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Dec 2016/Jan 2017

Smart materials pioneer wins Eureka prize

Leadership in Innovation and Science

Professor Gordon Wallace FRACI CChem has won the CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Innovation and Science.

Recognised for his work as an internationally renowned researcher at the University of Wollongong’s ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES), Wallace was commended at the Eureka Prize gala dinner in Sydney, for his cultivation of a research vision in the area of ‘intelligent polymers’.

The Eureka Prizes are Australia’s most comprehensive national science awards, presented annually by the Australian Museum to reward outstanding achievements in Australian science.

Wallace said his Eureka Prize acknowledged the pioneering work undertaken by his collaborative team, in the use of nanotechnology and additive fabrication in renewable energy and medical science.

‘This award acknowledges the ability of ACES and its partners to take fundamental discovery to real applications,’ Wallace said. ‘It takes an integrated, cohesive and committed team to achieve this.’

‘A great team can make most people look like a good captain.’

In his acceptance speech, Wallace thanked the people he has worked with over his 30 years at the University of Wollongong.

‘Thank you to the hundreds of people I’ve worked with around this country, especially those at ACES and the Australian National Fabrication Facility,’ Wallace said.

‘Thank you also to the community we work for. You can be assured that you have around this country, research scientists totally committed not only to discoveries in the lab, but to translating those discoveries to practical outcomes in the most effective and efficient way possible, so that we can all lead better lives.’

 


University of Wollongong

Professor Gordon Wallace and a 3D printing polymer model of a brain, with colleague Dr Stephen Beirne.  

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