Author: Andrew See

CQC2T open day 2019

On the 5th September 2019, over one hundred school students got to experience ‘a day in the life’ of a quantum computer researcher, as the Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology opened up its doors at UNSW Sydney. The primary school and high school students were emerged in science, with an introduction to quantum computing from Prof Michelle Simmons, a tour of the quantum laboratories including the Australian National Fabrication Facilities (ANFF) labs, to witness the technology being used to build a quantum computer in silicon, and hands-on experiments to demonstrate the principles, processes and materials used in the labs. The day finished with some of our PhD students and experienced researchers answering questions on their career journey to inspire students to purse a career in STEM.

FUNDING SUCCESS: over $8.3M NCRIS funding for ANFF-NSW

Friday, 19 July 2019:  ANFF-NSW has secured > $8.3M  of additional NCRIS/ANFF funding with the signing of a new contract between UNSW and the Australian National Fabrication Facility Limited (ANFFL).  The agreement also formalises the addition of The University of Sydney to join with UNSW within a merged NSW Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF).   

The new contract variation will bring $5.2M of operational funds for the next four years, plus $3.1M of capital funds via the Commonwealth Research Infrastructure Investment Plan (RIIP). Moreover, required matching funds commitments for the RIIP component will add a further $3.1M bringing the total expected funding to over $11.4M. The new funding will enable the ANFF-NSW laboratories to be well positioned to maintain and expand cutting-edge capabilities as a core research asset for Australian researchers in nanofabrication, microelectronics and quantum computing.

ANFF-NSW now supports over 400 researchers, including 5 ARC Centres of Excellence (CQC2T, FLEET, Equs, CBNS, Exciton Science) who access more than 20,000 hours/year of ANFF facilities.  Based on acknowledgements in 2018-19 publications ANFF-NSW supports >$190M of ARC/NMMRC funded research projects.  With over $20M of continuous EIS/CRIS/NCRIS funding since 2006, research supported by ANFF-NSW has generated >400 publications, >6,600 citations, >50 publications in high impact journals (IF>10).    

200 times faster than ever before: the speediest quantum operation yet

A group of scientists led by 2018 Australian of the Year Professor Michelle Simmons have achieved the first two-qubit gate between atom qubits in silicon – a major milestone on the team’s quest to build an atom-scale quantum computer. The pivotal piece of research was published today in world-renowned journal Nature. This work was performed in part at the NSW node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility.

Click [here] for the full UNSW Newsroom article

Appointment of ANFF Chief Executive Officer

Dr Ian Griffiths has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF), commencing this quarter. The decision was announced by ANFF’s Chairman and Board on 8 July 2019, following an extensive fourmonth search.

Dr Griffiths is currently CEO of Wound Innovations Pty Ltd, a spinout from the Wound Management Innovation Cooperative Research Centre of which he was Director and CEO. Over an extensive career in Australia and the UK he has successfully established companies based on new technologies and worked with universities, industry and government in fostering high-end research and innovation.

As CEO of ANFF, Dr Griffiths will provide leadership and oversight to the eight ANFF nodes that are spread across Australia. Based primarily in Brisbane, QLD, Dr Griffiths will work with the ANFF team to ensure that ANFF and the 500+ micro and nanofabrication capabilities in its open access portfolio continue to enable ground-breaking research.

Discussing his new role, Dr Ian Griffiths said: “I am delighted and honoured to be chosen as the CEO for ANFF. Having met and discussed ANFF with node directors and the Governing Board I can see enormous potential for the organisation and its importance as a National resource. I hope to be able to build on the solid work that has been undertaken so far.”

Commenting on the appointment, ANFF’s Chairman, Emeritus Professor Chris Fell AM said: “Ian was chosen after a wide search and will bring to ANFF extensive experience in advanced manufacturing, including the development of novel materials, nano-lithography, ion deposition, a range of laser-based processing technologies and fabrication of medical devices.

“In particular, Ian’s expertise in fabrication and advanced manufacturing will enhance ANFF’s ability to improve the technological readiness level of the projects it supports and aid in capturing the benefits of Australia’s world-class research in nano- and micro-technology.”

ANFF supports the R&D activities of 3,000 Australian researchers drawn from universities, CSIRO and industry. It was established by and is supported under the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy and has eight nodes around Australia that support activities ranging from quantum computing through to medical prosthetics and devices, sensors, photonic communication technology and advanced materials. It enables the development of prototypes and advanced manufacturing processes

UNSW community recognised in Queen’s Birthday honours

After being named Australian of the Year in 2018, UNSW Scientia Professor Michelle Simmons has become an Officer of the Order of Australia.

The UNSW media release link can be found here:
https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/general/unsw-community-recognised-queen%E2%80%99s-birthday-honours