Feb 18 2009
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry The Honourable Desley Boyle Tuesday, February 17, 2009 No technology too small for two Brisbane-based companies Two Queensland companies are heading to Japan tomorrow for the world's largest nanotechnology exhibition and conference held annually in Tokyo.
L to R: Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle with (L to R) Peter Talbot and Joe Duffy of the Very Small Particle Company, Darren Martin from TenasiTech, and Michiyo Matsuda from UniQuest.
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle said TenasiTech and the Very Small Particle Company (VSPC) will attend the three-day expo which begins on 18 February.
"Nano Tech 2009 is expected to attract 50,000 delegates from around the world," Ms Boyle said.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for TenasiTech and VSPC to build partnerships with international companies, form research collaborations and meet potential investors.
"Nanotechnology - an applied science focussed on design and application of materials and devices at a molecular level - is big business.
"The range of such products is vast, from cosmetics and sunscreen, to high-strength plastics and electronics.
"It is already being applied in marine, advanced manufacturing, ICT, defence, aerospace, environmental and health industries.
"Global sales of nanotechnology products are expected to exceed US$1 trillion by 2015, with the use of such technology resulting in competitive gain and value-adding."
Ms Boyle said TenasiTech and VSPC are both Brisbane-based - at the University of Queensland and at Wacol respectively.
TenasiTech representative Dr Darren Martin has invented a unique nanomaterial with diverse applications across sporting equipment, biomedical devices and the mining industry.
"Establishing international commercial links are very important, so representation at Nano Tech 2009 will be valuable," Dr Martin said.
"Our nanomaterial can be used in anything from golf balls to running shoes to make stronger, lighter sporting products, it makes tougher insulation in biomedical devices, and industrial applications in the mining industry boost anti-wear and durability."
Very Small Particle Company Director Peter Talbot said the company's work on energy materials used in rechargeable batteries will have wide-ranging benefits for industry and consumers.
" VSPC manufactures nano-scale lithium iron phosphate for batteries that last seven years, charge in minutes and are safe and environmentally friendly," Mr Talbot said.
"These can be used in everything from electric cars to notebook computers and mobile phones, so the opportunity to meet potential investors at Nano Tech 2009 is a very welcome one."
The Queensland Government has invested in nano-technology research and development infrastructure, supporting research that provides benefits for business, the environment and society.