can be found here - Australian Nanotechnology Alliance

146 Pages·2011·8.41 MB·English

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Contents
Overview 3
The Australian advantage 5
Materials 11
Nanobiotechnology & medical devices 39
Energy & environment 59
Electronics & photonics 73
Quantum technology 85
Instrumentation & software 91
Facilities, networks & associations 101
Government resources 117
Consultancy services 127
Australian nanotechnology matrix 136
Index 141
Overview
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Australian Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is a thriving field of research, development and
commercialisation in Australia. The country is renowned for its strong
R&D credentials, innovative and highly skilled scientists, and enterprising
workforce. Coupled with strong government support and strategic
international alliances, Australian nanotechnology has delivered significant
scientific breakthroughs that will have a lasting impact on our lives.
Australia has a reputation for scientific and technological creativity, and its
powerful network of more than 75 nanotechnology research organisations and
around 80 nanotechnology companies is ensuring a rich flow of commercial
products. The progress in nanotechnology has come about through the
entrepreneurship and drive of companies, the dedication of researchers and
the commitment of government to champion Australian nanotechnology to
the world. This is creating new opportunities for businesses and industries,
generating more high-value jobs and helping to make the economy more
innovative and competitive.
To keep pace with global developments and remain leaders in this area, the
government is providing valuable assistance towards developing a globally-
focused nanotechnology capability and ensuring a steady stream of funding
for scientific research and commercialisation. This funding is augmented by
significant contributions from the state and territory governments and the
private sector.
Australia’s wide-ranging expertise in the discovery, development and
implementation of nanotechnology solutions can be attributed to the:
• Nanotechnology research undertaken at research institutions;
universities; Cooperative Research Centres1; Centres of Excellence
funded through the Australian Research Council2; the Australian Nuclear
Science and Technology Organisation3; and the Commonwealth Scientific
and Industrial Research Organisation4.
• Infrastructure investments such as the Australian Synchrotron5 and
the Australian National Fabrication Facility6 that provide new product
development platforms.
• Internationally renowned nanotechnology curricula at various Australian

universities which help to stimulate education and skill development so

that the country can benefit from global nanotechnology opportunities.

Australia has a deep understanding of the potential of nanotechnology, its
issues, and how it should be managed, and the country is now recognised
internationally as a leading location for important nanotechnology initiatives.
NANOTECHNOLOGY AUSTRALIAN CAPABILITY REPORT 5
Market Overview
Research
Nanotechnology research is undertaken in government research organisations, medical
research institutes, biotechnology research organisations and university research centres
in Australia. A significant part of nanotechnology-related research in Australia is funded
through the Australian Government’s main research agencies such as the Australian
Research Council (ARC), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
(CSIRO) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). The ARC
Nanotechnology Network is dedicated to substantially enhancing Australia’s research
outcomes in nanotechnology by promoting effective collaborations; exposing researchers
to alternative and complementary approaches from other fields; encouraging forums
for postgraduate students and early career researchers; increasing nanotechnology
infrastructure; enhancing awareness of existing infrastructure; and promoting
international links. Most if not all of Australia’s 39 universities are undertaking some type
of nanotechnology research. Some of these universities are more active in nanotechnology
research than others and have more than one research centre. Many universities host
world-class nanotechnology research facilities and ARC Centres of Excellence which
conduct a range of nano-related research. The Australian National Fabrication Facility has
also been established which links eight university-based nodes to provide researchers and
industry with access to state-of-the-art fabrication facilities.
Education
Eighteen Australian universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate studies in
nanotechnology - University of Western Sydney, La Trobe University, Griffith University,
University of Queensland, Curtin University of Technology, University of Western Australia,
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, University of Technology Sydney, Deakin
University, University of South Australia, University of Adelaide, University of Wollongong,
Monash University, Swinburne University of Technology, Queensland University of
Technology, University of Newcastle, Flinders University and Murdoch University. The wide
range of courses on offer include Biomedical Nanotechnology, Quantum Nanostructures,
and specialist courses on nanochemistry, scanning probe microscopies, imaging and
materials characterisation, synchrotron science and technology, nanomaterials and
fabrication, and sensors and devices .
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Australian Nanotechnology
Industry structure and capability
Australia has a vibrant, capable and dynamic nanotechnology sector.
Significant numbers of multinational corporations and foreign government
agencies are investing in the development and commercialisation of
breakthrough Australian nanotechnologies. Australian nanotechnology
expertise is broad, with niche expertise in Materials; Nanobiotechnology
and Medical Devices; Electronics and Photonics; Energy and Environment;
and Quantum Technology. The country has a strong, well-resourced,
multidisciplinary research base active in nanotechnology, which is developing
strong alliances, collaborative research and commercial relationships.
Australia is retaining and attracting outstanding, internationally recognised
researchers who are supported by a high quality domestic science education
base. The country’s nanotechnology networks are integrated through a range
of formal and informal linkages for corporations and other organisations.
There are an estimated 100 nanotechnology companies in Australia.
Global companies in every major industry have benefited from Australian
nanoscience, from aeronautics and information technology to health and
resources.
Workforce
The Australian Research Council Nanotechnology Network (ARCNN)
represents approximately 1,000 active researchers, composed of
approximately 50 per cent students and 50 per cent professional researchers
from universities, institutes and government research organisations. Most
of the nanotechnology-related companies in Australia are small to medium
sized enterprises with an estimated 5 to 20 staff per company. Based upon
ARCNN membership figures and the number of Australian nanotechnology
companies, it is estimated that there more than 2,500 people in Australia
engaged in nanotechnology research.
NANOTECHNOLOGY AUSTRALIAN CAPABILITY REPORT 7
Business environment
Australia offers a wealth of opportunities for businesses to succeed, with a stable and
robust regulatory environment, a highly skilled and multi-lingual workforce and a culture of
innovation. The country’s unparalleled economic record, world-class industry capabilities
and unique cultural and geographic advantages in the world·s fastest growing region all
form part of Australia’s impressive reputation as an investment destination.
Growing foreign investment
Australia attracts a high level of foreign direct investment (FDI) as compared to other
developed economies. Over the last five years, inward FDI stock has increased by an average
of 5.8 per cent per annum. The 2010 A.T. Kearney Foreign Investment Confidence Index
ranked the world’s most attractive FDI destinations and placed Australia seventh, ahead
of Mexico, Canada and the United Kingdom. The ratio of FDI to GDP is almost 36 per cent
which is well above the average of 25 per cent for comparable developed economies. FDI into
Australia was up 10 per cent and reached $436 billion in 2009 .
Strategic location
Australia serves as a strategic location for business opportunities in Asia Pacific, which
is driving the world economic growth. Australia’s traditional trade with Europe and North
America is augmented by the country’s rapidly growing trade with Asia. Australia’s relative
proximity and strong trade links with China and India will act as a significant asset in capital-
ising on the growth in these two countries.
Business friendly regulatory environment
In 2006, the OECD cited Australia’s approach to regulation as a best practice benchmark for
other OECD countries. Australia was identified as having the fewest restrictions on product
markets of the 30 OECD countries, the least public ownership of business and the least
restrictive impact of business regulation on economic behaviour. Australia has been ranked
as the third fastest place in the world to start a business
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