Masterclass: Delivering impact with STEM
Innovator, scientist, engineer and UNSW SMaRT Centre Professor Veena Sahajwalla discusses the role of engineering and science in solving the global challenges we face to improve environmental, social and economic wellbeing and how innovations in Australia are delivering real world benefits by recycling.
Professor Veena Sahajwalla is renowned for pioneering the high temperature transformation of waste in the production of a new generation of ‘green materials’ at the UNSW Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre, where she is Founding Director. She is also the inventor of polymer injection technology, known as Green Steel™, an eco-friendly process for using recycled tyres in steel production. In this masterclass Professor Sahajwalla discusses:
- her Green Steel™, Green Ceramics™ and MICROfactorie™ innovations and the need for greater cooperation and partnership with researchers and businesses
- creating circular economies and turning problematic waste into valuable material
- how companies apply innovative, sustainable materials and processes today
- the path to commercialisation in Australia and partnership possibilities for corporates.
Innovations in Australia are developing real word benefits by recycling waste, join me as I shine a light on recycling science.
Video: 17 minutes 30 seconds
About the academic presenter
Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, Director, Sustainable Materials Research &Technology Centre, University of New South Wales
Professor Veena Sahajwalla is an internationally recognised materials scientist, engineer and inventor who is revolutionising recycling science. She is renowned for pioneering the high temperature transformation of waste in the production of a new generation of ‘green materials’ at the UNSW Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre, where she is Founding Director.
Professor Sahajwalla is the inventor of polymer injection technology, known as Green Steel™, an eco-friendly process for using recycled tyres in steel production.
In 2018, Veena launched the world's first e-waste MICROfactorie™ and in 2019 she launched her plastics and Green Ceramics™ MICROfactories™, a recycling technology breakthrough.
Veena is the director of the Australian Research Centre (ARC) Industrial Transformation Research Hub for ‘microrecycling’, a leading national research centre that works in collaboration with industry to ensure new recycling science is translated into real world environmental and economic benefits.
Professor Veena has also been appointed hub leader of the National Environmental Science Program - Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub, working with research institutions and many industry, government and community stakeholders.
