Allowing space for research

[Robbo]

Source: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/ ... 64,00.html

 

THIS week's Mars landing by the unmanned Phoenix spacecraft may bring back applications that enhance life on Earth as much as they inform on whether life exists elsewhere.When astronauts used Teflon and Velcro products in space, those trademarks went on to become household names.

 

It has been many years since a space mission has led to a blockbuster tradename to rival those two, but that doesn't mean they have stopped trying.

 

According to professor Malcolm Walter, who lectures on astrobiology at the University of NSW, remote sensing - mapping using satellites - has been a bigger boon for industry than any trademarked products that have emerged from space exploration.

 

"Mineral exploration, understanding weather, mapping salinity, all these and more have been enhanced with this technology which was first used by astronauts," Professor Walter said.

 

He said the current Phoenix mission could provide insights for the developers of solar energy storage technology.

 

"It would be inevitable for industrialists to be interested in the technology used by NASA for Phoenix's solar panels.

 

"They both want to know how to make solar panels last longer, work more efficiently and effectively store the energy when the sun isn't shining," he said.

 

The latest issue of the NASA publication Spinoff describes more than 39 products that have been commercialised in the past year.

 

They range from a hand-held device to treat acne to a nanotube manufacturing process for use in composite polymers, metals and ceramics.

 

RELENZA flu treatment developer Biota Holdings yesterday said the Supreme Court of Victoria had set aside the August 4 trial date in the case between Biota and GlaxoSmithKline.

 

Biota chief executive Peter Cook said the deferral would give each side more time for pre-trial preparation.

 

The Melbourne biotech is taking the multinational pharmaceutical to court for between $500 million and $700 million over what it claims was a lack on the part of GSK "to use its best endeavours" to market Relenza, which it licensed from Biota.

 

"The nub of our case is that GSK had the first anti-flu drug yet they have ended up with only 15 per cent market share," Mr Cook told BNW.

 

Roche markets Relenza's rival drug, Tamiflu, which commands 85 per cent of the market.

 

"We need to be realistic that it is important that we take the most positive case we can to court," Mr Cook said, adding that he was mindful of the frustration Biota shareholders would be feeling about a further delay in the long-running dispute.

 

A new trial date will be allocated by the end of this year and is likely to be in the first half of 2009.

 

INNOVATION, Industry, Science and Research Minister Kim Carr yesterday announced funding of $63.7 million over five years for 208 new research projects.

 

Melbourne University was allocated $8 million for 28 projects, with top funding of $11.4 million to the University of New South Wales to support 22 projects, followed by $8 million to the University of Queensland for 21 projects.

 

The funding, part of the Australian Research Council grants, will among other things be used to develop a precision three-dimensional location system for underground mining vehicles and investigate the use of polyphenols in the waste products from sugar refining to reduce body fat and insulin resistance.