News & Events 2007

The Faculty's internal news bulletin - November 2007 edition - is available online.

A selection of news headlines relevant to Science & Engineering appear below.

November 2007
Flinders embarks on anti-terrorism research
Flinders University could play an important role in the future fight against terrorism through a new partnership with the Federal Government’s Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO).

Flinders and DSTO today announced the establishment of the Centre of Expertise in Energetic Materials, a national research hub to pursue new developments in explosives technology, including improved detection of bombs.

Research at the Centre, to be located on Flinders campus, will focus on:

• Developing new explosives

• Improving the efficiency of existing explosives

• Developing new analysis and detection technologies, and

• Improving storage and handling techniques.

November 2007
Engineer's good ideas go on the line
Michael Brown’s final-year engineering project has not only helped General Motors Holden achieve new efficiencies on its production line, but has also netted the recent Flinders University graduate a full-time job with the car manufacturer.

October 2007
Boosting the profile of Science
Part think tank, part research group, the Centre for Science Education in the 21st century aims to have an impact not only on science teaching, but on the way society views science, according to its director, Professor Martin Westwell.

Supported by a $1.3m State Government grant, the Centre will act as a resource and catalyst for all sectors in advancing the State’s objectives for science, technology and education, and intends to become an internationally known centre of excellence.

September 2007
Borewater in the balance
The declining level of water in Adelaide’s bores is a telling sign that water is not being recharged to them at a rate that is keeping up with discharge through natural losses to the coastline from aquifers, or from extraction from groundwater bores.

According to Flinders University hydrogeologist Professor Craig Simmons, it is further evidence that the time has come to seriously consider the rates of sustainable borewater use and our attitude towards groundwater.

August 2007
Forensics to the fore

The State Government's senior forensic scientist, Dr Hilton Kobus, will come to Flinders University in October to begin work on the development of a leading national centre in forensic science at the University.

August 2007
Seafood research deepens
Not only has South Australia won the bid to be the home of the new national Seafood Co-operative Research Centre, but its headquarters will be located at Science Park, immediately adjacent to Flinders University.

July 2007

Here come the biofuels
As oil reserves dwindle, interest in alternative sources of fuel is increasing sharply. Dr Stephen Clarke, lecturer in the School of Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences at Flinders, says scientists are already playing a critical role in developing biofuels by helping to overcome the technological and logistical problems related to new fuel sources and processing.

May 2007
Grasses hungry for diesel
A hunt to identify types of native grasses suitable to assist in rehabilitation of mine sites has found not one, but three, possible candidates.

May 2007
Mysteries of the shallows
Hydrology students at Flinders are finally getting to the bottom of Flinders University's Central Park lake. Initially that mightn't seem much of a task - most of the lake is little more than 300mm in depth - but according to Earth Sciences lecturer Dr Adrian Werner, surprisingly little hard information about the lake is available, despite its role as the centrepiece of the campus over the past four decades.

May 2007
New Science Centre Head
Dr Martin Westwell has been appointed first Director of the newly established Flinders Centre for Science Education in the 21st Century. Supported by a $1.3m State Government grant, the Centre will act as a resource and catalyst for all sectors in advancing the State's objectives for science, technology and education, and will become an internationally known centre of excellence.

April 2007
Muckbusters offer takeaway
Flinders Bioremediation, the University's waste and pollution management consulting company, has signed an agreement with Southern Waste Depot that paves the way for a unique 'takeaway' solution for development sites contaminated by hydrocarbons and other toxic pollutants.

March 2007
New Southern IT access
University and school students living in the southern suburbs will have greater access to study support and computers thanks to a new study hub at Christies Beach High School.

February 2007
Broderick a winner in business
It is unlikely we'll see CSI: Coromandel Valley on our screens any time soon, but if we did, Broderick Matthews would be the star.

Broderick, who is at Flinders University studying a combined Bachelor of Forensic and Analytical Chemistry / Innovation and Enterprise (Science & Technology), has recently been named Young Achievement Australia's Tertiary Business Person of the Year.

January 2007
Our other, unseen water crisis
Using bore water on ovals and parks may seem prudent in a time of drought, but unregulated use of underground aquifers could lead to environmental disaster, according to a leading group of Australian groundwater experts.

A group of seven senior professionals from public and private sectors, including Flinders University hydrogeologist Professor Craig Simmons, is urging Australian governments to take swift action to control and manage groundwater use.

January 2007
Key SA role in $135m seafood CRC
New opportunities for seafood innovation in SA are expected to flow from the establishment of Australia's largest co-operative research centre - the $135 million Australian Seafood CRC.

The announcement of the CRC follows last week's Public Works approval for a $6.6 million expansion of the Lincoln Marine Science Centre at Port Lincoln.

October 2006
Reptiles' burning question
Bushfires that sweep through the remnant vegetation of South Australia's peninsulas may represent either salvation or doom to the native reptile inhabitants.

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