Research Divisions

Newcastle Innovation has established research divisions and groups in key focus areas. Some have an international reputation for their research activities.

Hunter Occupational Health

Hunter Occupational Health (HOH) was established in 1989 to provide occupational health and safety services to the local Hunter community and beyond. HOH provides occupational health and safety advice for workplaces. HOH assist organisations, employers, unions, workplace committees, individual workers, healthcare professionals and members of the public identify, assess and control their occupational health and safety problems.

The HOH unit has available a substantial occupational hygiene laboratory for environmental assessments. Clinical assessments utilise the resources of the Newcastle Mater Misericordiae Hospital and the Hunter Area Pathology Service as required. HOH has a close relationship with the Discipline of Environmental and Occupational Health in The University of Newcastle and is able to draw on the resources and experience of that Discipline and the wider University.

For more information visit the Hunter Occupational Health website.

TUNRA Bulk Solids

TUNRA Bulk Solids (TBS) is one of the minerals processing businesses through which Newcastle Innovation serves the mining industry. TBS has built a leading reputation over 30 years for fundamental and applied research into bulk solids handling. The division finds innovative and cost-effective processes, especially for hard-to-handle materials.

The scale of TBS's activities over three decades has been vast: 2500 projects in 40 countries for 1000 companies, including such major miners as BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto. TBS, in its own large-scale laboratories, tests and improves materials handling processes. Solving handling problems helps keep our clients at the forefront of world practice.

For more information visit the TUNRA Bulk Solids website.

TUNRA Clean Coal

TUNRA Clean Coal (TCC) is our division that helps the mining industry to process minerals more cleanly and efficiently.

TUNRA Clean Coal offers consultancy services and undertakes research focused on developing new coal processing technologies that will enhance processing plant performance and generate a cleaner burning product.

Concern over climate change makes TCC's work increasingly urgent and important. Among new processes the division is developing is a slurry ash analyser that improves coal-fired processing, reduces wastage and cuts idle time.

Another new development is a name from science fiction for a device based on science fact - the Residual Frothing Propensity Detector, which increases the yield and performance of flotation cells in coal processing plants.

For more information visit theTUNRA Clean Coal website

TUNRA Fine Particles

TUNRA Fine Particles (TFP) is the division of Newcastle Innovation that provides expert research and consulting services for the minerals processing phases of flotation and particle separation.

TFP conducts pilot studies and has excellent laboratory facilities. The division offers our business partners a range of highly specialised services.

It can analyse particle size, evaluate the flotation characteristics of minerals and test the hydrodynamic performance of mixing and flotation equipment.

Among other processes TFP also undertakes high-density conditioning for flotation, and evaluates applications of the Jameson flotation cell.

For more information visit the Tunra Fine Particles website.

ANZ Breast Cancer Trials Group

The Australian and New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group (ANZ BCTG) is the leading Australasian organisation dedicated to prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

The ANZ BCTG is Australia's national organisation dedicated entirely to breast cancer research. It conducts a National Clinical Trials Program for the treatment of all stages of breast cancer and for the prevention of breast cancer.

The Group has an impressive record of large-scale global research - 45 trials involving 10,000 Australian women, and 65,000 worldwide.

In March 2007, The Groups leading researcher, Professor John Forbes, was named as one of the top 10 'hottest' researchers in the world, with his inclusion on the Thomson Scientific 'Hottest Researcher' list for 2005 - 2006. Professor Forbes was the only Australian-based researcher on the prestigious international citation list, which recognises people reaching the highest level of success in scientific research each year.

For more information visit the ANZ Breast Cancer Trials Group website.

NewStat

NewStat consultants provide specialist statistical expertise to local and national clients.

NewStat's services include:

Statistical consulting and data analysis

  • Quality improvement
  • Statistical process control
  • Statistical support for researchers
  • Training

For more information visit the NewStat website.

Southern Cross Herbal School

The Southern Cross Herbal School provides training and information on medicinal herbs. If you are interested in herbalism, SCHS has over 30 units of study that cover all aspects of herbalism.

For more information visit the Southern Cross Herbal School website.