ARC invests in research partnerships with industry

The Australian Research Council (ARC) has awarded nine highly competitive Linkage Project grants to teams at the University of Sydney to support research into net-zero initiatives, housing policy, biotechnology and other innovative research collaborations. 

The ARC also announced almost $5 million in funding for a new ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Future Leaders in Quantum Computing (FLiQC) at the University of Sydney, led by Professor Stephen Bartlett.  

Professor Emma Johnston, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), said: “These world-leading initiatives are fantastic examples of the breadth of industry-relevant research expertise at the University, with enormous potential to advance our understanding of science, the built environment, and society.” 

“To have nine Linkage Projects and an Industrial Transformation Training Centre supported by the ARC and industry partners is testament to the University’s commitment to engagement and impact which underpins our Sydney in 2032 Strategy.” 

Professor Stephen Bartlett is Director of the University of Sydney Nano Institute and a globally recognised leader in quantum information theory. 

FLiQC will identify tomorrow’s leaders of the quantum workforce and provide them with capabilities over the full computing ‘stack’ of quantum devices, computer architectures and advanced algorithms, as well as agency over their high-tech careers by equipping them with broad skills and networks across the entire quantum ecosystem. 

Professor Bartlett said: “Quantum computers will be able to solve problems that are impossible with today’s computers, transforming key sectors of the economy. 

“This emerging new Australian industry represents a significant economic opportunity for the nation, but this industry must compete globally for talent capable of delivering on its potential. 

“Our training centre will prepare the leaders of Australia’s future quantum computing industry, and will equip this industry to harness the diverse range of talent and deliver these opportunities to all of Australian society. 

“Research outcomes from the training centre will accelerate the commercialisation of quantum computing hardware and software by Australian companies.” 

Advanced suture materials: $839,000 

Professor Fariba Dehghani, from the Faculty of Engineering, will lead a project to create a new kind of suture using biopolymers. The new material has the potential to be used in both medical and veterinary surgical procedures.

Industry carbon capture: $900,000 

Professor Jun Huang, from the Faculty of Engineering, will lead a project to develop a material capable of selectively capturing CO2 from ventilation and cooling systems in energy-intensive industries.

Out-of-pocket healthcare costs: $204,000

Dr Katherine Kenny, from the Faculty of Arts and Social Science, will lead a project examining the consequences of rising out-of-pocket healthcare costs in Australia.

Energy assessment model: $323,000

Professor Manfred Lenzen, from the Faculty of Science, will lead a project to investigate energy pathways facilitate Australia’s transition to a net-zero economy, to inform policy and ensure the net-zero economy is resilient to climate and geopolitical changes.

Imaging brains in motion: $252,000

Professor Steven Meikle, from the Faculty of Medicine and Health, will lead a project to enable biomedical imaging of live animals without the use of anaesthesia, which interferes with chemical processes in the brain. They will achieve this by integrating motion tracking and correction into a commercial PET/CT system.

Photonic chips: $495,000

Dr Moritz Merklein, from the Faculty of Science, will lead a project to develop new photonic-chip based systems with unprecedented frequency range, bandwidth, speed, and latency, coupled with ultra-low size, weight and power requirements for high data rate communications.

Peptide discovery technology: $838,000

Professor Richard Payne, from the Faculty of Science, will lead a project to develop new technologies to discover bioactive peptide molecules for medicinal chemistry.

Rental vulnerability index: $883,000

Dr Laurence Troy, from the School of Architecture, Design and Planning, will lead a project combining innovative analytical methodologies and housing data to create an Australian Rental Vulnerability Index, to inform housing policy and advance the understanding of rental vulnerability.

Sustainable chemical production: $415,000

Dr Li Wei, from the Faculty of Engineering, will lead a project to create efficient and decentralised electrolysers by engineering key components at different scales for sustainable production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and beyond.