Six fascinating CSIRO projects you didn’t know about
How well do you know CSIRO? Get a glimpse into some of the impact science in these six examples and find out more about what your former colleagues are doing to change the world.
1. We’re using quantum logistics for the 2032 Olympics
Did you know we are supporting the QLD government in planning for 2032 Olympics? Our researchers are using Quantum computing technologies to optimise the transport and logistics of the upcoming Brisbane Olympics, looking at factors such as pedestrian movements around the stadiums. They’re also helping to introduce the transport planning agencies to quantum technologies, so they can continue using it into the future.
Find out more about Quantum
2. We’re reducing sugar and alcohol content in food and drinks
Our researchers have developed a technology that transforms the nutritional profile of a whole range of food and beverages, without using chemical additives. This fermentation method uses bacterial enzymes that convert simple sugars into more complex polysaccharides, reducing the sugar content by up to 70 per cent. While initially the team focused on lowering the sugar content in fruit and juices, the work has now been extended to low and no-alcohol wines.
Find out more about how we are enhancing the value of agricultural products
3. We’re restoring sacred lands together with Traditional Owners
Out in Central Australia, Ilpilli Springs is one of many areas that have been impacted by weeds and invasive species. The fragile, arid ecosystem has had feral camels trample the Ilpili trees, killing them and stopping them from resprouting. Buffalo grass fuels wildfires. Both damage the spring water quality, which is the only surface water available to local, native wildlife for many kilometres. The project team works across research units (RUs), together with the Central Land Council, the Nothern Territory (NT) government and the Traditional Owners to help restore this sacred place of cultural significance.
Find out more about the Protecting Systems Program of Research
4. We’re detecting marine life from a single cup of seawater
In a world first, our teams are creating a digital library of all 190,000 named Australian species, after discovering a way to obtain DNA sequences at a 93 per cent cheaper cost than conventional methods. Since these digital representations of species are easily accessed and mobilised in the National Biodiversity DNA Library (NBDL), it has innovated practices of Environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring. Researchers are now able to take a cup of seawater and map hundreds, maybe thousands of species, using these digital DNA sequences.
Find out more about the Discovering and Monitoring Australia’s Biodiversity Program of Research
5. We’re helping robots navigate space
The global robotics revolution is taking place, and our researchers are helping to advance robotics capabilities and adoption.
A few years ago, one of our robotics teams participated in the DARPA Subterranean Challenge and came second in the grand finals, tying for top score. Their technology was designed to send robots into environments that are dangerous for humans – such as deep subterrains or space. This technology is now being incorporated into the US space company Intuitive Machines’ Moon RACER Lunar Terrain vehicle, helping it to drive autonomously.
In fact, last year we already sent a small payload with CSIRO technology to space. The payload integrates with one of NASA’s Astrobee robots in the International Space Station, autonomously navigates around the station while creating 3D maps of the environment, using our multi resolutions technology.
Find out more about how we are creating more productive industries with human robot teams
6. We’re sorting chickens by sex – while still in the egg
Which eggs will create more egg-laying chickens, and which eggs should be used as food? This is the question posed by the global poultry industry, which every day, sees billions of day-old male chicks killed. This project is working to address this global welfare and sustainability issue. Partnering with Hendrix Genetics, our team has created a marker assisted sex sorting technology that will allow farms to differentiate the eggs before they hatch, preventing the mass culling. The research has already been extended to on-farm activities.
Find out more about our genome engineering technologies