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                                                                                                                                     May 2013
Welcome

Hello and welcome to the May edition of the Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources e-newsletter.

I'd like to take this opportunity to reflect on the recent visit by Douglas Morrison, President and CEO of the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI), Ontario, Canada. Douglas was a key speaker at a workshop on Innovation, Research and Industry Partnerships in the Mineral and Energy Resources Sector in South Australia, which was organised by IMER.

CEMI's focus on step-change innovation in the areas of exploration, deep mining, integrated mine engineering, environment and sustainability for the mining industry align closely with our own. Like IMER, CEMI works to improve connections between universities and industry and to address industry's need for practical interdisciplinary innovations.

The workshop was another great example of how we are bringing together industry, government and academia. This strategic approach to developing local, national and international collaborations will help strengthen our capabilities for the benefit of the State and Australia.

Read on to keep up with the latest news and research from your industry.

Stephen Grano
Executive Director

Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources, The University of Adelaide  SA 5005 AUSTRALIA
Phone: +61 8 8 313 1448 email: [email protected]
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Extracting energy from unconventional resources presents a unique set of engineering, economic and social problems. A project led by Professor Graham Heinson aims to use electromagnetic geophysical imaging techniques to improve exploration efficiency and monitoring of these resources.

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Surprising explanation for formation of Ceduna Delta
    
Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources researchers are challenging assumptions about the formation of Australia's largest delta, the Ceduna Delta on the Nullarbor Plain. Originally thought to have been created by a massive river system extending from eastern Queensland, aging of mineral grains has provided a surprising alternate explanation.


Biofuel plant for South Australia 

 

Sustainable production of clean fuels is now one step closer to a commercial reality. Muradel Pty Ltd, a commercial collaboration between the University of Adelaide and Murdoch University, will establish a demonstration plant for commercial-scale production of biofuel from marine microalgae with funding assistance from the Australian Government. Muradel's state-of-the-art technology developed by chemical engineer, Associate Professor David Lewis, can grow and concentrate the tiny, naturally occurring and highly productive microalgae to produce 'green' crude oil.  

 

 

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Could nature provide solutions to one of the mining industry's biggest global challenges?  

 
Colin Hansen, Emeritus Professor, Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources, has been awarded the highest honour possible for a mechanical engineer in Australia. Engineers Australia's  AGM Michell Medal recognises outstanding service to the field of mechanical engineering and was presented to Prof Emer Hansen at a dinner in Melbourne in April.

Dr Danielle Moreau, Research Associate, Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources is South Australia's latest Fulbright Scholar. Danielle, from the School of Mechanical Engineering, will spend three months at Virginia Polytechnic Institute using their aeroacoustic facilities to study noise generation by airfoil.


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Optimised design is in the wind    

          

Optimised design is helping increase efficiency of wind energy technologies on a small and large scale. 
Research symposium on mapping Australia

 

Four dimensional mapping of Australia's resources is the theme of a research symposium organised by the Centre for Tectonics, Resources and Exploration. The symposium will be held on 26 July 2013 at the Mawson Lecture Theatre where staff and students from five groups within the centre will present their latest research outcomes in sessions chaired by representatives from industry partners. For more information please contact Alan Collins or Simon Holford.

 
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$10,000 for clean technology entrepreneurs

The Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources is partnering with Adelaide Airport Limited to sponsor a new award in this year's University of Adelaide eChallenge, in which young entrepreneurs develop a business plan for a previously unfunded concept. The Cleantech Award of $10,000 cash will be presented to the entry that best demonstrates the application of clean technology for improving productivity and reducing environmental footprints.


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