University of Sydney researchers led by Professor Mathew Crowther have used hyperspectral airborne imagery and machine learning to identify eucalyptus tree species and leaf nutrition favoured by koalas, enabling large-scale mapping of high-quality habitats. The approach could transform conservation.

Dr Jessie Posar is a Research Fellow in the School of Physics at the University of Wollongong, whose research advances next-generation organic semiconductor sensors, with applications across nuclear, bioelectronic and advanced materials sensing.

VIDEO: Dr Kai Wu from the University of Technology Sydney is leading a project that turns everyday mobile signals into real-time rainfall intelligence. The project was developed through the Connectivity Innovation Network’s Sensing for Disasters program with the NSSN.

Discover our achievements, partnerships and impact over the past year.

Dr Kai Wu is a Senior Lecturer at UTS and ARC Industry Fellow advancing joint communications and radio sensing (JCAS), developing wireless systems that can sense and interpret the environment to deliver real-time insights that strengthen safety, resilience and emergency response.

This month’s newsletter shares our latest Annual Report, more highlights from the 4th Ageing Forum, and stories on Ginigai’s fire sensor and Dr Kai Wu’s wireless sensing research.

Lucy Brogden AM, Director at Australian Unity, has urged a fundamental rethink of how Australia approaches ageing, care and technology, warning at the NSSN’s 4th Ageing Forum that the current system remains fragmented and out of step with the realities of older Australians and their families.

Australia is making strong progress toward a digitally connected healthcare system, with the Australian Digital Health Agency’s Sandra Cook telling the NSSN’s 4th Ageing Forum the five-year National Digital Health Strategy aims to link data across the entire health-care ecosystem.

The CEO of Ginigai has shared how an innovative UNSW-born fire detection sensor has grown into a rapidly commercialising safety-technology startup whose system is now poised to be used on top shipping vessels.

Australia is on the brink of a care crisis, with governments and communities unprepared for the surge in Australians aged over 80 who need aged care in the coming decade, health services academic and clinician Professor Kathy Eagar AM has told the NSSN’s 4th Ageing Forum. 

The NSSN is now accepting applications to support innovative, collaborative research projects that respond to the NSSN Priority Themes of Human Health, Environment & AgTech, Natural Hazards, Net Zero and Smart Places.

This month’s Sensor covers the launch of the 2026 NSSN Grand Challenge Fund, expert insights on Australia’s ageing challenge, and sensing innovations from bushfire tech to a robot that raps.