Grant energises University of NSW

Professor Rose
Amal recently

green research
won a $1.3 million
grant. Photo Grant
Turner.

When Professor Rose Amal looks into the

future, she sees a world where solar power
cleans water and cars run on hydrogen.
Now, thanks to a $1.3 million grant, she is one
step closer to making this vision a reality.
The grant, which will fund five years of work
and research, will allow Prof Amal, from the
School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering at
the University of NSW, to create a system which
harnesses and converts solar energy into hydro-
gen, while also cleaning waste water.
The process, called photo catalysis, will effec-
tively “kill two birds with one stone” by creating
green energy, as well as solving Australia’s water
shortages, Prof Amal said.
“This particular technology can be used when
we require very clean water and also want to re-
use and recycle our water,” Prof Amal said.
Although Prof Amal said Japanese and
European motorists already drove cars powered
by hydrogen, manufacturers were continuing to
use non-renewable energy to create the gas.
In addition, the materials and systems used to
form hydrogen were inefficient, making it unat-
tractive for commercial use on a large scale.
“The quantum efficiency level is less than one
per cent,” she said.
Although the grant will come into effect in
January next year, Prof Amal predicted it could
take 15 to 20 years before the process becomes
commercially viable.
However, within two to three years UNSW
should have correct process and materials
planned out, which will enable them to create a
greener future, she said.
- Lauren Farrow

UNSW hit the jackpot on October 15, receiving more than $33 million in grants from the Australian Research Council. The
largest Discovery grant of $1.6 million was awarded to Prof Jeffrey Braithwaite, inset, the director of the Institute for Health
Innovation. Professor Braithwaite will be investigating professional networks within public health with the aim of improving
behaviour and attitudes, and consequently health outcomes.

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