UWS Technology Licensed in Asia

Image: The official opening of M-Metal Singapore

Image: Fielders CEO, Keith Middleton with Matt Lloyde and the first run of Re-Lok containing RF55 in Singapore.

Image: Patented Re-Lok invention

Through UWS Innovation, the university has granted Fielders Australia and M-Metal Singapore the rights to manufacture and distribute its proprietary Re-lok technology in South East Asia. This landmark agreement is the first time a UWS invention has been successfully commercialised into the region. UWS and the Greater Western Sydney community will benefit from the rapidly growing Asian market and will generate an enhanced reputation as an innovation provider.

Invented at the UWS School of Engineering, Re-lok is designed to increase the strength of steel formwork profiles used in the construction of high-rise buildings. The technology comprises patented corner embossments within the steel formwork profile to ensure a greater shear capacity and results in a stronger mechanical interlock with the concrete slab. Moreover, it possesses dovetail lapping ribs which resist lateral deflection to enhance the profile’s spanning capacity and strength in positive bending and end shear.

Moving into the international market, the product was launched this month at the official opening of M-Metal Singapore. The event attracted over 250 guests and representatives from Singapore’s leading building and construction companies and included leading government officials.

For more information on UWS innovations, please contact us on 02 9685 9742 or at r.burnside@uws.edu.au

2011 UWS SIMS Workshop

Image: Attendees at the 2011 UWS SIMS Workshop

The UWS SIMS (Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry) Workshop was hosted at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment on 2 November 2011. The workshop brought together researchers and industry representatives interested in the highly specialised analytical capabilities offered by the UWS SIMS. The UWS Solar Research Facility at Hawkesbury houses the only SIMS instrument of its kind on the east coast of Australia.

Case studies were presented by current users of the instrument and included Prof Raman Singh from Monash University, Dr Jisheng Han from Griffith University and Dr Gerry Triani and Dr Peter Evans from the Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation (ANSTO). All presentations gave the audience insight into practical applications of the instrument and demonstrated its sensitivity in elemental and isotopic surface analysis.

The workshop was well received by all in attendance, with vibrant discussions and networking opportunities. Attendees from Monash, ANU, UNSW, National Measurements Institute, Bluescope Steel, Silanna and Bluglass found the day stimulating and relevant to their research goals. A tour of the SIMS facility was given by the operator Dr David Nelson after the workshop, with many people indicating their desire to utilise the cutting edge equipment’s capabilities.

Used in semiconductor R&D, materials and nuclear sciences as well as environmental applications, the instrument is available to both researchers and industry. For more information, please refer to our website or contact us on 02 9685 9742 or at r.burnside@uws.edu.au

National Characterisation Roadshow arrives at UWS

Image: Audience members David Cookson from the Australian Synchrotron and Prof Janice Aldrich Wright from UWS in discussion at the National Characterisation Roadshow held at the Medical School Campbelltown.





The University of Western Sydney hosted the National Characterisation Roadshow 2011 on 27 October 2011 at Campbelltown Campus. Four characterisation facilities explained what they can do to support your research:

• Australian Synchrotron
• National Deuteration Facility
• Australian Microscopy & Microanalysis Research Facility (AMMRF)
• National Imaging Facility

For more details please see the attached copy of the program or visit http://www.characterisation.org.au/roadshow-2011.html

Access to UWS Flagship scientific equipment including the Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer can be organised through UWS Innovation at ip@uws.edu.au

Oran Park Development

Image: Corinne Turner from UWS Innovation & Consulting chats with Matthew Beggs, Development Director at Oran Park Town in front of OPT plans.

UWS is partnering with Landcom and Greenfields Development Company to explore the opportunities for health and communications integration in the newly developing Oran Park Town (OPT) in South West Sydney.
Oran Park, previously well known as the ‘Raceway’, is now a growth area providing future housing for a new community of families and the elderly. Oran Park Town will become the cornerstone of education, business, service and entertainment in the south west of Sydney.

For more information, please contact Corinne Turner on 02 9685 9837 or at c.turner@uws.edu.au

Invention Workshop allows UWS researchers and students opportunity to pitch their ideas

UWS Innovation and Intellectual ventures (IV) jointly hosted an Invention Workshop for a select group of UWS researchers and honours students, where attendees were able to pitch their research and ideas to a small group of technology investors for feedback.

In addition to Dr Scott Needham from IV Australia, a special guest on the panel was Dr James Wang, Director of Invention Development at IV China. James is responsible for the Physical Science Group, and before joining IV was founder of several start-ups in Silicon Valley and Shanghai. Prior to that, James was a senior scientist and manager at Pfizer, working on biomaterials and medical device development.

With billions of dollars under management, IV are specialists at assessing and investing in some of the world’s most promising and cutting edge inventions.

Honours students Chris Godfrey, Simon McElduff and Linren Zhou presented their idea for the development of a novel two-way-shape memory polymer matrix, while Dr Grace Yan from Civionics/School of Engineering pitched her idea on wireless structural monitoring.
James and Scott provided invaluable feedback in regard to material selections, developing a business case, and attracting investors and collaborators.

The workshop was a great success and confirms UWS’s growing capability in developing innovative ideas.

2011 NSW Pearcey Award winners announced

Image: Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner announces the winner of the Annual Pearcey Award in ICT.


The NSW Pearcey awards were announced on 12 October 2011, with Simon Pool and Steve Frisken of Waterloo-based Finisar Australia named NSW’s Entrepreneurs of the Year in the information and communications technology field.

In 2001, Mr Poole and Mr Frisken founded Engana, which developed wavelength selective switching technology that is now being used in the national broadband network. Now trading as Finisar Australia, their company is a world leading manufacturer of wavelength selective switches for optical communications networks, with annual export revenues of over $350 million.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner also announced an industry Taskforce to develop a Digital Economy Industry Action Plan for NSW, and $3 million over two years to support creative digital content projects. We believe that access to this funding comes at a critical time as Australian ICT start-ups and business are struggling to attract financial resources to further their great ideas.

UWS has growing expertise in the ICT sector, and in particular the development of virtual worlds and Artificial Intelligence (A.I.). Our researchers are currently developing one of the most advanced A.I. platforms for use in virtual worlds, with the potential for far reaching applications such as education, commerce and tourism.

Researcher Anton Bogdanovych’s work on the virtual city called Uruk recently placed 3rd at the 2011 Federal Virtual Worlds Challenge held by the US Army Research Laboratory – Simulation & Training Technology Centre, and we congratulate him on this great success.

UWS has filed a provisional patent based on Anton’s research and we encourage companies interested in co-development or commercial applications to contact Dr. Stephan Golla on 9685 9853 or email him at s.golla@uws.edu.au

UWS Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Workshop

UWS will host the Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Workshop. UWS’s Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer (SIMS) research facility houses the only instrument of its kind on the east coast of Australia. The University’s substantial investment in upgrading this equipment has now been completed. The SIMS is one of the most effective surface analysis instruments for advanced material research. Used in semiconductor R&D, materials and nuclear sciences as well as environmental applications, the SIMS provides high-sensitivity trace element depth profiling and secondary ion microscopy imaging.

UWS plans to expand its collaborative research efforts with both other research institutions and industry.

We invite both existing users and others wishing to enhance their research to attend.

Details:
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
9.30am to 2.30pm
UWS Hawkesbury Campus, Cnr Bourke St and Londonderry Rd, Richmond NSW 2753

If you would like more information on the workshop or the instrument, please contact Robert Burnside on 02 9685 9742 or at r.burnside@uws.edu.au