Micro Solar Collector
Architecture and the building sector not only account for 50 per cent of the world’s energy consumption, they also consume 50 per cent of its resources and create 40 per cent of the world’s waste. This highlights the need for innovative solutions to both energy consumption and the use of materials in construction.
With the support of the University of Otago Partnering for Innovation team, Andrew Wallace, a professional practice fellow from the Department of Design Studies has developed a cheap, efficient, practical and sustainable method for heating water. Wallace’s micro solar device uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight on to absorbers that heat water. This project was initially evaluated this project through the Partnering for Innovation Summer Student Programme. Partnering for Innovation saw the potential in Wallace’s design and invested in the project to enable construction of the first prototype. This investment covered materials for construction and salary buy-out to enable Wallace to construct the prototype.
The micro solar collector has been chosen to power Victoria University’s sustainable housing competition entry, led by Tobias Danielmeier, for the prestigious Solar Decathlon 2011, held in Washington DC.
The biennial research challenge was set up by the US Department of Energy in 2002, showcasing and testing new technologies that promise a demonstrable benefit for society. The challenge is limited to 20 universities worldwide with only four universities outside of the US being accepted for entry: Tongji University, China; Ghent University, Belgium; University of Calgary, Canada; and Victoria University, New Zealand. New Zealand’s entry is the competition’s first Australasian submission.
This event is an opportunity to rethink the role of energy-efficient housing in both a local and global context. Wallace’s work will be closely scrutinised by the architecture and building sector, and has potential to be picked up for use in the domestic housing industry. Partnering for Innovation support was crucial in getting this project underway.
Large Sample DNA Extractor
Since the discovery of DNA, there have been countless innovations based on DNA analysis, ranging from forensics to paternity testing. One of the key steps for any DNA-based technique is the extraction of the DNA from the medium concerned. Extraction of DNA can be a very difficult process and to date, focus has been on extraction from very small samples of matter.
A method for the semi-continuous extraction of DNA from large samples (up to 1500 ml) of material was developed. To determine the market validity of such a technology, the DNA extractor concept was put through the inaugural Venture Out programme, run at Lincoln University. During Venture Out, a team of students was asked to identify the technology's opportunities across a range of markets and to build a business case for the process. The students carried out market research and customer interviews and helped to validate the large sample DNA extraction market. A number of opportunities were identified, including DNA extraction from soil - a notoriously complex material that requires large quantities to be analysed for results to be useful. Following the Venture Out work, a company (Lasadex Ltd) has been formed, capital has been raised through powerHouse, Canterbury's specialist technology investment house, to fund the early stage commercialisation work of the extraction technology and a Lasadex/powerHouse Team has begun the process of securing a customer trial and designing prototype equipment.
Climbing Robot Inspector
Commercialisation of University of Canterbury Research is climbing to new heights with development of a prototype inspection robot. Climbing robot technology developed by Professor XiaoQi Chen in the Mechanical Engineering department is to be used for reducing costs and hazards associated with inspection of stainless steel tanks.
The core technology behind the climbing robot is the Non Contact Adhesion Pad, a suction cup that adheres to surfaces without touching them. These pads are capable of adhering to a wide range of surfaces such as brick, concrete, plastic, glass, metals and wood. By incorporating this technology into a remote control vehicle a versatile climbing robot can be built.
Commercial possibilities for the technology were identified by students attending an éntre workshop sponsored by Bright Ideas. Through contact with potential customers the student entrepreneurs identified a strong value proposition for the use of climbing robots during inspection and testing of industrial plant. The problems with existing industrial inspection methods – risk of injury, equipment requirements, time requirements, limited accuracy, poor repeatability and labour cost – can be reduced or eliminated through the use of a climbing robot.
Following the workshop, Bright Ideas funded two rounds of market research and customer interaction with the goal of developing a product specification. The project has now received funding from the Pre-Seed Accelerator Fund (PSAF) to take the technology from the lab to a market proven prototype. The application was granted in January and provides 12 months funding to build and test a prototype climbing robot inspector.
Two large customers have been engaged and are eager to trial the technology, development work is proceeding in the Mechanical Engineering Department under the oversight of the Research and Innovation Department with trials expected to start during the second half of 2010. The number of possible applications for this technology is very large. Bright Ideas funding has been instrumental in changing robotics research into an exciting commercial venture.