$63M Centre to Lead Way in Nanotechnology Research

The new Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication will position Australia at the forefront of this rapidly emerging field.

Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, Richard Marles, opened the world class research centre today – which includes the largest purpose-built, clean room complex in the Southern Hemisphere.

“Nanotechnology is a genuinely exciting scientific field and the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication is a state-of-the-art facility,” Mr Marles said.

“Nanotechnology has the potential to lead to life altering developments in fields as diverse as telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and medicine.

“This $63 million facility will position Australia at the cutting edge of R&D and in a prime position to become a world leader in commercial nanotechnology.

“It is a joint effort with the Australian and Victorian Governments and a consortium comprising Monash, Swinburne, Deakin and La Trobe universities, RMIT, CSIRO and MiniFab Australia Pty Ltd all contributing funds.

“The centre will be open to researchers – from Australia and overseas – and to industry.

“The clean room will allow scientists to work with materials at the microscopic level to produce the next generation of technology.

“The Gillard Government is investing over $900 million in high quality research infrastructure like this centre through the Super Science Initiative.

“These facilities are highly collaborative in nature, enabling excellent research and the translation of research outcomes into national benefit.”