Research from universities, research institutes and hospitals are impacting and improving every part of your life. But how many do you actually know about? This list is just scratching the surface! Some you will know, others may surprise you.

Watch out for the next issue, when we continue listing extraordinary innovations and breakthroughs that are happening in cities and regional communities all over Australia.

Energy, Environment and Sustainability

1. THE FATHER OF SOLAR

The invention: The PERC solar cell, invented in 1983 by Professor Martin Green, and developed to its full potential with his team. In 2020 it accounted for over 90% of worldwide solar module production. His team holds the record for silicon-cell efficiency for 30 of the last 38 years. Green’s work has revolutionised the efficiency and costs of solar energy.
The Inventor: Solar energy pioneer, Professor Martin Green and his team from the University of New South Wales
Commercialisation: Sales of systems containing this solar cell exceeded US$100 billion in 2020 and are predicted to exceed US$1 trillion by 2030.

2. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY, SAFE, LOW COST AND EFFECTIVE BATTERY STORAGE

The invention: Gelion Endure, a zinc-bromide gel battery especially suited to hot and remote environments, in combination with solar power, whether it be for mining, agriculture or remote communities. Using abundant globally available materials – zinc, salts, carbons – and leveraging existing lead-acid infrastructure, these batteries are not only safe, but low-cost to produce, fully recyclable and do not require air-conditioning. This results in low cost power over the life of the system. They are initially optimised for use with off-grid and micro-grid installations that rely on safe, stable and efficient power. Customer demonstrations for solar desalination, water shifting and irrigation will commence in Q3 2021.
Inventor: Professor Thomas Maschmeyer, University of Sydney
Commercialisation: Gelion Technologies launched in 2015 to commercialise Endure, and Gelion is seeking to go public in the near future. The global battery market is currently valued at ~$120 billion and expected to reach ~$279 billion by 2028.

3. CREATING NEW PRODUCTS FROM LANDFILL

The invention: Green steel, a polymer injection technology that is an environmentally-friendly process for using recycled rubber tyres in steel making. So far, this process has prevented millions of waste tyres otherwise destined for landfill as a partial replacement for coking coal. Inventor, Professor Veena Sahajwalla, went on to create, in 2018, the world’s first e-waste microfactory which processes metal alloys from old laptops, circuit boards and smartphones. Every year we dump a massive 2.12 billion tons of waste – this waste is in Sahajwalla’s sights.
Inventor: Professor Veena Sahajwalla from UNSW SMaRT Centre, who in recent years has been collaborating with Australian steel manufacturer Molycop on commercialisation and new research in this area.
Commercialisation: Steel maker Molycop, which is using Green Steel technology as head licensee in various electric arc furnaces in Australia and overseas. Research collaboration in relation to Green Steel is continuing.

4. MEETING OUR FUTURE OIL NEEDS FROM WASTE PLASTIC

The invention: Cat-HTR, a chemical recycling technology creates fresh oil and chemicals from both biomass and plastic waste in just 20 minutes. Each day the world consumes more than 100 million barrels of fossil oil, yet creating oil takes nature millions of years. For another 100 years at least, humans will need the energy and chemicals traditionally found in fossil oil. What if that oil could be more sustainable, renewable and reduce waste in the process?
Inventor: Professor Thomas Maschmeyer, University of Sydney and Dr Len Humphreys (now Licella CEO) in 2005
Commercialisation: Licella was founded in 2007 to commercialise Cat-HTR. Over $100million has been invested and Cat-HTR is now commercial-ready.

5. REVERSING THE IMPACT OF FERTILISER ON WATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The invention: Phosphorus run-off from sources including fertiliser can cause major algal blooms that deplete water oxygen levels, cause fish deaths and compromise drinking water supplies. Phoslock, addresses one of the major drivers of harmful algae, removing phosphorus to improve water quality and minimise adverse impacts on the environment.
Inventor: Dr Grant Douglas from CSIRO
Commercialisation: Phoslock Environmental Technologies was established in 2002 and is now a $150m ASX-listed company. Phoslock is used in more than 20 countries to control and prevent algal blooms.  

6. NEW CLASS OF POLYMERS WHICH CLEAN UP TOXIC SPILLS AND CONTAMINATIONS

The invention: A new class of polymers effective in a range of real-world applications, including removing mercury contamination from soil, retrieving oil after a large-scale spill, enabling a safe method for leaching and recovering gold, and even facilitating a slow-release fertiliser to reduce loss due to run-off.
Inventor: Associate Professor Justin Chalker, Flinders University
Commercialisation: The discovery has led to a global commercialisation and distribution agreement with Clean Earth Technologies which has attracted an additional $15 million.

Medical

7. WORLD’S FIRST IVF PREGNANCY

The invention: The Monash In Vitro Fertilisation research program started as a combined project between Monash University and the University of Melbourne and resulted in the first human IVF pregnancy in 1973. Five years later, based on the work of Professor Alan Trounson and Professor Carl Wood at the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development (MIRD), the first human IVF birth of Louise Brown was reported in the UK. Australia’s first and the world’s fourth IVF birth took place in Australia in 1980 and 12 of the world’s first 15 IVF babies were conceived through the work of the group.
Inventor: Based on the work of Professor Alan Trounson and Professor Carl Wood at the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development.
Commercialisation: Monash University interests in the spinout company Monash IVF were sold in 2007 in a deal valued at $200M and Monash IVF Group is now listed on the Australian stock exchange.

8. RESTORING HEARING

The invention: Cochlear is an electronic device that partially restores hearing. It can be an option for people with severe hearing loss from inner-ear damage who are no longer helped by using hearing aids. While hearing aids mostly make sounds louder, Cochlear implants are different; they bypass the damaged part of the ear and stimulate the hearing nerve directly
Inventor: Professor Graeme Clark invented the first bionic ear Melbourne University in the 1970s – the first prototype was implanted in a person in 1978.
Commercialisation: Cochlear’s products are supplied to more than 100 countries internationally. As of 2020, more than 500,000 registered Cochlear implants have been inserted worldwide. Sales revenue of Cochlear for FY20 was $1,352M.

9. ERADICATING CERVICAL CANCER

The invention: Gardasil, a vaccine used in the prevention of certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) is now used in more than 150 countries worldwide and has led to an approximate 90% decrease in HPV prevalence in high immunisation countries, the major cause of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women in low-income countries. It is set to become a rare disease by 2022 and so uncommon by 2035, that Australia is on target to become the first country in the world to eliminate the disease.
Inventor: Professor Ian Frazer and Dr Jian Zhou, University of Queensland Diamantina Institute
Commercialisation: In 1994, the intellectual property was licensed by UQ’s commercialisation company UniQuest to CSL Limited and in 1996 to US pharmaceutical company Merck & Co

10. SKIN REPAIR

The invention: Elastagan, a breakthrough process that facilitated the scale-up production of large amounts of tropoelastin, a protein that allows the body to repair elastic tissues in the skin, artery, bladder and lungs. Elastagen’s tropoelastin is identical to the natural protein in human tissue and has many potential clinical applications, including treatment for acne scars, stretch marks, aesthetic skin repair and surgical wound repair.
Inventor: Professor Tony Weiss, University of Sydney
Commercialisation: Elastagen was acquired by Allergan in 2018 for a total payment of $340 million. Allergan will use the technology to create new commercial applications.

11. THE NEEDLE REINVENTED

The invention: The Nanopatch – a needle free, pain-free vaccine patch that doesn’t need refrigeration, could potentially be self-administered, and requires less vaccine to be effective. This is a game-changer for global vaccine delivery. 

Inventor: Professor Mark Kendall while working at The University of Queensland’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. 

Commercialisation: In 2011, UQ’s commercialisation company UniQuest established Vaxxas to develop and commercialise the Nanopatch.

12. TURNING THE TIDE ON ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANT DISEASE

The invention: SpeeDX develops diagnostic tools that lets laboratories identify many bacteria and antibiotic resistance targets all at once. This means that not only can doctors test a patient for an STI or a respiratory illness, but they can also work out which antibiotic a patient is resistant to, and which ones will elicit the best response – all at the same time. The products are fundamentally changing the way in which doctors work and patients heal.
Inventor: Dr Alison Todd and Dr Elisa Mokany based on patents developed while working at Johnson & Johnson Research and SpeeDx.
Commercialisation: Founded in 2009, SpeeDx now has 117 staff in four countries and sells a range of 45 products into 17 countries.

13. CHEWING GUM THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

The invention: Recaldent is a chewing gum and teeth cleaning product that delivers calcium and phosphate ions into the tooth, repairing and strengthening areas of enamel previously damaged by the action of bacteria. It is based on a protein discovered in dairy milk. Products containing Recaldent are estimated to have reduced dental treatment costs by over $12 billion worldwide by minimising tooth decay, not to mention the range of conditions including some cancers, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy complications, linked to poor oral hygiene.
Inventor: Laureate Professor Eric Reynolds, University of Melbourne
Commercialisation: Recaldent is the company established by Mondelez that commercialises the gum and tooth mousse. The University licensed the technology to Mondelez. Products using Recaldent – such as chewing gum and tooth mousse – have generated sales of more than $2 billion to date and is sold in more than 50 countries.

14. LIFE-SAVING MEDICAL DEVICES FOR NEWBORN BABIES IN REMOTE COMMUNITIES

The invention: The FREO2 Siphon concentrator produces, stores and delivers medical-grade oxygen to critically ill newborn babies without needing a secure source of electricity. The siphon uses the energy from running water to separate oxygen from the surrounding air. This innovative technology has the potential to substantially reduce infant mortality rates arising from pneumonia and other hypoxic illnesses in low-resource settings, such as Papua New Guinea, East Timor and sub-Saharan Africa.
Inventor:   Professor Roger Rassool and Dr Bryn Sobott, University of Melbourne
Commercialisation: Commercialised through the FRE02 Foundation, which donates the IP to developing nations which need the technology. Close to 1,200 children have benefited from the FREO2. 

15. STOPPING THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS

The invention: The McMonty, A personal ventilation hood for hospital beds to help contain the droplet spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in intensive care units (ICUs).
Inventor: Professor Jason Monty, Melbourne University and Associate Professor Forbes McGain, anaesthetist and ICU physician at Western Health and their teams.
Commercialisation: Medihood was formed in 2020 to commercialise the McMonty.

16. HOME EPILEPSY TESTING SERVICE – REDUCING DIAGNOSIS TIMES FROM TWO YEARS TO TWO WEEKS

The invention: The Seer Medical System allows people who may have epilepsy to take home a portable diagnostic system. In Australia, this reduces waiting time to receive a full diagnosis from over two years, down to a few weeks. Without in-home diagnosis, patients may need to spend a week in hospital to receive a full diagnosis. It saves hospital expenses, frees up hospital beds, and makes diagnosis more accessible to people living in remote or regional parts of the country.
Inventor: Professor Mark Cook, University of Melbourne
Commercialisation: Commercialised through Seer Medical which was founded in 2017.

17. BRAIN DEVICE TO HELP PEOPLE WITH PARALYSIS MOVE

The invention: The Stentrode is an implantable device, the size of a paperclip, that delivers mind-control via computers, robotic limbs or exoskeletons, and gives people with paralysis the chance for more independence, all using the power of thought. Implantable bioelectronics will enable the treatment of neurological conditions previously considered impossible to treat.
Inventor: Associate Professor Thomas Oxley and Associate Professor Nicholas Opie, University of Melbourne.
Commercialisation: Commercialised through US entity Synchron Inc which was founded in 2016.

18. NEXT-GENERATION CONDOMS WILL BOTH ENHANCE YOUR SEX LIFE AND HELP PREVENT DISEASE

The invention: Geldom’s next- generation condoms feel soft and natural, but are made from speciality hydrogels, which offer a superior user experience, while also offering new protection options against HIV and other STIs. With one million new STIs diagnosed around the world every day, plus 80 million unplanned pregnancies each year, parent company Eudaemon is positioned to make a difference.
Inventor: Professor Robert Gorkin, University of Wollongong
Commercialisation: Eudaemon Technologies was founded in 2018 to commercialise Geldom.

19. THE WORLD FIRST BONE ‘GLUE’ REPLACING INVASIVE SURGERY

The invention: TetraMatrix, an injectable, water-based scaffold that can be administered to without the need for invasive surgery. It stays liquid at low temperatures, making it easy to inject during surgery. Once at body temperature, the gel hardens to provide both mechanical support and a physical scaffold for host cells to repair tissues. It’s non-toxic and  absorbable, and can be injected with precision. And not only does it repair broken bones, but it also regenerates cartilage and connective tissue
Inventor: Dr Ali Fathi while studying his PhD at the University of Sydney
Commercialisation: Tetratherix was formed in 2015. In March 2020, it secured a $5 million Series A funding round.

20. AN ACCURATE AND LOW-COST BLOOD TEST FOR BOWEL CANCER RECURRENCE

The invention: Colvera, a blood test which detects cancer-specific changes in fragments of DNA in the blood, arising from the tumour. Bowel cancer – also known as colorectal cancer (CRC) – accounts for more than 600,000 deaths worldwide each year, with almost 15,000 new cases diagnosed annually in Australia. Post-surgical recurrence occurs in 30-40% of cases. Clinical trials have shown Colvera to be more than twice as sensitive as the current blood tests (carcinoembryonic antigen, CEA) used in standard of care for CRC.
Inventor: Flinders University and CSIRO and Clinical Genomics
Commercialisation: Clinical Genomics successfully launched Colvera in the US market in 2017. Total benefits for CRC recurrence monitoring (measured as reduced health system costs and improved patient health outcomes in Australia, in real, present-value terms) between $94.3 million and $325.7 million over the next 10 years.

21. USING SMARTPHONES TO DIAGNOSE CHEST CONDITIONS WITH JUST THE SOUND OF YOUR COUGH AND BREATH

The invention: ResApp, a mobile application that diagnoses and measures the severity of a wide range of chronic and acute conditions such as pneumonia, asthma, bronchiolitis and whooping cough, using just the sound of your cough and breathing. More than 700million people annually visit the doctor each year for a respiratory disease. Rather than relying on stethoscopes, this new technology makes diagnosis easier and quicker, and healthcare more affordable. And in this COVID-19 world, the use of telehealth is increasingly important.
Inventor: Associate Professor Udantha Abeyratne from the University of Queensland
Commercialisation: ResApp Health was founded by The University of Queensland’s commercialisation company UniQuest in 2014 to market the technology.

22. TREATING DRY EYE

The invention: TearView, technology which can quickly and accurately diagnose dry eye. For around 15% of the population – a number that is increasing in children due to the use of electronic devices – the tear film doesn’t work as it should, leading to a condition known as ‘dry eye’ which, in severe cases, can lead to vision loss. Tear film problems are also associated with glaucoma treatment, lens replacement surgery and contact lens wear.
Inventor: Professor Thomas Millar and Dr Burkhardt S. Schuett
Commercialisation: Beyond 700 was founded in 2017, to design and manufacture TearView. In 2020, it was selected by the European Space Agency to be used in the Eye Care Zero Gravity Program that will use its device in Airbus zero gravity parabolic flights, and later in the International Space Station, to help diagnose and evaluate treatment of astronauts’ eyes, which are known to develop problems in microgravity.

23. A NEW TREATMENT FOR A DEVASTATING MUSCLE-WASTING DISEASE

The invention: Exondys 51, the first disease-modifying treatment for the devastating muscle-wasting disease Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), which affects around one in every 3,500 boys globally. The new technology causes gene translation machinery to skip the mutation, resulting in an improvement or slowing of the disease process to prolong and improve the quality of life for patients with DMD.
Inventor: Professor Steve Wilton and Professor Sue Fletcher, University of Western Australia and Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science.
Commercialisation: Exondys 51 is currently under license to Sarepta Therapeutics.

24. THE WORLD’S FIRST SMART PHONE-BASED PAIN ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING APPLICATION

The invention: PainChek, uses AI, facial recognition and smartphone technology to intelligently automate the pain assessment process at the point of care. The smart phone camera looks at the person’s face then analyses the images using AI driven facial recognition. It automatically recognises and records facial muscle movements indicative of pain and will identify the presence of pain even when it’s not obvious.
Inventor: Professor Jeff Hughes, Dr Kreshnik Hoti and Mustafa Atee, Curtin University.
Commercialisation: PainChek Ltd, listed in 2016; acquired its first customer in 2017, and, by June 2021 achieved 60% local market penetration.

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR INDUSTRY AND SOCIETY

25. LEADING THE QUANTUM REVOLUTION

Invention: Quantum computing promises to change how we use, process and understand information and will allow us to create faster, more efficient computers that will quickly become the world’s most powerful and robust artificial intelligence machines. 
Silicon quantum computers provide unmatched speed, accuracy and scalability compared to other  designs. Over 20 years, Scientia Professor Michelle Simmons, and colleagues at UNSW have pioneered powerful technologies for creating electronic devices in silicon with atomic precision, to truly enable the production of powerful quantum computers.
Inventor: Scientia Professor Michelle Simmons, University of New South Wales.
Commercialisation: In 2017, Professor Simmons founded the company SQC to commercialise UNSW’s leading silicon quantum computation expertise. Her efforts are backed by shareholders including Australian Commonwealth Government, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, UNSW Sydney and Telstra Corporation. An intensive R&D program is underway, with the aim of developing a prototype device by 2023. 

26. SAVING GLOBAL MINING AND MINERALS PROCESSING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

The invention: Reflux Classifier, an innovative separator for recovering and concentrating high-value minerals such as iron ore, chromite, coal, manganese and lithium.
Since 2010, 170 Reflux Classifiers have been installed around the world in 14 countries, processing raw materials and delivering significant economic impact, especially through the recovery of valuable minerals from waste materials. This technology has been adapted worldwide generating well over $20B in product, delivering to the Australian economy multiple benefits worth an excess of $1B, over and above what would have been achieved had the technology not existed.
Inventor: Laureate Professor Kevin Galvin, University of Newcastle, developed in collaboration with commercial partner Ludowici, and now with FLSmidth.
Commercialisation: Export revenues for Australia from product generated by Reflux Classifiers exceed $1.5 billion annually.

27. HIGH PROTEIN PASTURE FOR HARSH CLIMATES

The invention: Progardes® Desmanthus, a high protein and energy feed for cattle that prolongs the availability of high-quality forage and reduces the need for supplementation. Cattle reach target weights sooner, allowing the producer to increase stock turnover and stocking rate, resulting in more beef per hectare. It is a selected blend of Desmanthus pasture legume species with superior genetics and diversity, enabling it to grow well in the harsh environment of northern Australia. 
Inventor: Chris Gardiner, James Cook University.
Commercialisation: Licenced and sold by Agrimix Pastures.

28. WORLD’S FIRST ECO-FRIENDLY PESTICIDE

The invention: Vestaron – a revolutionary new type of chemical-free pesticide, harnessed from the venom of the Blue Mountain funnel-web spider, kills insect pests but is safe for humans, bees and the environment. 

Inventor: Professor Glenn King from the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience. 

Commercialisation: In 2005, Professor Glenn King founded agricultural biotechnology company, Vestaron which is developing eco-friendly, peptide-based insecticides.

29. REVOLUTIONISING AVOCADO PRODUCTION WORLDWIDE

The invention: A world-first tissue-culture system that can produce up to 500 avocado plants  from a single cutting. This technology which is non-GM, requires less land, water, fertilisers and pesticides is aimed at reducing the time new varieties take to reach orchards. It also provides growers with a choice of rootstock plants with desired characteristics such as disease resistance. This is a game-changer in reducing critical supply delays experienced by 72% of farmers in a survey conducted 

Inventor:  Professor Neena Mitter, Dr Jayeni Hiti Bandaralage at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland
.
Commercialisation: UQ’s commercialisation company UniQuest negotiated an exclusive licence with Anderson Horticulture to distribute the tissue culture plants throughout Australia.

30. LOW-COST TRAP TO ATTRACT EGG-LAYING FEMALE MOSQUITOES

The invention: The Gravid Aedes Trap is a revolutionary design in mosquito traps that uses transparent panels to confuse and trap mosquitoes. The trap works by attracting mosquitoes, primarily gravid (pregnant) females into the trap using stagnant water. As the mosquitoes try to fly out towards the light (coming into the trap via a clear cover), they contact the cover, optionally coated with insecticide, and fall onto the mesh base for easy disposal or recovery. Mosquitoes carry serious pathogens, which cause diseases like malaria, and are responsible for infecting nearly 700 million people each year, and causing more than one million deaths.
Inventor: Professor Scott Ritchie, James Cook University and Dr. A. E. Eiras from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Commercialisation: The trap has been licensed to a pest control company in Europe, Biogents which are selling the traps worldwide.

31. HARD ROCK EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY

The invention: HiSeis, pioneering tools and techniques that enables miners for the first time to use seismic reflection on hard mineralised rocks to build up 3D images of deposits such as gold and base metals. This enables better planning and greater extraction of valuable minerals that previously may have gone undetected.
Inventor: Professor Anton Kepic and Professor Milovan Urosevic, Curtin University
Commercialisation: HiSeis was commercialised by Curtin University in 2009. The technology is used by hundreds of companies globally including AngloGold Ashanti, BHP, Evolution Mining, Fortescue Metals Group, Northern Star Resources Limited, Rio Tinto

32. CONNECTING AUSTRALIANS WITH FIRST NATIONS LANGUAGES

The invention: The 50 Words Project, an interactive map to help Australians connect with First Nations languages. With the aim of providing 50 words in every Indigenous language of Australia, it is a real-world attempt to acknowledge every language spoken in Australia and keep dialects alive.
Inventor: Associate Professor Nick Thieberger, Professor Rachel Nordinger and Dr Jill Vaughan, University of Melbourne
Project update: The project has reached a significant milestone with more than 60 languages now available to listen to online and is calling for more submissions from communities across Australia to help get every Indigenous Australian language up on the map.

33. THE WORLD’S FIRST SHATTERPROOF CAR MIRRORS

The invention: New type of a super light plastic wing mirror for cars, that is shatterproof and environmentally friendly. Associate Professor Colin Hall and his colleagues at the University of South Australia took inspiration from the transition from glass to plastics in the spectacle industry to create these products. The new process also improves factory safety, eliminating the need for processes that contain carcinogenic chrome. New parts made this way are now installed as decorative interior trim on European super cars.
Inventor: Associate Professor Colin Hall, University of South Australia
Commercialisation: These mirrors are now made in Adelaide by SMR Automotive with over $160 million in exports to date.

And no list is complete without…

34. FAST WIFI

The invention:

Technology developed by Australian researchers lies at the heart of what is now the most popular way to connect computers without wires. It is used in offices, public spaces, homes and coffee shops – often called ‘WiFi hotspots’. The invention came out of CSIRO’s pioneering work in radio astronomy in the search for black holes combined with the development of a radio-transmitting microchip by Macquarie University researchers. It has become virtually impossible to imagine our personal and working lives without it.
The inventors: Dr David Skellern and Dr Neil Weste, Macquarie University, and Dr John O’Sullivan, Dr Terry Percival, Diet Ostry, Graham Daniels, and John Deane, CSIRO.
Commercialisation: Today WiFi is in products such as phones, televisions, cameras, laptops, printers, routers and games consoles. It is estimated to be in more than five billion devices worldwide.
Correction: We regret that a previous version of this story mistakenly omitted the contribution of Dr David Skellern and Dr Neil Weste of Macquarie University to the invention of WiFi.

Stay tuned for the next issue… there is more to come!

Written by Kylie Ahern
Assistance by AJ Epstein and Rory Crofts

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Featured photo credit: supplied