A $10.8 million funding boost from the Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) Ignite Round 2 program will support 26 University of Melbourne projects, helping researchers turn innovative technologies into market-ready solutions with industry partners.
The projects span a range of sectors aligned with the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas, from novel treatments for health conditions such as diabetes, endometriosis and Crohn's disease, to construction waste management, agricultural tracking and manufacturing.
University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Mark Cassidy said the breadth of these projects demonstrates the University's commitment to advancing applications which address real-world challenges and have the potential to transform industries.
"These AEA grants are pivotal in accelerating the journey from innovative research to commercial reality and significant impact for our society," Professor Cassidy said.
"They enable our researchers to work closely with industry partners, transforming cutting-edge ideas into market-ready solutions that address pressing national and global challenges.
"This funding not only supports the commercialisation of groundbreaking technologies but also strengthens Australia's position as a leader in research-driven innovation across healthcare, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing sectors."
The successful projects include:
Australia's first fully integrated bionic arm solution
Dr Alireza Mohammadi, from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, is developing a next-generation bionic arm. The device integrates an AI-powered system for sensing muscle movements, a quick-fit adjustable socket that adapts as children grow, and the lightweight 3D-printed X-Limb prosthetic hand.
The technology has the potential to transform the lives of people with upper limb loss, giving them greater independence and reducing costs for families and the healthcare system, particularly in low-income countries and war-affected areas where prosthetics are rarely available.
- Project name: Next-Generation AI-Powered Bionic Arms Empowering Individuals with Upper Limb Loss
- Partner organisations: The Royal Children's Hospital, The Aussie Hands Foundation Inc, Meablex Pty Ltd, Capgemini Australia Pty Ltd
L to R: Warren Overton, CEO of R2Crete, and Dr Tuan Nguyen, with a sample of low-carbon, circular concrete.
Advancing circular construction through concrete recycling
Dr Tuan Nguyen, from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, is developing and testing a new process to transform waste concrete into high-quality materials that can be used for making new concrete.
By reducing landfill, virgin material use and carbon emissions, the project will support a circular economy, scalable industry adoption, and Australia's Net Zero goals.
- Project name: Validation of Advanced Concrete Recycling for Circular Construction
- Partner organisations: R2CRETE Pty Ltd, Arup, National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO)
A cancer cell (blue) being attacked by cancer-killing T cells (yellow). The small fragments on the cancer cell are apoptotic bodies, showing that the cancer cell is breaking apart and dying as a result of the immune attack.
Boosting immune-based cancer therapy using COVID-19 vaccine technology
Dr Clare Slaney, from the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, is leading a project that will develop a new cancer immunotherapy by establishing a scalable method to manufacture dual-specific T cells. These engineered cells recognise tumour cells and are activated by an Australian-produced COVID vaccine which drives their rapid expansion and enhances tumour-killing activity.
This innovative approach aims to allow controlled boosting of therapeutic T cells, offering a more targeted and effective treatment option for cancer patients.
- Project name: COVID-19 Vaccine-Boosted CAR T Cells for Solid Tumours
- Partner organisations: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Sementis Ltd, University of South Australia
AEA Ignite grants support early-stage research commercialisation through competitive grants of up to $500,000 for a period of 12 months. These grants are available for researchers at Australian universities to complete laboratory testing and establish proof-of-concept in an industry-relevant environment.
For a complete list of all AEA Ignite Round 2 recipients, visit the Australian Government website.
