An ANFF-enabled team at the University of Newcastle has been recognised with an AFR Higher Education Award.

Winning the Industry Engagement category of the 2020 Australian Financial Review Higher Education Awards, the team was recognised for its response to the pandemic with its program that delivered COVID-19 face shields to staff at Newcastle hospitals.

The endeavours involved repurposing ANFF equipment and expertise that are typically focused on the production of printable solar cells. These efforts were made to address the abrupt requirement for protection of healthcare professionals in a time of national need.

The multi-disciplinary working group with representatives from the Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment and Faculty of Health and Medicine developed a smart, rapid response to produce desperately needed medical equipment.

Read UoN’s coverage of the award here, view the complete list of winners here, or read the announcement in the Financial Review here.