Swinburne researcher recognised among science and innovation leaders

Distinguished Professor Berndt is a global leader in his field
In summary
- Swinburne’s Distinguished Professor Christopher Berndt has been awarded the $50,000 2021 Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation in the Physical Sciences
- The award is supported by the Victorian Government and delivered in partnership with veski
- The work helps build reliable surface engineering capabilities and technology to boost Victoria’s international access to markets, and therefore Australia’s position in advanced manufacturing
Swinburne’s Distinguished Professor Christopher Berndt has been awarded the $50,000 2021 Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation in the Physical Sciences for his innovative work focused on advancing surface engineering.
The award is supported by the Victorian Government and delivered in partnership with veski.
Distinguished Professor Berndt is a global leader in his field. He is the Director of the Surface Engineering for Advanced Materials (SEAM) training centre that is funded by the Australian Research Council.
Given the estimated cost of wear and corrosion is 4-5 per cent of gross domestic product in nations such as Australia, surface engineering produces important economic and environmental impacts. Coatings formed by a manufacturing process known as ‘thermal spray’ have industrial applications that experience demanding operating environments, for example in mining, power generating equipment, and heavy industry – the global thermal spray coating market exceeds US$10 billion.
‘Every artifact in the universe has a surface. If the properties of this surface can be designed and controlled, then society benefits. For example, a surface of an artificial hip or knee that integrates with tissue, a coating on a jet turbine that can better resist the high combustion temperatures, an engineered coating or surface modification on an industrial pipeline that resists corrosion: all examples where research is critical for an industrialized nation such as Australia,’ says Distinguished Professor Berndt.

Outcomes of Distinguished Professor Berndt’s achievements in building reliable surface engineering capabilities and technology boost Victoria’s international access to markets, and therefore Australia’s position in advanced manufacturing.
‘I started off as a cadet metallurgist, straight from high school, with BHP in Whyalla in South Australia. I had the opportunity to learn and experience the steel making industry from the practical hands-on viewpoint. I wanted to learn more – that is, why different metals behaved in strange ways. It all grew from there, and still continues, because I was, and still am, really inquisitive.’
‘I represent a team of engineers and scientists who have inspired me, and challenged me in many ways. This veski Prize for Science and Innovation acknowledges our hundreds of man-years of STEM investment, which I fully intend to leverage further into the future.’
-
Media Enquiries
Related articles
-
- Technology
- Health
- Engineering
Vic set to boost medtech under program launched at Swinburne
The Hon Jaala Pulford, launched the Victorian Government’s new Health-led Manufacturing Innovation Program program at Swinburne’s Factory of the Future, part of the MedTechVic research hub.
Tuesday 14 June 2022 -
- Engineering
Honouring Swinburne engineers this International Women in Engineering Day
This International Women in Engineering Day, Swinburne is proud to have inspirational women championing the future of aerospace, hydrogen and global blood donations – to list a few. Read about them here.Thursday 23 June 2022 -
- Engineering
EPIC new chapter for Syrian engineer
Project Engineer Hiba Mansour is the embodiment of resilience and tenacity in her journey to become a qualified engineer in Australia.Monday 20 June 2022 -
- Student News
- Technology
- Sustainability
Automated composting system wins Swinburne’s ‘Design for Change’ competition
An automated composting system designed by Bachelor of Computer Science students has won Swinburne’s 2022 ‘Design for Change’ competition.
Friday 03 June 2022 -
- Science
- Sustainability
The colours of hydrogen explained
We hear more about hydrogen every day. But did you know that there are eight different colours? We break down each type of hydrogen, from most to least sustainable.
Tuesday 17 May 2022