Curtinnovation Awards 2025 Finalists Announced, Celebrating Inventions From Bushfire Tech To Blind Sports

Curtin University has announced the finalists for its 2025 Curtinnovation Awards, highlighting 19 groundbreaking inventions with the potential to transform industries ranging from healthcare and AI to environmental sustainability and sports.

Selected from a record 109 entries, this year’s cohort includes a five-camera system carried by balloon that can map bushfire risk, an AI tool that analyses chest X-rays in seconds, and a self-heating, portable baby bottle pouch designed to warm milk on demand without equipment or power.

Curtin University Executive Director of Commercialisation Rohan McDougall said the surge in submissions reflected the university’s deepening culture of entrepreneurial thinking.

“This year’s Curtinnovation Awards experienced a surge in submissions, attracting a broad scope of projects highlighting Curtin’s strength in translating research into real-world solutions,” Mr McDougall said. “These awards are more than recognition – they play a critical role in connecting Curtin’s innovators with industry, government and investors in WA and beyond.”

Now in its 17th year, the Curtinnovation Awards recognise research and innovation from within Curtin’s staff and student community that shows strong potential for real-world impact. This year’s finalists cover a diverse range of sectors, united by a focus on solving complex global and local challenges.

Curtin’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Melinda Fitzgerald, said the awards highlighted the scale and ambition of innovation coming out of the university.

“From smarter logistics to safer surgeries, our university is at the forefront of discovering new ways to improve lives, protect our environment and support industry,” Professor Fitzgerald said.

Student-built invention Pyromantis was among the standout entries this year. The aerial imaging system, developed by members of Curtin’s Binar Space Program, uses a balloon-mounted five-camera array to assess vegetation moisture and fuel loads; data critical to understanding bushfire risk.

Another finalist, Beeper Ball, aims to make soccer more accessible to blind and vision-impaired players. Co-developed with Blind Sports WA, the ball emits a steady audio signal to help players locate it on the field. It forms part of a broader assistive sports toolkit designed to foster inclusion in recreational sport.

The full list of the 2025 Curtinnovation Award finalists are:

• AR Construction Safety Tool – Uses augmented reality to simulate and train workers on real-world construction hazards.
• Aura CXR – AI software that analyses chest X-rays and generates reports within seconds.
• Beeper Ball – A sound-emitting soccer ball enabling blind players to enjoy the game with greater independence.
• Bio-Refining of Abattoir Waste – A modular, zero-waste process promoting the conversion of abattoir blood waste into bio-fertiliser, biochar, and biomass-based carbon capture materials.
• Cellulose Wound Patches – Medical-grade bacterial cellulose wound patches grown from coconut water, vinegar, and hibiscus.
• CuddleCup – A self-heating, portable baby bottle pouch designed to warm milk on demand without equipment or power.
• Waste to Bioplastic – A zero-waste, energy-efficient method for turning algae and agricultural waste into eco-friendly bioplastics.
• Gel-based water sensor – A portable, affordable, and user-friendly point-of-use water sensor which can detect water contaminants like BPA using electrochemical signals.
• Indrus – Transforms standard CCTV into a GPS-like tracking system for vehicles and equipment in ports and yards.
• Mechanochemical Lithium Extraction – A greener, cost-effective method to extract lithium from rock using ball milling and water-based leaching.
• Minerva – A virtual reality tool helping surgeons and radiologists explore 3D medical images for better surgical planning.
• NeuroPose – Uses radar and AI to track a patient’s head position during surgery to improve safety during brain surgeries.
• Organic Ocean – A seaweed-based gut health supplement called SeaSoothe, cultivated in land-based farms, to help manage inflammation and support the microbiome balance.
• Pyromantis – A student-built camera system flown via balloon to map vegetation fuel loads and detect bushfire risk.
• RapidGraphite – A new method that uses renewable energy to create synthetic graphite for batteries, cutting emissions and cost.
• RetiDrop – A nanotech eye drop offering non-invasive treatment for retinal diseases like macular degeneration.
• Rockfall AI – Real-time rockfall detection using thermal imaging with AI for safer mining operations.
• SmartBuddy – An AI-powered, offline learning toy that helps children learn through speech-based interaction.
• Upcycling Offshore Assets – Embeds decommissioned oil and gas infrastructure into concrete for sustainable coastal protection.

The winners will be announced at the Curtinnovation Awards ceremony on August 29.