| Posted: Jun 09, 2017 |
Next-gen computers for aerospace applications will aid nanotechnologies
(Nanowerk News) University of Queensland researchers have partnered with global technology leader Lockheed Martin to develop next generation computers for aerospace applications.
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ARC Future Fellow and project lead Professor Warwick Bowen said the partnership would develop a new approach to computer technology, with the potential for future commercial impacts in the aerospace industry.
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"In contrast to today's computers, which rely on electric currents, this new approach will use mechanical vibrations inside the computer chip to perform computations," Professor Bowen said.
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"This makes it much more robust to radiation exposure in near-earth orbit and deep space applications.
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"An expected further project outcome is the development of nanotechnologies that could have wide uses in sensing, health and communications.
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"The project could also improve heat management and energy efficiency in future computers."
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| Mechanical vibrations inside the computer chip will be used to perform computations.
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Speaking on the partnership with UQ, Lockheed Martin Australia Chief Executive Vince Di Pietro said Lockheed Martin had a long history of collaborative research and innovation across the globe, including investment in the world's best research in Australia.
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"By leveraging an existing contract established through our Global Supply Chain Enabled Innovation program into this ARC Linkage grant with UQ, we see a true partnership between industry, academia and government growing Australia's future defence industry capability," Mr Di Pietro said.
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Chief investigator Dr Rachpon Kalra, awarded a UQ Development Fellowship to work with Lockheed Martin Australia, said the project would strengthen UQ's ties to one of the world's largest aerospace companies.
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Fellow chief investigator Dr Christopher Baker said the project built upon UQ's expertise in nanotechnology and nanoengineering.
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UQ made a recent multi-million dollar investment in nation-leading nanofabrication tools capable of building devices with features only a few tens of atoms in size.
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The project is part of the University of Queensland Precision Sensing Initiative, a joint initiative of the Schools of Mathematics and Physics and of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.
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It will benefit from substantial Federal Government investment into the Australian Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems, which aims to develop next generation quantum technologies for future Australian industries.
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Federal Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham announced the funding last month, making it one of four UQ proposals that attracted $1.28 million in Australian Government funding through the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Projects scheme.
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The computers for aerospace project received $334,710 Federal Government funding, with cash and in-kind funding by the University and industry partner.
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Dr Luke Uribarri from Lockheed Martin will be the fourth investigator on the project.
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