Exploring new frontiers in energy research and building design
Italy’s Science and Technology Research Day
In a world where the transition to sustainable energy is becoming increasingly important, the organization by institutional bodies of events that highlight the issue and offer possible solutions takes on particular value.
The contribution of Italian and Australian researchers to international scientific efforts is the point of departure for the sixth edition of the Italian Research Day of in the World established by the Ministry of Education, University and Research in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health for the 15th of April, the anniversary of the birth of Leonardo da Vinci.
On this occasion, the Italian Cultural Institute of Sydney is pleased to present a panel discussion entitled Sustainable buildings for a better tomorrow. The participating speakers are: Prof. Veena Sahajwalla, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research & Technology at the University of NSW, Dr. Enrico Zara of the ARUP Group-Australia, a global expert on the subject of decarbonization, and Dr. Luciano Cardellicchio, Senior Lecturer at the School of Built Environment at the University of NSW, who will moderate the event.
The discussion, which will be held in English, will focus on the state of the art in what has been done both in preserving existing buildings and building new ones, where is field research heading to, differences in the sector between Australia, Europe and Asia and, last but not least, on strategies for linking public administrators and private organisations.
Veena Sahajwalla is an internationally recognised materials scientist, engineer, and inventor revolutionising recycling science. She is renowned for pioneering the high temperature transformation of waste in the production of a new generation of ‘green materials’ at the UNSW Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre, where she is Founding Director. Professor Veena is the inventor of polymer injection technology, known as green steel, an eco-friendly process for using recycled tyres in steel production. In 2018, Veena launched the world’s first e-waste MICROfactorieTM and in 2019 she launched her plastics and Green Ceramics MICROfactoriesTM, a recycling technology breakthrough. Professor Veena is the director of the ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for ‘microrecycling’, a leading national research centre that works in collaboration with industry to ensure new recycling science is translated into real world environmental and economic benefits. Professor Veena has also been appointed hub leader of the national NESP Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub. In 2021, Professor Veena featured in the ABC’s Australian Story and she was named the 2022 NSW Australian of the Year in recognition of her work. Professor Veena was named the 2022 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes winner for the Celestino Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science and was also awarded the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) Clunies Ross Innovation Award.
Luciano Cardellicchio obtained his PhD in Architecture and Construction at the Tor Vergata University of Rome and completed his studies at the University of Kent (UK) where he was also a lecturer, before moving to Australia. At UNSW, he is a senior lecturer in Architectural Construction and is dedicated to research in the field of premature decays of buildings, the contribution of building culture in the evaluation of heritage values and building innovation led by design agencies. He writes for academic journals such as Buildings and Building Research and Information and is a member of the Construction History Society (UK).
Enrico Zara is a pioneer in decarbonisation, having completed his studies with a thesis on net zero buildings in 2005. His passion for sustainable development and decarbonisation has grown since then after holding roles focused on integral sustainable development in Italy and abroad. After having worked abroad on multidisciplinary projects for most of his career, he shifted his focus to direct client work addressing each phase of the project lifecycle. In addition to leading Arup’s global decarbonisation working group, Enrico Zara is also a member of various international bodies in the sector, where he acquires global knowledge which he then applies in his work in Australia.
Free entry. Limited seats.
Booking essential: www.eventbrite.com.au