Monash Science

Environmental challenges are getting more complex and they’re accelerating faster than society can respond.

PFAS contamination, climate change, biodiversity loss and renewable energy transitions all show how deeply connected our environmental, social and economic systems really are. These aren’t problems one discipline can solve alone.

Monash University’s new Master of Environment and Sustainability (MES) Course Director, Professor Annette Bos, says we now need leaders who can work across science, policy, communities and industry to create real change.

PFAS is a powerful example: a chemical designed for durability that now raises questions about health, regulation, trust and long‑term environmental impact. Solving challenges like this requires collaboration, systems thinking and new skills for a rapidly changing world.

The MES program prepares graduates to lead exactly this kind of work.

Read more 👉 https://www.monash.edu/science/news-events/news/2026/from-pfas-to-climate-risk-environmental-challenges-demand-a-new-kind-of-leader

How small can a QR code get? Apparently… atom-sized.

Monash Science researcher Dr Julian Ceddia and collaborators at Fyzikální ústav Akademie věd ČR have created what is believed to be the world’s smallest scannable QR code, measuring just 50 × 50 nanometres.

That’s:
🔬 More than 1,000 times smaller in width than a human hair
🔬 Built by placing individual silver atoms one by one
🔬 Still scannable with a phone

It may look like science having fun (and it is!), but the same techniques are helping researchers investigate the future of quantum materials and next-generation computing.

Tiny QR code. Massive science.

Read more 👉 https://www.monash.edu/science/news-events/news/2026/monash-and-fzu-researchers-build-the-worlds-smallest-qr-code-atom-by-atom

During , Monash Science staff and students attended basket weaving workshops hosted by Skyla from Living Culture.

Skyla led the groups in exploring the beautiful art of both traditional and contemporary Indigenous basket weaving, and provided an immersive environment for our staff and students to learn, connect and celebrate Indigenous knowledge and culture.

Yesterday marked the end of National Reconciliation Week, but the work is not done. This year’s theme, “All In”, calls on every Australian to support reconciliation through both intention and action.

Reconciliation is not passive. It requires all of us to engage, to listen deeply and to contribute to meaningful change, every day.

Could Victoria's recent dry conditions be telling only part of the story?

New research has found that natural climate variability may have played a significant role in the rainfall declines experienced across south-east Australia in recent decades.

The study, published in Theoretical and Applied Climatology, suggests that understanding future rainfall requires more than looking at climate model projections alone.

According to lead researcher Adjunct Professor Scott Power from Monash Earth, Atmosphere and Environment and the University of Southern Queensland - Australia, while climate change is clearly linked to rising temperatures, sea levels and more frequent heatwaves, rainfall is different because natural variability can have a much larger influence.

The research provides a new framework to help improve understanding of future rainfall projections, with important implications for water security, agriculture and long-term planning.

Read more 👉 https://www.monash.edu/science/news-events/news/2026/new-study-sheds-light-on-victorias-future-rainfall

Monash scientists have created a tiny on‑chip circuit that could power the next wave of quantum and AI technologies.

This new device can generate, guide and read light signals that carry information in a completely new way, using the “valley” properties of advanced materials. Until now, researchers could only do parts of this process separately. Now it all happens on one chip, and at room temperature.

It’s exciting because it’s about:

🔵 faster, more energy‑efficient computing
🔵 new tools for quantum tech and advanced imaging
🔵 a practical step toward programmable photonic chips
🔵 processing two images at once.

A huge achievement for the School of Physics and Astronomy and our international collaborators.

Read more: https://www.monash.edu/science/news-events/news/2026/monash-scientists-create-tiny-on-chip-circuit-that-could-power-next-generation-quantum-and-ai-technologies

Big congratulations to Professor Stefan Maier from the School of Physics and Astronomy, who has been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, one of the country’s highest honours for scientific achievement.

Professor Maier is internationally recognised for research that manipulates light at the nanoscale (think tiny structures with huge possibilities), helping drive advances in next-generation communications, sensing technologies, sustainable energy and future computing.

He was one of just 26 scientists across Australia elected in 2026.

“This recognition reflects the outstanding students and junior researchers I’ve had the privilege to work with throughout my career,” Professor Maier said.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

Read more: https://www.monash.edu/science/news-events/news/2026/monash-physicist-elected-fellow-of-the-australian-academy-of-science

This , Dr Scarlett Howard from Monash University's School of Biological Sciences is shedding light on the incredible world of our buzzing neighbours. While there are up to 26,000 bee species globally, Australia is home to a remarkable 2,000 to 3,000 native species.

"Bees are one of the most important and abundant groups of pollinators for crop production, native plant reproduction, and biodiversity..." says Dr Howard.

"Through this work, we aim to better understand how intelligence evolves, support pollinator conservation, protect food security, and raise awareness of Australia’s remarkable native bees."

Read about Dr Howard's recent research confirming that honeybees can actually process numerical information: https://www.monash.edu/science/news-events/news/2026/bees-pass-the-maths-test-study-confirms-insects-arent-just-winging-it

What if computers used dramatically less energy? What if night-vision systems could become smarter and more powerful?

Monash Science researchers are helping make both possibilities a reality.

Researchers from our School of Physics and Astronomy have secured more than $1.5 million in Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage funding to tackle some big challenges through partnerships with industry.

One project aims to develop a breakthrough transistor technology that could reduce the energy demands of modern computing.

Another will explore advanced optical technologies that could transform future night-vision systems.

Congratulations to Professor Michael Fuhrer, Professor Stefan Maier and their teams on this fantastic achievement and exciting work shaping future technologies.

Read more 👉 https://www.monash.edu/science/news-events/news/2026/monash-science-researchers-secure-more-than-$1.5-million-in-arc-linkage-funding-for-next-generation-technologies