World experts discuss Brisbane Riverwalk and future of composite science

The rebuilding of Brisbane’s Riverwalk, new developments in aeronautics at NASA and other high profile engineering projects will be discussed in Brisbane next week by international experts in materials science.

The Composites Networking Function, to be held from March 21-23, will attract engineering academics and scientists from seven different nations.

The event is hosted by USQ’s research institution, the Centre of Excellence in Engineered Fibre Composites (CEEFC), and the Queensland Government. The CEEFC developed Australia’s first composite bridge as well as the Brisbane Riverwalk, a network of riverwalk ‘pavements’ along the banks of the Brisbane River.

The Centre will be collaborating with the Brisbane City Council on the rebuilding of the Riverwalk after a large section broke away from the main structure during the January floods.

Members of the CEEFC’s International Advisory Board, including Dr John Gyekenysi from the NASA Glenn Research Centre, Professor Alan Lau from USQ, Professor Nobuo Takeda from the University of Tokyo, and Wagners Director Mr Neill Wagner, will attend next week’s function and workshop.

CEEFC Executive Director, Professor Alan Lau, said the advisors came from top-ranked universities and organisation from across the world and were developing cutting edge composites research.

'This event is a platform to further develop composite science and technology, which will eventually be transferred to the industry to serve the community,' Professor Lau said.