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UNSW researchers recognised by the world's leading Earth and space science association

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · 11d

👏 Prof. Ashish Sharma has been elected a Fellow of the @agu.org, the world's largest Earth and space science association.

Prof. Sharma studies how extreme floods and droughts are changing with our climate, and what that means for rural and regional communities.

Two UNSW academics were honoured by the American Geophysical Union for their work in water resource management and urban climate systems, respectively.

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UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · 12d

🌟 Energising conversations, big ideas, and new collaborations!

In partnership with the UNSW Energy Institute, our latest Empowering Excellence Breakfast brought students and industry leaders together to share insights on clean energy, innovation and net-zero.

Quantum computer chips clear major manufacturing hurdle

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · 16d

💡 Big step for quantum computing!

@unsw.edu.au spin-out Diraq, working with imec, has shown that silicon-based #quantum chips can be industrially manufactured with over 99% accuracy.

This breakthrough means scalable, real-world quantum computers are closer than ever.

UNSW startup Diraq’s quantum processors consistently perform with exceptional accuracy in industrial production environment.

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UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · 17d

🙌 We're pleased to announce that A/Prof. Murad Tayebjee has been named as the faculty's new Associate Dean (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion).

Passionate about equity in education, A/Prof. Tayebjee champions opportunities for disadvantaged high schoolers through community engagement.

Two UNSW academics elected Fellows of ATSE

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · 18d

👏 Congratulations to Prof. Maurice Pagnucco and Prof. Yansong Shen who has been appointed Fellows of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering.

The researchers are recognised for their work in advancing the field of artificial intelligence and creating sustainable technologies.

UNSW Sydney Professors Maurice Pagnucco and Yansong Shen are named 2025 Fellows of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

Engineers develop spray to make clothes more fire-resistant

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · 24d

A team of @unsw.edu.au engineers have developed a spray that could slow the rate at which cotton materials catch fire – and reduce risk of burning. 🔥

The water-based spray coats fabric with a virtually invisible layer of protection without altering the fabric’s softness or breathability.

The innovative solution could help reduce the risk of burns by delaying how quickly cotton materials catch fire.

UNSW Sydney inks Australia’s biggest ChatGPT Edu deal with OpenAI

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · 26d

💻 ChatGPT is coming to @unsw.edu.au!

In the biggest education deal in Australia with OpenAI, the agreement will enable researchers, educators and professional staff to harness advanced AI tools on a secure platform.

UNSW has signed an enterprise agreement with OpenAI to give 10,000 staff access to the secure and advanced capabilities of the ChatGPT Edu platform.

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · Sep 10

🩺 Not all healthcare is created equal.

In this episode of Engineering the Future, A/Prof Lauren Kark and Dr Kathryn Currow explore how we can build fairer, more accessible healthcare systems - no matter your postcode, income or identity.

🎧 Listen now: unsw.to/ETF-Equitable-healthcare

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · Sep 9

👏 Congratulations to Prof. Nicholas Ekins-Daukes on his appointment as the new Head of School for Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering.

He joined @unsw.edu.au in 2017 and leads a large R&D program to improve the efficiency of silicon solar cells.

Read more: www.unsw.edu.au/news/2025/09...

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UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · Sep 8

And that's a wrap on Open Day! 🙌

We had a blast welcoming students and their families to campus to explore what UNSW Engineering is all about.

And a huge thank you to our amazing staff and student ambassadors who made it all happen! 💛

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · Sep 5

🥈 Well done to PhD candidate Rachel Gray who was runner up in @unsw.edu.au's 3 Minute Thesis finals earlier this week.

Rachel presented on smarter radar systems that cut through sea clutter to improve real-time target detection, with applications in maritime search and rescue.

📸: Isabella Moore

Rachel Gray receiving her 3 Minute Thesis runner-up award

Onwards and upwards as Sunswift finishes fifth in Bridgestone World Solar Challenge

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · Sep 4

🏆 A big congratulations to Dr Hasindu Gamaarachchi who has won the Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher.

Dr Gamaarachchi has developed scalable, efficient computing that makes genomic sequencing more accessible in fields such as agriculture, medicine and ecology.

Dr Hasindu Gamaarachchi from UNSW Computer Science and Engineering sitting in front of a computer.

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · Sep 1

The Sunswift team have finished 5th in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge after suffering from technical problems early on in the race.

While it's not the result they hoped for, team principal Richard Hopkins says he's proud of the team's hard work in the gruelling race across the desert.

UNSW’s student solar racing team suffers technical problems during epic 3000km race across the Australian desert.

Hands-on engineering hits the road with UNSW Makerbus

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · Aug 26

We’re taking our Makerspaces off campus and into the community! 🚌🔧

Currently in the Northern Territory visiting rural schools and community centres, the UNSW Engineering Makerbus is filled with a range of tools and equipment designed to give young kids hands-on STEMM experiences.

New mobile workshop filled with tools and equipment is designed to spark interest and curiosity in STEMM with young people.

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · Aug 18

🔋🌱 Solar & wind can power our homes in a Net Zero way, but what about aviation, shipping & heavy industry?
Enter green fuels.
On this ETF podcast, Dr Emma Lovell & Constantine Tsounis explain how these eco-friendly fuels cut emissions in hard-to-abate sectors.
🎧 www.unsw.edu.au/engineering/...

A nuclear future is here: UNSW hosts international experts in Australia-first strategic dialogue

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · Aug 8

@unsw.edu.au brought together global experts, industry leaders and government to explore the future of #nuclear technology in Australia.

The event also launched Australia’s first undergraduate degree in Nuclear Engineering, preparing the next generation for roles in clean energy, AUKUS and beyond.

World-leading nuclear experts convened at UNSW Sydney in a first-of-its-kind discussion on the future of nuclear technologies in Australia and globally.

UNSW quantum computing spinout wins industry award

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · Aug 5

UNSW spinout company Diraq has won the Technology Platform category at the prestigious NSW iAwards, hosted by the Australian Information Industry Association.

Founded by Prof. Andrew Dzurak, Diraq aims to redefine scalable #quantumcomputing and bring practical commercial applications to the world.

Diraq, a startup founded by UNSW Sydney’s Scientia Professor Andrew Dzurak, has been recognised at the 2025 NSW iAwards.

Predicting beach changes: models just as good as satellites

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · Aug 4

📡 “Our results indicate that certain beaches can be modelled nearly as well as they can be remotely observed."

A global benchmarking study, led by Dr Yongjing Mao from @unsw.edu.au's Water Research Lab, has found that models are just as effective as satellite images at forecasting beach changes.

A global benchmarking competition finds shoreline models are ready for real-world coastal planning.

‘Are you joking, mate?’ AI doesn’t get sarcasm in non-American varieties of English

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · Jul 31

🙌 Congratulations to Xiaojing Hao, Hasindu Gamaarachchi, Yansong Shen and Ned Ekins-Daukes who have been named as finalists in the @eurekaprizes.bsky.social.

The award recognises academic excellence in research & innovation, leadership and science engagement.

🔗 www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/new...

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UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · Jul 30

🤖💬 Can AI understand sarcasm? Not quite—especially if you're not American.

New research from @unsw.edu.au shows that large language models struggle to detect sarcasm in non-American varieties of English.

There is still a long way to go until the promised benefits of AI are enjoyed by all, no matter the type or variety of language they speak.

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · Jul 29

A patient with scoliosis is breathing much better thanks to a team of engineers from Tyree IHealthE who created an exact replica of his trachea.

The model was used to help clinicians determine the safest way to insert a breathing tube ahead of surgery.

Read more: news.unsw.edu.au/en/solving-c...

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · Jul 23

🧺 Thank you to Ngumpie Weaving for helping us celebrate #NAIDOCWeek with a hands-on workshop creating baskets and bracelets using natural materials!

It was a meaningful chance to come together to honour the deep cultural knowledge and creativity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

UNSW Women in Engineering Society hosts NAIDOC week event

UNSW hosts landmark energy conference to fast-track Australia’s net zero future

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · Jul 21

#PFAS: they’re in your water, your raincoat, your bodies—and they don't break down.

🧪 The "forever chemicals" are everywhere—and engineers are trying to clean them up.

🎧 Listen to the latest episode of Engineering the Future podcast to learn more: www.unsw.edu.au/engineering/...

Image of Andrew Mitchell and Denis O'Carroll

UNSW Engineering @engineering.unsw.edu.au · Jul 20

Last week, #UNSW proudly hosted the 2025 State of Energy Research Conference, where leading researchers, policymakers and industry experts discussed a faster, fairer and more secure energy transition to net zero.

UNSW Sydney hosted the 2025 State of Energy Research Conference, with leading researchers, policymakers and industry mapping the path to net zero emissions.