Launch of the new ANFF ToF-SIMS laboratory
30 Jul 2015
Media release Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today opened a new laboratory at La Trobe University that is expected to help transform the way we think about materials and their application in computing, advanced manufacturing, and health.
The Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) laboratory at La Trobe University in Melbourne will attract world leading researchers in materials science research.
“As Australia’s leading ToF-SIMS facility, and one of only three in Australia, it will be vitally important to researchers and industry around the country leading to greater innovation and breakthrough technologies, including carbon fibre fabrication for aerospace, defence and automotive applications, high-performance materials for medical bionics, and next generation electronics”, Mr Pyne said.
The ToF-SIMS laboratory is hosted by the Centre for Materials and Surface Science and is part of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF).
ANFF was established under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). It is made up of eight specialised facilities, with direct involvement of 19 universities and the CSIRO.
The NCRIS network of 27 research infrastructure projects is used by over 35,000 researchers from Australia and internationally to conduct research which will benefit millions of Australians through boosting the impact and commercial returns from publicly funded research, contributing to a more prosperous future. The network includes 222 delivery organisations, employing well over 1700 highly skilled staff.
The Government committed a further $300 million in the May 2015 Budget to support NCRIS over the next two years, and will soon receive an expert report on long-term research infrastructure funding.
“The Australian Government understands the importance of these and other investments in research and research infrastructure,” Mr Pyne said.
“That is why we have invested around $9 billion in science, research and innovation this year – a substantial and significant investment.
“We are also determined to address the challenge of translating good ideas into commercial and other social benefits.”
“Today’s launch is a great demonstration of the role the Government’s investment plays in research as it builds Australia’s nanofabrication capability into a world-class asset with many practical benefits for the community,” Mr Pyne said.