Genome and genetic sequencing and analysis
Tools and techniques for sequencing the human genome, plants, viruses and other living organisms, and for analysing and understanding the functions of those sequences. Applications for genomics and genetic sequencing and analysis include identifying the genes associated with specific diseases or biological functions, identifying new communicable diseases, crop and livestock breeding and predicting how effective drugs will be for different patients.
Novel antibiotics and antivirals
Systems for identifying or designing new types of antibiotic and antiviral drugs that can treat bacterial and viral infections in humans and animals safely and effectively. New antibiotic and antiviral drugs must be continually developed and tested to ensure there are drugs available to treat both new infectious diseases and existing bacterial and viral diseases that are resistant to existing drugs. Examples include drugs to treat Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Nuclear medicine and radiation therapy
Nuclear medicine uses radioactive substances to diagnose or treat diseases. Applications for nuclear medicine include imaging internal organs and tissues, viewing biological processes and using radiopharmaceuticals to treat cancers and other diseases. Radiotherapy uses ionising radiation to treat diseases by damaging the DNA in targeted cells, killing those cells. Applications for radiotherapy include treating some types of cancer and treating other diseases caused by overactive cells. While imaging and diagnosis techniques constitute a significant part of nuclear medicine, our publication dataset is focused on the application of these techniques to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Advanced information and communication technologies
Mesh networks/infrastructure independent communication technologies
A mesh or ad hoc network describes a network between multiple devices or ‘nodes’ that allows them to communicate in a closed network without the need for an internet connection. What separates mesh and ad hoc networks is their range needs and each node’s internal capabilities; nodes (or devices) in a mesh network have the capability to send data through other nodes in the network for the data to reach their intended destination. The nodes within the network will calculate the most efficient path for data transfer based on data traffic and the nodes arrangement. Mesh networks are more time and labour intensive to set up initially but provide stable and robust connections. Ad hoc networks are as the name alludes to, networks of devices that can easily join or leave a closed network. Ad hoc networks are easier to configure compared to mesh networks. Unlike mesh networks, however, ad hoc devices/nodes cannot send data through individual nodes and are thus limited to data communication to devices within the range of the transmitting device. Both network topologies are useful under different conditions. Mesh networks are currently utilised for high-efficiency, high-speed data transfer, and both are utilised in the independent “offline” communication technology space.
Advanced Materials and Manufacturing
Wide bandgap and ultra-wide band gap technologies for power management, distribution, and transmission
Wide bandgap (WBG) and ultra-wide bandgap (UWBG) semiconductors are the new frontier in semiconductor technology and are so termed due the energy difference between valence and conduction bands (bandgap). Currently, wide bandgap semiconductors are widely used in solid state lighting with white LEDs. Compared to silicon, WBG and UWBG semiconductors are essential for power electronics due to their ability to operate at higher temperatures as well as higher voltages. In addition, their higher switching speeds combined with their high power makes them ideal for making a complete radio system. Applications for WBG and UWBG devices include power inverters, blue LEDs and lasers, high electron mobility transistors with low switching losses.
Additional AUKUS relevant technologies (added 6 June 2023)
Advanced undersea wireless communication
Devices, sensors, and systems that enable untethered undersea data communication over longer distances and use novel techniques to achieve higher data transfer rates with acceptable error rates. Radio-frequency communications are absorbed by seawater making long-range communication a key challenge for both submarines and autonomous underwater vehicles. Extremely-low frequency (ELF) communications enables one-way communication to submarines at operational depth, but constructing transmitting antennas is such an undertaking that only a handful of countries have them in operation. Acoustic, laser, and LED communication through water face a number of technical challenges. Disguising data transmission as marine sounds is an active area of research.
Adversarial AI – reverse engineering
Deployed systems must be assured against reverse engineering attacks. If an adversary captures an AI-enabled system, their researchers will seek to recover the data used to train the model. If systems are not resilient to reverse engineering, they cannot be trained on sensitive data. With less data available for training the systems will underperform.
Air-independent propulsion (focused on compact energy generation)
Current battery systems limit the operation range of underwater autonomous vehicles. Traditional engines require surfacing for air intake, defeating stealth operation. Compact air-independent systems enable greater operational range and duration while maintaining stealth. Candidate systems include hydrogen fuel cells and Stirling engines.
Autonomous underwater vehicles
Underwater vehicles capable of conducting long-range missions without a remote operator. Route and mission is either pre-planned or calculated with minimal operator input. Uses include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions in addition to anti-submarine warfare.
Electronic warfare
The use of the electromagnetic spectrum to support military operations. Primarily to deny, degrade, disrupt, deceive, or destroy and adverary’s electronic systems (electronic attack). Simultaneously applying tools, techniques, and technology to enable your forces to operate in contested and degraded environments (electronic protection). Collection and analysis of electromagnetic signals for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance purposes and to support targeting and operational planning (electronic support). It includes collection of foreign instrumentation signals intelligence (FISINT). Examples include GPS jamming, GPS spoofing, communication jamming, communication masking, and frequency-hopping communication. Electronic warfare techniques are also applied in hybrid warfare.
Hypersonic detection, tracking, and characterization
Hypersonic glide vehicles can be launched from near-space where they accelerate under the pull of gravity. Hypersonics travel at more than 5-times the speed of sound meaning little time between detection and impact. As hypersonic glide vehicles can manoeuvre, predicting their trajectory is challenging. Hypersonics may be effective against high-value targets such as aircraft carriers. This technology category covers land, ship, air, and space-based sensors and algorithms for rapid trajectory analysis.
Sonar and acoustic sensors
Systems that listen for sound waves created by, or reflected off, objects—such as boats, submarines, fish and underwater mountains—to identify those objects and/or ‘see’ how far away and how fast those objects are moving. Applications for sonar and acoustic sensors include monitoring marine wildlife, and threat detection, identification and targeting for defence.
Advanced materials and manufacturing
Additive manufacturing (including 3D printing)
Manufacturing physical objects by depositing materials layer by layer according to a digital blueprint or 3D model. Additive manufacturing systems use a variety of techniques to print objects in various sizes (from nanoscale to room-sized) and materials (including plastics, ceramics and metals). Applications for additive manufacturing include rapid prototyping and making custom or small quantity components.
Advanced composite materials
New materials created by combining two or more materials with different properties, without dissolving or blending them into each other. Advanced composite materials have strength, stiffness, or toughness greater than the base materials alone. Examples include carbon-fibre-reinforced plastics and laminated materials. Applications include vehicle protection, signature reducing materials, construction materials and wind turbine components.
Advanced explosives and energetic materials
Materials with large amounts of stored or potential energy that can produce an explosion. Applications for advanced explosives and energetic materials include mining, civil engineering, manufacturing and defence.
Advanced magnets and superconductors
Advanced magnets are strong permanent magnets that require no or few critical minerals. Applications for advanced magnets include scientific research, smartphones, data storage, health care, power generation and electric motors.
Superconductors are materials that have no electrical resistance, ideally at room temperature and pressure. Applications for superconductors include creating strong magnetic fields for medical imaging, transferring electricity without loss, and hardware for quantum computers.
Advanced protection
Clothing and equipment to protect defence, law enforcement and public safety personnel and defence platforms from physical injury and/or chemical or biological hazards. Examples include helmets, fire-retardant fabrics, respirators, and body armour.
Continuous flow chemical synthesis
Systems that produce fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals using continuous-flow processes, rather than batches. Compared to batch chemistry, flow chemistry can make fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals faster, more consistently and with less waste products. Applications for continuous flow chemical synthesis include rapid analysis of chemical reactions, and manufacturing industrial chemicals, agrichemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Coatings
Substances applied to the surface of an object to add a useful property. Examples include anti biofouling coatings that prevent plants or animals growing on ships or buildings, super-hydrophobic coatings that repel water from solar panels or reduce drag on the hulls of ships, electromagnetic absorbing coatings that make airplanes and ships less visible to radar systems, thermal coatings that reduce heat loss and increase energy efficiency, and anti-corrosion coatings that prevent rust.
Critical minerals extraction and processing
Systems and processes to extract and process critical minerals safely, efficiently and sustainably. Australia has an abundance of critical minerals and has the opportunity to be a global leader in the ethical and environmentally responsible supply of key critical minerals. Applications for critical minerals extraction and processing include mining, concentrating minerals, and manufacturing battery-grade chemicals.
High-specification machining processes
Systems and devices that can cut and shape raw materials into complex and highly precise components. Examples include computer numerical control (CNC) mills, CNC lathes, electron discharge machining, precision laser cutting and welding, and water jet cutting. Applications for high-specification machining processes include making aerospace parts, and making components for other manufacturing devices.
Nanoscale materials and manufacturing
Materials with essential features measuring less than 100 nanometres and technologies for their manufacture. Applications for nanoscale materials include, paint, pharmaceuticals, wastewater treatment, data storage, communications, semiconductors, capturing carbon dioxide, and nanoscale tracking markers for critical materials.
Novel metamaterials
New synthetic materials that have properties that do not occur naturally, such as the ability to bend light or radio waves backwards. Applications for novel metamaterials include energy capture and storage, radio antennae, and adaptive camouflage.
Smart materials
Materials that have properties that change in response to external action. Examples include shape memory alloys that change shape when heated and self-healing materials that automatically repair themselves when damaged. Applications for smart materials include clothing, body armour, building materials and consumer electronics.
AI, computing and communications
Advanced data analytics
Systems, processes and techniques for analysing large volumes of data (i.e. ‘big data’) and providing useful and timely insights, usually with limited human intervention. Applications for advanced data analytics include medical diagnosis and treatment, acoustic analytics, regulatory compliance, insurance, climate monitoring, infrastructure forecasting and planning, and national security.
Advanced integrated circuit design and fabrication
Systems and processes to design sophisticated integrated circuits and manufacturing processes to fabricate integrated circuits using process nodes below 10 nanometres. Examples include systems-on-chip (SoC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), stacked memory on chip and specialised microprocessors for defence industry.
Advanced optical communications
Devices and systems that use light to transfer information over optical fibre or free space (i.e. air or the vacuum of space) and use laser technologies, adaptive optics and optical routing to transfer information faster, more reliably, more efficiently and/or using less energy. Applications for advanced optical communications include high-speed earth satellite communications, short-range visible light communications (i.e. ‘Li-Fi’), narrow-beam laser communications and multi-gigabit broadband and corporate networks.
Advanced radiofrequency communications (including 5G and 6G)
Devices and systems that use radio waves to transfer information over free space (i.e. air or the vacuum of space) and use novel modulation techniques, advanced antenna designs and beamforming technologies to transfer information faster, more reliably, more efficiently and/or using less energy. Applications for advanced radiofrequency communications include communications satellites, cellular networks (e.g. 5G and 6G), wireless local area networks (e.g. Wi-Fi), short-range wireless communication (e.g. Bluetooth), sensor networks, connected vehicles, implantable medical devices and mobile voice and data services for public safety and defence.
Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and hardware accelerators
Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms are computer algorithms that perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence. Applications for artificial intelligence algorithms include personal and workplace virtual assistants, process automation, virtual and augmented reality, creating more realistic video game environments and characters, public transport planning and optimisation, crop and livestock management, and defence.
Artificial intelligence hardware accelerators are computer hardware optimised and purpose built to run artificial intelligence algorithms faster, more precisely or using less energy than is possible using non-optimised general purpose computer hardware. Applications for artificial intelligence hardware accelerators include processing on board smartphones, portable virtual and augmented reality systems, and low power internet of things (IoT) sensors.
Distributed ledgers
Digital systems for recording transactions, contracts and other information across multiple systems or locations. Distributed consensus mechanisms eliminate the need for a central authority to maintain the ledger, making transactions and stored records less susceptible to cyber-attacks or fraud. Blockchain is an example of a distributed ledger, with the digital currency Bitcoin utilising blockchain as its ledger for financial transactions. Applications for distributed ledgers include cryptocurrencies, verification of supply chains such as for product provenance and emissions monitoring and verification, tracking recoverable and recyclable product content, land records, and share trading.
High performance computing
Computer systems that exceed the performance capabilities of consumer devices (i.e. widely available desktop and laptop computers) by an order of magnitude. High performance computers—such as supercomputers—can process large volumes of data and/or perform complex calculations that are impossible or impractical using consumer devices. Applications for high performance computing include climate modelling, computational chemistry and high quality computer graphics for film and television.
Machine learning (including neural networks and deep learning)
Computer algorithms that automatically learn or improve using data and/or experience. Machine learning is a type of artificial intelligence. Applications for machine learning include computer vision, facial recognition, cybersecurity, media creation, virtual and augmented reality systems, media manipulation (e.g. deepfakes), content recommendation systems, and search engines.
Natural language processing (including speech and text recognition and analysis)
Systems that enable computers to recognise, understand and use written and/or spoken language in the same ways that people use language to communicate with each other. Natural language processing is a type of artificial intelligence. Applications for natural language processing include predictive text, language translation, virtual assistants and chat bots, summarising long documents, sentiment analysis, and making technologies more accessible and inclusive.
Protective cyber security technologies
Systems, algorithms and hardware that are designed to enable a cyber security benefit. Applications for cyber security technologies include but are not limited to; operational technology security, trust and authentication infrastructures, protection of aggregated data sets, protection of AI systems and supply chain security.
Biotechnology, gene technology and vaccines
Biological manufacturing
Processes that use living cells to make useful chemicals or materials. Examples include fermentation products, biologic medicines such as antibodies and enzyme replacement therapies, and enzymes for environmental remediation and recycling plastics.
Synthetic biology
Designing and constructing biological systems and devices that have useful functions not found in nature. Applications for synthetic biology include creating microorganisms that can clean-up environmental pollutants and recycle plastics, manufacturing animal-free meat and dairy products, and biological computers.
Vaccines and medical countermeasures
Tools and techniques to quickly develop and manufacture vaccines, drugs, biologic products and devices used to diagnose and treat emerging infectious diseases and medical conditions caused by exposure to harmful chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear substances. Applications for vaccines and medical countermeasures include public health emergencies, industrial accidents and defence.
Energy and environment
Biofuels
Solid, liquid or gas fuels produced from biological or organic sources. Examples include biogas and biodiesel derived from plant biomass, and bioethanol from crops such as corn and sugar cane.
Directed energy technologies
Systems and devices that transfer energy between two points in free space. Applications for directed energy technologies include powering consumer electronics, recharging electric vehicles, powering aerial drones, ground-space energy transfer, wireless sensor networks and internet of things devices, and advanced weapons.
Electric batteries
Devices that produce electricity from stored electrochemical energy and tolerate multiple charge and discharge cycles. Electric batteries utilise various materials and chemistries (e.g. lithium-ion (Li-ion), nickel metal hydride battery (Ni-MH)) and form factors (e.g. flow batteries for stationary grid storage, polymer electrolytes for vehicles and personal devices). Applications for electric batteries include electrified road and air transport, smartphones and personal electronic devices, medical devices and grid energy storage.
Hydrogen and ammonia for power
Sustainable production, storage, distribution and use of hydrogen (H2) and ammonia (NH3) for heat and electricity generation. Hydrogen and ammonia are potential low or zero emission, zero-carbon alternatives to fossil fuels and electric batteries. Applications for hydrogen and ammonia include energy storage and as a fuel source for aviation and marine transport, long distance road transport and heating.
Nuclear energy
Electricity generation using the energy released when the core of an atom (called the atomic nucleus) splits into two or more lighter atomic nuclei. Applications include energy production for self-contained and/or remote uses, such as space travel, submarines, scientific research and medical isotope production.
Nuclear waste management and recycling
Processes to safely dispose of, or reuse or reprocess for useful purposes, radioactive waste products from medical, industrial and research practices. Examples include converting radioactive liquid waste into synthetic rock to minimise leeching, and reprocessing spent radioactive fuel for use in long-life, low-power batteries. Applications include environmental protection and extending the useful life of nuclear material.
Photovoltaics
Devices that convert solar energy into electricity using layers of semiconductor materials. Applications for photovoltaics include low-emissions power stations, rooftop solar power, spacecraft and personal electronics.
Supercapacitors
Electrochemical devices that can store large amounts of energy in small volumes. Supercapacitors store less energy and for shorter durations than rechargeable batteries (hours or days, rather than months or years), but can accept and deliver charge much faster than rechargeable batteries, and tolerate many more charge and discharge cycles than rechargeable batteries before performance degrades. Applications for supercapacitors include regenerative braking, smartphones and personal electronic devices, grid energy storage and defence.
Quantum
Post-quantum cryptography
Mathematical techniques for ensuring that information stays private, or is authentic, that resist attacks by both quantum and non-quantum (i.e. classical) computers. The leading application for post-quantum cryptography is securing online communications against attacks using quantum computers. Because quantum computers can efficiently solve the ‘hard’ mathematical problems we currently rely on to protect online communications, Australia needs post-quantum cryptography to ensure communications stay secure once quantum computers are available.
Quantum communications (including quantum key distribution)
Devices and systems that communicate quantum information at a distance, including cryptographic keys. Applications for quantum communications include transferring information between quantum computers and sharing cryptographic keys (which are like secret passwords) between distant people in a way that means it is impossible for anyone else to copy.
Quantum computing
Computer systems and algorithms that depend directly on quantum mechanical properties and effects to perform computations. Quantum computers can solve particular types of problems much faster than existing ‘classical’ computers, including problems that are not practical to solve using even the most powerful classical computers imaginable. Applications for quantum computing accurately simulating chemical and biological processes, revealing secret communications, machine learning and efficiently optimising very complex systems.
Quantum sensors
Devices that depend directly on quantum mechanical properties and effects for high precision and high sensitivity measurements. Applications for quantum sensors include enhanced imaging, passive navigation, remote sensing, quantum radar, and threat detection for defence.
Sensing, timing and navigation
Photonic sensors
Devices that use light to detect changes in the environment or in materials. Applications for photonic sensors are broad, ranging from mainstream photography, through to sensors for environments where electrical or chemical based sensors are impractical or unreliable, such as laser based gas sensors to detect explosive materials or flexible photonic sensors embedded inside the human body to monitor bodily processes.
Defence, space, robotics and transportation
Advanced aircraft engines (including hypersonics)
Engine technologies that enable greater speed, range, and fuel-efficiency for aerial vehicles. Examples include hypersonic technologies such as ramjet and scramjet engines that allow aircraft and weapons to travel beyond Mach 5 (i.e. flying more than five times the speed of sound).
Advanced robotics
Robots capable of performing complex manual tasks usually performed by humans, including by teaming with humans and/or self-assembling to adapt to new or changed environments. Applications for advanced robotics include industry and manufacturing, defence and public safety, and healthcare and household tasks.
Autonomous systems operation technology
Self-governing machines that can independently perform tasks under limited direction or guidance by a human operator. Applications for autonomous systems operation technology include passenger and freight transport, un crewed underwater vehicles, industrial robots, public safety and defence.
Drones, swarming and collaborative robots
Un-crewed air, ground, surface and underwater vehicles and robots that can achieve goals with limited or no human direction, or collaborate to achieve common goals in a self-organising swarm. Applications for drones, swarming and collaborative robots include public safety, environmental monitoring, agriculture, logistics, and defence.
Small satellites
Satellites with relatively low mass and size, usually mass under 500 kg and no larger than a domestic refrigerator or washing machine. Applications for small satellites include lower-cost earth observation constellations and wide area communications networks.
Space launch systems (including launch vehicles and supporting infrastructure)
Systems to transport payloads—such as satellites or spacecraft—from the surface of the Earth to space safely, reliably and cost-effectively. Applications for space launch systems include launching defence, commercial, and scientific and research payloads into earth orbit.
