case studies for the Australian Innovation System Report 2011 · PDF fileVision CRC and Anti-myopia Technology 4 ... DEEDI’s eExtension Project: ... The Report to which this companion

A compendium of case studies for the

Australian Innovation System Report 2011

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pendium of case studies for the

Australian Innovation System

Report 2011

ii

Acknowledgements

The Department wishes to thank all those who have contributed case studies to this companion to the Australian Innovation System Report 2011. They include Commonwealth, State and Territory government departments, businesses and other private organisations, universities and publicly funded research organisations.

Project Team

Ms Di Ballantyne (Project Leader)Dr Paul Drake (Project Leader)Ms Rachel CollinsDr Luke Hendrickson Ms Margaret MarshallMs Brigit Verey

© Commonwealth of Australia 2011

ISBN 978 1 921916 11 3

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, GPO Box 9839, Canberra ACT 2601.

Disclaimer: “The Commonwealth has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this document. Material contained within the case studies in this document has been supplied by Australian companies and other organisation. The Australian Government accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, errors and omissions in the document. The information is made available on the understanding that the Commonwealth is not engaged in the provision of professional advice and readers should rely on their own judgement and make independent inquiries before entering into any commitment based on the material published in this document.

To the extent permitted by law, the Australian Government, its employees, agents and consultants and the compilers of this document, expressly disclaim all and any liability (including negligence) for any loss or damage (including indirect special, or consequential loss or damage) to any person in respect of anything and in respect of the consequences of anything done, or omitted to be done, by any person in reliance, whether in whole or part, upon the whole or any part of the contents of this document.

Information in this document has been supplied by individual organisations that are featured in this document. The use of trademarks/names is with the permission of the owners and does not imply ownership or endorsement by the Australian Government.”

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION viii

THEME : SKILLS AND RESEARCH CAPACITY 1Virtual Week 2Working While Breastfeeding: Identifying Best Practice Strategies for Workplaces and Childcare Centres 3Vision CRC and Anti-myopia Technology 4ADHD Training System 5UB Spatial: An interoperable web-GIS supporting natural resources management 6Accelerating High End Skills Development in the Dairy Manufacturing Sector 7Geometallurgical Testing 8Sex Hormones Link to Heart Disease 9Threatened Fish in the Cotter Reservoir 10Australian Health and Social Science (AHSS) Project 11Research for National Policy to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children 12Wearable Computer Laboratory 13Research on Toxic Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and the Environment 14Teaching from Country: ICTs for Remote Indigenous Knowledge Authorities as Tertiary Educators 15Global Theological Network 16Western Australian – Organic & Isotope Geochemistry Centre 17Assessing Cost-Effectiveness in Prevention – ACE Prevention 18APOE 4 19Science and Policy for the Great Barrier Reef 20Building Industry Skills in Green Chemistry 21Increasing Australia’s Preparedness for and Responses to Bushfire Threats 22Bringing Mammoth Blood Back to Life 23How the Brain Changes Following Traumatic Brain Injury 24Criminalisation of Cartel Activity 25World-Class Geochemistry Capabilities for Research and Training in the Earth Sciences 26Malaria Research 27Research into Parasites 28Cure for Life Foundation 29The Development of Micron-Scale Surface Chemical Gradients 30AMIRA International Project P260 31Thought Controlled Wheelchair 32Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Bioinformatics 33The QUT YuMi Deadly Centre – Maths Education 34Bioplastics 35Marathon Robotics 36Innovation in Sport Science 37

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Kinda Kinder 38Sustainable Climate Change and Environmental Research 39Hydrexia Pty Ltd – Developing Products for the Hydrogen Storage Market 40Cogstate – Measuring Cognitive Performance 41The Victor Chang School Science Awards 42Capital Markets CRC and SMARTS Surveillance Technology 43Native Title Research Unit – Broader Land Settlements 44The Cold Neutron Source at the OPAL Reactor 45Initial Eight Neutron Beam Instruments at the OPAL Research Reactor 46Medical Trials – Neurodegenerative Diseases 47Menzies School of Health Research – Leishmania Project 48New South Wales Scientist of the Year – Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte 51Breeding for Less Methane 52Fraunhofer Project Group at NICTA 53Dr Peter Scarth – Queensland International Fellowship 2009 54

THEME : BUSINESS INNOVATION 55Developing Hybrid Solar Thermal Systems 56i-Cetana 57HiSeis 58RedFlow – Prototype Battery Stack 59SureFire® and ELISAONE™ 60Oat Hulls Replace LPG 61Biological Carbon Capture and Sequestration Using Micro Algal Strains 62Stormwater Harvesting Systems Reducing Water Use 63Developing Nematode Resistant Crops – Nemgenix 64Spirogene 65WasteNot Resource Exchange for Small-Medium Enterprises 66Branach Manufacturing 67UQ Vaccine Technology Licensed to Global Biopharmaceutical Company 68Astor Metal Finishes 69Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre 70Reducing the Environmental Impact of Commercial Packaging 71The Mars Marketing Laboratory 72Hardwear 73A New Treatment for Headlice 74Joinery Products 75Developing Commercial Technologies for increased Crop Yields 76Commercialisation of Coincidence Mapping Technology 77NSi and Mines Rescue – iDOME™ 78Sports Bra 79Identifying Nocturnal Hypoglycaemia in Young People With Type 1 Diabetes 80Navigator™ 81Aussie Colours 82Australian Bio Refining 83ProGel – Microencapsulation Technology 84

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Opal Immunotherapy 85CRCMining and Smart Cap 86Indigenous Visiting Research Fellowship (IVRF) Program – Jeanine Leane 87CeramiSphere 88Australian Membrane Technologies 89Dyesol – Solar Energy 90Empowered Patient Pty Ltd – Empowered Patient Project 92Pinz – Business Review of Management Framework 94Improving Law-based Communications and Technology – Evidence Technology 95Collaboration Produces Computerised Rowing Oar 96

THEME : LINKS AND COLLABORATION 97Assisting Poverty Mitigation Though Mixed Farming Systems 98Technology Roadmapping for the Australian Automotive Industry 99Men’s Learning and Wellbeing 100The Role of Eccentric Exercise and Nutrition in the Treatment of Systemic Inflammation and Chronic Disease 101Australia – China Collaboration to Repair Congenital Heart Defects 102NSW Scientific Research Showcase at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China 103Univation 104Curtin Institute of Minerals and Energy Petroleum Seminar Series 105Collaboration with the Colorado School of Mines 106Genetic Protection for Chickpeas 107Re-inventing the Wheel 108Ruggedised robots 109Electron Science Research Institute 110International Research Collaboration to Reduce HIV in Papua New Guinea 111Aus-Jubilee – A Result from Queensland’s New Generation Pineapple Breeding Program 112Helping Zoos Change / Increase Conservation Awareness 113Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) and GSK collaboration 114Residue Testing 115The Development of a New Vaccine 116Eureka Prize for Excellence in Research by an Interdisciplinary Team 117ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence 118New Energy Technology brings Industry and University Together 119Targeted Therapy for Treating Liver Cancer 120Minerals Future Collaboration Cluster 121ANSTO Minerals 122International Engagement 123Structural Innovation Timber Company 124Australia’s First “Green” Hydrogen Racing Car 125Ultrahigh Bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS) 126Guidance for Industry on Recycled Water Use 127Collaboration with Fudan University 128Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute: a Collaborative Partner. 129University of Wollongong’s IPRI and Dublin City University Collaboration 130

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Multi-Component Modelling (MCM) 131Minerals Exploration Program 132Elastatherapy™ 133Ford’s and GM Holden’s Design and Engineering Expertise 134Toyota Australia’s Hybrid Camry 135Australia-China Centre on Water Resources Research 136Australian Hydrological Geospatial Fabric (the “Geofabric”) 137Smart Transport and Roads: Collaboration Between the NSW Government and NICTA 139Water Storages 140Seasonal Streamflow Forecasting Service 142Justice Health – Indigenous Offender Health 143Completion of Field Work for the Scott Reef Research Project 144Collaboration to Develop the Zero Emission House (ZEH) 145Food Security – The ‘Perfect’ Prawn Boosts Local Industry 146Uncovering Early Stages in Alzheimer’s Disease 147Improving Health – Helping Australia Build the World’s First Bionic Eye 148Antarctic Ice Sheet – Climate Past, Present and Future 149Baseline Greenhouse Gas Monitoring for Carbon Capture and Storage 150Patent Analytics to Improve Collaboration by Australian Universities 151Harmonisation of Multi-centre Ethical Review (HoMER) 152CSIRO Plant Phenomics 153Charles Darwin University: North Australian Centre for Oil and Gas 154New South Wales Telepresence Webinar on Green Buildings 156BioPharmaceuticals Australia (BPA) 157Social Innovator Dialogues: A New Collaborative Series in Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship 158Boeing Names the CSIRO Supplier of the Year 159Innovation in Learning Spaces – The Smart Green Schools Project 160

THEME : PUBLIC SECTOR AND SOCIAL INNOVATION 161Australian Public Service Project on Public Sector Innovation 162Australian Public Sector Innovation Indicators Project 163Departmental Innovation Initiative – innovate 164The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government 165NSW Sydney Freeway Predictive Modelling Competition 166The Australian Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis 167Australian e-Government Technology Cluster 168DEEDI’s eExtension Project: Enabling Collaboration and Saving Millions 169Landgate Innovation Program 170The Classroom Access Project (CAP) 171iView 172SImPLE 173Miniscule Motors that Propel Bacteria 174Workplace Partnership and Productivity Pilot 175Unlimited: Designing for the Asia Pacific 176The Next Generation Forecast and Warning System 177Digital Futures Strategy 178

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Public Sector Innovation Workshop 179The Short Term Ensemble Prediction System (STEPS) 180The Water Data Transfer Format (WDTF) 181Social Traders – The Crunch 182Victorian App My State Competition 184Community Contact Service 1852010 International Conference on Science and Technology Parks 186Resource Sector Online Lodgement and Approvals Tracking Program 187Building Internal Capacity in Water Management 188Case Management and Targeted Intervention Through Training and Deployment of Para-Professionals in the Classroom 189Family by Family 190Hepburn Wind 191Marine Microbes , Clouds and the World’s Climate 192World First: Artificial Food for Larval Marine Lobsters 193Reef Life a Winner in Australian Research Council Fellowships 194Delivery of Radiation Consultancy and Training Services 195ARC Funding Supports Quest to Build a Simpler Quantum Computer 196Whale Research in Eastern Antarctica 1973D Alteration Mapping 198Peer to Patent Australia 199Northern Territory Aboriginal Interpreter Service 200Lower Back pain 201Australian innovation gives solar-powered light to heritage site in India 202Coordination Committee on Innovation 204Workshop on Innovation-led Growth and Prosperity 205Commowealth, State and Territory Advisory Council on Innovation (CSTACI) 206Public Sector Innovation Outreach 208

THEME : OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES 209World’s First Robotic Dairy 210Zeobond – Eco-Cement 211Radford meats: New Filters Recycle 90% of Company’s Waste Water 212The Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (SABC) 213The NBN and the Health Care Challenge 214Bio-fortification of Bananas for East Africa: Planning for Success and Public Acceptance 216NETSPACE 217Australia India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) Project 218China Connection 219

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INTRODUCTION

This Australian Innovation System Report 2011 Case Study Companion is a collection of case studies that represents the breadth of the Australian innovation environment. All contributions reflect the views of the individual contributors and in some instances the situation may have changed since the case study was submitted.

The Report to which this companion is linked, defines the Australian Innovation System as an open network of organisations interacting with each other and operating within framework conditions that regulate their activities and interactions. These three components of the innovation system; networks, innovation activities and framework conditions; collectively function to produce and diffuse innovations that have economic, social and/or environmental value.

This Compendium has arranged the case studies collected according to the five themes used throughout the Report: Skills and Research; Business Innovation; Links and Collaboration; Public Sector and Social Innovation and Opportunities and Challenges. Although the contributions have been assigned a particular theme most will reflect a number of the themes described. For the majority of case studies, organisations submitting have self identified the theme.

As the report itself states, innovation is highly contextual, evolves out of varying mixes of activities, and is influenced by framework conditions that are not globally uniform. This acknowledges that innovation is about people: the knowledge, technology, infrastructure, rules and cultures they have created or learned, who they work with, and what new ideas they are experimenting with.

We hope that you find this collection informative. Where possible, web links have been provided for each case study, should you wish to find out more.

You can access the Australian Innovation System Report 2011 and this Compendium from the Department’s Internet site at:

http://www.innovation.gov.au/innovation/Policy/Pages/AustralianInnovationSystemsReport2011.aspx

For more information, or to comment on the report, please contact:ManagerCollaboration ResearchDepartment of Innovation, Industry, Science and ResearchGPO Box 9839CANBERRA ACT 2601Telephone: +61 2 6213 6000Facsimile: +61 2 6213 7000Email: [email protected]

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THEME: SKILLS AND RESEARCH CAPACITY

Australia’s human capital is the sum total of the skills, experience and inventiveness of everyone in the country. Human capital is deployed to create new sources of economic growth and new ways to address social and environmental challenges and centres on the level and quality of the workforce skill base. As our population ages and global markets become more competitive, Australia must therefore significantly improve foundation and higher level workforce skills to lift productivity and raise innovation levels. This requires workplace cultures that promote employee engagement, create high performance workplaces and learning organisations, encourage job flexibility and knowledge exchange, and provide incentives for innovation.

Many ideas that inspire transformative innovation are born from research. Australia’s research capacity indicates how well our national innovation system is equipped to supply highly skilled researchers, productivity-enhancing knowledge and solutions to environmental and social challenges. Increasing the number of businesses investing in innovation requires more people with necessary research and technical skills to undertake R&D and operate and maintain world-class research infrastructure capabilities.

The following collection of case studies illustrate the important role that higher education institutions, publicly funded research organisations (PFROs) and skills organisations play in the Australian innovation system by maintaining and improving national research capacity and the skills base.

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AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

Virtual Week

Associate Professor Peter Rendell, Australian Catholic University and Professor Fergus Craik, University of Toronto developed Virtual Week that uses a board game format to assess prospective memory. This type of memory is involved in remembering to carry out future intentions such as keeping appointments, and turn off appliances. Half of all memory failures in daily life are prospective memory failures and some have dire consequences. Virtual Week is an objective behavioural measure that importantly closely represents the types of prospective memory tasks that actually occur in everyday life. Developing such a measure has been fundamental to developing our knowledge of prospective memory that can inform the identification of strategies to minimise lapses of intention. Avoiding such lapses is important at all ages but particularly for older adults wishing to maintain independence.

A/Prof Peter Rendell had six journal articles in 2010 which arose from ongoing collaborations with international researchers including Prof Matthias Kliegel, Dresden University, Germany, Prof Louise Phillips, Aberdeen University, UK, Prof Mark McDaniel Washington University, St Louis; and Prof Val Curren, University College London. In 2010, Virtual Week was further translated into Persian, French, Polish and Italian. This involved Peter Rendell collaborating with researchers from each of these countries. Other significant collaborations in 2010 included:

• Rotman Institute, Toronto, using Virtual Week as a memory training activity for older adults;

• Osaka University, Japan, testing the use of various reminders;

• Washington State University, St Louis, difficulties carrying out intentions by those with Parkinson’s Disease; and

• Oklahoma State University, looking at how spouses of older adults interact when carrying out intentions.

The welcome page of the ‘Virtual Week’ simulates a real week to assist in assessment of prospective memory. Image provided by the Australian Catholic University

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AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Working While Breastfeeding: Identifying Best Practice Strategies for Workplaces and!Childcare Centres

Dr Julie Smith, a health economist and research fellow at the Australian Centre for Economic Research on Health at The Australian National University (ANU), leads a research partnership with Flinders University, University of New South Wales, and the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA). The program of research examines ‘breastfeeding friendly’ practices in workplaces and childcare services, and what is needed to help employed mothers continue breastfeeding.

The study involves asking employers and employees in industry, government and childcare centres about current practice, identifying activity and policy that effectively supports combining employment and breastfeeding. By using up-to-date research findings coupled with the practical experiences of women, the project will support the identification, implementation, evaluation and expansion of effective strategies to support breastfeeding mothers. It will also identify the main workplace, childcare, and job quality predictors of exclusive breastfeeding at six months, and how this manifests in maternal and child health outcomes.

Assisting employed mothers to continue breastfeeding will reduce adverse impacts of genetic, social and environmental factors predisposing infants and children to ill health. It will also help prevent disease, and help mothers reconcile labour force participation with protecting their own and their children’s health. Following the completion of the study, there will be a series of knowledge exchange seminars in cities and regional centres around Australia to help ABA engage with human resource departments for major employers.

For further information:http://innovation.anu.edu.au/

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DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH (DIISR) – RESEARCH DIVISION

Vision CRC and Anti-myopia Technology

Myopia (short sightedness) affects over 1.6 billion people globally, with two thirds of those affected living in the Asia region. If unchecked, the number of myopia sufferers is expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2020. Some 3.5 million Australians suffer from this condition.

The current Vision CRC Anti-Myopia Program demonstrated that spectacle lenses are able to control the progression of myopia by approximately 30% in younger children (6 to 12 years of age) with certain parental history of myopia. This ground breaking discovery in myopia vision control has resulted in the commercial production of a new spectacle lens through a licence to industry leader, Carl Zeiss Vision. This world first breakthrough is based on collaborative research conducted over many years by the Vision Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) in partnership with the Brien Holden Vision Institute and the University of Houston’s College of Optometry.

The new spectacles were launched under the ZEISS brand name throughout Asia in April 2010. Contact lens applications of the myopia control technology have also been developed by CIBA VISION under licence from Vision CRC.

Professor Brien Holden, CEO of the Vision CRC, says myopia can create a serious challenge to eye health.

“High myopia significantly increases the risk of cataract, glaucoma, and retinal detachment, all potentially blinding conditions and the public health risk is significant. The commercialisation of this technology is a most important outcome for the CRC program because of the potential vision and eye health benefits.

Professor Earl Smith, Dean of the University of Houston’s College of Optometry, says the correction technology is timely.

”Evidence shows that the number of individuals with myopia will dramatically escalate with increasing urbanisation and less outdoor activity in China, USA, Australia and in developing nations. This new technology is not just for children either. Over 25% of myopes in the western world are adult-onset myopes, which often begins at university. We believe that this technology has potential benefits for all myopes.”

For further information:https://www.crc.gov.au/Information/default.aspxhttp://www.visioncrc.org/our-programs/anti-myopia.html

Myopic boy finds it easier to read wearing his new spectacles. Image provided by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

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UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG

ADHD Training System

Newly-developed software and associated training methodology developed by researchers at the University of Wollongong (UOW) has been licensed to an Australian-based neurocognitive software company for commercialisation. The novel training system, developed by Dr Stuart Johnstone and Associate Professor Steven Roodenrys at UOW’s School of Psychology, helps children improve their attention, memory and impulse control skills. When used in conjunction with a NeuroSky Mindset, a device which allows for Electroencephalography or EEG data collection, the regular use of the system has been shown to benefit children’s cognitive skills and behaviour. The intellectual property associated with this technology is the subject of a PCT patent application and has been exclusively licensed to Neuro Cognitive Software Pty Ltd for commercialisation in the field of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

For further information:http://itt.uow.edu.au/researchers/idea/UOW072556.html

ADHD researchers Associate Professor Steven Roodenrys and Dr Stuart Johnstone. Image provided by University of Wollongong

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UNIVERSITY OF BALLARAT

UB Spatial: An interoperable web-GIS supporting natural resources management

UB Spatial is an interoperable web-Geographic Information System designed by Dr Peter Dahlhaus and Helen Thomson of the University of Ballarat (UB) in a collaborative project with the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA). The impetus for the project was the need to provide the most relevant and current Natural Resource Management data into an environment where it can be accessed by catchment managers, researchers, consultants, municipalities, government agencies and members of the general public. Datasets that have been made available through this platform include groundwater bores, mapped salinity, soil erosion, and landslides. The design of UB Spatial is based on the key themes for making data accessible including flexibility, adaptability, user-friendly interoperability, and access considerations. Dozens of data sets, including light detection and ranging digital elevation models, have been contributed to the project by collaborating partners such as The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), Corangamite CMA, Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and DSE (Groundwater). The output of the project is generating intense interest among user groups.

Since the implementation of the web-GIS, the Colac Otway Shire and Municipal Association of Victoria have co-invested in the project. DSE has encouraged the extension of the UB Spatial groundwater bore database across the whole of Victoria, while collaboration with the Australian Spatial Research Data Commons project is being discussed.

For further information:http://muse.cecc.com.au/clients/ccma/ccma_bores/cb_pages/about.php

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS (DEEWR)

Accelerating High End Skills Development in the Dairy Manufacturing Sector

This Dairy Australia project produced workforce development models to equip workers in specialist dairy manufacturing with high end skills and enable companies engaged in the industry to understand and improve on their own workforce development needs and processes.

Collaboration and innovation was encouraged by adopting a skills ecosystem approach in which industry, Vocational Education and Training and company partners have equal influence and outcomes are not fixed in advance.

The outcomes of this project provide a number of opportunities for wider industry application. In particular, it provides guidance and tools to allow other industry sectors to:

• Find ways to leverage experience in individual companies to build overall workforce capability;

• Identify implications for VET providers to develop internal skills and capability and/or form alliances with industry;

• Structure competency standards in the VET system to ensure training can be monitored and improved; and

• Scope opportunities for VET to work with industry and design specific learning interventions to influence workforce development outcomes.

For further information: http://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/skills-development

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UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND

Geometallurgical Testing

JKTech Pty Ltd is the technology transfer company for the Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland. It transfers research outcomes from mining and geology, mineral processing, water, health and safety, social responsibility and risk management to the global mining industry. JKTech offers a range of innovative solutions to improve efficiency and performance in the planning and operation of minerals projects.

A large research project (AMIRA P843), undertaken in 2005-2008 and headed by Professor Steve Walters, developed test protocols for the evaluation of ore samples which allowed processing parameters to be incorporated in mine block models. These tests allow measurements to be obtained from large numbers of samples, thereby improving understanding of ore body characteristics and reducing risk for the mining companies.

JKTech officially opened its new geometallurgical testing facility in Brisbane in June 2010. This 5,000m2 laboratory houses state of the art equipment and is the main characterisation testing facility for geometallurgical projects, using the protocols developed in the AMIRA P843 project. Then in the pre-commercial stage, these test protocols were validated by JKTech on an industry-scale and were commercially released in January 2011.

Research sponsors from mining companies around the world continue to invest in R&D within this project and associated research projects, leading to more efficient and sustainable mining operations now and in the future.

For further information:http://www.uq.edu.au/research/ – UQ researchhttp://www.uq.edu.au/research/industry-partnerships – UQ Industry Partnershipshttp://www.uq.edu.au/research/professional-services – Commercialisation Services

JKTech Rotary Breakage Tester for ore breakage characterisation. Image provided by University of Queensland

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Sex Hormones Link to Heart Disease

A substantial body of evidence indicates a clear male disadvantage in cardiovascular disease (CAD). With the contribution of Dr Fadi Charchar (School of Science and Engineering, University of Ballarat) an international team has been conducting research on the molecular causes of this disparity between men and women.

This research started as part of a Dr Charchar’s Wellcome Trust Fellowship at the University of Glasgow and is now a collaborative study involving many research groups from around the world (including the US and Europe) looking at the effect of gender and specifically the Y chromosome on heart disease. Collaborators include the University of Melbourne, the University of Leicester, the University of Maryland, the University of Sydney, the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium, and the International Consortium for Blood Pressure Genome-wide Association Studies. This consortium of research groups is the only one in the world with current access to human cohort studies in the region of 80,000 subjects. The team also has access to unique human tissue samples from both the kidney and human blood cells for functional analysis.

To date the work has identified a specific Y chromosome type that places certain men at increased risk in the human population. Future aims are to dissect the exact molecular causes to derive novel preventative and therapeutic strategies. Dr Charchar has recently been awarded an NH&MRC grant to continue this work.

For further information:http://guerin.ballarat.edu.au/ard/ubresearch/

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UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA – INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED ECOLOGY RESEARCH

Threatened Fish in the Cotter Reservoir

Professor Richard Norris, together with Mark Lintermans, Ben Broadhurst, Rhian Clear, Jason Thiem, Danny Wright and Tim Kaminskas in collaboration with Brendan Ebner (Griffith University) has been working with ACTEW Corporation in the Cotter River catchment on projects related to the expansion of Cotter Reservoir and the subsequent threats to its fish fauna. ACTEW Corporation has committed $2.4m for this work over three years.

Projects are focused on threatened species, particularly Macquarie perch and Two-spined blackfish. The largest project is examining the use by adult Macquarie perch of a range of habitats constructed from boulders and pipes to provide refuge habitat that will ensure survival of the fish during and after dam construction. Other components of this study involve monitoring spawning movements of Macquarie perch out of Cotter Reservoir and documenting daily activity cycles and movement of Two-spined blackfish in Bendora Reservoir using radio-telemetry.

For further information:http://www.canberra.edu.au/research

Researchers are working to identify threats to fish fauna in the Cotter River catchment area. Image provided by University of Canberra

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CENTRAL QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY – INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH (IHSSR)

Australian Health and Social Science (AHSS) Project

In 2009 the Institute for Health and Social Science Research initiated The Australian Health and Social Science (AHSS) project. The project is supported through the Institute’s Population Research Laboratory (PRL), which contains professional in-house CATI (computer assisted telephone interviewing) infrastructure. This CATI facility recruits participants to a panel of subjects for on-going internet surveys. The panel now includes 3000 persons nation-wide. The PRL’s sophisticated online survey software is used to administer and manage the projects.

The AHSS project aims to examine the unique issues affecting Australians through targeted and regular research using this national group of participants. The panel provides regular input (via the completion of web-based surveys) on key issues and enables researchers to examine factors that influence health and wellbeing among Australian adults who are broadly representative of the wider population. The project explores key issues which are a focus of the Institute, including:

• physical health and nutrition;

• preventative health and health promotion outcomes;

• emotional and psychological health;

• behavioural and environmental risk factors;

• work and leisure activity; and

• sociodemographic characteristics (education, employment, etc).

The AHSS project is managed by staff and investigators at the CQUniversity, and affords senior staff with a unique resource to conduct their research. Whilst still in the early stages, it is expected that the data from AHSS studies will be analysed and reported in papers published in reputable academic journals, and will also be used to inform future research directions. The longitudinal nature of the study will also enable researchers to identify long-term trends and opportunities for potential interventions and health promotion strategies.

For further information:http://ihssr.cqu.edu.auhttp://ahss-panel.cqu.edu.au/http://www.noviolence.com.au/

Institute for Health and Social Science Research. Image provided by Central Queensland University

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CENTRAL QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY

Research for National Policy to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children

In 2008-2009, Heather Nancarrow, Director of the Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research (CDFVR) and Deputy Chair of the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children co-led the development of Time for Action: The National Council’s Plan for Australia to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.

Members of the National Council:

• conducted interviews across Australia;

• conducted focus groups (six expert ‘roundtables’);

• conducted a desktop analysis of key Australian and international research on sexual assault and domestic and family violence;

• undertook an ‘snapshot’ analysis of the national status quo on responding to violence against women;

• commissioned a comparative analysis of sexual assault and domestic and family violence laws across jurisdictions, and

• an analysis of the future economic costs of violence against women.

Time for Action was presented to the Prime Minister in April 2009. The Australian Government responded immediately with a commitment of $42 million, covering 11 of the 20 priority actions identified by the National Council for the first three-year implementation plan. This included the establishment of a reference for the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) to investigate the interaction between federal family law and state/territory domestic violence and child protection law and policy to ensure that no law, policy or practice jeopardises the safety of women and their children. The ALRC’s extensive report was delivered to the Commonwealth Attorney-General on 10 October 2010.

For further information:http://ihssr.cqu.edu.auhttp://ahss-panel.cqu.edu.au/http://www.noviolence.com.au/

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA – MAWSON INSTITUTE

Wearable Computer Laboratory

The Wearable Computer Laboratory in the University of South Australia is the largest national research concentration in the domains of wearable computing and augmented reality. Mawson Institute at the University of South Australia operates the world’s largest and most complex large-scale projector-based augmented reality laboratory in the world. This research environment involves the creation of simulated physical environments that capture the real scale of design objects and environments. These technologies already have the capability to project vivid, interactive images of proposed arrangements onto white wall surfaces, prototypes and forms. Observing and interacting with these objects and environments allows designers and users to experience a full-scale understanding of proposed solutions. Projector-Based Augmented Reality is a branch of AR research utilising digital projectors as the display technology. The lab conducts research into novel interaction techniques and systems for SAR, presentation of information, and advanced rendering techniques.

The use of projector-based augmented reality has the potential to revolutionise the design industry in the same manner of the 3D printer. The impact of this research is the ability of the outcomes to support a wide range of Australian industries: architecture, industrial design, product design, urban planning, and landscaping. The impact is two fold: 1) a better understanding of final design between the client and the design and 2) a collaborative design tool for design teams. The economic benefit is making Australian design companies more competitive, and building of a new industry developing and supporting the tools developed in this investigation.

The Wearable Computer Lab has also been at the forefront of outdoor AR research. Our hardware platform, the Tinmith wearable computer features powerful graphics capabilities, integrated GPS and orientation sensors, and a head worn display. Using this system, we are able to conduct research into mobile and outdoor AR interaction techniques.

For further information:http://wearables.unisa.edu.au/

UniSA Holodeck – The projector based augmented reality laboratory of the future today. Image provided by Wearable Computer Lab, University of South Australia

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CENTRAL QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY – INSTITUTE FOR RESOURCE INDUSTRY AND SUSTAINABILITY

Research on Toxic Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and the Environment

In early 2010, a collaborative research project utilising a mix of both traditional and modern genetic based technologies for the detection of potentially toxic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) at mine sites in Central Queensland was completed. As the research findings had international scientific and public health significance they were presented at national and international conferences. This project, which was led by Associate Professor Larelle Fabbro from the Centre for Environmental Management was funded by a prestigious Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) project worth over $300,000. This award built upon Dr Fabbro’s extensive research on toxic cyanobacteria and the environmental conditions which select for their dominance.

This project has been extremely important in identifying new potentially toxic and toxin producing cyanobacteria to minimise human health risks associated with local, national and international water supplies. In recent years, research into the potential risks associated with cyanobacterial contamination of human drinking water supplies has grown considerably. The research team produced new identification tools to optimise the safe management of all water resources. The team’s innovation is evidenced by investigating the occurrence and consequence of blue-green algae in an industrial environment such as coal operations.

Benefits for Australia include:

• improvement of mine water quality and decrease in human health risks;

• mitigation of the conditions required for these toxins to develop in mine water;

• translation of the scientific data into human health risks and management options; and

• information has been provided for the international guidelines for industry.

Central Queensland University worked in partnership with the Australian Water Quality Centre, BHP-Biliton Mitsubishi Alliance, Rio Tinto and Anglo Coal.

For further information:http://iris.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/view.do?site=577

Gladstone Power Station.Image by Peter Lawrence

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CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY – PROFESSOR MICHAEL CHRISTIE

Teaching from Country: ICTs for Remote Indigenous Knowledge Authorities as Tertiary!Educators

Australian Aboriginal knowledge authorities from remote communities have had little opportunity to contribute actively to academic teaching in Australian universities. Yet there is widespread and increasing acknowledgement of the potential of indigenous knowledge to enhance our understanding of the environment, and ecological systems, of linguistic and biological diversity, culture, history, art, health and much more. This collaborative project enable Yolnu (East Arnhem Land Aboriginal) knowledge authorities in remote homeland centres, to use laptop computers and G3 connectors to teach students in Darwin, and later California and Tokyo from their homes.

The research funded by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council, built upon the success of the Yolnu Studies program, which has been teaching Yolgu languages and culture successfully under Yolnu elders’ supervision for fifteen years.

Through the collaborative development of a rich website (www.cdu.edu.au/tfc), and an international seminar, students, academics, Yolnu knowledge authorities (www.cdu.edu.au/yaci) and international experts worked together to develop new understandings of the technical, the social and the pedagogical in a postcolonial university.

Collaborative academic writing emerging from this process has addressed the Yolnu philosophy of knowledge and identity, Yolnu pedagogy, ethics in a post colonial university, the nature of translation, Indigenous environmental science, and much more. A special edition of the journal Learning Communities: the International Journal of Learning in Social Contexts was published in December 2010.

For further information:www.cdu.edu.au/tfcwww.cdu.edu.au/yaci

East Arnhem Land Aboriginal knowledge authorities in remote homeland centres use laptop computers and G3 connectors to teach students in Darwin. Image provided by Charles Darwin University

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CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY

Global Theological Network

In September 2010 the Global Network for Public Theology (GNPT) consolidated its international collaboration in the area of Public Theology, by bringing together at a consultation forum in Canberra, scholars from leading international Faculties and Schools of Theology including the Edinburgh University, Stellenbosch University, the Free University of Amsterdam, The University of Pretoria and Charles Sturt University. This consultation reviewed the interaction between religious traditions, particularly Christianity, and a broad range of international and national government policies, and the ways in which religious bodies, national governments and international organisations could co-operate in planning for future relations. Against the background of international religio-political tensions this is a significant contribution.

Professor James Haire, Director of Charles Sturt University’s Public and Contextual Theology Strategic Research Centre (PACT), is serving as the current Chairperson of the GNPT.

For further information:http://www.csu.edu.au/research/http://www.csu.edu.au/faculty/arts/theology/pact/

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CURTIN UNIVERSITY

Western Australian – Organic & Isotope Geochemistry Centre

The Curtin University Western Australian – Organic and Isotope Geochemistry Centre (WA -OIGC) is an international recognised Centre contributing to world-class research to:

• improve our ability to forecast environmental responses to climate change;

• help to manage current threats to biodiversity;

• increase the ability to identify crude oil and gas sources, to the benefit of petroleum exploration; and

• improve our understanding of controls on water quality and to help protect our precious freshwater resources which are already under intense pressure from climate change and urban development.

The WA – OIGC works in areas of biomarker and compound specific isotope together with undertaking research in: the study of climatic trends both past and present; issues concerning environmental sustainability research (e.g., water, sediments and soil); as well as assisting the full realisation of Australia’s natural resources (e.g., petroleum, gas exploration).

The WA-OIGC works in areas of biomarker and compound specific isotope together with undertaking research into past and present climatic trends, issues concerning environmental sustainability research (e.g., water, sediments and soil), as well as assisting the full realisation of Australia’s natural resources (e.g., petroleum, gas exploration).

These application areas are consistent with the ARC National Research Priorities. Curtin has identified “Resources and Energy and Sustainable Development and Technologies” as key research themes.

Dr Katherine Trinajstic, a palaeontologist working in the WA-OIGC, won the prestigious 2010 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year for her work in the preservation of fossilised soft tissue of ancient fish. Dr Trinajstic’s work has found muscles and internal organs of ancient fish preserved along with fossilised bones. This has led to a series of discoveries including the oldest known fossilised vertebrates with soft tissue and discovery of the ‘first womb’.

For further information:http://www.curtin.edu.au/research/

Dr Katherine Trinajstic. Image provided by James Rogers

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DEAKIN UNIVERSITY

Assessing Cost-E"ectiveness in Prevention – ACE Prevention

Ensuring our scarce health resources are directed to where they can be most effective in improving the health and quality of life of all Australians, particularly for those with the poorest health outcomes, is a crucial task for those managing our health systems.

This collaborative five-year study, funded by the NHMRC and led by the University of Queensland and Deakin University, provides the foundation for a more effective system for health. The findings demonstrate how to achieve both a more efficient and fairer system of health. The report’s focus on deeply entrenched health inequalities facing Indigenous Australians paints highlights the need do more to improve the physical and mental health of those experiencing social, economic or geographical disadvantage.

The project evaluated the cost-effectiveness of 150 preventive health interventions, addressing areas such as mental health, diabetes, tobacco use, alcohol use, nutrition, body weight, physical activity, blood pressure, blood cholesterol and bone mineral density.

As the community and decision-makers become more aware of the need to allocate more resources to disease prevention, it is vital that action be based on the best available evidence, not on. The importance of this landmark study is that it shows the possibilities of evidence-based decision-making on prevention.

In addition to identifying where more must be done, the report identifies where we should do less to achieve a healthier community and a health system that delivers better value for money.

For further information:http://www.deakin.edu.au/research/showcase/

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EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY

APOE 4

Professor Ralph Martins, Foundation Professor in Ageing and Alzheimer’s Disease at Edith Cowan University, has been at the forefront of research into Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) since his contribution to two seminal discoveries. Professor Colin Masters and his German collaborators identified the chemical identity of the beta amyloid protein, now universally acknowledged as fundamental to the molecular pathology of Alzheimer’s, and that the Alzheimer’s brain is under oxidative stress.

Significant breakthroughs include demonstrating that APOE 4 is the major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s in the Australian community and providing valuable insights into how it contributes to the development of the disease. Research has been directed towards identification of treatments that target the neutralisation, clearance or production of beta amyloid. Recent research has focussed on the development of an early diagnostic blood test and effective therapeutic and preventative strategies.

Professor Martins co-leads the Australian Imaging Biomarkers Lifestyle (AIBL) Study of Ageing, the world’s most comprehensive study towards development of an early diagnostic test for AD. This partnership between ECU, CSIRO and the University of Melbourne places Australia at the forefront of the field. Perth is one of ten sites world-wide for the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer’s Network (DIAN), which has been funded by the US National Institutes of Health for six years and is the only international study to monitor the preclinical development of autosomal-dominant Alzheimer’s patients.

Professor Martin’s contributions were acknowledged when he was awarded the 2010 WA Australian of the Year. Overall, the research has so far attracted funding of over $40 million.

For further information:http://www.ecu.edu.au/research/overview

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JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY

Science and Policy for the Great Barrier Reef

For decades researchers at James Cook University (JCU) and other institutions, have conducted research on the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef (GBR) including human impacts such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change.

Informed by this research, the Commonwealth Government rezoned the GBR in 2004 to increase no-take ‘green zones’ from 5% to 33% to establish a large-scale network of marine reserves.

In 2010, scientists from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at JCU, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and CSIRO published a comprehensive study of the impacts of the zoning policy.

Their analysis demonstrated that:

• fish densities on no-take reefs were twice those of unprotected reefs;

• fish populations had increased significantly across the ecosystem;

• outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish were fewer on no-take reefs; and

• protected areas were especially important in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem structure and function.

These results show the rezoning is an excellent investment in social, economic and environmental terms and a cost-effective way to enhance the resilience of the reef to climate change.

The rezoning is an exemplar of evidence based policy and highlights the benefits of good feedback loops between research excellence, engagement and adaptive policy and management strategies.

The quality of GBR research is globally recognised with the ARC Centre of Excellence being the world’s Number 1 ranked institution in the ISI Web of Science, for both publications and citations in coral reef research.

For further information:http://www.jcu.edu.au/research/

Great Barrier Reef.Image provided by James Cook University

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MONASH UNIVERSITY

Building Industry Skills in Green Chemistry

The Monash Centre for Green Chemistry (CfGC) formally began as an ARC Special Research Centre in January 2000. CfGC was one of the world’s first university-based research organisations dedicated to Green Chemistry, and its goal of driving sustainable manufacturing practices into industry has resonated strongly with the sector’s needs. In June 2010, Monash University announced that, with support from the Federal Government, it would establish a $72.8 million multidisciplinary hub, Green Chemical Futures (GCF). GCF will serve as a pipeline for the technologies and human resources needed by an industry striving for a lower environmental footprint, and positioning Monash and Australia as a location of choice for R&D into sustainable technologies for this sector.

CfGC has unique skills in a number of key sustainable industrial technology areas, particularly in novel manufacturing, while operating alongside and networking with some of the largest academic and commercial organisations internationally. As well as contributing to more sustainable technology outcomes, the CfGC has been an important player in establishing and growing Australia’s green-economy workforce. Since 2000, the Centre has employed 101 research fellows/assistants and produced over 70 PhD graduates that have subsequently gone to industry (49%), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) (8%) and public/private research (40%).

For further information:www.monash.edu.au

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ROYAL MELBOURNE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (RMIT) UNIVERSITY

Increasing Australia’s Preparedness for and Responses to Bushfire Threats

RMIT researchers from various disciplines are working to address the negative consequences of climate change, in particular the increased likelihood and intensity of bushfires. RMIT researchers play a critical role in the Bushfires Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) and have worked with key partners to undertake research on a range of bushfire issues. The “Black Saturday” bushfires that devastated Victoria in February 2009 served to underscore the importance and impact of this research.

RMIT’s Professor John Handmer was a leading adviser to the Bushfire CRC Research Taskforce established immediately after the Black Saturday fires and was one of several RMIT researchers who provided expert testimony to the Bushfires Royal Commission and analysis of key bushfire research findings. A survey of people affected by the Black Saturday bushfires designed by Professor Handmer and his colleagues provided insights into how people prepared, how they reacted, and how they were dealing with the recovery and is helping to shape how agencies engage with communities dealing with bushfire threats. In addition, RMIT researchers have developed practical tools to evaluate community safety policies and programs and promote community resilience.

RMIT’s research partners include the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility and Victorian Government agencies such as the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. RMIT research students are supported by and make a valuable contribution to the Bushfires CRC’s research programs.

For further information:http://www.rmit.edu.au/

Professor John Handmer in bushfire affected Victoria. Image by Carla Gottgens and provided by RMIT

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UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE

Bringing Mammoth Blood Back to Life

A collaboration of international researchers has brought the primary component of mammoth blood back to life using ancient DNA preserved in bones from Siberian specimens 25,000 to 43,000 years old.

Professor Alan Cooper (Australian Research Council Future Fellow) and members of the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA and the University of Adelaide’s Environment Institute resurrected mammoth haemoglobin, and published the results in Nature Genetics this year (2010 Jun;42(6):536-40).

The Adelaide group extracted and deciphered the genetic instructions for haemoglobin from mammoth bones preserved in Siberian permafrost, and managed to uncover physiological attributes of an animal that hasn’t existed for thousands of years. The approach opens the way to studying the biomolecular and physiological characteristics of extinct species, even for features that leave no trace in the fossil record.

Researchers converted the mammoth haemoglobin DNA sequences into RNA and inserted them into modern-day E. coli bacteria, which then manufactured the authentic mammoth protein. Using modern scientific physiological tests and chemical modelling the team characterised the biochemical properties that confer mammoths with physiological cold tolerance. The resulting haemoglobin molecules are no different than ‘going back in time’ and taking a blood sample from a real mammoth.

Studies of the recreated mammoth haemoglobin reveal special evolutionary adaptations that allowed the mammoth to cool its extremities down in harsh Arctic conditions to minimise heat loss. Three highly unusual changes in the protein sequence allowed the mammoth’s blood to deliver oxygen to cells even at very low temperatures, something that indicates adaptation to the Arctic environment.

For further information:www.adelaide.edu.au/research

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UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

How the Brain Changes Following Traumatic Brain Injury

A research project in rats funded by the Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative (VNI) has tracked how problems such as anxiety, depression, attention disorders and epilepsy develop after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The knowledge gained will be used to design and test novel treatments with the potential to improve the quality of life of TBI sufferers and their families significantly.

The study, led by Professor Terence O’Brien of the University of Melbourne, investigated the long-term changes that occur in the hippocampus—a region of the brain which is essential to the formation of long-term memory and emotion and is the most common source of epilepsy following TBI.

TBI is an important cause of death and disability in children and young adults around the world. For years after the initial injury, survivors suffer from disorders in attention, memory and learning. They also exhibit psychiatric and behavioural problems. Improved understanding of the causes of these long-term disabilities that follow brain trauma, O’Brien says, is the key to developing effective treatments.

O’Brien’s team investigated the physical degeneration of the hippocampus in rats using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and looked at changes in its function using Positron Emission Tomography (PET). The use of these advanced, non-invasive imaging techniques enabled the researchers to assess the brain repeatedly over time following injury, and to relate the changes they saw to abnormalities in behaviour, cognitive function and the development of epilepsy. They found that the changes picked up by imaging were correlated with changes in behaviour.

Thirty per cent of the rats developed epilepsy within six months of the initial injury. The rats also showed depression and increased anxiety, and struggled to perform simple tasks. This demonstrated that many of these problems which commonly afflict people following a brain injury have, in at least part, a physical basis—they are actually related to structural and functional changes in the brain.

There are currently no effective treatments to reduce the occurrence or severity of psychological, cognitive or epileptic problems caused by TBI. Using animal models to further our understanding of how long-term brain injuries progress, and when to treat them, provides researchers with a practical way to test potential treatments before starting expensive and lengthy clinical trials, says O’Brien.

Professor Terence O’Brien who is leading the study into how the brain changes following trauma. Image provided by University of Melbourne

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Criminalisation of Cartel Activity

In 2009, an interdisciplinary team led by Associate Professor Caron Beaton-Wells (Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne) was awarded research funding of $340,000 from the Australian Research Council for a three year project concerned with the criminalisation of cartel activity. Serious cartel conduct is highly damaging to Australia’s economic welfare but only recently has it been regarded as criminal. This research informs public debate about the impetus and justification for this major shift in competition law policy and enforcement. It provides robust empirical evidence about public opinion and business behaviour and derives insights into whether criminalisation will promote greater compliance with the law. It also assists in refining practical implementation measures to ensure the effectiveness of a criminal regime and will aid legislators and regulators in policy-making, regulatory design and enforcement in relation to competition law and business regulation more generally.

Significant deliverables from the project to date include:

• completion of a substantial research book – Australian Cartel Regulation: Law, Policy and Practice in an International Context, by Associate Professor Caron Beaton-Wells and Professor Brent Fisse (Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne), published by Cambridge University Press in February 2011;

• completion of edited book – Criminalising Cartels: Critical Studies of an International Regulatory Movement, edited by Associate Professor Caron Beaton-Wells and Dr Ariel Ezrachi (Faculty of Law, University of Oxford), published by Hart Publishing in March 2011; and

• completion of a large scale extensive survey of the Australian public to ascertain public attitudes to the legal status of, consequences for, and characterisation of cartel conduct for the report The Cartel Project: Report On A Survey Of The Australian Public Regarding Anti-Cartel Law And Enforcement published in December 2010.

For further information:www.cartel.law.unimelb.edu.au.

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World-Class Geochemistry Capabilities for Research and Training in the Earth Sciences

The School of Earth Sciences in the Faculty of Science at the University of Melbourne has established world-class geochemical facilities for investigating the history and evolution of the Earth. These facilities (led by Professors Janet Hergt, John Woodhead, Andrew Gleadow, Barry Kohn, Associate Professor David Phillips and Dr John Moreau) incorporate a unique combination of analytical instrumentation, specialist laboratories and expertise for research and training in the fields of isotope geochemistry, geochronology, thermochronology, aqueous and environmental geochemistry and biogeochemistry.

Significant research and training outcomes of the facility include:

• dating new early human (hominin) fossil sites in South Africa using novel U-Pb geochronology techniques;

• evaluating palaeo-climate variation throughout the geological record by analysing speleotherms (for example, stalagmites and other cave calcites);

• charting the evolution of the Australian landscape using new, innovative automated fission track dating methods;

• establishing the timing and mineralisation environment of gold deposits in Victoria, with implications for future gold exploration in Australia;

• discovering unexpected biogeochemical processes consuming the greenhouse gas methane in the deep seafloor;

• investigating aqueous environmental factors controlling the release of cyanide breakdown products and arsenic from mine tailings; and

• research and vocational training qualifications (PhD, Masters, Honours) for twelve Geologists and Geochemists.

The geochemistry facilities in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Melbourne have extensive links and collaborative ties with numerous government organizations, industry and universities worldwide.

Photograph of the University of Melbourne School of Earth Sciences Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory (Pictured from left to right are Dr John Hellstrom, Professor Jon Wood, Professor Janet Hergt and Dr Roland Maas). Photograph courtesy of Professor Andrew Gleadow (School of Earth Sciences, Facuty of Science, The University of Melbourne.) Image provided by University of Melbourne

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Malaria Research

Malaria is a major global health problem. The World Health Organization estimates that 500 million people are infected and three million people die each year. There is currently no vaccine and the parasite is now resistant to most of the existing drugs.

Research led by Professor Geoffrey McFadden (School of Botany, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne) discovered that the malaria parasite contains a relic plastid – the chloroplast organelle that is responsible for photosynthesis in algae and higher plants. This discovery has revolutionised the understanding of one of the world’s major pathogens, and opened up new strategies to battle the deadly disease. The genetic traces of plant-like metabolism in malaria indicate that the parasite was originally a plant-like organism that survived by photosynthesis. This organism moved from its life in the ocean to a new, parasitic lifestyle eating the blood in our veins.

Professor McFadden’s research team has identified many new drug targets in the relic plastid of malaria parasites, vastly increasing the number of strategies for the development of much-needed new malaria drugs.

For further information:http://www.geoffmcfadden.com/McFadden_Lab/Home.html

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Research into Parasites

Worldwide, the current financial losses caused by parasites and neglected tropical diseases have a major impact on farm profitability and exacerbate the global food shortage. Parasitic nematodes of humans, livestock and other animals cause devastating diseases of major proportion. The long-term prospects and opportunities of research into these parasites include the development of diagnostic tests and/or safe anti-parasitic compounds, based on a better understanding of parasite genomes, host-parasite relationships and the molecular biology of the parasites themselves. Hence, there are major gains to be made by improving the knowledge of such neglected pathogens, leading to such outcomes.

Professor Robin Gasser (Professor in Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne) has support from the Australian Research Council and various overseas partners (including the Sabin Vaccine Institute in Washington and the National History Museum in London) as well as collaborations with the California Institute of Technology and the Genome Sequencing Center (Washington University School of Medicine) to research parasite genomics and genetics.

The research team in the Gasser Laboratory utilises next-generation sequencing technologies and new concepts to gain improved insights into the molecular biology of parasites and the interactions with their hosts. The group is working towards developing novel intervention strategies against parasites. The program provides a unique technology platform and a skills-base in parasite genomics and will generate significant fundamental research results, leading to applied and biotechnological outcomes, such as the development of drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tests.

For further information:http://research.vet.unimelb.edu.au/gasserlab/index.html

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UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES

Cure for Life Foundation

Australia’s first research group dedicated to tackling the rising incidence of brain tumours has been established at the University of New South Wales, following a $2.3 million donation by the Cure for Life Foundation. The research facility, to be known as the ‘Cure for Life Neuro-Oncology Group’, will be led by renowned brain tumour researcher Dr Kerrie McDonald and based at UNSW’s Lowy Cancer Research Centre.

The $2.3 million funding will be used to drive research into malignant brain tumours – one of the deadliest forms of cancer – and develop the research group in Neuro-Oncology over the next five years.

According to the Brain Foundation, more than 1,200 people die each year from malignant and benign brain tumours.

“There is no known cure for brain cancer, yet it has the greatest impact on society of all the cancers. As a neurosurgeon who sees dozens of patients with this disease each week, it’s easy for me to be passionate about this issue – but it’s not so easy for others. To find a researcher who has that same passion and vision is incredible and Kerrie McDonald’s appointment is a major step toward finding a cure,” Dr Teo said.

”The incidence of brain tumours is on the rise and it is still the most common life-threatening form of tumour in children. This funding will provide the support to help find a much-needed breakthrough.”

The Cure for Life Foundation™ is the largest active fundraiser for brain tumour research and awareness in Australia. Established in 2003 by world-renowned neurosurgeon, Dr Charles Teo, Cure for Life is making a major contribution to research and education in the treatment of brain cancer.

For further information:www.unsw.edu.auhttp://www.cureforlife.org.au/Lowy_Cancer_Research_Centre/

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA – MAWSON INSTITUTE

The Development of Micron-Scale Surface Chemical Gradients

Since 2008 Dr Endre Szili and colleagues of the University of South Australia have led an international collaboration with teams from the University of Liverpool (UK) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (US). The collaboration aims to develop gradients of chemistry in organic and polymeric materials at the biologically relevant micron-scale.

In recent years the reduction in dimensions of plasma sources has received considerable global attention. The application of micron-scale plasma sources to modify organic surfaces is relevant to the increasing demand for further miniaturisation in a number of industries; agriculture and the testing of food allergies, diagnostics in forensic and environmental sciences and the life sciences in, for example, the study of gene expression to profile human breast cancer.

To date the project has utilised a unique experimental system to characterise the micron-scale plasma sources and demonstrated their application in the attachment and culture of cells in vitro. 2010 saw a further innovation of this technology being established in collaboration with Professor Karen Gleason, and her corporation GVD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

For further information:http://www.unisa.edu.au/

An example of a micron-scale plasma source. In the background is an image of fluorescing human cells that were grown on a plasma surface engineered material at the Mawson Institute, University of South Australia. Image provided by Mawson Institute, University of South Australia

A custom-built plasma reactor used for the operation of micron-scale plasma sources for automated miniaturised surface engineering processes located at the Mawson Institute, University of South Australia. Image provided by Mawson Institute, University of South Australia

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA – THE IAN WARK RESEARCH INSTITUTE

AMIRA International Project P260

The Ian Wark Research Institute (The Wark™) is the Australian Research Council Special Research Centre for Particle and Material Interfaces. Led by Laureate Professor John Ralston, the institute has a prized international reputation for its research and postgraduate education. The Wark™ has extensive state-of-the-art research facilities, internationally renowned researchers and an international client base of major companies.

For more than a decade The Wark™, at the University of South Australia (UniSA), has been a part of finding business solutions for mining leaders such as Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, and major corporates including Dow and Unilever. The Wark is distinctive in its creative and flexible approach to research and development, where a mixture of fundamental and applied research is conducted across a wide range of project areas.

From 1998 to 2010, the AMIRA International project P260 has been conducted with the aim to improve flotation of minerals in the minerals processing industry. The project also has applications across other industry sectors.

To evaluate the benefits from this project since its inception up until 2006, AMIRA International and The Wark commissioned RMDStem Limited, an independent organisation with an extensive track record and proven experience, to conduct the study. The study showed industry end-users were very effective in transferring the AMIRA P260 Project research outputs into useful outcomes.

The financial value derived by end-users:

• Delivered Net Present Value (NPV) $318M – primarily through improved recovery, price realisation (by improving grade and quality of concentrates), and reduced operating costs.

• Expected NPV $118M – primarily improving recovery, price realisation, reduction in operating costs and improving throughput.

• Total value $436M.

The benefits NPV to cost ratio is (21.5 to 1) for industry. The benefits to cost ratio for The Wark is (18.5 to 1).

For further information:http://www.unisa.edu.au/ http://www.unisa.edu.au/iwri/

Ian Wark Research Institute. Image provided by University of South Australia

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UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY

Thought Controlled Wheelchair

Professor Hung Nguyen, Dean of UTS’s Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, and his team from the Centre for Health Technologies have developed a wheelchair that promises to give mobility to people with severe disabilities.

The intelligent wheelchair technology identifies and classifies the user’s brain signals, which are then translated into commands to control a motorised or electronic device. Professor Nguyen explains:

“I started developing a head movement system in 1997, and it’s only recently that we came up with a very small and wireless technology. The thought controlled technology took some time to get here. We use a number of different electrodes – though I’d prefer to only use one electrode. We use lasers and stereoscopic cameras to allow the user to navigate. You can also call the wheelchair to come to you, just by thinking. The wheelchair can even be parked without you being in the chair.”

Professor Nguyen says he hopes to explore possibilities for people with a locked-in syndrome, such as those who are aware and alert but unable to respond.

“They can use this technology to communicate with people or to control the wheelchair, to even turn on the TV. They wouldn’t need carers all the time. The technology will soon have the ability to adapt to the user, so the device will rewire itself to cope with different disabilities.” The wheelchair is only the beginning – Professor Nguyen and his team are already working on a thought controlled car.

For further information:http://newsroom.uts.edu.au/news/2010/10/thought-control

Professor Hung Nguyen (right) and the commercialisation team. Image provided by KiLN Media

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Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Bioinformatics

The first human genome sequences ten years ago were only the start of an avalanche of data arising from a new industrial-scale molecular biology. Beginning in 2000, reports and government white papers called attention to capabilities gaps that must be addressed for Australia to remain competitive in life science-based industries. The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Bioinformatics (ACB) was established in 2003 under the leadership of Professor Mark Ragan at The University of Queensland (UQ) to build a critical mass, research excellence, national focus and international visibility in the management and analysis of genome-scale data.

ACB has developed new partnerships across disciplines and institutions to achieve significant outcomes, including:

• training a skilled research workforce:

– 62 postdoctoral fellows, 35 research personnel, 112 postgraduates, 50 honours students and 51 interns trained through 2010;

– Internships provided at the European Bioinformatics Institute, Oxford University and IBM;

• supporting research outreach:

– founded the national Winter School in Mathematical and Computational Biology, which in 2010 attracted 260+ registrants from Australia and overseas. From 2011 it will be managed by Bioplatforms Australia and EMBL Australia as a cornerstone of a nationally coordinated approach to advanced training in bioinformatics;

– key role in founding Bioinformatics Australia within AusBiotech, the national peak body in biotechnology;

– attracted three major bioinformatics conferences to Australia; and

• commercialising service:

– Queensland Facility for Advanced Bioinformatics (QFAB), a 2006 spinout, employs 17 FTE and provides advanced bioinformatics service across Australia and overseas.

ACB is led by UQ on behalf of ANU, Newcastle, Deakin and Macquarie Universities, along with Auckland University, the University of Tennessee and IBM.


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QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The QUT YuMi Deadly Centre – Maths Education

The QUT YuMi Deadly Centre (YuMi means “you and me working together for all”), which opened in 2010 has $4.7 million in federal and state grants to undertake research in indigenous education.

The Centre, led by Associate Professor Annette Baturo and Professor Tom Cooper, has been successful in securing a number of major grants including: $2.2 million from DEEWR over four years as part of a federal government initiative; $1.56 million from the Queensland Department of Education and Training (DET) over three years; and a four-year ARC Linkage project for $837,000, plus $320,000 from industry partners.

The YuMi Deadly Centre has commenced a 3-year (2010-2012) project, Teaching Inclusive Mathematics Education (TIME), which has been funded by the Queensland Department of Education and Training (DET). The major purpose of this project is to increase schools’ capacity to enhance the mathematics learning outcomes (and thus their life and employment chances) of their Indigenous, Torres Strait Islander, migrant and low SES students. Teaching Inclusive Mathematics Education (TIME) grew out of work by QUT Professors Baturo and Cooper with dozens of Indigenous schools over the past decade.

Teachers from 29 Queensland state primary schools have been trained in this new maths teaching method developed by QUT. 70 teachers from central and southern schools wishing to improve their maths results were trained during March and low socio-economic schools, from Rockhampton to North Stradbroke Island signed up for teacher training in the program which is not a radical new maths teaching method but takes a holistic approach.

The goal of the program is to lift the performance of disadvantaged students, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, in national maths tests. Australian students performed poorly in maths compared with countries such as India. A big performance gap also existed between Australian students from higher socio-economic backgrounds and those from lower ones.

For further information:http://ydc.ed.qut.edu.au/yumi-deadly-maths.html

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SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Bioplastics

Researchers at Swinburne University have been investigating the use of bioplastics – ingredients from renewable sources – and the properties of biopolymers that determine their ‘compostability’. Prototype biodegradable plastics are possibly just months away, spelling good news for the worsening headache of plastic packaging, which accounts for up to 25 per cent of municipal landfill.

The projects have brought together PhD students, Suchetana Chattopadhyay and Cameron Way, who are examining the properties of plastics biopolymers as part of their PhD studies, under the supervision of Associate Professor Enzo Palombo.

Chattopadhyay is using a respirometer – a composting machine – to test novel, chitin-based polymers. Chitin is the world’s second most abundant organic compound. It is mostly derived from shellfish waste, but also includes the exoskeletons of crustaceans, insects and spiders.

In collaboration with an industry partner, Chattopadhyay has provided the first direct evidence of true biodegradability in novel, chitin-based polymers. She has demonstrated that fungi – which plays a key role in degrading the most abundant biolpolymers found in nature – grows on the chitin-based biopolymer, proving that the material is biodegradable.

Chattopadhyay’s objective to reduce the growing amount of inorganic landfill has the added aim of finding a biopolymer suitable for food packaging that is derived from raw materials that don’t compete with food crops such as starch from food crops.

In a parallel project, Cameron Way has been examining the composition and mechanical and biodegradation relationships of polylactic acid-lignocellulose (PLA) biocomposites. Way’s research has led him to use a corn starch-based biopolymer that is reinforced with lignocellulose fibres.

Biodegradable plastics are essential to reducing the mounting dilemma of plastics waste, and it is hoped that through these projects Swinburne may have soon have a product that solves some of the issues surrounding plastics waste.

For further information: http://www.research.swinburne.edu.au

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THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

Marathon Robotics

Marathon applies state-of-the-art robotic technology to live-fire marksmanship training. This approach simultaneously improves realism and challenge of training while reducing the overall cost of ownership.

Smart targets are autonomous, which provides a set of unique capabilities:

• realistic, challenging and unpredictable motion;

• responsive behaviour; and

• minimum infrastructure.

With the smart targets system, a single instructor can conduct complex long-duration scenarios with multiple free-ranging targets. No need to use a joystick – just give the command and off they go, following a pre-orchestrated scenario. Auto-generated scenarios are also available.

When a target is shot, it provides instant visual feedback by stopping and dropping its mannequin. It simultaneously sends a message to other targets, which can react by running for cover.

The technology was developed by three University of Sydney PhD students. Marathon Robotics was established approximately 8 years ago, and The University of Sydney granted an exclusive licence to the technology in 2007.

Marathon Robotics secured funding support from both the New South Wales and Federal Governments.

In 2008 Marathon was invited to provide the technology for an on-screen challenge: to autonomously deliver pizza across several city blocks in downtown San Francisco. The target body is replaced with a friendlier character. The results are shown in Discovery Channel’s TV show – Prototype This!

Throughout 2009 Marathon participated in a number of defence hardware shows and expeditions, in key European and US markets.

In July 2010 Marathon Robotics was awarded a US$50 Million Contract for the First-Ever Smart Targets in the U.S. Military by the United States Marine Corps.

For further information:www.sydney.edu.au/sydnovate

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VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

Innovation in Sport Science

Sport science is a continually evolving process of innovation and application that can elevate sport performers and teams into winning positions. When Victoria University entered into a formal partnership in 2005 with the Australian Football League team, the Western Bulldogs, it was logical that one of the key initial partnership activities was to develop a vibrant sport science relationship. This was initiated and overseen by a committee with key representatives from both parties. A vital development was to directly engage sport science staff from Victoria University with the elite football community.

It was also essential to engage coaches and players with the academic environment. Learning occurred both ways! This engagement was generated in a multi-disciplinary way by creating a “pipeline” professional development opportunity for outstanding Sport and Exercise Science students, capable of meeting short- and longer-term needs of both parties. Up to five cadetships have been offered annually to the top Sport and Exercise Science students, to be immersed in sport science activities in the football club environment. Outstanding students have progressed from a Cadetship, to an Honours research year, to a PhD, all embedded in the Western Bulldogs to address industry-specific problems.

Further engagement occurred through a conjoint appointment in Sport Science. These Sport Science activities produced immediate benefits for players. Key early scientifically-based improvements involved monitoring and regulating player hydration status and core body temperature, regular monitoring of player work rates during matches and at training, monitoring balance and decision-making.

The sport science relationship has progressively led to a series of scientific initiatives in regulating player load, player recovery, player rotations during matches, testing of various ergogenic aids and garments, assessment and training of kicking efficiency and use of visual cues by players to select appropriate kicking skills. This approach has successfully merged the Western Bulldogs’ demand for quick feedback, with the longer-term requirement of carefully controlled research.

Our sport science partnership remains a work in progress, but has already been of great benefit to Victoria University’s undergraduate and postgraduate students, to Victoria University staff, Western Bulldogs fitness and coaching staff, and of course, the players. With Victoria University’s new world-class scientific sport and exercise science laboratories set to open at the end of 2010, and with a dedicated presence now of Victoria University staff and students at the Whitten Oval, the scene is set to evolve to the next level of innovation in sport science.

For further information:http://www.vu.edu.au/researchhttp://www.vu.edu.au/industry-and-community/innovation-and-commercial-development

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VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

Kinda Kinder

Kinda Kinder is a free, play-based program for pre-school aged children (from birth to the early years of primary school) and their families delivered in community settings throughout the western region of Melbourne. It is run by Victoria University students undertaking the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood/Primary) and the Diploma of Children’s Services students from TAFE in conjunction with mentors, university colleagues and communities. It has the financial or in-kind support of Victoria University, Best Start (a State Government initiative which is a prevention and early intervention project aimed to improve the health, development, learning and wellbeing of all children in the state of Victoria from pregnancy to transition to school), the Myer Foundation and IBM.

The program began in 2005 with a small number of sites and has now grown to encompass 25 sites in total with interest shown from other communities to join in 2011. The program offers the Victoria University students the opportunity to devise, implement and evaluate an educational program in a ‘real’ situation allowing for skills development via the integration of theory and practice and mentored by experienced early childhood practitioners. The Early Childhood Team is also undertaking research on the efficacy and outcomes of the program.


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Sustainable Climate Change and Environmental Research

The Federal and State governments have recently awarded several University of Wollongong (UOW) researchers with funding of more than $2.8M (over 4 years) for projects in climate change and environmental research, indicating a rapidly growing cluster of ‘sustainable’ research at the UOW, and reinforcing the successful effort UOW is making towards the Government’s national research priority, “An Environmentally Sustainable Australia”.

From mosses on the frozen flanks of Antarctica to the erratic behaviour of bushfires, from atmospheric measurements in Darwin to eroding coastlines on the eastern seaboard, researchers at UOW are ensuring that the university is at the forefront of this significant area of research.

UOW’s Climate Change experts include Professor Sharon Robinson, Dr Helen McGregor and Professor Colin Woodroffe who has an international reputation as a coastal geomorphologist and has researched and written books on coastal environments. Professor Woodroffe was a lead author on a chapter of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment on the vulnerability of coastal systems.

For further information:http://www.uow.edu.au/research/index.html

Professor Colin Woodroffe and coral sample. Image provided by University of Wollongong

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GBS VENTURE PARTNERS

Hydrexia Pty Ltd – Developing Products for the Hydrogen Storage Market

Brisbane based Hydrexia is developing products for the Hydrogen storage market. Today Hydrogen is used in many industrial processes and is increasingly being considered as a clean energy carrier to replace hydrocarbons fuels. However storage of hydrogen is a barrier to its wider adoption, with available storage technologies (pressurized gas or liquid) suffering from significant performance, cost and safety disadvantages.

Hydrexia’s technology was developed at the University of Queensland and is based upon magnesium alloys capable of storing hydrogen as a solid metal hydride. The alloys are produced using conventional casting equipment, and are therefore expected to have significant economic benefits over conventional hydrogen storage materials, in addition to safety and portability benefits.

The company has financial backing from UniSeed, GBS Ventures, Conduit Ventures and has received significant support from Government initiatives including the Climate Ready program and Innovation Investment Follow on Fund (IIFF).

Operationally Hydrexia has focused on scaling-up and testing its technology in prototypes with a goal of achieving commercial scale units to be tested with industry partners. This has resulted in significant skills being generated in the local economy, applicable to the existing hydrogen industrial gas industry as well as likely growth industries related to emerging clean energy markets.

For further information:http://www.hydrexia.com/ http://www.gbsventures.com.au/

Existing commercial MCP holding ~10kg of H2 vs. Hydrexia’s prototype holding ~40kg of H2 on the same footprint. Image provided by GBS Ventures Pty Ltd

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GBS VENTURE PARTNERS

Cogstate – Measuring Cognitive Performance

CogState is based on technology developed by Professor David Darby from the University of Melbourne which allows for the quick, accurate and culturally neutral measurement of cognitive performance. CogState tests begin by taking a baseline measurement from a subject who is then periodically retested in order to detect cognitive change. The company was founded around investment from GBS Ventures’ Australian Bioscience Trust; itself established under the Australian Federal Government’s Innovation Investment Fund (IIF) program.

The company has grown to a point where it is now commercialising its cognitive tests and was listed on the ASX in 2004. CogState remains principally based in Melbourne but has additional offices in the US and UK. In FY2010 the company generated sales revenue of just under $10m and a net profit after tax of $1.6m.

The primary source of revenue is sales of cognitive tests into pharmaceutical trials, however a number of other markets provide significant growth opportunities including work place testing and the emerging market of concussion testing in sport – particularly in the US where CogState entered a joint venture to form Axon Sports in August 2010, based on its technology.

For further information:www.Cogstate.com http://www.gbsventures.com.au/

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VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The Victor Chang School Science Awards

The Victor Chang School Science Awards is an innovative program, developed to foster an interest in science amongst secondary school students, and to promote a career in science as a viable and interesting career path. In 2010, the awards have increased their reach and capacity, expanding into the Illawarra Region, as well as Sydney’s South-West, to over 100 schools.

The Awards are presented to Year 11 students who are selected by their school as having excelled in their science studies during the year. Awardees are presented with a framed Certificate and are given the opportunity to visit the Institute for hands-on work experience.

24 year old Monique Ohanian is a shining example of the success of the program. Monique was the recipient of the inaugural award in 2004, as a year 11 student at Loyola Senior High School, Mount Druitt. As part of her award, Monique spent a day at the Institute to see first-hand the research being done. She became inspired to continue, and later completed several months of work experience and part time work at the Institute, whilst completing her degree – a Bachelor of Medical Science.

Monique now works in the Sister Bernice Inherited Heart Diseases Laboratory at the VCCRI, under the guidance of Associate Professor Diane Fatkin, studying the genetic causes of cardiac arrhythmias. Recently, she not only completed her Honours degree with the Institute but graduated with First Class Honours and received the University Medal from the University of Western Sydney.

For further information:www.victorchang.edu.au

Monique Ohanian, 2004 Victor Chang School Science Award Winner, now works at the Institute studying the genetic causes of cardiac arrhythmias such as Atrial Fibrillation and Dilated Cardiomyopathies. Image provided by Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.

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DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCINEC AND RESEARCH (DIISR) – RESEARCH DIVISION

Capital Markets CRC and SMARTS Surveillance Technology

The research capacity of the Capital Markets CRC (CMCRC) has been integral to the success of the Smarts Group, an Australian global securities markets surveillance technology group acquired by the NASDAQ OMX in July 2010.

SMARTS, which will remain a CMCRC partner, is the global leader in market surveillance technology for exchanges, regulators and stock broking firms with over 30 national exchange and regulatory customers and over 50 broking firm clients in 30 countries. NASDAQ OMX is a household name and the world’s largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents and 50 countries.

CMCRC Chief Scientist and SMARTS co-founder Professor Mike Aitken of the University of NSW commented, ‘the acquisition of SMARTS is a great achievement for the Australian IT industry and the CRC system as it showcases the technology leadership potential of Australian innovation, especially security markets technology, in an international context.’ He acknowledged also that the CMCRC ‘provides research and career opportunities for about 60 PhD students. It’s a knowledge base that no-one else can hold a candle to.’ The CRC has used a range of innovative methods to attract and retain high calibre PhD students including a You Tube promotion by their current students, early engagement strategies to target promising undergraduate students and a share equity plan for PhD students completing the CMCRC scholarship program.

On other CMCRC enterprises, Professor Mike Aitken added that ‘I am encouraged by the progress of another one of our commercial ventures, CMC HIBIS, which could, given time, become even bigger than SMARTS.’

For further information: https://www.crc.gov.au/Information/default.aspx

SMARTs – an Australian global securities market surveillance technology employed globally sells to NASDAQ QMX. Image provided by DIISR Research Division

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AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER STUDIES (AIATSIS)

Native Title Research Unit – Broader Land Settlements

The Native Title Research Unit at AIATSIS is primarily funded through an agreement with FaHCSIA. As well as providing a range of native title resources, information and access services, publications, workshops and an annual native title conference, the unit undertakes high quality research relating to identified priority areas. It undertakes 6 monthly reporting to FaHCSIA attached to a 3 year business plan with clear outputs related to key performance indicators

Broader Land SettlementsThis research project is part of the new 3 year funding agreement with FaHCSIA which commenced in July 2009. It responds to the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s call for the development of innovative policy options for progressing broader land settlements that complement the Australian Government’s Native Title Act 1993 and the work of the Federal Court of Australia. A related ongoing project is the Registered Native Title Proscribed Bodies Corporate project which addresses the critical issue of the future of Native Title corporations and the management of native title land.

Knowledge Management: Agreement Precedents The Knowledge Management: Agreement Precedents 12 month pilot project is run by the NTRU and commenced in October 2009 in response to requests from native title representative bodies to develop a legal precedents database to inform the negotiation of native title agreements. Making agreements is central to the native title system, but much of the useful information included in native title agreements is effectively ‘locked away’ by confidentiality clauses. As its primary output in accordance with its key performance indicator, the pilot project, undertaken by Joe Fardin, has developed a database of agreement clauses that may be used to inform future negotiations. The project has a working group of five NTRBs to provide strategic guidance on development of the project and to act as the primary information contributors during the pilot phase. The database initially contains precedents relating to mining, mineral and petroleum exploration, infrastructure and cultural heritage agreements.

Mediation and Negotiation Ms Toni Bauman, a research fellow in the NTRU, works extensively with native title stakeholders and researchers to help increase understanding of the importance of decision making and dispute management processes in achieving successful and sustainable agreements. This project is ongoing within the NTRU 3 year business plan (see above). The project includes working on the Victorian Native Title Settlement Framework with the Victorian Government, particularly with the Department of Justice and Native Title Services Victoria. It includes working on the Right People for Country project which is developing a panel of skilled Indigenous mediators and facilitators to work on Native Title overlapping claims and group membership disputes. It also includes working with Native Title Services Victoria and the Department of Justice to develop new ways of doing business particularly in the assessment of connection information.

For further information:www.aiatsis.gov.au

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AUSTRALIAN NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANISATION (ANSTO)

The Cold Neutron Source at the OPAL Reactor

ANSTO is the custodian of the OPAL Reactor – landmark infrastructure deployed in the national interest and one of the world’s leading research reactors. The OPAL Reactor is designed for several scientific uses including neutron-scattering related research at ANSTO’s Bragg Institute. One of the sources supplying neutrons is the Cold Neutron Source (CNS). The CNS provides key capabilities to Australian neutron science communities that were not available with Australia’s first reactor, HIFAR, which closed in 2007.

New frontiers in many scientific disciplines are explored by using the long wavelength of the low-energy neutrons generated by the CNS to study large molecules and compounds, rather than objects of atomic size.

Since its commissioning in 2007, the OPAL CNS has operated at its design capacity. It has achieved 90% availability in 2010 and 100% availability over the last 6 months.

An advanced monitoring methodology and maintenance regime have been developed and implemented that is international best practice for the operation of the facility. Looking to the future, this new knowledge base and human resource will be crucial to OPAL’s continuing success over its life time, given the high demand seen on the existing cold beam instruments at ANSTO’s Bragg Institute, and the potential for a second neutron guide hall and second CNS.

For further information: www.ansto.gov.au http://www.ansto.gov.au/discovering_ansto/anstos_research_reactor www.ansto.gov.au/research/bragg_institute/facilities/instruments

A view of the OPAL research reactor. Image provided by ANSTO

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Initial Eight Neutron Beam Instruments at the OPAL Research Reactor

The initial suite of neutron beam instruments for the OPAL Research Reactor was funded along with the Commonwealth’s decision to build OPAL itself in 1997. Between 2000 and 2007, seven leading-edge instruments were constructed with project management and integration by ANSTO. The eighth instrument has now received its operating license and will come on line next year. The first neutron-scattering data was taken in 2006, a few months after OPAL went critical and the first scientific paper published in 2007.

Proposals for beam-time requests are received from users across Australia and internationally. These requests are accepted on scientific merit through an international peer-review assessment. This takes place every 6 months. The 7th proposal round is now open. To date, roughly 50% of demand has been from the Australian university sector and CSIRO, 20% internal from within ANSTO, and 30% from the international science market. The leading overseas connections are: Taiwan (which is close to completing its own $8m instrument at OPAL and also funds 5 positions based at ANSTO), New Zealand, Singapore, the United States of America and Europe. Demand is on average around 60% above the supply of neutron beam days, with this increasing to 2.5 times in particular cases. At the time of writing, roughly 60 refereed articles had been published, making use of all seven initial instruments.

The research is highly collaborative and at least 90% of the work includes ANSTO staff as co-authors. In user surveys, the performance of our instruments is regularly reported as being comparable to the best facilities in Europe and the USA, and in some cases the best in the world.

For further information: www.ansto.gov.au http://www.ansto.gov.au/discovering_ansto/anstos_research_reactorwww.ansto.gov.au/research/bragg_institute/facilities/instruments

ANSTO’s neutron-beam hall featuring part of the initial neutron-beam instruments. Image provided by ANSTO

Sergey Danilkin and Mohana Yethiraj (left) working on ANSTO’s triple-axis spectrometer, TAIPAN, which is being used to understand the structure and mechanism of superionic conductors – used in fuel cells and batteries. Image provided by ANSTO

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Medical Trials – Neurodegenerative Diseases

In 2010, medical trials commenced using a new imaging technique developed by ANSTO. The global pharmaceutical company, Bayer Schering Pharma AG, is conducting these trials in the United States. A successful outcome will provide new diagnostic options for patients with neurological diseases. This pilot study is scheduled to conclude in the first half of 2011.

The trials follow the signing of an agreement between ANSTO and Bayer in mid-December 2009 and are for clinical development of compounds for the diagnosis of neuroinflammation, which is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The agreement stems from studies performed by ANSTO scientists since the mid-1990s.

This Australian-grown research has the potential to greatly improve diagnostic capabilities for a range of neurological conditions. It is estimated that more than 70,000 Australians suffer from Parkinson’s disease and 245,000 Australians suffer from dementia.

For further information: www.ansto.gov.au http://www.ansto.gov.au/discovering_ansto/anstos_research_reactorwww.ansto.gov.au/research/bragg_institute/facilities/instruments

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DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT, NORTHERN TERRITORY

Menzies School of Health Research – Leishmania Project

Worldwide, leishmaniasis is an important disease of humans and other animals caused by the parasite Leishmania. Infection with Leishmania parasites can cause a range of symptoms, from ulcerative skin lesions to infection of the liver and spleen which can be fatal if left untreated. Australia and the Antarctic were thought to be the only continents free of Leishmania parasites. However in 2003, Leishmania infections were discovered in captive red kangaroos in the Northern Territory. Genetic analysis of the NT Leishmania has revealed it is a new species not found elsewhere in the world.

The work in this project stems from this important discovery and has focused on defining the lifecycle of this parasite. The project has shown that a number of different animals native to the Darwin, Northern Territory rural area can be infected by the parasites. Most significantly, the researchers found clear evidence implicating biting midges as the insect responsible for transmitting the parasites. This was the first evidence anywhere in the world that an insect other than a sand fly is capable of transmitting Leishmania. The findings have significant implications for biosecurity in Australia with the possibility that important Leishmania species which are capable of infecting humans and our native wildlife could be transmitted within Australia.

Leishmania parasite and day-feeding midge vector. Image provided by NT Department of Business and Employment

In 2003, a chronic ulcerative skin disease was reported in red kangaroos from two locations in the Darwin rural area. Extensive analysis of the skin lesions was carried out to try and determine the cause of the condition. With assistance from the Australian Registry of Wildlife Health in Sydney and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research in Melbourne, the cause of the disease was identified as a protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania. This was an entirely unexpected finding, as prior to this Australia and Antarctica were thought to be the only continents free of the Leishmania parasite. This was the first ever identification of locally acquired Leishmania infection in Australia.1

The Leishmania parasites are capable of causing significant disease which can manifest in a number of different forms, including skin lesions (cutaneous leishmaniasis), destruction of the soft cartilage of the nose (mucocutaneous leishmaniasis), or systemic infection of the liver and spleen (visceral leishmaniasis). Worldwide, approximately 12 million people are thought to be infected with Leishmania, with a further 350 million people at risk of infection. There are 1 to 1.5 million new cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis, along with estimated 500 000 people acquiring the potentially fatal form visceral leishmaniasis every year.

Like malaria, the life cycle of Leishmania involves a vertebrate host and a transmitting insect vector. Hosts can include humans, dogs, gerbils, fat-sand rats, anteaters, sloths and monkeys. In all cases throughout the world where the transmitting vector of Leishmania is known, it is a species from the phlebotomine sand fly family.

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The Leishmania parasite previously identified in the kangaroos was shown to be a novel species, not found elsewhere in the world. These remarkable findings led to further work by the Leishmania project team aimed at investigating the Australian Leishmania species, its natural hosts and to identifying the insect vector.

When the project researchers commenced work on Australian Leishmania, there was absolutely nothing known about the natural hosts of the parasite or the insect which transmitted it. The disease had only been identified in red kangaroos, all of which were in captivity and were not native to the Northern Territory Top End region. In order for this work to be a success, collaboration with local Northern Territory experts in various disciplines was crucial.

From 2006–2009, this project was the work of PhD candidate Annette Dougall supervised by Assoc Prof Shelley Walton, Dr Deborah Holt, Dr Karrie Rose and Dr Bruce Alexander, and supported by a scholarship from the Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre for Emerging Infectious Disease. The work continued in 2010 with funding support from the Wildlife Exotic Diseases Preparedness Program of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Taronga Conservation Society Australia.

Initially the researchers further investigated the disease in animals at the Territory Wildlife Park. They identified new cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis in macropods other than red kangaroos, including northern wallaroos, black wallaroos and agile wallabies.2 This implicated these macropods as the natural hosts of Leishmania in Australia. The team also developed and refined diagnostic tools to screen animals for infection with Leishmania parasites so that they could assess the geographic and host range of the parasites.

The team’s vector studies initially focused on phlebotomine sand flies, which are the only known vector of Leishmania anywhere in the world. Over 3000 phlebotomine sand flies were collected and morphologically identified. All sand flies collected were from the genus Sergentomyia, which are known to have a preference for feeding on reptiles. No Leishmania infection was detected by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) during the screening of 1818 female sand flies from the collection.

Thus the vector studies were broadened to include other blood sucking flies, such as biting midges, which are common in the areas of known transmission. The researchers had also observed that day-feeding midges seen biting animals at the Territory Wildlife Park during the day could be a potential vector. Screening of female day-feeding midges by PCR analysis for the presence of Leishmania DNA produced a surprising result – Leishmania DNA was present in the genus Forcipomyia, subgenus Lasiohelea. After further collection and identification of these day-feeding midges, the researchers found a prevalence of Leishmania DNA of up to 15% in a previously undescribed species of day-feeding midge.

Leishmania parasites mature in the gut of the insect vector and progress through a number of life stages. Thus the researchers also undertook dissection of live midges which had been collected while feeding on captive wallabies and wallaroos. In four midges, manual dissection of the gut revealed the presence of live Leishmania parasites with morphology consistent with that found in known phlebotomine sand fly vectors. This was the first evidence anywhere in the world that a vector other than phlebotomine sand flies is capable of transmitting Leishmania.3

The projects work both in the laboratory and in the field has increased the knowledge and the capacity to monitor this parasite in Australia. This work has immense implications for Leishmania research worldwide and for biosecurity within Australia. The implication of a new vector capable of transmitting Leishmania has never before been demonstrated and refutes the doctrine that phlebotomine sand flies are the only vector. The presence of an insect vector capable of transmitting Leishmania in Australia has serious implications for biosecurity. It raises the possibility that other species of Leishmania, including those which are known to cause severe and potentially fatal disease in humans, could be introduced from other countries and subsequently be transmitted within Australia. Preparedness for incursions of such exotic diseases is of key importance to government, industry, primary producers and the Australian community.

This project team’s studies have increased Australia’s capacity in vector surveillance and the study of Leishmania-host interactions, which has provided important information regarding the lifecycle of the parasite in Australia.

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Further research now needs to be conducted to determine all the natural animal (host) species and geographic range of the parasite. In addition, laboratory proof of transmission by the day-feeding midge must be demonstrated. Ultimately this information will be used to assess the biosecurity risk that exotic Leishmania poses for Australia.

1 Rose K., Curtis J., Baldwin T., Mathis A., Kumar B., Sakthianandeswaren A., Spurck T., Low Choy J., and Handman E., Cutaneous leishmaniasis in red kangaroos: isolation and characterisation of the causative organisms. International Journal for Parasitology, 2004; 34(6): 655-64.

2 Dougall A., Shilton C., Low Choy J., Alexander B., and Walton S., New reports of Australian cutaneous leishmaniasis in Northern Australian macropods. Epidemiology and Infection, 2009; 137(10): 1516-20.

3 Dougall A.M., Alexander B., Holt D.C., Harris T., Sultan A.H., Bates P.A., Rose K., and Walton S.F., Evidence incriminating midges as vectors of Leishmania in Australia. Submitted.

For further information:http://www.cdu.edu.au/research/

Collecting blood from an Antilopine Wallaroo.Image provided by NT Department of Business and Employment

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NEW SOUTH WALES PUBLIC SECTOR

New South Wales Scientist of the Year – Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte

Professor Durrant-Whyte has helped develop autonomous solutions for a wide range of applications industries including mining, marine, military, aeronautics and agriculture. As part of his work in robotics, Professor Durrant-Whyte and his team have spun out a number of companies, most recently Marathon Robotics, which has developed free-ranging robots protected by armour plating to train marksmen. The Marathon Robotics system has attracted a $57 million contract with the US Marines.

Professor Durrant-Whyte was awarded NSW’s most prestigious science prize, the NSW Scientist of the Year 2010. The NSW Scientist of the Year Award recognises creative, high calibre research that brings benefits to the State’s economy, environment and people. It is also designed to engage and involve the general public and the NSW research community to promote the value of science and encourage science careers. Prize money is awarded to researchers to acknowledge their exceptional achievements in environment, water and climate change sciences; physics, earth sciences, chemistry and astronomy; biomedical sciences; plant and animal sciences; and engineering, mathematics and computer sciences. Professor Durrant-Whyte won $55,000 for his achievement and six category winners are awarded $5,000 each.

For further information:http://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/Current-Activities/NSW-Scientist-of-the-Year.aspx

Professor Durrant-Whyte and the Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir AC. Image provided by NSW Government, Department of Innovation, Industry and Investment

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Breeding for Less Methane

The NSW Department of Primary Industries is developing a world-first breeding program to reduce methane emissions from livestock without sacrificing growth performance. With the average herd of 100 cows emitting the same amount of greenhouse gases as 40 large cars every day, and global demand for protein set to rise, livestock methane emissions is a growing environmental issue.

Based at the Armidale Beef Industry Centre of Excellence, the project began with a 2008 discovery that production of methane in livestock can be genetically controlled. After determining that the answer to reducing livestock methane emissions could lie in good old-fashioned breeding, researchers began mating for the project’s ‘next generation’. In July 2010, they used the ‘best’ and ‘worst’ (emitting) new young bulls from NSW DPI’s pedigree Angus herd to mate with 500 cows. The progeny will be measured for methane production as they approach their first birthdays in early 2012.

To take these measurements, a small gas cylinder is inserted into the rumen or fore stomach of the animal. Over following days the cylinder releases tracer gas and researchers measure the ratio of tracer gas in the air breathed out to calculate the rate of methane produced by the animal.

While methane is a greenhouse gas, methane produced in cow and sheep bellies also represents a loss of energy, “We are looking at benefits for the environment and improved efficiency in the way cows and sheep extract energy from their food,” says Principal Research Scientist for the project Dr Roger Hegarty. “We want cattle that eat well and grow well, but at the same time produce less methane.”

For further information:http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

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Fraunhofer Project Group at NICTA

NSW has provided $400,000 funding towards establishing a NSW presence of Europe’s largest applied research organisation, the Fraunhofer Institute, with the creation of a Fraunhofer Project Group at NICTA’s Sydney laboratory. The Project Group has been established to undertake joint research work to solve hard problems in transport and logistics. Establishing a Project Group in Australia builds on their strong international reach throughout Europe, the United States and Asia.

A major activity of the Project Group is to work with German software giant, SAP AG to create a “Future Logistics Living Lab” (FLLL). The Living Lab concept originated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has been significantly developed within Europe. The Future Logistics Living Lab (FLLL) is a collaborative innovation network with the involvement of many participants from research, the ICT industry and the logistics industry.

Expected to open in early 2011, this will be the first Living Lab in Australia and the first Living Lab for logistics in the world. The innovation network will be supported by a physical laboratory, which will demonstrate in a semi-real-life environment how technology innovation can benefit the logistics industry.

Visitors to the FLLL will be guided through a tour based on a container export scenario. The tour will illustrate challenges in the logistics industry and opportunities to benefit from future technologies and innovation in the logistics industry. Stations in the lab will cover topics in: ordering; dispatch; carriers over road, sea, rail, and air; distribution centres; and delivery. Innovation themes from research and industry will include: interoperability and collaboration; standards harmonisation; logistics performance and optimisation; sustainability; and safety.

For further information:http://www.nicta.com.au/media/previous_releases3/2010_media_releases/nicta_and_fraunhofer_iese_world-leading_researchers_combine_forces

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QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT

Dr Peter Scarth – Queensland International Fellowship 2009

Pressures due to land use conflicts, such as competition between agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy, biodiversity conservation or recreation, will increasingly impact on Queensland’s lifestyle and economy. In this context, information on better land management practices will assist landholders to achieve balanced economic, social and environmental outcomes.

With the support of a Queensland International Fellowship, Dr Peter Scarth from the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM), and Dr Achim Röder in Germany worked together to analyse satellite remote sensing images. They developed novel management products to better assess the impact of grazing pressure and climate change in the extensive Queensland rangelands. This research has provided key data and tools for authorities and landholders to better manage the rangeland resource and guide sustainable production practices. While directly applicable to the Queensland environment, the principles and approaches developed through the Fellowship are relevant to other Australian and international rangeland environments.

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THEME: BUSINESS INNOVATION

Many Australian businesses are part of rapidly changing markets and the pace of change is even faster where businesses trade on global markets. Faced with more competitive business models, improved services, better technologies and challenging marketing strategies by competitors building innovation capability becomes an important, if not necessary strategy for business to develop resilient market niches and find greater efficiencies in the ways it uses resources.

In order for business innovation to thrive, the broader environment in which it takes place must be encouraging and supportive.

The following case studies showcase innovations or innovation activities being undertaken by Australian business.


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THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Developing Hybrid Solar Thermal Systems

Over the last 2 years researchers at the ANU Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems have been working in partnership with Chromasun to create hybrid solar PV-Thermal concentrator systems aimed at harnessing the sun’s energy to create electricity, solar hot water, space heating, and solar air conditioning. The researchers are working together with Chromasun to create a new micro-concentrator unit (MCT) that will provide electrical and thermal energy directly to point of use. The main advantage of the MCT will be its ability to reduce demands on congested grids, eliminate transmission losses, and minimise demand for valuable roof space required for independent photovoltaic and thermal systems. This significantly increases the combined energy efficiency of the system and has direct benefits in relation to total installation and running costs.

Advanced prototypes of the system due for completion in 2011 will include innovative concepts to significantly improve efficiency and extend reliability. These concepts are designed to combat challenges associated with a lack of suitable commercially available concentrator cells, thermal management issues in the receiver and the aesthetic appeal of the MCT. The research team at ANU has resolved the cell supply problem by developing a low cost modification process that makes commercially available one-sun solar cells operate efficiently under concentration. The research team has also taken materials and processes from the power electronics industry to overcome thermal management issues.

The researchers believe that the MCT project represents the best opportunity for establishing hybrid rooftop concentrators to provide greenhouse neutral energy independence anywhere in the world.

Chromasun was established in 2008 specifically to collaborate with ANU researchers in the development of these innovative hybrid micro-concentrator units. It is expected that a variety of units will be commercially available in the near future with applications in conventional housing and industries such as hospitality, food processing, hospitals and sports centres.

For further information:http://innovation.anu.edu.au/

The Micro-concentrator (MCT) prototype system that is being developed by Chromasm in partnership with ANU. Image provided by ANU

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CURTIN UNIVERSITY

i-Cetana

Curtin University researchers have developed computer software that can detect unusual behaviour in crowds and other high-motion environments, providing a new tool in the fight against crime and terrorism.Developed by a team led by Professor Svetha Venkatesh of Curtin’s Institute of Multi-sensor Processing and Content Analysis (IMPCA), the technology will be commercialised by iCetana Pty Ltd supported by up to $1.5 million in investment from Perth VC firm Yuuwa Capital and Curtin University’s pre-seed fund.

This groundbreaking technology is able to learn how to identify typical behaviour in busy environments (such as crowds) and can then report unusual activity. Existing video analytics systems require the customer to define the events of interest in advance – this system only requires a ‘normal’ data stream to be defined. Exceptions are automatically identified after this learning phase. Fewer incidents will be missed, and there will be a faster rate of response to problems that do occur.

For further information:http://research.curtin.edu.au/www.icetana.com.au


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CURTIN UNIVERSITY

HiSeis

A new company using the latest technology in seismic imaging has been set up by Curtin University to help mining companies map their ore bodies and plan mining operations. HiSeis Pty Ltd builds on the technology and expertise in seismic imaging developed over many years in Curtin’s Department of Exploration Geophysics.

Seismic imaging is commonly used in the oil and gas industry to assist with mapping oil reservoirs, and in the past there has been difficulty in obtaining high level contrast in hard rock environments which has prevented its widespread use in mining. HiSeis technology allows mining companies to gain a much better understanding of their mine site geology using 3D seismic imaging techniques.

The company completed its first successful year of operation in 2010 with revenues of $1.7 million. Customers include Barrick Gold, Independence Group, Geoscience Australia, and First Quantum.

For further information:http://research.curtin.edu.au/ www.hiseis.com.au

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RedFlow – Prototype Battery Stack

Thanks to early Government support, RedFlow has grown to be a world leader in electricity storage, employing 100 staff in high technology manufacturing and exports.

Energy storage is a critical enabling technology for electricity supply systems to meet peak demand loads and to enable solar PV generation to be used at nighttimes. Electricity storage is also a cost-effective way for electricity grids with limited transmission or generation capacity to ensure supply.

In 2001, Chris and Dr. Alex Winter, two engineers in Brisbane, began to develop a zinc-bromine flowing electrolyte battery system in a backyard shed. Their technology offers the potential to overcome limitations of existing battery systems by providing:

1. much lower cost and longer life;

2. light weight and readily recyclable;

3. the repeated capability for hard work, being designed for repeated full charge and discharge cycles; and

4. a good match for time-shifting electricity use with a discharge tome of 3 to 8 hours.

The company RedFlow Limited was formed to commercialise the technology. With mentoring support, funding and collaboration with the Queensland Government, the University of Queensland, Ergon Energy and the Australian Government, RedFlow was able to scale-up and test the battery and purchase specialised equipment needed to produce the battery prototypes.

With support from angel investors, additional expertise could be taken on, allowing production capacity to be greatly increased. New remote monitoring and interfacing functions were incorporated, so that RedFlow’s technology is no longer limited to battery energy storage, but provides an integrated system to augment power supply grids. By late 2010, RedFlow’s technology was being installed throughout Australia and New Zealand. RedFlow’s complete energy storage systems are being used in the first commercial Smart Grid roll-out, part of the SmartGrid SmartCity project in NSW.

The company now employs 100 staff in high technology manufacturing. In December 2010, RedFlow raised $17.5 million Initial Public Offering and is now listed on the ASX. The funds are being used to further expand its production capacity and operations. RedFlow is now further expanding into export markets.

For further information:http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/sustainability/sustainability-publications/qs_fsheet_newbatterytech.pdf

A row of freshly manufactured RedFlow batteries undergoing testing before shipment to customers in June 2011. Image provided by RedFlow


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TGR BIOSCIENCES PTY LTD

SureFire® and ELISAONE™

TGR BioSciences Pty Ltd (TGR) is a fast growing and innovative private biotechnology company based in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 2001 from the CRC for Tissue Growth and Repair, TGR develops, manufactures and sells assay kits to accelerate drug discovery and cell biology research by pharmaceutical companies and research laboratories worldwide. Researchers use these kits to measure cellular protein markers for important diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart and inflammatory diseases. Customers are continually seeking assays that are faster, simpler, more sensitive and precise-and this is what TGR delivers.

TGR was initially funded through equity investments from foundation shareholders that included several Australian universities and other research organisations. TGR then obtained two rounds of IIF equity investment by Four Hats Capital, as well as additional funds from Statewide Superannuation Fund and Angel investors. TGR is an excellent example of a company building on public sector research and leveraging Australian venture capital funding to address an unmet need for innovative assay technologies in the global drug discovery industry.

TGR’s first range of assay kits on market – SureFire® – is marketed worldwide through industry leader, PerkinElmer (USA), and is now a leading technology in the global pharmaceutical drug discovery industry. SureFire is a strong and profitable business, with sales growth averaging more than 60% pa over the last three years from over 60 assay kits on market. TGR is now strengthening its established reputation as an innovation leader in the life science reagent market, with the imminent release of a new brand of products based on TGR’s proprietary ELISAONE™ platform. These products will open access to new markets in the academic research sector, and also have potential to capture a significant share of the multi-billion dollar clinical diagnostic market within several years.

For further information:www.tgrbio.com – TGR’s websitewww.perkinelmer.com – PerkinElmer market TGR’s SureFire kits globally

TGR ELISAONE Essay Kits. Image provided by TGR Biosciences

TGR SureFire Kit Sales. Image provided by TGR Biosciences

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MORTON’S SPECIALIST SEED & GRAIN

Oat Hulls Replace LPG

The Western Australian company Morton’s Specialist Seed & Grain employs 65 people with exports making up 90% of its business. Morton’s processes some 60,000 tonnes of oat grain each year for the company’s production of instant, quick and rolled oats cereal products. Oat kernels or “groats” are first separated from the hulls, then kiln dried or converted into rolled oat flakes. The process results in 20,000 tonnes of waste hulls, which offer limited value to the business as a saleable by-product, but vast potential as a renewable energy source.

By replacing its LPG-fuelled boiler with one powered by waste oat hulls the company found a way to turn their production waste into energy. Independent research commissioned by Morton’s showed that by using just 8% of the biomass waste the company could eliminate the use of imported LPG as a fuel source for the boiler and reduce its annual greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of LPG by more than 1000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

‘We will save around $400,000 a year by removing the need for LPG but my real excitement is in the improved competitiveness and sustainability of the company,’ says Morton’s Managing Director Jonnie Morton. ‘There is the potential to use all of our waste biomass to fuel a larger electricity co-generation system, once the performance of this project has been evaluated.

‘This will make us more competitive on the international stage, and it’s positive from so many angles – reducing costs of our products, new growth and more employment and a better environmental footprint.’

For further information:http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/CustomerStories/Documents/MortonSpecialistSeedAndGrain.pdf

The Morton’s Seed factory has used oat hulls as fuel for its boilers, thus reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Image provided by AusIndustry, DIISR


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Biological Carbon Capture and Sequestration Using Micro Algal Strains

In 2004, James Cook University established the North Queensland Algal Identification/ Culturing Facility (NQAIF); the world’s first tropical microalgal research facility.

Research into more than 300 strains of micro-algae led by Professor Rocky De Nys and Associate Professor Kirsten Heimann of JCU, in collaboration with Australian SME, MBD Energy, has successfully demonstrated that algae can be very effective in capturing carbon emissions, eg from coal fired power stations, and the captured carbon can generate many co-products including biofuels, pharmaceuticals, biochar and animal feedstocks.

The Bio-CCS technology was successfully trialed at MDB-JCU’s joint research facility and in 2010 work commenced on a 1 hectare ‘proof-of-concept’ display plant at Tarong Power Station (QLD) and there are MOUs for MDB Energy to roll out the technology at two of Australia’s largest coal fired power stations – Loy Yang (VIC) and Eraring (NSW).

An exciting feature of Bio-CCS is the potential for algae to provide a sustainable base for long term supply of biofuels including biodiesel and bioethanol, because:

• algal oil can be used in existing jet, car and truck engines therefore reducing demand for fossil fuels,

• Algae is significantly more productive than other feedstocks, eg sugar or corn, and

• Production does not require arable land, therefore does not threaten food security or forestry.

The research has attracted $12.6m industry, Commonwealth and Queensland Government funding and is a key project in the Advanced Manufacturing CRC.

For further information:http://www.jcu.edu.au/research/

Biological carbon capture and sequestration using micro algal strains. Image: extracted from James Cook University promotional poster

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MONASH UNIVERSITY

Stormwater Harvesting Systems Reducing Water Use

The Facility for Advancing Water Biofiltration (FAWB) was established under the auspices of the Victorian Government Science Technology Innovation (STI) grant scheme. FAWB research projects, including the provision of ‘proof-of-concept’ of biofiltration technology and the development of the 2nd generation biofiltration system, have led to increased industry uptake of the technology throughout Australia, as well as at least two start-up companies. The technology is also emerging overseas with the research gaining international accolades.

Monash is now working with Water Harvesting Industries Ltd to develop and commercialise stormwater harvesting systems under the name enviss™ systems, and will receive royalties from products sold. In 2008, an enviss™ stormwater harvesting system was installed at Victoria’s Syndal South Primary School. The harvesting system was designed according to water demands for toilet flushing and irrigation of the sports fields. Sixty enviss filter pits treat stormwater run-off before it is stored in a 130,000 L storage system (installed beneath an existing oval). The school is now able to capture additional rainfall run-off from asphalt play areas and car parks. In 2010, Syndal South Primary School reported that it now saves one megalitre of mains water every year, with the harvesting system able to supply 69% of the annual toilet flushing and irrigation demands.



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MURDOCH UNIVERSITY

Developing Nematode Resistant Crops – Nemgenix

NemGenix, was established in 2007 by Murdoch University Professor Michael Jones with Dr Sean Hird (CEO) and is based in the laboratories of the WA State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Murdoch University. Plant parasitic nematodes cause US$120 billion losses per annum to world agriculture, and the focus of the company is to develop novel nematode resistant crop plants and environmentally friendly nematicides.

NemGenix has applied comparative genomics to identify novel target genes in plant parasites, and has developed a series of novel synthetic ‘designer’ resistance genes. The company has established pipelines to create transgenic wheat, sugarcane and other crop plants and has generated a series of transgenic plants containing nematode resistance genes. These genes will confer broad spectrum resistance to several populations or even different species of nematodes. They are readily inserted into different species, and are easily added as a stacked trait.

Support for its establishment came for the Murdoch Westscheme Partnership (MWEP), administered by Venture Capitalists StoneRidge Ventures, and this was supplemented by a series of successful grants and international collaborations, including COMET and Climate Ready grants. NemGenix also has continuing involvement with a major project funded by the Government’s Australia India Strategic Research Fund. This project, which has continued into 2010, provides funding to both Murdoch University and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, for joint research for the development of nematode resistance in wheat. Nemgenix also has an ongoing research collaboration with Dow AgroSciences which was further extended during 2010.

For further information:http://www.research.murdoch.edu.au/

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MURDOCH UNIVERSITY

Spirogene

Spirogene was established in 2007 by Murdoch University’s Commercialisation Office to commercialise the research of Professor David Hampson, a world authority in the research of Brachyspira-related diseases in production animals. It is focused on the delivery of recombinant vaccine and diagnostic solutions for Swine Dysentery in production pigs and Avian Intestinal Spirochaetosis, an emerging disease of poultry. Through the funding support of Perth-based VC StoneRidge Ventures and the Murdoch Westscheme Enterprise Partnership Fund (MWEP), Spirogene has embarked on a research programme to translate more than 20 years of research expertise into sustainable solutions for animal health.

Spirogene has successfully leveraged funds from Federal programs such as Commercial Ready, COMET and the Export Marketing and Development Grant. In 2009/10, Spirogene established a partnering and licensing relationship with a Top 5 global animal health pharmaceutical company to develop vaccine candidates for Swine Dysentery – this early stage agreement would not have been possible without the Federal government funding obtained. While the deal terms are confidential, the value of the fully executed agreement is in excess of $10M. Spirogene is also currently in the final stages of negotiations with a global diagnostic company to commercialise its diagnostic flagship for Swine Dysentery.

For further information:http://www.research.murdoch.edu.au/ilo/


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WasteNot Resource Exchange for Small-Medium Enterprises

Researchers at the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology, Sydney have developed a matchmaking tool for businesses that want to turn waste into resources.

The web-based tool that went live in October 2010 allows businesses to list or search for waste resources within their local area to facilitate resource recovery through exchange, reuse and recycling. They can also search for waste recovery services in their area. The tool was developed in partnership with businesses in the Duck River Catchment areas of Silverwater and Camellia with support from Parramatta and Auburn Councils and the NSW Environmental Trust.

Flexible data entry allows businesses to describe their waste in familiar terms such as number of bins, or by volume or mass. Of particular interest to Councils and policy makers is the tool’s ability to convert this data to tonnes, which is becoming the standard measure used by landfill sites and to determine transport costs.

An important feature of the tool is its ability to aggregate all the listings of a particular type of waste. This allows waste managers or businesses seeking to use an available resource to determine the total amount of, for example, food waste that might be available in the area. This increases the likelihood of reaching the threshold amounts needed to make it cost effective to collect that resource. It also gives Council useful data on the total amount of waste/resources in their area.

For further information:http://wastenot.streamline.org.au/stories

Attendees of the first WasteNot business consultation workshop. Image provided by UTS

Some of the waste exchanges were actually initiated through the WasteNot project. These bins hold food from AB Mauri waste for delivery to Earthpower to be converted into energy. Image provided by UTS

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DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH (DIISR) – ENTERPRISE CONNECT

Branach Manufacturing

Since registering and implementing the recommendations of an Enterprise Connect Business Review, Branach Manufacturing Director, Michael Walsh, says the company has already made some terrific gains.

Branach Manufacturing began manufacturing and selling ladders to the electrical power distribution and telecommunications industries in the late 1990s and has established itself as a manufacturer of quality ladders and accessories.

‘I took on the Business Review because I could see we needed to improve on our productivity, Michael said and the advice provided by Enterprise Connect Business Adviser, Dan Gardam, was constructive.

The main recommendation of the Business Review was to introduce lean manufacturing principles into the business operations. “The practices put into place have already had a positive affect. We have had a 10% productivity improvement in 12 months,” Michael said.

To implement lean manufacturing principles, Branach Manufacturing engaged consultants through Enterprise Connect’s Tailored Advisory Service (TAS).

‘With the consultants we created benchmarks and initially we all did some training. Once we started we realised how far there was to go. It is a long journey but we have already made some major changes.’ Two of the initiatives adopted to increase productivity were visual management practices, as well as a ‘can-do’ attitude throughout the company.

‘The simple practice of holding stock on the floor so that everyone can actually see what is available and what needs replacing has made a difference. The business looks tidier and cleaner and it makes a difference to attitude.’

An indication of the benefits of the changes is the dramatic decrease in the time between receiving an order and delivery. Michael said this has decreased from about three weeks to just six days. Work with the TA S consultants is continuing and from this work Michael says the company will have a version of lean manufacturing which is tailored specifically to Branach Manufacturing.

“We can’t afford to be inefficient in our production, and development of these practices will ensure we improve on our efficiency. Our aim is to continue to innovate and bring new products to the market as well as making the most of our current resources,” Michael said.

For further information:www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au


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UQ Vaccine Technology Licensed to Global Biopharmaceutical Company

In April 2010, cancer vaccine technology developed by researchers at The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute was licensed to US-based developer of RNAi (ribonucleic acid interference) therapeutics, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The license was facilitated by UQ’s main research commercialisation company, UniQuest,

The UQ Diamantina Institute, specialising in cancer and immunology, is at the cutting edge of RNAi research: a natural biological process of gene ‘silencing’. The intellectual property licensed to Alnylam relates to research conducted by Associate Professor Nigel McMillan, Dr Graham Leggatt and Dr Wenyi Gu. The research was the subject of a provisional patent application lodged in 2007, and was subsequently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.1 This work investigated the use of RNAi to induce an effective immune response against tumours, and has the potential to be developed into new vaccines for cancer and infectious disease.

Alnylam is a global leader in the development of RNAi therapeutics, with significant expertise in the field. The company is ideally positioned to further develop the UQ technology.1 Gu, W et al Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 106(20): 8314-8319, (2009).


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AUSINDUSTRY

Astor Metal Finishes

Astor Metal Finishes is using $109,650 in grant funding provided by the Australian Government, to deliver electricity savings of more than 50 per cent at its NSW-based electroplating plant.

The company’s Managing Director, Richard Hammond, said the project involved installing solar collection tubes on the roof of the main plating shop to heat electroplating process tanks.

A gas-fired hot water generator will supplement solar power heating. “This will remove the need for mains grid electrical power for heating the tanks,” Richard said. The project will also conserve power by using insulated pipelines to deliver heated water to either heat exchangers or in-tank coils.

“The previous process resulted in lost energy, due to water evaporation.”

The new combined solar/gas source will maintain heat in plating tanks, eliminating precipitation of salts when tanks are not in use, thereby reducing maintenance costs. “Conserving heat allows Astor to maintain hot solutions for plating any type of finish at any time,” Richard said. “This means we’ll have greater flexibility in our production and can provide a better service to our customers.

With this project, Astor is striving to compete with the world leaders in electroplating. Astor has shown it is possible to reverse the tide of products being chrome plated overseas. Better heating control and heat transfers will allow us to expand our operations in the future without the need for expensive power substation upgrades.

Astor’s main business is chrome plating but it also provides gold, silver, copper, nickel, bronze and antique finishes, polishes stainless steel, electro-polishes and wet paints all metals. It employs more than 50 staff members.

For further information:http://www.astormetalfinishes.com/www.ausindustry.gov.au

Astor’s gas and solar hot water generator and storage vessel. Image provided by AusIndustry / Astor Metal Finishes


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Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre

In 2009 $7.5 million five-year grant was awarded by the Commonwealth Government for the establishment of the Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre – Queensland (APCRC-Q), to be based at Princess Alexandra Hospital and hosted by QUT.

APCRC-Q research is dedicated to developing and trialling new therapeutics and predictive biomarkers for the early detection and treatment of prostate cancer. Research is organised accordingly into technological platforms that deliver outcomes at each stage of a translational pipeline, from discovery through to clinical testing of potential treatments with researchers collaborating across different disciplines and projects.

The APCRC-Q accelerates the transfer of research bench discoveries to clinical testing and facilitates clinical trials incorporating novel correlative studies that, in turn, link back to enhance additional discovery research. APCRC – Q links with the Queensland Clinical Trials Network, the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), the Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP) and the Canadian Urologic Oncology Group (CUOG) to attract trials.

APCRC-Q have further established an integrated uro-oncology clinical trials unit – the Multidisciplinary Team for Advanced Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Unit. This Unit integrates the expertise of urology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and endocrinology for the treatment of prostate cancer.

For further information:http://www.australianprostatecentre.org/

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Reducing the Environmental Impact of Commercial Packaging

Globally, packaging companies are increasingly adopting strategies to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining economic benefit. Recently launched on the global market, the Packaging Impact Quick Evaluation Tool (PIQET) is an innovative new software program, developed by the RMIT Centre for Design, Victoria University and Birubi Innovation Pty Ltd. PIQET is an online tool that identifies and reviews actions to reduce the environmental impact of food and beverage packaging, particularly at the design development stage.

PIQET enables packaging specifications, manufacturing and distribution data to be quickly entered and assessed. It considers all levels of packaging and product categories and allows for assessments of incoming raw materials packaging systems and outgoing product packaging systems of an organisation. Users of PIQET are able to explore improvement options by quickly re-running evaluations with changed packaging system specifications.

The development of PIQET was supported by funding from Sustainability Victoria and the Commonwealth’s Departments of Environment and Water Resources and Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. It was licensed for commercial development to the Sustainable Packaging Alliance (SPA) in 2009.

PIQET has been adopted by major food and beverage packaging suppliers and users in Australasia including Cadbury, Schweppes, Lion Nathan, MasterFoods, Amcor and Simplot and has been selected by Global food giant Nestle to evaluate its packaging requirements and subsequent environmental impacts across all of its operations.

For further information:http://www.sustainablepack.org/default.aspx


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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The Mars Marketing Laboratory

Based at the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science at the University of South Australia, the Mars Marketing Laboratory is a collaboration between the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute, Mars Ltd. and Mountainview Learning.

The Ehrenberg Bass Institute is a group of marketing researchers focused on discoveries about how buyers behave, brands perform and how marketing works. The Institute has the science to share with Mars who want to have a superior marketing capability and a marketing science culture. Therefore Mars has invested in the Institute to fund researchers and projects in areas of mutual interest. Mountainview Learning, as trainers, ensure wide dissemination of the new knowledge within Mars.

A key laboratory objective for 2010 was to translate known marketing laws into specifics for Mars. When we say ‘known’, these laws are known in academia but remain widely unknown in business. The laboratory provides evidence-based guidance (proven with Mars data, brands, categories and countries) to change strategy, systems, metrics and practices. It addresses knowledge gaps by conducting marketing R&D to test and produce marketing principles.

This collaboration is important as it helps Mars minimize waste on unproductive activities, it helps produce industry relevant research, it opens up access to extensive data across many countries and categories, ensures wide dissemination of learnings and results in a win-win on all sides.

In 2010 the Laboratory helped disseminate marketing knowledge into Mars via: a Marketing Science wiki including case studies across categories and countries; it has developed training materials to be shared globally and assisted in developing Key Belief documents.

For further information:http://www.unisa.edu.au

Ehrneberg-Bass Institute for Marketing, Universtity of South Australia. Image provided by University of South Australia

Mars Marketing Laboratory team, Ehrneberg-Bass Institute for Marketing, University of South Australia. Image provided by University of South Australia

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Hardwear

A Swinburne University of Technology ‘spin-off’ company, ‘Hardwear’, has pioneered the use of laser robots to carry out on-site repairs of power station turbine blades – potentially saving the industry millions in costly and time-consuming manual turbine maintenance.

Using high-power laser energy to fuse a metal alloy powder to the surface of turbine blades, the technology was developed in 2003 by researchers at Swinburne University of Technology and the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Welded Structures (now the welded Structures Foundation).

After its initial success, the collaborative research group decided in 2005 that the technology should be ‘spun off’ into a commercial venture. With Swinburne, the Centre for Energy and Greenhouse Technologies Fund (managed by Cleantech Ventures) and the Welded Structures Foundation as shareholders, Hardwear was born.

Hardwear’s most significant projects to date have been the resurfacing of the low pressure blades in two 350MW steam turbines at AGL’s Torrens Island power station in South Australia. AGL was involved in the original research collaboration and, being in an understandably conservative industry sector, its full adoption of the technology is testament to the value of research conducted jointly by universities and industry such as under the CRC program.

Without the use of Hardwear’s laser robots, AGL would have had to either replace the blades completely, or remove them and repair them off-site – a process that would have cost thousands of dollars per blade and weeks in lost production time.

In May 2010 Hardwear Pty Ltd was sold to Melbourne-based business, Hardchrome Engineering. The next stage of the business is to push it globally. Hardchrome General Manager, Andrew Dugan has said “We are already in talks with a number of international power stations. We not only want Australia’s power industry to benefit, but also the rest of the world.

For further information:http://www.research.swinburne.edu.au/


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THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE – HATCHTECH PTY LTD

A New Treatment for Headlice

Hatchtech Pty Ltd is a privately owned company that was established in 2001 by associate professor Vern Bowles (faculty of veterinary science, the University of Melbourne) in conjunction with Uniseed. The primary focus of the company is to commercialise a new treatment for the control of head lice in children. The science behind the product is based on the use of metalloproteainase inhibitors/metal chelators for controlling both the live lice and eggs present in the hair. This represents a novel approach to addressing the problem.

To date, Hatchtech Pty Ltd has secured funding from a number of sources including Biocomm, Westscheme, Uniseed, GBS venture partners, QBF, the Melbourne endowment trust and one ventures funder. In addition, the company has been the recipient of two commercial ready grants in 2005 and 2007. In October 2010, the company closed a further financing round for $6.3 million. This latest investment brings the total sum of funds that the company has raised to $15.3 million.

The company completed a phase 2a study for its head lice product named deovo™ in early 2010. The results of the study showed that the product was safe and well tolerated following a single, short application. Following the completion of this study, the company is now planning a phase 2b safety and efficacy study to commence in early 2011.

For further information:http://www.hatchtech.com.au/

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Joinery Products

A move to more efficient, clear processes, as well as changing to meet market demands, has helped Tasmanian business, Joinery Products, achieve increases in both profits and productivity.

Joinery Products was opened as a family business, manufacturing cabinets and kitchens, in 1956 by the grandfather of current Managing Director, Marcus Kelly. Over time the business took on more commercial joinery, but in the past year has shifted its focus to residential joinery and introduced lean manufacturing principles into its operations.

“With the uncertainty in the market and the drop in sales we were experiencing, the offer of a business review seemed like a great idea,” Marcus said. He said Enterprise Connect Business Adviser, Jack Van Tatenhove, provided a detailed report on exactly what parts of the business required change.

The review made key recommendations for the company and gave me a clear guide to follow to ensure the business was turned in the right direction. “It helped us quickly recognise that our current cost structures could not be maintained, that we lacked robust operating procedures and our factory layout was hindering our workflow,” Marcus said.

Joinery Products began making changes immediately, starting with rearranging the factory floor to allow for better flow of work, the introduction of visual performance management on the factory floor to help monitor and track jobs, as well as developing standard operating procedures and putting them into practice. These changes have already resulted in a doubling of its previous output.

A review recommendation to adopt lean manufacturing principles was taken on whole-heartedly with the employment of a new team member whose primary role is to implement lean manufacturing practices.

With the assistance of Enterprise Connect, Joinery Products has developed a strategic plan, a marketing plan, as well as performance and development plans for all employees.

“We certainly are in a better position now. Prior to the review, the lack of a strategic plan to lead the business forward was a weakness. We still have a long way to go but we now have a clear direction and regular management meetings, to review our strategies, keep us on track,” Marcus said.

He said the business is already starting to reap the rewards of increased productivity which in turn has led to improved profitability and employee satisfaction.

“We hope to continue to grow the business to be an extremely professional market leader in Tasmania,” Marcus said.



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THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE – HEXIMA LTD

Developing Commercial Technologies for Increased Crop Yields

Hexima Limited was founded in 1998 by Professor Adrienne Clarke AC (School of Botany, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne), Professor Marilyn Anderson (Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering, La Trobe University) and Dr Robyn Heath (School of Botany, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne) to develop commercial technologies arising from discoveries made by the teams at the Plant Cell Biology Research Centre in The University of Melbourne, School of Botany and the Department of Biochemistry at La Trobe University. Hexima Limited aims to use these technologies to increase crop yields and improve the productivity of arable land by enhancing the resistance of plants to insects and disease.

Hexima Limited raised $40 million and was listed on the ASX in August 2007. The company has also received funding from private investors and from R&D Start, Commercial Ready and Climate Ready grants from the Australian Federal Government.

Hexima Limited is commercialising its fungal resistance technology in partnership with the DuPont subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred International, and has research collaborations for enabling technology with Monsanto Company and Pioneer. The research of Hexima Limited is conducted through the School of Botany in the Faculty of Science at The University of Melbourne and the Department of Biochemistry in the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering at La Trobe University.

For further information:www.hexima.com.auwww.hexima.com.au/pdf_files/reports/HXL_AnRep10.pdf.

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THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE – AUTOSCAN SYSTEMS PTY LTD

Commercialisation of Coincidence Mapping Technology

A world-leading innovation in automated fission track analysis in minerals is currently undergoing commercialisation through a partnership between Autoscan Systems Pty Ltd and the Thermochronology Research Group in the School of Earth Sciences in the Faculty of Science at The University of Melbourne directed by Professors Andrew Gleadow and Barry Kohn. The core image-analysis technology known as coincidence mapping was developed with support from an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project Grant in which Autoscan Systems Pty Ltd was the industry partner. Autoscan Systems Pty Ltd itself was a spin-off company that arose from a much earlier ARC grant to The University of Melbourne in the late 1970s.

This technology will transform methods for reconstructing the temperature history of rocks in the accessible regions of the upper few kilometres of the earth’s crust. This field of thermochronology enables the detection and visualisation of otherwise invisible geological processes with important applications in diverse areas such as exploration for geothermal and hydrocarbon energy resources and some mineral deposits.

The new technology is being commercialised under a licence agreement between The University of Melbourne and Autoscan Systems Pty Ltd that was negotiated through the agency of the technology commercialisation company of the University (Melbourne Ventures Pty Ltd). To date, sales and installation of these new automated fission track systems have been concluded in six countries, with negotiations underway towards many more.


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UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES

NSi and Mines Rescue – iDOME™

In early 2007 NSi and Mines Rescue Pty Ltd signed a multi-million dollar agreement to supply virtual reality (VR) technologies to support mine safety. This interactive software program recreates underground mine environments by projecting an “immersive” film in two theatre modes – a 360-degree ‘AVIE’ version for group training, and a 180-degree ‘iDOME’ for individual training sessions.

Under the agreement UNSW will supply four 360-degree AVIE™ theatres and 12 iDOME™ modules to Mines Rescue at four purpose built VR training sites across New South Wales.

Mines Rescue is part of Coal Services, who provide critical services to the NSW coal mining industry in occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, welfare and mines rescue.

Similar safety training packages could be developed for other high-risk industries such as construction, policing and the military. The novel AVIE ™ and iDOME™ theatres were developed by the iCinema Centre for Interactive Research, a joint venture between UNSW’s College of Fine Arts and the School of Computer Science and Engineering.

This high-tech art has yielded export success with breakthrough interactive cinema technology having been sold to the Chinese mining industry with the expectation of more sales to come.

Mining module in AVIE by iCinema UNSW. Photo by Oliver Strewe and provided by UNSW

Mining module in iDome by iCinema UNSW. Photo by Oliver Strewe and provided by UNSW

For further information:www.unsw.edu.au http://www.nsinnovations.com.au

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Sports Bra

Sports apparel manufacturers recognize the need to solve the problems of strain and pain that many women experience whilst participating in sporting activities, particularly during demanding activities such as running (World Sports and Fitness Clothing Market; GIA, 2008).

Two UOW researchers, Dr Deirdre McGhee and Prof. Julie Steele, have developed a novel sports bra invention to reduce exercise-induced breast discomfort (EIBD) in large-breasted women. Experimental bra prototypes that incorporate the invention alter breast movement during exercise and simultaneously reduce EIBD in comparison to current commercially available sports bra products.

This invention forms the subject matter of a PCT patent application. The sports bra invention has recently been exclusively licensed to a US-based sports apparel manufacturer for incorporation into a product to be launched in time for summer 2011.

For further information:http://www.uow.edu.au/research/index.html

Sports bra.Image provided by University of Wollongong


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AIMEDICS PTY LTD

Identifying Nocturnal Hypoglycaemia in Young People With Type 1 Diabetes

AIMEDICS was established in 2001 based on the work and patents of Dean of Engineering & Information Technology, Professor Hung Nguyen and Adjunct Professor Nejhdah Ghevondian from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). The technology non-invasively and accurately identifies nocturnal hypoglycaemia in young people with Type 1 diabetes.

Linking customer feedback back into innovative product development has been critical in creating the HypoMon technology. This research and development work has been done with two international and excellent collaborating partners.

1. UTS – Dean of Engineering & Information Technology, Professor Hung Nguyen has provided on-going guidance, support and access to core engineering and information technology capabilities to ensure the technology is using industry best practice.

2. University Western Australia/Princess Margaret Hospital – Clinical Professor Timothy Jones has provided critical health guidance and performed high quality clinical studies on the technology which are accepted by international peer review.

The original technology concepts have been upgraded and developed into the clinically tested HypoMon® system. This includes two new patent applications; increased performance in identifying hypoglycaemia non-invasively and a user comfort design feature.

AIMEDICS employees 20 people and are located at the National Innovation Centre, Australian Technology Park, 4 Cornwallis St, Eveleigh NSW.

For further information: http://www.hypomon.com/about

Components of the HypoMon Kit. Image provided by AIMEDICS

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APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY PTY LTD

Navigator™

Applied Physiology is based in Sydney and develops and commercializes clinical decision support systems for use in the critical care environment. Navigator™, the flagship product, calculates real time circulatory information for volume, resistive and heart states to support the implementation of targeted therapy. Navigator™ continuously acquires physiological data from bedside monitors and uses that information to generate real time graphical depictions of a patient’s position in relation to the desired circulatory targets. The graphical display provides a visual aid in determining patients’ requirements for volume, vasoactive and cardioactive medications. Its use benefits nurses, doctors and their patients.

The technology was invented by Dr Geoff Parkin of Monash University. From 2006, with the backing of GBS Venture Partners, a Pre-Seed Fund manager, Navigator™ was developed and trialled in multiple critical care centres across Australia. In 2010 this culminated in regulatory approvals in Australia, the European Union and the USA. The product is now available for sale in Europe and Australia and will be available in the USA in 2011. Navigator™ has been recognised as a breakthrough product at international scientific meetings and by global corporations involved in critical care.

For further information: www.applied-physiology.com

Cardiovascular clarity at a glance.Image provided by Applied Physiology Pty Ltd


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BRISBANE ANGELS PTY LTD

Aussie Colours

Aussie Colours (AC) has an exclusive licensing relationship with The University of Queensland’s Centre for Native Floriculture (CNF). The CNF has pioneered the application of novel plant manipulation and development technologies primarily to Queensland native plants with ornamental potential. The CNF has an extensive flowering native plant selection and breeding program that focuses on identifying and developing new highly coloured drought tolerant native plants. The CNF has collected more than 70 species with potential for commercialisation and has been applying new manipulation and breeding technologies to create unique plants with desirable characteristics for the national and international marketplace.

Most available Australian native plants have either been introduced to the market unimproved or following relatively simple traditional breeding activities. The CNF has developed and is applying new technologies such as mutation breeding and intra-specific hybridization to create new plants with vastly improved characteristics and performance when compared to plants created using traditional breeding techniques. Aussie Colours exists to commercialise these new plants in Australia and internationally.

The majority of the new plants Aussie Colours is commercialising are brightly coloured, drought tolerant, and long lived annuals. This is essentially a new segment in the ornamental market sector here in Australia and overseas. The majority of Australian native plants are perennial shrubs or trees that flower once a year for a short time and live for a number of years. The Aussie Colours range of plants mostly flower all year and typically survive in a garden setting for 9 to 18 months depending on the soil, climate and care given. These plants therefore have significantly improved performance over the more traditional European annuals which survive and flower for 2-3 months and require large amounts of water.

For further information: www.brisbaneangels.com.au

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Australian Bio Refining

Australian Bio Refining (ABR) has developed an electrolytic cell technology for the manufacture of gluconic acid using table sugar as a feedstock. Due to economic conditions and competition from cheap imports that application for the technology ceased to be commercially viable. Using the base electrolytic cell technology and its internally developed IP the company repositioned itself to address the global markets in chemical waste treatment for steel mills, steel galvanising, mining and other general process water streams. Quick results, in the form of a licensing agreement with a mining consortium has, ratified the companies revised focus and the value of its core technology.

ABR has developed the following two main products:

• AcidTech – A solution for the concurrent recovery of acids in a clean usable form and the recovery of a range of metals as solids. Any acid associated with dissolved metals is regenerated and metals are recovered as easily separated solid compounds including iron, nickel, magnesium, aluminium, chromium. Main Applications include but not limited to acid recovery and reuse in hydrometallurgy and industrial application to waste treatment from metal finishing industries.

• PowderTech – is ABR’s powdered sorbent that adsorbs heavy metals from solutions at low concentrations. The usefulness and value of this product is based on the difficulty of removing the traces of contaminants that make a water process stream unacceptable for environmental discharge. One example of a large scale application is the coal fired power industry.

ABR is committed to invest heavily in R&D as the company has quantified the potential far in excess of these current target applications.



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ProGel – Microencapsulation Technology

In 2005 Associate Professor Bhesh Bhandari and associates from the School of Land Crop and Food Sciences at the University of Queensland developed an entirely new microencapsulation technology. This technology which is now within the company ProGel is proprietary, novel, and scalable for manufacturing micro encapsulated food and pharmaceutical ingredients less than 100µm.

Microcapsules are tiny particles that contain an active agent surrounded by a shell or coating. Food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and industrial companies are seeking microencapsulation for:

• the masking of odour and/or taste of encapsulate materials;

• the targeted release of encapsulated nutrients and functional ingredients;

• the protection of the encapsulated materials against oxidation or deactivation in order to increase shelf life and retain activity; and

• the easy handling of ingredients as powder-like materials to achieve process efficiencies.

ProGel’s technology will enable the creation of new and improved food, pharmaceutical, nutraceuticals, agricultural and cosmetic products with enhanced performance, efficacy and benefit. It has been demonstrated that ProGel can encapsulate a large range of food and pharmaceutical actives. As such ProGel will function as an R&D and licensing company, applying its technology to various actives both proactively or in response to requests from ingredient and manufacturing companies who will be compelled to use the technology as it has the potential for:

• better tasting functional foods with more effective Probiotics, Omega-3 and vitamins;

• the introduction of ingredients into new products such as Probiotics in fruit based food and beverages;

• liquid formulations of drugs and vitamins for humans and animals without artificial sweeteners and flavours to mask bitter actives; and

• control release of oral and intra-muscular vaccines.

The company intends to invest in ongoing R&D to expand the number of applications and to generate new IP opportunities for the encapsulation industry. The business will generate revenues through discrete licensing of the technology.


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OPAL THERAPEUTICS PTY LTD

Opal Immunotherapy

Opal Therapeutics Pty Ltd is developing a potential immunotherapeutic for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) utilising technology that originates from the University of Melbourne. Opal immunotherapy uses short peptides from the target virus to generate a strong immune response so patients can improve control of the infection. The peptides are mixed ex vivo (outside the body) with blood where they bind to immune cells and are then distributed to all parts of the body to stimulate the immune response. The technique requires a single patient visit for each treatment. It is highly advantageous when compared to current HIV treatments such as cell-based vaccine techniques which usually require time consuming isolation of rare specialised cells from blood.

Opal Therapeutics has already demonstrated strong reduction of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) virus in non-human primate studies with the Opal technology. In collaboration with the Massachusetts General Hospital in the USA and Medicines Development Limited in Australia, Phase 1 clinical trials of the Opal immunotherapy for HIV were initiated in 2010. The trials will assess the safety and immunogenicity of the therapy for the first time in humans.

For further information:http://www.melbourneventures.com/technologies/tech_OPAL.html


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DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH (DIISR) – RESEARCH DIVISION

CRCMining and Smart Cap

The Cooperative Research Centre for Mining (CRCMining) has developed a baseball cap headwear technology to measure and manage drowsiness in real time, in order to overcome the significant problem of driver fatigue in the coal mining industry.

Known as the SmartCap Operator Fatigue Management System, the baseball cap technology solves a problem identified in the mining industry and is expected to be of much wider benefit to other workplaces where fatigue is a major concern.

Supported by CRCMining member Anglo American Metallurgical Coal, the SmartCap has evolved from a field-proven prototype in 2008 to commercial trials in 2010. AngloAmerican is currently providing SmartCaps to heavy vehicle drivers and heavy machine operators at its coal mine sites across Australia, and CEO Cynthia Carroll has confirmed deployment to mines in other countries will follow during 2011.

Each baseball cap contains brain monitoring sensors concealed in the cap lining and uses an operator’s brain wave information to calculate a measure of drowsiness. This calculation is wirelessly communicated to a display in-cab, or to any Bluetooth enabled device to alert the driver or operator of fatigue.

Such fatigue is most pervasive in long-haul transport and heavy industries such as construction and mining, where it is responsible for hundreds of fatalities and injuries each year as well as millions of dollars in lost productivity. In the absence of appropriate fatigue management strategies and technologies, this problem is exacerbated by the combination of an aging workforce and increasing demands on operators to achieve production quota.

‘Mining companies are committed to safety, and this commitment has translated into a successful collaboration that will benefit the global mining industry, and the wider community,’ project manager Dr Daniel Bongers said. ‘This project has been good for industry, and good for Australia. The coming year is full of promise and excitement for the project team, for CRCMining and for the mining industry,’ he said.

With the look and feel of a typical baseball cap, the SmartCap has overcome operator acceptance problems experienced at mining sites where camera or response based technologies have been implemented in the past.

For further information: https://www.crc.gov.au/Information/default.aspx

SmartCap Operator Fatigue Management System. Image provided by DIIRS Research Division

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Indigenous Visiting Research Fellowship (IVRF) Program – Jeanine Leane

Indigenous peoples are poorly serviced by the existing research and innovation sector. Existing funding and programs have failed to significantly increase the number of Indigenous researchers. As a result, Indigenous perspectives are not reflected in Australia’s responses to critical policy and societal problems.

The IVRF program at AIATSIS supports a relatively small but critical cohort of researchers to rapidly progress their research career. This will have a direct impact on the number of Indigenous postgraduate completions and a flow on effect to inspire new entrants into the university and research sectors and support retention and completion at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

In June 2008, the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs contributed nearly $1 million over three years to start the IVRF program at AIATSIS. In the second year of this program (i.e. 2009-2010) a further four appointments were made bringing the total number of IVRF appointments under the scheme to 13. The initial round of funding has been fully expended. In June 2010, the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research provided an additional $500,000 to continue the program in 2010-11.

Jeanine Leane started at AIATSIS in early 2009 on a three year IVRF appointment. With specialism in education and in the representation of Indigenous Australians in mainstream literature, since June 2010 Jeanine has submitted her PhD, leads AIATSIS’s role as the National Co-ordinator of Black Words (part of the AustLit research database currently funded through an ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities scheme) and was appointed to the board of management for the Association for the Studies of Australian Literature.



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CeramiSphere

CeramiSphere Pty Ltd (CeramiSphere) is a Sydney-based company commercialising technology developed by ANSTO scientists. This exciting new business is based on an encapsulation and controlled-release platform technology that delivers active ingredients in tiny glass (silica) spheres that can be measured in microns (millionths of a metre). These particles can be tailored to release the active ingredients that they carry in minutes or in months. This innovative technology can be used to protect proteins inside very small porous glass beads and deliver them, intact, to the desired organ in the body. CeramiSphere materials can be ‘tailor-made’ for a range of applications, including the oral delivery of insulin, wound healing, improved vaccines and gene therapy.

This technology was protected by a number of patent applications filed by ANSTO and CeramiSphere has an exclusive license for its use. One of the major potential applications for this technology is for the delivery of new pharmaceuticals and, in particular, the use of therapeutic proteins for the treatment of diseases. These proteins are fragile molecules that can easily be destroyed, but when encapsulated in silica, using the CeramiSphere technology, their activity can be protected. CeramiSphere has many applications outside the healthcare field, such as corrosion-resistant paints, laundry detergents, cosmetics and food. The name “CeramiSphere” combines the notion of the ceramic material (such as silica) with the spherical shape of the particles in which the molecules are encapsulated.

For further information: www.ansto.gov.au

CeramiSphere – advanced encapsulation and controlled-release technology. Image provided by ANSTO

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Australian Membrane Technologies

Australian Membrane Technologies Pty Ltd (AMT) was established in 2007 to commercialise the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s (ANSTO) novel waste-water treatment technology. AMT provides a unique water recycling product that aims to revolutionise household-water use through recycling, cutting water and power consumption by at least 60%. The product is a nano-particulate membrane bioreactor (NMB) which is best described as a simple arrangement of gills that uses bacteria to operate as a lung and stomach, which literally eats waste matter and breathes air, so it is self perpetuating. Patented by ANSTO, the technology is cost effective and is ideal for recycling sewage and grey (washing machine) water for waste-water treatment for domestic use, small-scale industrial use, and large municipal treatment plants.

The NMB contains a biomass, which is essentially many cells made up of fungi and bacteria, which eat solid material. In most current systems, cells are grown in liquid, which means oxygen (which is needed) levels are low and aeration is expensive. With the NMB, cells are grown on one side of the membrane in direct contact with air, enabling 50 times as much biomass (cells) to grow on the membranes, compared to other such membrane-surface culture technologies’. On the other side, a liquid nutrient stream (sewage and waste water) feeds the cells through the extremely porous membrane. The best feature of this system is that aeration is passive and free, reducing the cost of secondary and some of tertiary treatment for a kilolitre of water from $1.00 to 20c, which has resulted in strong industry support.

The NMB technology was licensed to BioGill Environmental Pty Ltd in mid 2009 for global commercialisation.

For further information: www.ansto.gov.au


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AUSTRADE

Dyesol – Solar Energy

Solar technology that mimics the energy-making processes of plants will soon enable building materials to generate their own electricity.

‘It’s an exciting time to be developing this technology, with industry beginning to understand that solar power generation is a potential value-add for a range of existing products,’ says Sylvia Tulloch, Director of Dyesol Ltd.

Silicon-based first-generation photovoltaic panels are expensive to manufacture and difficult to mount on buildings. An alternative method of solar power generation being developed by Dyesol can be layered directly onto existing materials such as glass panels or steel roof cladding, effectively turning them into solar cells. Dyesol’s third-generation dye solar cell (DSC) technology is a form of photovoltaic cell that uses artificial photosynthesis to mimic the processes used by plants to generate energy.

‘Because it is a layer technology, you can layer it onto most substrate materials,’ Tulloch says. ‘It can go on to glass, it can go on to a car, or it can go onto parts of a mobile phone or a laptop, in a way that first generation cells cannot.’

DSCs are made up of a nano-scale pigment and photoelectric dye sandwiched between layers – one layer can be of glass or metal, topped by either glass or plastic. Light striking the glass excites electrons that are absorbed by the pigment and create an electric current many times stronger than that found in plants. Transparent dye solar cells can be layered onto glass which can be incorporated directly into building designs, and the cells can absorb light falling on both faces of the glass. Dyesol has also demonstrated multi-coloured flexible cells to suit military applications such as battery re-charging in the field.

The technology has a lower cost of manufacture than first-generation photovoltaic cells and is more efficient when generating electricity in suboptimal conditions, such as when light falls at wide angle, or during cloudy weather. For this reason, Sylvia Tulloch says DSC promises to be the first solar cell technology that can be economically competitive with traditional forms of power generation in the normal light conditions experienced by most cities.

Dyesol’s DSC technology is a low-cost, large-scale solution for renewable energy. Image provided by Dyesol

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“[Dyesol’s] goal is to form partnerships with companies in various market sectors that can take advantage of the dye solar cell technology,” Ms Tulloch says. The company is seeking other global joint venture partners to provide vertical market specialisation. Dyesol is also supplying materials to solar researchers around the world. In April 2009, Dyesol raised $10 million for further international development. Since 2008 Dyesol has partnered with British steelmaker Corus and with the US-based glassmaker Pilkington (PNA) as well as a joint venture in Korea, all aimed at developing new commercial applications for Dyesol’s technology and exploring new markets.

Dyesol will continue to conduct research and development activities in NSW, where it has a $2.4 million manufacturing facility for the production of new generations of its technology for use in pilot programs. Dyesol has also signed a collaboration agreement with the CSIRO to develop next-generation dyes, and has research and development projects under both Commonwealth (ARC Linkages) and State (Queensland Smart State) with Queensland University of Technology. Dyesol has recently won a share in a ¥2.5 billion (A$29 million) pool of grant money awarded to five international firms by Japan’s Ministry of Trade (METI). Dyesol will use the money to establish a new R&D centre and promote links with other research centres within Japan.

Sylvia Tulloch believes says the potential for DSC technology is enormous. In the case of steel coatings alone the annual addressable market is forecast to be over 200 million square metres of photovoltaic product, generating up to 35GW of electricity. She says that Dyesol’s lower cost, its ability to produce electricity more efficiently in low light conditions, and the fact that it can be directly incorporated into buildings by replacing conventional glass panels or metal sheets, makes it a strong contender in the growing solar industry.

For further information: www.austrade.gov.au http://www.dyesol.com/


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Empowered Patient Pty Ltd – Empowered Patient Project

A gap exists in support for clinicians to effectively provide patients with customised information about their health problems. This customised information is essential to empower patients to self manage injuries and diseases. Existing technology platforms and software tools are both too slow and restrictive.

The Empowered Patient Project (Empowered Patient) has been initiated to overcome this gap and to take self management and preventative health care to the next level.

The key objectives for the Empowered Patient project are to:

• Provide clinicians with a suite of tools to effectively empower their patients to better understand their physical problems and to facilitate opportunities for self management to prevent /manage chronic diseases, injuries and assist with recovery;

• Build synergies between clinicians relating to knowledge management and sharing;

• Bridge distances between metro, regional and rural clinicians to provide equal levels of patient care and empowerment; and

• Take preventative and curative health care to the next level.

A new and interactive platform is being developed for rapid searching, uploading and customising health self management information. It uses Web 2.0 technology to harness the brainpower of users by facilitating collaborative problem solving and virtual community building. It facilitates evidence based knowledge building and sharing and links clinicians together through a professional networking module. It also links clinicians and patients via a patient-clinician interface.

The Australian Government is now spending just over 2 % of the Australian health budget on preventing ill health. The active focus of Empowered Patient is on engaging patients in behaviours that will impact positively in the short and long term on their health. With the EP suite of tools, every clinical interaction has the power to transform each patient’s thoughts, beliefs and actions from a reactive to a proactive strategy.

The empowered patient platform will also provide opportunities for:

• Evaluation of effectiveness of health dollars spent and patient compliance through the patient – clinician interface.

• Further development of evidence base patient management strategies in relation to health dollars spent and effectiveness.

Work has commenced on developing content for the Exercise Prescription module.Image provided by Northern Territory Government

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The NT Innovation grant has assisted the Empowered Patient Project to develop the skills necessary to manage a successful commercialisation process and grow into a sustainable and high growth business in the NT and the rest of Australia in the future.

The NT grant has also assisted to accelerate the time to market process for the first component (Exercise Prescription) of the entire suite of clinical support tools. In Financial Year 2009/10, work was commenced on developing content for the Exercise Prescription module and designing the user interface. The Financial Year 2010–11 focuses on building and testing the beta version of the web application for the Exercise Prescription module.

For further information:http://www.cdu.edu.au/research/www.ep2.me


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Pinz – Business Review of Management Framework

Pinz is a family-owned business that has been operating for more than 23 years and is South Australia’s largest wholesaler-only manufacturer of exterior blinds. Customers range from sole operators to national retailers, and products vary from customised spa covers to shade sails and PVC blinds.

Pinz became an Enterprise Connect client by applying for a Business Review. The business review led Pinz to reconsider its management framework and the firm applied for the Tailored Advisory Service. Pinz was granted $6,240 in funding to undertake leadership development and management training, and to develop and implement a strategic plan. The project was completed on 12 July 2010.

Pinz has implemented several initiatives and developed new products that have contributed significantly to sales and profit growth but believe the underlying reason is the change in management culture brought about by the Business Review.

At the 2010 Endeavour Awards in Sydney, Pinz was awarded the Enterprise Connect Significant Achievement Award. The company was also ranked number 28 in Smart Company’s Smart 50 list of Australia’s fastest growing SMEs for 2010, and was the only manufacturer on the list.


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Improving Law-based Communications and Technology – Evidence Technology

Evidence Technology provide law-based technology support services, including audio visual systems, digital recording, evidential media processing, e-litigation support tools and secure video conferencing. Since 2006 they have upgraded over 160 courtrooms and justice facilities in both countries, including the first round of a recent audio visual linkage project connecting courtrooms with correctional facilities in Auckland, New Zealand.

The Innovation Pathways Program, run by Industry & Investment NSW, assisted Evidence Technology to develop a detailed business strategy and plan for the next five years. They attended a number of Innovation Pathways Strategy Development Workshops and received financial assistance from the Program to secure the services of high level business strategy consultants. This process helped them secure a strategic business partnership with Melbourne based Lawlab Pty Limited, an innovative legal technology firm that develops online legal process management systems. The partnership with Lawlab provides Evidence Technology access to a capital asset base worth over $20 million as well as strategic access to legal technology. The partnership also provides a strong regional business platform for both companies to focus on growth in online legal services as well as Government 2.0 markets.

Legal and justice practitioners are embracing innovation in communications technology as a way to manage growing mountains of paper and streamline their operations. Not only is this helping make the legal system more efficient but it is good for the environment. In the past 12 months, Evidence Technology has secured key contracts with peak justice and law enforcement agencies including Victorian Police and Justice Departments, New Zealand Ministry of Justice, and most recently the Federal Attorney Generals Department.

For further information:http://ats.e-newsletter.com.au/link/id/79184514c92a6d778fc7/pge.htlm#59642154c92a6cf155d1


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Collaboration Produces Computerised Rowing Oar

A world-first computerised oar that allows rowing coaches to scientifically analyse the performance of their rowing squads was developed in NSW and demonstrates the power of collaboration. The Arondight oar – named after Knight of the Round Table Sir Lancelot’s sword – was developed by Croker Oars in collaboration with data applications company, Talon Technology, and with testing support from the Australian Institute of Sport, and funding from the NSW Government.

The Arondight oar was launched at the World Rowing Championships in New Zealand, and promises to deliver a breakthrough shift in the international management of rowing teams both professional and amateur. This technology allows coaches to see exactly what happens when a rower takes a stroke by collecting quantifiable data that can be used to benchmark performance and measure improvements. The reduced complexity of the product also significantly reduces set-up time making the Arondight oar more attractive to not only sports institutes but also rowing clubs and schools.

Croker Oars is a family owned manufacturing business which has developed a niche market both in Australia and overseas, for rowing and sculling oars. Talon Technology has recently pioneered innovative applications for data gathering technology and applied these to dragon boat paddles. Talon intends to further develop these applications and apply them to other paddle and oar sports, as well as to swimming, with the potential for further applications in the future. The Australian Institute of Sport is planning for some elite rowers in its rowing development squad to have their own personal Arondight oar to collect and analyse performance data during competition or practice.

The NSW Government has assisted the project as part of its efforts to support the State’s growing digital economy. Croker Oars has received support from the NSW Government through Industry & Investment NSW to expand its production capacity and implement lean manufacturing processes to improve productivity. The NSW Government’s Innovation Pathways Program has provided $25,000 to Talon Technology to assist with the Arondight oars product testing and technology demonstration trials.

For further information:http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/news/nsw-technology-oar-makes-splash-at-world-rowing-championships

Collaboration produces computerised rowing oars Image provided by NSW Office of Trade, Business and Industry

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THEME: LINKS AND COLLABORATION

Organisations rarely innovate alone. Innovation is a highly interactive, multidisciplinary process which increasingly involves cooperation and partnerships between a growing and diverse network of organisations and individuals. Research is shifting towards more cooperative processes as researchers increasingly network and collaborate across research organisations and national borders.

The following case studies illustrate the importance of collaboration within and between industry, research sectors, government and community sectors.


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Assisting Poverty Mitigation Though Mixed Farming Systems

Professor Len Wade of the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation is leading a $5M Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research project in Laos with the aim of improving food security and rural livelihoods in the rainfed uplands and lowlands of southern provinces of Lao PDR, an area whose population has been identified as having a higher risk of hunger by 2010.

Entitled Developing Improved Farming and Marketing Systems in Rainfed Regions of Southern Lao PDR, the work involves collaboration between Australian institutions: Charles Sturt University, Industry & Investment NSW, the University of Queensland, the International Rice Research Institute and the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture; and Lao collaborating institutions, include the National Agriculture & Forestry Research Institute, the National University of Laos and Provincial Agriculture and Forestry offices. This diverse project has components in socio-economics and marketing, rice productivity and risk with limited labour, system diversification including livestock, and capacity building in extension services.

The smallholder households and communities in the target areas will benefit from the project through their adoption of cropping, water and nutrient management techniques developed with regard to their capabilities and adapted to the local production systems. The research is expected to increase livelihood security by increasing and diversifying household incomes and reducing seasonality and risk, taking into account the need to improve returns to labour and overcome some critical production, post-harvest, and marketing constraints. These characteristics will make for high and widespread adoptability and, hence, potential economic impact.

For further information:http://www.csu.edu.au/research/http://www.csu.edu.au/research/grahamcentre/

A rice experiment in Savannakhet in southern Laos, showing varieties in the rainfed lowlands. Image provided by L Wade Charles Sturt University

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THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Technology Roadmapping for the Australian Automotive Industry

The Australian Automotive manufacturing industry is a significant contributor to the Australian economy, exporting in excess of $3 billion in components and vehicles, while providing more than 50,000 jobs. The Australian National University (ANU) and AutoCRC were commissioned by the Automotive Industry Innovation Council to develop and manage a technology roadmapping exercise, with the aim of communicating a vision and strategy to transform this industry to become more competitive, innovative and sustainable in the short, medium and long term. The project, conducted with support from CSIRO, the University of Cambridge, and Deloitte, involved workshops, interviews and market, technology and data analysis, spanning approximately 12 months.

By drawing on industry expertise, the process examined the trends, drivers, needs and capabilities influencing the industry to identify opportunities and obstacles in the short, medium and long term. Over 160 organisations contributed in excess of 2500 hours to the project, including companies from within and outside the automotive sector, universities, research organisations, and state and federal governments.

Four priority opportunity areas for the long-term success of the Australian automotive industry were identified, and within these, 32 specific opportunities for technology development. These represent opportunities for Australian suppliers to generate new business in both domestic and overseas markets and for Australian multinationals to acquire business from their overseas counterparts.

Feedback from participants demonstrated that the process changed the way they approach innovation, highlighting vital future challenges and opportunities for them to address.

For further information:http://www.autocrc.com/2020.htm

Automotive Australia 2010 – Technology needs. Image from the report released on 16 August 2010. Image provided by ANU


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Men’s Learning and Wellbeing

A team from the School of Education (University of Ballarat), led by Associate Professor Barry Golding and Dr Annette Foley, have been pursuing research on men’s learning and wellbeing following the completion of projects for the Adult, Community and Further Education Board in small towns in Victoria. That research found that men tended to be missing from many better recognized forms of adult and community education. Subsequent research for the National Centre for Vocational Education Research examined learning by men through fire and emergency services organisations across Australia and community men’s sheds.

Major research projects have examined the relationship between men’s learning and wellbeing through six community organisation types and across three Australian states. This work has been conducted in partnership with the Western Australia Department of Education and Training and the National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre. These projects looked at learning through sporting organisations, age-related organisations, religious and Indigenous organisations and men’s special interest organisations. Related research into learning and wellbeing through men’s sheds in community settings has been influential in convincing national and state governments to provide support to the men’s sheds sector in Australia and helped facilitate the spread of sheds to other nations such as New Zealand, Ireland and England.

The research will be further broadened to include collaborators in Europe (Finland, England, Scotland, Portugal and Greece) and the Pacific (in New Zealand and Fiji). The combined effects of the Global Financial Crisis, population ageing, concerns about older men’s health and wellbeing, and the departure of many older men involuntarily from the workforce before retirement age have heightened the importance and timeliness of the research.

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UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA

The Role of Eccentric Exercise and Nutrition in the Treatment of Systemic Inflammation and Chronic Disease

Sport studies lecturer Ben Rattray is looking at how ‘eccentric’ exercise – something as simple as walking down the stairs regularly – could help control sugar levels, a key factor in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Dr Rattray received $50,000 under the ACT Health and Medical Research Support Program in January this year – the largest awarded in the round – to fund the work.

Dr Rattray’s research is being conducted in collaboration with The Canberra Hospital.

In his study, Dr Rattray is investigating the increased benefits of ‘eccentric exercise,’ over conventional physical activity. He will use existing clinical data, as well as take additional blood tests. Existing clinical data on diabetics tells of glucose sensitivity, measures like resting glucose and the insulin response to glucose. Some of these measures are part of a normal GP check-up.

He will then take some more blood and do some measures on inflammatory markers.

Inflammation is related to a lot of chronic disease and the more adipose tissue someone carries, the more inflammation they tend to have and if they do less exercise they will be likely to have higher inflammation as well.

Over time, inflammation can interrupt with a lot of the body systems and how they work, and this is where exercise comes in. Exercise improves glucose sensitivity so it reduces the risk of diabetes.

For further information:www.canberra.edu.au/research


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Australia – China Collaboration to Repair Congenital Heart Defects

Cardiac septal defect is one of the most common congenital heart diseases in children. Congenital heart defect is traditionally treated by open-chest surgery, which is associated with the risk of sterna wound problems and poor cosmetic results. The Cardiovascular Research Group at Charles Sturt University and the cardiac surgeons at Liaocheng People’s Hospital, in the Shandong province, China, have collaboratively developed a keyhole technique to repair congenital heart defects. The novel technique significantly reduced blood loss and the post-operative use of analgesics. It also shortened patients’ recovery times and substantially improved the quality of life. This world-first keyhole surgery has now been successfully used to cure more than 100 patients and will be demonstrated live in a major national conference in China in December 2010.

This project has also been featured in a book entitled “Thirty Stories for Thirty Years” published by the Commonwealth Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research for the Australia and China Science and Technology Week Shanghai World Expo 2010. Key researchers include Prof Bin Zhang, Dean of Liaocheng Clinical School and Adjunct Professor of CSU and Prof Lexin Wang, Head of the CSU Cardiovascular Research Group in CSU’s Centre for Inland Health.

For further information:http://www.csu.edu.au/research/http://www.csu.edu.au/research/inland-health/index.htm

Image provided by Charles Sturt University

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NSW Scientific Research Showcase at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China

Held as part of NSW Week at the Australian Pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai, the Scientific research showcase event was developed in consultation with seven NSW universities. The objective was to promote NSW’s scientific research capabilities and encourage and promote scientific research collaboration between NSW and China.

The event included a welcome address from the Premier of NSW and the Master of Ceremonies was the NSW Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer, Professor Mary O’Kane. The event included video highlights of NSW’s participating universities research and focused on four major themes: clean energy; smart infrastructure; environmental management; and medical and allied health. The NSW delegates attending the event networked with senior Chinese government and industry guests to explore new opportunities for research collaboration for the future between China and NSW’s research sector.

Around 80 guests attended the event, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellors (Research) from The University of Sydney, University of Newcastle, University of Western Sydney, University of Wollongong, Macquarie University and senior representatives from UTS and UNSW. Contacts for collaboration were made and follow-up is underway to create a program with the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) where NSW and MOST fund up to $500,000 each per year on collaborative research partnerships between institutions in both jurisdictions.


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CURTIN UNIVERSITY

Univation

A key activity in this area over 2010 was organising the inaugural Univation event. This is a collaborative event between the 4 public Universities in WA to showcase commercially relevant opportunities arising from research. The event attracted an audience of 220 from industry, academia and the investment community and was run over a day and a half at Burswood Entertainment Complex.

Leading US venture capitalist Bill Tai was the keynote speaker and presented on next generation digital media opportunities. Mr Tai is part of the investment team at Charles River Ventures and a global leader in the field of venture investing.

There were 20 presentations on specific technologies seeking investment and collaboration with industry. Presentations from Curtin researchers including Mr Andrew Woods –Mini-3D video camera, Mr Peter Williams on HiSeis Pty Ltd that has arisen out of research at Curtin’s Department of Exploration Geophysics, Prof Roger Thompson-Real-time haul road condition monitoring, Prof Chun-Zhu Li –Biofuel-syngas production from mallee, Dr Fedja Hadzic-Data cleansing tool and Prof Deidre Coombe-Glycan Pty Ltd based on a carbohydrate mimetic platform.

WA Minister for Commerce; Science and Innovation, Bill Marmion, opened the event and other speakers included Sam Walsh from Rio Tinto, a platinum sponsor of Univation and Radio National Science Show presenter Robyn Williams who MC’d the program. Other platinum sponsors included Griffith Hack and co and AusIndustry.

The program ended with the WA Innovator of the year awards lunch where Curtin was well represented with four finalists including:

• Prof Chun Zhu Li’s Novel gasification system for low rank fuels in the start up category;

• HiSeis Pty Ltd (A/Prof Anton Kepic and A/Prof Milovan Urosevic) in the growth category;

• Mr Andrew Woods Deepvision Pty Ltd, Mini-3D video camera in the Woodside Oil and Gas award category; and

• Curtin physiotherapy student, Ms Hayley Warren, who won the Start-up category of the awards with her digital goniometer device-Halo.

For further information:www.inivation.com.au

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CURTIN UNIVERSITY

Curtin Institute of Minerals and Energy Petroleum Seminar Series

In 2010 the CIME initiated the Petroleum Seminar Series, with presenters drawn predominantly from Curtin’s researchers, in fields relevant to the upstream and downstream petroleum industry.

The overarching objective is to present Curtin’s expertise in research and education for the petroleum industry and, in so doing, to grow investment by industry and government.

Specific objectives are to:

• promote Curtin’s research and education capabilities;

• improve Curtin’s network with industry;

• encouraging collaboration between Curtin’s researchers;

• promote CIME as a point of entry to Curtin; and

• promote Curtin’s investment in the Resources and Chemistry Precinct and commitment to the minerals and energy sectors.

Some 270 people, including representatives of 40 industry companies and organisations, attended the nine seminars held in 2010, in which 15 papers were presented.

For further information:http://research.curtin.edu.au/ip/


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CURTIN UNIVERSITY

Collaboration with the Colorado School of Mines

Curtin University of Technology has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Colorado School of Mines, agreeing to expand the level of collaboration on minerals and energy education and research between the two world-class mining research and education institutions.

Known as The 21st Century Earth Resources Initiative, the collaboration focuses on significant issues surrounding minerals and energy that are truly international in nature and require an international response.

The initial research collaborations will focus the international availability of uranium (as part of a broader agenda of strategic metals and minerals), mine energy systems and unconventional gas.

Curtin and the Colorado School of Mines make natural partners, as there are substantial similarities between their academic cultures, with both having a strategic interest in collaborations and a strong focus on applied research for the minerals and energy sectors.

For further information:http://research.curtin.edu.au/ip/

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DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH (DIISR)

Genetic Protection for Chickpeas

Australian and Indian scientists are collaborating on genetic enhancements to chickpeas to provide protection against insect pests such as pod borer caterpillars. Chickpeas are a type of legume which are high in protein and dietary fibre and are an important part of Indian and Mediterranean cuisine. In Australia chickpeas are a reliable food crop and Australia is a leading exporter of these legumes. The ability to confer protection in chickpeas against pod borers has the potential to improve crop production as well as having positive economic flow-on effects.

The Australian Team Leader, Dr TJ Higgins (CSIRO), explains that while acting as an external advisor to a chickpea improvement project in India he discovered that the work was complementary to research being conducted in Australia. ‘We had a gene transfer system in Australia and they had access to genes suitable for pod borer control. The logical thing was to put the two together.’ This led to an application to the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF). ‘With additional support I could contribute to the work being done in India and make much more progress on my own project at the same time.’ AISRF funding enabled an Indian researcher to visit Australia for two years to undertake work on the chickpea enhancement project while Dr Higgins also went to India to conduct research with the Indian team.

Dr Higgins explains that the CSIRO team in collaboration with Indian researchers from Assam Agricultural University and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, used recombinant DNA methods to convert genes from a soil microbe called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) into plant genes. ‘The Bt genes contain the DNA code for proteins that protect the plant from pod borers.’ The plant version of the Bt gene was transferred to chickpeas and the team was able to develop several chickpea lines which show resistance to pod borers.

While the project has shown success in transferring the Bt genes to chickpeas, Dr Higgins reports that the process still requires optimisation in order to provide protection against pod borers while maintaining the growth of the chickpeas.

The team will next turn its attention to risk assessment and regulatory approval in order to release new lines of chickpeas into breeding programs.

The initial research outcomes show that genetic enhancement of chickpeas can provide protection against pod borers that conventional breeding methods can not achieve.

For further information:www.csiro.auhttps://grants.innovation.gov.au/AISRF/Pages/Home.aspx

Dr Higgins examines a chickpea plant. Image provided by Dr Higgins / CSIRO


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DEAKIN UNIVERSITY

Re-inventing the Wheel

A wheel is a considerably complex structure with performance characteristics that include lightness, rigidity, and durability and shock absorption. Collaboration between Deakin University and Australian company CFusion has literally re-invented the wheel, creating the world’s first car wheel made totally from carbon composites. This use of carbon fibre in the manufacturing of wheels offers huge benefits to both vehicle makers and end-users. In contrast to metal designs, carbon composites can be varied infinitely throughout the wheel structure. This enables the properties of the end product made from carbon composites to be tailored to precise specifications. It is also easier to customise a composite design for varying degrees of stiffness than it is to customise a metal design.

Carbon Revolution’s Dr Matthew Dingle says that each wheel weighs 40-50% less than the best aluminium wheel of comparable size. This characteristic will also have applications for the aerospace, alternative energy, automotive and textiles industries. Other benefits of the CFusion wheel are:

• significant reduction of un-sprung mass;

• improved suspension for better grip;

• improved acceleration and braking; and

• a crisper/sharper steering feel.

The wheel is also designed to meet the most demanding of performance and safety standards. Further improvements in the product will be helped by the creation of the Australian Future Fibres Research and Innovation Centre (AFFRIC) at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds Campus in 2012. This facility is being developed with support from the Commonwealth Government through its Education Investment Fund.


Victorian Minister for Regional and Rural Development, the Hon. Jacinta Allan holds up a carbon fibre wheel at the opening of the Geelong Technology Precinct redevelopment. Image provided by Deakin University

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DEAKIN UNIVERSITY

Ruggedised Robots

The “ruggedised” robots created by Professor Saeid Nahavandi and his team of researchers at Deakin University will soon be helping to save the lives of Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.

The robots, the only ones of their type in the world to be fitted with haptics technology, allow soldiers to defuse Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from up to half a kilometre away and are due to be delivered to the Australian Defence Forces in early 2011.

Because of the hostile environment in which they operate, the robots have to be “ruggedised” to use the military term to withstand the roughest of treatment including explosions.

The upgraded version of the Ozbot, which Professor Nahavandi began developing in 2008, is the first robot in the world to have haptics capacity.

Haptics provide the same sense of touch as if the operator was actually touching the object he or she is working on.

There are great opportunities for haptics to be used in medical applications as well as military ones.

Ozbot, its cousin Oztug, recently purchased by McDonnell Douglas for its factories and now the “ruggedised” military robot showcase Deakin University’s ability to take an idea from concept to commercialisation.


Ruggerdised Robots. Image provided by Deakin University


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Electron Science Research Institute

The team at ECU’s Electron Science Research Institute have long understood the value of international collaboration in research by Australian universities. Led by Professor Kamal Alameh, the team have established links with partners across the globe, including France, Israel, the United Kingdom, Japan, Russia, Sweden the USA and Germany. The two closest collaborations, though, have taken place with research institutions in South Korea and China, and conclusively demonstrated that Universities in Perth can co-operate effectively with international partners, despite the geographical isolation. Through these collaborations, Professor Alameh was named a World-Class University (WCU) Professor with the Department of Nano-bio Materials and Electronics at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Korea. Professor Alameh is also an Adjunct Professor at Glamorgan University, Wales, UK, and Guest Professor at Southeast University, Nanjing, China.

These high-profile international collaborations have since 2005 resulted in 26 journal articles and 42 refereed conference papers being jointly published. The ESRI team have also participated in the organization of more than 20 conferences and workshops. The combination of the various research institutions’ individual, highly specialized skill-sets has facilitated the invention of novel products with significant commercial potential, with 6 patent applications filed to date. Perhaps most importantly, the world-class research being undertaken has attracted grant funding of over $15 million. Professor Alameh’s contributions have been recognised by the receipt of several prestigious awards including the WA Inventor of the Year (Early Stage) in 2007. In an increasingly connected world, co-operation on a global scale is easier, and more important, than ever before.

For further information:www.ecu.edu.au/research/overview

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International Research Collaboration to Reduce HIV in Papua New Guinea

In 2010, James Cook University expanded its research collaboration in Papua New Guinea (PNG) through the ‘Acceptability of Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention in PNG’ study. Divine Word University (DWU) in Madang and Pacific Adventist University (PAU) in Port Moresby are academic partners in this study. Additionally two industry partners, Porgera Joint Venture, Enga Province and Higaturu Oil Palms, Oro Province have been central to the collaboration to investigate additional strategies to reduce the high level of HIV transmission in PNG.

Significant benefits to Australia and the region of these expanding collaborations include:

• advancing the evidence base on the acceptability and feasibility of male circumcision as an additional strategy to reduce HIV transmission in PNG;

• expanding the capacity of Australian and PNG researchers to undertake research into sensitive health issues of high importance; and

• the ability of JCU to utilise its strategic location to forge stronger institutional linkages in PNG: an MOU signed between JCU and Porgera Joint Venture (PJV) has facilitated training of PJV staff and enabled HIV prevention research with PJV workers and surrounding communities; an MOU signed between JCU, Higaturu Oil Palms and Oro Provincial Government will enable HIV prevention research with workers and health care workers in 2011.

This research is led by Dr David MacLaren at JCU in partnership with an interdisciplinary team of infectious diseases, public health, anthropology and social work specialists.

For further information:http://www.jcu.edu.au/phtmrs/public/groups/everyone/documents/other/jcuprd1_066639.pdf


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Aus-Jubilee – A Result from Queensland’s New Generation Pineapple Breeding Program

On 7 September 2010, the first Australian born and bred pineapple hit supermarket shelves in Queensland. This new Australian pineapple is the result of an 18 year breeding partnership between the Queensland Government, Horticulture Australia Limited, Favco Queensland Limited and the Queensland pineapple industry.

At the time breeding commenced, Queensland’s pineapple industry had been in steady decline for many years, due to competition from cheaper imported products. In response, breeding efforts were focused on development of new fresh market pineapples with superior eating quality. One of the first “wins” from the program was the introduction of a Hawaiian hybrid MD-2 which has captured around 35% of the fresh pineapple market and worth over $11.3 million at the farm gate.

As a result of their fresh market focus, the industry has grown from $33 million in 2004-05 to over $70 million in 2009-2010, achieving outstanding growth of 112% over 5 years.

Into the future, the Aus-Jubilee is expected to help grow the pineapple industry because of its consistent quality for growers and consumers where this variety is not affected by pineapple blackheart (internal browning), translucent flesh or other internal blemishes. In addition, Aus-Jubilee tastes great, being favoured by consumers in blind taste tests and has twice the Vitamin C content of traditional varieties.

The Queensland Government’s commercialisation partner for the Aus-Jubilee, Favco Queensland, was selected to bring the Aus-Jubilee into local supermarkets across Australia where it will be clearly branded by its variety name, so consumers will no longer have to guess what they are getting in a pineapple.

The total project life value of $1,091,000 comprises Queensland Government investment of $622,000, Federal Government investment of $196,000 and $273,000 leveraged from industry and business. It is strong example of how relatively small investments in R&D can generate outstanding returns.

For further information:http://www.horticulture.com.au/admin/assets/library/annual_reports/pdfs/PDF_File_29.pdfhttp://www.favco.com/Our-Products/Pineapples.aspx

The Aus-Jubilee pineapple.Image provided courtesy of Favco Queensland

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MONASH UNIVERSITY

Helping Zoos Change / Increase Conservation Awareness

Dr Liam Smith is a postdoctoral fellow in Monash University’s Tourism Research Unit, who believes that zoos have an important role to play in conservation issues because they provide an opportunity for scientists and conservationists to talk to the general public about ecological sustainability. With his Monash colleague Professor Betty Weiler, Liam works closely with Zoos Victoria (ZV). ZV has recently moved to better use of its opportunities to influence pro-wildlife behaviour among its 1.6 million annual visitors. The zoo is recognised as a leading zoo in the world for their community conservation work.

Dr Smith’s research has involved conducting studies to identify different visitor responses to zoo communications, using self-reporting, physiological measures, and participant observation. By testing the impact of a zoo experience on attitudes and behavioural intentions, ZV has been able to improve the design of visitor communications and achieve positive behaviour change.

These insights have been central to implementing the new ZV strategy. Initially there was concern that too many ‘messages’ would negatively affect visitors’ experiences, however Monash research indicated that, on the contrary, visitor experiences could be improved through well thought out requests for pro-wildlife behaviour. ZV has since launched several large scale campaigns, including Beads for Wildlife (buying beads to support communities in Kenya where wildlife are hunted due to insufficient income), Don’t Palm Us Off (lobbying for palm oil labelling) and They’re Calling on You (mobile phone recycling to reduce mining in gorilla habitat). Most recently, the Wipe for Wildlife initiative was launched in 2010. This campaign encourages visitors to the zoos to switch to recycled toilet paper at home, school, and work. The campaign includes a range of strategies, including the use of recycled paper at all ZV bathrooms, posters and online activities. The campaign communication strategies will be evaluated as part of Dr Smith’s current ARC Linkage Project.



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MONASH UNIVERSITY

Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) and GSK collaboration

Monash University’s Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) comprises the largest and most experienced group of pharmaceutical scientists in Australia. MIPS research programs in discovery biology, medicinal chemistry, lead optimisation and drug delivery are co-located, providing significant opportunity for collaboration and synergy.

In 2009, MIPS scientists established an ongoing strategic partnership with the multinational pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in the form of The Australian Centre of Pharmaceutical Innovation. This Centre is supported by the Victorian Government, and promises significant growth and innovation in pharmaceutical discovery and production in Victoria.

GlaxoSmithKline holds about 7% of the world’s pharmaceutical market. The Australian subsidiary of GSK has a record for innovative and flexible manufacturing practices, producing high quality, cost competitive, export-destined pharmaceutical products.

In 2010, the Centre has established research programs in two specialist product areas where their complementary expertise offers a unique international lead, namely:

• the next generation of efficient and cost effective aerosol powder inhalers for respiratory diseases such as asthma and influenza, which require the state-of-the-art particle engineering and powder technology expertise; and

• sterile liquid products formulated and packaged in the innovative, cost effective and user friendly blow-fill-seal technology which is unique to the Victorian GSK site, where MIPS bring world leading liquid formulation expertise in colloid nanotechnology and in solubilisation technologies

The fusion of GSK’s industry and manufacturing know-how and infrastructure together with the translational research capacity of MIPS combine the experience, facilities, creativity and knowledge in the pursuit of the next generation high-value pharmaceutical products destined for major impact on the national and international market.


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MURDOCH UNIVERSITY

Residue Testing

The Cooperative Bulk Handling (CBH) Group is one of Australia’s leading grain organisations, a co-operative with operations extending along the value chain from grain storage, handling and transport to marketing, shipping and processing. Commencing in 2008, CBH and Dr Rob Trengrove of Murdoch University undertook cooperative research to develop improved pesticide residue testing services for a variety of grains. Issues for testing in the grains industry included little innovation since the 1990’s, 2 week turnarounds or increased expense for rapid turnaround, and limited residue coverage in a single analysis application. Using an innovative platform capable of detecting more than 150 pesticide residues simultaneously, Murdoch and CBH developed, and trialled a test that is fully customizable. It is rapid, cost-effective and sensitive, allowing the grains industry to respond to the challenges of a changing landscape in agricultural practices and consumer protection.

In Dec 2009 CBH and Murdoch signed a Collaboration and Services Agreement to develop and commercialise the ResChek test in the grains industry. This agreement includes the development of a new Instrumental Facility at Murdoch University. 2010 also saw the establishment of Murdoch Spinoff company SciCom, which is currently working with Murdoch to progress collaboration with major Brazilian pig and poultry producers to introduce a residue testing program for their export meat market.

For further information:www.research.murdoch.edu.au/ilo/


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THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

The Development of a New Vaccine

Larval stages of tapeworm parasites are the greatest cause of acquired epilepsy worldwide; there are 400,000 symptomatic cases of brain infection with cestode parasites in Latin America alone. The parasite involved – Taenia solium – is transmitted by pigs.

Professor Marshall Lightowlers and his colleagues in the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Melbourne have developed a new vaccine for pigs which can be used to prevent the disease being transmitted, indirectly reducing incidence of human infection. Proteins were identified from the early stages in the parasite’s development which could be used successfully as the targets for a protective vaccine. The proteins were then cloned into bacteria to produce them in pure form in large quantities. The vaccine has been proven to be effective in experimental trials undertaken in Mexico, Honduras, Peru and Cameroon. A field trial of the vaccine was completed in 2010 in Cameroon where it achieved the complete elimination of the parasite’s transmission.

Further development of the vaccine is being supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines.

For further information:http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20100903-20687.html

Cameroon Pigs. Image provided by Professor Marshall Lightowlers, Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne

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THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

Eureka Prize for Excellence in Research by an Interdisciplinary Team

For 15 years, Associate Professor Ray Watson (Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne) has been part of a team working on a project to design a meat grading system that is now recognised internationally. This achievement was recognised in 2010 by being awarded the Australian Research Council Eureka Prize for Excellence in Research by an Interdisciplinary Team.

The team of eight developed a system that considers what people prefer to eat, based on data from at least 70,000 consumers. The technique factors in tenderness, aesthetics, food safety and the origin of beef. The statistical component of such a system is enormous and the work of Professor Watson has been central to its success. The research has led also to numerous publications.

The success of this project is the achievement predominantly of eight outstanding individuals as recognised by the Eureka Prize accolade of being an ‘unprecedented collaboration across institutions and disciplines, and between science and industry’.

Other members of the team comprising the Meat Standards Australia Pathways Team are Rod Polkinghorne (Director of Marrinya and prominent beef industry figure), John Thompson (Professor of Meat Science at the University of New England (UNE)), Dr Garry Griffith and Dr Paul Greenwood (Industry & Investment NSW at UNE’s Beef Industry Centre), Dr Robyn Warner (Victorian Department of Primary Industries), Dr Drewe Ferguson (CSIRO Livestock Industries) and Dr David Pethick (Professor of Biochemistry and Nutrition at the School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Murdoch University).

For further information:http://eureka.australianmuseum.net.au/B6467110-595B-11DF-A6AE005056B06558?DISPLAYENTRY=true


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THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES

ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence

UNSW is renowned worldwide for its work in photovoltaics (solar cell technology). In 2007, the ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence at UNSW entered joint research and commercial licensing agreements with leading developers and manufacturers of solar technology in China and Taiwan with ongoing interest being shown by other emerging economic giants such as India.

One of UNSW’s alumni is Dr Zhengrong Shi, is now the founder and CEO of Suntech Power Holdings, the fourth largest solar cell maker worldwide. Following a $1.5 m donation to UNSW in 2006, Dr Shi also signed a research agreement to jointly develop an innovative way to form metal contacts to improve solar cell efficiency. This comes out of previous collaborative research between UNSW and Suntech.

In March, NSi signed a licence agreement with Taiwanese solar-cell manufacturer, E-Ton Solar Tech which includes a collaborative research program to develop two of UNSW’s latest high efficiency solar cell technologies for commercial production. E-Ton is a rapidly growing solar cell manufacturer specialising in high performance products which are sold world-wide.

NSi has also signed a licence agreement with China’s CEEG Nanjing PV Tech for a collaborative research program to adapt UNSW’s world record-holding PERL solar-cell technology to suit large scale commercial production.

For further information:www.insw.edu.au http://www.pv.unsw.edu.au/info-about/research/arc-photovoltaics-centre-excellence-0

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UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE

New Energy Technology brings Industry and University Together

GRANEX, a revolutionary new technology designed by the University of Newcastle’s Professor Behdad Moghtaderi and Dr Elham Doroodchi, is on the path to commercialisation. This geothermal power generator has attracted the praise of peers and the interest of industry. GRANEX is a heat engine for power generation from low-grade heat sources including geothermal and industrial waste heat.

With the support of Newcastle Innovation, the University’s commercial arm, collaboration began at an industry expo, when geothermal energy company Granite Power saw a showcase of the research capabilities of the University. Granite Power needed technical expertise to solve a problem with heat efficiency of geothermal energy sources. That expertise could be found with Professor Moghtaderi and Dr Doroodchi. The researchers solved the problem and developed two patents based on their solution. Newcastle Innovation managed the patenting and commercialisation process. One of the patents has now become the key behind the technology known as GRANEX.

The collaboration won a $2.4 million grant from AusIndustry and a $1 million grant from the Australian Research Council to further develop and commercialise the technology, which became known as GRANEX.

The project has developed a pilot plant and commercial partners are being sought to trial and use the GRANEX technology. Granite Power is negotiating with two companies in Germany and China who are interested in manufacturing and marketing GRANEX technology. They are negotiating with a number of Australian and international mining and power generation companies to retrofit existing facilities.

For further information:http://www.newcastle.edu.au/research/http://www.newcastle.edu.au/news/2009/11/20/new-revolution-in-electricity-generation.htmlhttp://www.newcastle.edu.au/news/2010/10/06/next-steps-for-our-new-inventors.htmlhttp://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s2868471.htm


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THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

Targeted Therapy for Treating Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer with over two million patients per year affected world wide. As with all cancer treatments, the most significant problem to treatments are the incapacitating side effects caused by the systemic nature of radiation and chemotherapies. Therefore targeted therapies have long been the holy grail.

In a collaboration with Sirtex Medical Therapies that began in 2004, Professor Brian Hawkett from the University of Sydney has been making great strides towards achieving that goal. Sirtex are an Australian based company with the primary objective to research, develop, and commercialise effective treatments for liver cancer using novel small particle technology

Utilizing another Australian developed platform technology (the CSIRO developed Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer or RAFT) Professor Hawkett’s team have pioneered a biocompatible microsphere system that will allow the targeted delivery of hyperthermia treatment (THT), which is quite literally killing of cancerous cells through the use of heat.

Essentially this technology will allow superior heating of microspheres, which allows for:

• lower doses of material required;

• increased treatment effectiveness;

• improved patient safety and comfort; and

• reduced side effects.

For further information:www.sydney.edu.au/sydnovate

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Minerals Future Collaboration Cluster

Mining and mineral processing forms a large part of Australia’s contemporary economy and the path toward a more sustainable future calls for a serious and broad debate on the role our mineral resources will play in supporting tomorrow’s economy.

The Mineral Futures Collaboration Cluster brings together CSIRO and five universities:

• Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland;

• Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology, Sydney;

• Curtin University of Technology;

• CQ University; and

• Australian National University.

In a $8m three year project to lead research on the future way our commodities are used to deliver long term national benefit, on the role which innovative new technology can play and on using new approaches to meet the social challenges in resource-rich regions.

To address the declining rates of discovery and availability of high quality mineral resources, a National Peak Minerals Forum was organised by UTS in April 2010. Key stakeholders were invited to discuss the impacts, opportunities and challenges presented by the peaking of key minerals in Australia. The forum was held at the Australia Museum and featured a range of key note speakers on the economic, environmental, technical and social implications of peak minerals.

For further information:www.resourcefutures.net.au – for the report www.isf.uts.edu.au http://www.csiro.au/partnerships/mineral-futures-collaboration-cluster--ci_pageNo-1.html – the cluster


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ANSTO Minerals

As global demand for uranium strengthens, ANSTO is leading the way in securing the future of Australia’s uranium industry. Global demand for uranium is projected to increase strongly over the next 20 years as new nuclear capacity is commissioned in part as a response to addressing issues of greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on climate change. As Australia has the world’s largest reasonably assured resources of uranium, it is well placed to benefit from the expansion in the global uranium market. In 2009–10 uranium exports were valued at $780 million and this is forecast to grow by 48% in 2010-11 to $1.16 billion.

Australia has a significant number of low-grade uranium deposits that are difficult or too expensive to treat and are not readily amenable to traditional processing methods. There are other associated challenges including increasing demand to minimise the environmental and waste footprint of processing routes, sparse water supplies and increased stewardship requirements for radioactive materials.

ANSTO along with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), RMIT University and University of South Australia (through the Ian Wark Research Institute) are proposing to establish the Australian Research Alliance for Radioactive Minerals. This collaborative arrangement will carry out strategic research to address challenges faced by the uranium industry, focusing on sustainable processing solutions for complex and low grade uranium ores. An $8m research grant application has been submitted, with ANSTO as the Lead Applicant, to the Science and Industry Endowment Fund. A decision on this grant is expected before the end of 2010.

For further information:www.ansto.gov.au

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International Engagement

In 2010, ANSTO signed a number of Memoranda of Understanding to foster and strengthen collaborations with international research organisations including:

• The European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), which is one of the world’s largest centres for scientific research and is run by 20 European Member States, but many non-European countries are also involved in different ways. CERN is the home of the world’s largest physics project and the gigantic circular accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider, which spans the Swiss-French border. The collaboration will involve research in areas such as accelerator science, health and life sciences and radiation detection and will enable Australia to enhance its expertise in large-scale accelerator facilities and particle-therapy platforms. This engagement fits well with the Australian Collaboration for Accelerator Science.

• The French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA – Commissariat a l’Energie Atomique) – a French government-funded technological research organisation and leader in research, development and innovation in the main fields of energy, information and health technologies, and defence and national security. The collaboration will involve projects in areas such as nuclear medicine and imaging, life sciences, energy, safety and radiological protection. First staff exchange in reactor technology has taken place.

• The Paul Scherrer Institute – the largest multi-disciplinary research centre for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland undertakes world-class research in the areas of structure of matter, energy, the environment, and human health. Our collaboration will involve projects in these areas with a particular focus on neutron-scattering instrumentation, accelerator science, health and life sciences.

• The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute is a South Korean government-funded nuclear research and development agency. Our collaboration will involve projects in respect of the utilisation, operation and maintenance of research reactors and related experimental facilities; neutron-beam studies; irradiation studies of materials in research reactors; application of radiation and nuclear science and technology for security purposes; and education and training in nuclear matters.

The cooperative relationships are strategically important in leveraging Australia’s nuclear research capabilities and ensuring best practice, cutting-edge competitive research, and effective knowledge sharing in the latest and most advanced areas of research around the globe. By collaborating with these types of institutions, Australia is assured of key skills and access to specialised facility use in fields such as medicine, engineering and related disciplines.

For further information:www.ansto.gov.au

Quan Hua, Andrew Smith and Vladimir Levchenko (left to right) working on ANSTO’s tandem accelerator, ANTARES, which is being used for radiocarbon dating to develop a better understanding of the environment. Image provided by ANSTO


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Structural Innovation Timber Company

UTS researchers within the Centre for Built Infrastructure Research were awarded over $1.6 million dollars to join an international research consortium that aims to develop large-span timber buildings for a wide range of uses in New Zealand, Australia and other export markets. The research contract was signed with the Structural Timber Innovation Company (STIC) a consortium of New Zealand and Australian businesses, universities and research organisations, funded by industry partners with matching funding from the New Zealand government.

Keith Crews, Professor of Structural Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, is heading up the project. “This is a significant investment that funds six projects spanning over the next four years, as well as securing seven postgraduate scholarships,” said Professor Crews. “The research will examine timber floors for multi-story timber buildings, with the aim of developing structural systems to ensure high quality, long term structural, acoustic, seismic and fire performance.”

Using timber in the construction industry has a number of environmental benefits, including lower carbon dioxide emissions as well as lower life-time heating and cooling costs. All the timber used in construction for STIC is sustainable as it is all replanted.

Clive Tilby, the Chairman of STIC, welcomed the agreement saying “We are very excited to be working with UTS, an Australian research organisation that has leading structural timber capabilities. This collaboration across the Tasman greatly expands the research potential and strength of the consortium.”

For further information:http://www.stic.co.nz/

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Australia’s First “Green” Hydrogen Racing Car

In a pioneering project that demonstrates the possibilities of hydrogen as the clean, renewable fuel of the future, RMIT researchers have produced Australia’s first “green” hydrogen-powered racing car.

Formula H is the joint project of Hochschule Ingolstadt, University of Applied Sciences, Germany, and RMIT University, which have come together to combine their respective expertise to produce a vehicle for the future in the form of a hydrogen-powered racing car that is virtually emission-free and emits only water vapour.

Australia’s first hydrogen-powered racing car has been showcased at a series of high-profile events including the 63rd International Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi Innovation Forum in Ingolstadt and at one of Europe’s largest sporting events, the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters – DTM, German Touring Car Masters in Barcelona, Spain. In February 2010, the car set a new world record for a hydrogen-powered car of this type, reaching a top speed of 133kmh.

The Formula H project was designed to produce a demonstration vehicle using cutting-edge sustainable automotive technologies. The research teams continue to collaborate, working concurrently on the vehicles, with one based in Ingolstadt and the other in Melbourne. The teams are collaborating with Audi on Formula H Mk 2, in which two Audi TTs will be converted to run on hydrogen, using the internal combustion engine concept. In addition, the Melbourne-based research team is developing a working model of a long-haul truck using hydrogen fuel cell technologies.

For further information:www.rmit.edu.au/

Formula H – Hydrogen racing car. Image by Katharine Dettmann and provided by RMIT


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Ultrahigh Bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS)

Swinburne is one of seven universities that are members of the Centre of Excellence for Ultrahigh Bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS), which will receive $23.8 million from the Australian Research Council (ARC) over the next seven years. This new funding, which was awarded in mid 2010, will allow the centre to build on its already significant achievements and take integrated photonics to the next level.

In the past two years the centre has published and presented a number of prestigious papers and attracted international media attention. Some breakthroughs include unprecedented Tbaud processing speeds and demonstrations of slow light enhanced optical processing, developments that have the potential to reduce internet information bottlenecks.

It is believed that this new funding will allow CUDOS to take the next big step in optical systems by transforming photonic integrated circuits into a technology that will have a profound effect on economies and lifestyles around the world.

Swinburne University’s world-class photonics researcher Professor Min Gu who, earlier this year was awarded an Australian Laureate Fellowship from the federal government, heads the Swinburne wing of CUDOS.

For further information: http://www.research.swinburne.edu.au

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VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

Guidance for Industry on Recycled Water Use

With increasing pressure on water resources globally, there is a need to explore other sources. Using recycled water in non-potable industrial uses is one avenue that can be easily approached. However, there is often concern about following this path due to difficulty in understanding how to approach the decision making process.

The Institute of Sustainability and Innovation at Victoria University, in collaboration with the CSIRO and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, have developed a piece of software outlining a decision support framework to guide industrial managers through the decision making process and providing as much relevant information as possible. This novel framework allows decision makers to assign the relative importance of different issues within their company (covering a broad spectrum of issues such as economic factors, social issues, health and technical issues) before comparing how they would perform using a recycled water source.

The framework was developed as part of the Smart Water Fund, a joint initiative of Melbourne water providers and the Victorian government. It was developed with considerable consultation with both the water industry and manufacturing industries around Melbourne. It has received significant positive feedback during the trial and since its release has been investigated by other water authorities, industry groups and state governments for potential application or adaptation in their field.



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VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

Collaboration with Fudan University

In 2010, the Institute of Sustainability and Innovation of Victoria University developed an international research collaboration with Fudan University of China. Associate Professor Mikel Duke, a researcher in inorganic membrane technology, is specialised in the fundamental development of inorganic materials such as nanotubes, silica, titania, zeolites and polymer composites as well as in applications of membrane distillation, ceramic membranes and membrane assisted fermentation.

The collaboration arose through a successful Endeavour Research Fellowship grant received by A/ Prof Duke in 2009. Through the collaboration, A/Prof Duke gained access to China’s leading materials research groups based at Fudan University. Professor Dongyuan Zhao of Fudan University is an international leader in the development of cutting edge materials for application in water treatment and energy. A/Prof Duke and Prof Zhao developed advanced materials into membranes to generate new devices with uses ranging from improved fouling tolerance in water treatment to encapsulating enzymes to provide a bioactive functionality to separations. The collaboration resulted with joint publications and both researchers and institutions are hoping to build an on-going collaboration through continued academic and research student exchange as well as knowledge sharing between the two research groups.


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UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG – ILLAWARRA HEALTH AND MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute: a Collaborative Partner.

The Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) was recently established as a partnership between the University of Wollongong and the South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service (SESIAHS).

IHMRI’s main point of difference as a health and medical research institute is its regional, community-centred focus. By encouraging close collaboration between local academic and clinical research efforts, IHMRI works to achieve results that are directly applicable to clinical practice and health service delivery, leading to improvements in the health of the local community.

The Research Themes within IHMRI (which are led by Scientific Directors and Medical Directors) are: Cancer Continuum, Healthy Ageing, Infectious Diseases, Metabolic Conditions, Neuroscience and Mental Health, Primary Care and Rural Health.

For further information:http://ihmri.uow.edu.au

Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute. Image provided by University of Wollongong


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UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG – UNIVERSITY OF DUBLIN

University of Wollongong’s IPRI and Dublin City University Collaboration

The partnership between the UOW Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) and the National Centre for Sensor Research at Dublin City University (DCU) has enabled an exchange of complementary expertise which began when Professor Malcolm Smith (DCU) was invited to UOW to start a research collaboration involving the control of biomolecular conducting polymer interactions. This link rapidly developed into more collaborations, which have contributed greatly to the emerging field of nanobionics.

Major impacts include the development of the ‘Bender Sensor’, which requires very little energy and can run for thousands of hours on a small watch battery and ‘Wearable Sensors’ integrated into clothing, that monitor heartbeat, pulse and breathing.

In recent years chief investigators Professor Gordon Wallace (IPRI) and Professor Dermot Diamond (DCU) have investigated and developed novel fluid management systems for microfluidics. This was to form the basis of remote and/or mobile sensing technologies.

For further information:http://ipri.uow.edu.au/index.html

Professor Gordon Wallace (IPRI, UOW Australia) and Professor Dermot Diamond (DCU, Ireland). (left to right)Image provided by University of Wollongong

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AMIRA INTERNATIONAL

Multi-Component Modelling (MCM)

AMIRA International, headquartered in Melbourne and with offices in three other regions, is an R&D broker for the minerals industry. AMIRA develops and then manages collaborative R&D projects on behalf of global consortiums of mining companies and industry supplier companies. The projects are carried out by leading research teams based at universities, CSIRO and elsewhere. AMIRA’s 2010 R&D portfolio has a budget exceeding $70M. The outcomes in 2010 illustrate how AMIRA engenders business innovation.

Multi-Component Modelling (MCM)A significant innovation from a project on Mineral Processing has been the development of Multi-Component Modelling (MCM), a new approach for simulating mineral processing operations and thus improving them. The previously existing simulation platforms required constant re-validation against measured plant data and did not readily integrate the information between different parts of the processing plant. The new MCM concept uses a multi-dimensional array of information about the properties of the ore, and the process models at each step of the flowsheet no longer need to rely upon empirical relationships that need regular re-validation. A number of research institutions headed by the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre in Brisbane are continuing to refine the MCM model, and the development program is supported by almost all major global mining companies, as well as many other Australian-based companies and equipment suppliers.

For further information: www.amirainternational.com


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AMIRA INTERNATIONAL

Minerals Exploration Program

AMIRA International, headquartered in Melbourne and with offices in three other regions, is an R&D broker for the minerals industry. AMIRA’s success as a broker of syndicated research projects is globally recognised in both industry and the research community, largely due to the fact that it is a not-for-profit association of most of the world’s largest mining companies and their major suppliers. AMIRA develops and then manages collaborative R&D projects on behalf of global consortiums of mining companies and industry supplier companies. The projects are carried out by leading research teams based at universities, CSIRO and elsewhere. AMIRA’s 2010 R&D portfolio has a budget exceeding $70 million. The outcome in 2010 from the following project illustrates how AMIRA engenders business innovation.

AMIRA’s Minerals Exploration ProgramA significant outcome from AMIRA’s Minerals Exploration program was a new approach that will improve minerals exploration decision making in West Africa, a region where the mining industry is increasingly focussing exploration efforts. AMIRA was instrumental in getting the initiative off the ground not only by securing the necessary financial backing but, crucially, in designing the proposal. Ten research institutions from around the world, including the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement in France, the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa and the Centre for Exploration Targeting at University of Western Australia, are contributing to the research and to the delivery of training courses for West African geoscientists. The scope of the project encompasses 13 countries in West Africa. Mining companies are contributing more than $2.2 million for the project, with important additional support from AusAID for the capacity building module. Recently the new initiative secured a further $1.6 million of funding through an ARC Linkage grant that will help to extend the science program to include comparative studies with two key Australian mineral terranes.

For further information: www.amirainternational.com

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ELASTAGEN PTY LTD

Elastatherapy™

Elastagen is a clinical stage medical device company based in Sydney that is pioneering Elastatherapy™ using the human protein elastin to naturally repair and augment the skin. Skin elasticity deteriorates with age due to the progressive loss of the elastin protein, one of the three key molecules associated with youthful skin. Two of these molecules, hyaluronic acid and collagen, are already used in aesthetic dermatology, but the potential for Elastin has remained untapped and offers a novel direction in anti-ageing therapy. Elastagen has pioneered the scientific understanding of elastin and the “elastagenesis” process in collaboration with Professor Tony Weiss and other researchers at the University of Sydney and with the financial backing of GBS Venture Partners, Brandon Capital Partners and BizCapital/ATP Innovations.

Elastagen has worked extensively with a number of Australian contract research and manufacturing companies to progress its product development program and is the first company globally to have succeeded in the scale able commercial ‘good manufacturing practice’ (GMP) compliant manufacture of full length recombinant human elastin for use in dermatology applications.

During 2010, Elastagen successfully transitioned its dermatology products into the clinic and is currently conducting multiple clinical studies in Australia to evaluate the potential of its Elastin formulations to augment the skin and restore elasticity in both cosmetic and medical dermatology applications. Successful formulation development and manufacturing campaigns were conducted in Australia.

For further information:www.elastagen.com


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DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH – MANUFACTURING DIVISION

Ford’s and GM Holden’s Design and Engineering Expertise

Ford Australia and GM Holden are centres of expertise in the design and engineering of new vehicle platforms for their respective global parents.

Ford Australia designed and engineered the new T6 Ranger pickup for the international market. The vehicle made its debut at the Australian International Motor Show in October 2010 and will be sold in 180 countries.

In 2010, the GM Holden designed and engineered, and General Motors’-made, Chevrolet Camaro vehicle won the World Car Design of the Year award at the New York International Auto Show as well as the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s Hottest Car award.

For further information:www.goauto.com.auwww.wcoty.comwww.sema.org www.innovation.gov.au/newcarplan – A New Car Plan for a Greener Future www.ausindustry.gov.au – Automotive Competitiveness and Investment Scheme, Automotive Transformation Scheme and Green Car Innovation Fund

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DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH (DIISR) – MANUFACTURING DIVISION

Toyota Australia’s Hybrid Camry

On 10 June 2008, the then Prime Minister announced a $35 million Green Car Innovation Fund grant to Toyota Australia to assist in the production of a hybrid version of the Camry at the company’s Altona plant in Victoria. The Victorian Government also contributed funding to the project.

Toyota Australia launched the hybrid Camry into the Australian market in February 2010. The hybrid Camry achieved the Green Vehicle Guide’s maximum five-star rating. The vehicle consumes 6.0 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres and emits 142 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre – equivalent to a much smaller class of vehicle.

For further information:http://www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au/GVGPublicUI/home.aspx – Green Vehicle Guidewww.innovation.gov.au/newcarplan – A New Car Plan for a Greener Future www.ausindustry.gov.au – Automotive Competitiveness and Investment Scheme, Automotive Transformation Scheme and Green Car Innovation Fund


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DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH (DIISR) – SCIENCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE DIVISION

Australia-China Centre on Water Resources Research

The Australia-China Centre on Water Resources Research is a collaborative venture sponsored by the Australian Government Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) and Learned Academies in Australia, and government agencies in China. It is based at the University of Melbourne to conduct collaborative research on water management challenges.

The Centre has developed a vibrant and productive program with ongoing exchange of ideas and knowledge fostering 423 network activities between Australian and Chinese professionals and 9 research partnerships. The Centre has hosted seven workshops and is supporting 13 research projects with direct funding of $3.3 million which have so far resulted in 36 high-impact journal papers.

In 2010, the Centre took the lead in developing a framework for systemic and adaptive preparedness of catchment management to address reduced water availability, funded by the ARC. Through this framework, Australia’s experiences in the Murray-Darling Basin have been showcased in the Shiyang and Shule river basins in China (funded by AusAID), and Australians have access to Chinese research funding through the Black River project funded by the Chinese Government. In collaboration with leading water researchers and agencies in Australia and China, the Centre has been making significant progress on addressing water challenges in both countries.

For further information:http://www.eng.unimelb.edu.au/research/Research_Groups/Aust_China/

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BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY (BOM)

Australian Hydrological Geospatial Fabric (the “Geofabric”)

The Australian Hydrological Geospatial Fabric is a Geographic Information System (GIS) that maps the spatial relationships between hydrological features such as rivers, lakes, dams, catchments, aquifers, water supply channels and drains. The Geofabric is being developed by the Bureau of Meteorology in collaboration with CSIRO, Geoscience Australia and the Australian National University.

When coupled to hydrologic observations and models in AWRIS, the Geofabric provides a basis for tracing the movement of water through the Australian landscape. By querying the Geofabric it is now possible to click on any point of any river reach in Australia and immediately determine the properties of the catchment upstream of that point.

Phase 1 of the Geofabric was launched at the Spatial@gov conference on 5 October 2010, and the Bureau now provides free public access to national coverage of elevation data, a network of connected streams and a nested hierarchy of catchment reporting units.

The underlying concept being tested in this first version of the Geofabric is a set of points, also called ‘contracted nodes’, that represent known features in the landscape such as the confluence of two major rivers. These points are assigned a permanent identifier that will persist through subsequent versions of the Geofabric and will become the framework of the Geofabric through space and time. Over the next few years, the Geofabric will be progressively refined using higher resolution spatial data as they become available.

For further information:http://www.bom.gov.au/water/geofabric/about.shtml

This diagram illustrates the Geofabric conceptual architecture and data workflows. Key to the design of the Geofabric are formal data product specifications that describe each product as well as input data sets. Underpinning the Geofabric is a formal, modular conceptual model that allows for direct mapping between the input data sets and the products. Image provided by Bureau of Meteorology (through the Water Information Research and Development Alliance)


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This diagram illustrates a Geofabric river network trace and surrounding catchment area upstream from the Barmah Forest on the border between New South Wales and Victoria. Image provided by Bureau of Meteorology. Satellite image from Bing Maps

This diagram illustrates the Geofabric Drainage Divisions being used as the reporting regions in the Australian Water Resource Assessment 2010. These Divisions are topographically defined from the GEODATA 9 second Digital Elevation Model (DEM-9S) Version 3. Image provided by Bureau of Meteorology

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NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT

Smart Transport and Roads: Collaboration Between the NSW Government and NICTA

The NSW Government co-funds the Smart Transport and Roads Project (STaR), using advanced information and communications technologies in collaboration with National ICT Australia (NICTA). The STaR project brings together two entities based at Australian Technology Park in Sydney: the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) Traffic Management Centre and Traffic Systems branch and NICTA’s largest laboratory.

The RTA is the owner, developer, marketer and user of one of the world’s leading adaptive traffic control systems, the Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System (SCATS). In 2010 the RTA continued to test and evaluate the NICTA-enhanced traffic control system at a busy roundabout on a national highway south of Sydney. At that roundabout, NICTA and the RTA assessed that an investment of approximately $500,000 has allowed deferral of $20 million expenditure on capital works. This is in addition to the benefits of shorter traffic delays for the community.

Plans for Stage 2 of the roundabout initiative during 2011 include making use of video to increase the information available to the control system and further improving traffic flows.

For further information: http://www.nicta.com.au/research/projects/smart_transport_and_roads/overview


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Water Storages

For the first time, all Australians now have access to information about major water storages across the nation on a single website and also available as an iPhone application.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Water Storage website allows the public to compare water storage levels and volumes for more than 260 publicly-owned lakes, reservoirs and weirs across the nation. The storages included on the site account for over 90% of the capacity of Australia’s public water storages.

The Water Storage Product has been built from the ground up using state of the art web delivery systems and the Australian Water Resources Information System (AWRIS). Water management authorities in each state and territory send water storage information to the Bureau of Meteorology for processing and publication. The Australian Water Resources Information System converts the data into a standardised form that can be easily compared across different regions. Information about daily water storage levels and volumes is generated at different scales, such as by state, by storage or by drainage division.

Information for most of the storages is less than two days old when reported. It is now possible to determine how much water is stored in each state, capital city, drainage division and major water supply system. Users can also ascertain how the volume of water in storage has changed over the previous, year, month, week and day.

Planned enhancements to Water Storage to be released in the coming months include the addition of over 200 smaller water storages, and extended historical sequences of water storage data.

For further information:http://www.bom.gov.au/water/waterstorage/index.shtml

Water Storage information for Australia as at 10 June 2011. Image provided by Bureau of Meteorology

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Examples of information available in the iPhone application. Image provided by Bureau of Meteorology


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Seasonal Streamflow Forecasting Service

After more than a year of testing with a community of over 20 users, the Bureau has released to the public a new seasonal streamflow forecasting service. The service provides forecasts of inflows into major water supply systems three months in advance. The forecasts are updated each month and give river and water storage operators unprecedented insight into what hydrologic conditions lie ahead.

The forecasts are expressed as a probability distribution of likely streamflows and are accompanied by rich information on historical flow sequences and the reliability of the forecasts. Forecast skill varies from site to site and through the year, though for most of the time the skill of the forecasts is adequate to reliably support their decision-making.

Water sector stakeholders, including the general public, require various kinds of hydrologic predictions in different spatial and temporal scales. The Bureau’s journey to develop a seasonal streamflow forecasting service began in early 2009 and has since achieved two key milestones; initiation of an experimental service and website in December 2009, and a launch of a pilot service with total inflows to major storages in June 2010. Much of the focus so far has been on the southeast Murray-Darling Basin, but work is now extending to other parts of the country.

This service builds upon more than two decades of Bureau involvement in seasonal climate outlooks and several years of R&D through the South Eastern Australian Climate Initiative (SEACI) and the Water Information Research and Development Alliance (WIRADA).

For further information:http://www.bom.gov.au/forecasts/graphical/sectors/VIC.php http://www.bom.gov.au/water/ssf/

Seasonal Streamflow Forecast Service – June to August 2011 tercile summary. Image provided by Bureau of Meteorology

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Justice Health – Indigenous O"ender Health

A number of projects undertaken on justice health by AIATSIS research fellows Dr Jill Guthrie , Dr Phyll Dance and Mr Ray Lovett have a high level of collaboration both within the research sector and with community based health services.

Indigenous Offender Health Research Capacity Building Grant (2009–2014) This grant is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and administered by Curtin University in Western Australia. AIATSIS researchers collaborate with colleagues from the National Drug Research Institute, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Winnunga Nimmityjah AMS, National Centre in HIV Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Hunter Mental Health, and the Black Dog Institute (University of New South Wales) on various research projects associated with this grant. For example, Dr Jill Guthrie gave evidence to the House of Representatives Inquiry into the high level of involvement of Indigenous juveniles and young adults in the criminal justice system. The submission documented Nowanup farm, a juvenile diversionary initiative, as an example of diversionary programs and as a demonstration site for justice re-investment initiatives. The Inquiry will run until mid 2011 when the Committee will give its findings.

H1N1 Influence 09 (2009–2010)Together with colleagues at ACT Health and the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population health at the Australian National University, Dr Guthrie and Mr Lovett are co-researchers on a project funded by the NHMRC to research surveillance for H1N1 influence 09 and to evaluate the impact of control measures in prisoner populations.



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AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE (AIMS)

Completion of Field Work for the Scott Reef Research Project

In 2008 Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) commenced a comprehensive research program with Woodside Energy Ltd and its Joint Venture Partners at Scott Reef. This three year Project builds on 15 years of co-invested research and focuses on the processes influencing the ecology of the reef. There are three specific projects: 1) shallow-water coral and fish communities; 2) deep-water (30-70m) benthic communities, and 3) physical and biological oceanography (20-200m).

Examples of data collected include:

• thousands of coral and fish counted and measured, hundreds genotyped;

• the reproductive state of over 5000 corals quantified and over 3500 colonies tagged and resurveyed annually;

• hundreds of coral colonies sampled for genetic and physiological studies using a remotely operated underwater vehicle beyond safe diving depths of over 50m; and

• plankton communities sampled and photographed across hundreds of meters of depth.

To date, results indicate that:

• benthic communities in shallow water (<20m) are resilient to natural disturbances, due to periods of high growth and high water quality;

• the fish communities respond to the changes in the seabed organisms, but may also be influenced by unregulated fishing;

• biological communities rely primarily on local populations to seed recovery after disturbances;

• there are extensive areas of high coral cover in the deep lagoon of south Scott Reef, dominated by flat plate growth forms, and these communities are unique within the region;

• deep water corals exist in low light by using a variety of adaptations that rely on high water quality for success; and

• internal waves up to 110m in height in the deep-water channel between north and south Scott Reef inject nutrients into the lagoon and stimulate plankton growth.

With the completion of field work in October 2010, Scott Reef will be one of the most intensively studied oceanic reefs. The final report summarising the work is due to be released in June 2011.

For further information:www.aims.gov.au

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THE COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION (CSIRO)

Collaboration to Develop the Zero Emission House (ZEH)

CSIRO is working with a consortium of government and industry partners, including Sustainability Victoria, Delfin Lend Lease and Henley Property Group, in designing and building a carbon-neutral Australian home.

Energy use in buildings is responsible for 26 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions – half of these emissions coming from people’s homes. If all the new houses built in Australia between 2011 and 2020 were zero emission houses, 62 million tons of emissions would be saved.

This project has several aims: to design, build and monitor a zero emission house (ZEH), specific for the Australian climate and lifestyle and to develop software tools to assist in low emission decision making for individual houses and existing housing stock across a community, city and regional level.

The AusZEH project has delivered a practical demonstration of a ZEH in Victoria, highlighting the many advantages of ZEH over traditional housing stock to the market, government and industry stakeholders.

This ZEH house has been designed specifically to be sold into the volume housing market by meeting the design requirements and budget of a typical middle income Australian family. The demonstration AusZEH is a detached residential building that produces enough ‘zero-emission’ renewable energy on-site to supply the operating energy needs of the household so that its net total CO2 or other greenhouse emissions is zero.

However, the ‘embodied carbon’ associated with the energy used in the manufacture of all the materials used in the house, including its construction, is calculated and neutralised via carbon offsets. This approach ensures the AusZEH has a carbon-neutral life cycle footprint.

This house is expected to use up to 70 per cent less energy than a traditional home of similar size. It features innovative materials and leading-edge energy-saving technologies.

• a 6 kW solar panel array mounted on the roof for on-site electricity generation;

• optimised building envelope design specific for the Victorian climate ;

• high-efficiency appliances;

• smart meters and an integrated energy management and monitoring system;

• high efficiency reverse cycle;

• heating and cooling system; and

• high efficiency solar hot water system.

For further information:http://www.csiro.au/science/Australian-Zero-Emission-House.html

Zero emission housing could provide significant greenhouse gas savings from the residential sector.Image provided by CSIRO


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Food Security – The ‘Perfect’ Prawn Boosts Local Industry

CSIRO scientists have collaborated with the Australian prawn industry to develop a new prawn that is producing record yields and can be sustainably farmed. With around 50% of all prawns in Australia currently imported from other countries such as China and Vietnam, this research will dramatically improve the production efficiency and profitability of locally produced seafood.

After ten years of research, the new Australian Black Tiger prawn is a major boost for both the local prawn industry and consumers wanting to buy Australian seafood. The Food Futures National Research Flagship project has combined selective breeding techniques with DNA fingerprinting to develop a naturally bred Black Tiger prawn that captures the best features nature can provide. The new breed is grown and farmed in ‘drought proof’ saltwater ponds, has improved growth and survival rates and greater disease resistance combined with improved taste, texture and colour. Its high yields could also play an important role in securing food supplies, both in Australia and globally, through the production of a more sustainable and high yielding source of healthy protein.

The average harvest yield from Australian Black Tiger prawn farms is five tonnes per hectare. The average yield of the new breed developed by CSIRO and Gold Coast Marine Aquaculture in 2010 was 17.5 tonnes per hectare, with 30% of the ponds producing more than 20 tonnes per hectare – a world record yield result for Black Tiger prawns. If the entire Australian Black Tiger prawn industry adopts this new breeding technology, it will increase the industry’s production from 5,000 tonnes to 12,500 tonnes and add $120 million per annum to the value of the industry by 2020.

For further information: http://www.csiro.au/science/tiger-prawn-farming.html

Australian Black Tiger Prawns: The new breed is providing a real boost for the prawn farming industry in Australia resulting in job growth, more profitable and productive business, and fresher home-grown product. Image provided by Darren Jew

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Uncovering Early Stages in Alzheimer’s Disease

CSIRO’s Preventative Health Flagship established The Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Ageing in 2006 (with support from the Flagship Collaboration Fund), in partnership with the University of Melbourne, the Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Edith Cowan University and Neurosciences Australia.

A major study stemming from this collaboration has provided new insights into the loss of structure in regions of the brain and its potential association with Alzheimer’s disease. The findings suggest a build-up of deposits of the protein amyloid-beta in a region of the brain known as the temporal inferior cortex. The region is connected to the hippocampus, which is involved in memory. The results indicate that the increased accumulation of amyloid in the temporal inferior cortex disrupts connections with the hippocampus, causing the neurons to die. By helping better understand the mechanisms involved in the progression of the disease, the study may guide the development of new strategies for early diagnoses.

For further information:http://www.csiro.au/science/Alzheimers.html

CSIRO undertakes brain imaging to better understand the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. Image provided by CSIRO


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DEPARTMENT OF BROADBAND, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE DIGITAL ECONOMY (DBCDE) – NATIONAL INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AUSTRALIA (NICTA)

Improving Health – Helping Australia Build the World’s First Bionic Eye

NICTA (National ICT Australia) is a member of the Bionic Vision Australia (BVA) research consortium that has been awarded $42 million in Australian Government funding to develop the world’s first bionic eye.

The bionic eye will use a video camera fixed to a patient’s glasses to capture images which are then translated into electrical impulses that stimulate electrodes on a microchip which has been implanted in the patient’s retina. The electrodes stimulate cells connected to the optic nerve. Over time it is expected that the patient will learn to interpret these nerve signals as useful vision.

A team from NICTA’s Canberra Research Laboratory is leading the vision processing element of the research, supported by researchers from the Australian National University. In collaboration with the University of Melbourne, NICTA’s Victoria Research Laboratory is also developing a microelectronic chip consisting of more than 1,000 electrodes and an ultra-tiny wireless data link, which will be implanted in a patient’s eye. The first human implant is likely to occur in 2013.

For further information: www.nicta.com.au/contact

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DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENT, WATER, POPULATION AND COMMUNITIES (SEWPAC)

Antarctic Ice Sheet – Climate Past, Present and Future

The likely response of the Antarctic ice sheet and the effect of a melting ice sheet on sea-level rise and the global climate system are among the biggest uncertainties facing climate modellers because the ice sheet has not yet been accurately measured and mapped. ICECAP (Investigating the Cryospheric Evolution of the Central Antarctic Plate), a joint Australian, USA and UK project, is using airborne geophysical techniques (radar, laser altimetry, gravity and magnetics) to gain a much better understanding of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet structure (ice thickness, ice elevation and information on the bedrock), together with its dynamics and likely future change.

ICECAP has successfully completed the second of three summers conducting aerial geophysical surveys from Australia’s Casey Station in East Antarctica. In 09/10 season, 9 flights out of Casey produced 17000 line kilometres of data. A further 62000 line kilometres were flown from McMurdo and Dumont D’Urville. The data is revealing information about the ice sheet that will be fundamental for modelling to predict its future change. To date the data is revealing a wide variety of landscapes beneath the ice, from smoothly rolling plains in the deep basins, to large mountain ranges cut by deep valleys, and many indications of wet subglacial conditions and new lakes beneath the ice. This survey will provide the most accurate data available for establishing a baseline for tracking change in the quantity of ice in the East Antarctic ice sheet.

For further information: www.antarctia.gov.au

Icecap instruments: Jamin Greenbaum from the University of Texas makes pre-flight checks of the ICECAP instruments aboard the Basler aircraft during the 2009-10 Antarctic season. Image by Glenn Hyland, AAD. © Glenn Hyland/Australian Antarctic Division

Icecap group photo: The ICECAP team and Basler aircraft at Casey. The red antennas of the ice penetrating radar can be seen on one of the wings. Image by Todor Iolovski/Australian Antarctic Division


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GEOSCIENCE AUSTRALIA

Baseline Greenhouse Gas Monitoring for Carbon Capture and Storage

Geoscience Australia has recently installed and commissioned two field-based greenhouse gas monitoring projects. These sites will provide baseline information on greenhouse gas levels and inform Australia’s approach to regulating and monitoring future carbon capture and storage projects.

In a collaborative project with CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, a Baseline Atmospheric Monitoring Station has been established near Emerald in Queensland; this is Australia’s first inland continuous atmospheric greenhouse gas monitoring station. The unmanned station enables scientists to obtain continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide, methane and carbon isotopes in the atmosphere by the use of two new technology gas analysers. Data are accessed remotely via a dedicated telecommunications link. A 10 metre tower, with intakes at 5 metres and 10 metres above ground level, is visible at the rear of the unit (Figure 2). The facility is located in an area with extensive cropping and grazing, and is a short distance from the Blackwater open cut coal mine, a potential source of released methane. Another nearby source of methane and carbon dioxide is a large feedlot associated with an abattoir.

Geoscience Australia, in a continuing long-term partnership with the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC), has constructed a controlled release facility at CSIRO’s Ginninderra Experimental Research Station in North Canberra. This facility will allow researchers to release small specific amounts of carbon dioxide (and other gases) either directly into the atmosphere or into the sub-surface and then see if a combination of detectors (Figure 3) and modelling can determine the extent of the release.

For further information:www.ga.gov.au

The baseline atmospheric monitoring station near Emerald in Queensland. Image provided by Geoscience Australian and CSIRO

Greenhouse gas detectors at the controlled release facility at CSIRO’s Ginninderra Experimental Research Station in North Canberra. Image provided by Geoscience Australia, CSIRO and CO2CRC

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IP AUSTRALIA

Patent Analytics to Improve Collaboration by Australian Universities

Patent databases provide a comprehensive and worldwide source of information about the latest technologies and their developments. To date over 66 million patents have been granted worldwide. While the information is well structured and internationally classified the scale of the data creates challenges for technology transfer offices, researchers and policy makers to extract value from the data.

Late last year, IP Australia undertook a study analysing the patent holdings of 15 Australian universities, including the Group of Eight. The study utilised patent analytics software which enables the mining, analysis and visualisation of information contained in patent documents.

Earlier this year, IP Australia consulted university technology transfer offices (TTOs) about their patenting and technology commercialisation activities. We also met with the IP Licensing Team at CSIRO. The consultations revealed that advanced patent analysis could be utilised by university technology transfer offices and CSIRO to:

• obtain an overview of an existing technology landscape, decreasing the risks associated with R&D project selection;

• make informed decisions on the direction of future R&D activities and associated IP protection;

• significantly enhance their ability to identify prospective licensees; collaborators and research partners; and

• assist in developing and presenting a business case to senior management and potential investors.

In November 2010, IP Australia conducted a patent analytics workshop with representatives from 26 TTOs across Australia, the CSIRO and the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. They expressed strong support for a Government pilot to assist them in developing patent analysis capabilities. IP Australia is currently exploring this idea further.

For further information:www.ipaustralia.gov.au


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NATIONAL HEALTH & MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (NH&MRC)

Harmonisation of Multi-centre Ethical Review (HoMER)

In 2006, the Australian Health Minister’s Advisory Council (AHMAC) requested NHMRC to develop and implement a national system in which the single ethical review of a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) would be recognised by all institutions participating in a collaborative research project1. Protection of human participants would be maintained, while delays from having to seek multiple reviews would be cut and timelines for research start-up and results would be shortened.

In collaboration and consultation with State and Territory governments, researchers and institutions, NHMRC has developed a common framework and tools, including:

• standardised forms supporting single ethical review of multi-centre human research;

• understanding research governance of multi-centre human research;

• monitoring of approved multi-centre human research; and

• research involving Indigenous people.

The National Certification Scheme of Institutional Processes related to the ethical review of multi-centre research was released in November 2009. NHMRC received over 40 nominations from public and private health institutions, universities and other medical research organisations regarding certification of their ethical review processes.

For further information:www.nhmrc.gov.au www.clinicalguidelines.gov.au

1 HRECs are established within research institutions and are separate structures from NHMRC’s AHEC.

Portal details for Clinical Practice Guidelines Image provided by National Health & Medical Research Council

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BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT, ACT GOVERNMENT

CSIRO Plant Phenomics

A collaboration between the CSIRO, ANU and industry groups, and supported financially by the ACT Government, Canberra’s High Resolution Plant Phenomics Centre is taking aim at some of the greatest threats to life on Earth. The growing food security crisis, climate change and the consequences of the ballooning world demand for biofuels are among its targets.

The Centre is using the most recent advances in robotics, imaging and computing to build knowledge in understanding how a plant’s genetic make-up determines its function and performance. This will help develop new and improved crops, healthier foods and more sustainable agricultural practices, and maintain and regenerate biodiversity.

The Centre is attracting national and international scientists, academics and students to Canberra to undertake cutting-edge research, strengthening the ACT’s already excellent research and development capabilities.

The ACT Government’s funding, $1.1 million through to 2013, is supporting post-doctoral research training fellowships, travel bursaries and PhD top-up funding to attract top-quality students from around Australia. The funding also supports the Centre’s ‘Innovators in Residence’ program to attract high-profile researchers from around the world.

Funding is also being used to leverage outreach and education programs. An interactive display draws in industry collaborators, funding bodies and school students to find out what the Centre does; another program targets science teachers.

The Centre is providing many flow-on opportunities for Canberra businesses, especially in the areas of digital imaging and computer science. It is creating local economic spin-offs through the supply of specialist skills such as engineering, equipment-making and consulting services.

The HRPPC’s capabilities are increasingly being recognised internationally, with the Gates (Bill and Melinda) Foundation providing $20 million to bring international researchers to Canberra to find ways of increasing rice yields.

The HRPPC held an Open Day on 30 November 2010, which celebrated the achievements of the centre, invited the community to tour the centre and launched the science teacher outreach program and art exhibition.

For further information:www.business.act.gov.au


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Charles Darwin University: North Australian Centre for Oil and Gas

Charles Darwin University (CDU), with support from the Northern Territory Government and the oil and gas industry, has established the North Australian Centre for Oil and Gas at the School of Engineering & Information Technology, Casuarina campus. The Centre will be a hub for training and education programs (both residential and external) together with research capabilities targeted at the specific needs of oil and gas operations and developments in the region.

Darwin sits adjacent to major offshore gas, oil and condensate reserves and is already a substantial gas processing and supply & service hub for projects off northern and north-western Australia. The scale and expected long life of planned and proposed developments, as well as the distance from research, education and training facilities in southern capitals, highlights the need for Darwin to boost its training and research infrastructure in support of the petroleum industry. The North Australian Centre for Oil & Gas is a direct response to this need.

CDU is a dual sector institution with a strong Vocational Education and Training (VET) Division as well as extensive Higher Education and Research activities. It also has particular cross cultural strengths in indigenous and East Timorese education and training. CDU is a public university with over 50 years experience in delivering education and training across the Territory, and through external programs, to students across Australia.

A range of engineering and VET courses relevant to the oil & gas industry is already available. CDU will build on these established teaching capabilities and develop a new research focus under the general themes of process engineering & process operations, and maintenance & asset management.

A dedicated new building is planned as a focal point for the Centre for Oil and Gas which will incorporate teaching space, house specialized equipment for teaching and research and accommodate staff and graduate students. There will also be exhibition space to showcase the industry and scope to provide tailored short courses for industry.

The Centre will benefit the oil and gas industry and the Darwin community through:

• improved training and education outcomes;

• encouraging more students to consider careers in the resources sector;

• expansion of the locally based workforce (in both the construction and operational phases);

• solutions-oriented research and consultancy plus long term strategic research; and

• providing a forum to explain industry issues to the wider community.

VETCDU offers an extensive range of trade certificates relevant to the petroleum and mining

sectors. The VET Division is expanding its training programs in process operations and is installing instrumentation and a process control laboratory to enable delivery of higher end trade qualifications sought by the oil & gas and mining industries, with which it already has very strong links. The facility will be operational as of January 2012.

CDU also offers an array of free bridging courses to provide entry qualifications for Diploma and Degree level programs.

Higher EducationCDU offers a range of Engineering courses from Diploma through to postgraduate level and specializing in Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. In response to industry demand a new 2 year Associate Degree course in Process Engineering will commence in 2012. This will be available externally, together with existing Engineering courses, which provides more opportunity for existing employees to further their education while working. Most existing Diploma level students study in external mode.

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CDU prides itself on producing work-ready graduates, with industry experience. For example, its Engineering Cooperative Program offers 3rd year students a 6 month paid industry placement in their specialist engineering field. This also provides Engineering students with a ‘northern perspective’ to better understand the demands of working and living in northern Australia and South East Asia.

ResearchOnce fully operational the Centre will incorporate a state of the art laboratory with process simulation and testing equipment for gas and oil stream analysis and materials analysis. These facilities will allow students, researchers and industry to observe and test processes, materials, and potential solutions in a simulated environment.

There will be a particular research focus on:

• process stream analysis;

• phase separation;

• hydrate formation in pipelines and equipment;

• CO2 capture;

• corrosion control and prevention in the wet tropics; and

• materials testing.

Staff have been appointed to complement expertise already available at CDU. Some research will be undertaken in collaboration with established groups elsewhere in Australia and overseas including other universities and research centres such as the CO2 Cooperative Research Centre and the WA Corrosion Centre.

For further information:www.cdu.edu.au/oilandgaswww.investNT.com.au – Northern Territory GovernmentLinks to industry websites will be added progressively

Researchers Daria Surovtseva and Micah Thorbjornson with PVT cell used to simulate conditions in oil and gas process plant and petroleum reservoirs. Image provided by NT Government and Charles Darwin University


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New South Wales Telepresence Webinar on Green Buildings

In August 2010 Industry & Investment NSW hosted a ‘real time’ telepresence and webinar conference call for about 30 NSW companies from Cisco’s telepresence boardrooms out of three global locations. The high speed video conference and internet based webinar included representatives of some of the largest construction companies in the UK, including Skanska, Bovis Lendlease and Hammerson.

Around 20 NSW businesses and six overseas industry leaders participated from Cisco’s telepresence offices located in North Sydney, St Leonards and London. A further 30 or so organisations who would not have access in their own right , were unable to attend or were located outside of Sydney also participated by webinar.

The companies worked together to discuss climate change challenges in the construction industry and to identify solutions to common green building issues. The UK representatives discussed issues such as energy efficiency and smart buildings, financing to encourage retrofits, renewable energy and water efficiencies, tenant engagement and zero-carbon building standards.

The global meeting blended larger UK based construction industry leaders with smaller NSW based building construction companies. It provided the opportunity for a richer exchange of innovative building solutions and fostered the development of new commercial relationships between the NSW and UK companies, all delivered at the fraction of the cost of a trade mission.

Following its participation in the sessions and a follow-on market engagement process, the NSW-based employee training company Change2 identified a potential 50 new clients in the UK and around $100,000 in sales to UK-based companies.

For further information:http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/news/opportunities-in-green-buildings

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BioPharmaceuticals Australia (BPA)

BioPharmaceuticals Australia (BPA) – Australia’s first fully dedicated mammalian cell based contract manufacturing facility

Australia is home to many world-class research institutes and is a powerhouse of scientific discovery. Adding to this capability, the Federal Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh announced earlier this year that Queensland had secured international drug manufacturer, DSM Biologics Ltd, to operate Australia’s first major contract manufacturing facility for biologic drugs and therapeutics, the BioPharmaceuticals Australia (BPA) facility. The relationship between the BPA-DSM consortium began in 2009 with the award of a $10 million grant from the Federal Department of Innovation, Industry, Science & Research for specialist mammalian cell culture equipment.

Both the Queensland State and Australian Federal Governments had previously identified a critical capability gap in the nation’s ability to manufacture biologic drugs at the scale and quality required for clinical trials and for the marketplace. It has been estimated that each year Australian biotherapeutic developers are collectively spending between $20-40 million on mammalian cell based clinical development work with offshore contract manufacturers. The BPA initiative was developed to address this gap by establishing a state-of-the-art biologics scale-up facility in Brisbane to serve the local industry and retain these manufacturing dollars in Australia.

The $62 million BPA facility, funded from State, Federal and Philanthropic funding sources, is being developed as part of the larger Translational Research Institute (TRI) project, which has been championed by Professor Ian Frazer, co-inventor of Australia’s blockbuster cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil. The Institute and the DSM operated BPA facility will be co-located on the Princess Alexandra Hospital campus. Construction is underway with the BPA facility due to be operational in 2013.

For further information:http://www.biopharmaus.com.au/

Senator the Hon Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science Research (Cwth), The Hon Anna Bligh, Premier of Queensland, and The Hon Peter Beattie, Trade Commissioner to the Americas & former Queensland Premier announce the partnership between BPA and DSM Biologics at the BIO International Conference in Chicago in May 2010.Image provided by the Queensland Government


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THE AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION (TACSI)

Social Innovator Dialogues: A New Collaborative Series in Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship

A unique and groundbreaking collaboration between The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI), Centre for Social Impact (CSI) and Australian Social Innovation Exchange (ASIX).

The Social Innovator Dialogues brings international thought leadership and expertise to Australia through a series of events. Including cutting edge thinkers and doers on innovation in public sector policy, social justice and sustainable design, the series addresses the big issues affecting decision makers across the public, private and third sector and encourages leaders in Australia to wrestle with the opportunities and challenges of innovation that are remaking the world as we know it.

The series responds to two identified needs:

1. The rising agenda in both the public and private sector for innovation in social services, legislation and products.

2. A culture of doing, not just talking.

As social innovation gains greater recognition across our region as part of good (and necessary) business practices an increasing number of governments, companies and organisations are asking “how do we do social innovation?” and “what does social innovation mean for our core business?”.

While over 2000 people across Australia attended the Dialogues in 2010, they were much more than a simple event series. Ezio Manzini’s tour was the catalyst for the creation of an Australian node of the international DESIS network (Design for Sustainability and Social Innovation) where leading academics from universities across Australia in the design, sustainability and innovation fields have started collaborating to build a stronger case for the use of design in solving social issues and the possibilities for shaping education and future employment pathways in these fields. Tonya Surman shared innovative collaboration models with public sector officials and social entrepreneurs alike while Christian Bason’s tour sparked strong debate and the first steps towards the creation of a MindLab-esque cross-ministerial public sector innovation unit for the Australian public sector.

For further information:www.tacsi.org.auwww.sidialogues.org.au

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Boeing Names the CSIRO Supplier of the Year

Global aeronautics giant Boeing recently recognised the CSIRO’s world-leading research and development, performance and customer service by naming them as a Supplier of the Year at an awards ceremony in Seattle on the 19th May 2011.

Selected from a field of more than 17,500 suppliers from 50 countries, the CSIRO is one of 16 organisations – and the only Australian organisation – to be awarded this honour.

The CSIRO and Boeing have worked together on collaborative agreements for more than 22 years, and CSIRO has consistently delivered leading edge technical solutions to Boeing on time and on budget. These projects have led to technical breakthroughs in diverse product areas of materials, information technology, coatings and communications. Boeing forecasts continue to include CSIRO as a collaborative partner in future research and development.

Commenting on the award, the CSIRO Chief Executive, Dr Megan Clark, said, “We know we cannot be successful unless our collaborators, partners and stakeholders realise the value and outcomes of our science and describe working with us as a pleasure. I congratulate all of our people who have been working to make a meaningful and valuable collaboration with Boeing.”

Boeing recently established R&D laboratories in Brisbane and Melbourne, employing 37 scientists, many of whom collaborate with the CSIRO on joint projects. Together, these projects have more than 120 Australian scientists engaged on advanced aerospace technologies.

For more information:www.csiro.au – CSIRO.www.boeing.com.au – Boeing Australia.

CSIRO Wins Boeing Supplier of the Year Award. (left to right) Andrew Dingjan CSIRO Senior Technical Advisor to Boeing; Dr Alex Zelinsky, CSIRO Group Executive and Co Chair, CSIRO & Boeing Steering Committee ICT; Mr Don Winter, Director, Boeing Flight and Systems Technologies, Co-Chair Boeing & CSIRO Steering Committee. Image provided by CSIRO


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Innovation in Learning Spaces – The Smart Green Schools Project

The Smart Green Schools Project (funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage Project Grant) investigated the influence of innovative and sustainable building design on middle school education in Victoria, linking design, sustainability, pedagogy, and information communications technology to create 21st century learning spaces.

Collaboration between researchers, university partners and school communities was fundamental to the project. Researchers from the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at the University of Melbourne led by Ms Clare Newton, Dr Dominique Hes, Dr Sue Wilks, Professor Kim Dovey and Dr Kenn Fisher worked with industry partners including the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the Victorian Government Architect, design firms (Mary Featherston Design, H2o, McGauran Giannini Soon, Hayball, SBE Melbourne and McBride Charles Ryan) and middle schools across Victoria.

Researchers engaged teachers and students in collecting performance data on their buildings, while interdisciplinary conversations between architectural designers and educators increased architects’ understanding of pedagogy and teachers’ understanding of space. The project team helped schools to develop their own educational visions, to which designers responded. Industry and government partners acted as advisors, allies and active contributors and researchers gained from their experience across the design, building and education sectors.

The project culminated in an annual Talking Spaces symposium, with the most recent in October 2010 fostering communication and engagement between 100 participants from research, design and the educational professions.

The project has been presented at international conferences via scholarly research papers and industry-focussed symposia for educators, designers and facilities providers.

The project team won the 2010 University of Melbourne Vice Chancellor’s Award for Exchange Excellence.

For further information:http://www.abp.unimelb.edu.au/research/funded/smart-green-schools/

Experiments with Heat, Light and Colour by Students at Thornbury High School in Victoria. Images provided by Ms Phillips Howard, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, The University of Melbourne.

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THEME: PUBLIC SECTOR AND SOCIAL INNOVATION

Our understanding of innovation has progressively broadened to include non-technological innovation and the contributions of public sector and community organisations to driving and diffusing innovation for societal benefit. These organisations play a role in delivering important services across society, provide an environment for entrepreneurship and creativity, and often contribute additional resources to experiment with innovation in market and non-market conditions.

The case studies in this section showcase the range of activities being undertaken across the public and community sectors.


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AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

Australian Public Service Project on Public Sector Innovation

In 2010 the Empowering Change report on fostering innovation in the Australian Public Service was published. As part of its commitment to building a more innovative public service, in August 2010, the Australian Public Service’s most senior leadership body, the Secretaries Board, set up a high level project committee to advise on implementation of the report. The Project Committee considered a range of factors including how to foster greater collaboration between agencies, what skills sets would be needed and where innovation fits in existing governance arrangements, as well as issues of resourcing and culture.

The project committee’s findings, which were endorsed in April 2011, highlighted key areas for future focus, including:

• openness (greater use within the APS of knowledge and challenge platforms, broader engagement on policy development, and greater operational use of external expertise);

• leadership (hardwiring innovation into agency leadership systems);

• risk (better acceptance and management of risk);

• measures to assist innovation (e.g. the Innovation Toolkit);

• strategy (encompassing innovation in strategy and planning), and;

• recognition and dissemination (recognising innovation successes and sharing learning).

One of the key deliverables from the project is the APS Innovation Action Plan, which sets out a commitment by the secretaries of all APS agencies to harness the innovative potential of the APS leadership and staff. The Action Plan provides a framework for embedding innovation in the operations of the APS and to achieve more innovative outcomes in four action areas:

• developing an innovation consciousness within the APS;

• building innovation capacity;

• leveraging the power of co-creation; and

• strengthening leadership so there is the courage to innovate at all levels.

Development is also underway on the concept of an APS Design Centre, a facility for the APS where new skills, techniques and disciplines can be utilised to engage with and respond to wicked problems and cross cutting issues. Such a centre would link with citizens and businesses to find fresh ideas and co-create & design solutions to tackle policy challenges in key areas.

For further information: http://www.innovation.gov.au/INNOVATION/PUBLICSECTORINNOVATION/Pages/default.aspx

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AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

Australian Public Sector Innovation Indicators Project

The Australian Public Sector Innovation Indicators (APSII) Project seeks to improve the measurement of public sector innovation in Australia. Managed by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR), the Project arose as a specific initiative of the APS200 Project on Public Sector Innovation in September 2010 and now reports to the Secretaries Board.

The aim of the APSII Project is to equip public sector agencies with the information they need to assess their innovation performance and capabilities and to better understand the state of innovation in the Australian public sector. The Project includes the development of a new data collection tool – an Australian Public Sector Innovation Survey – and a new measurement tool – a set of Australian Public Sector Innovation Indicators.

The Project has appointed a Technical Reference Group (TRG) comprised of individuals with specific expertise on innovation measurement. The TRG, which met in March and June 2011, has endorsed a draft conceptual and methodological framework for measuring public sector innovation in Australia for further consultation.

The Project has contributed to the development of innovation questions for the employee and agency components of the Australian Public Service Commission’s 2010-11 State of the Service Survey. These surveys, conducted in May and June 2011, respectively, will result in a set of new and quality data on public sector innovation in the Australian Public Services (APS).

The Project has also established a Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG), with representatives from Commonwealth portfolio departments and academic and key public policy forums. The SRG, whose inaugural meeting was held in June 2011, will have a continuing role in providing a user perspective on the data, indicators and measurement tools to be delivered by the Project.

It is envisaged that by the end of 2012, the Project will have conducted a pilot public sector innovation survey, delivered a measurement framework paper for public sector innovation in Australia, produced a pilot report on the state of innovation in the APS, and prepared pilot analytical reports on innovation for individual APS agencies.

At a later stage the Project may expand to the wider public sector subject to the outcome of previous stages. The Project will deliver innovation data and metrics that allow the benchmarking of Australia’s performance against other international public sectors, especially in OECD countries.

For further information: http://www.innovation.gov.au/INNOVATION/PUBLICSECTORINNOVATION/Pages/default.aspx


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DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT

Departmental Innovation Initiative – innovate

The Department of Infrastructure and Transport launched a pilot departmental innovation initiative on 17 August 2010. The purpose of the initiative, known as innovate, is to provide all staff with an avenue to develop and implement their innovation ideas.

Innovate enables staff members to put forward their ideas through the Department’s internal innovate site where they are published on the innovate site for consideration. Additionally, open forums have been established, at which staff members are invited to meet with the Deputy Secretaries who facilitate discussion regarding particular topics of interest for the Department.

A number of innovative proposals have been received and implemented within the Departments, including the creation of a one-stop helpdesk contact page on the intranet that provides staff with easy access to the contact information they need.

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THE AUSTRALIAN CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government

The Australian Government has contributed $8 million to establishment of the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government which opened in June 2009. The Centre is a consortium of research organisations, local government representative bodies and other organisations. Its mandate is to enhance good governance, strategic leadership and workforce capability in local government; stimulate and inform debate on key issues for local government; and encourage innovation and best practice across local government.

The Centre’s new Innovation and Best Practice program has been designed to disseminate good examples of innovation and better practice in local government, and facilitate and encourage knowledge exchange and experience sharing. An interactive online space called the Innovation and Knowledge Exchange Network (IKEN) is currently under development and scheduled for launch by mid-2011. IKEN will provide a range of methods and tools for information exchange, networking and collaboration, mutual learning and shared insights. In 2011, the program also intends to develop and facilitate a ‘peer’ review system that can provide an assessment mechanism across the sector.

For further information:www.acelg.org.auwww.iken.net.au


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NSW Sydney Freeway Predictive Modelling Competition

The NSW government’s global predictive modelling competition is to design a system for forecasting travel times on Sydney freeways.

The competition is hosted by Kaggle, an Australian technology company that specialises in global modelling competitions. It is funded by the NSW Government as part of ongoing efforts to get data out where the community can make good use of it. The competition targets PhD-level statistics and data science analysts around the world, and closes/d in February 2011. It offers $10,000 for the best predictive model of travel times, requiring participants to predict travel time on Sydney’s M4 freeway for a series of time intervals between 15 minutes and one day ahead of time based on past travel time observations. The NSW Roads and Traffic Authority have more than two gigabytes of historical data on road use between 2008 and 2010 available for participants use.

Like weather forecasts, the forecast travel times cannot predict the future with certainty, but they will help commuters better plan their trips into work, by leaving at more efficient times and selecting alternative routes where possible. In addition to better informing Australian motorists about when to travel and on what routes, predictions of travel times will also enable road network managers to improve both road safety and efficiency in ‘real time’ management. Insights from the competition will also improve the general efficiency of the road transport system in Sydney and increase functionality on the NSW government’s live traffic website.

Within four hours of launching the competition five teams had already started working on the problem.

For further information:http://kaggle.com/RTA

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MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY

The Australian Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis

The Australian Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis (ACERA) at the University of Melbourne has developed a close working relationship with the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Led by director Professor Mark Burgman, ACERA’s mandate is to develop tools, methods, and procedures for risk analysis with a particular focus on biosecurity. The work assists DAFF to deal with quarantine and inspection systems, trade risk analysis, market access and Australia’s responsibilities under the World Trade Organisation. ACERA’s work also contributes to State and Territory emergency response procedures, surveillance and monitoring activities, and capacity building in our trading partners.

ACERA is working under four major themes: estimating the consequences of invasive organisms, developing efficient border inspection systems and post-border surveillance strategies, gathering biosecurity intelligence, and integrating risks of multiple pathways and pests. Much of this work is motivated by the recent Beale Review of Biosecurity Systems in Australia which recommended that DAFF move towards implementing risk-return strategies. The breadth of this work is reflected in the involvement of people from many disciplines including animal and plant biology, philosophy, psychology, social science, law, mathematics, statistics and computer science, and institutions including the University of California Riverside in the USA, the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and the University of Helsinki.

For further information:www.acera.unimelb.edu.au


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ACT GOVERNMENT

Australian e-Government Technology Cluster

The Australian e-Government Technology Cluster is a Canberra based initiative established in late 2009 by the National ICT Australia (NICTA), the ACT Government, international Corporations and smaller ICT companies. Its objective is to facilitate collaboration in developing technology that will enable governments to deliver better services, reduce costs and open up new opportunities for businesses.

The ACT Government has collaborated with the other partners to support the cluster for an initial three year period to 2012. The Cluster’s activities will position the ACT and Australia as the leading centre for e-government technology and innovation in the Asia Pacific region.

The Cluster has taken the leadership role in holding seminars both in the ACT and nationwide on e-health and the modelling of cloud computing cost and performance. Other Cluster activities have included the establishment of a new Cooperative Research Program with the Chief Information Officer Group (CIOG) of the Department of Defence.

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DEEDI’s eExtension Project: Enabling Collaboration and Saving Millions

The eExtension project within Queensland’s Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) has successfully trialled and implemented five online collaboration technologies as interim corporate solutions.

The five eTools are blogs (using WordPress), wikis (using GovDex), web conferencing (using WebEx), eSurveys (using SurveyMonkey) and eBooks (using eBookGold). Adoption and use of these newly available technologies has been swift. Currently there are 131 webinar hosts, 107 eSurvey creators, 22 wiki owners, 4 blog owners and 4 people interested in creating eBooks. These numbers are growing.

In the last two years DEEDI has saved an estimated $2.2 million through the use of web conferencing ($600,000 saving in airfares plus $1,400,000 in associated salaries) and eSurveys ($176,000 saving in printing and postage). Web conferencing is showing the greatest potential and there have now been over 750 webinars conducted with over 3500 participants. This equates to the following savings:

• 14,457 hours of travel time for DEEDI staff;

• $1,445,688 of associated salaries due to not travelling;

• $602,370 of airfares; and

• 723 metric tonnes of CO2.

This is based on the assumption that one hour of web conferencing (with 10 participants from regional centres around Qld) saves:

• 60 hours of travel time;

• $6000 in associated salaries;

• $2500 of airfares; and

• 3 metric tonnes of CO2.

For further information:http://www.deedi.qld.gov.au/


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WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

Landgate Innovation Program

The Landgate Innovation Program, the first of its kind within the Western Australian Public Sector and a 2010 Premiers Awards finalist, was established in 2008. It was created to develop new products, improve business efficiency and enhance commercial focus. Its core elements are:

• strategic direction from the Board of Management and routine involvement from the Executive;

• $2 million in annual funding managed by a cross-organisation Innovation Peer Review Team;

• easy to use collaboration tools in an Innovation Forum and Wiki where everyone can post, read, comment and develop ideas;

• staff are encouraged to spend 5% (or 1.5 hours of a full-time work week) on innovation and research;

• over 600 staff members, approximately 85% of Landgate staff, have been trained in creative thinking;

• successes and failures are celebrated and fun is promoted; and

• a simple idea review process has been adopted to evaluate inputs on an ongoing basis (Figure 5.1).

The Landgate Innovation Program has had significant success. There have been over 100,000 hits on the Innovation Forum, over 3,000 ideas have been floated and around 45 formal projects have been funded including complex 3D systems, mobile platform and online applications as well as simple efficiency and communication ideas. New revenue streams have been created and in-house business efficiency savings have been realised.

The Shared Spatial Land Information Platform Developers Program is one example of how the program has been able to facilitate industry empowerment and community awareness around the multi-layered intelligent mapping services that the agency provides. Expressions of interest were sought from local developers to improve the State’s mapping capabilities with grants of up to $100,000 made available. In this project, the agency was able to receive constructive feedback from the industry as to how it might improve its products and services for the greater community. Eight individual projects were funded, which focused on local government online reporting tools within a mapping framework, increasing open source integration into State services and mobile device applications.

Landgate has also been involved in developing a WA Public Sector Innovation Initiative with the Department of Commerce, the Department of Agriculture and Food and Australia Post. Landgate regularly presents its Innovation Program to other government organisations sharing its experience in adopting an innovative attitude and culture. A new innovation-out-of-a-box package provides the tools and process guides to easily share the Landgate Innovation story with other organisations. This package is designed to help organisations start their own innovation programs so they can enjoy similar benefits to those Landgate has delivered.

For further information: http://www.landgate.wa.gov.au/corporate.nsf/web/Innovation+@+Landgate

Idea generated by staff member Peer review teamforum input (all staff)

further information required

approved

Closed with reason given

Passed to business area

for immediete use

Further development with funding

Landgate idea review process. Image provided by Western Australian Government

MEDIA ACCESS AUSTRALIA (MAA)

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The Classroom Access Project (CAP)

The Classroom Access Project (CAP) improves access to educational support materials delivered via electronic media for hearing impaired students in mainstream educational settings by developing a ‘model classroom’. The ‘model classroom’ comprises a Soundfield amplification system to augment sound quality for the whole class, with lesson content driven by a laptop and delivered with captions via an interactive whiteboard to ensure access to electronic resources. As 83% of hearing impaired students attend mainstream classes in Australia, there is clear need for innovation across the education sectors to meet goals of social and educational inclusion for these students, and to improve educational service delivery more broadly. CAP unites the community and education sectors through innovative use of technology to improve hearing impaired access in the classroom.

Throughout 2010, MAA partnered with the Catholic Education Office, Sydney, and the Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta to deliver two demonstration programs at La Salle Catholic College, Bankstown, and Cerdon College, Merrylands. Together, the demonstrations involved eight hearing impaired students, two MAA staff, 16 teachers, the schools’ Principals and Assistant Principals, and the sectors’ sensory impairment program teams. CAPs 1 and 2 demonstrated that access can be provided affordably and practically in mainstream classes. With each new demonstration, MAA builds on previous learning, to improve planning and implementation and refine use of technology, whilst focusing on developing the school’s ownership of the project. MAA is currently developing an up-scaled model for approximately 30 primary and secondary schools, to be implemented in NSW in 2012.

For further information:http://www.mediaaccess.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=41

The Classroom Access Project in action. Image provided by Media Access Australia


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AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION (ABC) INNOVATION

iView

The media sector in which the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) operates is rapidly changing. Traditional radio and television broadcasting is still in wide use, yet Australians increasingly access media via internet and mobile technologies. As a result, public expectations of the ABC have changed, and the ABC has been vigorously innovative in order to meet those expectations.

In 2007, all output areas of the ABC were made responsible for integrating online activities with traditional broadcasting, reflecting contemporary consumption patterns in digital media. At the same time, a dedicated Innovation division was created to develop new directions in ABC content, audience connection and new platform distribution.

This structural change has allowed the ABC to become one of the most flexible and innovative media organisations in Australia. It was an early adopter of social media platforms and the first broadcaster to introduce an online “catch-up television” service, iView. This digital innovation model has also given the ABC freedom to experiment with new modes of online storytelling and interaction with its audiences.

In April 2010, it launched Bluebird AR, which combined the conventions of the established alternate reality game genre with the relatively new area of online drama to create a hybrid ‘participatory drama.’ Using a mixture of third-party social media spaces and websites created by the ABC, the story incorporated online articles, scientific journals and media to explore – through a fictional narrative – issues surrounding the experimental science of geo-engineering. Audiences could actively participate and collectively play over a six-week period, helping to solve puzzles and drive an emerging narrative, or simply watch the story unfold in real-time across the internet. The experience gained from the Bluebird AR experiment will be particularly valuable as the ABC continues to explore new forms of interactive and participatory storytelling.

For further information:www.abc.net.au/innovation/bluebirdwww.abc.net.au/iviewwww.abc.net.au/mobilehttp://open.net.au

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SImPLE

In 2010, staff members in the School of Computer and Information Science at Edith Cowan University released a piece of software for law enforcement agencies. Simple Image Preview: Live Environment (SImPLE) is a tool which enables police officers to quickly and easily find, view and export media files stored on a suspect computer, while preserving the forensic integrity of the hard-drive.

Criminal cases involving the trading and tracking of illicit or illegal images are estimated to account for 60-80% of all computer crimes, and case backlogs can be as much as two or three years. In regional areas, officers with specialized computer training may not be available to attend the scene during a search and seizure operation, resulting in long delays and significant expense while the computer is delivered to a metropolitan computer lab. SImPLE was developed in collaboration with the Western Australian Police Service to address these issues. Officers can now locate a suspect’s computer, run SImPLE, and with a few clicks of a mouse, have all the images and video stored on that machine displayed in real time, without compromising the rules of evidence. Having the incriminating evidence available enables law enforcement officials to interrogate suspects more effectively, and increases the likelihood of confessions and convictions.

SImPLE, developed by Glen Thompson, Peter Hannay, Craig Valli, and Andrew Woodward, increases the speed with which predators can be removed from the community, protecting Australian children. In the first few months of trial, SImPLE has resulted in charges being laid and convictions secured.

For further information:www.ecu.edu.au/research/overview


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VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH CENTRE – DR DANIELA STOCK AND DR LAWRENCE LEE

Miniscule Motors that Propel Bacteria

In August 2010, Victor Chang scientists led by Dr Daniela Stock and Dr Lawrence Lee, revealed the first clear understanding of how the miniscule motors that propel bacteria through fluid operate – a feat scientists around the world have been trying to understand since they were first discovered in the 1970’s.

The bacterial flagellar is the most efficient rotary motor known, and has the ability to rotate at up to 100,000 revolutions per minute, yet can switch directions in milliseconds, converting 99 per cent of its fuel energy into rotational power.

Responsible for many of our most serious diseases, including bacterial endocarditis that destroys heart valves and rheumatic fever that causes inflammation of heart muscle, bacteria use their propellers to move through bodily fluids to attack their target tissues and spread infection.

Understanding the mechanisms behind the movement of bacteria could be used to fight increasingly antibiotic-resistant infections such as Salmonella, E. coli and rheumatic fever, through the design of innovative types of anti-bacterial drugs.

Using a sophisticated method known as X-ray crystallography, Drs Stock and Lee pieced together a precise 3D image of the positions of more than 200,000 atoms in the bacterial flagella, revealing how the bacteria’s motor can switch to a ‘reverse’ gear almost instantaneously. This work is a coup for Australian science, unifying the results of decades of international scientific study, whilst also opening up possibilities for the future design of nano-machines.

For further information:www.victorchang.edu.au

Researchers at the VCCRI have shown how the tiny motors in bacteria propel them rapidly through bodily fluids to attack their target tissue. The flagellar motors move counter-clockwise for forward motion, and can switch instantaneously into ‘reverse’ gear by turning clockwise, at up to 100,000 revolutions per minute. Image provided by the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

Dr Daniela Stock and Dr Lawrence Lee in the Structural and Computational Biology Division lab at VCCRI. Image provided by the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

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Workplace Partnership and Productivity Pilot

The $700,000, 2 year Workplace Partnership and Productivity Pilot (WP&PP) is a jointly funded and delivered whole-of-government strategy of the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), Department of Justice and Attorney General (JAG) and the Department of Education and Training (DET). The Office of Advanced Manufacturing within DEEDI oversights the pilot program implementation and operational arrangements including the establishment of linkages to business development strategies in the manufacturing sector.

The pilot program assists companies to achieve sustained performance improvements and optimise workplace partnerships between management and employees. The project positions companies at a competitive advantage by:

• developing constructive workplace relationships to continually improve performance;

• better skills management including attraction, development and effective utilisation and retention;

• world class manufacturing processes; and

• constructive workplace relationships to support innovation and productive capacity.

Outcomes in 2010 include:

• the commencement of the pilot in Sun Engineering with Corporate Partners leading the project with the support of CoSolve in relation to industrial relations and communication;

• the conduct of research on the pilot program by research agency SKOPE, UK (which advises the UK Government on economic and social issues). SKOPE is interested in how this project attempts to integrate issues of industry/ business development, work and skills and on barriers or issues discovered regarding policy integration; and

• collaboration with Griffith University to design a Monitoring and Performance Framework to assist companies to monitor progress in the partnership model and implement further interventions to achieve increased productivity.


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Unlimited: Designing for the Asia Pacific

Australia’s first international design triennial, The Unlimited: Designing for the Asia Pacific, was held between 4-10 October 2010, and supported by the Queensland Government to promote the value of design thinking in shaping a positive future for the Asia Pacific region. To mark the opening, a large newly designed interactive kinetic, light sculpture entitled ‘Lightwave’ was unveiled at South Bank.

Unlimited brought together the best designers, business people, policy makers, researchers and academics to help solve some of the biggest environmental, social and economic issues facing the Asia-Pacific region. Unlimited will put Queensland at the forefront in using design thinking to create positive changes to the way people live, travel, work, play and do business.

Three key international speakers: Sir Peter Cook, from the UK; Professor CJ Lim, also from the UK; and Bunker Roy, founder of the Barefoot College in India brought expertise in design innovation, sustainable development and new business models to the Unlimited event.

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The Next Generation Forecast and Warning System

Despite enormous advances in the science of meteorology, most weather forecasts are still text and point location based, and a significant amount of manual input is required by a forecaster to prepare each forecast. This is labour-intensive and limits the availability of new kinds of information, such as map-based or graphical (pictorial) forecasts that are in growing demand.

The Next Generation Forecast and Warning System (NexGenFWS), based on the Graphical Forecast Editor system originally developed in the US, is part of the solution to this problem. One of its core elements is the Australian Digital Forecast Database, which contains weather information developed from the world’s best numerical weather prediction systems, downscaled to a high resolution grid covering the Australian continent. The database provides a platform from which forecasts and warning products and services are automatically generated. The efforts of weather forecasters can then concentrate on providing scientific input rather than on manually creating text products.

Forecast Explorer is a map-based drill-down graphical forecast service available on the Bureau’s website. The maps can be looped to show the time-evolution of weather. Users can also click their mouse anywhere on the map to view a detailed forecast for that location.

NexGenFWS provides the capability to extend the Bureau’s official forecasts to many more locations, and provide seven-day forecasts for locations which previously received one-day, four-day or no specific forecasts at all. It also enables numerous other advances in forecast services, such as a highly detailed spatial fire weather forecast service to fire agencies. With the new system, the Bureau is no longer restricted to forecasting fire weather conditions at one or two times during the day. The detailed evolution of fire weather conditions are forecast at each hour, highlighting when critical thresholds are breached at each 6km grid cell, and how long the conditions will persist.

Funding provided by the Australian Government allowed the rollout of NexGenFWS across NSW – completed for NSW in September 2010 following the demonstration project in Victoria, with other states to follow in future years.

For further information:http://www.bom.gov.au/forecasts/graphical/sectors/VIC.php

Graphical weather forecasts provided by the Bureau are available out to seven days ahead via the Forecast Explorer. This service enables the user to find, display and zoom into weather details for their area down to the six-kilometre grid scale.Image provided by Bureau of Meteorology


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DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOURISM & THE ARTS (DEDTA)

Digital Futures Strategy

Objectives:

• to provide better quality and more efficient services to the community;

• to allow Tasmania to overcome the obstacle of distance; and

• to assist in closing the gap between rural and urban areas.

The Tasmanian government launched its Digital Futures Strategy (DFS) as part of the Innovation Strategy, earlier this year. The DFS aims to ensure that Tasmania’s lead in the National Broadband Network (NBN) roll-out will make the state a broadband leader and allow the transformation of traditional businesses and attract new ones. It will change the way in which Tasmania delivers government services.

This technology will allow government to provide better quality and more efficient services to the community, like eHealth and eEducation. The DFS strategy will continue to be implemented and as a priority business will be educated about how to engage with the digital economy.

The DFS was announced in the 2010-2011 State Budget and a second phase of the strategy is being developed for 2012–2015.

For further information:http://www.development.tas.gov.au

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DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOURISM & THE ARTS (DEDTA)

Public Sector Innovation Workshop

Objective: To gain a better understanding of how to drive a systems based approach to innovation in Tasmania.

A workshop on public innovation is planned for the first quarter of 2011.

This activity to be facilitated by Deloitte on behalf of DEDTA will involve gathering knowledge and ideas from external partners, internal partners, employees and members of the broader Tasmanian community.

The workshop will focus on idea generation and discovery in addition it will touch on idea selection and conversion, and opportunities and methods for diffusion.

The resulting information will help to shape strategies improve policy development and service delivery structured around a systems based approach to innovation.

For further information:http://www.development.tas.gov.au


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The Short Term Ensemble Prediction System (STEPS)

Accurate and detailed predictions of rainfall for the next six hours are needed for a number of forecast purposes, for example forecasting of extreme rainfall events. Very short term forecasts (called nowcasts) are based on tracking the rainfall patterns that are observed by weather radars and predicting the location and path of the storms. As rainfall systems change quickly over periods of a few hours, quantitative forecasts can only be made for the next 30 to 60 minutes, even so 60-minute forecasts of rainfall can contain significant uncertainty.

The best way to convey this uncertainty to end users is to express the forecast as the probability that the rainfall will exceed certain thresholds that are critical. The Bureau, in collaboration with the UK Met Office, has developed the Short Term Ensemble Prediction System (STEPS) for this purpose. STEPS blends the radar rainfall nowcasts with numerical weather prediction rainfall forecasts from computer models to generate “ensembles” of rainfall forecasts out to six hours which are then used to calculate the probabilistic forecasts. “Ensembles” are collections of forecasts for slightly different conditions – they show how sensitive the forecast outcome is to small changes.

STEPS is used operationally in the UK and is in the process of being deployed operationally in Australia for rainfall forecasts. STEPS was used in China to provide forecasts for both the Beijing Olympic Games and the Shanghai World Expo, and has been trialled in Canada, Italy, and Sweden. A major European weather radar manufacturer has bought a license for STEPS so that they can supply it to their customers, and a private meteorological company in the USA will begin trialling STEPS in 2011.

For further information:http://www.bom.gov.au/forecasts/graphical/sectors/VIC.php

STEPS rain rate forecast at a two-hour lead time. The forecasts are updated at hourly intervals. Image provided by Bureau of Meteorology

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BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY

The Water Data Transfer Format (WDTF)

The Water Regulations 2008 require more than 200 water data collecting agencies across Australia to provide various types of information to the Bureau. Each of these organisations has developed ways of collecting and storing this data to meet their business needs. However, this meant that when the organisations submitted the data required under the Regulations, the Bureau received millions of data files in formats that were often inconsistent and sometimes incompatible with our systems.

This problem has been addressed by developing the Water Data Transfer Format (WDTF) – an XML data transfer format designed to support the water industry to share and deliver water data to the Bureau of Meteorology. The format has been developed through the Water Information Research and Development Alliance (WIRADA).

Released in April 2010, the first version of WDTF provides a standardised file format based on an Extensible Markup Language (XML) schema that is easily downloaded to the Australian Water Resources Information System (AWRIS). Vendors of most water information systems used in Australia have adopted this format within their software.

Funding provided under the Modernisation and Extension of Hydrologic Monitoring Systems Program has been used by 33 Australian organisations so far to embed the Water Data Transfer Format in their water information systems. Within two months of its release, around 30 per cent of data was being submitted to the Bureau using the WDTF, and the Bureau expects that by mid-2011, 85 per cent of data will be received in this format.

For further information:http://www.bom.gov.au/water/regulations/wdtf/index.shtml


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MEDIA ACCESS AUSTRALIA

Social Traders – The Crunch

Piloted in Victoria in 2009, the Crunch is a Social Traders initiative that provides capacity building and investment for early stage social enterprises. Social Traders is a social enterprise development company started with Victorian Government and philanthropic funding.

The Crunch is run as an intensive, high engagement five month challenge in which each emerging social enterprise works through a rigorous business planning process that has been developed by Social Traders just for social enterprises. At the end of the five months, each enterprise submits a business plan and pitches for start-up investment from the Social Traders’ Social Enterprise Development Fund.

In the 2010 pilot, The Crunch process started with information sessions and workshops around Victoria attended by around 140 individuals, groups, and organisations interested in social enterprise. Following the workshops, Social Traders received and considered 80 applications with ideas for a social enterprise, from which nine were selected to participate in The Crunch.

Each of the nine Crunch enterprises were teamed with business mentors from Crunch corporate partners – Australia Post, Transfield Services, Telstra, Westpac and Leadership Victoria. Crunch teams also included a Melbourne Business School MBA student helping with business planning and market research as a ‘for credit’ subject towards their degree. Crunch teams were then taken through a series of six workshops to develop their idea into an investment-ready business plan. All teams had access to an initial $10,000 contribution from Social Traders to help them to resource their business planning.

A hazard for governments and philanthropists interested in supporting social enterprise is that they frequently lack the skills, resources and expertise to assess which ideas will have the capacity to really work and become financially viable. Research also tells us that investment in early stage social enterprises without capacity building seldom results in optimal outcomes. Through The Crunch process, social enterprise ideas can be rigorously tested and challenged, maximising the likelihood of viability and therefore positive social impact.

Crunch launch event Melbourne October 2010. Survival packs issued and countdown begins. Image provided by Social Traders

Crunch pitching session Melbourne February 2011. Image provided by Social Traders

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Among entrants to The Crunch in 2010 are a community resource centre in a Victorian bushfire regeneration area for a wooden pallet recycling business, a disability enterprise proposal to expand its packaging operations into quality food packaging in significantly greater volume, and an enterprise promoting inter-faith and cross-cultural respect and understanding through short-films. Another social enterprise proposed, was to promote urban and regional renewal by making otherwise empty buildings available for short and medium term use by artists, creative projects and community groups.

With signs of an ever-increasing interest in social investment, The Crunch is another way to build investor confidence and make the most of multi-sectoral resources and expertise. The investment outcomes of The Crunch 2010–11 will be announced in late April 2011.

For further information:http://www.thecrunch.socialtraders.com.au/ http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2010/10/crunch-time-nine-social-enterprises


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184

DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION, INDUSTRY & REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, VICTORIA

Victorian App My State Competition

An Inquiry into Improving Access to Victorian Public Sector Information and Data was tabled by the Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee in June 2009. The Victorian Government supported the recommendations made in the report, and tabled its commitment to improving open access to public sector data and information and supported the release of public sector data for access and re-use. The Government committed to developing a framework for managing information, which will provide guidance on handling and release of public sector information, and will include the development of an online directory (data.vic.gov.au) for public sector information.

Open access to public sector information has the potential to foster creative, innovative and entrepreneurial activities. In February 2010, the Victorian Government announced the App My State competition in its Annual Statement of Intentions. The competition was an early demonstration of the Government’s commitment to improving access to public sector information. It was held from February to May 2010, and included a total of $100,000 in prizes for either applications or application ideas for web, smart phone or social networking services. In conjunction with the competition, a Hack Day was held to stimulate and encourage users to devise and build applications and mashups using government data. A total of 170 App My State competition entries were received. The positive response to the competition, and the range of innovative entries demonstrated the depth of local innovation, skills and ideas, and generated an estimated $1 million worth of web and mobile tools.

Based on the positive results from the 2010 App My State competition, a second App My State competition may be held in 2011.

For further information:http://egovau.blogspot.com/2010/05/appmystate-major-victorian-gov-20.html

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BROTHERHOOD OF ST LAURENCE

Community Contact Service

The Community Contact Service (CCS) is a Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) social enterprise providing concierge, information and referral support to residents living in 12 high rise public housing towers in the inner Melbourne suburbs of Fitzroy, Collingwood and Richmond. The service is staffed by around 20 disadvantaged unemployed people recruited from residents on those estates, who are employed as trainees for 12 months while they earn a Certificate III in Community Services. When they finish, the BSL works with them to find another job, using that qualification and the practical work experience they have acquired.

The CCS is a successful example of social procurement using purchasing power to achieve social outcomes. In this joint venture between the BSL and the Office of Housing, the key goals of each partner were mutually served. The Office of Housing needed to meet residents’ needs for community safety, the greatest issue of concern raised when they were consulted as part of the Office of Housing’s Neighbourhood Renewal project in the early 2000s. Initially, the Office responded by contracting a private company to provide higher levels of security visibly present on site. But the Office wanted to develop a more comprehensive and preventative service, modelled on concierge roles that can be found in private high-rise apartment accommodation.

On its part, the Brotherhood of St Laurence has always looked for ways to improve the employment prospects of unemployed disadvantaged people, the typical profile of public housing tenants. One of the common problems with standard employment services is that they emphasise job searching in a competitive labour market, but without recent work experience and work references it is very hard to compete. The BSL has explored a variety of social enterprises as a way to create pathways towards long term employment. These typically include: pre-employment training to explain the skills needs and activities of the job and to determine readiness for recruitment; a 12-month fixed term job, an accredited traineeship; access to a support worker and, at the end of the 12 months, advice and help to find work in the open labour market.

The Office of Housing is pursuing more ways to improve employment participation among public housing residents through increased social procurement purchasing.

For further information:http://www.bsl.org.au/About-the-Brotherhood/Brotherhood-businesses/Community-Contact-Service.aspx

Community Contact Service in operation. Image provided by the Brotherhood of St Laurence


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WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT – DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

2010 International Conference on Science and Technology Parks

The Western Australian Department of Commerce hosted the 2010 International Conference on Science and Technology Parks, in partnership with the Association of Science Parks (IASP) and the Asian Science Park Association (ASPA), during 24 – 26 November 2010. The conference theme was “Asia-Pacific Region’s Innovation Hot Spots – Opportunities for Sustainable Collaboration”.

The objective of the conference was to encourage collaboration, networks and benchmarking between local industry, academia, agencies and members of the national and global science and technology park (STP) community; and present WA’s science, innovation and technology capacities, capabilities and future directions to members of the global STP community.

The IASP is a worldwide network of STPs connecting and providing services for international science park professionals. The ASPA is an international nongovernmental organisation established in Japan in 1997, which promotes regional economic development in Asia through technology, universities, research institutions and regional innovation centres.

Over 130 delegates attended the Conference from all over the world. The Conference provided a significant opportunity for participants to consolidate current links with the IASP, ASPA and its members, as well as forging new strategic relationships with other relevant organisations.

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WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT – DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND PETROLEUM

Resource Sector Online Lodgement and Approvals Tracking Program

The Western Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum has developed and implemented an online lodgement, tracking and approval system for the State’s resource sector.

Since August 2010, proponents can lodge electronic online applications for mining and petroleum activities and track the progress of each approval on the Department’s website as applications progress through the Departmental assessment process through the use of a customised home page for registered users.

The Department currently receives between 130 to 240 approval lodgements per month, pertaining to a number of company activities. In September 2010 this represented 33 per cent of total lodgements. Analysis of online lodgements compared to paper lodgements for programs of works during the third quarter of 2010 revealed a 20–25 per cent reduction in approval timelines. This represents significant cost savings for both government and industry.

The feedback from proponents, who have been stakeholders in the design and development of the program, has been very positive.

The Department is the only resource sector regulatory agency in Australia to provide this service. There has been considerable interest from other government agencies around Australia seeking to implement a similar program. During the 2010-11 financial year, additional functionality is planned to improve integration with other approved agencies and to provide an end-to-end view for proponents.


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WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT – DEPARTMENT OF WATER

Building Internal Capacity in Water Management

An objective of the Western Australian Department of Water is to increase the internal capacity of its junior to middle-level staff so that the Department is better equipped to implement water management reforms during a time of increased demand and under supply and to address the significant shortfall of water industry professionals in the WA public sector, especially water planners as identified by the National Water Industry Skills Taskforce.

The Department’s strategy to build capacity is to improve the skills and expertise of staff by encouraging them to undertake specialist in-house training programs developed specifically to address the Department’s needs.

The two training programs that have been developed are a groundwater and surface water technical course and a water resource management course. The programs will be held at least twice a year and will provide opportunities to over 100 staff members to be trained in these specialist areas on an annual, ongoing basis.

The Department is aware that many of the program’s participants may leave the Department in the future, but will continue to use their new skills elsewhere in the WA public service or private sector, which will increase sector capacity in water management across the State.

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WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT – DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Case Management and Targeted Intervention Through Training and Deployment of Para-Professionals in the Classroom

The Western Australian Department of Education was successful in obtaining funding from the Australian Government to undertake a literacy and numeracy pilot program called ‘Case management and targeted intervention through training and deployment of paraprofessionals in the classroom’.

The Department of Education had responsibility for the overall management and facilitation of the pilot, as well as for ensuring the requirements of the Australian Government’s Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations were met. Edith Cowan University, as a subcontracted party to the pilot, was required to provide services in the following areas:

• academic consultation in literacy and numeracy;

• professional learning to pre-service teachers (PSTs);

• support and school liaison for PSTs; and

• data and information to aid in the evaluation of PSTs.

The pilot involved the placement of PSTs in schools and the facilitation of those PSTs to operate small group programs (under the direction of the classroom teacher and specialist teachers) that aimed to improve the literacy and/or numeracy outcomes of targeted students. PSTs received additional training through the delivery of professional learning in literacy and numeracy interventions and case management.

This highly successful partnership between the Department of Education and Edith Cowan University:

• increased access to literacy and/or numeracy case management and targeted intervention for low achieving students through new ways of training and deploying paraprofessionals in classrooms;

• increased the competence of PSTs, Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers and Education Assistants through highly focused professional learning in literacy and/or numeracy interventions in accordance with identified student needs;

• improved working relationships between the Department of Education, public schools, PSTs, communities and universities; and

• increased the proportion of graduating teachers commencing with training structured around the First Steps literacy and numeracy resources, English as a Second Language/English as a Second Dialect (ESL/ESD) teaching, learning and assessment resources, and classroom experience in case management.


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THE AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION (TACSI)

Family by Family

Family by Family finds and resources successful families to help other families seeking change. The idea comes from The Australian Centre for Social Innovation’s Family Project, which is working to co-create new ways to enable more South Australian families to thrive and fewer to spiral towards state intervention.

The Australian Centre for Social Innovation, with the support of the South Australian Department for Families and Communities and the city of Marion, has used a bottom-up policy methodology to reset outcomes, co-design solutions, prototype interactions and experiences, and develop the case for scale. Over 100 families took part in the first stage of the project, Look, which used ethnographic and visualisation techniques to understand what family life looked and felt like and to identify the behaviours that enabled families to thrive.

The core concept behind Family by Family is that for families to adopt thriving behaviours they need to see and experience them first-hand. Behaviour change comes from exposure to whole family experiences over time. The Family Project is currently prototyping the concept with 20 families and iterating the roles, materials, trainings, supports, messages, and metrics to learn what just might work. It is hoped that the Family by Family initiative will grow city by city, and that next year the initiative can start to embed the philosophy and approach within state services.

For information: www.tacsi.org.au/design/ – Radical Redesign Approachwww.tacsi.org.au/family-by-family/ – The Family projectwww.familybyfamily.org.au – Family by Familywww.sidialogues.org.au

TACSI Family Project – A family explore what they’ve got out of being part of the project. Image provided by the Australian Centre for Social Innovation

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MEDIA ACCESS AUSTRALIA

Hepburn Wind

Australia’s first community wind farm is being built on farmland at Leonards Hill, near Daylesford, north-west of Melbourne. There is usually a lot of community resistance to building wind farms around the world. But by making the asset collectively beneficial they have overcome this market constraint. Despite many challenges, overwhelming support from the community has made it happen – inspiring similar projects to explore the co-operative model for community-owned renewable energy projects. The Hepburn Community Wind Park Co-operative (Hepburn Wind) project will comprise two turbines with a combined capacity of 4.1 MW, expected to produce enough electricity to power 2300 homes when completed in mid-2011.

The wind farm is owned by the local community through Hepburn Wind. This method of mobilising financial resources to create a multi-stakeholder community owned asset is a good example of social innovation. The co-op will manage the wind park, provide financial returns to its members and fund community projects through a community sustainability fund. For the next 25 years, it has committed a $1 million donation to local community projects and activities. Over 1,400 co-operative members have contributed over $8.7 million to construction of the wind park. The Victorian state government has provided grants totalling $1.73 million and the Bendigo Bank a $3.1 million loan. Raising that sum has been a significant achievement, particularly for a project that has never been attempted before in Australia.

Right from the start, the team knew that community support was vital to the success of the project. A community forum was held to explain the idea and gauge support. The response was overwhelming – a survey taken at the end of the forum showed that 95% of those present were in favour of the idea. A presentation to Hepburn Council also met with an encouraging reaction, and shortly afterwards the Hepburn Renewable Energy Association formed to garner the community support necessary to get planning permission.

Raising capital, maintaining momentum over a 6 year journey, estimating costs and getting council backing are some of the challenges this group has managed. With clear regional economic and ecological benefits, Hepburn Wind is a model for others. Now it helps other communities develop similar projects through Embark, a non-profit organisation promoting the uptake of community renewable energy projects.

Hepburn Wind illustrates the convergence of social with environmental and financial benefits which are realised in this model of community ownership.

For further information:http://hepburnwind.com.au/

Local members watch final stages of construction, March 2011. Image provided by Tibor Hegedis


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Marine Microbes , Clouds and the World’s Climate

The importance of coral reefs to industries such as tourism and fishing is well known but few people realise they also play an important role in the formation of clouds and hence are critical to the world’s climate.

AIMS scientists are at the forefront of research into the remarkable links between coral, bacteria, clouds and reef health. At the heart of this process is the role of organic sulfur compounds in driving coral bacterial associations. Living within every colony of coral are millions of bacteria and other microscopic organisms. Our researchers have gained new insights into the important relationships between coral, bacteria and various sulfur compounds – one of which (dimethylsulfide) is particularly important in climate regulation owing to its role in cloud formation.

Once in the atmosphere dimethylsulfide is oxidized into various sulfur compounds, which in turn create aerosols around which clouds can condense.

Research to which AIMS scientists have significantly contributed demonstrates that these sulphur compounds also act as nutrient sources for coral-associated bacteria and that they are likely to play a role in structuring bacterial communities in corals, with important consequences for the health of both corals and coral reef ecosystems.

For further information: www.aims.gov.au

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193


World First: Artificial Food for Larval Marine Lobsters

In the race to domesticate wild Australian lobster species for the seafood trade through aquaculture, 2009-10 has seen AIMS make major progress towards helping crack this very high value and globally sought after delicacy. On a per kilogram basis the spiny or rock lobsters are the most valuable of seafood, even more lucrative than the highly-prized bluefin tuna.

This year the Institute’s researchers have successfully managed to get the lobster larvae, called phyllosomas, through the hatchery cycle on an artificial feed formulated and developed at our Townsville headquarters. This is thought to be a world first and a major step towards the development of a commercially viable hatchery technology for mass production of lobsters.

Artificial feeding is a major breakthrough on at least three fronts. It means the expensive and labour intensive food used until now – Artemia, also known as brine shrimp or sea monkeys – can be replaced with the readily available artificial feed formula. Secondly it reduces the risk of the introduction of potentially deadly pathogens because brine shrimp are ready carriers of a range of bacteria known to cause disease in lobsters. Thirdly, the shift to an artificial diet has also improved survival. This development is a major step forward towards up-scaling larval rearing and raises the possibility of being able to make sure that the artificial feeds contain probiotics – much as yoghurt consumed by humans contains ‘good bacteria’.


A juvenile lobster in the AIMS aquaculture facility being considered as a candidate for the lucrative aquarium trade. Image provided by James Woodford - AIMS


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Reef Life a Winner in Australian Research Council Fellowships

Coral viruses and large fish migration will be under the spotlight, following the announcement in November that two Townsville-based researchers, Dr Madeleine van Oppen and Dr Michelle Heupel, are recipients of prestigious Australian Research Council Future Fellowships, to be carried out at AIMS. Dr van Oppen was awarded a Fellowship in the top rank of the highly-competitive national program, making her one of only 28 researchers in Australia to receive the highest-ranked Fellowships, and one of only six female recipients at this level. Using the Fellowship the AIMS researcher intends to solve some of the mystery surrounding coral viruses and their critical role in coral health, coral bleaching and adaptation of corals to climate change.

Meanwhile, Dr Michelle Heupel from James Cook University and currently research director AIMS collaboration with the University AIMS@JCU, will use her Fellowship to investigate large fish migration, focussing on sharks and coral trout. Large predatory fish are essential to a balanced ecosystem and require protection from overfishing. Understanding what conditions cause them to migrate outside their normal home ranges will enable marine park managers to better design protection zones, both now and under future climate scenarios.


Dr Madeleine van Oppen, Australian Institute of Marine Science. Image provided by Wendy Ellery - AIMS

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Delivery of Radiation Consultancy and Training Services

ANSTO offers commercial radiation consultancy services and radiation safety training courses to a broad range of industries based on its nuclear expertise, knowledge, resources and unique equipment and facilities.

Current consultancy services include the analysis and radiation management during remediation of radiologically contaminated land; the identification and development of source inventories for radiation source stores located at a variety of universities, hospitals and regulatory bodies; radiation protection monitoring and provision of advice for border protection agencies, mining operations and smelters; and the management of high activity sealed source returns.

ANSTO also offers courses in radiation safety training for a broad variety of occupations and courses for the safe use of fixed radiation gauges, portable moisture density gauges and x-ray devices. Industry partners, specifically the mining industry, have asked for the development of an extended radiation safety training course based on ANSTO’s unique expertise, resources and facilities.

For further information: www.ansto.gov.au www.ansto.gov.au/discovering_ansto/ansto_research_reactorwww.ansto.gov.au/research/bragg_institute/facilities/instruments

Radiation training in a dedicated ANSTO laboratory. The participants are using Geiger counters, to detect and measure ionizing radiation. Image provided by ANSTO


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196

AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL (ARC)

ARC Funding Supports Quest to Build a Simpler Quantum Computer

A research team that is part of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computer Technology, based at the University of New South Wales, has developed one of the key building blocks needed to make a quantum computer using silicon.

This work has been published in the prestigious science journal Nature.

The development could open the way to constructing a simpler quantum computer, scalable and amenable to mass-production.

Quantum computers promise exponential increases in processing speed over today’s computers through their use of the “spin”, or magnetic orientation, of individual electrons to represent data in their calculations.

In order to employ electron spin, the quantum computer needs both a way of changing the spin state (write) and of measuring that change (read) to form a qubit – the equivalent of the bits in a conventional computer.

Professor Andrew Dzurak, NSW Node Manager of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computer Technology and co-author of the paper published in Nature, said that after a decade of work trying to build this type of single atom qubit device, this was a very special moment.

In creating the single electron reader the research team has, for the first time, made possible the measurement of the spin of one electron in silicon in a single shot experiment. Until this experiment, no-one had actually measured the spin of a single electron in silicon in a single-shot experiment.

For further information:www.arc.gov.au

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197

DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENT, WATER, POPULATION AND COMMUNITIES (SEWPAC)

Whale Research in Eastern Antarctica

The Australian Antarctic Program conducted a highly significant and successful whale research program from December 2009 to February 2010 which included the largest aerial survey of whales off the Australian Antarctic coastline. A team of aircraft-borne scientists surveyed minke whales in 55,559 nautical miles of ocean and pack-ice off Australia’s Casey station. Novel analysis methods will provide a more accurate estimate minke whale numbers in Antarctic waters.

A joint Australia-New Zealand Antarctic Whale Expedition also took place including scientists from Australia, New Zealand and France using the New Zealand’s R.V. Tangaroa. The six-week voyage used non-lethal whale techniques to contribute towards the core research objectives of the Southern Ocean Research Partnership. Significant research achievements of the voyage included:

• collecting 60+ biopsy samples and 60+ individually identifiable tail fluke photographs from humpback whales;

• satellite tagging of 30 humpbacks on their feeding grounds;

• the use of passive acoustics to locate and track the movements of Antarctic blue whales;

• recording of humpback whale ‘songs’ on the feeding grounds;

• detection of sounds associated with Antarctic minke whales; and

• collection of acoustics data of krill in regions of high and low whale densities to identify the relationship between whales and their food.

In 2009–10 the deployment of bottom mounted recording devices off Casey Station enabled continuous acoustic monitoring over a year long time frame. This will help answer important management-related questions on the presence, relative abundance, seasonality, movements, and distribution of Southern Ocean marine mammals.

For further information: www.marinemammals.gov.au

The satellite tagging team approach a humpback whale during the Australia-New Zealand Antarctic whale expedition.Image provided by Anthony Hull / Australian Antarctic Division


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198

GEOSCIENCE AUSTRALIA

3D Alteration Mapping

Developed by Geoscience Australia staff within the Predictive Mineral Discovery Cooperative Research Centre (pmd*CRC), 3D alteration mapping uses ground and airborne readings of the Earth’s magnetic and gravity fields to map, in 3 dimensions, changes in the minerals in rocks (alteration) that are often associated with mineral deposits.

3D alteration mapping was developed to assist CRC industry partners in the Cobar mineral field, New South Wales, to locate buried mineral deposits. The Cobar mineral field has produced significant gold, copper, lead and zinc over the past 100 years; however, new deposits in this mature area are difficult and expensive to find, requiring exploration companies to drill deeper to test anomalies. By combining the results of geophysical inversions (a process to recover magnetic and mass properties of the Earth from magnetic and gravity surveys) with geological maps it is possible to model in 3D regions composed dominantly of minerals associated with mineral deposits.

The 3D alteration map (Figure 1) images minerals typically associated with Cobar ore deposits (magnetite, pyrrhotite, pyrite and sericite) and lying at depth beneath the geological unit (Chesney Formation) which hosts much of the mineralisation in the region. As mineral deposits are associated with areas where these minerals occur adjacent to each other, mapping these mineralised regions in 3D space, helps find mineral deposits which are buried or do not have an obvious expression at the surface. In this respect the 3D alteration mapping is like medical diagnosis using x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging.

Since its development 3D alteration mapping has been applied at a range of scales by both government and industry. It has been used to map mineral prospectivity for large regions of Australia, such as North Queensland and South Australia, and it has also been used to target drill holes by individual exploration companies.

For further information:www.ga.gov.au

3D alteration map of part of the Cobar mineral district. Image provided by Geoscience Australia and pmd*CRC

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IP AUSTRALIA

Peer to Patent Australia

In December 2009 IP Australia and the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) began a 6 month trial of community patent review called Peer to Patent Australia (P2P). P2P uses Web 2.0 technology to test the hypothesis that the expertise of an online community can help assess whether a particular invention is eligible for a patent and perhaps improve the quality of issued patents. The initiative enables people to pool their knowledge to support the examination process and contribute to the innovation environment in Australia.

P2P completed its review phase in June 2010 and attracted 31 applications in the business methods and related technology areas. During the review phase, the community of 135 reviewers uploaded and submitted 106 prior art documents, rated 26 of those prior art documents and participated in discussions on the P2P patent applications.

The examination of all 31 P2P patent applications was completed in September 2010. During examination, IP Australia’s examiners were surveyed on the usefulness of the prior art material submitted by the peer community and those results have been collated for the evaluation phase.

Once the evaluation is complete, IP Australia will submit a report with relevant briefings to the Minister, probably in December 2010.

The P2P trial is featured on the Gov 2.0 in Australia showcase at http://showcase.govspace.gov.au/94/peer-to-patent-australia/#more-94

For further information:www.peertopatent.org.au


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Northern Territory Aboriginal Interpreter Service

The Aboriginal Interpreter Service (AIS), with offices in Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Nhulunbuy, Maningrida, Yuendumu and Wadeye – work to overcome language barriers faced by Indigenous Territorians though providing oral interpreter services to government and non-government agencies.

Established in April 2000, AIS boasts a register of 395 active Aboriginal interpreters, covering 104 languages/dialects.

The service is committed to bridging the language gap.

The Australian Government’s Intervention into Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory created an urgent demand for interpreters to communicate at short notice both high-level policy and ground level actions.

Positioning interpreters as agents of change is a new trend for the Aboriginal Interpreter Service which had hitherto provided interpreters for assignments in the justice and health systems

The AIS had to quickly change the way it did business. The AIS explored innovative technology and twelve months ago AIS joined forces with OneTalk Technology, a Darwin based company, in the development of cutting-edge communication tools designed to deliver key messages, in language, at the press of a button. The tools includes talking posters, talking books and talking storyboards – all of which enable Indigenous Territorians to access information in their own time and, most importantly, in their own language.

However, it is not just about a new device to deliver a message. The AIS needs to unpack the information in order to communicate the concepts and messages effectively. It is not a matter of direct translation. The information that the AIS is requested to translate is very complex and requires workshopping and up-skilling of the interpreters to ensure accurate meaning is conveyed. They need to understand before they can provide an accurate interpretation.

The innovative concept of talking posters and talking storyboards was developed and patented in the Northern Territory. These are the first Indigenous communication tools of their kind in Australia.

These progressive communication tools can already be found in 52 communities across the Territory, and will be used to support the 2011 ABS National Census across the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland.

For further information:www.cdu.edu.au/research/

James Gaykamangu from the Aboriginal Interpreter Service. Image provided by Northern Territory Department of Business and Employment

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VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT

Lower Back pain

Improving outcomes for sufferers of lower back painLower back pain (LBP) is the most common musculoskeletal condition in primary health care and results in significant financial, workforce and social costs. 80% of the population will experience LBP during their lifetime, with 40% to 80% of these suffering recurrent LBP at an annual cost of $9.2 billion to the Australian economy.

Austin Health is looking for a system that provides live visualisation and bio-feedback on strain and load on the lumbar spine, and aims to alert sufferers when these loads are likely to be problematic.

The system also records data for up to 24 hours and presents this objective movement and muscle activity data to the clinician for analysis of a patient’s particular issues with the aim of optimising their rehabilitation from this debilitating condition.

Pro-Active MedicalPro-Active Medical’s solution involves the use of its back strain monitor (BSM) which is a wireless, portable postural measurement and bio-feedback system. The BSM technology foundation has a 10 year research and development history, including input from major Victorian universities, health science organisations and previous support from two Federal Government research grants.

In collaboration with Monash University and local contractors, Pro-Active Medical will develop a device that will be worn by the patient and customised by the clinician to assess a patient’s lower back movements, analyse the data in real time, and alert the patient to change their posture or movement.

“The MVP program has provided Pro-Active Medical with the opportunity to work with Australia’s pre-eminent spinal hospital, expanding its world-first technology platform to deliver a new treatment tool for the management of lower back pain. With the collaborative input from some of Victoria’s premier researchers and the funding support from the Victorian Government, the project is well positioned for commercial success.” Andrew Ronchi, CEO, Pro-Active Medical.

For further information:http://www.egov.vic.gov.au/victorian-government-resources/case-studies-victoria/vps-innovation-case-studies/smart-smes-market-validation-program-vps-innovation-case-study.htmlhttp://www.pro-activemedical.com/

The patient is alerted to inappropriate movement that exacerbates their back condition. They can then correct their movement which helps manage their pain and hopefully, a speedy recovery. Image sourced from Department of Innovation, Industry & Regional Development, Victoria publications.


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AUSINDUSTRY – SOLARGEM PTY LTD

Australian innovation gives solar-powered light to heritage site in India

A village close to the world heritage site of Elephanta Caves in India will for the first time have reliable light after sundown thanks to a unique, solar-powered technology invented by Sydney-based company Solar-Gem Pty Ltd.

The Rajbander village, on historic Elephanta Island, off the coast of Mumbai, has previously relied on expensive and potentially dangerous kerosene lamps, candles, and diesel. Now, thanks to Solar-Gem’s innovative, cost-effective home lighting, villagers are reducing their carbon foot print and ensuring their power supply for at least the next 10 years.

After signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Science and Technology Park, in Pune, India, Solar-Gem implemented a trial to fit each of the 35 homes in the village with a rechargeable Light Emitting Diode (LED) unit, providing solar-powered electricity for lights and mobile phones.

The first home in the village was lit up at the end of October 2010 during Diwali – the festival of lights. The trial has since been deemed a success by the local managing authority. Solar-Gem will now look at setting up their local assembly plant and the project will be expanded to power other villages on Elephanta Island, and further regions in India needing clean and affordable energy.

Solar-Gem CEO Khimji Vaghjiani said, “Our solar-powered units provide efficient, renewable energy for lighting, mobile phones, small laptops and other appliances, while at the same time reducing reliance on grid connected power.

“The units don’t require special expertise to install and each panel has a charging and billing system on board. You can deploy it and charge people a small fee at the time of usage. Solar-Gem is also developing further technology, beyond lighting, to power other equipment such as fans, computers, and televisions,” Mr Vaghjiani said.

Austrade’s Delhi based Senior Trade Commissioner, Peter Linford said “The Elephanta Island trial is the result of a joint Austrade Australia-India effort. Austrade was able to provide advice on building business networks in Australia. Our staff also offered insights into the market in India, which meant this trial got the go-ahead,” he said.

A woman in Rajbander village on Elephanta Island with lighting powered by Solar-Gem technology installed in her kitchen – she now no longer needs to rely on expensive and dangerous kerosene lamps to cook once the sun goes down. Image courtesy of Solar-Gem Pty Ltd

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The units are currently manufactured in a factory in Marrickville, Sydney. Solar-Gem units are also currently being trialled in Sydney at Calmsley Hill City Farm. Negotiations are underway for trials in Fiji, Indonesia, the Middle East, Western Africa and more in Australia. Solar-Gem has units in nine countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the units provide light to surgeons performing open heart surgery, and in a post natal clinic.

Solar-Gem Pty Ltd has won the following awards:

• Community Contribution Award, Tech 23 Innovation Awards, NSW Government, 2010

• Design Excellence in Architecture and Interior Products, Australian International Design Awards 2010

• Australian Power House Museum 2010 award

• Australian Innovator of the Year, G’Day USA, 2010

For further information:http://www.solar-gem.asia/solargem/http://www.austrade.gov.au/


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DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION, INDUSTRY SCIENCE AND RESEARCH (DIISR) – INNOVATION POLICY BRANCH

Coordination Committee on Innovation

The Coordination Committee on Innovation (CCI) was established through Powering Ideas in 2009. It is a forum to facilitate across government coordination and high level discussion of innovation policy.

It met in April 2011 and examined a range of issues including; Australia’s innovation performance; advanced patent analysis techniques to assist policy development; green growth activities; and a framework of principles for science communication.

The Evaluation Working Group of the CCI has looked at ways to improve the understanding of science and innovation program and policy evaluation, and identify ways to improve the economic, social and environmental integration and consistency of evaluation nationally. The Working Group has updated a best practice evaluation principles framework which sets out a consistent methodology for evaluation, and covers areas such as risk, social and environmental benefits, and additionality.

The CCI will now meet twice a year to better coordinate government policy.

For further information:

http://www.innovation.gov.au/INNOVATION/PUBLICSECTORINNOVATION/Pages/default.aspx

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Workshop on Innovation-led Growth and Prosperity

A high level workshop, attended by high level officers from the OECD, on innovation led growth and prosperity was held in Canberra on 9 December 2010 to examine the ‘wicked problems’ that governments face, and the role for innovation in providing solutions. Some of the challenges identified for Australia included green growth, national broadband, regional sustainability, and public sector innovation.

Discussion was held around innovation policy and the role for government, in delivering growth and prosperity. Key questions were:

• How to develop and implement initiatives to address ‘wicked problems’?

• How can Australia become more globally integrated?

• What is the role of government in facilitating development and take up of innovation?

• How to build alliances between the public and private sectors?

• What governance structures are required to address wicked problems?

• What public sector innovation is required?

• What should we be measuring?

The OECD provided overviews of where Australia performs versus other nations, what approaches are being taken in terms of demand-led policy development, and how the innovation policy handbook will benefit countries – the latter will provide a series of interactive tools on the website to assist policy makers undertake review and analysis of their innovation system and its performance.

High level outcomes were:

• Government needs to better engage with the community in terms of understanding the consequences of actions, gathering new ideas through prizes etc., acknowledge risk and tolerate failure as part of the innovation policy process, and help create a sense of ownership by the community;

• Customers through identifying demand and commenting on frameworks and regulations help to deliver better outcomes;

• Government needs to improve across-government engagement; and

• Experimental space mechanisms (like Mindlab in Denmark) provide a means for collaboration and trialling new approaches and assist to manage risk in development of new innovative capability and services.

The Workshop contributed to building momentum in promoting cross-government collaboration on innovation and this will contribute to the role of the Coordination Committee on Innovation.

For further information:http://www.innovation.gov.au/INNOVATION/PUBLICSECTORINNOVATION/Pages/default.aspx


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Commonwealth, State and Territory Advisory Council on Innovation (CSTACI)

The Commonwealth, State and Territory Advisory Council on Innovation (CSTACI) is a council of high level officials from the Australian Government, the State and Territory governments, and the New Zealand Government. Meeting twice a year, CSTACI advises and coordinates innovation policy, activities and programs. With a targeted and strategic approach to innovation issues, the CSTACI aims to improve the effectiveness, integration and coordination of the national innovation system.

CSTACI has three working groups: one is looking at implementation of The Framework of Principles for Innovation Initiatives; another considering innovation indicators; and one exploring the issue of innovative procurement.

Innovation Initiative DatabaseA part of its work program, the CSTACI has surveyed government innovation initiatives. Data was collected from all jurisdictions through an electronic survey form and the 2009 database of government innovation initiatives is available to members of CSTACI.

CSTACI members report that the database has been useful for policy planning and design and for cross-promotion of initiatives. The development and circulation of the database embodies CSTACI’s remit to increase information flow between jurisdictions and inform policy development and advice. CSTACI continues to explore and evaluate the use, scope and methodology for future updates of the CSTACI innovation initiative database which CSTACI members have agreed should be revised annually.

Framework of principlesA Framework of Principles for Innovation Initiatives has adopted by the Australian, State and Territory Governments. The Framework ensures the current and future suite of innovation policies and programs in Australia meet industry needs, and are designed to remove overlap and duplication. It is enhancing consistency of approach and improving accessibility and the efficiency of innovation initiatives across Australia.

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IInnovation Indicators Working GroupThe Working Group aims to;

• improve lines of communication between innovation policy and research areas across the CSTACI network, with regard to innovation indicators and metrics;

• improve integration and consistency of innovation indicators nationally and with the intention of international comparison; and

• clarify the appropriateness and effectiveness of indicators for measurement of innovation systems performance.

It meets regularly by teleconference and has achieved unity in identifying the types of data required across jurisdictions on business innovation. It is working with the ABS with a view to improving access to innovation business data through annual innovation surveys. .

Innovation and procurement Working GroupPublic procurement can support the uptake of innovation by generating or maintaining sufficient demand for new goods and services; by addressing failures by creating more favourable conditions for the creation of new markets, particularly in areas of public interest; and by more effectively leveraging public investment in supply side policy initiatives, such as research and development.

The Working Group is examining options to better utilise public sector purchasing practices to support innovation and will do this by looking at existing innovative procurement practices across the public sector, both domestic and international.

For further information:http://www.innovation.gov.au/INNOVATION/COUNCILSANDFORUMS/Pages/CSTACI.aspxhttp://www.innovation.gov.au/Innovation/Policy/Pages/FrameworkofPrinciplesforInnovationInitiatives.aspxhttp://www.innovation.gov.au/INNOVATION/PUBLICSECTORINNOVATION/Pages/default.aspx


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Public Sector Innovation Outreach

Through its work on Empowering Change: Fostering Innovation in the Australian Public Service the Department of Innovation established a network of public servants and interested academics and experts - the Public Sector Innovation Network. The network consists of over 500 people, including from across all tiers of government in Australia, interested in public sector innovation, its practice and how it can apply to their work. The network is supported by a sub-network of APS agency representatives who are facilitating the embedding of innovation within the operations of their agencies. Members of the public sector innovation network are able to interact with each other through a dedicated GovDex web-based community.

Another resource for the Network is the Public Sector Innovation Blog. The blog was launched by the Department of Innovation on 28 June 2010 to provide updates on developments in APS innovation and discuss issues relating to public sector innovation. The blog has assisted the Department in its work to connect with, share with and learn from those interested in innovation. Since its introduction the blog has received over 8000 unique visitors from around the world. On June 29 2011 the blog became part of the newly established Public Sector Innovation Toolkit.

An additional resource established in March 2011 was the Innovation Showcase. The Showcase provides examples of innovation and Government 2.0 approaches from across the public sector in Australia and seeks to highlight the value of innovation, the lessons from it, and to connect innovators with others looking to implement similar approaches. Public sector agencies that wish to share their innovations or Gov. 2.0 initiatives are encouraged to submit their case studies on the Showcase for inclusion.

For further information:http://innovation.govspace.gov.au/innovation-network/http://innovation.govspace.gov.au/http://showcase.govspace.gov.au/

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THEME: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

By 2020, the Australian Government wants a national economy in which businesses of all sizes and in all sectors embrace innovation as the pathway to greater competitiveness, supported by policies that minimise barriers and maximise opportunities for commercialisation of new ideas.

The following collection of case studies showcases examples of how emerging challenges and opportunities are being met. These opportunities and challenges include approaches to becoming cleaner and more resource efficient; how emergent platform technologies such as biotechnology, nanotechnology and smart infrastructure are transforming society; and opportunities being created or taken up in the area of global engagement on innovation, particularly with China and India.


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World’s First Robotic Dairy

In November 2010, NSW Department of Primary Industries launched the world’s first automatic rotary dairy. This revolutionary automatic milking solution was developed to suit Australia’s large herd and pasture-based systems while remaining flexible enough to operate in a variety of overseas situations. The technology will remove the commitment to morning and afternoon milking sessions and provide considerable benefits in terms of cost, capacity and more flexible working conditions.

Developed at Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) by the Department in collaboration with the University of Sydney, Dairy Australia and DeLaval, the automatic dairy will free up farmers to spend more time concentrating on strategic management and planning for their farms. A commercial version was also launched in November at Germany’s EuroTier 2010 exhibition for animal husbandry and management.

For further information:http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/agriculturetoday/december-2010/the-robotic-rotary-dairy-era

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Zeobond – Eco-Cement

According to the International Energy Agency, the manufacture of Portland cement produces about 0.9 kilograms of CO2 for every kilogram of cement. Around 5% of global CO2 emissions result from this process, making it one of the more polluting activities undertaken by mankind. One of the most promising alternatives to common Portland cement is geopolymer cement. Australia is now among the world leaders in research and commercialisation of geopolymer cement. Along with University of Melbourne researchers, CSIRO found that geopolymer technology reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 80% compared to Portland cement, because high temperature calcining (ore breakdown) is not needed. Geopolymer cement also has increased fire and chemical resistance. Even better, they can be manufactured from industrial waste stock, like the vast amounts of fly ash that are produced from coal combustion. If these waste streams reduce over time, geopolymers can be made from very commonly available materials, such as clays.

After almost two decades of development, private Melbourne-based company Zeobond Pty Ltd was formed in 2006 by researchers from the University of Melbourne to commercialise geopolymer cement. They created a new product called E-Crete which forms at room temperature, requires no kiln and uses fly ash as the main feedstock. The product looks similar to and performs in the same ways as concrete. It can also be used in most cases where concrete is used today, such as in ready-mix applications including house slabs, foot paths, driveways, and in pre-cast products such as bricks, blocks, pavers and panels. Zeobond laid the first test slab of E-Crete in 2007 and along with two other products are now being manufactured and used around Australia. Zeobond is also expanding into developing international markets where cement production is rapidly growing to meet infrastructure needs.

Life cycle analysis studies show that E-Crete produces 80–90% less carbon dioxide than traditional Portland cements for only 10% more cost than Portland cement, using existing supply chains. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, approximately 2.35 billion tons of Portland cement is made each year. If carbon dioxide emissions in the global cement manufacturing sector can be reduced by even 10% this would accomplish one-fifth of the Kyoto Protocol 2012 goal of an average 5.2% reduction in developed country carbon dioxide emissions from 1990 levels. Zeobond’s successes show that Australian research and development can punch above its weight in creating potentially world-changing eco-innovations.

For further information:http://www.zeobond.com

E-crete uses waste fly ash and slag to achieve a comparable cement for an 80 per cent emissions reduction. Image provided by CSIRO publishing


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RADFORD MEATS

Radford meats: New Filters Recycle 90% of Company’s Waste Water

Drought and the fundamental need to stay in business have brought on a radical reengineering effort at Radford Meats in Warragul, Victoria. The company has gone through several transformations since opening in 1946, but the most recent will work to keep it in business, as well as help the environment. Water is essential in an abattoir and, with the assistance of the Australian Government, Radford has replaced its old water supply system with ultra filtration technology – a red meat industry first. The ultrafiltration system is expected to recycle up to 90% of the water used at Radfords.

‘In drought conditions, using mains water in the volume required was not a viable option. We quickly realised that water recycling was our best option. Our previous system was fed by a natural spring on the company’s land and we realised we needed to do something when the spring began running dry up to once a week,’ Mr Radford said.

Before the ultrafiltration system was installed, waste water was pumped into the pasture from the settling ponds at the site. The new system will re-use the waste water and in a complementary development, we have modified our refrigeration plant to capture all defrost water that was previously wasted. Feeding the cold defrost water back into the system also greatly improves the energy efficiency of our cooling towers. Injecting this ‘pure’ water dilutes the overall effluent stream, reducing the load on the ultrafiltration system, and providing further energy savings.

Radford Meats has installed ceramic filters. The system filters waste to a microscopic level – less than 0.01 micron metres. Many people have shown interest in following the success of the system. Mr Radford believes that if each meat processor in Australia adopted an ultrafiltration system, up to 13 gigalitres of water could be saved each year.

‘We have tested and refined the system to adopt it to our needs and find ways to send as much of the water we use through the system. We are confident it will help us to keep growing.’

For further information: http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/CustomerStories/Documents/Radford_Meats.pdfwww.radfordmeats.com/

Ceramic filters used at Radford Meats. Image provided by DIISR

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MURDOCH UNIVERSITY

The Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (SABC)

The Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (SABC) is the major centre for agricultural biotechnology in WA. Lead by Professor Michael Jones, this Murdoch University centre provides state-of-the-art facilities in molecular research and biotechnology for researchers of WA-based universities as well as the Department of Agriculture and Food WA. Operating under a “Research Hotel” model the SABC promotes collaborative research between different groups and also supports the incubation of start-up Ag-Biotech companies in WA, such as Saturn Biotech and Nemgenix. The income gained from researchers and the services provided, covers maintenance and running costs of equipment and facilities, such as OGTR and AQIS-approved laboratories, ‘Next generation’ DNA sequencing and mass spectrometers; yet provides access in a cost- effective and equitable manner.

The major research focus at the SABC is on molecular activities that involve or promote primary production of commercial livestock, crop plants or microbes, or their subsequent processing for added value. Because of its inclusive nature, the SABC also supports some research in biomedical sciences and environmental biotechnology.

SABC researchers have an outstanding track record of outcomes of benefit to the agricultural industry. These include:

• provision of co-located, state-of-the art, well run platform technologies for all WA researchers;

• averaging 50 current PhD students and 30 Honours students;

• major advances in introgressing resistance to Russian Wheat Aphid in Australian wheat germplasm;

• first transcriptome sequence of a root lesion nematode;

• significant plant virus research, including 7 new full length sequences of plant viruses, and identification of a new class of virus;

• plant breeding support leading to improved crop varieties (molecular markers, yield, resistance to diseases and pests, better quality, variety ID, diagnostics);

• improved productivity and health of livestock; and

• biomedical diagnostics.

For further information: http://www.sabc.murdoch.edu.au/


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THE COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION (CSIRO) – DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH (DIISR)

The NBN and the Health Care Challenge

Dr Ian Oppermann, Director of the CSIRO ICT Centre is heading up a project with the CSIRO’s Australian ehealth Research Centre (AEHRC) which aims to use information and communication technologies to build a sustainable healthcare system for Australia.

With access to high speed reliable communication opened up by the national rollout of the NBN, in conjunction with the development of easy to use/smart technologies, ehealth opens new mechanisms for healthcare service delivery in traditional healthcare facilities, community settings and in private homes.

The sustainability of health services in Australia requires a whole of system approach to service delivery. With health expenditure now in excess of $110 billion, health accounts for over 9% of Australia’s annual GDP. Dr Oppermann believes that against this backdrop the NBN has the ability to fundamentally change service delivery models in health services, human services and smart infrastructure services. Symmetric data rates (where upload rates are the same as down load rates) will mean users can contribute to content creation helping to:

• develop new cost-effective services to meet the demands of the health service providers and users;

• respond to the complexity of health services provided and required; and

• ensure greater access, irrespective of location and circumstance – house bound metropolitan to rural and remote locations.

Pilots of health services that are being enabled by new/smart technologies are taking place across the country. Smithton in Tasmania has seen the use of existing broadcasting infrastructure (namely analogue TV channels) to transmit information to those who live beyond current broadband networks; Armidale in northern New South Wales has had specialist health care delivered to remotely located patients; and the Pilbara in WA has trailed screening and early detection across a number of medical conditions, facilitated by video data transfer with Perth-based specialists.

The true value of the NBN is access to high speed reliable communications by all Australians. Symmetric data transfer rates means that users can contribute to content creation. The sustainability of health services in Australia requires a whole of system approach to service delivery. Image from a slide presentation: CSIRO-Connected Environments: What are the new possibilities for rural and Regional Australia? given by Dr Ian Oppermann

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Recent trials carried out by CSIRO’s AEHRC, in partnership with Queensland Health, which use smart phones to deliver post operative cardiac care and monitoring have also proven to be very successful. The trial allowed patients and their health mentors to contribute to, and monitor, the patient’s healthy lifestyle programs (measuring the number of steps taken, entering wellness diary entries, sending and receiving daily motivational and educational text messages, etc), all delivered via a mobile phone. The trial has shown a significant increase in patient completion rates of post operative cardiac programs, which will lead to fewer re-admissions in the future.

The work being done by the AEHRC in the ehealth area demonstrates that the increasing demand on Australia’s health service, both in terms of volume and complexity, can be better met with an effective use of the NBN and associated technologies, by both providers and users of the health services in Australia.

For further information: http://www.csiro.au/science/healthcare-revolution-through-ehealth-innovation.htmhttp://aehrc.com/media/pr-090428-cardiac-patients-trial-home-based-rehabilitation.html


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Bio-fortification of Bananas for East Africa: Planning for Success and Public Acceptance

QUT researchers are on track to providing East Africa with access to disease-free bananas within the next two years. The bio-fortification project will ensure the future survival of the population’s staple food and improve its nutritional value.

The project has been funded by $10 million in grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Professor James Dale and his 13-strong research team are identifying and diagnosing the different viruses infecting East African Highland bananas, and micro-propagating varieties of bananas that are high in micronutrient content and disease free.

Ugandans are the largest consumers of bananas in the world and eat on average nearly one kilogram per person per day. Banana diseases have the potential to threaten the basis of their food supply and have a devastating effect on the banana industry. QUT scientists have been successfully researching methods to improve the nutrient content of the East African Highland banana through genetic improvement for the past 18 months.

Research partners include:

• National Agricultural Research Organisation Uganda;

• Kenyan Agricultural Research Institute;

• Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute; and

• Africa Harvest Biotechnology Foundation International.

For further information:http://www.ctcb.qut.edu.au/programs/gates.jsp

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DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH (DIISR) – PHARMACEUTICALS HEALTH INDUSTRY AND ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES BRANCH

NETSPACE

In 2010, the Department of Innovation, Industry Science and Research as part of the National Enabling Technology Strategy (NETSPACE) worked with Kristin Alford and her team at foresight consultancy Bridge8 Pty Ltd to improve and promote the AccessNano education resource with various small projects.

In January 2010, Bridge8 attracted 15 educators through the Australian Science Teacher Association (ASTA) network to attend a free workshop in Melbourne on AccessNano. The provision was that on return to their state or territory, the attendees would host their own workshop to assist other teachers in delivering this resource in schools. All but one attendee realised their promise to deliver a workshop to their schools between February and May 2010. The workshops were well received with 94% of attendees rating the experience as ‘beneficial’ to ‘highly beneficial’. Furthermore, six of the original 15 teachers have committed to delivering additional workshops throughout the year at no extra charge to the Department.

By tapping into the enthusiasm these professionals possess, the Department benefited with additional work beyond the teachers’ initial commitment, allowing the dissemination of information on nanotechnology to continue at no extra cost, and encouraging a culture of collaboration to continue this dissemination process.

Bridge8 brings broad knowledge from its consultancy projects and expertise to inform opportunities for this resource and approaches to teaching, including the development of animations and support for teacher networks.

The Department of Innovation continues to work with Bridge8 to develop the AccessNano resource and new channels to distribute its content to assist in supporting this resource, including an education blog (http://science-education.govspace.gov.au) and YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/AccessNanoOrg).

For further information:http://www.ausnano.net/index.php?page=groups&group=5213http://www.accessnano.org/


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DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH (DIISR) – SCIENCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE DIVISION

Australia India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) Project

Under AISRF, in 2007 Monash University was granted total funding of $1.5 million over 3 years to support the establishment of a joint research academy with the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IITB) (Mumbai). The Research Academy is a partnership between two of the world’s leading educational and research institutions. Together IITB and Monash are taking a collaborative approach to multidisciplinary research that can effectively deliver high impact, integrated solutions to complex research problems for industry, government and the broader research community. The academy, which opened in 2008, will soon be housed in a purpose-built $10 million facility. It has received funding support from the Australian and Indian governments and industry leaders from both countries. It currently has 54 PhD students with numbers expected to grow to 350 by 2016.

Doctoral students enrolled in the Academy are jointly supervised by researchers from the Monash Research Academy and IITB and receive a dually awarded PhD degree on completion. The postgraduate degree is designed to work closely with industry partners. Degrees will be awarded across six research themes: computational science and engineering, infrastructure engineering, biotechnology and stem-cell research, clean energy, water and nanotechnology. Students will conduct most of their research at the Academy’s premises in the Powai campus of IITB, but will spend around six months in Australia with their Monash University supervisor.

For further information:https://grants.innovation.gov.au/AISRF/Pages/Home.aspx

PhD candidates at the Monash-IITB Research Academy in Mumbai, which has received funding under the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund. The Academy, an initiative between Australia’s Monash University and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, will award dual accredited doctoral degrees and support multidisciplinary research that can effectively deliver high impact, integrated solutions to complex research problems for industry, government and the broader research community. Image provided by the Monash-IITB Research Academy

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China Connection

In September 2010 Professor Jinghai Li, Vice-President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and Professor Rongqiao He from the Institute of Biophysics (IPB; a CAS institute in Beijing) visited the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) at The University of Queensland (UQ), joining QBI Director Professor Perry Bartlett to officially open the Queensland node of the QBI-IBP Joint Laboratory of Neuroscience and Cognition. The launch of the Beijing node of the joint laboratory followed in November 2010. The establishment of this world-first joint neuroscience laboratory with China consummates the strong relationship between the two institutes, harnessing their synergies in neuroscience.

Understanding how functions such as attention, learning and memory are regulated in the healthy brain, as well as in disease or injury, is one of the major challenges facing modern neuroscientists. This initiative brings together expertise and advanced technologies in cellular and molecular systems, imaging and protein chemistry to address these issues, with the long term goal of developing new approaches to treat neurological and mental disease.

The joint laboratory will focus on research into:

• the brain’s attention processing system – specifically selective attention in learning and memory, a hallmark of many debilitating psychiatric and neurological conditions;

• the production of new brain cells and neurons, known as neurogenesis, and its role in learning and memory; and

• the brain’s synaptic circuits in learning and memory, as well as in anxiety and depression.

Understanding the fundamental mechanisms of brain function is the first step towards producing appropriate therapeutic treatments for dementia, depression, schizophrenia and other disorders. Research within the joint laboratory has already attracted $3.25m in grant, fellowship and matching funding.

For further information:http://www.qbi.uq.edu.au/100926-unique-research-laboratory-established-between-brisbane-and-beijing

Professor Jinghai Li, Vice-President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and Professor Rongqiao He from the Institute of Biophysics (IPB; a CAS institute in Beijing) visited the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) at The University of Queensland (UQ), joining QBI Director Professor Perry Bartlett to officially open the Queensland node of the QBI-IBP Joint Laboratory of Neuroscience and Cognition. Image provided by University of Queensland


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