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Research collaborations for new knowledge and discoveries

Research collaborations for new knowledge and discoveries

Australian Government - Australian Research Council logo - Media Release

15 June 2018

Research collaborations for new knowledge and discoveries

Research to develop automated road safety systems, advanced monitoring systems to increase ship safety, and novel methods to detect water contamination can now commence with new research collaborations announced today.

Australian Research Council (ARC) Chief Executive Officer, Professor Sue Thomas, said 66 successful new research projects totalling $26.5 million were announced today by Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham, under the ARC Linkage Projects scheme. 

“The ARC’s Linkage Projects scheme provides targeted support for researchers across the higher education system to take part in vital research collaborations with other parts of the innovation system, including partnerships with industry and community organisations,” said Professor Thomas.

“These important collaborations allow university-based researchers to work with their industry research partners to develop practical solutions to real-world challenges in practical settings.

“These 66 projects will involve cash and in-kind support of a further $55.4 million from 146 supporting partner organisations, on top of this substantial Australian Government investment.”

The 66 new projects awarded funding today include:

  • $240,519 for Professor Brijesh Verma at Central Queensland University—collaborating with QLD Department of Transport and Main Roads—to develop an automated system, that uses deep learning techniques to analyse video data collected about roadside conditions, to improve road safety.
  • $460,000 for Professor Jason Lavroff at the University of Tasmania—collaborating with Incat Tasmania Pty Ltd; and Revolution Design Pty Ltd—to develop a monitoring system to remotely measure ship motions, loads and ride control activity to increase ship safety, vessel longevity and improved passenger comfort for all types of vessels worldwide.
  • $355,000 for Professor Una Ryan at Murdoch University—collaborating with SEQWater; Water NSW; and South Australian Water Corporation—to develop a novel and lower-cost method for rapid detection of Cryptosporidium, norovirus and adenovirus in drinking water, to improve diagnostics and water treatment.
  • $1,375,000 for Professor Andrew Beer at the University of South Australia—collaborating with SA Department of State Development; Toyota Australia; GM Holden Ltd; SA Department of Premier and Cabinet; SA Department of Employment; SA Health; South Australian Council of Social Service Inc; and Anglicare SA Ltd—to shed light on how Australia's workforce and communities will engage with the world of work in a future shaped by new business models and disruptive technologies.
  • $629,331 for Dr Benjamin Cleveland at The University of Melbourne—collaborating with the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Parramatta; Goodlife Trading Trust & Landy Family Trust & J Littlefield and Stephens Family Trust & Lauchlan Family Trust & Le Nepveu Family Trust & Curran Family Trust; SA Department for Education and Child Development; Hobsons Bay City Council; and QLD Department of State Development—to generate new knowledge to plan, design, govern and manage school facilities and infrastructure, enabling schools to be maximised as ‘community hubs’.
  • $110,986 for Professor John Potts at Macquarie University—collaborating with Kaldor Public Art Projects (KPAP)—to digitise the KPAP archive as an online resource available to researchers and the public, and as a permanent record of the development of innovative public art in Australia over the five decades of the KPAP.
  • $440,000 for Dr Joseph Coventry at The Australian National University—collaborating with Vast Solar Pty Ltd; Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico, USA; and Nano Frontier Technology Co Ltd—to advance the development of high performing, durable, low-cost light absorber coatings for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants, to support the development of CSP as a competitive technology for energy generation.

The ARC accepts proposals under the Linkage Projects scheme on a continuous basis—with successful grants announced throughout the year.

More details about all Linkage Projects announced today are available from the ARC website.

Media contact
ARC Stakeholder Relations              
0412 623 056

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