Background
Sentek Technologies manufactures scientific sensors and probes for precision measurement of soil water and mapping salinity dynamics. Primary usage is by irrigators, mining and environmental management professionals.
Sentek were developing a ‘Drill & Drop’ product but experienced issues with the materials failing earlier than expected. This led Sentek to seek expertise from UniSA and it was discovered that a researcher was working on a new type of sensor that could potentially be applied to one of Sentek’s commercial goals – selective detection of fertiliser constituents in soil.
Challenge
Through the Australian Government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme, and with the assistance of the local Innovation Connections Facilitator, Sentek accessed a Business Researcher Placement grant that enabled Sentek to place 2 of their own researchers within UniSA, working collaboratively to verify the commercial opportunity and develop a proof-of-concept implementation of the sensor.
A second Innovation Connections grant was awarded for further collaboration with UniSA. This time, a researcher from the university spent time at Sentek and at the university’s research laboratory to develop a commercial prototype, integrating the technology within Sentek’s existing sensing architecture. These projects connected Sentek with world-leading materials research at UniSA and developed new intellectual property.
Outcome
Sentek have employed new staff, internalised knowledge of materials engineering and progressing commercialisation towards releasing a patented product to market. They have been awarded research grants including a SIEF Ross Metcalf STEM+ Business Fellowship and an ARC Linkage grant for a collaboration with UniSA.
Our Collaborators
