Monash secures more than $3.9 million to build on world-class infrastructure for transformative research

An Australian-first 3D nanofabrication printer and a next generation electron detector for our world-leading cryo-electron microscopy facility are among the Monash proposals funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) scheme.

Minister for Education, the Hon Dan Tehan MP, announced more than $3.94 million to support six proposals across the faculties of Science, Engineering, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, continuing to build on Monash's world-class network of integrated technology platforms.

Provost and Senior Vice-President Professor Marc Parlange said the exceptional LIEF results demonstrated the University's continued excellence in innovation and collaboration.

"Access to cutting edge technology is core to innovation and Monash is consistently ranked as the most innovative university in Australia," he said.

"LIEF funding has been vital for many of our most transformative programs, spanning 3D imaging and remote sensing to nanotechnology and cell biology. The grants announced today will further enhance our ability to deliver internationally competitive research to benefit the community. My warmest congratulations to every Monash researcher who has been successful this year."

Funding was awarded to projects including:

Next generation electron detector

Dr Georg Ramm led a proposal to secure funding for a next generation electron detector within Monash's leading cryo-electron microscopy centre, which will help address fundamental questions in biology, pharmaceutical science, renewable energy and agriculture.

The new technology builds on Monash's advanced capabilities in optical and electron microscopy through the Ramaciotti Centre for CryoEM, which is a co-host to the Microscopy Australia Victorian node with the Monash Centre for Electron Microscopy - who also experienced success through a grant for a triple beam electron microscope led by Dr Amelia Liu.

3D nanofabrication

Professor Nico Voelcker and Dr Victor Cadarso secured funding for an Australian-first tool to support 3D nanofabrication, which will allow three-dimensional printing of complex structures down to the nano-scale, supporting cutting edge research including investigating high performance materials.

Today's announcement of LIEF funding will strengthen the Monash technology precinct's standing as a world leader in nanotechnology, advanced manufacturing and biotechnology, as home to the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication – the Victorian headquarters of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, and a thriving network of biotech and medical device companies.

Vice-Provost (Research and Research Infrastructure) Professor Ian Smith also welcomed the news, saying platform technology investments are vital to keeping Australia competitive in a global research landscape

"Thank you to the ARC - we are grateful Monash's successful LIEF grants are continuing to support and enhance the already thriving and interconnected network of research platforms here at Monash. We remain at the forefront of research discovery as a result of key investments in our infrastructure such as this," he said.

Overall, Monash-led LIEF grants will support collaborative research with over 16 partner institutions including The University of New South Wales, Deakin University, RMIT University, The Australian National University, The University of Melbourne and the CSIRO.

Monash is committed to providing world-class research infrastructure to support its strong research community, collaboration with industry partners and the wider research community, to deliver lasting and positive change in the world.

The full list of Monash-led projects supported is:

View the funded projects and visit the ARC website