Veena Sahajwalla

{{Infobox scientist

| name = Veena Sahajwalla

| honorific_suffix = {{postnominals|country=AUS|AO|size=100%}}

| image = Veena Sahajwalla, May 2013 (cropped).jpg

| alt =

| caption = Veena Sahajwalla (2013)

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| nationality = Indian

| field = Materials science
Metallurgy

| work_institution = University of New South Wales

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| education = IIT Kanpur

| occupation = Materials scientist, inventor

| years_active =

| known_for = 'Green Steel', 'Recycling science', 'Micro factories'

| notable_works =

| awards = {{Plainlist |

Georgina Sweet Fellowship (2014){{cite news |url=https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-technology/modern-day-alchemists-win-australian-laureate-fellowships |title=Modern-day alchemists win Australian Laureate Fellowships |date=22 August 2014 |work=University of New South Wales |access-date=21 January 2018 }}
Celestino Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science (2022)

}}

Veena Sahajwalla is an Indian-Australian inventor who is Professor of Materials Science in the Faculty of Science at the University of New South Wales, Australia.{{cite web |title=Veena Sahajwalla About Me |url=https://www.smart.unsw.edu.au/veena-sahajwalla |website=Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology |publisher=University of New South Wales |access-date=9 March 2021}} She is the Director of the UNSW SM@RT Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology and an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow.{{Cite web|url=http://www.smart.unsw.edu.au/|title=SMaRT@UNSW {{!}} Sustainable Materials Research & Technology|website=www.smart.unsw.edu.au|access-date=12 December 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213091838/http://www.smart.unsw.edu.au/|archive-date=13 December 2017|df=dmy-all}}

Sahajwalla is known for her role as a councillor on the independent Australian Climate Council{{cite web |url=https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/contributors/veena-sahajwalla |title=Veena Sahajwalla |publisher=Climate Council |access-date=14 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814080026/https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/contributors/veena-sahajwalla |archive-date=14 August 2014 |df=dmy-all }} and as a judge on the ABC television show The New Inventors. Sahajwalla also served as a commissioner on the Australian Climate Commission.{{cite web |url=http://www.climatechange.gov.au/ministers/hon-greg-combet-am-mp/media-release/professor-veena-sahajwalla-joins-climate-commission |title=Professor Veena Sahajwalla joins the climate commission |publisher=Australian Government |date=7 May 2012 |access-date=14 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814080639/http://www.climatechange.gov.au/ministers/hon-greg-combet-am-mp/media-release/professor-veena-sahajwalla-joins-climate-commission |archive-date=14 August 2014 |df=dmy-all }} She featured in a 2008 episode of ABC's science show called Catalyst.

Sahajwalla was born in Mumbai, India. She studied for her master's degree in Vancouver, Canada before settling in Australia. While in Canada, she met and married her husband Rama Mahapatra.{{Cite news |date=2021-02-21 |title=Your beer bottles and old clothes could become home furnishings in 'recycling revolution' |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-22/veena-sahajwalla-recyling-revolution-green-ceramics/13041936 |access-date=2024-03-22 |work=ABC News|language=en-AU}}

Career and publications

Sahajwalla has been working as a professor at the University of New South Wales since 2008.UNSW Sydney. “[https://www.smart.unsw.edu.au/ SMaRT@UNSW I Sustainable Materials Research & Technology].” Education. Accessed 24 March 2021. She founded the Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Lab at UNSW in 2008 which focused on recycling science and waste management.Chenery, Susan, and Jennifer Feller. "[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-22/veena-sahajwalla-recyling-revolution-green-ceramics/13041936 How Veena Sahajwalla’s ‘green Ceramics’ Made from Glass and Clothes Are Revolutionising Manufacturing]." ABC News, 21 February 2021.

Sahajwalla has been publishing scientific papers focusing on material engineering in journals since 1989.“[https://iitk.ac.in/dora/profile/prof-veena-sahajwalla Prof Veena Sahajwalla].” Office of Resources and Alumni, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. Accessed 28 April 2021. She has published over 380 peer-reviewed scientific papers with both the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur where she completed her education and the University of New South Wales where she works.

Sahajwalla has also published many conference abstracts for international engineering and environmental conferences. She also has written and co-written many book chapters on the science of recycling including Unmaking Waste in Production and Consumption: Towards the Circular Economy.Crocker, Robert. [https://books.emeraldinsight.com/page/detail/Unmaking-Waste-in-Production-and-Consumption/?k=9781787146204. Unmaking Waste in Production and Consumption. Emerald Publishing Limited], 2018.

Green steel

Sahajwalla is well renowned for her contributions to building a waste-free economy. One of her most impactful projects was finding a cleaner alternative to using coal in the steel production industry. The process she created is called polymer injection technology, also known as green steel.Review, Waste Management. “[https://wastemanagementreview.com.au/first-lady-of-green-steel-manufacturing/ First Lady of Green Steel Manufacturing].” Waste Management Review (blog), 17 July 2015.

Sahajwalla discovered that recycled truck tires were a sustainable alternative to using coal as it was an environmentally friendly process that could prevent over 2 million tires from being diverted to landfills each year while simultaneously creating a renewable energy source.“[https://www.smart.unsw.edu.au/technologies-products/green-steel Green Steel | SMaRT@UNSW.]” Accessed 29 April 2021. Tires could be ground into pellets and be used instead of coal as they released fewer greenhouse gases. Traditional steel making accounts for about 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions.{{Cite web|last1=Allen|first1=Jessica|last2=Honeyands|first2=Tom|title='Green steel' is hailed as the next big thing in Australian industry. Here's what the hype is all about|url=http://theconversation.com/green-steel-is-hailed-as-the-next-big-thing-in-australian-industry-heres-what-the-hype-is-all-about-160282|access-date=2021-06-08|website=The Conversation|date=2 June 2021 |language=en}} Even though tires cannot be used as an alternative to all the coal used during production, they could substitute a percentage of the total coal consumed in the industry.Smith, Deborah. “‘[https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-technology/%E2%80%98green-steel%E2%80%99-technology-saves-two-million-tyres-landfill Green Steel’ Technology Saves Two Million Tyres from Landfill].” Text. UNSW Newsroom, 16 October 2014. This solution effectively lowered carbon emissions and prevented waste from being diverted towards landfills. This also will continue to be favorable as the world is rapidly de-carbonizing.{{Cn|date=June 2021}}

Sahajwalla has continued to work with Australian steel corporations OneSteel and MolyCop to further the development of polymer injection technology. Green Steel technology has now been implemented into global steel-making operations globally.{{Cite web|title=Accolade for UNSW's Green Steel|url=https://www.sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/waste/news/accolade-for-unsw-s-green-steel-1494912057|access-date=2021-06-08|website=www.sustainabilitymatters.net.au|language=en}} This innovation has made Australia a leader in low-emission steel making.{{Cn|date=June 2021}}

The green steel movement has earned Sahajwalla many awards and grants which have aided her in continuing environmental research. This Project has also earned her international recognition which landed her positions on multiple government organizations focusing on climate change. Her green steel process has also been listed as one of the “innovations that could change the way we manufacture” by the US Society for Manufacturing Engineers in 2012. This innovation also won Sahajwalla the Australian Innovation Challenge in the same year."[https://research.unsw.edu.au/digitalgridfutures/team/professor-veena-sahajwalla Professor Veena Sahajwalla]" DigitalGrid. Accessed April 29, 2021. Her innovation in green steel technology also has earned her the 2019 BHERT (Business Higher Education Round Table) Award.

Micro-factories

Sahajwalla is also known for innovating micro-factories. She discovered that small scale factories that were comprised one or more specialized machines were much more sustainable. Factories of this scale could be implemented in existing manufacturing businesses to recycle available waste.{{Cite journal|date=January 2020|title=Plastic 3D printing could replace aluminum|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.repl.2019.12.064|journal=Reinforced Plastics|volume=64|issue=1|pages=23–24|doi=10.1016/j.repl.2019.12.064|s2cid=242847402 |issn=0034-3617|url-access=subscription}}

She launched her first micro-factory at the Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Lab based at the University of New South Wales Kensington Campus in 2018. Her first micro-factory was focused on recycling e-waste from old technology. She found that technological waste housed many precious metals and rare earth minerals.Hossain, Rumana, and Veena Sahajwalla. “Microrecycling of Waste Flexible Printed Circuit Boards for In-Situ Generation of O- and N-Doped Activated Carbon with Outstanding Supercapacitance Performance.” Resources, Conservation and Recycling 167 (1 April 2021): 105221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105221. This micro-factory salvaged gold, electrical conductors, and many other rare materials. After collecting these materials, she processed them through thermal techniques so that they could be recycled in new technology.“[https://www.industry.gov.au/data-and-publications/novel-approach-for-processing-hazardous-electronic-waste Novel approach for processing hazardous electronic waste.]” Text. Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, 6 November 2018. Glass and plastic used in electronics could also be melted down and used in industrial-grade ceramics and plastic filaments in 3D printing.{{Cite web|date=2019-03-05|title='Nothing should be classified as waste': crisis is opportunity for Veena Sahajwalla|url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/06/nothing-should-be-classified-waste-veena-sahajwalla-sees-crisis-as-opportunity|access-date=2021-06-08|website=The Guardian|language=en}} This new concept revolutionized the recycling process for e-waste. Her contributions to this new e-waste recycling technology allowed her to continue to open new micro-factories targeted at recycling different materials.{{Cn|date=June 2021}}

Sahajwalla’s second micro-factory was launched in 2019 targeting the recycling of glass and textiles into green ceramics. Glass is one of the easiest materials to recycle but due to the expensive nature of recycling, many countries tend to stockpile it instead. This process is expensive due to the cross-contamination of glass with lids and labels. Sahajwalla's recycling method eliminates the need to separate these materials. Her ceramics are made of a blend of many different materials. This blend gives these ceramics strength and sound absorbency properties. These ceramics included tiles and furniture which can be used in new architectural developments. She has worked with numerous architectural firms to develop green buildings and infrastructure. Some projects that Sahajwalla has worked on include a Mirvac collaboration with Marrickville and Co., Hunters Hill library, and recycled rubbish bins for the city of Canberra.

These micro-factories have been successful in helping local and federal governments recycle materials that would otherwise be diverted to landfills.ABC News. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fkbQynfSyY Recycling Revolutionary Shows How You Can Turn Old Clothes into Kitchen Tiles]. Australian Story, 2021. These micro-factories have created recycling factories for rural areas and have created jobs for many Australians. This is important as previously, waste in rural areas would have to travel to bigger cities to be recycled. This was not a sustainable practice because it produced unnecessary carbon emissions.{{Cn|date=June 2021}}

Contributions to government organizations

Sahajwalla has been a member of the Australian Climate Council, NSW Circular and the Australian Climate Commission.{{Cn|date=June 2021}}

Sahajwalla is a councillor on the independent Australian Climate Council and has been awarded the Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship & Georgina Sweet Award in 2014.Climate Council. “[https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/about/ About Us].” Accessed 29 April 2021.

She was appointed director of the NSW Circular Economy Innovation Network in 2019 by the state government. NSW Circular is a government-funded body that aims to make NSW a zero-carbon circular economy. Sahajwalla manages the environmental efforts made by the organization and provides a face to the organization.NSW Circular. “[https://www.nswcircular.org/team/veena-sahajwalla/ Veena Sahajwalla].” Accessed 29 April 2021.

Sahajwalla was a commissioner on the Australian Climate commission alongside Professor Tim Flannery and Professor Will Steffen. The Australian Climate commission was responsible for releasing “reliable and autoreactive” information about climate change to the Australian public.“[https://www.9news.com.au/national/prof-sahajwalla-new-climate-commissioner/22b318ff-6f26-4780-a5b2-69d5ae66991f Prof Sahajwalla New Climate Commissioner]". 9News. Accessed 29 April 2021.

Sahajwalla also is the leader of the green manufacturing department of the ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub. This department focuses on combining academic research with the Australian Industry to improve technology. This has ensured that the industry has the best research which has translated into environmental and economic benefits for the Australian economy.{{Cn|date=June 2021}}

Recognition

Sahajwalla is one of Australia’s best-known engineers. She has been invited to talk at many international conferences including the Farm2Fork Summit in 2019, TRANSFORM conference in 2019, and the Falling Wall conference in 2018. Sahajwalla was also named one of Australia’s 100 most influential engineers as well as one of Australia’s most innovative engineers by Engineers Australia in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Sahajwalla also runs a mentoring program for women in science called Science 50:50 with the Australian Research Council (ARC). This program aims to inspire Australian women to pursue degrees and careers in Science and Technology.“[https://www.arc.gov.au/policies-strategies/policy/science-5050 Science 50:50].” Text. Australian Research Council, 12 June 2018.

Television appearances

Sahajwalla appeared on ABC TV’s show “New Inventors” for several episodes as the residential engineer judge.
She has also been featured on ABC’s “Australian story” which focused on her achievements and research since founding the Sustainable Materials Research and Technology Lab at UNSW.
Sahajwalla was a guest panelist on ABC TV’s 2020 Q&A program which discussed the future of the world.
Sahajwalla was featured in ABC TV’s show Catalyst in 2008.
Sahajwalla presented a Ted Talk at the 2011 Sydney Event named Reviving Waste. TEDx Talks. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wMbdwfplBk TEDxSydney - Veena Sahajwalla - Reviving Waste], 2011.

Achievements

Known internationally as the inventor of green steel,{{cite web |url=http://crca.asn.au/green-steel-from-old-rubber-tyres-produces-no-waste-or-toxic-fumes/ |title='Green steel' from old rubber tyres produces no waste or toxic fumes |publisher=CRC Association |date=2 May 2014 |access-date=14 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814101443/http://crca.asn.au/green-steel-from-old-rubber-tyres-produces-no-waste-or-toxic-fumes/ |archive-date=14 August 2014 |df=dmy-all }} Sahajwalla's research is recognized for changing the way the properties of carbon-bearing materials are understood, including coal, coke, graphite, plastics, and rubber. Sahajwalla's work has had a significant impact on the theory and practices that form the basis of operations of the iron-making, steel-making and ceramics industries. Of particular importance is her demonstration that waste plastics and waste rubber can be partial replacements for coal and coke in steel-making.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/win-win2c-as-waste-becomes-a-resource-for-industry/5608040 |title=Win win, as waste becomes a resource for industry – The Science Show |publisher=Radio National|date=19 July 2014 |access-date=14 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814093149/http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/win-win2c-as-waste-becomes-a-resource-for-industry/5608040 |archive-date=14 August 2014 |df=dmy-all }}

Sahajwalla's unique focus on the evolution of carbon properties in high-temperature conditions has not only advanced scientific understanding of materials processing, but has provided cost-effective opportunities for industries to move towards sustainable and environmentally friendly production methods.{{cite web |url=http://www.arc.gov.au/media/feature_articles/May13_OneSteel.htm |title=Feature Article – May 2013 OneSteel |publisher=Australian Research Council |date=10 May 2013 |access-date=14 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311050501/http://www.arc.gov.au/media/feature_articles/May13_OneSteel.htm |archive-date=11 March 2014 |df=dmy-all }}

Sahajwalla has also revolutionized the methods of recycling in Australia. Her work to introduce small specialized recycling factories has significantly reduced carbon emissions and provided rural communities a way to up-cycle used items.

Honours and awards

2005: winner, Eureka Prize for Scientific Research{{Cite web|author=Australian Museum |date=2005-05-13|title=University of New South Wales Eureka Prize for Scientific Research|url=http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~gekko/press/eureka_05/eureka_05.htm|access-date=2021-06-08|language=en}}
2006: winner, Environmental Technology Award for her work in Engineering Sciences
2008: winner, NSW Scientist of the Year for Engineering Sciences by the NSW Government Office of the Chief Scientist{{cite web |url=http://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/awards/previous-winners |title=Past Winners – NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer |publisher=NSW Government |date=29 April 2014 |access-date=14 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814074250/http://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/awards/previous-winners |archive-date=14 August 2014 |df=dmy-all }}
2011: winner, Nokia Business Innovation Award, presented at the Telstra Business Women's Awards{{cite web |url=http://www.telstrabusinesswomensawards.com/award-highlights/past-winners/2011/national-286.aspx |title=2011 National Awards Winners |publisher=Telstra Business Women's Awards |access-date=14 August 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815125829/http://www.telstrabusinesswomensawards.com/award-highlights/past-winners/2011/national-286.aspx |archive-date=15 August 2014 |df=dmy-all }}
2011: winner, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award by the Government of India
2012: winner, Banksia Environmental Foundation GE Innovation Award{{cite web |url=http://www.banksiafdn.com/the-awards/43-past-awards/225-2012-finalists.html |title=2012 Winner & Finalists |publisher=Banksia Foundation |date=18 August 2013 |access-date=14 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814085750/http://www.banksiafdn.com/the-awards/43-past-awards/225-2012-finalists.html |archive-date=14 August 2014 |df=dmy-all }}
2012: winner, Australian Innovation Challenge{{cite news |last=Nadin |first=Mitchell |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/innovationchallenge/the-innovation-challenge-winner-could-change-steel-making-forever/story-fn9dkrp5-1226534889919 |title=The Innovation Challenge winner could change steel-making forever |work=The Australian|date=12 December 2012 |access-date=14 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814090711/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/innovationchallenge/the-innovation-challenge-winner-could-change-steel-making-forever/story-fn9dkrp5-1226534889919 |archive-date=14 August 2014 |df=dmy-all }} in recognition of her revolutionary work turning recycled rubber tires into steel.{{Cite news |date=2016-07-31 |title=An interview Veena Sahajwalla, Director, Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology |url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/Turning-waste-tyre-into-%E2%80%98green-steel%E2%80%99/article14518524.ece |access-date=2024-03-22 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |title=Veena Sahajwalla |url=https://www.smart.unsw.edu.au/veena-sahajwalla |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318234420/https://www.smart.unsw.edu.au/veena-sahajwalla |archive-date=18 March 2024 |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=UNSW Sydney}}
2013: winner, AIST Howe Memorial Lecture award.{{cite web |url=https://apps.aist.org/awards/howe_memorial_rec.htm |title=AIST Howe Memorial Lecture |publisher=Association for Iron & Steel |access-date=14 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814105929/https://apps.aist.org/awards/howe_memorial_rec.htm |archive-date=14 August 2014 |df=dmy-all }}
2014: winner, Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellowship by the Australian Research Council.{{cite web |url=https://www.arc.gov.au/policies-strategies/strategy/gender-equality-research/kathleen-fitzpatrick-and-georgina-sweet-australian-laureate-fellows |title=Kathleen Fitzpatrick and Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellows |publisher=Australian Research Council |access-date=2 August 2019}}
2015: winner, Innovation category in the Australian 100 Women of Influence 2015.{{cite web|title=100 Women of Influence 2015|url=http://www.100womenofinfluence.com.au/alumni/2015-2/|website=100 Women of Influence|publisher=Australian Financial Review|access-date=29 August 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903202745/http://www.100womenofinfluence.com.au/alumni/2015-2/|archive-date=3 September 2017|df=dmy-all}}
2016: finalist, NSW Premier's Award for Woman of the Year.{{cite web|title=NSW Premier's Award for Woman of the Year Finalists 2016|url=http://www.women.nsw.gov.au/women_of_the_year_awards/2016-nsw-women-of-the-year-awards/nsw-premier-s-award-for-woman-of-the-year|website=Health Women NSW (women.nsw.gov.au)|access-date=20 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622133706/http://www.women.nsw.gov.au/women_of_the_year_awards/2016-nsw-women-of-the-year-awards/nsw-premier-s-award-for-woman-of-the-year|archive-date=22 June 2017|df=dmy-all}}
2018: elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (FAA){{Cite web|url=https://www.science.org.au/fellowship/fellows/professor-veena-sahajwalla|title=Professor Veena Sahajwalla|website=www.science.org.au|access-date=2018-06-16}}
2019: winner, BHERT (Business Higher Education Round Table) Award for her Green Steel innovation
2022: winner, NSW Australian of the Year{{Cite web|last=Tu|first=Jessie|date=2021-11-16|title=Veena Sahajwalla named 2022 NSW Australian of the Year|url=https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/veena-sahajwalla-named-2022-nsw-australian-of-the-year/|access-date=2021-11-16|website=Women's Agenda|language=en-AU}}
2022: winner, Celestino Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science{{Cite web |last=AAP |date=2022-08-31 |title=Epidemiologist Raina MacIntyre among brilliant Australian scientists awarded Eureka Prize |url=https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/science/2022/08/31/epidemiologist-raina-macintyre-among-brilliant-australian-scientists-awarded-eureka-prize/ |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=The New Daily |language=en-US}}
2023: winner, Women in Design Award as part of Australian Good Design Awards{{Cite web |date=9 September 2023 |title=PROFESSOR VEENA SAHAJWALLA – 2023 WOMEN IN DESIGN AWARD |url=https://good-design.org/professor-veena-sahajwalla-2023-women-in-design-award/}}
2025: appointed Officer of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours.{{Cite web |title=Scientia Professor Veena SAHAJWALLA |url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/3044700 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Australian Honours Search Facility}}