UNSW's Engineering the Future

UNSW researchers are largely responsible for the way the world uses solar power today. Decades of innovation on photovoltaic cells from people at this very university have helped the world get a running start on the global green energy transition. But there’s more work to be done. A lot more.  Executive Director for the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, Professor Renate Egan, and Vice-President of world-leading solar module manufacturer JA Solar, Dr Zi Ouyang, join STEMM journalist Neil Martin to discuss how the industry is making leaps and bounds, what’s happening with old rooftop panels and the potential for covering houses in solar cell ‘paint’. 

It might seem like something out of Star Trek, but people controlling so-called ‘smartbrains’ with their own thoughts could happen sooner than you think. And it doesn’t stop there. Innovations in biomedical technologies is speeding the progress of things such as artificial lab-grown organs, nanorobots inside the body, or computers hardwired to the brain which is becoming common in the next 20 years. On UNSW’s Engineering the Future podcast, Associate Professor Mohit Shivdasani and Claire Bridges talk to STEM journalist Neil Martin, about how the science-fiction of bionic humans is now rapidly becoming a reality. For more information on our speakers or for a full transcription of this episode, visit our website. Read more of our stories on biomedical technologies: Mimics human tissue, fights bacteria: new biomaterial hits the sweet spot New 3D stretchable electronics can advance organ-on-chip technology Bio-inspired: developing technology to mimic the function of skin ARC Research Hub for Connected Sensors for Health opens at UNSW Let’s connect: Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest research and news from UNSW Engineering. Acknowledgement of Country We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present.

As the world is expected to gain 2.2 billion new urban residents by 2050, emerging technologies will dramatically transform the way growing populations live, work and commute in urban areas. What will this mean for the future of urban engineering? Transport engineering expert, Associate Professor Taha Rashidi, and geotechnical engineering expert, Dr Asal Bidarmaghz look up to the skies and discuss the feasibility of flying cars and drones as a form of transport, as well as looking down by making the case for increased infrastructure to be built underground. For more information on our speakers or for a full transcription of this episode, visit our website. Read more of our stories on future cities: The only way is... down! Why underground urban development is on the rise Tiny pocket parks make a big impact on urban living To deliver enough affordable housing and end homelessness, what must a national strategy do? Regional cities: not a simple housing solution for metropolitan growth pressures Let’s connect: Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest research and news from UNSW Engineering. Acknowledgement of Country Wewould like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present.

The energy landscape is evolving and it’s demanding change in the way we produce and consume energy in a more sustainable way. But how can our industry leaders, policymakers and household users reap the benefits of new technologies to meet these demands? Director of UNSW Digital Grid Futures Institute, Professor John Fletcher, and CEO of UNSW Energy Institute, Dani Alexander, joins STEM journalist, Neil Martin, to discuss the challenges of redesigning entire energy systems to help meet the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For more information on our speakers or for a full transcription of this episode, visit our website. Read more of our stories on energy: Farm dams can be converted into renewable energy storage systems: study Renewable backup power key to energy resilience in disasters: report The future of hydrogen fuel: UNSW researchers develop technique to analyse hydrogen fuel cell stability New environmentally friendly solar panel recycling process helps recover valuable silver Embodied carbon in buildings: a new frontier in greenhouse gas reduction Let’s connect: Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest research and news from UNSW Engineering. Learn more about Digital Grid Futures Institute and the UNSW Energy Institute. We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present.

The on-going debate on nuclear feels like a constant battle of weighing the benefits of low carbon electricity generation against the public perception of potential risks. Nuclear engineer and lead of UNSW’s Nuclear Engineering program, Dr Edward Obbard, and Lieutenant Colonel Jasmin Diab, join STEM journalist, Neil Martin, to discuss exciting developments in nuclear engineering and discuss what impacts we can expect on society as a whole over the next two decades. For more information on our speakers or for a full transcription of this episode, visit our website. Read our stories on nuclear technologies: Three tiers and more than 8000 new engineers: what it will take to deliver AUKUS nuclear submarine program Blockchain could be the key to nuclear material safeguards Nuclear submarines not the first step to nuclear weapons, says UNSW expert Let’s connect: Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest research and news from UNSW Engineering. We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present.

As the world shifts towards renewable energy production, experts predict that mining will play a critical role in the extraction of minerals necessary for technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicle batteries. Head of UNSW School of Minerals Energy Resources Engineering, Professor Ismet Canbulat, and Rae O'Brien, Executive General Manager of Mining Excellence with Centennial Energy Company, joins STEM journalist, Neil Martin, to discuss the role of mining as the world transitions to a greener future.   For more information on our speakers or for a full transcription of this episode, visit our website. Read more of our stories on mining: 8 things you never knew about mining on Mars, the Moon... and even asteroids! Humans have big plans for mining in space – but there are many things holding us back Mars settlement likely by 2050 says UNSW expert – but not at levels predicted by Elon Musk Lunar architecture: small step for 3D printers, giant leap for humankind Let’s connect: Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest research and news from UNSW Engineering. We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present.

AI-powered programs like ChatGPT can do everything from plan an itinerary for your next holiday or help you write a resume or business proposal. But with all great technologies, there are risks and challenges. AI expert and Chief Scientist at UNSW's AI Institute, Professor Toby Walsh, and Stela Solar, Director of the National Artificial Intelligence Centre hosted by CSIRO's Data61, join STEM journalist, Neil Martin, to take a deep  dive into the impact of AI on society in areas including healthcare, transport, education and defence. For more information on our speakers or for a full transcription of this episode, visit our website. Read more of our stories on AI: The defence review fails to address the third revolution in warfare: artificial intelligence Gaslighting, love bombing and narcissism: why is Microsoft's Bing AI so unhinged? Everyone's having a field day with ChatGPT – but nobody knows how it actually works Bard, Bing and Baidu: how big tech's AI race will transform search - and all of computing Can machines invent things without human help? These AI examples show the answer is 'yes' Have you given away secrets on ChatGPT? Let’s connect: Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest research and news from UNSW Engineering. Visit the UNSW AI Institute website to learn more about exciting developments in AI, data science and machine learning.   We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present.

UNSW’s Engineering the Future podcast is a space for thought-provoking conversations about the bold ideas that will impact society over the next two decades.  From exciting developments in nuclear technology and major transformations in the mining industry, through to the universal impact of Artificial Intelligence, we speak with leading academics and industry leaders about the technological marvels that will define us as we work towards a more sustainable future for all.  Together, we’ll discover how world-changing action starts with fearless thinking in innovative engineering.