CSIROfication

One of the great advantages of completing an Engineering degree is that companies (especially in the minerals industry) are very willing to train students during their degree. This is very beneficial since no textbook can replace practical experience.

After completing my first year of Engineering at University of Queensland, I had the exciting opportunity of working at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the premier Australian national research organisation and one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world. Notable inventions of the agency include the Wireless LAN (Wifi), which was developed from CSIRO's pioneering work in radioastronomy. The Wifi technology was patented by CSIRO way back in 1996, and sparked the wireless evolution which revolutionised the computer industry for the next decade.

To coordinate and develop large-scale, long-term, multidisciplinary science to address Australia's major national challenges and opportunities, CSIRO pioneered ten National Research Flagships.

Specifically for the Australian minerals sector, the Minerals Down Under Flagship has been established to develop and enhance the competitive advantage of Australia in this global industry.

My work at CSIRO was based in the Queensland Centre for Advanced Technology (QCAT), which houses Australia's largest integrated research and development precinct for the resources and associated advanced technology industries. I worked with the CSIRO Earth Science and Resource Engineering (CESRE) Automation Group. The group is an integral part of the national flagship and has pioneered renowned cutting-edge technologies such as the Longwall Automation Project.

I was tasked with assisting an initiative to explore how space-related technologies can be transferred to benefit mining automation. Specifically, my work included the development of a radio astronomy station using a NASA-designed receiver to measure decametric radio waves from Jupiter. Building the station involved the development of hardware, software, data processing and communication components that are also highly applicable technologies for advanced mining automation systems.

More information on my work can be found on this CSIRO press release, and this QRC press release.