The NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) Ageing Grand Challenge Forum took place on 18 February 2021 at Cicada Innovations in Sydney. The Forum featured an influential line-up of speakers from across academia, industry and government and marked the official launch of the NSSN Ageing Grand Challenge.

In an Australian first, UTS scientists have used novel optical technology to design a highly sensitive saliva test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus antigens, or viral protein fragments. The test can deliver a positive result in under 15 minutes. Image courtesy of UTS.

We kick off the new year with the release of the highly-anticipated outcome of the NSW Government’s Accelerating R&D in NSW initiative. Read more on this exciting initiative and what it means for you in this edition.

Research and development will become a key jobs creator in NSW as the Government launches a bold new plan to make the State an R&D world leader.

PEGRAS Asia Pacific, a technical solutions consulting company based in NSW, is leading the way in solving industrial challenges by introducing new technological solutions to local manufacturers.

The NSW Smart Sensing Network Ageing Grand Challenge Forum takes place from 9:00am to 6:00pm on Thursday 18 February 2021. The event brings together researchers with government and industry stakeholders to collaboratively devise smart sensing solutions that will shape the future of ageing in Australia.

NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) Ambassador at Macquarie University Dr Noushin Nasiri has been named one of Australia’s Superstars of STEM.

A team of engineers at UNSW Sydney have discovered a method to control the nucleus of a single atom using electric fields instead of magnetic fields. The breakthrough discovery enables the development of ultra sensitive atomic scaled sensors with applications across a range of industries. Image courtesy of UNSW.

Welcome to the last edition of The Sensor for the year. While 2020 was a challenging year, it is worthwhile to pause and reflect on all that humanity has achieved in the face of a global pandemic. Our collective response to COVID-19 was marked by innovation, community and resilience.

Bushfires are a seasonal occurrence in Australia. However, in summer of 2019/2020, the nation experienced an unprecedented fire season. In this thought piece, NSSN Engineer Dr Ayu Saraswati reflects on some of the applications of Artificial Intelligence in bushfire prevention, mitigation and response.

The NSSN Annual Retreat took place on 17 November 2020 at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science. At this year’s retreat, the NSSN team came together with the NSSN Board and leadership to reflect on the achievements of the year and to chart the Network’s course for the coming year.

NSSN Co-Director Professor Benjamin Eggleton and his team at the University of Sydney Nano Institute, and Professor Stephen Madden from The Australian National University, have been awarded the Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia.