Our Technologies
Outstanding research is the basis of the university's performance in world rankings.
In 2018, JCU research was rated world-class or above in 83% of research fields, up from 78% in 2015#. This included the highest possible rating of well above world standard in 8 research areas and world standard or above in another 30 research areas.
Research projects
Explore the links below to discover our current research:
Theme 1 - Technology
Stephanie Baker - 2019 JCU 3MT Finals
JCU 3MT finalist, Stephanie Baker presenting 'Revolutionising Healthcare with Wearables: For Premature Babies & Beyond
Narrowband Internet-of-Things (NB-IoT) Interface for 5G Communication Networks
Experts estimate that the IoT will consist of about 30 billion objects by 2020 and that the global market value of IoT will reach $7.1 trillion by 2020.
Rapid Assessment Technology for Fruits, Vegetables and Seafoods
A new non-invasive, non-destructive testing method on automated grading/sorting machines with different produce, including seafood, vegetables and fruit, to determine internal damage.
Theme 2 - Engineering
Rockfield Technologies
See how Rockfield Technologies evolved at JCU over 20 years ago and now collaborate with the University to solve problems in the Advance Sensor Technology space.
Waste Management and Energy Conversion through Microwave Pyrolysis
Pyrolysis significantly reduces total waste volume by converting solid waste and sludge into biochar that could be used for energy recovery and other uses.
Circular Economy of Phosphorus and Nitrogen
Proper management of phosphorus is fundamental to achieve and maintain food security. Phosphorus and nitrogen removal using low-cost adsorbents is considered as a potential environmentally friendly solution for nutrient recovery.
High Value Carbon Based Materials
Biochar has many applications such as contaminant adsorbent, fertiliser, soil ameliorant and can be used for energy production. To increase the interest of these products new value-added applications have to be developed.
3D Printing of Hybrid Rocket Fuel
Using 3D printing techniques, it is possible to create far more complex ‘hybrid’ rocket motor, which utilises gaseous oxygen being fed through the longitudinal combustion chamber of a solid fuel cell.
Theme 3 - Science
Jacob Westaway - 2019 JCU 3MT Finals
JCU 3MT Finalist, Jacob Westaway presenting 'Discovering The Faceal Microbiome Associated with Preterm Birth'
Biotin Protein Ligase as Protein: DNA Connecting System
Ec BirA is a new protein:DNA linking system and JCU's proof-of-concept application in quantitative immuno‑PCR (qIPCR). This technology can also be used to create bispecific antibodies.
Novel Drug Targets & Cell Line for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with very poor survival and is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. New and innovative therapies for HCC are urgently required.
Hyperstable Vaccines
Technology platform for vaccine design useful for multiple indications in infectious diseases, cancer, & autoimmunity. Proof of concept demonstrated with a potentially universal oral influenza vaccine candidate.
Dendritic Cell Immunomodulator Screening Assay
The screening platform identifies compounds that modulate dendritic cell function, for drug discovery in cancer immunotherapy, autoimmunity, allergies, infectious diseases & transplant rejection.
Wound Healing Peptide
Poor wound healing after trauma, surgery, acute illness, or chronic disease conditions affects millions of people worldwide each year. It is critical to develop a better wound dressing material that can promote local tissue regeneration.
Genome-based Malaria Vaccine
Malaria is a mosquito-borne parasitic infection caused by Plasmodia. There are five species that cause the disease, of which P. falciparum and P. vivax are considered the greatest threat. There is a global public health need for a vaccine.
Zinc & Copper Biosensor
Researchers have developed a low cost, easy to use fluorescence-based Zinc & Copper sensing reagent that can be deployed on a real-time thermal cycler.