Tonight Dr Gregory Roger of Australian Surgical Design & Manufacture (ASDM) - a major collaborator with ANSTO - was one of the six winners of the 2004 ATSE Clunies Ross Awards. Dr Roger’s award recognises his role in successfully applying science and technology for the economic and social benefit of Australia by designing and manufacturing medical implants such as knees and hips.
Dr Roger said he was delighted with the award and acknowledged ANSTO's role saying nothing could have been achieved without its scientific expertise.
"Working with ANSTO makes it easy to look smart and the collaboration has allowed us to incorporate cutting edge science into the design and manufacture of medical implants which ASDM produces," said Dr Roger.
"Having access to world class scientists and experts in specialised fields, ASDM is able to apply the very latest technology without hesitation so it can deliver the best products on the world stage, which is integral to ASDM's success over the years.
"Our work with ANSTO started gradually with specific tests and imaging being required. This grew into a major collaboration and now, for example, we are looking to develop a new area of technology in the casting and metallurgy field.
"Throughout the growth of our relationship all the people we have worked with at ANSTO have been enthusiastic and helpful, opening up new areas of interest and possibilities which would otherwise have been beyond ASDM or indeed most small to medium sized enterprises."
One of the key ANSTO processes used by ASDM, which only ANSTO can supply in Australia, is Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP), a process originally brought to ANSTO for immobilising radioactive waste. ASDM uses HIPing to treat metal components in artificial body joints where the high temperatures and pressure remove any porosity in the metal castings.
The Clunies Ross Foundation awards which are managed in association with ATSE, were presented in Melbourne at a special dinner at the Sofitel, 24 Collins Street, Melbourne with guest speaker The Hon. John Brumby MP, Victorian Minister for State and Regional Development.
George Collins, Director, ANSTO Materials & Engineering Science said of the award: "One of our roles at ANSTO is to assist Australian companies to innovate. It is great that Greg has been honoured for his passion to take Australian scientific and technical developments and turn them into commercially successful products manufactured in Australia."