***UPDATE*** 11 August 2021. SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
Do you work in the areas of diagnostics, contamination containment, threat protection modelling, AI, or wearable assistive devices here in Queensland? Your expertise could help Defence counter a new wave of emerging challenges.
The Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) is calling for capability statements from Queensland universities, SMEs and Research Institutes to register their capabilities in the area of safe operation in contaminated environments.
Operating in CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) environments is one of the eight STaR Shots (Science Technology and Research) priorities outlined in the Federal “More Together: Defence Science and Technology Strategy 2030”.
Why Should We Register Our CBRN Capability?
The benefits of registering your CBRN capabilities are multi-fold.
- This is an exciting pathway to increase your visibility to Australia’s Defence Force, enabling you to be considered for future funding opportunities and projects.
- The QDSA is currently establishing a local, state-wide database of Queensland’s science and defence capability – across both industry and academia.
Those eager to be considered for future collaboration and funding opportunities are encouraged to register your capability and you may even be asked to pitch to Defence.
QDSA Associate Director Dr Jeremy Anderson said:
“We want to see more Queensland universities, SMEs and research institutes be successful in applying for funding and to be involved in more Defence projects.”
Combatting Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Threats
The synthesis of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) agents is growing rapidly and the threat of these agents is increasing. Countering this threat will require a multidisciplinary approach relying on the intersection of a range of capabilities across the physical, life, data and engineering sciences.
To support this challenge, QDSA is calling for capability statements covering the following disciplines:
Physical: Novel sensor technologies for low-concentration agent detection, remote and autonomous agent broad-area detection from large stand-off distances.
Life: Agent characterisation methods, diagnostic tools, agent neutralisation, containment and decontamination approaches.
Data: Sensor-data fusion, autonomy, threat prediction modelling, artificial intelligence, decision support, source localisation methods.
Engineering: Implantable and wearable diagnostic devices, re-configurable & multi-functional low-cost miniaturised assemblies and housings, remotely deployable platforms
The capability statements will be used to help inform the Defence Science and Technology Group about core capability residing in Queensland which can be leveraged to support the “More, Together: Defence Science and Technology Strategy 2030” and in particular the strategic priority STaR shot focused on “Operating in CBRN Environments”(OCE). Preliminary details about this challenge can be accessed here.
The QDSA is anticipating we will replicate this process for the other STaR shot strategic priorities. Watch this space!
The closing date for submissions is: 8th August, 2021 ***SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED***
Virtual Information Sessions
The QDSA (in conjunction with the OCE STaRshot manager) will run a virtual forum where Queensland academics and businesses can learn more about the Defence’s requirements in this area. Following this there will also be the opportunity for selected participants to pitch their capability to a panel of Defence S&T experts in this area.
QDSA Upcoming Events and Opportunities
QDSA has many upcoming events and opportunities, with more being added each week. Want to find out what is on the horizon? Check out our News section on our website here or subscribe to our e-newsletter here.
For real-time events and information, be sure to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
The Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) is a university-led initiative to grow and connect an agile Defence innovation ecosystem, leveraging Queensland’s strengths, to deliver trusted solutions to meet Defence requirements.
