Fresher for longer is the innovation of the year

Curtin University won the WA Innovator of the Year Award last night for ethylene blocking compounds that extend the life of fruit, vegetables and flowers.

In nature, ethylene triggers ripening but also hastens ageing, shortening storage life. It is responsible for up to 50 per cent of post-harvest losses in fresh horticultural produce.

The awards, which are in their 11th year, are for innovation at the emerging or growth phase of development and demonstrate an economic, social or environmental benefit for the state.

Semi-finalists and finalists in the awards program receive mentoring, presentation training, and advice on business development and finance to help commercialise their innovations.

Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly said the program recognises companies and ideas that are reshaping our economy and creating new jobs for Western Australians.

Winners share in $145,000 of prize money. The other winners at last night’s event were:

Emerging Innovation

Safescape developed a modular cantilever wall that can stop out of control trucks from going over the edge of an open pit ramp.

Growth

Rocks Gone Pty Ltd have developed a reefinator, a towed implement that provides broad-acre farmers an economical solution to convert rocky, shallow land into deeper, productive, arable soils.

Oil and Gas Encouragement Award

Picosat Systems provide earth observation, telecommunications, positioning, navigation and timing services from low earth orbit through constellations of pico-satellites. Picosat Systems’ oil and gas remote sensing capabilities include off-shore monitoring of methane leaks from decommissioned wells, oil seepage and marine wildlife.

Designing for Excellence Encouragement Award

Onesun Pty Ltd provide Quantum, a solution for tracking, executing and optimising shutdown and maintenance operations within the mining and resources industry.

Young Innovator of the Year

A team from Como Secondary College developed TOLKA, a web and mobile application which allows anyone who can speak two or more languages to become an interpreter.