by Komoneed | Apr 6, 2024
This year’s Australian Academy of Science awards have recognised a pioneer in the development of next-generation solar cells. The annual awards celebrate the achievements of the country’s leading minds, from early-career researchers to those who have spent a lifetime contributing to science.
The Academy awarded the Nancy Millis Medal for Women in Science to Professor Anita Ho-Baillie for her work on multi-junction solar cells.
Ho-Baillie, the John Hooke Chair of Nanoscience at The University of Sydney’s School of Physics and Sydney Nano Institute, uses a range of semiconductor materials to absorb different sections of the solar spectrum within a single cell, significantly enhancing energy-conversion efficiency. She has achieved record efficiencies for multi-junction solar cells utilising metal-halide perovskites.
Ho-Baillie’s recent breakthrough addresses the issue of perovskite cell degradation in heat and humidity. This marks a pivotal step toward durable, commercially viable perovskite cells and solidifies her role in advancing this technology.
Ho-Baillie is also deeply committed to inspiring young people to get involved in the STEM field and science communication.
Academy of Science President Professor Chennupati Jagadish said the awards recognise the diverse contributions of researchers across Australia and the power of long-term commitment to science.
“From climate change to public health, Australian researchers are addressing the challenges our communities face every day,” he said.
“Their dedication to the pursuit of knowledge enriches our understanding of the world around us and sets a great example for generations to come.
“It is a tremendous privilege to be given the opportunity to honour their contributions to science.”
Image credit: iStock.com/new look casting
by Komoneed | Apr 5, 2024
Our editors curate highly rated brands that are first assessed by our rigorous ratings system. Buying through our links may earn us a commission—supporting the work we do. Learn more. Shopping for more sustainable kids’ clothing is tricky, so we’ve rated and curated these “Good” and “Great” brands from around the world to make […]
The post The Ultimate Guide to More Ethical and Sustainable Children’s Clothing appeared first on Good On You.
by Komoneed | Apr 5, 2024
The 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival has provided the opportunity for two organisations to partner to reduce waste while also contributing to the community.
Superyard provides an online marketplace dedicated to connecting buyers and sellers of unused construction materials and related equipment. The organisation has over 10,000 members and reaches all sides of the construction industry, tapping into sectors such as home renovators and demolition companies.
As part of its work to promote a circular economy, Superyard collaborates with community service providers, including charities and schools, to find new uses for these materials.
Superyard partnered with maintenance company Cirka to find downstream users for a range of materials used in constructing the temporary structures throughout the Melbourne Cup Carnival 2023.
The initiative was led by Superyard CEO Ritchie Djamhur and Cirka ESG Manager Daniel Rowe, and involved careful stakeholder engagement with Victoria Racing Club.
Djamhur emphasised the importance of the initiative’s community focus, stating that the two organisations are “prioritising community, health and education bodies in Melbourne and the greater Victorian region”. Rowe said that Cirka’s relationship with Superyard allowed Cirka to repurpose construction materials back into the community; for example, to schools, community centres and men’s sheds.
To ensure that all materials were recycled and redistributed effectively, the organisations adopted a three-step process.
1. Proactive planning and industry collaboration
The 2023 initiative focused on intercepting and repurposing the construction materials from the event’s temporary structures. Through this planning process, Superyard and Cirka decided to repurpose the following materials:
Pinewood of various lengths
MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard) sheets
Carpeting in brown and black
Decking and fascia materials
LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber)
2. Material sourcing and builder engagement
The next step in the process was to safely and effectively pull down and source the materials to be redistributed.
The builders at the Melbourne Cup Carnival played a critical role in this redistribution process, helping to ensure that all materials were sourced correctly and that anything that could be reused would be reused. They diligently separated reusable materials from the temporary infrastructure.
These materials were then packed into stillages and loaded onto a flatbed truck, which transported them to Superyard’s temporary storage site. Here, they underwent a quality assurance process to determine which materials were usable.
3. Direct community engagement and support
At this point, Superyard engaged with the community to ensure that the recovered materials found new homes. This involved Djamhur meeting personally with representatives from various charities to ensure Superyard could connect projects with the right materials.
Several successful collaborations resulted from the initiative:
Merri Outreach Support Service
Superyard distributed pine wood and LVL to Merri Outreach Support Service, a non-profit organisation that delivers support and programs to help Victorians experiencing homelessness or housing vulnerability feel secure and empowered. This enabled the NGO to construct a lunchroom for its hardworking staff and volunteers.
Imagine Re-Evolution
Imagine Re-Evolution is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to eliminate systemic childhood poverty and empower youth to reach their fullest potential.
Superyard distributed carpet, pine and MDF sheets to Imagine Re-Evolution to create youth engagement and education learning spaces for disengaged youth to utilise in community engagement programs.
Harvester Technical College
Harvester Technical College in Sunshine North offers specialised trade and vocational education to its secondary students. The college is committed to providing hands-on and trades-based learning experiences.
Through Superyard’s contribution, the college constructed training window frames for carpentry students. These frames serve as practical learning tools, allowing students to practise window installations throughout the year.
Future directions
The partnership between Superyard and Cirka is a prime example of the effectiveness of circular economy principles in the context of a major event. Through meticulous planning, collaborative efforts with builders and direct charity engagement, over 20,300 kg of materials were repurposed, bolstering community projects and preventing waste. The project also served the community organisations’ immediate needs and inspired over 80 charities to sign up for future opportunities, planting the seeds for a legacy of sustainable practices and community development.
Cirka and Superyard will take the lessons from the 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival and continue to improve the process to increase capacity and deliver a shared outcome to the community.
Images courtesy of Cirka and Superyard.
by Colossal | Apr 5, 2024
From paraffin to beeswax to various plants, candles have been made from all kinds of materials throughout the millennia—there’s even a fish called a “candlefish,” and we’re sure you can guess why. Thankfully, contemporary makers have a veritable wealth of ways to pour these waxy light sources in myriad shapes, colors, and sizes. When finding ways to add good design and touches of joy to our homes, a great candle is always a bright idea.
Find an eclectic selection now available in our newly re-launched Colossal Shop. More
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Look on the Bright Side with an Array of Playful Candles in the Colossal Shop appeared first on Colossal.
by Kate Mothes | Apr 3, 2024
Lost to science for more than six decades until it was photographed in 2010, the Santa Marta Sabrewing is one of the rarest hummingbirds in the world. Another sighting wasn’t documented until Yurgen Vega spotted one in 2022 and embarked on a joint study with researchers from the American Bird Conservancy, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, SELVA, ProCAT Colombia, and World Parrot Trust to trace the creature’s habitat and behavior. More
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article One of the World’s Rarest Hummingbirds Makes a Dazzling Appearance in Colombia appeared first on Colossal.
