Ampcontrol part of novel wound care collaboration

Engineering firm Ampcontrol has shared some details of its latest project, developing wound care solutions in a recently-announced $5.67 million, three-year collaboration with Whiteley Corporation, University of Newcastle, and Western Sydney University.

Ampcontrol has its roots in the mining sector, but has diversified into projects ranging from radar systems to electric vehicle charging to renewable energy, announcing plans in October to hire 200 by the end of 2023 on the strength of its standalone power systems business. 

The new wound care project is through its joint venture with University of Newcastle, ResTech. 

Supported by $1.97 million in funding through round 13 of the CRC Project grants, the collaboration will address the difficulties in managing chronic wounds, which “requires a combination of treatments that include wound debridement, an anti-biofilm treatment, wound mapping, and a deeper tissue perception of bacterial engagement beyond the wound surface, which cannot typically be seen.”

Professor Slade Jensen from Western Sydney University’s School of Medicine explained: “Once established, mature biofilms become recalcitrant to standard therapeutics.

“However, bacteria within biofilms are not visible to the naked eye. This project provides a rationale for the use of novel strategies to affect microbial biofilms and wound healing directly and indirectly”.

Ampcontrol Managing Director Rod Henderson said in a statement on Tuesday that, “The funding enables industry innovators, researchers, students, and end-users to work together to deliver real outcomes for our community and economy.”

Ampcontrol announced in April last year that it would become fully-owned by Washington H. Soul Pattinson, which had majority ownership since 2005.

Further reading

WHSP TO ACQUIRE AMPCONTROL, CITING DECARBONISATION POTENTIAL

AMPCONTROL TO EXPAND, ADD 200 MANUFACTURING ROLES

AMPCONTROL AND LEOLABS TO DEVELOP SPACE RADAR