NASA’s Johnson Space Centre space architect Larry Toups will help launch next week’s Research Rumble, a series of events showcasing Curtin University’s world-class research projects.
Held from March 24 to 27, the four-day festival will feature Curtin research ranging from space, sustainability and Indigenous languages, to volunteering, autism and the future of television, as well as profiling leading female mining and engineering researchers.
As part of Research Rumble, Mr Toups will highlight how space habitats can re-shape our daily lives on Earth, an innovative concept that is being tested through a sustainable construction research project run by the Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute (CUSP).
Curtin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Chris Moran said Research Rumble presented an opportunity to share the University’s broad range of research with the wider community.
“NASA space architect Larry Toups will highlight how the development of future habitat concepts for Moon and Mars missions may pave the way to establish a greener footprint on our planet,” Professor Moran said.
“Mr Toups, our star attraction at this year’s Research Rumble, will also help launch the Living Legacy Lab, a collaboration between CUSP and the WA building industry that is seeking to foster the circular economy of buildings to minimise construction waste and energy usage for a sustainable future.
“Some of Curtin’s brightest young women in mining and engineering will also be sharing their insights into how they are working to ensure industry is responding to the many opportunities presented by advances in technology and innovative developments.”
Leading researchers from Curtin’s WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering will present how their research is aiming to improve the efficiency of the resources sector at the Engineers Australia ‘Resourceful Women in Engineering’ event.
Dr Laura Machuca Suarez is an environmental microbiologist and corrosion specialist who has developed a research team focused on demand-driven research that will limit the impact of corrosion on the oil and gas industries.
Dr Teresa McGrath is a biologist turned metallurgical researcher who visits gold processing plants all over the world to integrate research outcomes into industry best practice.
Dr Chunyan Fan is using molecular simulation to improve the gas purification process and is expanding this technique to lithium batteries used to store renewable energy.
Dr Dimple Quyn is a chemical engineer with a varied research background ranging from carbon capture and biomass gasification to sophisticated drug delivery techniques. She applies thermodynamics to improve industrial process efficiencies and foster innovation in hydrocarbon separations.
During Research Rumble, the Curtin HIVE (Hub for Immersive Visualisation and eResearch) will showcase advanced underwater 3D images of the sunken submarine HMAS AE1 and offer visitors the opportunity to take a virtual reality tour of Mars.
Curtin’s social media centre, The Agency, the University’s Luxury Branding Consumer Research Laboratory, which uses innovative methods to carry out market research, and Curtin’s Experimental Economics Lab will also be open throughout Research Rumble.
The TL Robertson Library will also be showcasing new research conducted by Curtin students.
For more information about Research Rumble, visit here: curtin.edu/researchrumble
