DSTG-backed innovation wins 2025 Eureka Prize

Defence’s Science and Technology Group (DSTG) has awarded the 2025 Department of Defence Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia to two scientists who have developed a radiation-shielded chip. DSTG project lead Dr Kamal Gupta and Macquarie University scientist Dr Jafar Shojaii have been working on the technology since 2022. The Eureka Prizes are Australia’s most prestigious science awards.

“My collaboration with Dr Shojaii over several years has been critical to the success of this research project,” Dr Gupta said.

“The result is a radiation-shielded chip that consumes very low power, so it can be integrated effectively and seamlessly with the electronics embedded in electronic systems across all Defence domains.”

Today’s military world relies on sensitive electronics, and it is essential that these electronics are able to operate efficiently in all sorts of environmental conditions, says DSTG. Commercially available electronic systems generally provide little to no built-in protection against harsh electromagnetic interference or high-energy particle radiation conditions, which can be found on Earth, in space, and in contested areas of war.

This means Defence assets – from drones to ships, satellites to land vehicles and everything in between that relies on electronics – could be vulnerable to disruption unless fitted with specialised equipment.

DSTG and its university partners has been developing innovative technology to shield sensitive electronics from these radiation effects, potentially extending the operating life of Defence assets and creating more resilient Defence capabilities, DSTG says.

The outcome of this R&D program is the groundbreaking radiation-protected semiconductor chip – a type of electronic device that shields electronics. The chip’s unique design aims to boost the resilience of high-value Defence systems against harmful radiation and interference effects, which can damage their sensitive electronic circuits.

Chief Defence Scientist Tanya Monro presented Dr Gupta and Dr Shojaii with their award at the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes award ceremony. Work will continue on the award-winning project, with further testing and development already underway.

“The ultimate goal is to see our DSTG and university-designed-and-developed chips shielding Defence systems being used by our warfighters in hostile environments,” Dr Gupta said.