Western Australia’s research sector has received a $44 million injection to provide world-class investigative equipment to help universities, government and industry groups continue to advance scientific research in key areas for the State. The TMOS team at the University of Western Australia have benefitted with $2.4 million injected into the Australian National Fabrication Facilities across UWA and Curtin University, including the laboratories that the team works from.

Science Minister Stephen Dawson said the Cook Government was providing $14.8 million with an additional co-investment of more than $29 million from the Commonwealth’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) program and local research institutions.

The funding will be directed towards important research areas such as critical minerals, agriculture and food security, as well as defence industries and climate change, all areas where meta-optics is set to address future challenges. In particular, the investment will support projects led by Chief Investigators Lorenzo Faraone and Mariusz Martyniuk, such as infrared sensors for agriculture, autonomous driving, as well as defence and space applications.

Science Minister Stephen Dawson says, “This latest investment by the Cook Government equips our local researchers with world-class research tools to help them address some of the biggest scientific challenges of today and the future. By maintaining a strong research and development capability in WA, our Government continues to drive both economic growth and innovation.”

TMOS Chief Investigator Mariusz Martyniuk says, “We’re grateful the state Government for their commitment to R&D and for their acknowledgement that long-term prosperity requires future technologies to be front of mind now. We’re very excited about the research we’re producing in collaboration with ANFF and its potential impact across all sectors in the coming years. Soon, meta-optics will play a significant part in all devices.”

This latest research infrastructure investment aligns with several priorities of the recently released 10-Year Science and Technology Plan for Western Australia. This plan prioritises scientific and technological capabilities as drivers of the State’s economic prosperity, societal wellbeing, and environmental sustainability.

For more information see: Science and Technology Plan looks to the future