
Australia's DMTC is developing advanced piezoelectric technologies that can support the country's undersea capabilities such as the RAN's Collins-class submarines (pictured above). (Commonwealth of Australia)
Projects launched under the Advanced Piezoelectric Materials and Application (APMA) programme co-established by Australia's DMTC and the Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group will spur the country's efforts towards domestic manufacturing of single crystals for sonars and other advanced capabilities, a spokesperson for DMTC told Janes .
The spokesperson said that âhigh-performing single crystals represent the next generation of piezoelectric materialsâ.
While the use of piezoelectric materials is ârelatively common in navigation and sonar equipment, and more broadly sensor and actuator applicationsâ, the utilisation of single crystals has been âlimited by both cost and a reliance on imported productsâ, said the DMTC spokesperson.
Single crystals can strengthen defence capabilities by âoffering enhanced electromechanical performance including greater bandwidth and sensitivity, and the ability to produce more compact, lighter-weight sonar array systemsâ, the spokesperson added.
A media release issued by DMTC said single-crystal piezoelectrics can âcontribute to Australia's submarine and undersea capabilitiesâ and towards maintaining tactical superiority âunder, on, and beyond the seaâ. According to the spokesperson, this is possible because these advanced piezoelectric materials have âsignificant performance benefits [compared to traditional materials] in terms of signal transmission and receptionâ.
The spokesperson also said that DMTC, formerly known as Defence Materials Technology Centre, has been collaborating with researchers at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and with researchers and engineers at Thales Australia since 2013 on advancing this technology and âto demonstrate a sovereign manufacturing capability for Australiaâ.
Looking to read the full article?
Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more...