2024 Laureate Profile: Professor Derek Abbott

Administering Organisation: The University of Adelaide 

Fellowship Project Summary

FL240100217 - Advancing the Frontiers of Detection: Ultrasensitive Terahertz Sensing

Professor Abbott aims to transform terahertz biosensing, creating next-generation sensors for rapid detection down to the sub-nanogram level. This Laureate project will investigate terahertz-matter interaction together with sensor design based on advanced materials, breaking current terahertz detection limits. Professor Abbott’s work will enable rapid substance identification with precision at trace levels, which will revolutionise applications in security, healthcare, forensics, and space explorations. It will also inform a new generation of research leaders in engineering and science, building sovereign capability in terahertz photonics. Research outcomes are expected to facilitate many real-life benefits including detection of viruses and pathogens in the environment, detection of trace amounts of water for space missions, identification of trace contaminants in industrial processes, and health monitoring by detection of biomarkers in a single exhaled breath. 

Australian Research Council Funding: $3,739,790