Teeing off with new technology
TenasiTech Pty Ltd, a UniQuest start-up company formed to market a new thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer with high-performance characteristics, has attracted the interest of several commercial partners with its patent-pending technology developed at The University of Queensland.
Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers are rubbery polymer-based materials that can be stretched and then returned to their original size and shape. They are used in footwear, mining screens, textiles, power tool and other handle grips, and biomedical devices.
The application of nanotechnology enabled researchers led by Dr Darren Martin (pictured) at the UQ-based Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology to develop a world-first elastomer, which has increased strength and durability without losing flexibility.
The resulting strength-enhancing properties of the material are expected to revolutionise a number of products, such as stretchable fabrics and sporting applications like golf balls.
According to Dr Martin, the new material is twice as strong and just as flexible at a similar cost, or just as strong but half the cost of existing materials.
“The TenasiTech material provides a strong, thinner outside coating that is impact tolerant, hard wearing and scuff resistant, whilst maintaining the flexible materials characteristic that afford the all-round performance expected of golf balls,” he said.
“We have already attracted the interest of commercial partners to help us develop the technology further for this purpose and other consumer goods.”
TenasiTech company director Dr Craig Belcher said the potential markets for this product are diverse and the team will be using recent prizes and grants to focus on developing the company as a viable enterprise.
“With UniQuest’s help we secured an $80,000 COMET grant from AusIndustry to help the company through the next step of commercialisation. Our successful submission in the UQ Business School Enterprize competition resulted in winning a 12-month residency with Brisbane-based technology incubator i.lab, which means we can continue to grow as a company whilst developing the technology further at UQ,” Dr Belcher said.
Story: Leanne Wyvill
Photo: The University of Queensland
Last reviewed 17 December 2007
