CIES researchers win AEA grants to fast-track bold idea!
Congratulations to Professor Wei Gao, Dr Qihan Wang, and Dr Mehrisadat Makki Alamdari.
Published on the 10 February 2026
Congratulations to our innovative CIES researchers who have successfully secured a new AEA Ignite - Australia's Economic Accelerator – grant commencing in 2026.
AEA Ignite is a Federal Government fund which supports projects that build capability in nationally important sectors, aligned with the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (Priority Areas) Declaration 2023. Its aim is to help universities fast-track bold ideas into real world solutions that strengthen national capability and drive future industries.
CIES researchers: IG250200052 - SMARTBuild: A Scalable AI-Reinforced Digital Twin Build Platform for Modular Building and Community Infrastructure, $410,959
Professor Wei Gao
Lead Entrepreneur: Professor Wei Gao
Collaborating Entrepreneurs: Dr Qihan Wang and Dr Mehrisadat Makki Alamdari
Industry Partners: Space Labs Australia, Freecity
Dr Qihan Wang
Dr Mehrisadat Makki Alamdari
This project aims to develop SMARTBuild, an AI-enabled digital twin platform for modular construction, focused on establishing a shared data backbone and workflow infrastructure to connect design, fabrication, installation, and lifecycle asset management. Rather than treating each project as a stand-alone delivery, the platform enables interoperable data exchange, end-to-end digital traceability, and cross-project feedback so that lessons learned can be systematically captured and reused.
As a result, SMARTBuild drives more predictable delivery, higher quality and compliance assurance, and measurable sustainability improvements across modular construction portfolios.
Congratulations to all involved!