Living labs

Circular economy concrete

The Waste Transformation Research Hub (WTRH) specialises in research on the circular economy and how we can reuse and recycle material. They have developed a new formula eco-concrete pavement incorporating fly ash, ground recycled glass and importantly, carbon dioxide into the mix.

To test the composition of the concrete’s base components to find the optimum pouring ease and durability to make it ready for commercial use, the WTRH are testing it on campus.

The first concrete pavement can be found between the Engineering glasshouses and the Community Garden on the Darlington Campus with more pavements planned for this year, which will contribute to the University’s zero-waste-to-landfill target.

Gelion solar smart benches

Gelion Technologies, an Australian battery innovator, has installed six solar-powered benches at the t the Camperdown/Darlington Campus, taking its revolutionary battery technology to pre-market stage.

The Endure batteries that power the off-grid smart benches will be the first commercial installation for the company, which was spun-out from the University of Sydney by founder and chemist, Professor Thomas Maschmeyer.

Gelion will be testing the batteries' charge and discharge rates and understanding the user experience of the solar benches. Information related to the benches' performance will displayed on screens in the Services Building (G12).