Making better humans, one polymer at a time

National Science Week celebrated in special event.

From bionic bras to handheld 3D printers for repairing damaged cartilage, shape-shifting medical implants and anti-cancer drugs delivered using nanoparticles, polymers are making humans better one molecule at a time.

When many small molecules (which are made up of atoms held together by chemical bonds) are joined together end to end, you end up with polymers.

In an evening of science, leading experts will delve into the world of polymers and explore how they are being used in everything from cancer treatments to tackling antibiotic resistance and creating 3D printed body parts.

The Making Better Humans event, part of the Australian Academy of Science Plastic Fantastic National Speaker Series, will be held today (17 August) at the University of Wollongong (UOW) Innovation Campus.

Professor Gordon Wallace from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science will be joining the panel of experts to discuss 3D bioprinting: printing parts for bodies, and said the event is an exciting celebration of National Science Week.

“Bringing together speakers from around the country, this event helps put us on the map as a national centre for ‘Making better Humans’ through science,” he said.

“We are proud to be known as a research centre working closely with the communities we work for and we look forward to imparting some of our knowledge to give people a better understanding of what it is that we’re trying to achieve.”

The Making Better Humans event will be held today (Thursday 17 August) at 6pm at the iC Event Centre, Level 2, Building 230, Innovation Campus. Tickets are still available online.

The talk will be chaired by Dr Bobby Cerini, the national manager for Inspiring Australia. This series is presented with the generous support of Academy Fellow and developer of the polymer banknote, Professor David Solomon AC FAA.