Microscopy Australia partners with Defence Trailblazer

Microscopy Australia is pleased to announce its partnership with the Defence Trailblazer through its Proto-Lab Network.

Through its partnership with industry, the University of Adelaide and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), the Defence Trailblazer is strengthening Australia’s defence sovereign capabilities through the commercialisation of new technologies and solutions, coupled with the development of specialised knowledge and skills for the current and future workforce to meet the needs of defence.

It aims to:

• Accelerate the commercialisation of research at speed and scale for the Australian Defence Force (ADF)
• Develop education training pathways to address skills gaps and defence sector’s workforce needs now and in the future
• Fast-track entrepreneurs and innovators’ ideas to commercialisation
• Enhance collaboration between industry, government and academia.

The Defence Trailblazer Proto-Lab Network is a nationwide nexus of facilities, expertise, and resources that support the journey from conceptualisation to low-scale manufacturing. By connecting the unique strengths of the University of Adelaide and the UNSW with industry partners, the network aims to foster innovation and development within the defence technology sector and streamline the defence innovation process from TRL 1–6 for innovators, startups and SMEs.

Microscopy Australia will be part of this network of facilities, equipment, infrastructure, and know-how, and will assist the different stages of defence product development. This partnership will enhance the network to enable researchers and industry staff to access world-class microscopy and microanalysis instruments and expertise and extend their skills. These platforms are essential tools for Australian design, prototyping, test and evaluation, and manufacturing capabilities.

The Proto-Lab Network is accessible through an online directory to assist partners and innovation program participants in locating and accessing equipment, facilities and capabilities required to support their design, prototyping, testing and evaluation, and low-scale manufacturing. Microscopy Australia details are available through this directory.