RMIT mine safety project a feature in
RMIT University researchers demonstrated Australia’s commitment to international collaboration at the joint Australia-China Science and Technology Week at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Senator Kim Carr, Australian Minister for Innovation,
Industry, Science and Research, said the Expo brought together eminent scientists from both countries. His Department and China’s Ministry of Science
and Technology have had a longstanding science and research partnership and this year marks the 30th anniversary of formal government-to-government collaboration in science and technology. This anniversary was marked through the publication
of a commemorative book, Thirty Stories for Thirty Years. Professor Kefei Zhang, from RMIT’s School of
Mathematical and Geospatial Sciences, was invited to submit a story on his team’s collaboration with the China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT). The work was on an International Science Link project which uses multiple sensor geospatial technology based on Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) to improve mine safety and efficient mining emergency and management services. “Mining safety is a key issue in China, where the death
toll per million tonnes of coal production is 50 times higher than in Australia,” Professor Zhang said. “We are trying to improve the monitoring systems
so that we can pinpoint a miner’s position at any time - before, during and after any mining disasters. “CUMT has strong connections with the Chinese mining industry and they allowed us access to the mines and see the monitoring systems at first hand.” Professor Zhang said that the project was funded
by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research and was designed to develop an RFID-based intelligent people mobility tracking system that did not require physical contact or line of sight to collect data. The system’s signals were usually strong enough to penetrate through walls, making them ideal for tracking
Australia China: BEYOND TOMORROW Special Education Supplement 101
SHANGHAI
systems in mines, especially when trying to locate miners after a disaster. Professor Zhang has also led an international
consortium to secure major funding in the Australian government’s Australian Space Research Program. The A$2.85 million grant, in addition to significant contributions from partner organisations, will allow Professor Zhang and a team of international researchers to develop advanced platform technologies for space-related research including in-space tracking and navigation, precise positioning, space weather, atmospheric modelling and climate monitoring.
“Mining safety is a key issue in China, where the death toll per million tonnes of coal production is 50 times higher than in Australia” – PROFESSOR KEFEI ZHANG
Science, Technology & Innovation
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