IPAS member to Help Transform Environmental Monitoring through New ARC Research Hub

IPAS Director Professor Mark Hutchinson and Associate Professor Jiawen Li from the University of Adelaide are playing a key role in the newly announced ARC Research Hub for Intelligent Contaminant-Sensing in Complex Environments (IC-SensE Hub), which will revolutionise how Australia monitors its environment.

Led by RMIT University with $4.75M in funding from the Australian Research Council, the Hub brings together leading researchers, industry partners, and government agencies to create miniaturised, AI-powered sensing technologies. These advanced sensors will detect chemical and biological contaminants in air, water, and soil in real time, predicting potential hazards before they occur.

From agriculture to water management and urban environments, the IC-SensE Hub will provide smarter, faster, and more responsive environmental monitoring, enabling industries to lower emissions, improve productivity, and protect public health.

At the University of Adelaide, Professor Hutchinson will serve as Deputy Director of the Hub, while Associate Professor Li joins as a Chief Investigator. Together, they will contribute to the development of technologies that can transform environmental risk management and create new opportunities across healthcare, transportation, space, and defence.

This collaborative effort is expected to deliver significant benefits for industry and the community, including:

• Real-time monitoring of environmental contaminants
• AI-powered hazard forecasting for proactive responses
• Lower emissions and improved public health outcomes
• New markets and a skilled workforce in clean technology

With the launch of the IC-SensE Hub, smarter industry practices and healthier communities are on the horizon.