Leaders

Using biology and electronics to improve people’s lives

Published

2 years ago

May 4, 2023

Matching the internal electrical stimulation and electronics to be able to improve people’s lives

When you think of companies leading the world in their field, the Bionics Institute is one that instantly comes to mind.

From developing medical devices and therapies that will change the lives of people living with conditions such as Alzheimer’s, to helping to create the bionic ear, the organisation has been at the forefront of medical technologies for over 30 years.

The organisation has grown so quickly – and so successfully – that it has given rise to three spin-off companies in the past six years.

“It’s a long process, you need to have very good research,” CEO Robert Klupacs told Ticker News Insight, detailing the process of how an idea goes from concept to reality.

“Once you get to the research phase, then it needs to be moved up the chain, you need to think about how you manufacture it, how to develop it, how you test it, it takes a lot of money.

“And it takes a lot of time. So research, for one of our companies was nine years of research before we could get to the commercialisation stage.

“And then it took another year to put it all together and put a company together.

“And six years later, it’s still a couple of years away from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.”

The organisation’s Chief Technological Officer and Head of Research Operations, Professor James Fallon, believes a culture of ‘failing safely’ needs to be adopted, as it is the correct approach for innovation.

“The real key is that we’ve got to be brave enough to fail,” Fallon detailed. “As with any innovation, there’s a risk of failing, I think we tend to be too conservative.

“We want to get devices into trial quickly – see if they work, and if and if they do, fantastic.

“And if they don’t, we turn around and we go again, bringing that experience back from industry in academia.”

The Bionics Institute recently completed a white paper, which revealed several key areas Australia could be doing better in order to achieve remarkable results on a world stage.

“We need to bring like-minded people together in clusters,” Klupacs continued. “Countries such as Israel, Germany, Sweden, Finland – they really support the young people from PhDs into their next phase of industry.

“In terms of the industry link with academia, people think Universities do research; Industry makes things. Actually, they should be much closer together, like in other parts of the world.

“And lastly, it’s how do we fund these things,” he said.

The Bionics Institute is holding an Innovation Lecture in Melbourne on Wednesday 17 May, 2023, bringing together med tech leaders to explore how Australia can accurately measure innovation, boost the med tech ecosystem and strengthen connections.

You can register via this link.

Leaders

AI transforms business operations and decision-making processes

AI revolutionises business operations, boosting efficiency, innovation, and decision-making while tackling complex challenges across various industries

Published

1 day ago

October 30, 2025

ticker NEWS

AI revolutionises business operations, boosting efficiency, innovation, and decision-making while tackling complex challenges across various industries

In Short:
– AI is reshaping organisations by enhancing workflows, customer engagement, and decision-making across industries.
– Companies must adopt responsible AI practices and ensure specialist knowledge within executive teams for informed decisions.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping organisational operations, improving workflows, customer engagement, and strategic decision-making across industries. Lauren Hawker-Zafer from Squirro discussed the key business challenges AI is helping to address.AI is crucial for navigating complex ecosystems. It enhances efficiency and unlocks growth opportunities. Recently, AI transitions from an advantage to essential for resilience and innovation. Squirro focuses on productivity, operational cost reduction, and unifying work processes.

Benefits of AI are measurable, driving tangible results like faster project delivery and reduced operational costs. Improved forecast accuracy and real-time predictive analytics enhance supply chain efficiency with visible impacts on customer experience.

Future Preparations

Organisations must prepare for the next AI adoption wave, with a focus on responsible AI practices. Different countries are adopting varied approaches; the US favours rapid experimentation, while the EU promotes a slower, regulated method. Understanding AI developments is essential, and having AI specialists within executive teams is increasingly important for informed decision-making.

For more information on Squirro, visit squirro.com. Their podcast, Redefining AI, provides accessible insights into AI developments and how to adopt secure, private, and scalable AI solutions in organisations.

Leaders

Cooling innovations crucial for efficient data centres

Data centres require advanced cooling solutions for efficient, sustainable operations amid rising demands from AI and high-performance computing

Published

1 week ago

October 24, 2025

Nathan Langridge

Data centres require advanced cooling solutions for efficient, sustainable operations amid rising demands from AI and high-performance computing

In Short:
– Data centres are vital for IT infrastructure, requiring innovative cooling solutions due to rising global demand.
– High-density cooling technologies, like liquid cooling, improve efficiency and sustainability in managing heat.

Advancements in data centre cooling solutions are essential as global demand rises. Effective management of heat within these facilities plays a vital role in operational efficiency and sustainability.

Lizzi Long from Interactive discusses the significance of data centres, describing them as essential digital warehouses housing organisational IT infrastructure.As demand for data centres increases, particularly with the rise of AI, new challenges arise related to cooling technologies.

Traditionally, air cooling has dominated, but the emergence of high-performance computing necessitates more innovative methods. Water cooling systems now prove to be more efficient in managing heat due to water’s superior thermal conductivity compared to air.

High-density cooling systems like direct liquid cooling and immersion cooling have emerged. Direct liquid cooling efficiently targets hotspots in servers, utilising a coolant loop to ensure energy-efficient operation.

Leaders

Smart sustainable solutions for next-gen buildings

Smart tech helps mid-sized Australian buildings cut energy costs, meet compliance, and improve operations amid rising prices and sustainability targets

Published

1 week ago

October 24, 2025

Nathan Langridge

Smart tech helps mid-sized Australian buildings cut energy costs, meet compliance, and improve operations amid rising prices and sustainability targets.

In Short:
– Mid-sized buildings face pressure to innovate due to rising energy costs and lack accessibility to affordable solutions.
– Smart building technology can reduce energy waste by up to 50% and enhance user experience in various sectors.

As energy prices increase, mid-sized facilities face pressure to innovate. New tools making smart building technology accessible are now emerging.

Louise Monger from Schneider Electric discusses why mid-sized buildings have been overlooked in energy innovation. Small and mid-sized buildings, such as those in the retail, hospitality, and educational sectors, often lack access to affordable and scalable energy solutions. With increasing operational costs, these sectors are becoming more vulnerable.

Energy Efficiency

Compliance with sustainability goals is becoming increasingly important for SMEs. Climate-related financial disclosures implemented in Australia require businesses to report on climate risks and actions. Scalable technology can simplify this reporting process, facilitating adherence to governance obligations.

By providing visibility into performance across multiple sites, managers can make informed decisions, benchmark successes, and enhance overall operations, ultimately benefiting customers through improved conditions.

For more information, engage with Schneider Electric on LinkedIn or through their website.