Meet SyriSter – a portable gadget zapping germs off syringes in just 60 seconds – and the invention that’s just scored Swinburne grad Hannah Gough the Australian James Dyson Award
Hannah, 23, dreamed up SyriSter after pondering this problem: in crisis zones, sterile syringes are rare. Unsafe reuse leads to millions of hepatitis and HIV infections every year. Her solution? A rechargeable ultraviolet (UV) steriliser that blitzes pathogens without wrecking the syringe.
“SyriSter started as just another uni project,” Hannah says. “Knowing it has the potential to make syringe re-use safer in crisis zones, and ultimately save lives, makes me incredibly proud.”
Along with bragging rights, Hannah is pocketing $9,950 to fine-tune the prototype and chase production partners. SyriSter now heads to the global stage, with a shot at over $59,000.
Two other Aussie inventions are also levelling up: Hydromask – an ergonomic hero for emergency eye washes, and Flow – a fully recyclable mattress you can pull apart faster than you can change the sheets.
The James Dyson Award turns 20 this year, continuing to recognise that fresh ideas + clever engineering = world-changing inventions. Global winners drop on 5 November, but we’re already cheering for Hannah and her germ-busting gadget.
