Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Centre for Medical Radiation Physics celebrates 25 years of research breakthroughs

In 2025, world-renowned researchers and clinicians recognised a milestone for UOW's Centre for Medical Radiation Physics (CMRP), marking 25 years of pioneering research.  

CMRP's research has revolutionised the fields of radiation measurement and the study of radiation at microscopic levels, driven by groundbreaking technological advancements. This research has significantly advanced cancer treatment quality assurance with radiation therapy and disease management, as well as understanding of space radiation effects on humans and electronics. 

Founded in 2000 by Distinguished Professor Anatoly Rozenfeld with just 2 academics and 2 PhD students, CMRP is now Australasia and the Pacific's largest education and research institution in its field. The centre stands as a testament to how visionary leadership and collaborative innovation can drive transformative advancements in science and medicine.  

Senior Professor Michael Lerch, Associate Dean of Research in UOW's Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, said it had been incredible to be part of the centre as it has grown over the past quarter century. ‘Anatoly's outstanding contribution to the medical radiation physics field of research has grown together with UOW's international reputational recognition, which is world leading in this area.’ 

Alongside celebrating its past achievements, CMRP secured an additional $2 million in funding for 2 innovative treatment and therapy research projects. 

This initiative is supporting:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

NSW Government backs UOW for world-leading hydrogen pipeline research

The NSW Government awarded UOW with a $650,000 grant to lead critical research into hydrogen pipeline safety, reinforcing the university's position at the forefront of Australia's growing hydrogen industry. 

As the only institution in Australia – and one of only 5 globally – with the capability to conduct the required type of hydrogen pipeline testing, UOW has the potential to transform safe hydrogen transportation across NSW and around the world. 

Announced by NSW Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong, the 2-year project will identify the leading causes of hydrogen pipeline failures and develop risk assessment and design tools to address them. 

‘The University of Wollongong has produced nation-leading and globally recognised work on hydrogen in the past,’ Minister Chanthivong said. ‘The NSW Government is excited to see UOW, in partnership with industry, pave the way for a more sustainable and innovative future.’ 

UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Max Lu AO acknowledged appreciation of the NSW Government's funding for the hydrogen pipeline research, noting this is a priority area for the university. ‘With expertise in green hydrogen and renewable energy, UOW is driving innovation in sustainable fuels to support economic growth in NSW and Australia,’ he said. 

This initiative is supporting:

• Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

International materials science symposium showcases 50 years of UOW innovation

World-leading researchers gathered at UOW's Advanced Materials Symposium in September 2025, celebrating 50 years of pioneering materials science and engineering advancements. 

From supporting world-class steel-making facilities at Port Kembla to developing innovations in energy conversion and medical technologies, UOW has earned a global reputation in materials science for delivering groundbreaking advancements for industries and communities. 

The 3-day event brought together internationally renowned scientists, clinicians and industry experts, led by Distinguished Professor Gordon Wallace, Director of UOW's Intelligent Polymer Research Institute. 

‘The symposium provided an opportunity to celebrate what UOW has achieved over the past 50 years while building on our legacy to expand our impact through bold, interdisciplinary approaches,’ Distinguished Professor Wallace said.  

During the symposium, UOW also launched the Research Initiative for Interface Science and Engineering (RIISE), a new interdisciplinary network driving discovery in areas including energy conversion, storage technologies and implantable bioengineered devices.  

UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Max Lu AO said materials science and engineering had always been at the heart of UOW. ‘Our future ambition is clear: to lead the next wave of breakthroughs that change lives, industries and economies, both in Australia and around the world.’ 

This initiative is supporting:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
• Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

UOW awarded $7.8M for AI, climate science and sustainable tech innovation

University of Wollongong researchers have been awarded $7.8 million in Australian Research Council (ARC) funding to support breakthrough projects across engineering, health, climate science and artificial intelligence. 

The projects demonstrate the breadth and depth of UOW’s research excellence, from decoding DNA repair mechanisms and child brain development to advancing renewable energy technologies. 

Funded projects include research and development of: advanced AI models for complex probability calculations, with applications including bushfire detection (Professor Sumeetpal Singh); digital tools to help reduce energy costs and support Australia's clean energy transition (Professor Zhenjun Ma); pioneering magnetic materials to revolutionise data storage and energy efficiency in computing (Professor Zhenxiang Cheng); next-generation battery-powered smart bandages to enhance wound healing (Dr Caiyun Wang); and advanced controls and suspension systems for safer, more energy-efficient rail transport (Professor Haiping Du).

Dean of Research, Knowledge Exchange and Translation Dr Paul Di Pietro said the projects reflect UOW’s strengths in innovative, interdisciplinary research with real-world impact. 

‘These awards show how UOW researchers are tackling some of the most complex scientific, environmental and social challenges of our time,’ he said. ‘They reflect our commitment to research and innovation excellence and impact, building interdisciplinary teams, deepening partnerships, and translating discovery into outcomes that strengthen communities and create a more sustainable future.’ 

This initiative is supporting:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Goal 13: Climate Action

Bringing energy efficiency to dairy farming

University of Wollongong researchers are pioneering circular economy approaches to transform Australia's energy-intensive dairy industry through innovative waste heat recovery systems. The collaborative two-year project, led by UOW’s Professor Zhenjun Ma and Research Fellow Dr Emily W. Yap, investigates scalable thermal energy sharing solutions to improve energy efficiency in dairy farming and production.  

The dairy industry is Australia’s third largest rural sector and its processing operations result in a significant amount of waste heat. The research, conducted in partnership with Bega Group and GeoExchange Australia, applies circular economy principles to identify optimal waste heat recovery and energy efficiency opportunities on farms and in processing factories.  

Energy monitoring is being conducted on sites across the Bega Valley Shire, providing critical data on thermal energy flows and recovery potential. The research project supports the Regional Circularity Co-operative's goal to transform the Bega Valley into a living exemplar of circularity by 2030, demonstrating how agricultural waste streams can become valuable energy resources while supporting emissions reduction and economic resilience. 

This initiative is supporting:

• Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• Goal 13: Climate Action
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Steel production gets decarbonisation boost

A team of UOW researchers secured $4.2 million funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and industry partner BlueScope Steel to investigate ways to utilise low and medium grade iron ore in low emission steelmaking and further decarbonise domestic steel production.

The team includes project leaders, Senior Research Fellow Dr Xue Feng Dong and Research Fellow Dr Raymond Longbottom, together with Professor Brian Monaghan and Professor Paul Zulli, all from the  School of Engineering. Over five years, they will explore the viability of Australia’s abundant Pilbara iron ores in a potential breakthrough, low-emissions, electric smelting furnace (ESF)-based steelmaking route.

This research addresses a critical opportunity for Australia, which accounts for up to 53 per cent of global iron ore exports annually. By demonstrating viable pathways for low-emissions steelmaking using domestic ore resources, the project stands to revolutionise the steel industry and bring net zero one step closer, supporting both industrial decarbonisation and economic resilience.

This initiative is supporting:

• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Goal 13: Climate Action