The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes website gives more details.....

"This prize is part of the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, the Oscars  of Australian science. Coveted among science prizes, the Australian  Museum Eureka Prizes were announced at a glittering event in Sydney on  19 August attended by a 'who's who' of Australian science, government,  academia and industry.

"Infrared 'night vision' technology is of major importance to many homeland and international defence systems. But existing infrared is unreliable and cumbersome, producing unclear black and white images (and not those green images so often seen in TV movies).

"The Microelectronics Research Group, led by Professor Lorenzo Faraone, developed a filter which enables creation of colour images.  The filter also allows scanning of smaller areas, meaning less data is required to generate images and improved real-time use of infrared.  Impressively, the technology is lightweight, robust, compact, fast, accurate and inexpensive.

"Australian Museum Director, Frank Howarth, says "This new sensor will be a core component of future allied combat capabilities. It will  revolutionise the use of infrared and lives will be saved as a result  of this technology."

"The new class of Aussie sensors will be used by ground forces and unmanned aerial vehicles. The improved technology will also assist soldiers operating in cluttered environments and urban areas, enabling them to scan for threats and targets from safer distances. Deaths from friendly fire will be reduced, as targets are better identified with 
colour images.

"Significantly, the new infrared technology has wider applications in biomedical imaging, environmental monitoring, mining, viticulture and agriculture. Director of the Australian Museum, Frank Howarth, says "It is rare for one technology to be applicable to so many fields. It is also extraordinarily accessible, inexpensive and reliable."

"It is envisaged that lightweight, hand-held detectors will be used in biopsy-free skin cancer testing, real-time soil monitoring and characterisation of grain during harvesting.

"The Microelectronics Research Group is a world leader in the innovative combination of micro-electromechanical systems and infrared imaging technologies. Their work is protected by a number of international patents. And the Group is almost unique in obtaining a 
$3.5 million grant from the US Defence Science and Technology Organisation, which rarely awards funds overseas."

Regards
Carolyn

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Carolyn Oldham
Dean
Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics