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A partnership program between Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group and CSIRO’s ON accelerator has allowed research teams to develop and discover “real world” applications for their defence work, with plans already in place for the next program.
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The ON Prime:Defence program saw teams from across Australia speak to customers, test and understand the value of their work by discovering applications within Defence and the commercial market.
Five teams – from Flinders University, the University of Queensland, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and two teams from DST Group – participated in the first program.
DST Group said the teams brought a diverse range of research to the program, including an environmental preparedness program for deploying personnel at short notice, using machine learning techniques to assess material vulnerability and a 3D imaging sensor that can be used as a laser airborne depth sounder from small UAV platforms.
During the final showcase, teams shared their insights on how their research could deliver impact for customers in both the Defence and commercial markets and on how their big ideas had evolved during their ON Prime:Defence experience.
"ON Prime has helped us explore potential application spaces and the value proposition for our technology. We have also made a few new contacts along the way as well, which is great," said Joyce Mau from DST Group's SPAD LADS team.
"We highly recommend the program to people who are seeking to further discover the potential application space of their research."
Because of the initial success of the first program, DST Group and CSIRO ON will be offering another program in the coming months.
"Our partnership with CSIRO through the ON accelerator is an important part of the Defence Research Accelerator. It’s a great opportunity for researchers to find a pathway to market for their work and has potential to deliver real impact to Defence and national security," said Greg Denehy, who is leading the Defence Research Accelerator program under the Next Generation Technologies Fund.
"We’re looking for science and technology with the potential to provide Defence capability that might also have dual-use applications in the commercial market. We’ve seen the strength of the ON program with the Silentium Defence team taking part in ON Accelerate earlier this year, and with the teams that have just completed ON Prime:Defence. If you think your research has applications for Defence and national security, participating in ON Prime:Defence is a great way to find out."
Applications for the next intake of ON:Prime Defence opened 3 July and close 28 July. Details are available here.
