The Australian, together with Shell, is once again calling on the next generation of budding inventors and emerging talent to enter the Australian Innovation Challenge for 2015.
Championing local innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, the challenge provides a platform for both professionals and everyday Australians alike, to showcase their bright ideas.
Now in its fifth year, The Australian Innovation Challenge is driving industry discovery and development through to commercialisation or adoption across five professional categories, one general public category and one young innovator category.
Last year, local Duffys Forest resident, Julian Malnic, won the Minerals and Energy category with his submission – the Direct Nickel process, a new method to process ores of nickel – demonstrating great innovation with a far-reaching and direct commercial focus.
“I was surprised how hugely moved I was to receive the award,” said Mr Malnic.
“Winning the Australian Innovation Challenge has helped give me valuable profile in the US where I am now a director at Deep Space Industries (DSI), a start-up space utility company in Silicon Valley. DSI is developing the technical capabilities to use indigenous asteroid resources, such as water, metals and propellant – out there in space.
“In our work for NASA we are path-finding technologies and strategies for using these resources as an alternative to resources lifted from the surface of Earth.”
The category for Minerals and Energy asks entrants to showcase innovation in minerals and energy exploration, extraction and processing. It includes advances in sustainable energy production and the deployment of platform technologies.
“Entries for the 2015 awards have now opened and we’re excited to be able shine a spotlight on the incredible ideas and creativity which drive this country,” said Shell Country Chair in Australia, Andrew Smith.
“Innovation is crucially important to us here at Shell, and as global demand for energy continues to rise, human ingenuity will be even more important to unlocking the energy needed today and in the future.”
The challenge honours excellence in each field with some of Australia’s brightest talents presented with an exciting share of $65,000 in prize money.
The categories for 2015 are:
Environment, Agriculture and Food
Minerals and Energy
Manufacturing, Construction and Infrastructure
Health
Education and Community Services
Backyard Innovation
Young Innovator
The challenge not only provides candidates with a platform to showcase their innovation, but also an encouraging environment to collaborate with industry, government and the community. Each year, entrants reap the benefits of the awards including publicity, prestige and prize money.
Entries close at midnight on Monday, September 7, 2015. For further information and entry details, please visit: theaustralian.com.au/innovationchallenge
Check the 2015 Where to Invest in Mining Report! http://eepurl.com/bu_R7v