Recent emergence of very large number of diverse sensors and sensor networks has the potential to impact on the quality of all areas of life. Scientific challenges in realizing this potential is significant because of the multidisciplinary nature and complexities involved. This research network builds on the best scientific talent available in the interdisciplinary areas (biology, mathematics, statistics, computing, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering) with the best overseas scientific teams to solve the underlying scientific problems to enable the Australian industry to exploit and apply this technology in areas of defence, health care and environment.

• Micro and Nano Sensors
• Distributed Sensor Networks
• Surveillance and Monitoring
• Sensor Fusion and Tracking
• Scheduling and Optimisation
• Machine Intelligence

USA, UK, Singapore, Korea, Japan, Italy, Germany, India, Netherlands, Canada, Finland, Hong Kong

New sensing technologies and sensor networks is one of five technologies that will shape the future of human kind. Significant understanding of biological sensor processing and artificial smart information processing (AI) is available in isolated single sensor systems; however, not much is known about multi-sensor interlinked systems. Recognizing its significance, several billion dollars are currently being invested to overcome the challenges associated the development of this revolutionary interdisciplinary technology. This ARC network initiative will enable Australian academic institutions and researchers to not only establish local expertise in this multidisciplinary area but also participate in similar global initiatives.

A unique feature of sensor networks is the cooperative effort of sensor nodes fitted with onboard processors. Monitoring of activities overseas, bush fires, health, homes, streets, airports, ports and the internet will be revolutionized using multiple interlinked cooperative sensors enabling coordinated and timely response systems. Researchers of this initiative are recipients of ARC special research centers, international grants, federation fellowships and other major international initiatives focusing on aspects of the central theme of this Network. This initiative facilitates to bring these isolated efforts to fulfill the vision of the network.

The new initiative will address the constrained multi-sensor problems to develop intelligent, economically viable solutions of value to defence, homeland security, health sciences and environment. By drawing inspiration from biological multi-sensor systems and practical insights from their artificial counterparts, this initiative will address the fundamental problems relevant to the central theme of the network with an interdisciplinary approach.

By drawing inspiration from biological multi-sensor systems and practical insights from their artificial counterparts, this initiative addresses the fundamental problems relevant to the central theme of the network to develop intelligent, economically viable solutions of value to defence, home land security, health sciences and environment. Specifically,

A unique, leading research network with distributed resources leveraging off high priority research initiatives in the field of intelligent sensors, networks and information processing will be established.

By enabling a closer interaction between graduate students, post doctoral fellows, leading researchers, and industry representatives, it produces a new generation of entrepreneurs creating wealth for the nation.

It will enable Australia to be the leading country in emerging field of intelligent sensor networks. This has a huge potential for spin-off serving both local and global markets in the business of defence, homeland security, bio-medical and environmental protection.

Development of Cost-effective, scalable surveillance solutions using unmanned aerial vehicles with ad hoc sensor networks for defence and home land security enhancing the security capabilities of Australia.

Development of Revolutionary networked bio/nano sensors integrated with living organisms for breakthrough applications in medicine further advancing the Australia's leading position in health care industry.

Early disaster monitoring e.g., bush fires and other sensitive environments of immense value to Australia, using large number of cheap, geographically distributed sensors with limited communication capabilities saving billions of dollars in damages.

It will position Australia as one of the sought after destinations for world class students.

The broad research agenda of the network will cover four major themes with close collaboration between the themes. Each of the themes will be steered by network research strategist. The themes and coordinators ( Click here for information about the people involved ) :

Smart sensors and Biomimetics: Srinivasan, an eminent biologist with electronic engineering background

Sensor Networks: Subhash Challa, an internationally recognized expert on sensor fusion and networks

Optimisation and Scheduling: Moran, one of the country's best and internationally renowned mathematician

Surveillance and Monitoring: Venkatesh, a leading authority in perceptive machines

The research problems undertaken will be based on the input from Defence Science Technology Organisation (DSTO), CSIRO, private industries such as Lockeed Martin, Raytheon, Veridian, Tenix, Compumedics, Cisco. These are considered to be vital in shaping the collaboration and direction in order to achieve substantial benefit to the country.

There have been some previous cross collaborations between the teams and this structure maximizes the network collaboration in all directions. The collaboration from the teams at MIT (USA) and at LSU (USA) is also substantial and they would bring resources complementing the existing network team. The younger investigators will be able to interact with the overseas team substantially on a range of projects. It is estimated that there will be about 120 post graduate research students who will benefit from the network.

Administering Organization

The University of Melbourne has experience in managing a variety of ARC-funded and other major programs (utilizing a comprehensive network of financial, ethical, management and resource systems) over many years. The department where the lead researcher comes from has a long history of strong track record in securing competitive grants including several ARC special research centers, Cooperative Research Centers, and State Government funded Initiatives, and collaborative research centers. An effective and efficient financial management system is already in place to provide high quality support for the management of research centers and networks.

The coordinator has undertaken a large number of collaborative projects and has worked in different aspects of the various themes presented in the network including serving as editorial board member of top international journals. He is serving as the deputy director of a non ARC funded Centre of Expertise supported by various national research agencies and international companies. This centre will also assist in the establishment of the initiative. There has been a well established track record in running workshops, short courses and conferences in areas related to this network. For example, the department hosted the 6th International conference in Data Fusion 2003, will host the Asian control conference in 2004, and will host the International conference in Intelligent Sensors in December 2004. Several research assistants in the centre are well versed in web authoring and on-line management of resources.