Development of Solospun™ weavable singles yarn technology
that has led to the development of machine washable, fine-wool
business shirting fabric without chemical treatment.
Established the first method for fingerprinting the populations
of microbes (methanogens) responsible for methane formation in
sheep and cows, and will use this in developing strategies to
lower methane emissions from grazing livestock.
Patents for a predictive test for milk yield loss on once-a-day
milking and an indicator milk molecule for mastitis detection.
Development and commercialisation of new, more
environmentally-friendly insect resist agents, for example
Mystox MP (Catomance) – the latest insect resist technology that
protects carpets from insect attacks.
Identified two probiotic strains that enhance the integrity of
the gastrointestinal tract and have isolated the soluble
metabolites that are, in part, responsible for their biological
impact on the gastrointestinal tract. These advances have direct
commercial application for developing a range of products with
the potential to promote gut health and increase animal
productivity.
Development and commercialisation of Lanasan® NCF (Clariant) - a
product using nano technology that reduces carpet shedding and
soiling, and also improves abrasion resistance.
Published the first proteome map of minor milk proteins.
Development, refinement and patenting of a mechanism for
extracting keratin biopolymers from wool, and several ways of
forming biopolymer materials from keratin protein solutions.
This led to the formation of the now independent spin-off
company Keratec.
Defined experimentally the kinetics of the reductive capacity of
meat. This could lead to the development of a model that
predicts commercially important aspects of meat colour under
various processing and storage conditions.
Identified a range of milk-derived bioactives, including novel
patented antimicrobials, that are being commercialised by dairy
companies.
Patented techniques and mechanism for Softswitch™ - a flexible
fabric switching technology involving pressure sensing and
fabric-based electronic control devices, with the formation of
routes to commercial exploitation.
Demonstrated the ability to increase the conjugated linoleic
acid (CLA) content of lamb meat via ewe nutrition. CLA has human
health benefits and this discovery offers potential to develop
commercial products that will increase rumen CLA production.
Development of new carpet tufting needles that markedly improve
carpet appearance and quality.