Eight projects, including a majority at Australian universities, will share in $12.7 million in funding from the federal government as part of stage two of its Critical Technologies Challenge Program (CTCP).
Stage two gives previous grant recipients additional funding, worth up to $5 million, to develop their stage one feasibility project to produce a prototype or demonstration product.
A team of AI and quantum researchers at La Trobe University and The University of Western Australia, working with NextDC, Fujitsu and AQ Intelligence, scored $1.1 million to develop technology that keep data centres cooler while reducing energy use and thus carbon emissions.
Quantum technologies are central to the projects with the funding delivered under $35.9 million commitment from 2023’s National Quantum Strategy.
Demonstrator projects that scored funding also include $1.5 million for the University of Sydney to develop its quantum-powered CT scanner, a portable device for rural health use to improve rates of cancer diagnosis and treatment; and $1.2 million South Australia’s Miniprobes to develop its quantum optical imaging for faster diabetes assessments .
Science, industry and innovation minister Tim Ayres said the program is designed driving innovation, investment and collaboration as part of the governments Future Made in Australia policy.
“Quantum technologies have tremendous potential to boost local industries and lift productivity in Australia, for the benefit of all Australians,” he said.
“These eight CTCP projects highlight the importance of collaboration to solve some of Australia’s most pressing national challenges in energy, healthcare, and resources.”
Here’s who got the cash and what for.
Optimise the performance, sustainability, and security of energy networks
| Applicant | Project partners | Project title | Demonstrator funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flinders University | Efficientsee Pty Ltd Macquarie University University of South Australia Zeco Australian Energy Solutions Pty Ltd |
A Quantum Computing-Based Demonstrator for Remote Community Energy System | $1,157,530 |
| La Trobe University | AQ Intelligence Pty Ltd Fujitsu Australia Ltd NEXTDC Limited University of Western Australia |
Quantum Enhanced Optimisation for Energy Efficient Data Centres | $1,110,213 |
Improve medical imaging and medical sensors to support diagnosis, treatment of disease and monitoring activities inside the human body
| Applicant | Project partners | Project title | Demonstrator funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miniprobes Pty Ltd | Central Adelaide Local Health Network Incorporated The University of Adelaide |
Scaling Quantum Optical imaging for fast, efficient Assessment of Diabetes | $1,200,000 |
| The University of Sydney | Micro-X Ltd Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology South Eastern Sydney Local Health District The University of Wollongong |
Quantum CT for Cancer Diagnosis in All Australian Clinics | $1,492,000 |
| The University of Wollongong | Elekta Pty Limited South Eastern Sydney Local Health District The University of Sydney |
A Quantum Photon Counting Linac for Advanced Image Guided Radiotherapy | $1,000,000 |
| University of Melbourne | Axol Bioscience Ltd Chromos Laboratories Pty. Ltd. Quantum Diamond Foundry Pty Ltd Tessara Therapeutics Pty Ltd |
Quantum-enabled Platform for Neurological Drug Development | $2,118,901 |
Optimise and reduce the impact of resource exploration, extraction, and mineral processing
| Applicant | Project partners | Project title | Demonstrator funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loughan Technology Group Pty Limited | ABx Group Limited Australian Rare Earths Limited The University of Adelaide |
Quantum Optical Sensing for Mine-site Detection of Rare-Earth Elements | $2,372,820 |
| Orica Australia Pty Ltd | Department Of Defence Syndetic Pty. Ltd. The University of Queensland |
Magnetic through-earth Communications for Mining | $2,260,563 |
