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The device that can remotely monitor your breathing: as tested on cane toads
Proof of principle for human vital-sign detection in clinical environments
The research is published in Nature Photonics and was featured on Channel Nine News
Monitoring cane toad breathing
Q&A with Ziqian Zhang
1. What is photonic radar?
Photonic radars, also known as microwave photonic radars or photonics-assisted radars, are radar systems that use photonic technologies to enhance the performance of traditional electronic radar systems. This means its systems use photons – light energy at high frequency – rather than electrons and electricity to generate the radio waves. It is crucial to recognise that despite incorporating photonics techniques, these systems still rely on radio waves or microwaves for the sensing.2. How it works
Traditional electronic radar systems process and transmit radar signals within the electrical domain, utilising electronic components. In contrast, photonic radar systems employ technologies that enable the conversion between electronic and optical signals. This allows them to harness the power of modern photonics for processing RF (radio frequency) signals within the optical domain. Additionally, photonic radar systems can distribute these signals over long distances with minimal loss and distortion, thanks to the properties of optical fibres.3. What are the advantages?
Optical signals can carry more information than conventional electronic signals. When we use optical signals for radar signal generation, processing, and distribution (photonic radar), the system tends to have a wider radar bandwidth and better signal quality. This delivers exceptional range resolution and sensing precision. The range resolution refers to the minimum distance between targets that the radar system can separate apart. Our photonic system has a millimetre-level range resolution, thus can separate closely located subjects and extract their vital signs without interference with each other. Meanwhile, the high sensing precision, thanks to the high-quality signal generation, ensures vital sign detection accuracy.4. Differences with conventional electronic radar systems
The photonic radar system enables distributed, multi-band sensing with expanded signal coverage. This results in superior radar performance from a centralised system, facilitating improved coordination and lower costs without the need to employ multiple independent systems and synchronise them together.5. Hybrid Radar-LiDAR System
A noteworthy innovation in our demonstrated system is its capability to simultaneously enable both radar and LiDAR detection as a sensor fusion system, combining different sensor modalities. Here are the key advantages:- Redundancy: If either the radar or LiDAR system encounters a fault, the other continues to function, ensuring uninterrupted performance.
- Complementarity: Information garnered from the radar and LiDAR systems can supplement each other.
6. What comes next?
We could continue investigating the use of on-chip components to shrink the device’s footprint or test its performance with human subjects, possibly those with identified lung diseases or heart conditions. Another prospect is delving into advanced algorithms to boost the system’s performance for moving subjects in real-world application scenarios, such as in aged-care facilities.7. Potential application scenarios
Our photonic radar sensor boasts a broad array of applications spanning the corrective services sector, national security, MedTech, aged care, home care, livestock and veterinary uses, and healthcare.Declaration
The research was in part supported by grants from the Australian Research Council, the US Air Force and the US Office of Naval Research.
Eggleton Research Group Christmas Party 2022
The Eggleton Research Group celebrates the end of a productive and successful 2022 at The Rose in Chippendale.
Ben Eggleton Celebrates the end of his tenure as Director of Sydney Nano
A good time was had by all at @SydneyNano’s Town Hall combined with Ben Eggleton’s Farewell as Director. Ben Eggleton has accepted the position as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research). Duncan Iverson acknowledged Ben’s energetic leadership of Sydney Nano over the past 5 years. A/Prof Alice Motion has stepped in as interim Director.
Benjamin Eggleton wins the Academic of the Year at the Australian Defence Industry Awards 2022
Congratulations to Benjamin Eggleton for winning the Academic of the Year at the Australian Defence Industry Awards 2022 for his outstanding innovation and engagement with Defence Connect.
The Jericho Smart Sensing Laboratory (JSSL), established by Benjamin Eggleton at the University of Sydney is a multidisciplinary initiative sponsored by the Royal Australian Air Force. The JSSL is developing leading-edge smart sensors for real-time situational awareness of future threats.
Click here to read more.
Eggleton Research Group 2022 Annual Retreat
The Eggleton group had a fantastic day on Cockatoo island in Sydney Harbour for their annual research retreat: connecting, re-energising and strategising for the future.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) congratulates Centre of Excellence teams
Professor Emma Johnston highlights the impressive success of University of Sydney researchers in the recently announced Australian Research Council (ARC) Centres of Excellence round.
University of Sydney researchers will play key roles leading transformational research into pressing areas of national priority that four new Centres of Excellence will conduct.
“Being awarded a Centre of Excellence is an outstanding achievement. This is a clear testament to the excellence of the work of all the researchers involved”, said Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Emma Johnston.
“Centre of Excellence applications require years of strategising, planning and a lot of collaboration and support from academic and professional colleagues across each participating institution. I would like to acknowledge and thank the excellent research services staff based in all the participating institutions whose expertise and support contributed to the success of these applications, and I hope you will all join me in congratulating our colleagues on this tremendous success”, Professor Johnston said.
ARC Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science
The ARC Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science aims to explore the society wide transformations that will flow from optical frequency combs – thousands of highly pure light signals precisely spaced across the entire optical spectrum – by leveraging and building upon the latest breakthroughs in physics, materials science and nanofabrication. Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Ben Eggleton (Faculty of Science) will be Program Leader of the “Microcombs for Information and Intelligence” node and the Centre’s Director of Translation and Impact. Professor Martijn de Sterke (Faculty of Science) will be Chief Investigator for the Comb Science and Technology theme and the Centre’s Outreach Director for Education, as well as leading its University of Sydney node.
Head of Sydney Nano, Prof Ben Eggleton, appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
10 November 2022
Professor Ben Eggleton moves to key research role
The University of Sydney proudly appoints Professor Ben Eggleton, as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) to spearhead the University’s leadership in research.
Professor Ben Eggleton has been appointed to the role of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Sydney, to ensure research excellence and its translation into meaningful impact.
Professor Eggleton is currently the Director of the University of Sydney Nano Institute, Co-Director of the NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) and a Professor in the School of Physics where he leads a research group in photonics, nanotechnology and smart sensors.
“I am thrilled that we have attracted such an outstanding research leader to our team. Ben has proven himself as an inspirational, collaborative leader who will be key in shaping and refining our research services and supporting an inclusive culture of research excellence,” said Professor Emma Johnston, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).
“As a highly awarded researcher with a breadth of experience in strategy, external engagement, and commercialisation, Ben will be essential to ensuring our research has tangible impact for local and global communities. Ben is also perfectly placed to strengthen our research support systems and establish new initiatives under the University’s recently announced 2032 Strategy.”
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) has executive responsibility for pivotal areas of the University’s Research Portfolio relating to research policy, performance and conduct including clinical trials, research reporting and compliance. The role has responsibility for research integrity and ethics management.
In accepting the appointment, Professor Eggleton said, “I’m excited to begin this role as we commit to our strategy for the next ten years and to contribute to the University becoming the national leader and internationally recognised for the influence and excellence of its research. The way we operate and engage is critical to both our research performance and making the University a better place to work.
“As a highly awarded researcher with a breadth of experience in strategy, external engagement, and commercialisation, Ben will be essential to ensuring our research has tangible impact for local and global communities.”
- Professor Emma Johnston, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
“In my role at Sydney Nano I established a whole-of-university approach to transformational and translational research. This has allowed me to build strong partnerships with all faculties and key internal and external stakeholders. It has given me an appreciation of the challenges in the research and innovation pipeline and how those can be addressed operationally, including streamlining our commercialisation and industry engagement and research grants administration.”
Eggleton Research Group and JSSL Team Host Royal Australian Air Force
Last Friday, Benjamin Eggleton and the JSSL team hosted Air Commodore Phil Gordon, Group Captain Michael Burgess-Orton and Warrant Officer Nicholas Stubbs-Race. The interim DVC-R, Prof Kathy Belov was also in attendance for the tour of the JSSL lab and facilities.
Details:
Event: Royal Australian Air Force Visit
Date: 8 April 2022
Guests: Air Commodore Phil Gordon, Group Captain Michael Burgess-Orton, Warrant Officer Nicholas Stubbs-Race, and Prof Kathy Belov (interim DVC-R)
Venue: Jericho Smart Sensing Lab (JSSL), Sydney Nanoscience Hub, University of Sydney
The Royal Society of NSW 1302th OGM and Open Lecture
New Frontiers in Smart Sensor Technology for a Healthier, Safer and Sustainable Future
Professor Benjamin Eggleton FRSN FAA FTSE FOSA FIEEE FSPIE
Director, University of Sydney Nano Institute and Co-Director, NSW Smart Sensing Network
Sensor devices that detect events or changes in their environment are used in everyday objects such as smartphones and ubiquitous applications of which most people are never aware. Recent advances in device physics, nanotechnology, AI, and sensor fusion are leading to a revolution in smart sensor technology that will provide multi-faceted interfaces to the three-dimensional physical, chemical, and data environment, enabling high-performance information gathering and real-time situational awareness. My talk overviews recent examples from industry and end-user sponsored projects, including research from the NSW Smart Sensing Network where we are exploring how smart sensors can forecast air pollution and urban heat, reduce the maintenance costs associated with leaks and breaks of water pipes, and remotely monitor soil moisture; from Sydney Nano we will see how single-molecule sensing and wearables are providing for the rapid testing of infectious disease, underpinning a robust roadmap to COVID-19 recovery and beyond; and finally from the Jericho Smart Sensing sponsored by the Royal Australian Air Force, how smart sensors are providing the Air Force with enhanced, advanced situational awareness that enables smart, timely decision-making.
Click here now to register.
Using radar to monitor burn victims and babies? It’s now possible
Low-cost, high-res radar developed at University of Sydney.
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University of Sydney scientists have achieved a technology breakthrough with potentially life-saving applications – all using an improved version of radar.
Click here to read more.
Just What is Nanotechnology?
A primer on building tools the size of atoms.
Just what is nanotechnology? Where is it being used in our day-to-day life, and where could it be used? Cosmos chatted to Professor Benjamin Eggleton, director of the Nano Institute at the University of Sydney, about what’s exciting him in nanotechnology, where he sees the field going – and why it’s so hard to test a new type of radar on a cane toad.
Click here to see more.
An “Incredibly Precise”, Low-Electronics Radar System
The Photonic Radar System can see things in high detail.
We use radar to spot aircraft and thunderstorms, but what if it could be used for smaller-scale things?
A team of researchers from the University of Sydney have figured out a way to collect radar data with resolutions of centimetres. They say their invention could (among other things) be used to monitor breathing and movement in hospitals, instead of uncomfortable physical straps or privacy-invading cameras.
Click here to read more.
We’re hiring a Data Theme Leader
Reporting directly to the NSSN Co-Director Prof. Benjamin Eggleton, the Data Theme Leader for the NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) is responsible for leading business development activities relating to the sensing data theme. Drawing on their expertise in data and data analytics, they will translate industry and government partner needs into defined research projects and develop new business development opportunities. The role will lead the data theme, providing strategic advice to the network and key stakeholders.
Key responsibilities
- manage the Network’s Data Theme, incorporating sensing, data analytics, signal processing, networked systems, advanced programming, information, and communication technology (ICT)
- proactively identify and pursue new opportunities leading to research contracts and grants pertaining to data analytics and related fields
- engage with industry and government partners to enable the transformation and translation of knowledge and technology
- provide strategic advice, operational management, expert technical advice and guidance to the Co-Director, Chief Operating Officer, and team colleagues. Undertakes the translation and implementation of strategy
- lead multi-institution Theme and Project working groups
- develop and maintain relationships with a range of external research stakeholders in universities, companies, government, and publicly funded research agencies.
How to apply
Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the University of Sydney’s careers website, please click here to apply!
Click to view the Position Description for this role.
Closing Date: 13 October 2021
Capturing data faster than a speeding bullet | Defence News
A sensor that has shown potential to measure the speed and predict the trajectory of incredibly fast-moving objects has been developed in a partnership between Air Force and university researchers.
The prototype MANTIS (Mutual-Axis Neuromorphic Twin Imaging System) sensor is the result of the work of the University of Sydney Nano Institute and Air Force’s Jericho Disruptive Innovation.
The Jericho Smart Sensing Lab (JSSL) at the University of Sydney developed the prototype in three months, and Director of the University of Sydney Nano Institute Professor Ben Eggleton led the team.
He said the MANTIS prototype integrated a neuromorphic and traditional camera side by side in a portable unit that is interfaced with artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide advanced situational awareness.
The dashboard and on-board processing enable a direct comparison of the images they produce and allow for rapid exploration of the neuromorphic sensor capabilities.
The JSSL team recently tested MANTIS at the RAAF Base Richmond small arms range to capture imagery of small arms’ engagements, including rounds from a 9mm pistol and 5.56mm rounds from an F88.
The activities were designed to help better understand MANTIS’ capability in detecting fast-moving objects or events.
MANTIS showed promising signs of being able to predict the trajectory and velocity of incredibly fast-moving objects.
The 4kg small-form carry-on design allows the camera to be easily used on aircraft, ships and vehicles to detect challenging targets in any environment.
While a traditional camera is constrained by frame rates, each pixel in a neuromorphic camera functions independently and is always ‘on’.
This means the imaging system is triggered by events.
If it’s monitoring a static scene, the sensor sees nothing and no data is generated.
Head of Air Force Capability Air Vice Marshal Cath Roberts attended the demonstration of the sensor.
“There are many things that excite me about MANTIS,” Air Vice Marshal Roberts said.
“The level of detail that it provides and being able to track high-speed events is very impressive.
“It’s an amazing sensor fusion that has really strong applications across Defence.”
The Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) was also involved in the collaboration, providing early guidance and input.
Vladimir Perejogin from DSTG said event-based sensors represented an affordable and innovative, yet highly capable and resilient electro-optic sensing technology that leveraged millions of years of evolutionary process.
“In partnership with Jericho Disruptive Innovation, we are engaged in event-based sensor research to rapidly assess and demonstrate its utility in addressing a number of priority Defence needs,” he said.
Despite being developed through an Air Force partnership, MANTIS will be tested by all three services to explore how additional sensor diversity can provide Defence with an edge.
Future iterations of MANTIS could also see it combined with a robotic eye to allow for surveillance of large portions of airspace looking for air vehicles passively driving around.
Source: Kitchener, S. (2021). Capturing data faster than a speeding bullet. Retrieved 19 May, 2021 from https://news.defence.gov.au/technology/capturing-data-faster-speeding-bullet
AUSTRALIA INNOVATES – THE VIDEO SERIES
Professor Benjamin Eggleton and his team are excited to be part of the ‘Australia Innovates’ video series launched by Business Events Australia. This series aims to demonstrate Australia’s wide-ranging expertise across several knowledge sectors to position the nation as a world leading association destination.
The video series showcases Australians pursuing world firsts in research, discovery, invention, innovation and intervention to better the world across several knowledge sectors. The series aims to demonstrate Australia’s wide-ranging expertise to position the nation as a world leading association meetings location.
Australia is a world leader in nanotechnology. At the University of Sydney, internationally acclaimed optical scientist, Professor Benjamin Eggleton specialises in photonics – the science and technology of light waves.
Click here for Australia Innovates- Benjamin Eggleton video
Photonics has given us energy efficient lighting and displays, solar cells, modern medical diagnostic tools and is the basis of the world’s internet.
Now, Eggleton and his team are building a ground-breaking photonic chip that could revolutionise the world’s communication systems by making it even faster and more energy efficient.
Eggleton, The Director of the world-class University of Sydney Nano Institute (Sydney Nano), has made major contributions towards nanophotonics, which is the science of photonics at the nanoscale. Most recently, he and his team have discovered a way to harness light to significantly increase the speed of the internet – using ‘a bit of magic’.
This has opened the door to a new world. Eggleton and his team at Sydney Nano have been building a revolutionary photonic chip that is the size of a thumbnail and has unprecedented processing power. This scientific breakthrough has launched a new field and is poised to contribute to the thriving photonics industry that is responsible for tens of thousands of jobs in Australia. It has the power to transform global communications as well as the basis of new sensor technologies.
Eggleton and his team are working towards taking this world-first technology out of the lab and into real world outcomes. They hope society will benefit from this exciting and innovative technology.
Click here for the full series.
Prof. Benjamin Eggleton hosts Dr Katerina Agostino, Chief of Aerospace Division, Defence Science & Technology Group
On 23 March 2021, Professor Benjamin Eggleton hosted Dr Katerina Agostino, Chief of Aerospace Division, Defence Science and Technology Group at The University of Sydney Nano Institute. During the visit, Professor Eggleton introduced Sydney Nano’s research facilities and showcased some demonstrations of the Eggleton Research Group work to the guests.
Professor Benjamin Eggleton Wins the ANZOS W. H. (Beattie) Steel Medal, the most prestigious award of the Australian and New Zealand Optical Society.
The Australian and New Zealand Optical Society has awarded School of Physics’ Professor Ben Eggleton the 2020 WH “Beattie” Steel Medal in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Australian and international optics and photonics communities by leading several major cooperative centres, an exceptional research and development record. Read more.
Jericho Smart Sensing Laboratory (JSSL) Design Innovation Workshop
From the 1st to the 3rd of December 2020, the JSSL design innovation workshop was successfully organised by the JSSL team in collaboration with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in Kiama, New South Wales. The workshop aimed to provide the JSSL team with an opportunity to build on the role of high end science.
Professor Benjamin Eggleton and his Team have Won the Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia
This is a collaborative effort between the Eggleton Research Group (University of Sydney Professor Benjamin Eggleton, Dr Eric Mägi, Dr Moritz Merklein,Dr Alvaro Casas Bedoya, Dr Yang Liu) and Associate Professor Stephen Madden from the Australian National University.
“This is great recognition of more than a decade of research with a great team. We have taken a breakthrough discovery and translated it into advanced prototypes that have been tested in end-user laboratories in both Australia and North America. These will soon become sovereign capability for defence,” said Professor Ben Eggleton.
By harnessing the delicate interaction between light and sound, Professor Ben Eggleton and his team have produced a microchip that provides a unique advantage for defence platforms. With prototypes already developed in Australia and internationally, this compact technology heralds a new era in microwave signal processing and represents real gains in performance, efficiency and cost.
Hosting Group Captain Michael Burgess-Orton and Group Captain Lyle Holt
On 9 December 2020, Professor Benjamin Eggleton, Professor Cara Wrigley, and the Jericho Smart Sensing Laboratory (JSSL) team hosted a lab tour at the Sydney Nanoscience Hub for Group Captain Michael Burgess-Orton and Group Captain Lyle Holt from Plan Jericho, Royal Australian Air Force. During the tour, research facilities at Sydney Nano and demonstrations of the Eggleton Research Group work, including the JSSL projects, were showcased to the guests.
The tour was followed by the JSSL virtual reporting workshop where the JSSL team reported on the development and progress of the projects.