Industry-led innovations supported by Cooperative Research Centres Projects grants

Four industry-led innovation projects drawing on expertise from the University’s Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology will be supported by more than $10 million in Australian Government Cooperative Research Centres Projects grants.

Associate Professor Daniel Chung is the University’s research lead for the 'When Sharks Fly: Reducing fuel burn and emissions of commercial aircraft' project with MicroTau and Jetstar Airways. Supported by a $3 million grant, the team will develop a shark skin-inspired ‘riblet’ film for commercial airliners that increases aerodynamic efficiency and can prevent up to 1m tonnes of CO2 emissions annually in Australia alone.

Dr Massoud Sofi will lead the University’s contribution to 'Healing Australian carbon wounds using hemp plantation and construction,' with Revox Australia, Developing Sustainable Directions, Grow-Hydro Solutions, Greenlab Australia, Woodside Energy Technologies and APR Composites (SA). The project proposes to use hemp farming to offset Australia's industrial  carbon emissions and use hemp as a timber alternative. It is supported by a $3 million grant.

Dr Shanaka Kristombu Baduge will lead the 'AI-driven fused RGB and NIR hyperspectral vision for sorting waste plastics,' project with Advanced Circular Polymers and Prompt Automation, supported by a $2.4 million grant. The project will commercialise innovative waste sorting and auditing systems and strengthen Australian recycling capabilities through smart optical waste sorting technology, driven by AI, for higher recovery rates.

Professor David Grayden will participate in the 'Neonav Collaboration to deliver a novel device for safer newborn care' with Navi Medical Technologies, Royal Women’s Hospital, and Design & Industry, supported by a $2.3 million grant. Navi Medical Technologies is developing medical device Neonav to track catheter location and deliver a commercially viable medical device. Associate Professor Christiane Theda at the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences is the Chief Medical Officer at Navi Medical Technologies. For sick babies needing intensive care, thin flexible tubes (catheters) are placed in their blood vessels to deliver medications. Despite best efforts, catheters may not reach the desired location, requiring repeat procedures.