The Australian Research Council (ARC) Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Dr Richard Johnson, today officially launched the ARC Training Centre for Multiscale 3D Imaging, Modelling and Manufacturing (M3D Innovation) in Canberra.
Led by The Australian National University, M3D Innovation is conducting important research in the emerging field of digital materials, building a deeper understanding of the 3D composition of materials.
Dr Johnson said the ARC Training Centre's research has potential application across a wide range of fields delivering positive impacts in many people's lives.
"Understanding the structure of materials at small and large scales promises to deliver results in fields as varied as medical devices, natural resources and heritage studies," Dr Johnson said.
"One of M3D Innovation's projects will design and develop 3D printed, resorbable soft tissue for breast implants. Another project is testing the long-term safety of carbon dioxide storage in aquifers, for industries where emission reduction is a significant challenge."
The ARC awarded The Australian National University, as the lead University, almost $4 million over 5 years for the Training Centre in the 2018 round of the ARC Industrial Transformation Research Program. M3D is also receiving $3.1 million from participating universities and partner organisations, and $13 million in in-kind support.
ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres support collaborative research and partnerships that focus on strategic industry outcomes which would not otherwise be achieved independently.
M3D is a large collaborative endeavour that brings together 25 chief investigators, 17 partner investigators, 8 post-doctorates, and 20 PhD students.
"In doing this, M3D Innovation is training and deepening the skills of a new generation of researchers and practitioners in the important discipline of Digital Materials, allowing them to work side-by-side with highly experienced, world-leading researchers," Dr Johnson said.
