Partnership Matters | February 2018 Issue

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$6 million for quantum technologies research

$6 million for quantum technologies research

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, announced a $6 million investment for industry, academia and government research agencies to contribute to the development of quantum technologies for Defence.

The funding is being provided under the Next Generation Technologies Fund. Minister Pyne said quantum technologies have tremendous potential to lead to profound benefits in many sectors, including healthcare, communications, and Defence. “Quantum technologies could bring game changing advantages for Defence, in areas including timing, sensing and navigation capabilities, communications and quantum computing,” he said.

The research aims to inform Defence of the potential benefits and practical limitations of quantum technologies through studies and demonstrator systems within three years.

The call for applications can be found on the Defence Innovation website.

 

FIRST DEFENCE COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRE FORMED

Defence Cooperative Research Center (CRC)

The first Defence Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Trusted Autonomous Systems has been formed with inaugural participating members BAE Systems Australia, RMIT University, DefendTex and DST.

The Defence CRC will be based in Queensland and chaired by Mr Jim McDowall.

It has been established under the Next Generation Technologies Fund to deliver trustworthy smart-machine technologies for new defence capabilities based on advanced human-machine teaming concepts.

Initially there will be three Defence CRC research projects led by BAE Systems, Thales Australia and Lockheed Martin in the land, maritime and aerospace domains. Additional companies and universities will join as participating members and research partners as the Defence CRC grows and takes on more projects.

Mr McDowall said the CRC’s focus will be on industry-led projects with real translation opportunities to move technology rapidly from universities into industry and ultimately into leading edge capability for the ADF.

 

SYMPOSIUM TO EXPLORE HUMAN BIOTECHNOLOGIES

Dr Janis Cocking - EDTAS Event Launch

The fourth in a series of symposiums organised by DST to discuss future disruptive technologies will be held in May. The Emerging Disruptive Technology Assessment Symposium (EDTAS) will focus on human biotechnologies.

The upcoming symposium will seek to explore and shape the long-term vision for human biotechnologies. A key outcome will be a big picture assessment report developed through the workshop contributions of all attendees. The symposium will also provide a number of opportunities including networking and partnering, an understanding of strategic and S&T challenges and providing guidance to shape long term Defence and national security.

The symposium will be held on 3 and 4 May at a venue to be announced.

For more information visit the DST website or email

 

Pictured: Dr Janis Cocking, Chief of Science Strategy and Program Division.

 

DST AND UNI SA ENCOURAGE A NEW GENERATION OF DEFENCE SCIENTISTS

 Student Conference 2018

DST and Uni SA hosted the third annual Defence Science and Technology Student Conference. The two day conference was held at Uni SA Mawson Lakes campus and attended by 65 students who had undertaken projects in DST, their supervisors and UniSA professors.

In his opening address, Chief Defence Scientist, Dr Alex Zelinsky, said he was pleased to see so many of students and potential defence scientists attend the conference. He said DST values bringing young bright minds to work on its programs.

“I hope during your time with us you have gained some valuable knowledge and skills you may not have had when you arrived. It is always our goal to ensure our placement programs are a valuable pathway in developing the careers of our future science leaders.

“New thinking and fresh perspectives provide an invaluable opportunity for mutual learning and growth as well as the prospect of collaboration in the future,” Dr Zelinsky said.

During the conference each student was asked to present on their work at DST with the award for best presentation going to Taili Beausang.

 

 

Key information

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