RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS TO DELIVER PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS

Three University of Wollongong-led research projects have been awarded close to $1 million funding to develop blockchain and electric powertrain technologies.

The grants, through the Australian Research Council’s Linkage Projects scheme, are designed to bring university researchers together with industry partners.

Professor Willy Susilo of UOW’s School of Computing and Information Technology received $199,857 for his project, Enabling Anonymity and Privacy for Blockchain Technology in a Quantum World.

Susilo said: “Australia is home to many leading blockchain initiatives, including industry-specific trials for solutions in energy, agriculture, and the public sector.

“However, blockchain applications are vulnerable to quantum computer attacks.”

UOW’s industry partners on this project are KDDI Research and Tide Foundation.

Professor Haiping Du from UOW’s School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering was awarded $337,578 for his project, Innovative Magnetorheological Powertrains for Electric Heavy Duty Vehicles.

Professor Du said: “A new era of high-efficiency electric powertrains could potentially be launched through the development of these novel technologies.

“This project aims to explore innovative powertrains to maximise driving range, reduce power consumption, and enhance the dynamic performance of electrified vehicles.

“The proposed powertrains are expected to achieve seamless gear changing for driving and better braking performance.”

The project partners are Xiamen Golden Dragon Automobile Electronic Company, M&S Engineering and University of Waterloo, Canada.

In addition to the $1 million ARC funding, the industry and stakeholder partners will contribute a further $2 million in cash and in-kind support to the projects.

In the third project Professor Jo Spangaro from UOW’s School of Health and Society was awarded $442,364 for her project, Screening and responding to domestic violence experienced by refugee women.

Picture: Q-CTRL Ltd/ion trap

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