Professor Justin Hodgkiss
This week’s guest speaker was Prof Justin Hodgkiss, of Victoria University and the McDiarmid Institute.
Justin has had a stellar career in research, graduating from Otago University initially, and then a doctorate at MIT followed by a post-doctoral fellowship at Cambridge.
The McDiarmid Institute is a research collaboration of seven NZ universities and Crown Research Institutes, named after Alan McDiarmid, a New Zealander who won a Nobel Prize for his work on conducting polymers. Its focus is on the properties of materials and the development of new ones.
Justin gave us an overview of several of the projects under way at the McDiarmid.
Maize and biowaste can be used to make new useful biodegradable products. Cheaper printable photovoltaic arrays can be made in the lab, and work is ongoing to make them more efficient.
Storage batteries are critical to a low-carbon future, and aluminium looks promising as a replacement for lithium.
Using hydrogen as an energy source is a major effort worldwide because it releases no carbon at all.
Computing and data storage are now so universal that they create more carbon emissions than air travel- mostly in the energy needs of air-conditioning. Materials that can think like a brain may make computers more efficient.
The McDiarmid Institute is thriving and has an international reputation with many global collaborations in place.
Justin’s talk was fascinating and optimistic in the face of the monumental challenges of sustainability and climate change.
Neighbourhood Challenge: Who Can Crack This One? ⛓️💥❔
What has a head but no brain?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
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Poll: Would you participate in local initiatives aimed at stopping plastic from reaching our oceans?
Volunteers will be scouring the foreshore, riverbanks, and islands for rubbish on Saturday the 13th as part of the Clean Up the Hutt event.
This initiative helps stop plastic from reaching our oceans and makes our waterways cleaner and safer for everyone.
We want to know: Should this be rolled out across all coastal cities in Aotearoa? And more importantly… would you get involved? 💚
Want the details? The Post has you covered.
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69.5% Yes!
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16.9% Maybe ...
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13.6% No.
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
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