From local connection to global innovation – Flinders University and Micro-X
When ASX-listed X-ray technology company Micro-X moved from Melbourne to Adelaide, there were clear reasons to connect with Flinders University.
“The first was to build a network in Adelaide,” says chief operating officer Anthony Skeats. “Having moved from Melbourne and having close proximity at Tonsley, it seemed a good idea to meet key people and allow awareness of Micro-X to grow.
“That was very successful and allowed us to expand our team with brilliant graduates, facilitated by direct contacts and by getting involved with Flinders’ work-integrated-learning program.
“The nature of the research that we needed required access to clever people and expensive equipment. Through our Flinders network we were able to establish access to both, and this led to great innovation advancement in our core technology.”
That access to people, expertise and infrastructure has become an important part of Micro-X’s growth.
“The most significant impact has been the growth of our engineering and R&D team capability from the terrific graduates we have employed,” Skeats says.
Partnering with Flinders has supported Micro-X’s core technology invention through research projects and PhD sponsorships over several years. There have also been benefits from collaboration, education and the sharing of knowledge and skills.
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The development of one revolutionary product demonstrates what can happen when students work on genuine industry challenges.
When Micro-X was looking for interns, a Flinders academic recommended a biomedical engineering student, Thomas McSkimming, who had also studied mechanical and computer science.
McSkimming completed his placement working on a test bench for Micro-X’s Head CT, a compact CT scanner being developed to bring diagnostic-quality imaging closer to patients experiencing stroke.
The system is designed to be small enough to fit inside a standard ambulance or retrieval aircraft and uses an array of miniature X-ray tubes. Its purpose is to make stroke imaging available closer to patients, supporting earlier diagnosis and treatment decisions.
For McSkimming, the placement was the beginning of a much bigger journey.
“On graduating, we employed Thomas, then after a year or so we were looking to send someone to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore for a PhD,” Skeats says. “Flinders was willing to lead the PhD and allow Thomas to go on a three-year placement to perform the research.”
Skeats says this demonstrates what is possible when a university and business are prepared to work together beyond a single project.
“This is an amazing story of collaboration and willingness to help this person achieve growth in their career, as well as nurturing international collaboration and supporting industry,” he says. “The research conducted is now forming the basis of our business capability in CT reconstruction.”
That level of collaboration is something Skeats believes sets Flinders apart.
“Flinders University has a strong focus on building industry partnerships through educators, researchers and management,” he says. “This willingness to listen, collaborate and open up resources is a real point of differentiation.”
He also sees a lasting benefit in the connection between Micro-X’s employees and their former educators.
“Flinders graduates are humble high achievers with a very practical approach to engineering. This has allowed us to recruit amazing talent that delivers outcomes beyond their years of experience.
“The access we have to these graduates and the fact that they remain connected to their educators for many years is a huge benefit to our productivity.”
Skeats has advice for other businesses considering a partnership with Flinders.
“Flinders is a great place to do business with. The people are open and collaborative, willing to help and guide partners to the right person.
“Flinders is very focused on building lasting relationships and supporting the growth of their students, which translates into an easy place for industry to conduct business-focused research.”
What began as a local connection now gives Micro-X access to talent, research expertise and infrastructure supporting its work in global medical technology.
If you’re in the business of building what’s next, partner with a university doing the same. Find out more at flinders.edu.au/industry-partnerships
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