December 2021
This year the department transitioned between in-person and online delivery of courses, according to the different alert levels. While staff are commended for stepping up to the challenges, I also want to highlight how our students have ‘taken it on the chin’ and pushed through despite the difficulties of online learning, and the complete disruption of what is supposed to be a great time for a young adult – that being university life!
I know that as a university student, learning in the classroom was not the highlight for me (yes I was that sort of student), but rather it was from being around peers that provided the most formative and enriching experiences. University life provided the chance to discuss, argue, and share ideas, influence and be influenced, and these were all facilitated – not by zoom! I enjoyed meeting new people, working on group projects, attending the many meetings and gatherings that were organised, or sometimes just hanging out at campus between classes with mates. There is indeed the social aspect of university life – a bonus being the freedom of not being under any parental supervision – where I could for example just gather at someone’s apartment with friends to while away the time or take a study break at midnight and go out with mates for frozen custard – not having to worry about as many things I must worry about today as a much older person with loads of responsibilities. And then of course the great parties! What is university without the parties?
Anyway, despite the impact the social restrictions have had, I am delighted that we have had some outstanding outcomes in the department – both from students and staff. This edition of the newsletter highlights some of these and includes the outstanding performance of our Year 4 students in their research projects. I hope you will have a look through this last Newsletter issue for the year.
On behalf of the department, I would like to wish all a hearty Season’s Greetings. Wishing all a restful period and a good start for the new year.
Ashvin Thambyah
Professor & Head of Department
Chemical & Materials Engineering
Events
Photo: Professor Ashvin Thambyah Head of Department, Professor Ashvin Thambyah’s Inaugural Lecture On 8 June CHEMMAT’s Head of Department, Professor Ashvin Thambyah, delivered his inaugural lecture. Ashvin described his academic journey and we celebrated...
History of CHEMMAT
Above photo: Merv Jones conducting experiments on gas absorption for his PhD, ca 1971 This page is dedicated to the first batch of C&M graduates who completed their final year studies nominally at the end of 1969 Part A Brief biographies of the 1969 Final Year...
Abstract shortlisted
Photo: Graphical abstract – “Reference point indentation for the detection of early osteoarthritis” We congratulate CHEMMAT’s Dr Josh Workman, Dr Thomas Loho and Prof Ashvin Thambyah for having their abstract shortlisted as one of the 34...
Chemical Engineering Impact in Australia & New Zealand
Our department research has been showcased in the IChemE Booklet – Chemical Engineering Impact in Australia & New Zealand – see pages 12, 19, 22 and 29. This collection highlights the breadth and depth of our research and demonstrates how the discipline is...
CMESA 2021
Photo: 40 CMESA members on the Tip Top tour CMESA – Chemical & Materials Engineering Students’ Association Tours 40 members got to tour Tip Top in Semester One. The feedback was positive and the students really enjoyed the opportunity! Thank you to...
Postgraduate
Tarek Kollmetz – awarded a place on the Dean’s List Tarek’s name has been placed on the Dean of Graduate Studies List (Dean’s List), in recognition of excellence achieved with his PhD thesis. This award is made to only a few recipients each year from...
Research activities
Photo – left to right: Fanglei Tong (PhD student), Xize Chen (PhD student), Tony Wang (PhD student), Dr Shanghai Wei (PI, University of Auckland), Professor Wei Gao (University of Auckland), Kirill Panov (PhD student), Associate Professor Peng Cao (University of...
Staff update
New Technical Manager – Dr Matthew Sidford We are delighted to announce that Dr Matthew Sidford has been appointed as Technical Manager for CHEMMAT. Matthew started his new role on 1st October. Although we are presently one technician short, the Technicians will...
Funding successes
Photo: CHEMMAT’s Dr Jenny Malmstrom with her research group. Jenny is seated, 3rd from the left 2021 Endeavour fund successful proposals We are delighted to announce that two of our colleagues in the department, Dr Jenny Malmstrom and Prof Brent Young, have been...
Invitation to represent the Faculty at the Engineering New Zealand G T Murray Awards
Morgan Morgan Dolfing, CHEMMAT student Screenshots of Morgan’s presentation during GT Murray Awards – Engineering New Zealand. He presented and answered questions very well. Written by Morgan Dolfing: “On 2nd December, I was invited to present at the G T Murray...
Water Engineers’ Perspective on Interactions with Māoridom in Water Management Solutions
On 30 November, CHEMMAT student, L’Rey Renata, presented her research to Water NZ and Engineering NZ. L’Rey Renata L’Rey is currently in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical and Material) degree at the University of Auckland....
Alumni
Dr Gohar Gholamibozanjani PhD Title: Improving the Thermal Efficiency of Buildings Using Phase Change Materials Supervisor: Professor Mohammed Farid Co-Supervisor: Associate Professor Saeid Baroutian Dr Gohar Gholamibozanjani completed her PhD research on...
4th Year Project – Prize Winners
Staff: Ashvin, Saeid, Steve, and Mark. Student full names shown in the table below. Outstanding performance by our final year students on their research projects were celebrated, online, with an awards ‘ceremony.’ There were a range of prizes awarding...
Industry engagement in courses
For our course, CHEMMAT 753 – Biomaterials and their applications, we regularly host guests from industry to help the students get a better idea of work environments which encompass the content of the course. This year, we hosted a lab dedicated to implant...