Infrastructure, Transport & Utilities

3D Printing

UNSW has some of the most advanced 3D printed part production systems available on the market, facilitating work in metal, plastic, or ceramic. Our printers include a 3D Systems ProX DMP 300 and a ProJet 3500 HD MAX.

3DXLab

A multidisciplinary research lab that harnesses the power of immersive technologies to explore complex topics through 3D computer animation, data visualisation and virtual reality (VR) immersive design.

Acoustics & Vibration Lab

The lab offers measurement and analysis of air-borne or structure-borne noise and vibration, and wear and fault analysis. It’s equipped with sound level meters, multi-channel signal analysers, shakers, sound sources, accelerometers, microphones and multi-functional tribometers. 

Aerodynamics Lab

Focuses on the aerodynamics of subsonic and supersonic flows. The lab allows for testing of aeroplane, ship, train, car and truck models, roof ventilators and wind turbines. It also calibrates instrumentation, such as anemometers and pressure measuring devices.

Centre for Infrastructure, Engineering & Safety (CIES)

CIES operates several labs including: 

• Heavy Structures Lab equipped with servo-controlled hydraulic actuators and universal testing machines for high load testing from 10kN to 5000kN. 

• Construction Materials Testing for measuring cement and concrete materials. 

• Geotechnical Engineering Labs with a range of specialist and conventional soil, rock, and asphalt testing equipment. 

Energy Storage & Refrigeration

Offers advanced simulation modelling, electrochemical analysis and battery test equipment, climate-controlled chambers and a 30kW/130kWh commercial VRB system.

Engine Research Lab

The lab contains three sound-proofed engine test cells with a range of EC dynamometers, emission gas analysers, fuel injection rate meter and a single-cylinder small-bore diesel engine for performance tests.

Gleeble 3500 Multifunctional Facility

Investigates the thermal and mechanical behaviour of metals, alloys, and metal-based composites. It enables physical simulation of industrial processes such as casting, extrusion, and forging; the systematic study of ambient-and-elevated-temperature material properties, including tensile strength, ductility, and creep; and exploration of fundamental phenomena such as solidification, recovery and recrystallisation, and precipitation reactions.

High Temperature Materials Fabrication Facilities

Equipment includes a high temperature carbon free hydrogen/vacuum furnace, 3D ceramic/metal printer (500W laser), hot isostatic press system AIP6-30H, spark plasma sintering (SPS) machine, radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering systems and the Gleeble 3500 Multifunctional Facility.

iCinema

The iCinema Centre develops AI-based immersive visualisations to model unpredictable scenarios. It facilitates the use of next-gen applications in contemporary art, cultural heritage, digital museology, mine training, environmental and transport simulations.

Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre (MWAC)

The Centre is made up of 17 labs and facilities, supported by scientific and technical research staff. It allows for the structure and composition of biological, chemical, and physical materials to be studied. MWAC includes a consulting arm that offers a problem-solving service for commercial customers. 

• Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry
• Biological Resources Imaging Lab
• Biospecimen Services 

• Cell Culture Facility 

• Chronos 14Carbon Cycle Facility
• Commercial & Consulting
• Electron Microscope Unit
• Flow Cytometry Facility
• Katharina Gaus Light Microscopy Facility
• Molecular Surface Interactions 

• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility
• Recombinant Products Facility
• Spectroscopy Lab
• Stats Central
• Structural Biology Facility
• X-ray & Chemical Analysis

Mechanics of Solids Lab

Dedicated to the structural testing and design of components and materials, lab capabilities include dynamic and quasistatic strength testing, fracture mechanics and fatigue crack growth testing, strain gauging, finite element stress analysis and testing of composite materials.

Real-Time Digital Simulation Laboratory (RTS)

A digital replica of our entire electricity grid and the only one of its kind in Australia, the digital twin allows for testing of new technologies, functions and operations in real time. Without it, trials would occur on the actual grid, causing delays and shutdowns.

School of Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications

The school operates multiple labs including: 

• Audio anechoic chamber 

• Australian Centre for Renewable Energy has equipment to monitor the characteristics of inverters from renewable sources such as PV. 

• Communication Network Labs facilities performance analysis of end terminals and contains a large-scale simulation of networked systems. 

• High Voltage Lab offers testing (AC, DC, and impulse voltages), partial discharge detection equipment, transformer ratio arm bridges, recover voltage testing, thermal testing, and variable frequency testing of insulation equipment. 

• Mobile Communication Labs include facilities for testing GSM, IS-95, 3G, PCS RF and antenna design. 

• Photonics facilities for fabrication of polymer and silica optical fibres and optical waveguides. 

• Power Electronics & Drives Lab contains invert/conductor systems, data acquisition systems and finite element analysis software for magnetic, thermal, and electric field modelling. 

• Systems Neuroscience & Biomedical Engineering allows for the study of human movement control systems including electrical activity from muscles, nerves and the brain and measurements of joint angles and forces.

Solar Thermal Lab

Houses a range of solar collectors (flat plates, evacuated tubes and concentrating systems), temperature-controlled tanks, pumps, calibrated pyranometers, flow meters and data acquisition systems, for the conversion of solar energy into useful heat. The lab is used for prototyping new collector designs, materials and working fluids. It specialises in the modelling of heat pump systems, sizing of swimming pool heating systems and the development of direct absorption systems and latent energy storage systems.

Surveying & Geospatial Engineering Labs (SAGE Lab)

The labs contain the latest surveying instruments and software for photogrammetry and remote sensing, precise and kinematic GNSS positioning and geospatial engineering. Equipment includes digital levels, GNSS receivers, RPAS and drones, lidar/laser scanners, and theodolites. 

Travel Choice Simulation Laboratory (TRACSLab)

A world-first transport visualisation lab that enables multi-subject and multi-modal interaction in addition to remote international collaboration.

Wireless Communications Lab (WCL)

The lab contains system design and test facilities including a microwave chamber, spectrum analysers, vector signal generators, FPGA development platforms, and software-defined radio platforms.