significant economic and environmental benefits by enabling efficient fusion reactions that produce clean energy with high output. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Australia’s energy market is fragile. As old coal-fired power plants are retired and new renewable energy solutions entre the energy mix, Australia needs additional power generation capacity and capability to ensure stable and affordable power. This project supports research into the development of proton-boron fusion technology—a revolutionary next-generation nuclear power that is significantly safer, more efficient and much cheaper than conventional nuclear reactors. However, the technology is constrained by the lack of effective fuels needed to generate power. This project aims to synthesise new boron-based fuels that are necessary to generate energy in high-performance fusion reactors. The outcomes are expected to benefit Australia in multiple ways; including advancing capabilities in chemical synthesis, laser technologies and nuclear power reactor design and manufacturing. It enables further research and capacity building into the production of clean energy with zero carbon emissions which is vital to support the increasing energy demand in Australia. In collaboration with our project partner, HB11 Energy, who hold expertise in developing commercially viable technology, the project team will ensure that the project outputs can be adapted to meet current and future industry and market requirements. Together, we’ll also promote the research outputs in public domain to ensure understanding of the research beyond the academic realm.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Impact of forced migration on Tasmanian convicts and their descendants. This project aims to investigate the impact of convict transportation on life outcomes across generations by linking historical records of Tasmanian convicts with their siblings in Britain and Ireland. It will focus on the effects of transportation, punishment, and environmental factors using advanced causal methods. The project expects to generate new knowledge on forced migration's long-term effects. Expected outcomes include refined methods for historical data linkage, enriched datasets on convicts and family, and capacity building of the next generation of researchers. This project should provide significant benefits by informing modern discussions on forced migration, as well as a better understanding of Australia’s colonial past. Field of research: 3801 - Applied Economics Australia’s exceptional colonial records hold valuable insights for policymakers grappling with urgent issues of migration, refugees, and settlement. However, there is limited knowledge on the effects of environmental and other factors on forced migrants and their descendants. This project will deliver historically grounded, data-driven evidence on how such factors influence integration, well-being, and intergenerational opportunity by exploiting Tasmania’s exceptionally detailed demographic records on 19th-century transported convicts. Using cutting-edge econometric techniques, we will study birth rates, marriage, and life expectancy for transported convicts. The outcomes can help shape Australia’s migration and settlement strategies, including resource allocation, offering policymakers in the Departments of Home Affairs and Social Services (along with state and regional governments and refugee/settlement NGOs) a rare longitudinal perspective on the impact of, for example, regional settlement programs facing social isolation and service access challenges. This research will also create new, publicly accessible historical data linkages through major Tasmanian databases, enriching Australia’s national heritage and enabling new avenues for research. To maximise translation and uptake, a policy-focused conference will be organised for policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers, along with public talks and media coverage.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Adaptive Foundation Models for General Robotic Object Manipulation. The Australian warehousing industry faces ongoing severe labour shortages, high operational costs, and low productivity. This project aims to develop the next-generation technologies for warehouse automation by developing adaptive Vision-Language-Action (foundation) models for general robotic manipulation of a wide range of operational scenarios, including returns handling, quality inspection, packing, unpacking, and picking. New methods and toolkits will be created for robust and cost-effective adaptation on foundation models in warehousing. Project outcomes will improve warehouse operational efficiency and workers’ occupational health and safety, open new applications in warehouse environments, and support automation across sectors. Field of research: 4611 - Machine Learning Australia’s warehouses face chronic labour shortages that delay deliveries and raise costs for businesses and consumers. This project will create smart, easy-to-install software that lets robots learn new warehouse tasks - such as unpacking returns, checking product quality and repacking orders - within hours rather than months. By boosting productivity and reducing heavy manual work, the research will help Australian companies stay competitive, lower logistics costs and make supply chains more resilient. Faster, more accurate handling of goods also cuts waste and energy use. The project will share practical toolkits and training with industry, generating high-skill jobs and new commercial opportunities for Australia’s growing robotics sector. The project aligns with the Enabling Capabilities outlined in the Australian Government’s National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) priorities. According to the 2024 Occupation Shortage List published by Jobs and Skills Australia, workforce shortage pressures in the Transport, Postal and Warehousing industry ranged between 35% and 40% from 2022 to 2024. Moreover, The Australian Government’s National Robotics Strategy (2025) estimates that robotics technologies could contribute between $170-$600 billion annually to Australia’s GDP by 2030, while also helping address skills shortages and supporting economic growth. The warehousing industry is projected to grow at 8.6% annually from 2025 to 2034, reaching $44.45 billion by 2034.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

AI-driven Decision Support Systems for Dairy Logistics Intelligence. The project aims to revolutionise Australia’s dairy logistics industry by developing innovative AI-powered decision technologies that reduce costs, enhance productivity and drive sustainable business growth. An advanced multi-agent reinforcement learning framework will be developed for optimising dynamic dairy truck routing, along with a hierarchical asynchronous reinforcement learning method to manage two-stage routing in the high season and multi-objective reinforcement learning algorithms to optimise both dairy truck routing and diesel cargo. The developed decision support system tools will notify drivers of their daily routes through apps that show dairy logistics managers the real-time location of trucks and their movements. Field of research: 4605 - Data Management and Data Science The dairy industry is a leading industry in Australia, but it faces several logistical challenges. Transporting fresh milk from farms with different daily production levels is costly, as trucks must navigate complex road networks and ensure timely delivery to processing facilities all while maintaining milk quality and freshness. The current system guiding truck operations is limited as it relies on static, report-based decision making that cannot quickly adapt to real-time changes or complex delivery conditions. This project will address these challenges by creating a new AI-powered decision support system to optimise routes. The system will use real-time data, advanced AI-models, and visualisation tools to dynamically guide and manage truck routes, including auto-rescheduling routes and planning two-stage routes to support high season production. This will revolutionise dairy logistics in Australia in terms of operational efficiency, while reducing transportation costs by an estimated 10% for our partner organisation. In the long run, this will save millions of dollars nationally across the sector. This project’s findings also support the Business Council of Australia’s call to make Australia a global leader in AI by 2028. As a first step towards enabling understanding and adoption of the project’s research, findings will be communicated to the broader public and industry stakeholders through public seminars, industry showcases and social media channels.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Embracing the Standard: Scalable Subgraph Search by Graph Query Language. The project aims to develop novel graph processing techniques based on GQL (graph query language), the first-ever query language standard for graph databases released by the ISO in 2024. Most existing graph algorithms mainly focus on low-level programming languages, suffering from weak portability and usability. We fill this research gap by investigating subgraph mining and querying algorithms implemented by GQL. We will also develop a system to support GQL-based tasks. Expected outcomes include theoretical foundations, efficient GQL algorithms, and an open-source prototype. Success in this project will create new opportunities in the Australian IT industry and see benefits in areas such as cybersecurity, e-commerce, and health. Field of research: 4605 - Data Management and Data Science As data systems and networks grow in complexity—for example, social networks like Facebook hosting billions of active users—graphs have become indispensable for accurately representing and understanding intricate data relationships. While individual graph algorithms have facilitated various practical applications, current techniques often rely on ad hoc optimisations and proprietary data structures, limiting their scalability and adaptability. This project addresses the current challenge by developing portable, efficient and scalable graph processing techniques for filtering, analysing and querying large-scale dynamic data. The innovative methods developed will have wide-ranging applications for cybersecurity, e-commerce, defence and public health. Enhanced graph analytics will directly address pressing industry needs such as detecting financial fraud in online transactions, identifying malware in cyber systems, tracking terrorist activities on social platforms, and enabling real-time contact tracing during disease outbreaks. These advancements will deliver significant commercial and societal benefits across Australia's data-intensive sectors, contributing to the nation's growing expertise in big data analytics and supporting the development of sovereign data capabilities vital for national security and innovation. To promote the research outcomes beyond academia, findings will be shared through a dedicated website, public seminars and industry presentations.