New research Training Centre to focus on fire retardant technologies for safer buildings
New research Training Centre to focus on fire retardant technologies for safer buildings
2 July 2019
New research Training Centre to focus on fire retardant technologies for safer buildings
A new Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre will focus on improving the fire safety of lightweight materials and structures and fire protection systems, and training the next generation of researchers in this important industry.
ARC Chief Executive Officer, Professor Sue Thomas, welcomed the official opening of the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre in Fire Retardant Materials and Safety Technologies, led by Professor Guan Yeoh, at The University of New South Wales today.
The new ARC Training Centre is receiving $4.27 million over five years through the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres scheme, part of the ARC’s Industrial Transformation Research Program.
Professor Thomas said the Training Centre aims to accelerate the transformation of Australia's industries in producing new fire retardant materials, high-value products and engineering services, and to improve the fire safety of lightweight structures and fire protection systems, including fire suppression.
“This new ARC Training Centre is working with its partners towards research innovations which have the potential to transform Australia's industry in manufacturing, application and export of advanced flame retardant materials,” said Professor Thomas.
“The outcomes of this research will significantly contribute to improved fire safety and prevention, enhancing the fire resistance of building materials, creating eco-friendly durable flame retardant materials, and developing advanced fire models for urban and built environment.
“This ARC Training Centre will create a multi-disciplinary training capability, supplying a highly-skilled workforce, and will develop a world-leading research laboratory with state-of-art testing equipment, to enhance the safety of buildings for all Australians.”
The ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre in Fire Retardant Materials and Safety Technologies is led by The University of New South Wales, collaborating with: RMIT University; The University of Adelaide; the University of Southern Queensland; and Western Sydney University. It will also collaborate with participating organisations: Fire and Rescue NSW; Australian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council Limited; Standards Australia Limited; Department of Finance Services and Innovation; Defence Science and Technology Origination, Maritime Division; WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff; CSR Building Products Limited; Adaptarefire Pty Ltd; Composite Materials Engineering Pty Ltd; Regina Fibreglass Unit Trust; VRT Imports Pty Ltd; Wuxi HitXincheng Polymer Technology Co Ltd; The Trustee for P J Bowers Family Trust; Michigan State University, USA; The University of Manchester, UK; The University of Warwick; University of Ulster, Jordanstown, UK; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei; Shenyang Aerospace University; The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; City University of Hong Kong; and the Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation.
The ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres scheme fosters close partnerships between university-based researchers and other research end-users to provide innovative Higher Degree by Research (HDR) and postdoctoral training, for end-user focused research industries that are vital to Australia's future.
For more information about the scheme, visit the ARC website. For more information about this Training Centre, please visit The University of New South Wales website.
Media contact
ARC Stakeholder Relations
0412 623 056 or communications@arc.gov.au