Environment & water

My research encompasses the engineering of surfaces via the application of thin film coatings for use in the optical, automotive, defence, mining and renewable energy sectors. I spent the first decade of my working life in private industry and I still have to this day, retain a great passion for helping industry innovate.

Working in partnership with the Malaysian Automotive and IOT Institute (MARii), my research team and I are investigating commercialisation opportunities for an environmentally tough and durable coating that reflects sunlight’s heat. This technology has broad applications on vehicle, bus, train and household windows, where it helps reduce energy consumption through the need to run air conditioners less.

Professor Peter Murphy
Director, Future Industries Institute

My research brings an economic lens to the water industry to inform decision makers and improve water policy and management in Australia and abroad.

Together with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, we developed a decision support tool used to inform investment decisions on fish passage infrastructure on the Mekong. There are many factors limiting the productivity of fisheries, a key source of income for poorer river communities, and this tool gives insight into fish passage strategy development. The tool is now being used by the Asian Development Bank to inform fish passage strategy for Lao PDR, supporting poverty reduction efforts.

Dr Bethany Cooper

I research how to use accounting concepts and frameworks to improve water management, productivity and farmer profitability.

In collaboration with Sentek Technologies Pty Ltd, potato growers in the Murraylands and grape growers in McLaren Vale, we developed a tool that links growers’ biophysical and business data to the development of more sustainable irrigation. Called ‘WaterLink’, this tool uses sensed soil moisture, microclimate and weather data to help farm businesses know the current needs of crops and what the costs will be to promote growth, avoid disease and maximise productivity.

Associate Professor Joanne Tingey-Holyoak