News

French materials experts to share insights

Two esteemed materials scientists from France will deliver a seminar to DMTC partners on 1 March 2010 in Melbourne as part of the company’s Education Program.

The seminar is entitled ‘Carbon fibre, carbon nanofibre and diamond reinforced copper and copper alloyed composites: elaboration, physical properties and applications’.

It will be delivered by Dr Jean-François Silvain, Institute de Chimie de la Matiere Condensee de Bordeaux (ICMCB) and Professor Jean-Marc Heintz, Director of ENSCBP at the University of Bordeaux.

DMTC partners and associate members are encouraged to attend the seminar, to be held at 3:30pm in the Seminar Room on Level 3, Building 170, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Melbourne.

Posted by DMTC on February 24th, 2010

DMTC announces first Award winners

The Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) has congratulated the winners of its inaugural Awards for Excellence, which were announced at the company’s conference in Melbourne late last week.

The Awards recognise individuals and project teams whose efforts have significantly contributed to the execution of DMTC’s vision and mission.

Dorji Chavara and Andrew Gillen of ANSTO received Industry Partnership Awards for their crucial contribution to the capability of DMTC Industry Participant BAE Systems in the Propulsion Systems program.

Four Early Career Awards were presented to recognise the efforts of early career technical officers, engineers and scientists to DMTC projects. Recipients of this Award were Zengxi (Stephen) Pan of the University of Wollongong, Elizabeth Pham and Matthew Moyle of BAE Systems and Ryan Middleton of VIPAC.

Dinesh Shanmugam of Thales Australia won a Research Collaboration Award for the collaborative spirit in which he undertakes his work in the Armour Applications program.

Presenting the Awards, DMTC CEO Dr Mark Hodge said it was highly encouraging to witness the level of enthusiasm and commitment these Award winners had demonstrated.

DMTC’s workshop and technical conference was held on the 18th and 19th of February at Hilton on the Park in Melbourne, with around 120 people attending.

DMTC is a joint venture that brings together defence industry, universities and government research agencies to develop new materials and manufacturing technologies that will enhance Australia’s defence capability.

Posted by DMTC on February 23rd, 2010

Protecting people: DMTC announces new research project

The Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) has signed a research agreement to conduct a new $200,000 project on personnel protection.

DMTC develops and delivers new materials technologies and manufacturing processes to enhance Australia’s defence capability by adopting a collaborative approach between Defence, defence industries and the research sector.

The new research project will investigate protective attire and equipment for Defence personnel, including protection from ballistics.

Participants will include the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), which will contribute $120,000, the Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing (VCAMM) and Australian Defence Apparel (ADA).

Robert Peile, Business Development Manager, DSTO Business & Commercialisation Office said DMTC provided an excellent vehicle for collaboration.

“From our perspective, the DMTC provides scope for us to access to both know-how and background IP that we would not otherwise be able to access,” he said.

“It allows us to manage IP on a project by project basis,” added Tom Radtke DSTO Head, Physical Protection.

“The benefit of undertaking this project within DMTC is that it leverages the full range of partners’ skills, competencies and capabilities.”

The new research will establish the technical direction of a more comprehensive supplementary program in Personnel Survivability which is expected to evolve from the new project. 

Research activity will be driven by existing defence capability requirements as articulated in the 2009 Defence White Paper.

More specifically, DMTC sees opportunities to develop new materials, manufacturing technologies and systems that will enhance or maintain individual protection while improving on weight, bulk and utility. Such solutions would also seek to maintain or reduce life cycle cost and improve modularity and upgradability.

DMTC currently has four primary research programs – Air Platforms, Maritime Platforms, Propulsion Systems and Armour Applications.

About DMTC: DMTC is a joint venture between defence industry, universities and government research agencies focused on enhancing Australia’s defence capability through the development of new materials and manufacturing technologies. www.dmtc.com.au

About DSTO: The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is the Australian government’s lead agency charged with applying science and technology to protect and defend Australia and its national interests. DSTO delivers expert, impartial advice and innovative solutions for Defence and other elements of national security. www.dsto.defence.gov.au

About VCAMM: The Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing (VCAMM) is a one-stop-shop interface which allows industry to maximise the potential for knowledge and technology transfer from and to the research community. www.vcamm.com.au

About Australian Defence Apparel:  Victorian-based ADA creates and delivers superior apparel and sophisticated armour to military and civilian authorities. www.ada.com.au

Posted by DMTC on February 4th, 2010

Protecting people: DMTC announces new research project

The Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) has signed a research agreement to conduct a new $200,000 project on personnel protection.

DMTC develops and delivers new materials technologies and manufacturing processes to enhance Australia’s defence capability by adopting a collaborative approach between Defence, defence industries and the research sector.

The new research project will investigate protective attire and equipment for Defence personnel, including protection from ballistics.

Participants will include the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), which will contribute $120,000, the Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing (VCAMM) and Australian Defence Apparel (ADA).

Robert Peile, Business Development Manager, DSTO Business & Commercialisation Office said DMTC provided an excellent vehicle for collaboration.

“From our perspective, the DMTC provides scope for us to access to both know-how and background IP that we would not otherwise be able to access,” he said.

“It allows us to manage IP on a project by project basis,” added Tom Radtke, DSTO (insert position).

“The benefit of undertaking this project within DMTC is that it leverages the full range of partners’ skills, competencies and capabilities.  And we’re able to link the industry partner into the defence opportunities that are available through DSTO.”

The new research will establish the technical direction of a more comprehensive supplementary program in Personnel Survivability which is expected to evolve from the new project. 

Research activity will be driven by existing defence capability requirements as articulated in the 2009 Defence White Paper.

More specifically, DMTC sees opportunities to develop new materials, manufacturing technologies and systems that will enhance or maintain individual protection while improving on weight, bulk and utility. Such solutions would also seek to maintain or reduce life cycle cost and improve modularity and upgradability.

DMTC currently has four primary research programs – Air Platforms, Maritime Platforms, Propulsion Systems and Armour Applications.

About DMTC: DMTC is a joint venture between defence industry, universities and government research agencies focused on enhancing Australia’s defence capability through the development of new materials and manufacturing technologies. www.dmtc.com.au

About DSTO: The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is the Australian government’s lead agency charged with applying science and technology to protect and defend Australia and its national interests. DSTO delivers expert, impartial advice and innovative solutions for Defence and other elements of national security. www.dsto.defence.gov.au

About VCAMM: The Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing (VCAMM) is a one-stop-shop interface which allows industry to maximise the potential for knowledge and technology transfer from and to the research community. www.vcamm.com.au

About Australian Defence Apparel:  Victorian-based ADA creates and delivers superior apparel and sophisticated armour to military and civilian authorities. www.ada.com.au

Please contact Jasmine Smith, DMTC Communications Manager, for further information or interview requests. Email jasmine.smith@dmtc.com.au or phone: (03) 9214 4775 (direct) / 0439 034 562 (mobile).

Posted by DMTC on February 4th, 2010