21-22 February 2008
3rd International Electromaterials Science Symposium "Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Generation"
Over 120 registrants attended the third annual ACES International Electromaterials Science Symposium held at the CSIRO Ian Wark Auditorium in Clayton, Melbourne. The Symposium attracted a “best in the world” list of invited speakers from China, Europe, America and Australia. In addition, a first rate collection of posters from ACES and external researchers made for interesting reading and initiated many discussions during the breaks.
Prof. Maria Forsyth from Monash University, Associate Director of ACES, opened proceedings by welcoming registrants and speakers to Melbourne. ACES Director Prof. Gordon Wallace, from the University of Wollongong, followed with his opening remarks that highlighted areas where ACES researchers were making key discoveries. Dr John Wright, the CSIRO Energy Transformed Flagship Director, was also one of the keynote speakers, and took as his theme “Grand Research Challenges on the Road to a Sustainable Energy Future”.
Presentations that followed covered areas as diverse as solar energy (capture and conversion), novel batteries and fuel cells, “bioinspired” water oxidation catalysis, actuation, and SEM and NMR characterisation of electroactive materials. Prof. Graeme Clark, from the Bionic Ear Institute/St Vincent’s Hospital, must also be mentioned for the great insight he gave into Cochlear implants of the future.
The first session Friday was opened by Dr Hong Li, from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dr Li spoke about nanostructured materials for energy storage and conversion. Prof. Andrew Holmes from the University of Melbourne then presented details of the Victorian Government’s photovoltaics research initiative.
Other highlights included presentations on double-layer capacitor technology (being commercialised by CAP-XX), dye sensitised solar cells, light harvesting, advances in artificial photosynthesis, carbon nanotube applications, surface characterisation, graphene dispersions, thermoelectric properties and powered bionic devices. Dr Siegmar Roth, from the Max Plank Institute in Germany concluded the symposium with his insight into nanotube based transparent conducting films and left all that attended feeling energised and (electro)active!
At the Symposium Dinner the researchers musical flair came to the fore and illustrated to everyone that scientific/engineering research was not the only area where some had excelled!
Our sincere thanks is given to the organising team, led by Prof. Maria Forsyth. At Monash University, those that helped were: Prof. Doug MacFarlane, Mr Lex Edmond, Mr Wayne Neil, Ms Vanessa Armel, Ms Tracey Markley, and Mrs. Sona Shekibi. At CSIRO Dr Mark Bown, Dr Anita Hill and Dr Matthew Hill assisted with the smooth running of the Symposium. CSIRO is also warmly acknowledged for making the Ian Wark Auditorium available.
