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| CSIRO | SOLVE | Issue 7 | May 06 | |
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ARTICLES
A suite of sensors with the ability to communicate with each other can accurately detect the atmospheric conditions that precipitate corrosion
 Full
StoryAdvanced textile structures are being used to create 'next-to-skin'
garments to help prevent skin injuries common among elderly patients
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StoryA device that creates a high velocity jet inside storage tanks promises to ease sediment build-up, making cleaning easier and safer
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StoryIn the race to slash greenhouse emissions from making iron and steel, Australia holds an ace – trees already planted to combat salinity
Full StoryInformation and communication technology is becoming the linchpin for solving Australia's big national challenges including water, health and energy
Full StoryNew research on the role fences play in protecting houses against bushfire shows that steel fences are a better fire barrier
Full StoryA new industry partnership initiative will fast-track the path of biotech developments to commercialisation
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StoryAutomated screening of the activity of chemical compounds could accelerate the development of new medicines
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StoryNew software will demonstrate wood's credential as an environmentally and economically attractive building material
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StoryNew project management software uses the lessons of past projects to map potential risks
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Story OR
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Australia Must Think Global It is industry’s role to see merit in research that delivers value to customers and devise a way to drive it forward. Research and development go hand-in-hand, yet Australian industry is gradually losing its ability to successfully commercialise research and realise its economic potential. Strong financial incentives for investing in R&D have dropped away, and Australia needs to get serious about developing technology-rich products with world markets in mind or risk being left behind. R&D is becoming a global game. Borders or distance no longer dictate where research and product development occurs. Instead the best team will get the job – no matter where they are located. This makes it all the more imperative for Australia to lift its game in relation to industry-based development. Australian manufacturers, on average, invest less than four per cent of their revenue in R&D. That is a frightening statistic. Additionally, as a proportion of our population, the number of industry-based researchers and developers working in Australia is less than half the number employed in these disciplines in OECD countries. Australian researchers are at the forefront of new developments – as evidenced by the long list of scientific publications we produce, which showcase new research breakthroughs. Yet, as a country, we lodge only a limited number of patents with the US Patents Office. Again, this shows we are good at research but less effective at channelling this science into new products and services that have economic value. The government can play an important role in creating an environment where industry-based R&D is promoted and encouraged to ensure that our research ultimately provides benefits to a paying customer. Other countries like Ireland and Singapore have recognised the need to build bridges between research and industry development and have since reaped the rewards. The catalyst for their transformation has been strong focussed tax and business incentives and policies that create a supportive framework for national innovation policies. Australia must act quickly to promote industry development or risk losing its innovative edge to countries that recognise the value of serious industry-based science investment. PAUL WRIGHT This is a guest column and the views are not necessarily those of CSIRO. |
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