{"id":31400,"date":"2026-06-18T10:46:55","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T02:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/?post_type=media-release&p=31400"},"modified":"2026-06-18T10:46:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T02:46:58","slug":"curtinnovation-finalists-breaking-new-ground-in-health-ai-safety-and-more","status":"publish","type":"media-release","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/media-release\/curtinnovation-finalists-breaking-new-ground-in-health-ai-safety-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Curtinnovation finalists breaking new ground in health, AI, safety and more"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Rapid assessment of concussion, autonomous submarine robots and satellite navigation systems are among the benefits of 20 standout finalists in Curtin University\u2019s 2026 Curtinnovation Awards<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The annual awards recognise Curtin-led innovations with the potential to have real-world impact, with past winners including a native seaweed solution to chronic inflammation, a medical imaging solution for surgeons treating congenital heart defects and a breakthrough in synthetic graphite production for lithium-ion batteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selected from a competitive field, this year\u2019s finalists span a diverse range of sectors including health, artificial intelligence, sustainability, agriculture and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curtin University Executive Director of Commercialisation Rohan McDougall<\/a> said the breadth of submissions highlighted the University\u2019s growing strength in translating research into real-world solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis year\u2019s Curtinnovation Awards attracted an impressive range of ideas, showcasing Curtin\u2019s ability to turn ideas into practical innovations,\u201d Mr McDougall said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese awards are more than recognition \u2013 they provide a valuable platform to connect our innovators with industry, investors and partners in Western Australia and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curtin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Melinda Fitzgerald<\/a> congratulated the finalists for their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrom improving patient care to creating more sustainable industries, these finalists demonstrate the depth of talent and creativity across our University,\u201d Professor Fitzgerald said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Curtinnovation Awards celebrate the people and ideas helping to solve everyday challenges and I look forward to seeing how these innovations progress in the years ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the finalists this year is TBIScan, a portable device that uses brain activity to provide rapid and objective concussion assessment to support faster decision-making in clinical and sporting settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also shortlisted is Argus, a real-time sensing platform designed to predict and prevent collision risks in underground mining environments, helping to improve safety for workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another finalist, Velora, is a wearable breastfeeding monitor that tracks milk intake and provides feeding insights through a connected app, helping parents better understand feeding patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 CURTINNOVATION AWARDS FINALISTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AngelPhish<\/strong> \u2013 An AI-powered browser extension that helps users identify and avoid email-based scams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Argus<\/strong> \u2013 A real-time sensing platform that predicts and prevents collision risks in underground mining environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


ASTRAPOD<\/strong> \u2013 An onboard navigation system enabling small satellites to determine precise real-time orbits autonomously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Automated Detection of Drill Rig GPS Calibration Drift<\/strong> \u2013 A geospatial tool that detects drill rig positioning errors using aerial imagery and drilling data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Ai-MASS<\/strong> \u2013 An automated microalgae harvesting system using bio-based separation and AI monitoring to improve efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Biodegradable Fertilizer for Sustainable Agriculture<\/strong> \u2013 An AI-enabled nano-fertiliser that improves nutrient use and crop productivity in arid environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Concrete HealthCheck<\/strong> \u2013 A drone-mounted system that assesses concrete condition to improve maintenance and extend infrastructure life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Direct Green Lithium Extraction<\/strong> \u2013 A low-carbon method for extracting lithium without energy-intensive processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


EngageMind<\/strong> \u2013 An AI platform supporting violence prevention by connecting at-risk individuals with appropriate services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


F-QIC<\/strong> \u2013 A software platform standardising how forensic agencies classify and record critical quality issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


OncoPod<\/strong> \u2013 A home monitoring device for cancer biomarkers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


PROsectionXR<\/strong> \u2013 A virtual dissection platform enabling immersive exploration of human anatomy in 3D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Reinventing Fungicides with Programmable DNA Nanotechnology<\/strong> \u2013 Biodegradable DNA-based particles designed to protect crops from fungal disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Reformix Eco-Concrete<\/strong> \u2013 A low-carbon concrete that replaces cement with industrial by-products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Rhizobacterial Enhanced Seeds<\/strong> \u2013 Seeds coated with beneficial bacteria to reduce fertiliser use and increase yields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Rivertown<\/strong> \u2013 A simulation game helping communities and governments prepare for flood risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Solar Ocean Robot<\/strong> \u2013 A solar-powered underwater robot that can collect ocean data for extended periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


SolarTherm<\/strong> \u2013 A solar fa\u00e7ade system that turns building exteriors into renewable energy assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


TBIScan<\/strong> \u2013 A portable EEG-based device for rapid concussion assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Velora<\/strong> \u2013 A wearable breastfeeding monitor that tracks milk intake and provides feeding insights via an app.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rapid assessment of concussion, autonomous submarine robots and satellite navigation systems are among the benefits […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4457,"featured_media":31401,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","wds_primary_category":49,"wds_primary_research-areas":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[115,49,3],"tags":[],"research-areas":[],"class_list":["post-31400","media-release","type-media-release","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-awards-and-achievements","category-business-innovation-and-law","category-campus-and-global-community"],"acf":{"experts":false,"post_options":{"":null,"additional_content":{"title":"","content":"","image":false},"related_courses":[{"title":"","qualification":"","link":"","description":"","faculty":""}],"credits":{"author":"","photographer":"","media":[22646,24388]},"display_author":true,"banner":{"image":false}}},"featured_image":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_299875385-1920x500.jpeg","author_meta":{"first_name":"Sam","last_name":"Jeremic","display_name":"Samuel Jeremic"},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media-release\/31400","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media-release"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/media-release"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4457"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media-release\/31400\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31401"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31400"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31400"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31400"},{"taxonomy":"research-areas","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/research-areas?post=31400"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}