Research at The Wark makes a real difference.
The Ian Wark Research Institute is a centre of excellence for research into chemistry and physics at interfaces and is the designated Australian Research Council (ARC) Special Research Centre for Particle and Material Interfaces. With an impressive list of research sponsors and projects in areas such as bio and polymer interfaces, colloids and nanostructures and mineral processing, The Wark aims to both develop new technologies for use in industry and improve upon existing processes.
Named in recognition of eminent Australian scientist Sir Ian William Wark, the Institute has a prized international reputation for fundamental and applied research and postgraduate education. The Wark has produced over 177 graduates, representing the next generation of scientific leaders.
The Wark is a major contributor to UniSA’s research in Physical Chemistry and in Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy, both of which received ratings of 5 in the 2012 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) assessment, indicating outstanding performance well above world standard in these areas.
The Wark also plays a central role in the recently completed AU$73m Materials and Minerals Science Learning and Research Hub at the Mawson Lakes Campus. The Materials and Minerals Science Building, a key part of this learning hub, was officially opened on August 6 2012. To celebrate this opening, researchers from The Wark took part in the M2 Opening Symposium, on the topic: Materials, Minerals and Manufacturing - what does the future hold for these industries in South Australia? You can watch a recording of this Symposium, and the building opening ceremony at this link.