Tag Archive for: Engineering

RESEARCH IMPACT AT UWA

Advancing Nanomaterials from Lab to Market: Ablano’s Journey

September 2, 2025/in 40 - Engineering, Economy, Engineering, Computing & Mathematics, Environment, R&D Infrastructure /by Bay Walsh

Ablano, a UWA spin-out, is pioneering the commercialisation of advanced nanomaterials to replace traditional materials in high-tech industries. Backed by Professor Hui Tong Chua’s research team, Ablano transforms precursor powders into few-layer graphene and boron nitride nano onions—powders that enhance strength and act as super lubricants. Their patented lamp ablation technology and access to UWA’s cutting-edge microscopy tools have accelerated progress. With a pilot facility, international patents, and nearly $4 million raised, Ablano is targeting aviation-grade lubricants and broader applications. Their collaborative model with UWA researchers exemplifies how open-access infrastructure can drive innovation from lab to market.

Safer, cheaper offshore pipelines for oil and gas production

April 7, 2019/in 40 - Engineering, Economy, EI Case study, Engineering, Computing & Mathematics, Environment, Public policy /by Scott Mitchell

UWA researchers have developed cheaper and safer offshore pipelines to reduce the cost of building and maintenance in oil and gas infrastructure. This has been achieved via the delivery of new design paradigms that have been adopted by operators and verifiers worldwide, and which now feature in international standards for pipeline design.