
Our Technologies
James Cook University (JCU) aims to create a brighter future for life in the tropics world-wide through graduates and discoveries that make a difference.
Outstanding research is the basis of the university's performance in world rankings, placing it in the top two per cent of universities world-wide. JCU has 78% of field of research rated at world standard or above, with eight fields of research receiving the highest possible rating, or well above world standard. These are:
- Ecological applications
- Ecology
- Environmental science and management
- Geology
- Medical microbiology
- Neurosciences
- Physical geography and environmental geoscience
- Plant biology
Research Projects
Explore the links below to discover our current research:
Theme 1 - Technology projects
Narrowband Internet-of-Things (NB-IoT) Interface for 5G Communication Networks
Experts estimate that the IoT will consist of about 30 billion objects by 2020 and that the global market value of IoT will reach $7.1 trillion by 2020.
Rapid Assessment Technology for Fruits, Vegetables and Seafoods
A new non-invasive, non-destructive testing method on automated grading/sorting machines with different produce, including seafood, vegetables and fruit, to determine internal damage.
Theme 2 - Engineering Projects
Waste Management and Energy Conversion through Microwave Pyrolysis
Pyrolysis significantly reduces total waste volume by converting solid waste and sludge into biochar that could be used for energy recovery and other uses.
Circular Economy of Phosphorus and Nitrogen
Proper management of phosphorus is fundamental to achieve and maintain food security. Phosphorus and nitrogen removal using low-cost adsorbents is considered as a potential environmentally friendly solution for nutrient recovery.
High Value Carbon Based Materials
Biochar has many applications such as contaminant adsorbent, fertiliser, soil ameliorant and can be used for energy production. To increase the interest of these products new value-added applications have to be developed.
3D Printing of Hybrid Rocket Fuel
Using 3D printing techniques, it is possible to create far more complex ‘hybrid’ rocket motor, which utilises gaseous oxygen being fed through the longitudinal combustion chamber of a solid fuel cell.
Theme 3 - Science Projects
Biotin Protein Ligase as Protein: DNA Connecting System
Ec BirA is a new protein:DNA linking system and JCU's proof-of-concept application in quantitative immuno‑PCR (qIPCR). This technology can also be used to create bispecific antibodies.
Novel Drug Targets & Cell Line for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with very poor survival and is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. New and innovative therapies for HCC are urgently required.
Hyperstable Vaccines
Technology platform for vaccine design useful for multiple indications in infectious diseases, cancer, & autoimmunity. Proof of concept demonstrated with a potentially universal oral influenza vaccine candidate.
Dendritic Cell Immunomodulator Screening Assay
The screening platform identifies compounds that modulate dendritic cell function, for drug discovery in cancer immunotherapy, autoimmunity, allergies, infectious diseases & transplant rejection.
Wound Healing Peptide
Poor wound healing after trauma, surgery, acute illness, or chronic disease conditions affects millions of people worldwide each year. It is critical to develop a better wound dressing material that can promote local tissue regeneration.
Genome-based Malaria Vaccine
Malaria is a mosquito-borne parasitic infection caused by Plasmodia. There are five species that cause the disease, of which P. falciparum and P. vivax are considered the greatest threat. There is a global public health need for a vaccine.
Zinc & Copper Biosensor
Researchers have developed a low cost, easy to use fluorescence-based Zinc & Copper sensing reagent that can be deployed on a real-time thermal cycler.…