Advanced materials – Science careers that improve our world

17:30 - Mihi

Kevin Shedlock; Assistant Lecturer, School of Engineering and Computer Science, Victoria University of Wellington.

Kevin’s research involves working with indigenous communities to better understand technology from within an indigenous lens.

Introduction and how the MacDiarmid Institute supports students towards a non-academic career

Geoff Willmott; MacDiarmid Institute Deputy Director for Commercialisation and Industry Engagement; Associate Professor, The University of Auckland; Lead Investigator, Dynamic Microfluidics Laboratory

My journey, how science can improve our world and be a fun career

Jono Ring; CEO Zincovery

Jonathan researched and co-invented the Zincovery technology during his Master of Engineering. After proving the technology at lab-scale he went to industry to demonstrate the technology at industry scale. He is now managing the pilot plant construction and commercialization of the technology.

Where have all my students gone? Describing where MacDiarmid Institute alumni have got to, and some insights from our alumni survey data

Jadranka Travaš-Sejdić; Professor at the School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland; Director of the Polymer Electronics Research Centre

High value opportunities through science for Māori Business and how this fits with Te Ao Māori

Te Horipo Karaitiana

CEO at Te Awanui Huka Pak, a 100% Māori owned company representing a large portfolio of kiwifruit and avocado orchards. Te Horipo also leads the Federation of Māori Authorities (FOMA) Innovation theme, and is on the boards of several agricultural businesses and the Commercial Advisory Board for Matū Fund. Te Horipo is based in the Bay of Plenty, and offers nation-wide connections to the Māori economy.

A breakout session with each of the speakers and people described in table below. (1x student rep, 1x Māori Discovery alum, and deep tech company reps)

Approximately 10 minutes for each session.

See table below for options.

Please register for your preferred session.

Numbers per session will be limited to facilitate discussion, so please register soon.

19:00 - Close

Geoff Willmott

MacDiarmid Institute Deputy Director for Commercialisation and Industry Engagement; Associate Professor, University of Auckland; Lead Investigator Dynamic Microfluidics Laboratory

Interface linkages

Networking for linking our entrepreneur support and commercial partners as well as investors.

Jono Ring

CEO Zincovery

Science-based startups

University of Canterbury Spinout company Zincovery has developed a process to efficiently and economically recover zinc and regenerate the acid from galvanizing waste, to tackle the problem of the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of zinc and acid released into landfill and wastewater every year.

Jonathan Ring researched and co-invented the Zincovery technology during his Master of Engineering. After proving the technology at lab-scale he went to industry to demonstrate that the technology could work at scale and outside the lab.

Jadranka Travaš-Sejdić

Professor, University of Auckland; Director of the Polymer Electronics Research Centre

Applying materials science to real world challenges

Technologies based on conducting polymers including projects on:

• Novel bio-sensors
• Stretchable and self-healing organic polymer conductors
• Conducting polymer-based actuators
• Self-assembled nanostructures
• Bio-sensors based on electrospun fibers

Te Horipo Karaitiana

CEO at Te Awanui Huka Pak

Māori business, commercial and innovation perspective

Discuss the need for, and benefits of STEM graduates in companies and specifically in developing high tech commercial opportunities through R&D.

Taniela Loloha

MacDiarmid PhD candidate

MacDiarmid Emerging Scientists Association (MESA) Commercialisation rep 2019

The student journey

3rd year PhD student researching ways in which we can use an atmospheric plasma jet printer to control the surface chemistry and morphology features of plasma printed coatings. The “one step” surface modification process involves the introduction of a precursor material as an aerosol droplet, which is injected into the plasma jet leading to the material being deposited onto a surface of choice.

Eden Skipper (Ngāi Tahu)

DiscoveryCamp Alumnus 2015

BSc Statistics University of Canterbury

DiscoveryCamp inspiring STEM participation

Tēnā koe ko Eden Skipper toku ingoa, ko Wairewa papatipu rūnanga (Ngāi Tahu) ahau. I work at the Ministry for the Environment in Sustainable Finance and Māori Secretariat both roles being in the Office of the Chief Executive which acts similar to a policy innovation hub for the Ministry.

Veronica Harwood-Stevenson

Founder of Humblebee

High performance materials, inspired by nature

Humblebee has uncovered the fundamental building blocks of a bee nesting material, and are currently working to synthesise durable, high-performance materials at scale.

Rob Staniland

R&D Lead at Mint Innovation

MacDiarmid Alumnus

Recovering valuable metals from electronic waste

World first bio-refinery uses microorganisms to scavenge precious metals from complex waste streams.  Proprietary bioprocessing enables clean recovery of 100% recycled, cyanide-free, conflict-free metals including: Gold, Palladium, Copper, Silver.