Media Release

Professor Derek Abbott Full Image (80.47K)

Monday, 13 July 2009

Australia has the resources and knowledge to power the world by harnessing its expertise across different fields, according to a University of Adelaide scientist.

Professor Derek Abbott, one of South Australia's most innovative and lateral thinkers, says an Australian collaboration between electrical engineers, economists and chemical engineers could potentially supply the world's energy needs.

The former winner of the Premier's SA Great Award in Science and Technology will explain his vision at a public seminar in Adelaide tomorrow night.

Professor Abbott, from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, will present the University's monthly Research Tuesdays public lecture tomorrow evening, revealing his solutions for powering the world, and the challenges this presents.

"Future energy supply is a massive global problem," Professor Abbott says. "Although no-one knows exactly when oil production will cease, its days are undoubtedly numbered and its environmental shortcomings well recognised."

"Any alternatives which involve extracting resources from the earth will also be unsustainable, so the answer lies in a collaboration of electrical, economic and chemical expertise," he says.

Professor Abbott says Australia has an opportunity to lead the world in providing its energy needs and solving one of the planet's most pressing problems.

The qualified physicist and electronic engineer has wide-ranging research interests in complex systems and has received worldwide exposure for a number of his projects.

WHAT: Research Tuesday: "Rising to Global Power. How Australia can supply the whole world's energy needs" by Professor Derek Abbott
WHERE: Lecture Theatre 102, Napier Building, North Terrace Campus, University of Adelaide
WHEN: 5.30pm Tuesday 14 July
COST: Free, but bookings are essential. Email: researchtuesdays@adelaide.edu.au or phone 8303 3692