Jun 3 2008
Over the next four years the new Flagship aims to add value to existing high-value segments of the manufacturing sector and create a new wave of niche industries based on nanotechnology.
Carbon nanotubes could appear in a wide range of new materials and fabrics.
With a particular focus on small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), the new Flagship will help the Australian manufacturing industry to become more competitive in global supply chains, develop globally competitive medical products, identify next generation fabricated devices, capture value from new materials, help stimulate smart manufacturing enterprises, and consider the health, safety and environmental issues of nanotechnology research.
“Nanotechnology is arguably the biggest opportunity Australian manufacturing has seen in decades,” CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Geoff Garrett said.
“If we can quickly focus on the current strengths we in Australia have in this area we can be an important player in the emergence of entirely new industries.
“CSIRO is a world leader in nanotechnology and materials research with a strong record in developing new composite materials, engineering polymers and fabricated devices.”
CSIRO’s National Research Flagships were launched in 2003 to address major national challenges in areas such as energy, water and health and also opportunities for industry development and job creation.
Last year’s independent review of the Flagships Program, chaired by former Government Chief Scientist, Dr Robin Batterham, highlighted the fact that the Flagships are delivering powerful scientific solutions to national problems, successfully driving large-scale activity addressing Australia’s National Research Priorities in a collaborative, cooperative, and intensively managed manner.