The breadth and depth of engineering skill and talent in Australia is on show across the 30 engineers nominated for the list of Australia’s Most Innovative Engineers.
Compiled by create, the publication of Engineers Australia, the list is in its fourth year and attempts to acknowledge engineers in all fields and around Australia, while also extending the recognition of the profession within the broader community.
“The Australia’s Most Innovative Engineers list showcases the creativity and ingenuity of Australian engineers and celebrates their remarkable achievements. The judging panel was overwhelmed by the high calibre of entrants, and we congratulate the winners on their selection,” said Peter McIntyre, CEO of Engineers Australia.
Engineers whose work is contributing to solving some of the most pressing crises today were included in the list, including Mohammed Taha’s work on self-modifying coatings to reduce energy use at the point of production.
The engineers nominated in the Manufacturing and Innovation category include engineers working in implants, food sensing and bridge systems. Using novel materials, processes and finding unique solutions, those nominated for the list are working across industry and research.
“These are engineers who are going above and beyond with their skills and knowledge to achieve impressive feats of engineering,” said judge Alex Kingsbury, how has judged the list for the past three years.
The 2019 list includes the highest number of women since the list’s conception. 25% of the winners are female engineers.
A focus of this year’s nominees is the engagement with the wider community, demonstrating the commitment that the discipline has to applied solutions.
“Engineering innovation plays a critical role in facilitating a bright future for our communities, our nation and the world,” said McIntyre.
Each of the nominated engineers had to share with the judges what their project was, the problem it solved, the benefits it offered, why it was innovative and the role that they played on the project.
The panel of six judges were enthused by the quality of the projects and nominees.
“Engineering innovation is what drives the ‘new economy’. If this year’s nominees are anything to go by, the engineering profession in Australia has a bright future,” said judge Adam Mitchell.