A new company - Advanced Metal Coatings - has been set up in an effort to commercialise research into metallised polymers. The hope is to develop implantable electrodes using special metal-coated fibres, to stimulate the muscles of stroke victims and people with spinal cord injuries.

A team from the Materials Technology Research Group lead by Associate Professor Tony Baker, is conducting the research. The team has received funding from the Australian Federal Government's Strategic Partnerships with Industry - Research and Training program, matched by investment from US company NeuroControl, and the Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre in Melbourne.

Founder and Managing Director of Advanced Metal Coatings, Neil Anderson, said although there was some risk in going commercial, the decision was based on a sound understanding of potential markets.

"There's always been a recognition that Australian scientists are fantastic at coming up with new ideas and taking those ideas through the research stage only to have them end up off-shore," he said. "But we believe we can commercialise our research here."

The medical profession uses Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) devices for victims of stroke or spinal cord injury, to help them grip, reach, stand or walk, and to give them bladder and bowel control. Current technology - metal wire or foil electrodes - does not meet the challenge of these medical applications.

"A vital element in any FES system is the electrode lead system," Mr Anderson said. "Unfortunately, the lead is also usually the most fallible and troublesome component."

"FES electrodes are usually positioned on or in the muscle, or directly on the nerve, or in some combination of these. The leads must be flexible to endure repetitive stresses as the muscles contract," he said.

By using advanced metallised polymers (a synthetic base material coated with platinum, gold or silver) the researchers expect to produce longer-lasting electrodes, which in turn will improve the reliability of FES devices.

According to Mr Anderson, the research also has applications in pacemakers and defibrillators for heart stimulation.