UQ secures $4.45m for research and commercialisation projects

University of Queensland researchers have secured more than $4.45 million from Australia's Economic Accelerator Ignite program (Round 1) to advance research and commercialisation in national priority areas.  

The funding will support UQ 12 projects in sectors such as medical science, renewables, and agriculture. 

UQ was third in Australia for the number of projects funded, with 155 grants awarded to 28 universities in this round. 

Grant recipients and project summaries 

• Dr Karl Bertling - technology using quantum cascade laser imaging to detect early skin cancer. 

• Dr Peng Chen - lead-free perovskite solar cells to create more affordable and eco-friendly solar panels. 

• Dr Hima Haridevan - ecofriendly materials to replace traditional synthetic polymers to help retain water in soil. 

• Ms Rachel Huang – microbes to trap sulphate-reducing bacteria for treating and recovering metals from mining affected waters. 

• Associate Professor Ruth Knibbe - printable batteries for flexible devices that use zinc ion to store and release energy. 

• Dr Yuanshen Lu - devices to transfer heat between power systems to help improve the efficiency of energy generation. 

• Dr Karishma Mody - technology to manage pests that damage crops including the cotton bollworm and western flower thrips. 

• Dr Julius Motuzas - scaling up pre-crystallisation technology for advanced compound metal manufacturing, reducing waste and contributing to zero-liquid discharge applications. 

• Professor Alan Rowan - next generation wound management product using modern technologies.   

• Dr Juliana Segura-Salazar - ore-sand as a scalable solution to reduce mineral waste and create alternative construction materials, supporting a circular economy. 

• Professor Ala Tabor - proof-of-concept vaccine trial to protect cattle from two sexually transmitted diseases. 

• Dr Zhe Yang -  technology designed to capture carbon dioxide and convert it to electricity. 

Media contact 

UQ Communications 
communications@uq.edu.au 
+61 429 056 139