Scientists at the University of Adelaide working on projects that will keep Australia safe have received grants from the Australian government to continue their cutting-edge research.
Professor Dusan Losic and Dr Tung Tran, who are from the School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, received $ 597,791 under the Australian Research Council’s National Intelligence and Security Discovery Research Grants (NISDRG) program to undertake the project: Development of portable wireless sensors for Detection of chemical warfare agents (CWA).
“We are developing a technology that will keep the 21st safe soldier of the century, regardless of the environment in which he is deployed, ”said Professor Dusan Losic, University of Adelaide.
“Wearable sensors will alert soldiers to potential threats, both visible and invisible, such as deadly Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs).
“Using new platform technology, thanks to the exceptional properties of graphene, 2D materials and printing technologies, it is possible to design detection devices for rapid detection of low concentrations of CWA and other toxic chemicals in the environment. “
Graphene is a two-dimensional material with superior conductivity, flexibility and strength. It can be used to improve existing products as well as to produce new ones.
“The research undertaken by scientists at the University of Adelaide under the NISDRG program plays a crucial role in strengthening a prosperous, secure and cohesive Australia.” Professor Michael Webb
As part of the Intelligence Challenges component of the NISDRG program, Professor Debi Ashenden of the School of Computer Science received $ 542,482 to continue the project: Defend Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) through the Human-Machine Interface.
“We will generate new knowledge in the areas of computer security and human-machine interaction by bringing together social and behavioral sciences, computer science and data science,” said Professor Ashenden.
“The behavioral risk models associated with human-machine interactions associated with machine learning operations will lead to increased confidence in these processes. “
A total of ten grants were awarded to universities nationwide under this round of funding under the NISDRG program. The University of Adelaide received total funding of $ 1,140,273, the highest amount awarded to a university.
“Science and technology will support national security capabilities at a time of significant change that is unprecedented in scale and pace,” said Michael Webb, professor at the University of Adelaide, director of Defense and Security Institute (DSI) and academic coordinator for Defense, Cyber and Space.
“The research undertaken by scientists at the University of Adelaide under the NISDRG program plays a crucial role in strengthening a prosperous, secure and cohesive Australia.”
The NISDRG program supports excellent research that deepens understanding of emerging science and technology and addresses intelligence and national security interests. The program facilitates innovation and develops national security and intelligence capacity.
