February Newsletter
Welcome
Welcome to the February 2013 edition of our e-newsletter. We had some great feedback on the inaugural edition of our e-newsletter and we're excited to share more of our achievements with you. Read on to learn about our recent successes and research highlights in the wind, coal, tectonics and gas resource sectors.
I am very happy to announce the appointment of Associate Professor and Australian Research Council Future Fellow Alan Collins to Director of the Centre for Tectonics Resources and Exploration. Alan's mission will be to facilitate researcher-led initiatives, to help researchers take advantage of the resources available to the Centre for Tectonics Resources and Exploration and to support high quality research with the aim of making the University of Adelaide Australia's principal geoscience research and educational hub.
I would also like to warmly thank Associate Professor Nigel Cook, previous Director of the Centre for Tectonics Resources and Exploration, who will now serve as Deputy Director.
Stephen Grano
Executive Director
Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources, The University of Adelaide SA 5005 AUSTRALIA
Phone: +61 8 8 313 1448 email: imer@adelaide.edu.au
When it comes to research, we're well above world class
The latest Excellence in Research for Australia results have cemented the University of Adelaide's reputation for world class research, with earth, chemical and computing sciences recognised as clear research strengths. The University achieved the highest score possible (five) for disciplines associated with the Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources - Geochemistry, Geology, Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry. A score of five recognises research that is well above world standard. Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy were awarded a score of four, recognising research that is above world standard. Further details on our outstanding results can be found here.
Using wakes to design better wind farms
Could a better understanding of wind turbine wakes hold the key to improving wind farm design? Find out more....
$4.5 million of funding for Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources researchers
Researchers from the Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources have been awarded more than $4.5 million in the latest Australian Research Council funding round. This will ensure researchers in the fields of mineral exploration and energy production continue to have a significant impact. See full list here....
Distinguished lecturer honour for Dr John Kaldi
Dr John Kaldi, Chief Scientist of the CO2CRC and Chair of Geosequestration at the University of Adelaide has been appointed as a Society of Petroleum Engineers Distinguished Lecturer for 2013-2014. John was chosen, along with 29 other individual experts from a worldwide pool - fantastic recognition of his research and communication skills. More information on the distinguished lecturer series can be found here.
South Australian coals - solving a sticky situation
South Australia's large lignite coal reserves have the potential to be an economical and abundant source of fuel for power generation, but they can't be combusted effectively using conventional coal-fired furnaces. Could alternative combustion technology help unlock this potential?
Australian Solar Thermal Research Initiative to reduce cost of solar power
The Centre for Energy Technology, Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources is part of a world-class research project aimed at lowering the cost of solar power. The Australian Solar Thermal Research Initiative, an eight year collaboration worth over $87 million, will be at the forefront of solar research and leverage major international funding.
Outstanding postgraduate researchers awarded scholarships
Two postgraduate students at the University of Adelaide were recently awarded scholarships from the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association. Read more about their projects....
Researchers uncover rare natural evidence of the onset of modern style tectonics
Crustal thickening - which gave rise to Earth as we know it - may have occurred earlier than first thought. Recent research in India has unveiled critical natural evidence that supports current predictions.
Power companies invest in software development
Congratulations to the electrical engineers in the Power Systems Dynamics Group, for winning their fourth successive three-year research and development agreement with five Australian electric power companies. The agreement, worth $750,000, will allow the group to further develop its 'Mudpack' software package to enhance power system stability, control and performance as well as develop new analysis techniques.
Gondwana to Asia meeting
The 2012 International Association for Gondwana Research Annual Convention and 9th International Symposium on Gondwana to Asia was held in Adelaide from 18-20 November 2012. The highly successful conference, organised by researchers from the Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources, was attended by over 130 delegates. Delegates enjoyed oral and poster presentations on Gondwana resources, break-up and amalgamation as well as a pre-conference field trip to the Adelaide Hills and Flinders Ranges and post-conference field trip to Eyre Peninsula and Gawler Craton.
Mapping fracture networks key for efficient extraction of unconventional gas
Investigations into fracture networks of shales within the Cooper Basin are helping to target exploration within unconventional gas resources. Read more....
Using the latest technology to understand an age-old phenomenon
Dr Zeyad Alwahabi's obvious passion for using lasers to examine chemical problems was on display in the November 2012 edition of the Quantel Newsletter. Dr Alwahabi's research within the Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources focuses on increasing efficiency and reducing emissions from combustion.
Adelaide sreening of Switch
A screening of Switch, widely touted by experts as the "first truly balanced energy film", will be held at the University of Adelaide on 12th March 2013.. More details...
University of Adelaide researchers produce 'a book for its time'
South Australia's strong ties with the Asia-Pacific region have become key to the State's economic future. A new book, co-edited by A/Prof John Spoehr, discusses these dynamic, complex and crucial relationships from their origins in the 1970s to their recent role in insulating the State from the global financial crisis. Find out more here....
