Research 2010–2011 @UNSW
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2ESEARCH n 5.37 #(!.').';4(%7/2,$ = CHANGING [ THE WORLD ] Research 2010–2011 @UNSW CONTENTS CHANGING [ THE PLANET ] 04–05 CHANGING [ TECHNOLOGY] 26–27 The solar story so far 06 Quantum leap 28 The solar solution 07 Just browsing 29 Alternative approaches 08 Look who’s talking 30 Cleaning up 09 Good produce 31 The heat is on 10–11 Concrete proposals 32 Flow of ideas 12–13 Robots to the rescue 33 Damage control 34 CHANGING [ HEALTHCARE ] 14–15 With fl ying colours 35 Building strength 16 CHANGING [ SOCIETY ] 36–37 Unlocking secrets of the mind 17 Stalking a killer 18 The rights stuff 38 Conquering cancer 19 Future proofi ng Australia 39 Eye on the prize 20 A world of difference 40 Future vision 21 Healing power 41 Hi-tech health 22–23 Risky business 42 Medical marvels 24–25 Secret lives of men 43 ENGAGING WITH [ RESEARCH ] 44–45 Industrial strength 46 New research hubs 47 Leading the fi eld 48– 49 Making a difference 50 Credits 51 www.research.unsw.edu.au 03 From leading the world in developing clean solar energy to fi nding the cause of one of Australia’s longest droughts, UNSW research is fi nding answers to pressing environmental problems. Solar power Emissions trading The crux of the drought Coastal erosion Making drinking water safe Saving marine life Waterbird warriors 04 Research@UNSW 2010 –2011 CHAPTER ONE: CHANGING [ THE PLANET] www.research.unsw.edu.au 05 The solar story so far For 35 years, UNSW has been a major force in photovoltaics research. 1975 1992 2000 • Solar Photovoltaic Group’s fi rst cell • First large system using licensed • World’s fi rst undergraduate program UNSW technology built in Berne, in Photovoltaic Engineering starts* Switzerland • Third Generation Photovoltaics Centre commences 1985 1994 2002 • World’s fi rst 20% effi cient silicon • 24% effi cient silicon solar cell* • Centre of Excellence in Advanced solar cell* Silicon PV and Photonics established • Buried contact cell sales under license to UNSW exceed $300m 1989 1995 2006 • World’s fi rst 20% silicon cell used for • “Spin-off” Pacifi c Solar commences • Collaboration with Suntech Power space* (confi rmed by NASA on • Buried contact cell most successfully leads to announcement of commercial high-altitude aircraft) commercialised in last 15 years production of jointly developed technology for improved top contact design • Stuart Wenham awarded World Technology Award for Energy • Collaboration agreement signed with CEEG Solar, Nanjing, China 1990 1998 2008 • 23% effi cient silicon cell • Pacifi c Solar announces pilot-line • School wins IAG Eureka Prize for • Swiss solar car “Spirit of Biel” wins start-up (thin-fi lm cells) Innovative Solutions to Climate Change World Solar Challenge using UNSW • BP Solar announces 20 megawatt, • PhD student Nicole Kuepper wins British solar cell technology $57m plant in Sydney (buried Council Eureka Prize for Young Leaders in Environmental Issues and Climate • Martin Green wins international IEEE contact cells) Change & People’s Choice Eureka Award William R. Cherry Award for advancing • BP announced Amoco merger photovoltaic energy technology eventually leading to construction • Martin Green honoured as New of this facility in Tres Cantos, Spain South Wales Scientist of the Year • World record 25% conversion effi ciency for silicon PERL cell 1991 1999 2009 • Group’s fi rst thin-fi lm silicon cell • Aurora 101 solar car wins World Solar • Stuart Wenham wins IEEE William Challenge with UNSW cells • BP Solar releases “Saturn” module R. Cherry Award under licence using UNSW technology • Australia Prize to Martin Green and • Australian Solar Institute established Stuart Wenham for solar work (highest effi ciency commercial • Agreement with Roth & Rau to module at 14.3%) establish pilot production line at UNSW * indicates world best 06 Research@UNSW 2010 –2011 The solar solution UNSW’s world-leading solar cell research is proving that clean energy is a force to be reckoned with. Solar electric power is the fastest-growing UNSW is a founding member of the The array, to be installed this year, will energy market in the world, with demand Australian Solar Institute and will have comprise 2000 high-effi ciency Pluto increasing at a rate of 40 percent or more unrivalled research capacity through the solar photovoltaic panels and will supply annually for an energy source recognised soon-to-be-constructed Solar Industrial up to 70 percent of the STC’s power as one of the most promising technologies Research Facility – the only industrial- requirements, cutting its carbon emissions for a clean, sustainable energy future. grade silicon solar cell pilot line in the by about 555 tonnes a year – the country. In 2012 UNSW will open its equivalent of taking 158 cars off the road. UNSW is a world leader in solar cell $125 million Tyree Energy Technologies technology, with a substantial portfolio of Building, further enhancing the Dr Shi and his wife, Vivienne, made an patented technologies, commercialisation University’s research capabilities. extraordinary $2 million donation from agreements and international awards their family charitable foundation to to its name (see timeline, page 6). Its In commercial terms, deals have been create the solar array, which will be part research program is structured to address brokered for the team’s breakthrough of the STC’s broader Greening the Wharf near, medium- and long-term needs. buried contact and semiconductor sustainability project. technologies with some of the world’s Grid parity – matching the cost of fossil- largest solar cell manufacturers, including The Pluto cell used in the panels is a fuelled electricity – remains the greatest Chinese giant, Suntech Power, which low-cost implementation of UNSW’s challenge for photovoltaic power and the was founded by UNSW alumnus world-record-holding 25 percent effi ciency team at the University’s ARC Photovoltaics Dr Zhengrong Shi. PERL solar cell technology. Jointly Centre of Excellence is focused on developed by Suntech and UNSW’s School pairing cutting-edge technology with The links between UNSW and Suntech of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy market reality. Under the leadership of are having an impact at the heart of Engineering, the technology’s use at the internationally recognised solar innovators, Sydney’s emerging harbourside arts STC is its fi rst major installation in Australia. Scientia Professors Stuart Wenham and precinct. An agreement has been Martin Green, the Centre is a world leader made to install Australia’s largest-capacity in low-cost, fi rst-generation silicon solar rooftop solar panel array at the Sydney THE OPPORTUNITY cell technology. Theatre Company’s (STC) historic Walsh PhD and post-doctoral research Bay building. opportunities are available, as are industry and government partnerships. Grant Turner, Mediakoo Grant Turner, Photo The power to change ... Scientia Professors Martin Green (left) and Stuart Wenham www.research.unsw.edu.au 07 Kate Geraghty, Fairfaxphotos.com Kate Geraghty, Photo Bright future ... Nicole Kuepper develops cheap solar cells in the lab Alternative approaches Innovation is the key to powering the future. UNSW Photovoltaics PhD student “I want to stay in this fi eld and see it Dr Hawkes is researching how to Nicole Kuepper captured the collective become a world energy resource,” optimise ethanol as a future fuel. imagination when she took out the 2008 she says. People’s Choice Eureka Award for her “Alternative fuels are going to be a Dr Evatt Hawkes, also of the School of work developing a cheap way to make huge growth area. Biofuels hold much Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy solar cells in developing countries. promise but we need to reduce the cost, Engineering, is looking at developing environmental impact and the competition Cheap solar cells created using simple more-sustainable fuels and engines for with food. We really need to work this components – aluminium spray, inkjet transport. problem from all angles – that includes printing, nail polish remover and low- more productive crops, better ways of With more than 90 percent of the world’s temperature pizza ovens – could deliver converting the crop into fuel and better transport reliant on combustion engines, clean energy to thousands of poor ways of burning the fuel in engines,” researchers are looking to fi nd ways to communities with no access to grid he says. drastically reduce fuel consumption, power. It’s research that demonstrates pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. how inspired engineering could deliver rapid results in the real world. Dr Hawkes has developed computational THE OPPORTUNITY tools which are leading to a better Current solar cell production methods PhD and post-doctoral research understanding of the fundamental physics are expensive and require high-tech opportunities are available, as are and chemistry behind combustion. This equipment, putting them out of reach industry and government partnerships. aids the development of new, sustainable for most people in poorer nations. fuels and engine designs. “We’re working to simplify how the “In a low carbon energy environment and cells are manufactured so they can be with increasing dependence on imported produced in developing countries,” oil, you have really got to think about Kuepper says. what you are going to do in transportation “We’re up to the really exciting stage of fuels,” he says. creating prototypes.” “I think there is some opportunity to Kuepper, who is studying at UNSW’s electrify urban vehicles but there are School of Photovoltaic and Renewable some areas where electrifi cation just can’t Energy Engineering is passionate about work, such as aircraft and heavy trucking. the potential of solar power. It’s in these areas that liquid fuels will remain vital.” 08 Research@UNSW 2010 –2011 Shutterstock Photo Polluter pays ... coal-fired power plants would be part of any emissions trading scheme Cleaning up UNSW researchers are testing the proposed carbon trading scheme, to make sure it comes up to scratch.