Dr Zhiwei Sun works on advanced experiments in combustion and multiphase flows like particle-laden flows, fluidised beds and bubble flows. Unique home-developed optical/laser-based techniques are used to quantify the key parameters in lamianr or turbulent flows with high spatial and temporal resolution. Dr Sun focuses on the development of unique new experimental methods.

Sun’s research interests include: advanced laser/optical diagnostic techniques development; experiments in thermo-fluids (laminar or turbulent); experiments in multi-phase flows, e.g. particles, bubbles; AI + Laser diagnostics + CFD; renewable thermal energy, hydrogen, solar thermal energy and biomass; and high-temperature processing and heavy industry decarbonisation.

Prof. Gus Nathan is a Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Adelaide, a Fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, the Combustion Institute and Engineers Australia, a recipient of a Discovery Outstanding Researcher Award from the Australian Research Council and an ATSE KH Sutherland medallist. He was the bid leader for and is now the Research Director of HILT CRC. This builds on his leadership of an ARENA-funded program to develop technology with strong potential to provide energy to the Bayer alumina process with concentrated solar thermal heat in partnership with Alcoa and Hatch, together with his co-leadership of program to develop innovative hydrogen production technologies within the Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre.

Gus has led the development of six technology platforms, three of which are in ongoing commercial use and include the flame for Sydney Olympic Relay Torch, while three are currently being upscaled to decarbonise heavy industry. Gus has published more than 300 papers in international journals, 250 in peer reviewed conferences, 50 commissioned reports and 13 patents. He is also the founding chair of the High Temperature Minerals Processing (HiTeMP) Forum and co-founder of the Hydrogen Production Technologies (HyPT) forums, both of which attract some 170 delegates from more than 13 countries, drawn equally from industry, research and government agencies. He is also a joint founder of the international ISF Workshop for the Measurement and Computation of Reacting Flows With Carbon Nanoparticles, which engages some 100 researchers from around the world and is aligned with his own speciality in optical diagnostic methods to de-risk emerging technologies in hydrogen production and heavy industrial processes.

As well as leading HILT CRC’s Cross-Cutting Technologies Program, Peter is Deputy Dean (Performance and Infrastructure) of the Faculty of Engineering Computer and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Adelaide. As a senior member of the University of Adelaide’s Centre for Energy Technology, his current research interests are in the fields of biomass utilisation, bioenergy and solar thermal energy. He works on the development of new processes and technologies in the field of solar gasification. Earlier in his career, he co-led a program in the CRC for Clean Power from Lignite, focusing on the fluidised-bed gasification of Victorian and South Australian low-rank coals for the high-efficiency generation of electricity via Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle.

Mitch Burt is the Practice Lead for Decarbonisation Technology at South32, where he is responsible for identifying and advancing nascent technology options that will be required to achieve net zero emissions across the company’s diverse portfolio of operations. A mechanical engineer by profession, he has spent the majority of his career in operational roles at underground coal and hard rock mines in central and western Queensland.

Prior to moving into technology development, Mitch’s experience included project management, asset management, finance and managing multi-disciplinary teams. In his current role since 2021, Mitch has identified key technology focus areas for South32, established and accelerated internal study programs, and played leading roles in collaborative partnerships including the Long Duration Energy Storage Council, the Electric Mine Consortium and HILT CRC.

Mitch holds bachelor degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Science (Mathematics), a Graduate Diploma in Energy and Carbon Studies, and a Masters in Renewable and Sustainable Energy, for which he received the Staff Prize for Academic Performance. Mitch is also Industry Chair for HILT CRC Program 2, Cross-cutting Technologies.