A research and development and manufacturing hub based on a new generation of specialty glass products for the global science and medical equipment market was announced at the University of Adelaide.
The hub is part of a new collaboration agreement between Trajan Scientific and Medical (Trajan) and the University of Adelaide, and supported by the State Government.
The strategic collaboration will help scientists in the University’s Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) and the School of Physical Sciences commercialise their research into products that ultimately benefit human health and wellbeing.
“Trajan’s skills in advanced manufacturing - including processes and systems, quality control, and logistics – combined with our research expertise and facilities will enable transition of research outputs from the University and its partners into commercial manufacturing,” says Professor Mike Brooks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).
“This exciting collaboration will also open up new opportunities for research and accelerate the development of a significant cluster of photonics companies in South Australia,” notes Professor Brooks.
“To be able to ensure our work is applied to real-world situations is a hugely exciting outcome and it will cement our position as a global leader in light, glass and optical fibre research.”
The products have the potential to be utilised in a wide range of medical and scientific applications including genetic testing, biomarker discovery and detection, environmental analysis, food safety testing, testing for drugs of abuse and therapeutic drug monitoring.
Photonics is a key enabling technology which the State Government is encouraging local manufacturers to adopt to improve competitiveness.
The strategic partnership grew from the Photonics Catalyst Program – a joint initiative between the State Government and IPAS to build connections between South Australia’s industry and emerging laser and sensing technologies.
Key to the partnership is the presence of the Optofab Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility at the University and Health Industries South Australia.
Trajan’s focus is on developing and commercialising technologies that enable analytical systems to be more selective, sensitive and specific for biological, environmental or food related measurements - especially those that can lead to portability, miniaturisation and affordability.
[Image courtesy: Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing]