Friday 29 April 2011
What’s your big idea Queensland?
More than twenty small to medium sized businesses were each awarded up to $50,000 to turn their ideas into reality through innovation and R&D at an awards ceremony held at Parliament House, Brisbane, on Tuesday 19 April 2011. The winners were announced by the Honourable Andrew Fraser MP, Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade.
The Queensland Government offered small to medium sized businesses the opportunity to identify and outline an innovative idea through its program, and the chance to receive up to $50,000 to convert their idea into a reality.
Applications were encouraged from businesses seeking to develop a new product, service or business model, or those looking to undertake an innovation or technology audit. Applications were also encouraged from those seeking professional skills and research.
The 22 winning applicants covered a range of sectors including mining, manufacturing, clean technology, ICT and health to name a few. Among the winners, six were past and present Australian Institute for Commercialisation (AIC) clients (the AIC was not a part of the judging panel).
They are:
Fibreglass Application for Eco Splash System
Placid Pools Pty Ltd - SMITHFIELD - www.placidpools.com.au
The ESS is based on conservation of water, reduction/elimination of chemicals to sanitise pool water, aqua culture and on optimum solutions for pool/pond pump efficiencies. The EcoSplash™ System is a high tech, yet natural water purification system that consistently maintains chemical free pools and provides pool water sanitisation in our harsh tropical climate. The idea will focus on developing further ways to facilitate further cost, water and energy savings of the ESS through a commercial fibreglass application.
Coral Sunscreen Project
Coral Sunscreens Pty Ltd - AITKENVALE - www.larissabright.com.au
In 2008, the company started investigating the potential for an innovative new sunscreen agent for their Larissa Bright Australia natural skincare range. They were looking for a compound that is organic, inspired by nature and safe to use. Through extensive research, they discovered a UV light absorbing compound derived from the North Queensland region that offers superior features, compared to currently available sunscreens that utilise metals (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) in combination with nanotechnology.
The Cullector
Cullin Innovation Pty Ltd - CLIFTON BEACH - www.cullector.com
There are 20 million showers taken each day in Australia alone. If every shower had a Cullector™ fitted Australians would save in exc
ess of 200 megalitres of fresh drinking water per day or 73 gigalitres per annum. This saving also eliminates the need to treat the same volume as grey water, and is additional to any savings made by flow restricting showerheads.
Polepower
Energy Innovations Pty Ltd - CAIRNS - www.polepower.biz
Polepower is a world-first application of solar technology that turns ubiquitous power poles into micro power stations. By feeding electricity into the network at every pole, a large amount of clean, green electricity can be generated without having to access large amounts of real estate or roof space on buildings.
Reducing Healthcare's Billion Dollar Burden
Zychem Technologies Pty Ltd - UPPER COOMERA - www.zychem.net
This company is intent on developing new delivery systems for chlorine dioxide to lower hospital acquired infections. They believe this to be the foundation of an international healthcare business based in Queensland.
Davidson-Hill Venturi Water Turbine
Tidal Energy Pty Ltd - PALM BEACH - www.tidalenergy.com.au
Tidal Energy has developed a world leading hydro kinetic water turbine capable of producing electrical power from water currents in oceans, tides and rivers.
A full list of winners can be viewed here.
