CQUniversity is playing a role in a project that could revolutionise farming and environmental management. 

The Queensland Government will give $1.3 million to the project which will develop solar-powered nano-sensors capable of detecting pollution and monitoring the environment in remote areas.

Professor Kerry WalshLead researcher QUT's Professor Nunzio Motta along with Italian researchers aim to create a new breed of environmental sensors based on nanotechnology.

The sensors would be powered by a new kind of solar cell developed in Australia by Dyesol, and would transmit data to monitoring stations using radio or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) technology.

This will provide a low-cost method to monitor air, water, land and crop conditions, and assist in the control of pollution levels and gas and carbon emissions

CQUniversity's Professor Kerry Walsh said that, up until now, it has been very difficult and expensive to collect the data from these areas.

"The new sensors will have a variety of uses, from monitoring the environment in remote areas to continuous monitoring of industrial emissions, providing a more accurate picture of the impact to the environment."

CQUniversity's contribution to the project will come at the application end, defining the attributes to be assessed and undertaking field trials.

The Queensland universities will also work on the project with the Brescia and Roma Tor Vergata universities in Italy, along with Dyesol, one of Australia's leading suppliers of 3rd generation solar technology.