Data61, CSIRO’s digital research team won three major awards at last night’s Australian Engineering Excellence Awards (AEEA) Tasmania 2016.
Data 61, CSIRO’s Internet of Stings is a network of self-sufficient miniaturised sensors to track Honeybees.
The project received the AEEA Tasmania Award for the Environment, and Innovation and Research & Development categories as well as the overall AEEA Tasmania award, the Tasmanian Engineering Distinction Award.
Engineers Australia (Tasmania) General Manager Dr Vicki Gardiner said this project is a remarkable demonstration of engineering innovation, collaboration and excellence.
“Data61 developed miniaturised sensor technology to collect huge amounts of data and enable further research on the issues impacting bees globally,” Dr Gardiner said.
“One of the engineering challenges the team encountered was providing power to such a small device, which was achieved through harvesting energy vibrations from bee flight.”
This project led to the launch of the Global Initiative for Honeybee Health (GIHH); an international collaboration of researchers, beekeepers, farmers, industry and technology companies set up to research the threats to bee health in order to better understand bee colony collapse and find solutions that will help secure crop pollination.
“The AEEA Tasmania Awards provide valuable insight into the dedication of the Tasmanian engineering industry and help to inspire future engineers.
“This year’s winning entries have pushed the boundaries of innovation and provide outstanding solutions that not only meet, but exceed stakeholder’s expectations.”
Recipients of the AEEA Tasmania Awards 2016 are now eligible to nominate for the national Australian Engineering Excellence Awards which will be staged in Brisbane during the Australian Engineering Conference, November 23-25.
Individual Award Tasmania 2016 Recipients
Tasmanian Young Professional Engineer of the Year
Mathew Brooks MIEAust CPEng NER
Tasmanian Professional Engineer of the Year
Keith Midson FIEAust CPEng NER
Australian Engineering Excellence Award Tasmania 2016 Recipients
Tasmanian Engineering Distinction Award
Winner: Data61, CSIRO
Project: Internet of Stings
Buildings and Structures Award
Winner: Aldanmark Consulting Engineers
Project: UTAS Inveresk Residences
Control Systems, Networks, Information Processing and Telecommunications Award
Winner: Entura with Tasmanian Irrigation Pty Ltd and Water Solutions
Project: Meander Dam Integrated Water Management System
Environment Award
Winner: Data61, CSIRO
Project: Internet of Stings
Innovation, Research and Development Award
Winner: Data61, CSIRO
Project: Internet of Stings
Products and Manufacturing Facilities Award
Winner: Howarth Fisher & Associates with The PFG Group
Project: Exoskeleton Offshore Sea Cages for the Aquaculture Industry
Project Infrastructure Award
Winner: Hydro Tasmania
Project: Rowallan Dam Upgrade Project
Image: Native Amazonian bee (Melipona fasciculata) with 'backpack'. Credit: Dr Giorgio Venturieri, EMBRAPA/CSIRO.