Our insatiable appetite for computing means ITC already consumes 5–8% of global electricity, and is doubling each decade.
From left, Prof Ana Deletic (UNSW), Prof Marc Parlange (Monash), Prof Michael Fuhrer (FLEET), Prof Sue Thomas (ARC), Prof Alex Hamilton (UNSW)
Unless that ever-growing demand for computing can continue to be met with efficiency gains, the information revolution will slow down from power hunger.
At the launch of a new Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence the audience heard that efficiency gains in current, silicon-based technology are running out. FLEET seeks new, ultra-low energy electronics using cutting edge new science, such as the science of atomically-thin materials and topological materials.
FLEET (The ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies), which was officially opened on Tuesday 12 June at Monash University, is a collaboration of more than 100 researchers at seven Australian universities and 13 Australian and international science organisations.
The launch also showcased the Center’s efforts in spreading a passion for science to Australian schools, with an enthusiastic group of high-school students from Mount Waverley Secondary College ‘road-testing’ FLEET’s suite of hands-on science demonstrations.
Students inspect FLEET science demos before the launch
A crowd of around 150, covering the range from high-school students to researchers and senior university and government policymakers attended the launch, heard from a range of speakers covering various experience levels, including representatives from four of the Centre’s seven Australian research nodes:
- Dr Daisy Wang (UNSW) on the information technology energy use that drives FLEET’s mission
- Prof Jared Cole (RMIT) on the cutting-edge science that will allow FLEET to develop future electronics
- Prof Matt Davis (University of Queensland) on results’beyond the science’ including skills development, outreach and equity
- Prof Michael Fuhrer (FLEET) on the Centre’s legacy
- Prof Marc Palange (Monash University Provost and Senior Vice President)
- Prof Sue Thomas (Australian Research Council Chief Executive Officer)
Event MC was Professor Ana Deletic, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at UNSW.
More information
- Contact media@fleet.org.au
- Read FLEET press release
- Read the ARC press release
- Visit FLEET.org.au
- Follow @FLEETCentre
- Watch Future solutions to computation energy use
- Subscribe to FLEET.org.au/news
Images
Prof Jared Cole (RMIT) explains FLEET’s science at the Centre Launch. Read his speech.
Master of Ceremonies Professor Ana Deletic, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) UNSW
Students inspect FLEET outreach demo’s prior to the Launch
Dr Daisy Wang (UNSW) explains the ‘big challenge’ that underlies FLEET. Read her speech.
Prof Matt Davis describes FLEET efforts in development outreach and equity. Read his speech.
FLEET’s outreach officer Dr Dianne Ruka demonstrates the Mobius strip superconductor to guests
Luisa Powell, Australian Research Council, inspecting FLEET’s labs
ARC Chief Executive Officer Professor Sue Thomas
Monash Provost and Senior Vice President Professor Marc Parlange
Students inspect FLEET science demos before the launch
Students inspect FLEET’s outreach demonstrations prior showcased at the Launch
Michael Fuhrer describes FLEET’s mission and legacy at the Centre Launch. Read his speech.
From left, Prof Ana Deletic (UNSW), Prof Marc Parlange (Monash), Prof Michael Fuhrer (FLEET), Prof Sue Thomas (ARC), prof Alex Hamilton (UNSW)