SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
UNSW received the greatest amount of ARC infrastructure grants in Australia in 2023 - a total of $6 million for energy, cycling infrastructure, quantum devices and biotechnology projects.
UNSW ranked third in Australia for SDG 9 in the 2024 THE Impact Rankings.
UNSW Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT)
Founded in 2008 by UNSW Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) at UNSW works with industry, national and international research partners, and governments across Australia, on the development of innovative environmental solutions for the world’s biggest waste challenges.
In 2018, the world’s first MicrofactorieTM that can transform the components from electronic waste (e-waste) items such as discarded smart phones and laptops into valuable materials for re-use was launched at the UNSW SMaRT Centre.
Recent achievements include joining an advanced manufacturing advice service as part of the Federal Government's Industry Growth Program, with two key SMaRT partners awarded almost $2.9 million in funding to boost the use of SMaRT's Green Ceramics MICROfactorieTM Technology.
Our work
Empowering Australia's entrepreneurs at every stage, from curiosity to global impact.
Industry, innovation, social engagement and global impact
Design Next is UNSW’s centre for integrated design, bringing our engineering, architecture, business, and art and design capabilities together in a world-class learning environment.
Spanning four faculties and with over 30,000 students, it is supported by expert staff with access to world-class facilities and invites partners from commercial, public sector, community and not-for-profit organisations to engage with us to improve the value and effectiveness of products and services.
Design Next would like to work with industry to ensure every student leaves UNSW with a strong foundation and appreciation of design that combines multi-disciplinary knowledge, complex technical skills and other important skillsets including communication, project management, and teamwork.
Who's Afraid of AI?
Asking ChatGPT to do your homework, or having an algorithm decide if you get a job interview are all part of the new normal. The AI revolution has reached a point where we live and work with AI-enabled devices – the line between AI and humans can be hard to find. AI expert Toby Walsh (Machines Behaving Badly) and journalist Tracey Spicer (Man-Made) explored what this new world means and discussed some of the big questions around ethics, bias and ownership of AI with Erik Jensen. This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
Torch Innovation Expo 2024
The Torch Innovation Expo was held in 2024, marking the 8th anniversary of the Torch Innovation Precinct. The Expo highlighted UNSW’s advancements in key areas that benefit global communities for a more sustainable future, including clean energy, health and biotech, digital technology, water and environment, advanced materials and manufacturing, and social sciences.
Research Translation Expo
In October 2022, 100 life-changing UNSW innovations and capabilities were exhibited at the inaugural UNSW Research Translation Expo.
The event brought together founders, entrepreneurs and researchers across UNSW with businesses, investors and industry partners to explore funding and collaboration opportunities. Projects on display included an online platform to help parents monitor their child’s development, a solution for recycling solar energy systems and technology that turns water from the moon into rocket fuel.
Powered by UNSW
In 2024, the second ‘Powered by UNSW’ event at the Australian Parliament House took UNSW’s world-class expertise to government and policymakers.
UNSW academic and professional staff welcomed Members of Parliament, agency staff and industry leaders to the ‘Powered by UNSW’ event, where the University’s leading researchers, innovators and educators staged a mini exhibition on how they help tackle society’s most pressing issues.
Experts shared their insights on a range of issues including solar energy, AI, affordable housing, sustainability and manufacturing.
Watch: Toby Walsh on AI's threat to intellectual property
Drawing from his recent essay in 'Griffith Review 80: Creation Stories', Toby Walsh offered a fascinating perspective on our increasing reliance on intelligent and autonomous technology and how we might ensure AI is harnessed as a force for good rather than for nefarious ends.
Podcast: Toby Walsh on the Artificial in Artificial Intelligence
As artificial intelligence takes root in everything from science and social media to politics and policing, world-leading AI expert Toby Walsh seeks to answer a pressing question: can we trust AI or will it increasingly deceive us? Listen to this fascinating perspective on our increasing reliance on intelligent and autonomous technology and how we might ensure AI is harnessed as a force for good.
Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and Safety
Facilitates advanced research in all aspects of civil engineering infrastructure, including building structures, bridges, tunnels, roads, railways, pavements and materials.
Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovation
Unites the wide range of transport research at UNSW and aims to pursue globally-leading interdisciplinary solutions for transport planning and management for positive societal impact.
Innovation Hub
​​​​​​The Innovation Hub is an interdisciplinary problem-solving initiative at the heart of UNSW’s Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture (ADA). It works to solve problems, respond to opportunities and facilitate positive change.
Sustainable Materials Research & Technology (SMaRT)
​​​​​​The Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) at UNSW works with industry, national and international research partners, and governments across Australia, on the development of innovative environmental solutions for the world’s biggest waste challenges.
UNSW Materials and Manufacturing Futures Institute
Many future challenges can be addressed with advanced materials and manufacturing technologies. The UNSW Materials & Manufacturing Futures Institute will transform materials and manufacturing research by transitioning serendipity-driven materials research methodology to property-driven materials design.
Engineering Ethics in the Age of Digital Advancement
The future of multiple industries is being impacted by the advancement of digitisation and AI. Our Civil Engineering industry is no different and the future holds significant change and opportunity as technology plays an ever-increasing role in our work. This advancement also brings up the question of ethics as we are asked to help shape this new future. What will this technology look like? How do we ethically build a model that works at all levels and inspires trust within our communities? And the biggest question of all, is how do we become greater ethical engineers ourselves?
Learn more in this Q&A with industry and academic experts.
UNSW Sustainable Development Goals 2023 Report
This report outlines UNSW's performance against the SDGs in 2023.
