TechVouchers

What was approved

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REQUESTED START DATE IS 31/01/26 (detailed in the Project Plan and the Activity Payment Plan). The outcome of this project is the development of an innovative smart plug solution compatible with the Power Line Communication (PLC) protocol. This smart plug will be positioned between household electrical loads—such as hot water systems, washing machines, and dishwashers—and the home grid, enabling seamless monitoring and intelligent operation to optimise energy consumption, reduce costs, and promote sustainability.

$50,000 was approved by

Date approved

About the grant

TechVouchers

Program term

What was approved

Polyspine is a lightweight, portable torso and head support system. Designed for individuals with temporary or permanent physical disabilities—such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or spinal cord injury—Polyspine enhances mobility and supports engagement in physical activities. The system features a modular, injection-moulded design that balances adjustability with affordability and has been well received by users with typical physical support needs. For patients with more complex requirements, BMTA would like to explore the potential of 3D printing to replace the standard lateral supports in the Polyspine system with bespoke components tailored to individual anatomies. This approach aims to deliver a highly customisable solution for users with severe physical disabilities. During this project, UTS Rapido will lead the design for additive manufacturing activities and develop an initial prototype of the Polyspine, with customised lateral supports, ready for production in the Protospace facility. These prototypes will enable the evaluation of overall system efficacy and support BMTA’s ongoing discussions with investors and suppliers.

$50,000 was approved by

Date approved

Location of the project

Location of the recipient

About the grant

TechVouchers

Program term

What was approved

This project aims to develop an intelligent matching, scheduling, and dispatching system that will be integrated into the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform owned by Intelligent System Australia Pty Ltd. Many restaurant businesses currently rely on multiple third-party delivery platforms facing high commission rates and inefficient multi-platform order management. At the same time, a large proportion of their customers are located within a short distance and do not require costly delivery services. This project seeks to address these challenges by enabling restaurants to better utilise in-house and external delivery resources and optimise assignments using intelligent algorithms. The project will be carried out in collaboration with the Dr Wei Bao’s team at University of Sydney, combining the company’s experience in CRM system development with the University’s expertise in optimisation and scheduling. The outcome will be an intelligent scheduling and dispatching engine, which will be integrated into the existing CRM system and made available to restaurant clients. The enhanced platform will improve restaurant efficiency, reduce operational costs, and support the sustainable growth of Australia’s small and micro food businesses.

$22,000 was approved by

Date approved

Location of the recipient

About the grant

TechVouchers

Program term

What was approved

With the closure of Australia’s automotive sector a decade ago, Australia has effectively lost its aluminium recycling and manufacturing capabilities. This project aims to reverse this by re-invigorating the ability of Australia to transform its 467,664 tons of aluminum waste in high value commodities through innovation. Hydrogien, an Australian SME, has developed methods to convert aluminium scrap into hydrogen and alumina, yielding 112 Liter H2 per kg of aluminium, equating to 3.7 kWh of chemical energy. Current scrap aluminium prices suggest H2 production costs are competitive compared to green electrolysis. Furthermore, the process produces valuable alumina, which serves a growing market with applications across various industries. This project will act as a sound board to validate Hydrogien innovative waste-to-hydrogen technology enabling on-demand hydrogen production via an aluminium-water reaction. It will lay the groundwork for the demonstration of pilot systems in collaboration with end-users, assist Hydrogien in advancing its Technology Readiness Level.

$25,000 was approved by

Date approved

Location of the recipient

About the grant

TechVouchers

Program term

What was approved

This project aims to develop a novel hybrid dry shampoo with integrated sun protection, addressing the unmet need for convenient scalp UV defence in everyday personal care. The innovation lies in using alcohol-soluble polymer microparticles that combine oil-absorbing, sunscreen-releasing, and scalp-soothing functions within a single formulation. These engineered microparticles, composed of ethyl cellulose or Eudragit-based polymers, dissolve in scalp sebum to form a thin protective film, enabling controlled local release of sunscreen agents such as avobenzone and octisalate while minimising systemic absorption and hair staining. The project will be jointly undertaken by SNF Pty Ltd and the University of Sydney. The University will provide scientific expertise in microparticle engineering, characterisation, and stability testing, while SNF will lead the formulation optimisation and commercial scalability. Together, the partners aim to generate pilot data to demonstrate product feasibility, safety, and consumer acceptability, establishing a strong foundation for regulatory approval and future commercial launch. The outcome of this project will be a proof-of-concept formulation platform with potential applications beyond haircare, including sunscreen lotions, scalp treatments, and protective skincare, contributing to innovation in Australia’s cosmeceutical industries.

$25,000 was approved by

Date approved

Location of the recipient

About the grant

TechVouchers

Program term