Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery has long championed the ground-breaking scientific research being conducted in the city.
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On Monday he saw first hand some of the cutting-edge technologies being carried out by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES) within the University of Wollongong’s Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI).
While there Cr Bradbery also helped launch ACES’ National Science Week (August 11-19) activities. He was presented with the Keys to the Labs – printed in 3D, for his troubles.
Wollongong’s other well-known Gordon, ACES director Professor Gordon Wallace also invited the Illawarra community to visit “our world-class facilities” during the IPRI Open Day on Thursday, August 16.
He said the open day was an important way for the local community to understand the pioneering research happening right on their doorstep.
“The IPRI Open Day is the perfect opportunity to showcase the hard work taking place right here in the ‘Gong that will have an impact locally, nationally and internationally,” Prof Wallace said.
“Every day our scientists are making strides in technologies that are shaping the next generation of smart materials for health and energy solutions to improve people’s lives.
“Most exciting is the fact this research can directly translate into commercial enterprises, creating job opportunities for our next generation of scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs – if you’re considering a job in this field, come and check out our labs and see what the future could hold.”
Visitors to the IPRI Open Day, which runs from 9am to 4pm, can speak with local researchers about their cutting-edge technologies.
These include human hair-size graphene fibre electrodes to provide recordings from brain cells; materials that can electrically stimulate brain cells to potentially reverse schizophrenia; and the amazing properties of bioinks to assist in wound healing, the regrowing of ears and treating diabetics.
The centre’s 3D BioPrinting techniques, which have created opportunities to repair damaged cartilage to prevent osteoarthritis and corneal damage, and develop prosthetic ears to treat the congenital deformity microtia, will also be on display.
The 2018 Bill Wheeler Community Symposium will also be held on August 16 at the AIIM Facility at 5pm. The event is free to attend.
Visit the EventBrite pages for the IPRI Open Day and/or Bill Wheeler Symposium for more information or to register.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
