Professor David Lewis (pictured), Director of Flinders University’s Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology, has been chosen to take part in Austrade’s Visiting Researcher Program to Europe in 2011.
One of only eight Australian researchers from the clean energy and biotechnology sector to receive this support, Professor Lewis will visit four UK universities in May to promote Flinders’ capability in the emerging field of nanotechnology.
“Flinders University has a long history of research in nanotechnology, building on strengths in surface science and advanced materials and applying them to novel approaches to photovoltaic cells, selective membranes and highly specific sensors,” Professor Lewis said.
“The primary aim of my visit is to make UK researchers aware of the people, projects and capabilities at Flinders University and to find ways to collaborate on projects of mutual interest,” he said.
Flinders Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology research team is made up of eight research leaders and over 70 active research staff.
These researchers are supported by a modern infrastructure at Flinders as well as ready access to other cutting edge instruments through integral involvement in national research networks such as the Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Facility.
“One area of research strength at Flinders is the development of novel photovoltaic architectures based both on novel materials such as carbon nanotubes as well as polymeric materials,” Professor Lewis said.
“We are also well advanced in the development of efficient water filtration and purification systems which promise to revolutionise desalination processes,” he said.
Other areas of expertise in the Centre include the development of sensitive and specific implantable biosensors using biocompatible materials such as porous silicon.