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Small wonders
IRL research collaborator John Watt may have been named 2009 MacDiarmid Young Scientist of the Year for his groundbreaking work at the nanoscale, but his world-leading studies could have a very big impact both locally and on the global stage.
No pipe dream: John Watt, 2009 MacDiarmid Young Scientist of the Year
Watt, 27, earned the top prize at this year’s prestigious MacDiarmid Awards — as well as the Industrial Research-sponsored Future Science and Technology category — for research that could both vastly improve our air quality and even lead to the establishment of a nanomaterial manufacturing industry in New Zealand.
The Victoria University PhD student’s work involved the growth of infinitesimally tiny particles of the rare metal, palladium, which works to cleanse a car’s exhaust of toxic gases.
Watt’s nanosized palladium has been lauded internationally for both superior performance and cheaper cost than conventional palladium. Samples are now being assessed in the UK to determine their suitability for pollution control systems.
“We grow the nanoparticles in solution which makes them easier to extract and results in less waste,” says Watt. “Normally, to create nanoparticles, you need very high temperatures but we have found a way to work with the palladium at room temperature, delivering significant energy savings.”
In addition to improving our air quality, Watt hopes his research will “make a contribution to strengthening New Zealand innovation and our high technology economy”.
IRL research scientist Bridget Ingham has been working with Watt on his palladium nanoparticle project since January 2008, and the two recently co-published a paper on the growth of platinum nanocrystals followed using synchrotron x-ray techniques.
Release Date:
10 November, 2009