News & Announcements

2008

26 August 2008
New Atomic Force Microscope peeks into the world of nanobionics
(Media release).

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. >>Read more about Steve's 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. Click for MRS highlight about this article.

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. Read the article.

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 2008
Congratulations Sau Yen Chew (Sophie), a PhD candidate working on the lithium-ion battery project with ACES, (ISEM node) and supervised by Prof. HK Liu and Dr. Jiazhao Wang. Sophie has been awarded a prestigious ECS summer fellowship for 2008, specifically the F. M. Becket Summer Fellowship during her visiting period at the Battery Group Electrochemistry Laboratory, Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Switzerland.

The applicant pool was very strong and highly competitive. She is one of the five award winners from all over the world to be selected by the ECS Selection Committee. This award consists of US$5000, funded by The Electrochemical Consolidated Fellowship Fund, with the aim to assist the student during the summer months (June-September) in the pursuit of work in a field of interest to The Electrochemical Society.

Sophie is currently appointed as a visiting scientist at PSI to focus on thin film electrodes fabrication and characterisation for the lithium-ion batteries, which is one of the highest priorities of ACES project milestones. With the facilities provided at PSI, she will continue her reseach during the stay in the summer month for the LiMn2O4 thin film project. This thin film cathode will be used as a model electrode to understand the electrochemical behaviour of the system via the in-situ analytical tools available there. Thin film batteries are also in high demand for applications such as the microchip industry to enable miniaturisation of electronic devices and for implantation in “smart” credit cards.

At the conclusion of her fellowship, she will be required to submit a written report of the work undertaken, which will be published in the Society’s quarterly magazine, Interface. Sophie’s excellent performance certainly contributes to raising the ACES/ISEM, Fac Eng, UoW international profile.

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 IAB board member and 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 20, 2008
Dame Bridget Ogilvie, AC DBE FAA FRS, has been elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Sciences. She is distinguished for her work in parasitology, science administration, research and education. Dame Bridget was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science from UOW in 2005 and currently serves as Chair for the International Advisory Board of the UOW-based Australian Centre of Excellence in Electromaterials (ACES) and as an advisor to our Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute. Read her biography>>>

March 20, 2008
Congratulations Professor Douglas MacFarlane and co-authors on your article, "Ionic Liquids in Electrochemical Devices and Processes: Managing Interfacial Electrochemistry", published in Accounts of Chemical Research [Acc. Chem. Res. 2007, 40, 1165–1173], being featured on the ACS Publications website as the Most-Accessed Article for the fourth-quarter of 2007.  Most-Accessed Articles listed are based on article web view data collected following COUNTER-compliant ACS Usage Reports.

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:

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

March 12, 2008
Focus on ‘intelligent materials’ launches the Research Strength Showcase Series

March 5, 2008
'Bionic implants raise ethical questions' story by Anna Salleh ABC.

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!

February, 2008
Dr David Nayagam, from ACES/BEI node, was awarded a Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative (VNI) Skill Development scholarship to value of $2,200 (4 Dec 2007). This award provides opportunities for new and early career researchers to attend short courses designed to develop research skills. David used his funds to attend the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Australian and New Zealand Surgical Skills Education and Training (ASSET) course ( 29 February - 02 March), a course normally only for surgical trainees. David was allocated a place on the prestigious ASSET course because of the VNI award, the calibre of ACES/BEI research, and letters of recommendation from RACS fellows within BEI. Congratulations David!

January 27, 2008
Discovery promises major advances in energy conversion and storage.

January 2008
'Building the BIONIC MAN' by Helen Signy. This article features in the January 2008 edition of Readers Digest and discusses the research undertaken by Prof. Graeme Clark and Prof. Gordon Wallace and the team within the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science.

>>>> "Once the domain of science fiction and cheesy television shows, the bionic man and woman are fast becoming a reality.   But rather than creating part machines with super powers, science is delivering new hope to Aussies who have lost limbs and abilities the rest of us take for granted.  An exciting future beckons.

The latest issue of Reader’s Digest explains just how far medical science has come, and the advances that are now within our grasp.   Already pacemakers (heart) and cochlear implants (hearing) are transforming lives, but technology is on the verge of helping everyone from the blind to amputees and paraplegics.

Devices may even help severely physically impaired people to control things like the lights, TV and telephone, through the power of thought itself.   Advanced bionic limbs are coming onto the market; other devices are helping the likes of epilepsy and Parkinson’s Disease, while the bionic kidney could transform the lives of one million people suffering end-stage renal failure". >>>>>Taken from http://www.readersdigest.com.au/content/media-room--readers-digest/

January 2008
David Nayagam was the Valedictorian, at the University of Melbourne graduation ceremony, January 2008.

The year in review 2007 ...click here.

The year in review 2006 ...click here.