NSSN recognised for excellence

The NSW Smart Sensing Network has been awarded the 2018 UNSW Enterprise Award for Engagement in recognition of its innovative approach to working with industry and government.

The award was presented to NSSN Co-Director, Scientia Professor Justin Gooding at the UNSW Innovation Summit by NSW Minister for Innovation & Better Regulation Matt Kean.

Justin and his team invented the Sun Patch, Sun Exposure sensor. The invention uses innovative technologies to create cheap, printable and easy-to-use sun exposure sensor stickers, which indicate to the wearer when their skin is about to burn and to therefore seek shade or apply more sunscreen. The ink on the patches can be adjusted depending on the wearer's own sensitivity to the sun's UV radiation.

Justin Gooding said the cost-effective skin patch had a clear practical purpose for the Australian climate. 

"As you know, we put sunscreen on and believe it works. We get told that we have to reapply it but we don't really know if we've received too much sun or not; and we don't really know if it's a good idea to get out of the sun," Professor Gooding said.

The invention is currently in advanced stage commercialisation and is expected to be on the market in time for the summer of 18/19.

The NSSN was founded in 2016 to bring this kind of discovery to life. Funded by the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer, UNSW and the University of Sydney, the network brings together leading minds in fundamental and applied research across a range of fields to find solutions to complex challenges facing NSW government and industry. The network is expanding and will welcome new member universities in early 2018.