Hannah Gough, a 23-year-old product design engineering graduate from Swinburne University of Technology, has been named the Australian National Winner of the 2025 James Dyson Award for her invention, SyriSter — a portable UV-C sterilisation device designed to make syringe reuse safer in crisis zones.
Developed in response to unsafe medical practices in low-resource settings, SyriSter eradicates pathogens in syringes within 60 seconds, providing a practical alternative when sterile equipment is limited.
“It’s surreal to be named the Australian National Winner of the James Dyson Award,” said Gough.
“SyriSter started as just another university project, but knowing it has the potential to make syringe re-use safer in crisis zones, and ultimately save lives, makes me incredibly proud. I hope it brings peace of mind and helps educate people about safe medical practices in low-resource areas.”
Globally, around 40 per cent of injections are administered with syringes that have not been properly sterilised, contributing to millions of infections each year, including hepatitis B and C, and HIV.
Gough’s device, which features six reflective aluminium chambers powered by rechargeable batteries, delivers precise UV-C dosages to sterilise syringes hundreds of times without degradation.
Donna Green, James Dyson Award Australia National Judge, said: “SyriSter tackles one of the most urgent but often overlooked health challenges: safely reusing medical equipment in crisis zones.”
“Hannah’s simple, low-cost UV-C device shows how young engineers can take on tough problems with creativity and care, helping stop disease spread and making safe treatment possible in vulnerable communities. It’s a clear example of engineering making a real difference in people’s lives.”
SyriSter remains in the prototype stage, with early testing demonstrating effective sterilisation and durability across hundreds of cycles. Gough plans to use the $9,950 national prize to further develop and validate the technology, explore regulatory pathways, and partner with medical organisations to bring the device into production.
National runners-up this year include Hydromask, an ergonomic device improving emergency eye irrigation, and Flow, a fully recyclable mattress system that disassembles in under 30 seconds.
All three Australian inventions will progress to the international stage of the James Dyson Award, where they will compete for over $59,000 AUD. The global winners will be announced on 5 November following the release of the international Top 20 shortlist on 15 October.
Now marking its 20th year, the James Dyson Award celebrates young inventors and problem-solvers around the world, supporting more than 400 inventions across 28 countries and regions through the James Dyson Foundation.