The Australian Research Centre Training Centre for Biofilm Research and Innovation will establish a permanent presence at the Osborne Naval Shipyard, which is owned by Australian Naval Infrastructure.
Biofilms are the accumulation of organisms, such as bacteria, on surfaces including marine vessels, water pipes and other surfaces.
Biofouling is the unwanted build-up of biofilms which cost industries billions each year to remove and eradicate.
The ARC Biofilm Research and Innovation Centre ('BRIC'), with headquarters at Flinders University at Bedford Park in Adelaide, has research nodes at Swinburne University, RMIT University, the Queensland University of Technology and the University of Tasmania.
Its researchers have been conducting experiments with maritime collaborators at Osborne for four years.
Training Centre's Director, Flinders Professor Sophie Leterme, says it is a "wonderful opportunity for us to have a laboratory at Osborne".
Professor Leterme says the establishment of a presence at Osborne is a significant step forward in the field of maritime biofouling research.
"We can now conduct much of our South Australian analysis on-site rather than transporting samples back to Flinders University. Being on-site increases the range of research experiments we can do. We will now be integrated within Australia's largest shipbuilding precinct as we expand our applied research."
ANI Operations Manager, Mr Paul Shinks, says: "ANI has a very impressive list of collocated partners and is expanding through establishing a Skills and Training Academy campus, which will deliver an enduring training solution for future generations of the workforce for nuclear-powered submarines, naval shipbuilding and sustainment."
He says: "The ARC Centre has been a partner with us and maritime companies at Osborne, so it is a logical step for BRIC to establish a presence at the Osborne Naval Shipyard."
The ARC BRIC is looking for innovative solutions to improve biofouling management strategies for maritime and other industries.
The Centre is jointly funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and valued industry partners including BAE Systems Australia, ASC Pty Ltd, the Defence Science and Technology Group, the Australian Submarine Agency, Franmarine, Osmoflo, Enware and SA Water. It has nodes at Swinburne University, the Queensland University of Technology, the University of Tasmania and RMIT University.
About Australian Naval Infrastructure
Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd (ANI) is a nation-building commitment by the Government of Australia to establish state-of-the-art infrastructure at the Osborne Naval Shipyard and future Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard. ANI is working closely with stakeholders to ensure that the design and construction of infrastructure for the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard meets the required schedules and adheres to the highest standards of safety and security.
