1505 days ago

Professor Justin Hodgkiss

Rhondda Sweetman from Plimmerton Rotary

This week’s guest speaker was Prof Justin Hodgkiss, of Victoria University and the McDiarmid Institute.

Justin has had a stellar career in research, graduating from Otago University initially, and then a doctorate at MIT followed by a post-doctoral fellowship at Cambridge.

The McDiarmid Institute is a research collaboration of seven NZ universities and Crown Research Institutes, named after Alan McDiarmid, a New Zealander who won a Nobel Prize for his work on conducting polymers. Its focus is on the properties of materials and the development of new ones.

Justin gave us an overview of several of the projects under way at the McDiarmid.

Maize and biowaste can be used to make new useful biodegradable products. Cheaper printable photovoltaic arrays can be made in the lab, and work is ongoing to make them more efficient.

Storage batteries are critical to a low-carbon future, and aluminium looks promising as a replacement for lithium.

Using hydrogen as an energy source is a major effort worldwide because it releases no carbon at all.

Computing and data storage are now so universal that they create more carbon emissions than air travel- mostly in the energy needs of air-conditioning. Materials that can think like a brain may make computers more efficient.

The McDiarmid Institute is thriving and has an international reputation with many global collaborations in place.

Justin’s talk was fascinating and optimistic in the face of the monumental challenges of sustainability and climate change.

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 84.5% Yes
    84.5% Complete
  • 14.1% No
    14.1% Complete
  • 1.5% Other - I'll share below
    1.5% Complete
1145 votes
16 hours ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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1 day ago

Got a Minute? Prove You’re the Smartest Neighbour!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What is it that when given one, you’ll have either two or none?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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