Collaborative bid announced for Smart Sensing for Australian Resilience CRC
The NSW Smart Sensing Network is proud to champion a bid to establish a Smart Sensing for Australian Resilience Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), with the University of Sydney as the lead research institution.
(Left) An aerial view of a bushfire taken by a drone. Credit: Shutterstock (Right) Australian Defence Force at work. Credit: ADF
The NSSN is championing the bid for a Smart Sensing for Australian Resilience Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) which will foster greater collaboration between Australia’s defence and emergency response sectors to deliver dual-use technologies for safeguarding Australia from both external threats and natural disasters.
The focus of the CRC on resilience has come after deep engagement with partners in industry and government across both the defence and natural hazards spheres. It is critical in enhancing Australia’s sovereign capabilities in the face of emerging threats such as climate change, natural emergencies and evolving geopolitical tensions.
Situational awareness from smart sensing technologies will enable the insights required to keep Australia and its people safe. Situational Awareness is the ability to perceive, understand, and effectively respond to one's situation. It involves the perception of environmental elements and events with respect to time or space, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their future status.
The CRC bid is being led by Associate Professor Sergio Leon-Saval, a physicist from the University of Sydney. A/Prof Leon-Saval is also Director of the Sydney Astrophotonics Instrumental Laboratory (SAIL) and Director of the Institute of Photonics and Optical Science.
He is also the Founder of the startup Sydney Photonics, which is currently engaged in collaborative projects with defence, space and various sectors of Australian industry. His extensive experience and expertise make Associate Professor Leon-Saval exceptionally well-qualified to lead research translation collaborations.
NSSN Co-director Professor Ben Eggleton says the idea for the Smart Sensing for Australian Resilience CRC came from his realisation at a NSSN flood workshop that smart sensors could address climate change issues such as compounding natural disasters as well as external defence threats.
“It was clear to me that there was a great dual-purpose opportunity for Australian industry to use smart sensors for resilience to not only to defend our borders but also to assist with natural disasters such as bushfires and floods.”
(Left to right) NSSN Co-Director Professor Ben Eggleton: NSSN Co-Director Julien Epps; bid leader for the Smart Sensor CRC for Situational Awareness – National Security & Resilience, Associate Professor Sergio Leon-Saval from the University of Sydney.
NSSN Co-Director Professor Julien Epps says the Smart Sensing for Australian Resilience CRC will unlock many opportunities for researchers across the smart sensing network and beyond.
“Australia is entering a world of increasing uncertainty, where it needs to further embrace smart sensing technology and research to help us prepare for national security and natural disaster events,” Professor Epps says.
“The NSSN is delighted to drive the bid for this Smart Sensing for Australian Resilience CRC that will unlock huge opportunities to push the frontiers of smart sensing research.
“This bid builds on years of the NSSN’s work developing communities, relationships and capabilities and will be maximised by their extensive research translation relationships.
“A/Professor Sergio Leon-Saval is a world-renowned pioneer in Astrophotonics, with strong experience translating world-class research in smart sensing to address some of Australia’s greatest challenges.
“We are looking forward to working with A/Professor Leon-Saval and the University of Sydney closely to ensure that this bid is a success.”
A/Professor Leon-Saval says he is passionate about creating a streamlined pathway for research to move quickly into real-world impact.
“I have recently focused much of my work on exploring the advantages presented by dual-use technology in the realm of effective and cost-efficient technology,” A/Professor Leon Saval says.
“To illustrate this, my research laboratories have recently received funding to translate cutting-edge photonics imaging and light control technology, initially developed for astronomical purposes, into applications within the national security domain, such as directed energy and remote imaging.
“I am looking forward to having a similar impact on this Smart Sensing for Australian Resilience CRC.”
Read A/Professor Leon-Saval’s ambitions for the CRC in this thought piece.