KiwiNet Awards 2014

Titanium Technologies New Zealand (TiTeNZ), the winner of the AJ Park Commercialisation Collaboration Award, is a collaboration between the University of Waikato, Callaghan Innovation, GNS Science, Auckland University, the Titanium Industry Development Association (TIDA) and a number of industry partners. TiTeNZ was established with the goal of developing a world-class platform in titanium powder metallurgy that would in turn become a multi-company, multi-sector manufacturing base for advanced technology products and export-focused technology enterprises.

Group Manager of Callaghan Innovation, Ian Brown, and Chair of the Titanium Advisory Panel, Jon Mayson, explain the goals of TiTeNZ and why it offers exciting opportunities for New Zealand companies.

Point of interest
Within 2 years, the collaboration has already resulted in the commercialisation of several new technologies. These include:

• design through to export of a firearm suppressor patented and manufactured by TiDA in partnership with Oceania Defence Ltd, using 3D printing techniques

• export sales of a new titanium alloy crew safety knife manufactured in collaboration between TiDA, Page Macrae and Victory Knives, for use by the Team New Zealand America’s Cup syndicate

• successful demonstration of a proof of concept ion beam coating process for cleaning and pre-treatment of metal surfaces by GNS Science. The technology is now integrated within the daily operation of Page Macrae Engineering, enabling improved quality, appearance and performance of titanium alloy coatings.

Titanium Technologies New Zealand (TiTeNZ), the winner of the AJ Park Commercialisation Collaboration Award, is a collaboration between the University of Waikato, Callaghan Innovation, GNS Science, Auckland University, the Titanium Industry Development Association (TIDA) and a number of industry partners. TiTeNZ was established with the goal of developing a world-class platform in titanium powder metallurgy that would in turn become a multi-company, multi-sector manufacturing base for advanced technology products and export-focused technology enterprises.

Group Manager of Callaghan Innovation, Ian Brown, and Chair of the Titanium Advisory Panel, Jon Mayson, explain the goals of TiTeNZ and why it offers exciting opportunities for New Zealand companies.

Point of interest
Within 2 years, the collaboration has already resulted in the commercialisation of several new technologies. These include:

• design through to export of a firearm suppressor patented and manufactured by TiDA in partnership with Oceania Defence Ltd, using 3D printing techniques

• export sales of a new titanium alloy crew safety knife manufactured in collaboration between TiDA, Page Macrae and Victory Knives, for use by the Team New Zealand America’s Cup syndicate

• successful demonstration of a proof of concept ion beam coating process for cleaning and pre-treatment of metal surfaces by GNS Science. The technology is now integrated within the daily operation of Page Macrae Engineering, enabling improved quality, appearance and performance of titanium alloy coatings.

TB Eradication and Research Manager for Tbfree New Zealand Paul Livingstone and Landcare Research scientist Bruce Warburton discuss their collaboration to address the problem of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in the dairy, beef and deer industries.

Bovine TB is one of the largest commercial biothreats for primary industries, with a risk of bovine TB being transmitted to livestock from wild possum populations in about 40% of the country. The partnership has been a major contributor of innovative strategies and technologies that has seen a significant reduction – more than 95% since 1994 – in the number of infected herds. In time, this will greatly reduce the $80 million per annum cost of keeping bovine TB at the very low levels needed to help maximize access to premium markets for our primary produce valued at around $20 billion per annum.

TB Eradication and Research Manager for Tbfree New Zealand Paul Livingstone and Landcare Research scientist Bruce Warburton discuss their collaboration to address the problem of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in the dairy, beef and deer industries.

Bovine TB is one of the largest commercial biothreats for primary industries, with a risk of bovine TB being transmitted to livestock from wild possum populations in about 40% of the country. The partnership has been a major contributor of innovative strategies and technologies that has seen a significant reduction – more than 95% since 1994 – in the number of infected herds. In time, this will greatly reduce the $80 million per annum cost of keeping bovine TB at the very low levels needed to help maximize access to premium markets for our primary produce valued at around $20 billion per annum.

Alistair Jerrett (Science Group Leader, Plant & Food Research) won the Researcher Entrepreneur Award for his work with Precision Seafood Harvesting (PSH). PSH were also the winners of the People’s Choice Supreme Award. Alistair and Plant & Food Research General Manager Danette Olsen talk about the work to find new ways to harvest fish commercially – techniques that are humane, avoid bycatch of smaller fish and deliver fish that are rested and in excellent condition.

Point of interest: Precision Seafood Harvesting is a consortium of Plant & Food Research, the Ministry for Primary Industries and industry partners.

Alistair Jerrett (Science Group Leader, Plant & Food Research) won the Researcher Entrepreneur Award for his work with Precision Seafood Harvesting (PSH). PSH were also the winners of the People’s Choice Supreme Award. Alistair and Plant & Food Research General Manager Danette Olsen talk about the work to find new ways to harvest fish commercially – techniques that are humane, avoid bycatch of smaller fish and deliver fish that are rested and in excellent condition.

Point of interest: Precision Seafood Harvesting is a consortium of Plant & Food Research, the Ministry for Primary Industries and industry partners.

Associate Professor Iain Anderson is Group Leader for the Biomimetics Laboratory and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Auckland. Iain and StretchSense CEO Dr Benjamin O’Brien explain the development and commercialisation of their artificial muscle technology – a stretchable capacitive sensor. While artificial muscle technology has been around for some time, Iain and his team have further developed the technology, creating an innovative new product for the market – a stretchable capacitive sensor that measures body motion.

Associate Professor Iain Anderson is Group Leader for the Biomimetics Laboratory and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Auckland. Iain and StretchSense CEO Dr Benjamin O’Brien explain the development and commercialisation of their artificial muscle technology – a stretchable capacitive sensor. While artificial muscle technology has been around for some time, Iain and his team have further developed the technology, creating an innovative new product for the market – a stretchable capacitive sensor that measures body motion.

Professor Ian Yule of Massey University and C-Dax Innovations manager Rob Murray explain the Pasture Meter – a crop and pasture-sensing tool that was developed by Massey University and commercialised by C-Dax. The precision technology is a tow-along device developed to enable better feed budgeting on farms.

Professor Ian Yule of Massey University and C-Dax Innovations manager Rob Murray explain the Pasture Meter – a crop and pasture-sensing tool that was developed by Massey University and commercialised by C-Dax. The precision technology is a tow-along device developed to enable better feed budgeting on farms.

Professor Ian Yule, Massey University, is interested in precision agriculture sensing. He has developed a number of tools for the market. Here, Ian and Massey University, Commercialisation and IP Manager Russell Wilson talk about an aerial mapping solution for pasture and crop sensing. This aerial mapping technology not only looks at protein and energy available in pastures but can also be used in aerial fertiliser application.

Professor Ian Yule, Massey University, is interested in precision agriculture sensing. He has developed a number of tools for the market. Here, Ian and Massey University, Commercialisation and IP Manager Russell Wilson talk about an aerial mapping solution for pasture and crop sensing. This aerial mapping technology not only looks at protein and energy available in pastures but can also be used in aerial fertiliser application.

Fred Samandari and Graeme Woodward from the Wireless Research Centre (WRC) at the University of Canterbury explain their successful collaboration with Tait Communications, combining forces in the development of technology in LTE broadband, narrowband mobile radio, coverage extension, enhanced reliability and situational awareness.

These technologies are especially useful for situations, such as natural disasters, where communication infrastructure might have been lost. This partnership has raised the capability of both organisations. WRC has boosted its research and student capability, putting graduates in a prime position to take up formal employment at Tait, and Tait has expanded its business into new markets. This successful collaboration between research and business was recognised with the Minter Ellison Rudd Watts Research and Business Partnership Award. With this award, KiwiNet recognises that a strong working relationship between business and a research organisation can be of significant commercial value to New Zealand.

Jennifer Boggis, Director Heilala Vanilla, and Associate Professor Marie Wong from Massey University discuss their collaboration to develop new value-added vanilla products from Heilala vanilla. There is considerable potential for companies to earn more from food exports by developing higher-value products in New Zealand. Innovation is needed to develop new product ideas. The Heilala collaboration with Massey University has allowed Heilala to research and develop further value-added products, such as a vanilla paste, for their international market.

Jennifer Boggis, Director Heilala Vanilla, and Associate Professor Marie Wong from Massey University discuss their collaboration to develop new value-added vanilla products from Heilala vanilla. There is considerable potential for companies to earn more from food exports by developing higher-value products in New Zealand. Innovation is needed to develop new product ideas. The Heilala collaboration with Massey University has allowed Heilala to research and develop further value-added products, such as a vanilla paste, for their international market.

Graham Stuart, CEO of Sealord, and researcher Alistair Jerrett from Plant & Food Research discuss the development of a modular fish harvesting system for deepsea fishing. The system aims for better deepsea commercial harvesting of fish while minimising bycatch. Alistair Jerrett won the Researcher Entrepreneur Award, and the Precision Seafood Harvesting (PSH) group won the People’s Choice Award.

Graham Stuart, CEO of Sealord, and researcher Alistair Jerrett from Plant & Food Research discuss the development of a modular fish harvesting system for deepsea fishing. The system aims for better deepsea commercial harvesting of fish while minimising bycatch. Alistair Jerrett won the Researcher Entrepreneur Award, and the Precision Seafood Harvesting (PSH) group won the People’s Choice Award.

Dr Max Suckling, Science Group Leader at Plant & Food Research, and John Read, Managing Director of Etec Crop Solutions, talk about their collaboration on a pheromone-based insecticide. The insecticide – 4Play – has resulted in residue-free apples and a subsequent opening up of the international apple market for New Zealand-based growers.

Dr Max Suckling, Science Group Leader at Plant & Food Research, and John Read, Managing Director of Etec Crop Solutions, talk about their collaboration on a pheromone-based insecticide. The insecticide – 4Play – has resulted in residue-free apples and a subsequent opening up of the international apple market for New Zealand-based growers.

The winners of the Commercial Deal Award were GlycoSyn and Callaghan Innovation for their work on kifunensine – a crucial ingredient in the manufacture of an enzyme replacement therapy. Paul Benjes and Tony Davidson (GlycoSyn and Callaghan Innovation) described how GlycoSyn developed and patented a manufacturing process for kifunensine. Kifunensine is used in enzyme replacement therapy, and it is also being developed for possible use in vaccines.

The winners of the Commercial Deal Award were GlycoSyn and Callaghan Innovation for their work on kifunensine – a crucial ingredient in the manufacture of an enzyme replacement therapy. Paul Benjes and Tony Davidson (GlycoSyn and Callaghan Innovation) described how GlycoSyn developed and patented a manufacturing process for kifunensine. Kifunensine is used in enzyme replacement therapy, and it is also being developed for possible use in vaccines.