INDUSTRY

Professor Robin Batterham, Global Practice Leader - Innovation, Rio Tinto, and CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Geoff Garrett, will speak at the opening of a new building for CSIRO Mathematical and Information Sciences in Melbourne on Tuesday, 15 May 2007. The building, on CSIRO's Clayton campus, will be a showcase for CSIRO mathematical and statistical technologies. With its 'reaching forward' façade, it represents the realization of the vision of retiring CSIRO Deputy Chief Executive, Dr Ron Sandland who, in the 1980s, envisaged Australian industry 'thriving through mathematical sciences research.' A key component of Dr Sandland's vision was a modern center in Melbourne for world class mathematical and statistical research and training. The building is named in his honor. It will house around 50 mathematicians and statisticians, some of whom are international leaders in their field, and will play host to trainee scientists and Australian and international academic and industry visitors. Industry research currently being undertaken by CSIRO mathematicians and to be demonstrated at the opening, include: * Fluid special effects for animation - computer animations of bubbles forming in beer, and water flooding a street showcase CSIRO's world-leading maths-based software, developed with Korean researchers, for realistically depicting fluids in movies and games. * Sampling and blending of bulk materials - CSIRO software called CHASM statistically models stockpiles of sugar, iron ore and other bulk materials to help decision makers ensure quality. * Mapping prawns on the move - the prawn industry in Northern Australia is worth A$100M or more to the Australian economy and CSIRO statisticians are modeling offshore migration of penaeid prawns to fishing grounds so that they can be harvested sustainably.