Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, he found Liberal policy on the way! In the process of working in laboratories, he developed a real passion for how he could deal with the whole problem of wireless computing. He worked with colleagues around the world to bring this invention to fruition. Their invention is now enshrined in international standards and built into computers, printers, smartphones and other devices used by hundreds of millions of people every day. It is a great example of how basic blue-sky research can lead to very practical benefits. The Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year went to Professor Michael Cowley from Monash University’s Faculty of Medicine for the advances he has made in understanding and treating human obesity and the ailments that go with it, including diabetes and heart disease.

The Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year went to Dr Amanda Barnard, from the CSIRO, for her achievements in modelling nanoparticles. This is a key to unlocking the benefits of nanotechnology, which promises us everything from better medicines to more efficient solar panels. And last night I was introduced to a new term called ‘nanodiamonds’. I do not know what a nanodiamond is, but it is good and it is being worked on at the moment by our great legion of nanotechnologists and nanoscientists!

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