News from the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences

Victory for Faculty in VC's Cup footrace

Amelia Greig, Adelaide Harbison, Jeff Dutschke and Stephen Jelfs represented the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences at the inaugural Vice-Chancellor's Cup held at North Terrace Campus on Friday 11 September.

Competing against the University's four other faculties, the team raced 800m, starting at the Barr Smith Lawns and heading towards North Terrace before returning downhill to the Union Hall finish line.

The team managed to run the lowest combined time and were presented with the Vice-Chancellor's Cup by Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha.

2009 CASR seminar series

The Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) was established in 1973 and is internationally recognised as an important part of road safety research both in Australia and overseas.

CASR's seminar series will address major topics in the fight to reduce road trauma and highlight the latest research in the area. Seminars are held on Friday afternoons from 4pm in the Art Gallery Auditorium.

Learn more about CASR's upcoming seminars.

Algae: the answer to our fuel needs?

Work is underway at the University of Adelaide to develop a clean, "green" fuel that could help solve the global energy crisis.

Led by Dr David Lewis and Dr Peter Ashman from the School of Chemical Engineering, the Adelaide research is part of an innovative $1.89 million project funded by the Federal Government. Headed by Murdoch University in Western Australia, the project involves research partners in India and China.

The project hopes to identify a clean, affordable method of producing biodiesel from algae on an industrial scale. With this in mind Adelaide's research team is investigating cost effective methods of algae harvesting and oil extraction.

Learn more.

Dr Tamath Rainsford Among Tall Poppies

Dr Tamath Rainsford, a Lecturer in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, is one of five University of Adelaide researchers to have been awarded a prestigious SA Young Tall Poppy Award.

Dr Rainsford's research is about applying mathematics to real-world problems with particular reference to problems of a medical or biological nature.

Tall Poppy winners are selected on the basis of research achievement and passion for communicating their science.

Learn more.

Qantas Signs Agreement for Engineering Alliance

The University of Adelaide has signed an agreement with Qantas Airways that aims to benefit both organisations through collaboration on engineering teaching and research.

Benefits of the agreement include the opportunity to provide the Faculty with industry-specific curriculum advice and the undertaking of joint reseach projects.

Avionics and Electronic Systems Engineering - new in 2008 - Aerospace Engineering, and other related programs within the Faculty will be strengthened by the mutually beneficial outcomes of this association.

Learn more.

Virtual Reality to Improve Miner Safety

A $430,000 collaborative project between the University of Adelaide's Associate Professor Anton van den Hengel, Director of the University's Australian Centre for Visual Technologies, the University of NSW, TAFE SA and the South Australian Mining industry, aims to use virtual reality simulations in the induction and ongoing training of miners.

Simulators will specifically concentrate on training miners working at heights, where ladders, scaffolds and elevated work platforms are extensively used.

Such training has the potential to improve safety in one of the most hazardous environments in a cost-effective manner.

Learn more.

Recognition of Teaching Excellence

Staff from across the Faculty came together on Thursday 24 July to celebrate the teaching achievements of Dr Cheryl Pope and Associate Professor Martin Lambert.

Dr Cheryl Pope from the School of Computer Science was awarded a Faculty Prize for Teaching Excellence and the Executive Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching, while Associate Professor Martin Lambert from the School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering was awarded a a Faculty Prize for Teaching Excellence and a Faculty Award for Excellence for Higher Degree by Research Supervision.

Awards were presented by the Faculty's Executive Dean, Professor Peter Dowd, and were followed by a celebratory morning tea.

Bring sports day to life with the Olympic Torch!

Did you know that the combustion technology that kept the Olympic flame burning in Sydney and Athens was developed by University of Adelaide engineers?

As part of an extensive outreach program, the Faculty is pleased to offer schools the opportunity to host the prototype of the Sydney Olympic Torch at their next sports day.

Learn about the technology behind the flame and to be inspired by the practical applications of engineering. The Olympic Torch would be a fitting addition to the opening or closing of any school sporting event.

Learn more about this and other outreach activites available to your school.

New 'Engineering Precinct'

A $100 million state-of-the-art building is currently under construction on the University of Adelaide’s North Terrace campus to cater for a predicted growth of students in the Faculty from 3,700 to 4,400 by 2011.

It is anticipated that the building, due for completion in 2010, will assist the Faculty in continuing to provide highly skilled graduates across all engineering disciplines.

Learn more about key features of the building, take a virtual tour and view the construction site.