Uni of Adelaide mobilises its defence research capability

Friday, 7 August 2015

The University of Adelaide is mobilising its significant research capacity in the key areas of engineering and science to support the Federal Government’s $89 billion ship building program in South Australia announced earlier this week.

“This is tremendous and very welcome news for South Australia’s future,” says Professor Warren Bebbington, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide. “And we’re already looking at how we can enhance our expertise across specific fields to further support the development of our local defence industry.”

The University of Adelaide has dedicated research teams currently working on:

Sensors and systems such as:

• Image Processing and analysis
• Cyber Warfare
• Radar and novel antenna systems
• Photonics and measurement systems
• Wireless technology

New Technologies

• Photonics
• Computer and software systems, machine learning and decision-making support
• Stealth technologies for submarines
• Materials/Nanomaterials
• Fluid mechanics

“We have an excellent track record of working with DSTG (Defence Science Technology Group – formerly DSTO), and other defence organisations such as the Rapid Prototype and Development & Evaluation Group, on collaborative initiatives,” says Professor Bebbington. “For example last year, our Teletraffic Research Centre was awarded Australian Research Council funding to explore software based networking aimed at transforming defence and emergency operations with industry.

“Equally we were awarded a Defence Science Technology Group Concept Technology Demonstrator to investigate suppression of engine noise on submarines – currently in progress utilising world class expertise from the School of Mechanical Engineering in noise and vibration,” he says.

“It is critical that the University continue to work in partnership with both the State and Federal Governments and the private sector to maximise the benefits of this extraordinary new opportunity for our State,” says Professor Bebbington.

“The success of the 20-year ship building program, and hopefully soon the submarine contract, will be pivotal in driving South Australia’s economic recovery for future generations,” says Professor Bebbington. “And I can assure you that the University of Adelaide will be there for the long-term producing world class research solutions and highly-skilled graduates to support this massive program.”

Key defence-related activities at the University of Adelaide include:

Australian Centre for Visual Technologies (ACVT)
The ACVT has significant capability in the integration of visual systems and the extraction of data from complex image based systems to assist in decision making processes

The Defence Information Group (Computer Science)
Development of software architectures and architectural approaches applied in the development of distributed systems, including functional and non-functional properties, such as system evolution, flexibility and scalability. The application of Model Driven Engineering techniques within Distributed Real-time Embedded Systems, and the use of MDE techniques within Defence areas including maritime.

Radar systems
The Adelaide Radar Research Centre is focused on the use of adaptive radar systems for surveillance and environmental monitoring. It brings together researchers from Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Physics with external defence and science organisations and commercial companies.

Photonics and nanomaterials
The Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) is working with local defence companies to determine how its suite of advanced manufacturing machinery (including 3D metal printing and 5-axis CNC ultrasonic milling) can support their activities.

Concept Technology Development (CTD) program
The CTD program is exploring activities such as:
• Passive vibration damping for submarine engine mounts (School of Mechanical Engineering)
• Passive noise reduction for submarine engine exhaust (School of Mechanical Engineering)
• Context based image sensing (Australian Centre for Visual Technologies)
• Active noise suppression for submarine engine exhaust (School of Mechanical Engineering).
• GPS anti-jam development capability with an industry partner (School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Communications and information networking
The Centre for Defence Communications and Information Networking focuses on advanced defence communications with DST Group, DMO, Chief Information Operations Group – Defence, and defence companies large and small.

Current defence-related studies at the University of Adelaide include:

• Bachelor of Science (Advanced)
• Bachelor of Science (Laser Physics & Technology)
• Bachelor of Science (Nanoscience and Materials)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronic)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Software)
• Bachelor of Computer Science (Advanced)
• Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences (Advanced)
• Master of Marine Engineering
• Master of Sciences (Defence Signal Processing)
• Master of Sciences (Defence)

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