2023 POF End of Year Function

Source: Rob ODonnell

Since 2011, patent attorney firm Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick has generously sponsored the Materials Australia End of Year function in Victoria. This is a free event, open to both our members, and members of sister professional societies. The function has become a highlight of the combined technical calendar for each of the participating professional bodies.

The function was an opportunity for attendees to enjoy an informal mix of networking, social conversation, and technical presentations related to new technologies or new challenges in technical areas. All this was conducted over some first class refreshments provided by the hosts, while enjoying a spectacular view over the north-eastern end of Melbourne afforded from Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick's premises at 333 Collins Street.

Professor Mike Tan, Ivan Cole (President Materials Australia Victoria and Tasmania Branch) Bruno Angelico and Edwin Patterson (Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick).

Attendees were treated to engaging presentations.

Professor Mike Yongjun Tan (Professor of Applied Electrochemistry and Corrosion Technologies, Deakin University Institute for Frontier Materials) spoke on the topic New Challenges to Materials and Infrastructure Engineering in the Renewable Energy Age.

Professor Tan covered the array of challenges confronting materials science in the renewable energy age and highlighted the important role corrosion science will play in the sustainability and durability of renewable energy infrastructures.

Bruno Angelico (Managing Director, Steele Environment Solutions) then presented on the topic Emerging Energy Technology and the Need for New Materials.

Bruno identified further materials related problems confronting containment vessels and infrastructure that will be required for next generation of energy generation systems (including nuclear, hydrogen and even fusion systems).

The End of Year event is scheduled again for late 2024, information will be forthcoming on the Materials Australia website and through all sister societies.