We are supporting Australia to advance as an ambitious, forward-thinking country prepared to take on the challenges of an increasingly complex security landscape.
The University of Melbourne shares our expertise to help Australia face emerging security threats and respond to natural disasters.
Sensor and information processing
The University of Melbourne has a wide range of expertise including signal processing, optimisation and information technology. Our research has helped the development of radar systems for civil aviation and defence in Australia, the USA and the UK. For example, our systems have been used for monitoring the environment.
Case study: New sonar processing techniques
Together with an Australian company, we have developed new sonar processing techniques for underwater surveillance. This technology holds promise for the provision of wide area surveillance and tracking of vessels. We also have a long history of researching how towed arrays detect and track targets – including the best possible trajectories to track moving targets.
Spectrum assurance
Our research enables spectrum management in contested environments. We use advanced electromagnetic modelling and radio frequency system design to develop next generation antenna systems and associated cognitive radar and communication systems. Our other capabilities include multifunction antenna systems, spectrum management for autonomous networked systems, sensor networks for bandwidth and compressive sensing.
Quantum sensors and computation
We design, fabricate and analyse materials and devices for quantum technology. Applications of our technologies include sensing, metrology and communications. We’ve helped develop miniature, highly sensitive sensors for the detection of electromagnetic fields, chemicals and biological agents. Our capabilities include quantum probes and sensing, quantum optics and imaging, and quantum electrodynamics.
Article: Improving situational awareness
Better situational awareness means control – and improved safety of personnel. Our quantum sensors using deliberately flawed diamonds can render the ground transparent to enable visualising, tracking, and classifying of objects that are underground.
CBRN countermeasures and surveillance
We are countering chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats by supporting research that strengthens Australia’s sovereign capabilities. Based at the University of Melbourne, the Centre for Advanced Defence Research and Enterprise works with a network of defence, industry and academic partners. We innovate technologies, train researchers and accelerate technology commercialisation.
Multidisciplinary materials
Using integrated computational materials engineering, we develop advanced new materials with purpose-built properties for diverse applications. Our capabilities include advanced diamond science, auxetic, meta and nano-photonic materials, organic electronic materials and bio-functional, nano-medicine and medical implant materials.
Signal and image processing
We develop methods to extract information from sensors for analysis and decision-making. We work with a variety of sensors for many different applications. Our complex statistical signal or image processing methods and algorithms are tailored to each task, including in defence.
Cryptography and blockchain
We have capabilities in telecommunications modelling, operations research, cryptography and blockchain modelling.
First published on 22 March 2024.
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