Mobilising pandemic partners to drive innovation in healthcare
Partnerships forged during the COVID pandemic have paved the way for a host of new collaborations between University researchers and industry partners. They've also provided career pathways for our students.
At the outset of the COVID pandemic, it became clear that essential equipment like face shields and ventilators would be in short supply. To meet the unprecedented demand, University researchers from the health, science and engineering disciplines collaborated with industry and local health services to develop scalable solutions that would protect patients and healthcare workers.
While the urgency of the initial pandemic has waned, the collaborations continue to deliver benefits to the regions and exciting new pathways for University students.
Creating scalable emergency ventilators
In the early months of the pandemic, NSW Health contacted Ampcontrol – a Hunter-based engineering solutions company – and posed a challenge. Could it create an emergency ventilator prototype within 28 days and ensure the prototype could be produced at a rapid scale if needed?
Ampcontrol reached out to the University of Newcastle – a long-time collaborator and partner in the ResTech Living Lab – for expertise and access to specialised facilities. Within a few days, a 30-strong team of engineers from Ampcontrol, the University and local engineering firms NewieVentures and Safearth were hard at work.
Within 11 days, the team developed its first working prototype. Within 18 days, they started testing it at John Hunter Hospital’s simulation unit. Within six months, the team completed pre-production and clinical user group testing.
In September 2020, Ampcontrol unveiled the fully developed emergency ventilator and took orders for components that would support more than 100 units for NSW hospitals.
Career pathways for students
Tiana Leck’s fascination with engineering began at age 10, when she helped her father rebuild a boat motor. The experience sparked her passion for problem-solving and innovation.
Driven to make a difference, Tiana completed a degree in Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Newcastle before pursuing additional study in Medical Engineering. During the COVID pandemic, Tiana learned about the Ampcontrol ventilator project and secured an internship with the company where she contributed to the project's final stages.
After balancing her studies with work as an undergraduate Engineer at ResTech, Tiana has now transitioned into a full-time R&D Engineer at Ampcontrol where she designs electrical safety equipment for the mining industry. Tiana is committed to using her engineering skills to deliver meaningful impact. She also engages with students and educators in the region to advocate for more women in STEM fields.
Protecting our healthcare workers
Hand sanitiser
Producing large amounts of hand sanitiser requires the ability to store significant quantities of dangerous goods like ethanol. The Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) – a partnership between the University and the Hunter New England Local Health District – has only suitable storage facility for flammable goods in the Hunter region. When the Therapeutic Goods Administration excluded specified hand sanitisers from regulation in March 2020, HMRI’s Facilities Management Team began producing hand sanitiser for local health districts. University staff facilitated procurement and volunteered their time to support production.
Face shields
University physicists, engineers, biomedical scientists and designers worked alongside healthcare workers to develop a face shield prototype that could be manufactured rapidly. Researchers from the University’s Centre for Organic Electronics re-purposed polyethylene terephthalate (or PET) from the production of their commercial printer to assemble the face shields. Central Coast printing service Guru Labels supported the process by laser cutting the PET in bulk, while the University-based Australian National Fabrication Facility Hub contributed to building the shield assembly line.
Research Impact
- The University’s COVID response initiative resulted in the development of a low-cost, life-saving backup ventilator, the production and distribution of 300 litres of hand sanitiser to local health districts, and the production of 2,000 face shields to frontline workers across the region.
- The COVID collaborations paved the way for the ‘Engineers and Scientists in Scrubs’ work placement scheme where University students apply their knowledge to real-world challenges in healthcare settings. Students have worked on projects such as improving Wi-Fi connectivity in hospitals, asset tracking, and designing better hospital trolleys and beds. This exposure strengthens their problem-solving abilities, enhances employability and develops industry-relevant skills.
- Students test and help refine innovations at the Health Innovation Living Lab – a joint venture between the University and the Hunter New England Local Health District. As the region’s first purpose-built living lab dedicated to clinical healthcare, the Hunter Innovation Living Lab features 3D printing technologies, laser scanning and motion capture technologies and is embedded in industry-readiness placement activities.
Last updated July 2025
Professor Rohan Walker
Our COVID-19 response shows that we have the capacity and expertise to bring people together and deliver outcomes that matter to our partners and our communities.
More information
T: +61 2 4921 5012
E: rohan.walker@newcastle.edu.au
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