Centre for Transformational Environmental Technologies( CTET)
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Bringing ideas to life to make our planet a better place to live
Research Centre
36 •
Challenge
University innovations are often developed at laboratory scale, where conditions are controlled and outputs are limited. Scaling these breakthroughs for real-world use demands interdisciplinary skills, manufacturing expertise, iterative development and funding. In Australia, gaps in infrastructure, manufacturing capability and skilled personnel hinder the transition from prototype to mass-market product.
Solution
CTET provides a proven pathway to scale UNSW innovations from TRL 1 – 3 to TRL 7 – 8 through product development-driven R & D, bridging the gap from lab to market. It offers local staff with deep technical and business operations expertise, prototyping and pilot-scale testing facilities, and strong industry partnerships for scale-up and commercial alignment.
CTET also develops AR / VR digital twins to fast-track engineering design, reduce development risk and optimise cost efficiency for real-world deployment.
Target customers / end-users
• water utilities and environmental companies
• water and wastewater plant operators
• membrane suppliers.
Progress
• AU $ 7.8m funding and global recognition, including the 2020 WAITRO Innovation Award
• developed AI-based‘ MBR- Net’, adopted by Beijing Origin Water and featured on the cover of Environmental Science & Technology
• created low-energy desalination and electrochemical technologies, delivering sustainable water solutions and advancing circular economy in industrial processes.
26 active collaborations
Multidisciplinary team
Innovative research translation
Climate & Clean Energy
CTET enables joint R & D between Australian and Chinese partners, providing technical solutions in water treatment, resource recovery and environmental sustainability. Located in Yixing, China, this translational research centre develops long-term strategic partnerships with research organisations, researchers and industry, and invests in areas where it can make the most difference.