Adelaide wins $2.5 million for industry-linked research

Partners in research (from left): Dr David Lewis (Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide), Mr Gerald Barker (General Manager, SQC Pty Ltd) and Associate Professor Peter Ashman (Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide).  More than $2.5 million in industry-linked research was today awarded to the University of Adelaide.
Photo by David Ellis.

Partners in research (from left): Dr David Lewis (Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide), Mr Gerald Barker (General Manager, SQC Pty Ltd) and Associate Professor Peter Ashman (Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide). More than $2.5 million in industry-linked research was today awarded to the University of Adelaide.
Photo by David Ellis.

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Wednesday, 23 June 2010

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have today been awarded more than $2.5 million in Federal funding for new projects that span the fields of health, environment and ecology, mining, engineering and communications.

Nine new studies, which involve collaboration with industry and government, have been announced for the University of Adelaide in Round 2 of the Australian Research Council's (ARC) Linkage Projects scheme.

In addition to the $2.5 million awarded by the government, the winning projects also stand to collectively receive almost $4.8 million in cash and in-kind contributions from collaborative partners, including industry.

"Today's funding announcement demonstrates the University of Adelaide's continued success in conducting research in collaboration with industry and government," says the University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Mike Brooks.

"These new projects will benefit both industry and the community. They will be conducted by leading staff across a number of our key research institutes, including the Environment Institute and the Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources."

The biggest grant awarded to the University of Adelaide today is $460,000 to chief investigator Dr David Lewis and Associate Professor Peter Ashman (School of Chemical Engineering) for research into clean biofuel from microalgae.

In partnership with South Australian-based technology development company SQC Pty Ltd and Flinders University, Dr Lewis and colleagues will develop processes to produce renewable energy from microalgae grown in open saline ponds.

"Our work will lead to the sustainable production of commercial quantities of clean biofuels," Dr Lewis says.

"Renewable energy is an essential part of Australia's low greenhouse gas emissions energy target and is central to energy security. The development of microalgal energy will help Australia to reduce greenhouse gas and will provide benefits to energy industry."

SQC Chairman Mr Ollie Clark AM says: "We're delighted with today's announcement. The research being conducted in this project will add considerably to the biofuels expertise here in South Australia, and the outcomes will be very important to the energy future of the state. We look forward to continuing our work with the universities on this initiative."

The other successful projects and funding announced today are:

 

Contact Details

Dr David Lewis
Email: david.lewis@adelaide.edu.au
Senior Lecturer
School of Chemical Engineering
The University of Adelaide
Business: + 61 8 8313 5503
Mobile: 0411 161 325


Mr David Ellis
Email: david.ellis@adelaide.edu.au
Website: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/
Deputy Director, Media and Corporate Relations
External Relations
The University of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8313 5414
Mobile: +61 (0)421 612 762