North-West Coasters can take a deep dive into the unique maritime research projects taking place in their own back yard, as part of this year's National Science Week.
North-West Coasters can take a deep dive into the unique maritime research projects taking place in their own back yard, as part of this year's National Science Week.
The University of Tasmania's latest series of Café Lab features four 'Ocean of Opportunities' events being held in Devonport, Burnie, Smithton and Strahan this week with Devonport kick-starting the series last night.
Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Cradle Coast region Professor Jim Cavaye said the series will also enable communities to hear about the latest research and how the application of maths, science and problem solving apply to real-life scenarios based within the maritime sector.
"The University of Tasmania has partnered with the Australian Maritime College (AMC) to provide coastal communities with the opportunity to meet some of their pioneering researchers and emerging young PhD students," Professor Cavaye said.
"This is such a great opportunity for anyone who wants to know what kind of research is currently happening in their own back yard, to come along and find out. I'm sure many will be surprised by the breadth of talented PhD students in the region."
As MC for the Smithton session tomorrow (18 August) Professor Cavaye will facilitate the session with PhD candidates from the AMC forming the panel.
One PhD candidate is Eric Gubesch, who is investigating the effect mooring systems have on the hydrodynamic performance and survivability of offshore floating wave energy converters, like the pilot wave system recently installed on King Island.
Mr Gubesch said his interest in marine engineering and renewable energy began in the late 2000s when he was the principal of a small primary school in northern Australia.
"At the time my town relied solely on diesel generators even though there was significant opportunity to supplement the power demand with solar or tidal renewable energy," Mr Guebesch said.
"I am focussing my efforts on wave energy as Australia has an enormous coastline with a fantastic potential for offshore energy production.
"The wave energy concept is a great idea in theory, however there are many challenges, and I am motivated to help reduce some of the barriers that are restricting the growth of this industry.
"When you tell people you're doing a PhD, you often get the response of 'oh wow, I couldn't do that, I'm never going to understand that'.
"I like to challenge that and show that my project can actually be more easily understood and that anyone can do research on all kinds of topics if they are really interested in it and want to learn more."
Event organiser and Acting Manager of Statewide Partnerships in the Regional Partnerships Team Clarissa Forster said the Café Lab sessions were about providing the community with more insight into what's happening in the local University research space.
"There's an amazing wealth of researchers and academics connected to the University and it's really important to us to get more of the researchers and academics up to the regions to share what's going on," Ms Forster said.
"The Café Lab provides a relaxed environment to share this knowledge and some nibbles. Guests are encouraged to bring their own questions and expertise to the table should they wish, but prior knowledge is not required to participate in the Café Lab."
Some of the topics to be covered at the Café Lab events include maximising fuel efficiency in shipping, underwater robots in Antarctica, will a floating wave energy converter survive the harshness of Tasmania's West Coast waves and much more.
This National Science Week project is supported by the Australian Government.
To register for one of the Café Lab events for National Science Week head to Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/160489445251
The four Café Lab events include:
Today, Tuesday, 17 August – Burnie - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/160488504437
Tomorrow, Wednesday, 18 August – Smithton - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/160489445251
Thursday 19 August – Strahan - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/160490456275
Pictured from left; University of Tasmania's Clarissa Forster (Acting Manager of Statewide Partnerships in the Regional Partnerships Team) and Richard Ingram (Regional Program Officer) are getting ready to celebrate National Science Week with four Café Lab events held on the North-West Coast this week.
