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Science in Support of Defence or National Security
WINNER - Microspectrometer Sensing Technology
‘Colour TV' to Save Aussie Soldiers
Australian and allied soldiers' lives will be saved by new technology that brings colour vision to infrared sensing for the first time. The technology's creators, the Microelectronics Research Group of the University of Western Australia, were last night awarded the inaugural Defence Science and Technology Organisation Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Support of Defence or National Security for their microspectrometer sensing technology.
This prize is part of the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, the Oscars of Australian science. Coveted among science prizes, the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes were announced at a glittering event in Sydney on 19 August attended by a ‘who's who' of Australian science, government, academia and industry.
Infrared ‘night vision' technology is of major importance to many homeland and international defence systems. But existing infrared is unreliable and cumbersome, producing unclear black and white images (and not those green images so often seen in TV movies).
The Microelectronics Research Group, led by Professor Lorenzo Faraone, developed a filter which enables creation of colour images. The filter also allows scanning of smaller areas, meaning less data is required to generate images and improved real-time use of infrared. Impressively, the technology is lightweight, robust, compact, fast, accurate and inexpensive.
Australian Museum Director, Frank Howarth, says "This new sensor will be a core component of future allied combat capabilities. It will revolutionise the use of infrared and lives will be saved as a result of this technology."
The new class of Aussie sensors will be used by ground forces and unmanned aerial vehicles. The improved technology will also assist soldiers operating in cluttered environments and urban areas, enabling them to scan for threats and targets from safer distances. Deaths from friendly fire will be reduced, as targets are better identified with colour images.
Significantly, the new infrared technology has wider applications in biomedical imaging, environmental monitoring, mining, viticulture and agriculture. Director of the Australian Museum, Frank Howarth, says "It is rare for one technology to be applicable to so many fields. It is also extraordinarily accessible, inexpensive and reliable."
It is envisaged that lightweight, hand-held detectors will be used in biopsy-free skin cancer testing, real-time soil monitoring and characterisation of grain during harvesting.
The Microelectronics Research Group is a world leader in the innovative combination of micro-electromechanical systems and infrared imaging technologies. Their work is protected by a number of international patents. And the Group is almost unique in obtaining a $3.5 million grant from the US Defence Science and Technology Organisation, which rarely awards funds overseas.
The $10,000 Defence Science and Technology Organisation Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Support of Defence or National Security is awarded to an Australian individual, group or organisation for outstanding science and/or technology that has developed or has the potential to develop innovative solutions for Australia's defence and/or national security.
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Sponsor
The DSTO Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Support of Defence or National Security is sponsored by Defence Science and Technology Organisation .
Description
The DSTO Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Support of Defence or National Security is awarded to an Australian individual, group or organisation for outstanding science and/or technology that has developed or has the potential to develop innovative solutions for Australia's defence and/or national security.
prize
$10,000
Purpose
The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is the Australian Government's lead agency charged with applying science and technology to protect and defend Australia and its national interests.
DSTO delivers expert, impartial advice and innovative solutions for defence and other elements of national security.
Demands on DSTO's science and technology support are extensive, specialised and continually growing. The increased deployment overseas of Australian troops, the current global security environment, new advances in technology and the ongoing need to minimise costs continue to place pressure on defence science and technology.
With a wide range of partnerships in place with industry and the science and technology community through strategic alliances, collaborative research programs and centres of expertise with some of Australia's premier research universities, DSTO is able to apply advanced science and technology to enhance the effectiveness of Australia's defence and national security effort, both now and for the future.
The DSTO Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Support of Defence or National Security aims to recognise an Australian individual, group or organisation for outstanding science and/or technology that has developed or has the potential to develop innovative solutions which can be applied to advance Australia's capabilities in defence or national security.
This may include both pure and applied research; development of new technologies or practices suitable for Australia's unique circumstances; or novel applications of existing technologies or products that address the challenges of defending Australia and its national interests in a rapidly changing geostrategic climate.
Judging Criteria
Entries must address each of the following criteria:
1. Innovation
• In what way is the work outstanding (e.g. developed or extended techniques or methods not normally used; resulted in a paradigm shift, etc.)?
• What are the innovative aspects of the work and/or its results?
• What new insights have been gained as a result of this work?
2. Relevance
• What capability challenge in defence and/or national security is addressed by the work?
• Does the work address current and long-term issues?
• To what extent does it meet Australia's unique circumstances in defence or national security?
3. Impact
• How can this work lead to a practical improvement in capability for defence or national security?
• What wider benefits can be expected as a result of this work on defence or national security (e.g. increased efficiency, improved operational performance, reduced costs, etc.)?
• Does the work lend itself to applications beyond defence and national security?
Conditions of entry
The prize is open to individuals, groups or organisations. Entrants can either enter themselves or be nominated by others.
Research entered for this prize must have been undertaken:
• in Australia by an Australian citizen(s) or Australian resident(s). Where the entry is by a research team, the team leader must meet this criterion
• undertaken no more than three (3) years prior to the closing date for entries.
Online entry forms close 5pm AEST Friday 2 May 2008. Hard copy entries will not be considered until and unless an online entry form has been completed.
Completed entries must be received by the Australian Museum no later than 5pm AEST on Friday 9 May 2008. Entries delivered to the Australian Museum after this time will not be considered.
Entries with insufficient sets of documentation will not be considered. Submitted material will not be returned.
The research entered/nominated for this prize may not be entered/nominated for another Australian Museum Eureka Prize.
The deliberations of the judging panel remain confidential. All recommendations and decisions taken are binding and final and no correspondence will be entered into on such matters.
Information provided by the entrant(s) in relation to the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes (including photos), may be used by the Australian Museum for promotional/publicity purposes.
Personal information provided in connection with the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes will be used only by the Australian Museum and only in connection with the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.
How to enter
1. Complete an online entry form
Complete the online entry form by 5pm AEST on Friday 2 May 2008. Make sure you print out a copy.
2. Prepare five (5) sets of the entry, with each set consisting of:
1. a printed copy of the online entry form as submitted
2. a brief description of the research entered, including objectives and results to date (two page maximum)
3. a brief description of how the research entered addresses each of the judging criteria (two page maximum)
4. a maximum of four (4) written reports addressing each of the judging criteria from assessors who are familiar with the entered research. NOTE: Judges rely on assessor's reports to provide additional perspective and informed opinion on the entry. Assessors should not be personally or directly involved in the work entered in this prize.
You may, if you wish, also include a copy of your work from at least one externally-refereed scientific publication.
3. Submit the entry
Submit five (5) complete and separate sets of the entry clipped together (not bound). Please do NOT bother with elaborate presentation when submitting the entry. This will be removed before material is sent to judges. The five (5) sets of the entry should be sent to:
DSTO Eureka Prize
Australian Museum
6 College Street
SYDNEY NSW 2010
4. DEADLINE for submission of entries
The five (5) sets of the entry must be received at the Australian Museum by 5pm AEST on Friday 9 May 2008. Entries received after this time will not be considered.
