AN off-grid water purifying system for remote and Indigenous communities, a GPS cable tracker for large surface mines and a 43-foot battery electric hybrid boat, were just some of the innovations on show at ResTech's Industry Open Day.
The tour on Thursday, October 31, was an opportunity to celebrate its 20th anniversary and a collaboration between Ampcontrol and the University of Newcastle
The facility is located at the university's Callaghan campus and was opened by Federal Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic in September last year.
Starting with just five staff members, the partnership set out to accelerate the development and commercialisation of new innovative technology solutions for the energy, infrastructure, and resources industries.
Today the project employs over 30 people located on campus and provides an opportunity for engineering students to work with industry on real-world challenges to become life-ready graduates.
"ResTech is driven to innovate through collaboration, seeking intense, solid research and development opportunities that allow us to advance industry across different sector," ResTech general manager Chris Bird said.
Accompanying the tour was university vice chancellor professor Alex Zelinsky and Ampcontrol CEO Rod Henderson.
"ResTech is shaped by industry and allows our students to gain experience working with industry leaders on challenging research projects that are directly relevant to their degrees," professor Zelinsky said.
"It is this kind of experience that can really help to set our students apart when they graduate and we are so passionate about giving them that opportunity."
Mr Henderson said working with UON and ResTech, there is opportunity to deliver real-world solutions to support the energy transition in the Hunter and beyond.
"We're dedicated to leading the global energy revolution but understand this ambitious goal can't be achieved alone," he said.
