Innovation Showcase continues with Energy Options forum

May 10, 2007

The University’s strong commitment to the Innovation Showcase continued this week with a Public Forum on Energy Options for 2020 held at the Science Centre and Planetarium.

The thought-provoking and informative free forum was moderated by ABC Radio’s Simone Whetton and presented by some of the country’s leading experts in their fields.

Professor David Officer, an organic chemist and Professorial Fellow in the ARC Centre of Excellence in Electromaterials Science at UOW, delivered a presentation on solar energy. Professor Officer's research into solar cell technology is in developing 'intelligent materials' to emulate photosynthesis. He was recently awarded the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry Hort Research Prize for Excellence in the Chemical Sciences.

He was joined by Dr John Carras who is the Science Director with the CSIRO Division of Energy Technology. Dr Carras discussed his research into fossil fuels as well as spontaneous combustion and greenhouse gas emissions.

Associate Professor Martin Sevior from the University of Melbourne also spoke on the subject of nuclear energy and his research into the field of experimental particle physics.

The Australian Innovation Festival runs until 27 May while the Illawarra Innovation Showcase is being held from 7 May to 13 May. More than 42 organisations are taking part.

Forthcoming events involving the University of Wollongong include:

• Social Innovation in Organisations. The Social Innovation Network formed across faculties at the University of Wollongong will host this novel interactive forum to discuss approaches for improving quality of life and how to address this in the workplace. All are welcome to this free event. Bookings should be made by phoning 4221 3757. It is being held at 6pm on Thursday 10 May in the Social Club, Level 1, UniCentre.

. Innovation Idol will showcase UOW research students’ capacity to develop an innovative solution to a hypothetical problem in Australia – and their ability to ‘pitch’ their innovative idea.The free event will provide an interactive, entertaining and fun avenue for presenting serious aspects of the innovation process, by following the formula established in shows such as “Australian Idol”. All are welcome but bookings should be made by phoning Leisa Ridges, Commercial Research Officer (Research and Innovation Division) on 4221 4817 or email leisa@uow.edu.au Ideas will be critiqued by a panel of expert judges with audience participation selecting finalists and the ultimate winner. [Date, time and venue: 5.30pm, Friday 11 May in the UniCentre Function Centre, Room 4].