If you look up at any one of the three million roofs in Australia with solar panels that have been recently installed, you’re almost certainly looking at the work of Sydney-based engineer, Professor Martin Green. It’s fair to say that, without his contribution, the solar-energy industry as we know it would not exist.
We regularly see mainstream media shows dedicated to political humour, but how often do you see science comedians? For the last decade primatologist, actor, producer, writer, host and comedian Natalia Reagan has been working to change that. “Comedy is the perfect opportunity to democratise science, kind of like what Jon Stewart has done for politics. He brought American politics to the mainstream – that’s what I want to do with science,” says Reagan.
A professor of chemistry at the University of Sydney, Thomas Maschmeyer co-invented a technology that turns plastic waste into oil to be used in fuel, chemicals or new plastic products in less than 20 minutes. That’s impressive, considering it takes nature millions of years to create the oil from scratch.
And even better, his invention, called the catalytic hydrothermal reactor (Cat-HTR), can process plastics that were previously considered un-recyclable.
Each year, 167 billion disposable nappies are made, used and thrown away. Such is their impact, that in countries such as Vanuatu, disposable nappies make up 30% all of their waste. Rather than letting them accumulate in landfill and our oceans, what if a soiled nappy could be fully compostable? What if the poo could become a source of fuel? What if nappies could become a source of income, rather than a household expense? Eco-nappy entrepreneurs Jason and Kim Graham-Nye are working to make that a reality.
Each year, 167 billion disposable nappies are made, used and thrown away. Such is their impact, that in countries such as Vanuatu, disposable nappies make up 30% all of their waste. Rather than letting them accumulate in landfill and our oceans, what if a soiled nappy could be fully compostable? What if the poo could become a source of fuel? What if nappies could become a source of income, rather than a household expense? Eco-nappy entrepreneurs Jason and Kim Graham-Nye are working to make that a reality.
Assistant Professor Andy Tay believes that research institutions in Singapore stand to benefit by incentivising researchers to engage in STEM outreach and inspire the next generation of scientists. “These are the people who are going to drive the STEM outreach and we want a reward system that not only motivates them to publish papers, but also to mentor and communicate,” he says.
She’s 28, funny and compelling. But ornithologist Corina Newsome also has a hard-hitting message for the science community: if it doesn’t start engaging with a more diverse audience, there will be major scientific and medical consequences.
We want to find that nerdy, transgender kid, who’s sitting in their room, creating amazing technology, but who may not be confident or think anyone might invest in them at all. We want to go to Indigenous community, the disabled community, the women’s community, the refugee community. We want to support women and minorities who would normally fall out of the funnel somewhere,” says Wallace. “I want to change what an AI entrepreneur looks like.”