CSIRO Medals for 1999 have been awarded to teams involved in new thickener technology for minerals processing, purifying water, and detecting cracks in roads.

The annual External Medal has been awarded for work on smoothed particle hydraulics.

The medals are being presented by Sir Robert May, Chief Science Adviser to the Government of the United Kingdom. An Australian, Sir Robert is recognised as a world authority on biodiversity, and an influential shaper of government science policy.

Medal winners are:

Dr John Farrow and team from CSIRO Minerals and CSIRO Building Construction and Engineering, and the AJ Parker CRC for Hydrometallurgy, for the development of new thickener technology for mineral processing.

The research team has revolutionised thinking on the design and efficiency of the gravity thickener, a large piece of equipment used in the mineral processing industry for separating suspended solid particles from liquid. This research has been strongly supported by the Australian mining industry, and has delivered both tangible and intangible results to the industry.

More information from: Andrea Boothroyd 03-9545 8614
Ken Anderson 03-9252 6172

Dr Matt Ballard and team from CSIRO Molecular Science, Orica Australia Pty Ltd and South Australian Water, for the MIEX® project for purifying water. This resin-based technology is able to remove organic matter form water effectively and economically in large scale water-treatment plants.

Mr Ian Macintyre and team from CSIRO Manufacturing Science and Technology, CSIRO Mathematical and Information Sciences, CSIRO Telecommunications and Industrial Physics, and the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority, for the development of the RoadCrack system. This automated technology detects cracks at an early stage, providing for more effective use of maintenance funding.

More information from: Wilna Macmillan 03-9545 2804
Carrie Bengston 02-9325 3227
Carole David 02-9372 4245

The External Medal has been awarded to:

Professor Joe Monaghan from Monash University, Melbourne, for his work on smoothed particle hydrodynamics. This has established a new numerical approach to fluid dynamics that is now used by hundred of researchers throughout the world, in fields as varied as astrophysics and astronomy, geophysics, and industrial dynamics.

More information from: Joe Monoghan 03-9905 4463

*** Media are invited to attend the presentation of the CSIRO Medals.

The ceremony will take place in the Great Hall, Parliament House, Canberra, between 11.45am and 2pm.

More information from:
Karen Robinson CSIRO 02-6276 6108