Research into precision measurement technologies at the Australian National University and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has been successfully spun out and is now being used by the likes of Apple, Google and MIT.
Based in Canberra, Liquid Instruments develops software-defined test and measurement tools that replace stacks of traditional lab equipment with flexible, high-performance devices.
The idea stemmed from research conducted by Liquid Instruments chief executive and co-founder Professor Daniel Shaddock into precision measurement technology for gravitational wave detection and other space science missions.
“We realised this technology had the potential to disrupt the $20 billion test and measurement industry by replacing rigid, single-purpose hardware with reconfigurable, software-defined instruments,” Professor Shaddock said.
“By embedding flexibility, modern interfaces and powerful processing into a single device, we saw an opportunity to transform how engineers and scientists interact with their tools and accelerate technology development across research and industry.”
Liquid Instrument’s flagship product is Moku, which integrates multiple laboratory instruments into a single configurable device, allowing users to switch between instruments on the same device.
It is now being used across a diverse range of fields, including quantum physics, aerospace and education.
Liquid Instruments is a finalist in the InnovationAus 2025 Awards for Excellence in the Translation Hero category. The InnovationAus 2025 Awards for Excellence winners and finalists will be celebrated at a black-tie gala dinner at Sydney Town Hall on Thursday, November 27. You can book your tickets here.
The Translation Hero Award is proudly sponsored by CSIRO’s ON Innovation Program.
The category recognises the successful commercialisation of deep tech research, spanning sectors from plant-based meat production to space. It is open to individuals and companies that have brought research to life, delivering commercial success or positive social impact.
The nomination is a boost for the company, and Professor Shaddock said he hopes it shines a lot on the burgeoning deep tech sector in Australia.
“We are honoured to be recognised as a finalist in the Translation Hero category,” he said.
“It reflects how far we’ve come – from Nobel Prize-winning space science research to delivering reconfigurable hardware products now used by thousands of labs, manufacturers and technology companies around the world.
“This recognition underscores the value of turning world-class research into real-world impact. Australia has long been known for its strength in fundamental science, but this hasn’t always translated into broader economic success.
“We hope to demonstrate how investment in curiosity-driven research can fuel sovereign capability, enhance economic complexity and elevate our global competitiveness.”
Liquid Instruments recently announced a new AI-driven generative instrument tool, Moku:Delta, which will allow engineers to design and configure custom test instruments with more flexibility and responsiveness.
Moku:Delta will support more than 2 billion possible instrument combinations and integrate up to eight instrument slots with 15 standard instruments.
The 2025 InnovationAus Awards for Excellence will be held on November 27 at the magnificent Sydney Town Hall. You can secure individual seats or book a table here. Purchase a table of 10 and have your logo displayed on screens across the venue and in the event programme as a ‘Table Sponsor’.
The InnovationAus 2025 Awards for Excellence are proudly supported by ACS, PEXA Group, the CSIRO ON Program, Griffith Hack, TechnologyOne, Q-CTRL, National AI Centre, University of New South Wales, KPMG, AgriFutures Australia, Investment NSW and IP Australia.
Protecting your great ideas with intellectual property (IP) rights can lead to lasting benefits for your growing business. IP refers to creations of the mind, such as a brand, logo, invention, design or artistic work. Head to the IP Australia website to find out more about IP, and how it might help your business.
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