Australia invests US$ 100 million to set up a new advanced fibers research center
March 25, 2011 - United States Of America
Australian Government and collaborators will invest US$100 over a period of 3 years to set up Australian Future Fibers Research and Innovation Centre (AFFRIC) in Deakin University campus in Geelong, Australia. The funding period is for the period July 2010-June 2013. Geelong is located 70 kilometers south west of Melbourne, Australia.
Australian Government through its educational investment fund will provide a total of US$37 million. AFFRIC is also receiving funding support from Deakin University, CSIRO, Victorian Centre for Advanced Material Manufacturing and the Victoria State Government.
In speaking to this scribe on the sidelines of the international conference of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists in Charleston, SC, USA on March 24th, Professor Xungai Wang, Director for Center for Material and Fiber Innovation of Deakin University said the US$ 100 million is for capital equipment and infrastructure for the new center. According to Dr. Wang, the new center will transform the fiber and composite industry in Australia.
The center has already started functioning with Phase-I funding of US$ 10 million. The AFFRIC will focus on four primary areas which will involve Carbon Fibers and Composites; Nanofiber Technology; Green Natural Fibers and Functional Fibrous Materials.
The multi-million dollar funding will allow two new buildings to be built on Deakin’s Waurn Ponds campus in Geelong, alongside its current Centre for Material and Fiber Innovation. Research at this centre has received the highest score of 5 in the recently released national report on research excellence in Australia.
Wang mentioned cotton and wool fiber research will be performed within the research platform of natural fibers. Recently, in addition to the US$ 100 million, Deakin University has provided additional US$3 million to recruit scientists to work on projects.
Australian Government through its educational investment fund will provide a total of US$37 million. AFFRIC is also receiving funding support from Deakin University, CSIRO, Victorian Centre for Advanced Material Manufacturing and the Victoria State Government.
In speaking to this scribe on the sidelines of the international conference of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists in Charleston, SC, USA on March 24th, Professor Xungai Wang, Director for Center for Material and Fiber Innovation of Deakin University said the US$ 100 million is for capital equipment and infrastructure for the new center. According to Dr. Wang, the new center will transform the fiber and composite industry in Australia.
The center has already started functioning with Phase-I funding of US$ 10 million. The AFFRIC will focus on four primary areas which will involve Carbon Fibers and Composites; Nanofiber Technology; Green Natural Fibers and Functional Fibrous Materials.
The multi-million dollar funding will allow two new buildings to be built on Deakin’s Waurn Ponds campus in Geelong, alongside its current Centre for Material and Fiber Innovation. Research at this centre has received the highest score of 5 in the recently released national report on research excellence in Australia.
Wang mentioned cotton and wool fiber research will be performed within the research platform of natural fibers. Recently, in addition to the US$ 100 million, Deakin University has provided additional US$3 million to recruit scientists to work on projects.