Grants reward WA innovators

24/7/00
Thirteen innovative Western Australian businesses have each been given $50,000 to help them develop new technologies.
The State Government grants will be used for a wide range of projects, from developing wool-based insulation batts to breeding fish suitable for aquariums and developing a hand-held computer navigation system.
Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan said the broad range of projects was indicative of the extent of research and development being undertaken by WA firms.
"There is a strong culture of research in WA industry, which is reflected in the range of topics covered in the applications for these grants," Mr Cowan said.
"Since 1993 the State Government has given $4.3 million to support 93 different projects under the Western Australian Innovation Support Scheme."
Successful applicants for Round 12 of the WAISS grants are:
Vearncombe & Associates Pty Ltd, Fremantle.
Development of three-dimensional spatial analysis software for 3-D analysis relating to mineral resources, petroleum, environment, fisheries and other disciplines.
Sea-Struct Pty Ltd, North Fremantle.
To design, fabricate and trial a new concept in stabilisation mattress for submarine pipelines and cables.
AGFECS, Benger.
Development of an electronic milk meter with greater than 95 per cent accuracy featuring a stainless steel container with polycarbonate visual panel and a digital readout.
Fairclough Corporation, Carramar.
To develop a high resolution ultrasonic rail flaw detection system to detect transverse cracks near the surface of railheads. It will supplement traditional rail flaw detection systems.
Southern Wools Pty Ltd, Esperance.
Establishment of the commercial viability of combining wool and cellulose to produce a batt ready for the insulation market.
Navx Systems Pty Ltd, St James.
Fabricate and trial a portable hand-held computer system for navigation and data acquisition in hot and harsh environments.
Netsource, East Perth.
To develop the Prospector Client Management System to operate on the Microsoft Exchange 2000 system to be released later in the year.
Magellan Powertronics Pty Ltd, O'Connor.
To develop an intelligent corrosion protection system for use in oil fields, pipelines, offshore platforms, jetties, ships and other submerged sea structures.
Perth Bone and Tissue Bank, Nedlands.
To implant insoluble bone gelatin isolated from human bones into sites of bone transplantation to improve the use of bone allografts.
Agtech International Pty Ltd, Welshpool.
Build, test and trial a globally directional fluid spray head combined with a hydraulic jib arm to provide a fully integrated mobile spraying platform.
Rick Scoones and Associates, Claremont.
To establish the physical and chemical environment for clownfish, anemone fish and bangaai cardinal fish so they can be bred in captivity and sold to the aquarium market.
Peko Rehabilitation Project Pty Ltd, Nedlands.
Project to select a salt-tolerant mixed bacterial culture to optimise conditions for low-capital in-situ leaching technology for oxidation of tailings to recover cobalt, copper and gold.
Tri-Med International Pty Ltd, Osborne Park.
Development of a home-test kit for the ulcer-causing bacterium Helicobacter Pylori.
Media contact: Peter Jackson 9222 9595