Australian Nobel laureate advances universe theories, fostering advanced technology development
Bloom Bloke Schmidt, the 2011 Nobel Prize winner in Physics, has kicked up a storm in the universe of science. Schmidt's groundbreaking discovery revealed that the universe's expansion isn't slowing down, as previously believed. Instead, it's picking up speed!
What's more, there's an unknown energy force at play, driving this cosmic expansion. The working hypothesis is that this energy is widespread, accounting for three-quarters of the universe's mass-energy density. Given this unseen force, scholars refer to it as "dark energy."
Despite not completely understanding the nature of dark energy yet, Schmidt's discovery sparked a tidal wave of fascination worldwide. This revelation was made possible by a new breed of advanced telescopes that could peer deeper into the past with unparalleled precision.
Schmidt, alongside his fellow astronomers Saul Perlmutter and Adam Riess, used observations of distant exploding stars, known as type Ia supernovae, to measure the universe's expansion rate. By examining minute alterations in the frequency of the light emitted from these exploding stars, they observed that newer ones are moving apart faster than older ones.
Making Ripples
"Aussie astronomy has been on the cutting edge for a while now," Schmidt tells Cosmos, "I've been here'cause Australia has invested in astronomy from World War II, and me and other astronomers are always on the lookout for what the next big thing is."
Schmidt's ambitions didn't stop at unraveling cosmic mysteries. His interest in scientific discovery led him to ponder ways to strengthen the Australian tech industry. While serving as Vice Chancellor at the Australian National University (ANU) from 2016 to 2024, Schmidt pursued this goal:
"One of the spin-offs from this process, though not directly involved, wasDan Shaddock," Schmidt reminisces.
Shaddock, also a professor at ANU, proposed a mind-blowing concept: creating a flexible measurement and testing device using the principles behind the detection of gravitational waves. At the time, gravitational waves were still theoretical.
A device to test better devices
In 2014, Shaddock co-founded Liquid Instruments Pty Ltd to make this innovative device a reality. Schmidt later joined the company's board in April 2025. The company's products have already made headlines by selling to major institutions such as CERN, Google, and universities around the globe.
These versatile devices, powered by Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), can be reconfigured for various measurement purposes. Traditional integrated circuits lack this adaptability, limiting their applications to specific tasks.
By replacing several instruments with a single-adaptable device, Liquid Instruments' products streamline complex testing processes and reduce costs. Plus, their programmable nature allows users to swiftly switch between different configurations, making them suitable for an array of research domains.
Revolutionizing Testing
"Measurement and testing are key to knowing if what you built or are trying to build works according to design," Schmidt says. "These Liquid Instruments devices are a game changer because they can perform tests for virtually any type of instrument."
Thanks to their adaptable nature, these devices also permit users to "daisy chain" multiple units to fulfill complex tasks. This eliminates the need to combine multiple instruments and perform sequential tests, as was the traditional method.
Schaddock's idea for the measurement and test device wouldn't be out of place in today's smartphone-centric world. Schmidt likens it to the emergence of smartphones:
"When I saw the iPhone coming as a piece of kit, I didn't anticipate its role as a platform for apps. It was the apps that made it revolutionary. This type of equipment has that ability for it not just to be pre-cooked, but for people in their own environment to create things."
With virtually no limitations on what the device can do, Schmidt predicts a myriad of potential applications for such a test and measurement device. "It's like saying what is a circuit board going to do for you?" he says. "It will be used to develop instruments on telescopes. It could even be used to create consumer electronics."
"It doesn't discover planets, but it helps you build instruments that do. It doesn't build the next electric car, but it provides the test and measurement equipment that allows you to add new features," Schmidt says.
"It's a foundational thing, and that's why it's exciting because it can be used everywhere in the economy," Schmidt adds. "I know Dan really wants to make sure this company grows and remains a significant part of Australia. It's essential that we keep a significant portion of it here in Australia."
Global economic circumstances may iffy, but Schmidt remains optimistic about the market potential for FPGA-based devices. He explains that the development of measurement and test equipment underscores the importance of theoretical research with no immediate practical application.
"It's a classic example of how innovation actually happens," Schmidt says. "You need the whole ecosystem—from basic science to theoretical studies to practical implementations, like building instruments—to create an impact on the global market."
Published by Cosmos as Nobel Prize winner in Australia: how the expanding universe spurred cutting-edge technology.
- Schmidt's dedication to scientific discovery extended beyond the realm of space-and-astronomy, as he also sought to strengthen the Australian tech industry by acknowledging the potential of innovative gadgets like the one proposed by Professor Dan Shaddock.
- While the device itself doesn't directly discover planets or build the next electric car, the versatile and adaptable Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) technology it employs could be used in creating consumer electronics, much like the emergence of smartphones was a game-changer.
