PhD project on capturing 'tiny, precious' copper minerals wins Three-Minute Thesis competition

University of Melbourne PhD student Regina de Medeiros has won the Australasian Colloid and Interface Society (ACIS) 3 Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®), which recognises innovative research by PhD students.

In her three-minute presentation, entitled “Little Minerals for a Sustainable Future," Regina spoke about how capturing small minerals could contribute to a more sustainable future. Under the supervision of Professor George Franks from the Department of Chemical Engineering, Regina’s research focuses on collecting tiny minerals that would otherwise be lost as waste through the industrial process, with an emphasis on copper minerals. She is investigating how polymer substances that have a glue-like property can be used to stick together copper particles.

“Once the tiny copper minerals are bonded using polymer, the collected copper minerals can be used to produce copper metals, which are commonly used in electronics and renewable energy equipment.

“In the longer term, I hope to scale up testing levels and collaborate with industry and make this a reality; changing how minerals are processed. The technology and know-how already exists in the lab, and we hope to help get it implemented in the industry within a decade.” Regina said.

Regina is in the second year of her PhD research project with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals (COEMinerals), which has a University of Melbourne node. Further to her ACIS win, Regina was also awarded ‘People’s Choice’ winner during the Centre’s PhD student 3MT® competition.

Regina is keen to inspire others to study polymer science, particularly girls, who are under-represented in polymer chemistry. “I couldn't be happier to see so many girls interested in STEM, and I hope we inspired some of them to continue.” Regina said.