[an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]

	MEMO SECTIONS

	Current issue
	What's On
	Employment (Staff access only)
	Courses
	Staff Development
	Scholarships
	Archives
	Editorial Guidelines

Monash Memo - 18 July 2001

Back to this edition's story list

Centre for Green Chemistry launched

The Monash Centre for Green Chemistry, officially launched last week by federal Senator Kay Patterson, will help Australian and international industries create a cleaner and more sustainable future.

The centre is funded by the Australian Research Council to aid research at the cutting edge of green chemistry.

Green chemistry uses hazard-free methods to produce safe, clean and energy-efficient products, often through redesigning the processes involved.

Senator Patterson, who holds two Monash degrees and is a former member of Monash University Council, said the centre was one of 11 successful organisations to receive federal funding out of a total of 76 applicants.

She said she was confident it would provide support to industry and manufacturers and benefit both Australia and the international community.

According to centre director Professor Roy Jackson, green chemistry could play a vital role in creating cleaner, more energy-efficient products and processes while reducing costs.

"There is a pressing need to develop products and processes which require less energy, generate fewer waste by-products, use fewer or more benign solvents, or none at all.

They should also have no associated environmental or health problems, and should allow for recycling or environmental degradation," he said.

"The manufacture of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals alone currently generates 25 to 100 times more waste than product, so there's plenty of room for improvement."

The centre, which began operating in January last year, is based in the School of Chemistry at the Clayton campus and includes specialised equipment and purpose-built laboratories.

Current projects at the centre include the preparation on non-addictive painkillers based on morphine and the development of new microwave technology to improve the efficiency of chemical reactions.

Caption:PhD student Mr Jason Issa gives Senator Kay Patterson a tour of the green chemistry laboratories.