RMIT University is leading the way in the development of cutting-edge materials and innovative technology systems with the launch today of a new research institute that aims to meet the future needs of Australian and international industry.
The RMIT Platform Technologies Research Institute will focus on radically improving the operational capabilities of a range of industries through the integration of smart materials and systems into technology platforms.
Institute Director, Professor Xinghuo Yu, said researchers from across disciplines would be working together to develop integrated solutions for industries ranging from aerospace to information security.
“The modern age of industrial development demands a whole-of-systems approach to tackle important technological issues, which are not bound by traditional disciplinary divisions,” Professor Yu said.
“This institute will drive innovation in four key areas: nanotechnology, sports engineering technology, e-security solutions and intelligent information technologies.
“Our cross-disciplinary approach will help us take the lead in applied research that will offer real, practical benefits for industry now and well into the future. It will enable us to ask significant research questions fundamental to the future of industry and society.”
The institute’s research expertise covers a wide range of discipline areas, including aerospace, electrical, electronic and mechanical engineering, materials science, information technologies, modelling and photonics.
RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, said the Platform Technologies Research Institute was one of four institutes recently established by RMIT to break barriers between disciplines and deliver scale and excellence in research.
“RMIT has a well-deserved reputation for collaborating closely with industry and working on research with lasting impact,” Professor Gardner said.
“The launch of this new research institute will strengthen our ability to find innovative solutions to the challenges faced by industry in Australia and across the globe.”
The RMIT Platform Technologies Research Institute will be launched on today at RMIT’s Storey Hall.