Research Impact

Breakthrough research for a better world.

Agriculture, food & wine Creativity & culture Defence, cyber & space Energy, mining & resources Environment, sustainability & climate change Health & biotech Societal Wellbeing

Featured stories

Bushfire and the challenge to respond to new levels of environmental risk

There have been terrible bushfires this summer across southern Australia – and they are still going. Part of the reason for this disaster is the unprecedented climatic conditions that the country has been facing, including record hot and dry conditions.

We forget the lessons of past disasters at our own peril

In the context of the terrible fires facing the nation, the telling reflection that “Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it” has salience.

Understanding the true impact of bushfires on our Koala population

The recent bushfires have been, and continue to be, devastating for affected communities.

We need to act now to reduce future bushfire risk in the Australian Summer

When managing bushfire risk, prevention is better than cure.

Protecting crops by preserving their pollinators

A worrying global decline threatening food security.

Agriculture, food and wine

Stories

Farmer to pharma? Creating new products from agriculture waste

Agriculture is a key engine of South Australia’s bioeconomy, and according to researchers at the University of Adelaide, the high volume of waste product has hidden value for other industries.

A little water can go a long way when battling heatwaves

It appears that how you use water is more important than how much you use when trying to protect vines from the impact of heatwaves.

Wild yeasts may hold key to better wines from warmer climates

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have found yeasts that naturally occur on wine grapes may improve wines produced in warmer climates. Up until now the use of these ‘natural’ or ‘wild’ yeasts during the production process has mostly been discouraged by wine makers.

Cover crops – get it right, and reap the benefits

The correct type of cover crop does not adversely affect vine yield and performance, a current research project has found.

Crying over plant-based milk: neither science nor history favours a dairy monopoly

Plant-based liquids have been called milk for centuries.

Protecting crops by preserving their pollinators

A worrying global decline threatening food security.

Creativity and culture

Stories

The people behind the cars

History will not forget the people and places that made Holden cars an icon of Australia.

City nightlife takes on a new dimension

The growth of small venues has changed the face of Adelaide’s social scene, adding life and livelihood.

Macau shown in three dimensions

An immersive multimedia experience has brought to life the diverse cultural history of a former colonial enclave.

Curious Kids: why do we cry?

Most people cry when they’re feeling sad, or when they are having big feelings.

From Star Wars to Apocalypse Now, director’s cuts are all the rage. But do they make the films any better?

Is this self-indulgence or part of the artistic process?

Southeast Asia was crowded with archaic human groups long before we turned up

The ancestral population of modern humans appears to have split as it moved across Asia.

Defence, cyber and space

Stories

Youth online safety and cybercrime prevention

Knowing how young people operate in the digital world is the key to keeping them safe.

Many countries join The US, Russia and China in creating space agencies

Civilian and Military use of space has been dramatically increasing in recent years thus leading many States, including Australia, to create National Space Agencies.

Tackling traffic congestion on the final frontier

To prevent damage and loss of valuable space assets it is critical that we develop space situational awareness.

Avoiding technology meltdown

Can we prevent cyber-attacks that result in the leak of secret information?

Protecting people in the front-line

Developing technology to support people in high stress situations boosts their effectiveness and reduces potential harm.

Dragonfly technology provides pinpoint accuracy and super speed

Imagine a world powered by predictive artificial vision and machine learning.

Energy, mining and resources

Stories

Harnessing low cost, sustainable, activated carbon from waste

In what is believed to be a world-first, an Adelaide-based start-up has developed a new, low cost, sustainable method of producing activated carbon.

$What's really going on during fracking$

What's really going on during fracking

How do fluids such as water, gas and petroleum move in the earth?

Solar thermal for mineral processing

It is a fact that in a country like Australia, dominated by the primary production of commodities such as iron ore, copper and alumina, the industrial processes that produce these for export account for around half of our energy consumption.

Solar for hydrogen production

Imagine 10 years from today, an underground mine, where waste water is continuously pumped out to keep it dry. University of Adelaide researchers are looking into ways to build a better world, and turn this nuisance into a fuel source through hydrogen fuelled vehicles!

Taking charge

New energy sources and a growing demand for electric vehicles are driving demand for energy storage.

Extracting more value from mining

Smart integration of technology across the industry to increase value and sustainability.

Environment, sustainability and climate change

Stories

Bushfire and the challenge to respond to new levels of environmental risk

We forget the lessons of past disasters at our own peril

In the context of the terrible fires facing the nation, the telling reflection that “Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it” has salience.

Understanding the true impact of bushfires on our Koala population

The recent bushfires have been, and continue to be, devastating for affected communities.

Preventing biodiversity change with natural laboratories

With support from researchers at the University of Adelaide, the International Panel for Climate Change has now documented the effects of global climate change on every biome on earth.

We need to act now to reduce future bushfire risk in the Australian Summer

When managing bushfire risk, prevention is better than cure.

A little water can go a long way when battling heatwaves

It appears that how you use water is more important than how much you use when trying to protect vines from the impact of heatwaves.

Health and biotech

Stories

Pregnant women should take extra care to minimise their exposure to bushfire smoke

Smoke haze from Australia’s catastrophic bushfires is continuing to affect many parts of the country.

Doctors pointing at screen with brain scan

Intelligent machines to support, not replace, doctors

Artificial intelligence and medical machine learning are constantly evolving, however researchers at the University of Adelaide don’t expect these technologies to replace medical doctors any time soon.