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REGIONAL PROFILE
development of innovative new products.
The Victorian Government sees investment into the
nanotechnology sector as a high priority and earlier this year,
announced a new developmental Framework for the sector1.
“Nanotechnology holds great promise to improve our lives
and wellbeing and to help deal with challenges such as climate
change and sustainable development,” said Victoria’s Innovation
Minister Gavin Jennings at the opening of the 2008
International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in
Melbourne last month (February).
Since 1999, the Victorian Government has invested over
AUD$250 million in nanotechnology and related activities. “We
now have a strong core of research activity with eight
universities and supporting infrastructure such as the Melbourne
Centre for NanoFabrication and MiniFAB, a micro-nano-bio-
company,” the Minister added.
based operations to develop products requiring a high degree of One Victorian development in the nanotechnology sector is the
transformation both quicker and more cost effectively. Research bionic ear. The result of pioneering research started by Professor
and development is enabling the integration of cutting-edge Graeme Clark at the University of Melbourne in the late 1960s,
techniques and practices into the manufacturing process. The this cochlear implant has brought hearing to tens of thousands of
result is sophisticated end products with strong appeal for people unable to benefit from standard hearing aids. Developed
international markets. and patented in Victoria, the manufacturing of the implant takes
place entirely in Australia, with exports making up 95% of sales.
Nanotechnology The implant was approved by the US Food and Drug
Nanotechnology is just one of the key strengths in advanced Administration (FDA) in 1990 for use for children born deaf or
manufacturing in Victoria. In particular, Melbourne has a developing hearing problems early in life. The Australian Bionic
growing reputation as a pioneer in biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, Ear has now been implanted in more than 50,000 people in over
instrumentation and materials. The city is well positioned to 120 countries.
grow its nanotechnology base with a broad range of industry Another Victorian invention, Polymer Dispersed Liquid
capabilities, a strong network of world class universities and Crystal (PDLC), is a revolutionary film that enables users to
research clusters, and an environment that fosters creativity and control light transmission. This provides benefits from glare
innovation. reduction and UV protection as well as energy savings, increased
One of Melbourne’s greatest strengths has been the creation security and privacy. It was developed by Ballarat based iGlass
of a number of high profile nanotechnology precincts where Projects Pty Ltd. and has had wide impact on the glass, building
research and education organisations can collaborate with and automotive industries as a switchable glazing system.
industry. The research precincts include universities, research
institutes, hospitals and companies. The Automotive industry
One such project is the Clayton Precinct, which is home to Melbourne, Victoria is also the home of Australia’s well
The Australian Synchrotron, a critical analysis and fabrication developed automotive industry, with a cluster of key assemblers,
facility. This extraordinary tool allows researchers to conduct component companies, design houses, toolmakers and other
leading edge experiments that, in conjunction with advances in service providers. Companies such as General Motors (Holden
nanotechnology, micro technology and IT, will accelerate the Australia), Toyota, Ford, Continental and Robert Bosch are all
Quick facts about Victoria
ring6 A state in Australia’s south east, Victoria has a population ring6 Exports to the Asia-Pacific region
of approximately 5.3 million2 (capital city Melbourne are growing fast, exports to North
3.75m3). America, Europe and the Middle East continue to be strong.
ring6 Victoria offers a culturally rich and diverse population ring6 Melbourne is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most
including people from over 233 countries speaking over liveable cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) –
150 different languages and dialects. with near perfect scores based on outstanding ratings for
ring6 Victoria has a favourable time zone, operating within the safety, culture and environment, education, recreation and
Asian time zone with the benefit of bridging the American infrastructure
and European business hours. ring6 In 2007, demographer Bernard Salt predicted that if
ring6 A recent study by IBM-PLI Benchmarking Victoria current trends continue, Melbourne will again be the most
compares the State with similar locations in Europe and populous city in Australia by 2028 (Melbourne’s population
North America and makes acompelling case for the state as has virtually doubled in the last ten years and the
a preferred business location, citing advantages in cost, population of inner Melbourne is continuing to expand at
quality and innovation. 3-5000 people a year, which is double the state average).
www.euroasiasemiconductor.com August 2008
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