Novel form of zirconia project receives ARC funding

UNSW researchers have been awarded $2,571,992 across seven projects in the latest round of the  government’s Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grants. 

UNSW received the most funding of any Australian university and the highest number of successful projects.

Teams led by researchers from UNSW Art & Design, Arts & Social Sciences, Engineering, and Science faculties, were awarded funds for a wide-range of research projects, including improvements to cochlear implant technology, high-tech ceramics, next-generation electronic memory storage and community engagement in Indigenous communities.

Minister for Education Dan Tehan said the government was providing $10.9 million for 25 new research projects, saying it is crucial that the government continues to fund world-leading research.

“The government continues to work with the higher education sector to minimise the financial impact of COVID-19 on higher education. We are aware that, like the rest of the Australian and global community, the university sector is not immune from the financial impact of the virus, and that it covers a breadth of people within its communities including professional staff, academics, casual staff, domestic students, and international students,” Mr Tehan said.

UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Nicholas Fisk said that he was impressed that UNSW-led projects had again attracted more Linkage funding than any other Australian university, which reflects the relationships our talented academics have forged with industry.

“Partnering with industry will be crucial to the national recovery from COVID-19, particulary important given the looming financial impact on both business and the university sector.” Professor Fisk said. “In this light, we are seeing a trend to more cashless contributions from industry partners, which suit SMEs and charitable/community organisations at the pointy end of the constrained economy”.

One particular funded project lead by UNSW includes:

Professor Charles Sorrell from Materials Science and Engineering who has been awarded $406,100 to manufacture a novel form of zirconia – fully stabilised monoclinic zirconia. This product using waste and inexpensive raw materials could have widespread use in the chemical, refractory and mining industries. The technology also aims to expand (industry partner) Vecor Australia’s commodity base from structural ceramics to high-tech ceramics. Benefits expected are greater use of waste and Australian raw materials, new commercialisation opportunities, new training and employment opportunities and breakthrough research.