24 November 2008

Richard Kydd, a postgraduate researcher with the School of Chemical Science and Engineering, has won the 2008 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Research.

Richard, a member of the Particles and Catalysis Research Group, took the award for his work developing a copper-based catalyst which removes carbon monoxide from hydrogen fuel cells.

Carbon monoxide contamination is a problem in fuel cells. Richard, with co-researcher Kenneth Wong, has developed a new type of copper catalyst: flame-synthesised, ceria-supported copper dimers.

“For this project we used a new synthesis method to prepare a copper-ceria catalyst and created a new nanostructure,” Richard said.

Copper catalysts offer substantial cost savings over traditional precious metal catalysts such as gold and platinum.

Richard received the award from Dean of Engineering, Professor Graham Davies, and Associate Dean (Research) Associate Professor Laura Poole-Warren at a poster presentation night at the John Niland Scientia Building on November 11.

Forty researchers presented their work on the evening. Karin Avnit, from the School of Computer Science and Engineering,was first runner-up with her presentation: A Formal Approach to the Protocol Converter Problem. Xiaojing Hao, from the ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence, was second runner-up with the presentation: Synthesis Nano P-N Junction for All-Si Tandem Solar Cells. The third runner-up was Luke McElroy from the School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering with his project: Soft-sensor Development For Process Variables In Horizontal Rotating Drums Guided By Dem Models.

Research excellence ... (l to r) Richard Kydd, Xiaojing Hao, Luke McElroy and Karin Avnit.