left to right: Dr Shawn Baldacchino demonstrating laser microdissection of cancer tissue samples to Prof. Ing. Saviour Zammit, Prof. Godfrey Grech, the Hon. Chris Agius and Dr Ing. Anton Bartolo
The Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport, the Hon. Chris Agius, was welcomed at the University of Malta by Pro-Rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer, Professor Saviour Zammit, and by Director for Corporate Research & Knowledge Transfer (KTO), Dr Ing. Anton Bartolo.
Dr Ing. Bartolo presented the Knowledge Transfer Office, and explained the progress achieved towards the commercialisation of a number of technologies developed at the University. Information about several of these projects may be found on the Knowledge Transfer Office webpages at: www.um.edu.mt/knowledgetransfer/technology.
The Hon. Agius was then accompanied on a visit to a small selection of these projects, where the researchers involved explained the technologies and their development plans.
The projects visited were the following:
• ​Ultra-Wideband Antenna - Prof. Kristian Zarb Adami
The antenna system can be designed to fit specifically with many needs. Currently the main effort is to develop an optimised antenna system for space observation specifically for use within the square kilometer array project. The SKA project is an international effort to build the world’s largest radio telescope, with eventually over one million square metres of collecting area.
• Cancer Diagnostic Kits - Prof. Godfrey Grech
The primary goal of this project is to develop methods for breast cancer detection. Biotech Innovations Ltd., a spin-out company, has been set up to commercialise these technologies. Currently, work is under way to manufacture a kit for detection of a common type of breast cancer known as HER-2 Positive. Biotech Innovations intends to carry out research to develop more kits and to offer testing services around its technologies.
• Offshore Energy Storage - Prof. Tonio Sant
The group has designed a floating platform, similar to the ones used for offshore wind turbines, that has the additional benefit of acting as an energy storage system. The technology converts the unpredictable and variable output from an offshore wind turbine into a smooth and predictable supply. This solves a big problem currently being faced by offshore wind turbines in supplying conventional electrical grids.
• Multivision Camera - Dr Ing. Marc Anthony Azzopardi
The group has developed a system which enables near perfect synchronization of high-speed video footage from two or more cameras for observation of events happening at ultra-high speeds. They are currently working on a project to design and manufacture high-speed cameras that would have the ability for very precise synchronisation.
• Micro CHP - Prof. Joseph Cilia
The group is designing and building a combined heat and power (CHP) system for domestic use. The device, when coupled with smart energy and battery management systems, could revolutionize the way you supply your home with and use energy.
