2022 Industrial Design Outstanding Award Winner, Sid Pearn
Spinifex as a Biopolymer
Sid Pearn
Determining the feasibility of spinifex (a native Australian grass) resin as a biopolymer for its use in the replacement of non-essential petroleum-based plastics; while demonstrating the importance of Indigenous science and cross-cultural knowledge exchange in the development of sustainable materials for the future.
Congratulations Sid on an Outstanding Design Award!
Supervisors | Stuart McFarlane and Lisa Dethridge
“I am really pleased with the results from my research this year. The project has provided so many enriching experiences and opportunities for me over the past year and I look forward to seeing what the future of spinifex holds. The project has opened my eyes to the immense potential of our natural environment in finding solutions to issues we currently face and how these solutions can be realised through design. An aspect of this project that I found to be particularly enriching was learning more about Aboriginal history and culture, collaborating and working alongside Australian Indigenous leaders–this has elucidated how important it is to retain Indigenous knowledge and collaborate with Aboriginal leaders and knowledge holders as we work to improve the state of our environment. I am immensely grateful for the investment of time, effort, and guidance provided by Dr Stuart McFarlane (Part 2 Supervisor), Dr Lisa Dethridge (Part 1 Supervisor), Bulugudu LTD, my friends, and all other RMIT staff that contributed to my project in any capacity.”
