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July 29, 2016

Materials scientist named Eureka Prize finalist

Professor Gordon Wallace nominated for a prestigious Eureka Prize for his pioneering work developing ‘intelligent polymers’.

UOW’s Professor Gordon Wallace (pictured above, front) is a finalist in the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, for his role in pioneering the use of nanotechnology and additive fabrication in renewable energy and medical science.

When Dr Wallace received a $2000 start-up grant at UOW in 1985 to develop his vision of ‘intelligent polymers’, he could not have envisioned that their application would be in such diverse areas as solar cells, windscreen wipers for a Mars rover, the Cochlear bionic ear implant and even as platforms to influence the development of stem cells.

Now Director of the renowned ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Professor Wallace leads a team of more than 120 in using new electromaterials, including intelligent polymers, to develop devices for use in energy and medical bionic applications.

“These new materials can be used for chemical and biochemical sensing, to convert light or heat to electricity, to store energy in batteries, as artificial muscles, and as anti-corrosion or anti-microbial surface coatings,” Professor Wallace said.

“They can also be used to stimulate biological systems to promote nerve and muscle regeneration.”

Professor Wallace is one of three finalists in the CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Innovation and Science.

“It’s a privilege to lead such a group of talented and dedicated researchers – all committed to making a difference to the communities for whom we work,” Professor Wallace said.

The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are the region’s premier science awards, worth a total of $160,000 in prize money. Winners will be announced at a dinner in Sydney on Wednesday 31 August.