Swinburne awarded $1.48M for research

Swinburne University has been awarded $1.48 million by the federal government to fund three research infrastructure projects.

The funding, administered under the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) scheme, was announced today by Innovation Minister, Senator Kim Carr.

One of the successful Swinburne projects will receive $870,000 towards the construction of a next-generation hybrid testing facility for structures under extreme loads.

Lead researcher, Professor Riadh Al-Mahaidi said the unique testing centre would facilitate multi-site collaboration among a network of 12 Australian universities spread across five states. 

 “The facility will provide a regional and national focus for three dimensional static and dynamic testing of structures subjected to extreme loading events such as earthquakes, blast, impact, fire, wind and ocean waves,” he said.

“Our research will ensure the structural safety of the components, systems and infrastructure used in civil engineering, mining and railways as well as in the aerospace and automotive industries.”

The additional funding will go towards a three-dimensional super-resolution nanophotonic fabrication facility, which will facilitate breakthroughs in cutting-edge nanotechnology research areas, and a femtosecond broad wavelength range laser facility, which will provide a powerful coherent x-ray source that will position Australia at the forefront of coherent imaging science.

According to Senator Carr, new and improved facilities will allow researchers to broaden their understanding of topics such as climate change, bacterial infections and space.

“Groundbreaking research starts with creative and bright ideas. High-quality tools and facilities help our researchers turn these thoughts into reality,” Senator Carr said.

“The government knows this and that is why we are serious about providing our researchers with the best kit the country can afford.”

In total, the Gillard Labor Government is providing more than $30 million for 78 projects. Funding for the successful LIEF projects will commence in January 2011.

The LIEF scheme is part of the ARC National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP). Applications for NCGP funding are subject to a rigorous, independent peer review.

A summary of the 78 successful projects is available on the ARC website.

Media contacts:
Lauren Roden, Swinburne: 0416 174 862 or laurenroden@swin.edu.au
Sheena Ireland, Minister's office: 0427 092 100
Dinah Bryant, Australian Research Council: 0412 623 056