The companies and their projects, each receiving $70,400 in COMET funds, include:

• Ultramotive Technologies has developed electric motor technology for motor vehicles that eliminates the need for gear boxes and transmissions. It has an exceptional torque-to-weight ratio and is also a motor option for wind turbines.




• Biofiba has developed a biodegradable simulated timber product made of natural renewable resources as an alternative for export shipping pallets.




• Elemental Energy Technologies has developed an underwater turbine for electricity generation from ocean currents, ocean tides and flowing rivers. The SeaUrchin operates in the widest range of flow rates and locations, offers multiple deployment options and is about half the cost of its closest competitors to manufacture and install.




• iPour has developed an integrated remote bulk storage beverage dispensing and management system. iPOUR provide the hospitality industry with advanced beverage dispensing systems that pay for themselves in 6 – 9 months, from the increased profit on existing sales.




• Imallestate has developed a product that services the internet user more efficiently by matching their search terms with a profile of who they are and their behaviour to find what they seek quickly.




• Ph.Art Gallery has developed a web based digital image management company. The portal allows large volumes of imagery to be managed with ease in a highly visual manner.




• BusinessHQ has developed a Software as a Service (SaaS) web based, hosted, quality management solution with fully integrated modules and defined work flows for controlling many of the quality management processes, detailed in the International Standard ISO9001:2008.




• Dog Leg Harrow has developed a product to benefit seed bed preparation allowing primary producers and users to level the field, return crop stubble to the soil following harvest, improving soil health through humus build up and retention of organic carbon leading to microbial nitrogen improvement.




• Soils Unlocked has developed the Soil Audit Platform, a software tool used to interpret soil test data and generate recommendations for fertiliser inputs and soil amendments.

With Commercialisation Australia – the Rudd Government’s radical new $196 million support initiative for home-grown innovation – starting on 4 January this year, the COMET program is now closed to new applications.

For Assistance with commercialisation, please feel free to contact us.

• Sensol, of Canberra, which is marketing its Sensor Mat comprising fibre-optic cable encased between two layers of material.  A control box detects any pressure or disturbance on the mat, sending a light beam alert message through the fibre to the control box. The mats are about 2m wide and vary in length up to 200m.  Several mats can be linked to cover longer distances.  They can be pegged into soft ground or held in place by bricks, planks or other building materials.
• Fabtale Productions, of Queensland, which has developed its FilmAudioBook (FAB) product. The “ebook“ platform incorporates text, film, photos, music, voice-overs and click-notes into a multimedia experience with seamless page turning and choreographed layouts. A COMET business adviser will work closely with Fabtale on its domestic and international launch later in the year.
• Isoflex Technologies International, of Queensland, which designs and manufactures engine mounting systems and vibration isolators, assisted by software that analyses vibration in vessels, vehicles and stationary plants.
• Surgical Performance Pty Ltd has developed software for surgeons to undertake self-audit of outcomes from surgical procedures. It confidentially and anonymously benchmarks their performance against industry averages and against themselves over time.
• Auditflow Pty Ltd has developed an online audit planning, management, and data repository software as a service solution. It provides a simple, cost-effective, fully compliant online solution to assist auditors to adhere to all mandatory professional and legislative requirements.

With the commencement of Commercialisation Australia, the COMET program will be closed to new applications from 1 January 2010.

These include a miniature camera providing clearer eyes for remotely controlled vehicles and a chemical-free water purifying process

Innovative companies awarded COMET grants include:

• Deepvision 3D, of Western Australia, has developed a 3D camera for remotely operated vehicles in hazardous environments such as underwater vehicles but can be applied to other tele-operated vehicles, like those in the mining and agricultural sectors. Deepvision’s design and manufacture overcome common problems like flickering images in similar cameras. [Contact: Rohan McDougall 08 9266 3370]
• Viva Blu, of New South Wales, has developed a chemical-free water treatment system which consumes half the power of standard systems significantly reducing costs.
  Science laboratories have used the technology for some time and Viva Blu’s innovative and cost-effective process makes it available for large scale applications. [Contact: Ian Maxwell 02 8090 1760]
• TM Organics, of South Australia, has developed an online tool to help farmers and producers meet organic compliance standards for certification at both the start-up stage and managing annual certification by guiding the producer through compliance requirements. [Contact: Doug Adamson 0418 959 699].

For a list of COMET click here.

With the commencement of Commercialisation Australia, the COMET program will be closed to new applications from 1 January 2010. It will continue to be available to customers who lodge completed applications prior to closure and customers with ongoing COMET grants.

To discuss your Commercialisation Australia project, feel free to contact us

Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, announced the latest COMET Government grants today.

An organic pesticide for the control of powdery mildew, probably the most common plant disease, is one of 52 projects nationally to share $3.6 million in Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET) funding to help commercialise their innovations.

Biofirst Pty Ltd received a $70,400 COMET grant to develop its organically derived control for powdery mildew.

The pesticide, called SBI, will control other diseases and soft bodied insects such as aphids on plants and food crops. The advantage of SBI technology is that effective control of the pathogens can be achieved with a very low level of plant toxicity, and with no withholding period, allowing it to be used on sensitive crops and right up to harvest.

COMET is helping great Australian innovations gain a foothold in the marketplace, boosting the economy and supporting high-wage, high-skill jobs.

Among the other projects to receive a $70,400 COMET grant are:

• an extract from the bark of a tree native to northern Australia, that may provide relief from pain and inflammation, developed by Avexis Pty Ltd, of Queensland.
• a self-supporting roofing system that can freely span up to 12 metres for curved applications, developed by, of Western Australia.
• a tool that uses laser lights to measure levels at construction sites, saving builders time and leading to more accurate measurements developed by Steffco Pty Ltd, of Queensland.

The COMET program is one of more than 30 business programs delivered by AusIndustry. A list of the grants announced today can be found here.