NSW Scientist of the Year
University of Newcastle Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson AO has been awarded the NSW Scientist of the Year at the 2013 NSW Science and Engineering Awards held tonight at Government House in Sydney.
Professor Jameson is a chemical engineer and inventor of the Jameson Cell, a revolutionary mineral processing technology that contributes more than three billion dollars to the national economy every year.
"Professor Jameson is a world leader in fluid and particle mechanics and his Jameson Cell could well be the most financially successful Australian invention in the past three decades," said NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, Professor Mary O'Kane.
Professor Jameson works with the Priority Research Centre for Advanced Particle Processing and Transport at the University and makes a critical contribution to the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER), a multidisciplinary research hub that provides practical benefits to industry, the community and the economy by advancing research in clean energy production, energy efficiency and the minimisation of carbon emissions.
"I don't believe in minor changes," said Professor Jameson of his research philosophy.
"If you're going to put your heart into something, you may as well tackle a problem that will make a difference because the effort will be the same."
Professor Jameson said he had strong views about the value of research, science and technology for the benefit of the community.
"I'm an engineer and therefore what I like to do is fix particular problems that have proven difficult in the past for industry to overcome."
Professor Jameson has spent forty years focused on improving the effectiveness of mineral extraction.
The Jameson Cell alone has contributed more than $26 billion in Australian exports since its introduction in 1989, and there have been four version updates as the technology has improved. The Cell is now being extended to broader applications such as tar sand oil extraction and the removal of blue-green algae from waterways.
Making a "significant change" in the mining industry's energy consumption is Professor Jameson's next aim. His current project, the Fluidised Bed Flotation Device, has the potential halve the mining industry's energy output.
This is the second year in a row the State's most prestigious science and engineering award has gone to a University of Newcastle researcher; the 2012 NSW Scientist of the Year was the University's Laureate Professor John Aitken.
"Last year we were the first University outside of a Capital City to have won this award. This year we have achieved it again, which is a testament to the individuals, but also to the strength of research across the University," said Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Nick Talley.
"We are immensely proud of our world-class researchers and the translation of their work into internationally-significant innovations that improve our economy and make people's lives better. Graeme is a luminary in his field and I am delighted his achievements have been recognised through such a prestigious peer award."
Contact
- Carmen Swadling, Media and Public Relations
- Phone: +61 2 4985 4276 or 0428 038 477.
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