The AO is an honour that recognises distinguished service of a excessive diploma to Australia or to humanity at massive.
Prof. Sahajwalla based the SMaRT Lab at UNSW in 2008 to deal with recycling science and waste administration, and a decade later, pioneered the idea of micro-factories in manufacturing companies to recycle out there waste.
Her first micro-factory on the SMaRT Lab primarily based in 2018 targeted on recycling e-waste from outdated expertise, salvaging gold, electrical conductors, and uncommon earth supplies, whereas the glass and plastic have been melted down and utilized in industrial-grade ceramics and plastic filaments in 3D printing. The idea has since expanded to recycle different supplies.
Prof. Sahajwalla additionally created inexperienced metal by used outdated truck tyres as a partial substitute for coal in metal manufacturing, which accounts for round 7% of whole greenhouse fuel emissions. The method she developed polymer injection expertise, grinds the tyres into pellets to burn as a substitute of coal, lowering emissions and in addition diverting greater than 2 million tyres from landfill. Australian big OneSteel has been utilizing her innovation.
The engineer and inventor mentioned she was honoured to be recognised, and the Order of Australia motivates her extra.
“It means a lot and displays on the many individuals who’ve been a part of my journey. The sensation of main a scientific discipline is profound, however this kind of recognition is subsequent stage,” mentioned.
“I communicate to communities, governments and industries on a regular basis, and if this award helps me to proceed doing that and to encourage and encourage others, I’m grateful for that. What drives me and the workforce on the UNSW SMaRT Centre is creating options for actual world supplies sustainability challenges that assist ship higher social, environmental and financial outcomes.”
Prof. Sahajwalla additionally paid tribute to the college and her household for with the ability to pursue her ardour and goals.
“College students and workers I’ve labored with have been so inspirational to me and plenty of of them have turn into champions of the sector of science we now have been pioneering, and for me understanding there are others taking the fervour ahead is satisfying,” she mentioned.
“On a private aspect, I deeply thank my household for his or her understanding of my ongoing focus and drive, in addition to my occasional loopy fixations on fixing waste issues.”
She was one of many few individuals in tech and entrepreneurship amongst 732 Australians recognised within the 2025 Australia Day honours checklist.
Others recognised
One in all her UNSW colleagues, Prof. Bronwyn Fox, UNSW Deputy Vice Chancellor Analysis and Enterprise, additionally acquired an AO for her distinguished service to public administration, scientific analysis and growth, superior manufacturing, and to tertiary schooling.
She started her profession as a 22-year-old analysis assistant at CSIRO and in 2022, grew to become chief scientist on the nationwide science organisation.
Adrian Di Marco, the pioneering founding father of one of many nation’s first startups in 1987, TechnologyOne, which listed on the ASX in 1999, acquired for Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Loads of Canberra residents and lecturers have been additionally recognised.
Sylvia Tulloch
Supplies scientist, startups advisor, angel investor and renewables pioneer Sylvia Tulloch was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
ANU Emeritus Professor Andrew Blakers, co-inventor of two sorts of high-efficiency photo voltaic cells and an professional on pumped hydro power storage, was additionally among the many 22 receiving the highest honour, an AO.
Academy of Science CEO Annamarie Arabia acquired an OAM.
