Four QUT research teams have received funding totalling $1.05 million from the first round of seed grants by the Australia’s Economic Accelerator initiative.
These grants will accelerate the commercialisation of QUT research projects in the areas of gut microbiome modulator screening, sustainably sourced carbon, zeolite technology, and cost-effective manufacturing of cannabinoids.
A Queensland research team has received $180,041 for the project titled Development of a mini-gut reactor system for functional screening of gut microbiome modulators.
The gut microbial community plays a crucial role in maintaining gut health and treating gut-related diseases.
The project, led by Professor Yi-Chin Toh from the QUT School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, is a collaborative effort between the Centre for Biomedical Technologies and the Centre for Microbiome Research. It aims to provide a more efficient and accurate experimental testing platform to reduce the time taken to functionally test gut microbiome products.
The team includes QUT researchers Professor Toh, Dr Louis Ong, and Professor Gene Tyson and industry partner Microba Life Sciences Ltd.
A Queensland research team has received $384,271 to advance the sustainable production of hard carbon materials derived from agricultural waste for use in sodium-ion batteries, marking a major milestone in the quest for environmentally friendly energy solutions with reduced carbon footprint.
The project, led by Professor Deepak Dubal from the QUT School of Chemistry and Physics, aims to scale-up batch production technology of battery-grade hard carbon materials for use in full sodium ion pouch cells which match or better the performance of currently available commercial cells.
By harnessing agricultural waste, a substantial and often underutilized resource, researchers aim to develop hard carbon materials that are not only high-performing but also environmentally responsible.
The research team includes industry partner Sparc Technologies Ltd.
A research team has received $288,977 for the project titled Value Adding Natural Zeolite Resources: Enhanced Anaerobic Digestion for Biogas Production and Nutrient Management.
The project, led by Professor Graeme Millar from the QUT School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, aims to accelerate zeolite technology development to larger scale for use in anaerobic digesters to promote biogas production and recover nutrients such as ammonium, potassium and phosphate. Benefits include increased production of green energy, purification of wastewater and development of more sustainable fertilizer consumption.
The team includes QUT researcher Professor Millar, Professor Prasad Kaparaju from Griffith University and industry partner Zeolite Australia.
A research team has received $199,853 for the project titled Cost-effective advanced manufacturing of high-demand cannabinoids.
The project, led by Dr Carlos Luna-Flores from the QUT School of Biology and Environmental Science, aims to commercialise high-value minor cannabinoids through a cost-effective synthesis from plant biomass.
The team includes QUT researchers Dr Carlos Luna-Flores and Dr James Behrendorff, and the industry partner Hale Farm.
Media contact:
Rod Chester, 07 3138 9449, rod.chester@qut.edu.au
After hours: 0407 585 901, media@qut.edu.au
