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.
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki has always brought the wonder. A science-popularising pioneer with global clout, colourful shirts and a devoted audience, he’s received major accolades in recognition of his capacity to talk science to everyone, including the first (and only) Julius Sumner Miller Fellowship at the University of Sydney and an Ig Nobel Prize from Harvard University for his research into belly-button fluff.
Although Singapore is one of the world’s tiniest countries, its economy is among the most innovative. It was ranked first in the 2019 World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report and second in the 2021 Bloomberg Innovation Index.Inventors from Singapore have created electronics and household products ubiquitous in our daily lives as well as emerging technologies to tackle healthcare needs. Let’s take a look at innovation from this city state.
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.
Research translation can help us meet the challenges of the coming decades head-on. Read about 10 Australian inventions equipping us for the future
These realisations of breakthrough ideas are delivering cleaner air, better wound healing, faster data transmission and so much more.
Satire is the weapon of choice for Dan Ilic, climate change activist and founder of comedy podcast A Rational Fear. “If I can pack a fact and a joke together, hopefully that is good enough to explode in someone’s brain,” he says.