News & Announcements

2008

1 December 2008

UOW Professor wins prestigious national award.

The Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) Annual Awards Dinner was held November 28 at the University of Melbourne to announce the recipients of the Institute’s national awards for 2008.

Professor Gordon Wallace, Director of the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) and the Executive Research Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES) is this year’s winner of the H.G Smith Memorial Award. The H.G. Smith award is one of the RACI’s most prestigious awards and acknowledges Professor Wallace’s contribution to a branch of chemical science, and the volume and quality of work published in the last ten years of his research.

28 November 2008

The University of Mo-llongong - Excellence in Grooming and Earning

At the start of November, men register with a clean-shaven face. They then have the rest of the month to grow and groom their moustache and, along the way, raise as much money and awareness about male health issues as possible. There are several teams across campus including the Intelligent Polymer research Institute’s Team Mo-zer (named after Dr Atila Mozer from the Institute), the ITS Mojo team and the University of Mo-llongong in UniAdvice.

11 November 2008

Today Professors Wallace, Officer, Spinks and Kane-Maguire made their maiden jump from 14 000ft on their way to work. The Innis succession plan for IPRI was not required, nor the research activities from the ACES bionics programme. Words from our fearless leaders -"Lets go again!"

7 November 2008

Second SInet seminar targets ‘science, society and public engagement'.

Professor Gordon Wallace was one of 3 speakers to address the 50 strong audience, made up of university members and people of the general community. Gordon spoke about ' Improving human performance using bionic devices'.

7 November 2008

Dr Jun Chen (ACES/IPRI) was successful in his application for the UoW 2009 Postgraduate Sponsorship Program. Jun will be sponsered to complete his Master of Business Adminstration. Congratulations!

6 November 2008

UOW plays hosts to senior delegation from China's Ministry of Science and Technology.

In May of 2008 the then Premier of NSW Morris Iemma led a senior delegation to China that reviewed China-Australia cooperation in Science and Technology with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of the People’s Republic of China. An initial MOU was signed in 2006 between the two parties so this years visit by the Premier to China was an attempt to focus the collaboration on Cooperative Research Centre’s in mutual areas of interest including but not limited to developing clear coal, coping with environmental change, new materials and nanotechnology.

This visit by MOST is a follow up to these former meetings and Professor Gordon Wallace (ACES/IPRI) presented to this senior delegation describing ACES activities and collaborations. ACES continues to have a growing number of collaborations in China.

5 November 2008

Dr Simon Moulton (ACES/IPRI) was one of over a hundred leading Australian scientists awarded a scientific grants to undertake important international collaborative research under the International Science Linkages – Science Academies Program. The program supports Australian scientists, from both the public and private sectors, to collaborate with international partners on leading edge science and technology in order to contribute to Australia’s economic, social and environmental wellbeing. The grant funding is part of the $3.9 million provided to the Australian Academy of Science by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research over the five years of the International Science Linkages – Science Academies Program.

Simon is travelling to undertake research with Dr Philippe Poulin at CNRS Bordeaux and Prof Eric Anglaret at University Montpellier II in 2009 to develop Aligned Carbon Nanotube Biomaterial Structures.

30 October 2008

Congratulations to PhD student George Lee, IPRI node, who was awarded the prize of best second year PhD presentation at the annual school of Chemistry/IPRI conference held at Jervis Bay.

16 October 2008

UOW awarded $10.3 million in hotly contested ARC grants.

The Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) had 4 successful grants totalling $1.9M for 2 Discovery Projects, including a QEII (Dr Simon Moulton) and an APD (Dr Joselito Razal), 1 Linkage Project and 1 Linkage International Fellowship (collaborating country: USA).

ACES/Monash and ACES/ISEM were both successful with 1 discovery project each.

ACES/IPRI was also successful in obtaining 1 NHMRC grant.

11 September 2008

Professor Gordon Wallace was the winner of the ‘Chemistry Category’,at the inaugural NSW Scientist of the Year Awards held in Sydney. Solar cell expert Professor Martin Green from the University of New South Wales was named overall winner of the NSW Scientist of the Year Award.

The ceremony held at Government House in Sydney was a celebration and recognition of outstanding individuals carrying out cutting-edge work that generates economic, health, environmental or technological benefits to NSW.

A scientist whose research efforts promise to revolutionise medical science by creating new bionic materials, Professor Wallace is the University of Wollongong’s sole ARC Federation Fellow. The fellowships are awarded to outstanding researchers to help retain their skills within Australia. In 1990, Professor Wallace established the world’s first intelligent polymer research laboratory in NSW, and he is now widely recognised as a world leader in the development of these materials. More recently, Professor Wallace has been focused on combining nanotechnology with his research into intelligent materials and is now a recognised world expert and pioneer in the emerging area of Nanobionics, a field which bridges nanotechnology and human biology. (Taken from UoW media story).

2 September 2008

Scientists explore latest advances in visualising the nanodomain.

26 August 2008

New Atomic Force Microscope peeks into the world of nanobionics

14 August 2008

Dr Steven Pas, an ARC APD Fellow in the Department of Materials Engineering, working with ACES and CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering was last night awarded a prestigious Victoria Fellowship at Government House. The Victorian Government annually awards up to six Victoria Fellowships to emerging leaders in engineering, science or technology. Each Fellow receives a travel grant of up to $18,000 to undertake a short-term overseas study mission to assist in developing a commercial idea, undertaking specialist training or career development.

Congratulations Steve! The fellowship provides Steve with funds to further his research in areas relating to biomedical imaging using positrons. It recognises both the high quality of his research to date, and the innovative and strategic nature of his proposal. 

12 August 2008

A recap of the article, "Nano-Pt Nodified Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays Are Efficient, Robust, High Surface Area Electrocatalysis", by Yong Liu, Jun Chen, Weimin Zhang, Zifeng Ma Gerhard F Swiegers, Chee O Too and Gordon G. Wallace published in the Chemistry of Materials, was highlighted in the July 2008 MRS Bulletin. 

08 August 2008

Workshop learns of latest advances in battery developments.

01 August 2008

Cheaper Fuel Cells are on the Way.
"A much cheaper fuel cell could be on its way thanks a new cathode built by Australian researchers. A team at the Australian Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science at Monash University in Melbourne report their findings in today's issue of the journal Science. Fuel cells convert hydrogen and oxygen to electricity and water and are thus a key area of research for powering greener cars......." Read more about this story as covered by ABC's Science reporter Anna Salleh.

Monash fuels the next generation of Hybrid cars.
"Monash University scientists have revolutionised the design of fuel cells ....... The breakthrough revolves around the design of a fuel cell in which a specially-coated form of popular high tech outdoor and sporting clothing material Goretex is the key component. ......have designed and tested an air-electrode, where a fine layer -- just 0.4 of a micron thick, or about 100 times thinner than a human hair -- of highly conductive plastic is deposited on the breathable fabric. The conductive plastic acts as both the fuel cell electrode and catalyst......" Read more of this story on the Monash news line.

TAKE some high-tech fabric used in outdoor clothing and add a very thin layer of plastic.
"TAKE some high-tech fabric used in outdoor clothing and add a very thin layer of plastic.This unusual combination, created by Australian scientists, is likely to accelerate the shift towards a cleaner, hydrogen economy".>>Read more of this story by the Sydney Morning Herald Science Editor Deborah Smith or the story as she reported for drive.com.au.

Research could cut cost of energy - as reported by AAP on yahoo news

31 July 2008

Congratulations to Dr Simon Moulton for his “highly commended” in the University of Wollongong's annual Trailblazer competition. Simon Moulton was highly commended for his work on: "In vivo site specific drug delivery: New technology to replace mulesing in sheep farming".

The University of Wollongong's annual Trailblazer innovation competition rewards innovative ideas and early-stage research, which have the potential to benefit the community, industry or business as well as generate a financial return. >>read more about the prize winners.

Also with a place in the final was an entry by Mr Javad Foroughi/ Dr Joselito Razal, from IPRI, entitled “Towards the development of NanoBionics using Polypyrrole-Biopolymer Fibres”. The competition was really strong with 43 entries from all areas of the University. A total of 20 finalists were selected from across all faculties to deliver a 5 minute pitch to an expert panel detailing their business opportunity. 

16 July 2008

Javad Foroughi, a PhD student in ACES/IPRI node, has been awarded $5000 from the ARC Australian Research Network for Advanced Materials (ARNAM), to support him in collaborative research at the University of Texas at Dallas, USA. Congratulations Javad! Enjoy the work and the experience it will bring.

27June 2008

Professor Gordon Wallace was awarded the University of Wollongong Vice-Chancellor's Award for Research Excellence for Senior Researchers, at the 2008 University of Wollongong Vice-Chancellor's Awards Function. The awards given at this function formally recognises the outstanding contributions and service of staff members. Congratulations Gordon! >>read more about the awards.

24 June 2008

Poster session marks end of day two for nanobionics symposium

23 June 2008

Nanobionics symposium begins new era of innovation at UOW.

19 June 2008

Nanobionics breakthrough to be demonstrated at symposium.

17 June 2008

Grant Mc Arthur of the Herald Sun, Melbourne, reports on how "Implant could buzz sufferers to beat epileptic seizures". Bionic Ear Scientists in collaboration with St Vincents Hospital and University of Wollongong recently conducted tests on 3 epilepsy patients to see if electrical pulses could stop their seizures.

17 June 2008

Asia-Pacific Symposium to herald latest developments in nanobionics.

16 June 2008

The Illawarra Mercury did a question and answer segment in the IQ Higher Education section with Professor Graeme Clark talking about "building better bionics" and his public lecture at the Asia- Pacific Symposium.

13 June 2008

IPRI researchers return to their alma mater.

23 May 2008

Dr Andrew Minett presented a talk at GerMANY Innovations. The talk was titled ‘Alternative energy applications of nanostructured carbon-based materials’ and highlighted research carried out by Dr Minett that began with his post-doctoral research at the Max-Planck-Institut fuer Festkoerperforschung in Stuttgart and culminating with his current research in conjunction with colleagues at the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute and ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science. GerMANY Innovations 2008 was a joint initiative of the German Consulate, German industry and cultural organisations and the University of Wollongong. The mix of serious and social events on the program was designed to allow students, staff and the general Illawarra community to get involved. Read more >>> UOW celebrates GerMANY connections.

16 May 2008

Student competition winners score places at Nanobionics Symposium in June.

4 May 2008

Dr Greg Smith from SciVentures Investments Pty Ltd, also a member of the ACES International Advisory Board (IAB), visited ACES/ IPRI node on May 4th and gave an insightful seminar to staff on ‘Commercialisation & Venture Creation from Research Outcomes’. Greg co-founded the venture capital company, SciVentures Investments Pty. Ltd., which manages the SciVentures Pre-Seed Fund that is licensed under the Federal Government’s “Backing Australia’s Ability” program.

The seminar touched on a variety of topics which included the present competitive global environment for research and commercialisation; approaches to commercialisation of R&D; the critical role of intellectual property; management of the intellectual property portfolio and tools available to do so; the steps involved in the start up/ spin out route and licensing techniques and strategies. Open and frank discussions helped the participants to understand the complexities of being able to realise commercialisation and venture creation from the benchtop research outcomes we achieve.

30 April 2008

Top result for UOW’s Chinese self-financed students abroad.

30 April 2008

Congratulations Professor David Officer and co-authors on your article, Highly Efficient Porphyrin Sensitizers for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. It is one of the most-accessed articles published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C in 2007. Most-Accessed Articles listed are based on article web view data collected following COUNTER-compliant ACS Usage Reports.

April 25, 2008

The Sydney Morning Herald carried an article on the potential to create a bionic eye in Australia, mentioning that the project would involve a collaboration of Australia’s experts, including UOW. "The potential to create a bionic eye in Australia is a serious prospect. What it needs is funding, writes Mark Metherell". >>Read the SMH article.

April 5, 2008:

Our collaborator, Professor Ric Kaner talking on ABC Radio National in the Science Show. Amoungst other interesting aspects of his research Ric discusses his collaboration with Wollongong in the area of smart materials. >>Hear/read more of the interview.

March 17, 2008

On March 17th members of the Standing Committee on State Development, undertaking the "Inquiry into Nanotechnology in New South Wales", visited ACES (IPRI).

Professor Gordon Wallace and Professor Susan Dodds addressed the committee at Wollongong highlighting the technical opportunities as well as the important ethical issues arising from Nanotechnology Research.

The visiting committee members consisted of:
The Hon Tony Catanzariti MLC (Chair) (Australian Labor Party) The Hon Matthew Mason-Cox MLC (Liberal Party)
Revd The Hon Fred Nile MLC (Christian Democratic Party )
The Hon Christine Robertson MLC (Australian Labor Party)
The Hon Mick Veitch MLC (Australian Labor Party)

The TERMS OF REFERENCE of the Review Committee are as follows:

  • That the Standing Committee on State Development inquire into and report on nanotechnology in New South Wales, in particular:
  • current and future applications of nanotechnology for New South Wales industry and the New South Wales community
  • the health, safety and environmental risks and benefits of nanotechnology
  • the appropriateness of the current regulatory frameworks in operation for the management of nanomaterials over their life-cycle
  • the adequacy of existing education and skills development opportunities related to nanotechnology
  • the adequacy of the National Nanotechnology Strategy in the New South Wales context the level of community understanding of nanotechnology and options to improve public awareness of nanotechnology issues.
  • That the Committee report by 31 October 2008.
March 12, 2008

Focus on ‘intelligent materials’ launches the Research Strength Showcase Series

March, 2008

Yong Liu, a PhD student within the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, was awarded the Chinese Government's Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students. Yong was 1 of the 3 students from University of Wollongong to be awarded this prestigous prize. Overall there were 21 winners in Australia with 3 winners also from UNSW and 1 from University of Sydney. Each recipient is awarded US 5,000 dollars. Congratulations on this achievement Yong!

January 27, 2008

Discovery promises major advances in energy conversion and storage. 

Last reviewed: 28 September, 2009