In this Thought Piece, Nanotechnologist at Macquarie University and NSSN Ambassador, Professor Noushin Nasiri, and Founder of agritech/biotech company Agscent, Dr Bronwyn Darlington, describe how real-world feedback is essential to move innovations up the TRL ladder and into everyday use on the farm.

Dr David Nguyen develops nanomaterial technologies which help industry reduce material use, improve recycling, and lower environmental and health impacts. His work delivers practical, scalable solutions - from advanced coatings to microplastic removal - which translate research into real-world outcomes.

A study by University of Wollongong physicist and NSSN Ambassador Dr Enbang Li shows how optical technology can detect tiny gravity changes, with potential applications in environmental monitoring and navigation.

Dr Jerry Zhou from Western Sydney University has won the 2026 Challenger Pitch for Health with Ins&Outs, a portable device enabling at-home bowel physiotherapy. First shared at a NSW Smart Sensing Network meeting 2019, the innovation has evolved from early sketches to commercialisation and is now approved as a TGA Class I medical device.

A globally recognised AI leader in human-centred data science, a pioneering biomedical engineer advancing regenerative medicine, and an internationally recognised expert in telehealth and virtual models of cardiovascular care will headline the next NSSN Women in Sensing Forum at UTS on 12 May.

A workshop at Macquarie University in May will bring together leaders from sensing and semiconductors to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the translation of Australian innovation into real-world impact.

The NSW Smart Sensing Network is seeking a Business Development Manager to lead the strategic business development for the NSSN’s Net Zero theme.

A diverse mix of cutting-edge drone technologies were showcased at the Emergency Services Drone Innovation Day in the ACT last week.

The energy transition depends on better understanding the earth’s subsurface for resources such as geothermal energy, critical minerals and carbon storage, yet our ability to map deep underground remains limited, writes NSSN Board Member Hebbat Manhy.

Macquarie University Sensory Biologist Dr Laura Ryan is researching how sharks use their natural sensors to perceive their environment - what they see, what they smell and their ability to detect electric fields - to develop new technologies which could reduce shark attacks while protecting them.

This month’s newsletter marks the start of a series on the NSSN’s 10th anniversary with an Op-Ed from the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, alongside stories on emerging climate-focused research, drone innovation, board opportunities and Australia’s next wave of advanced hardware.

To mark International Women’s Day, five women from our member universities who are translating smart sensing research into real-world ventures share what drives them, the barriers they face, and why representation in innovation matters.