Two more solar pioneers are now among those awarded Member of the Order of Australia medals.
Dr Graham Morrison and Dr David Mills received the recognition for significant service to science in the field of applied physics.
Dr David Mills is a former Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney. During his career, his research and development of Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector technology led to the installation of Australia’s first utility scale solar thermal plant in the Hunter Valley.
The Kimberlina plant in California was the first in that state to utilise concentrating solar thermal technology co-developed by Dr. Mills.
He also co-developed revolutionary coatings for evacuated solar tube collectors that are now widely used in residential and commercial solar hot water systems.
Additionally, Dr. Mills has authored or co-authored numerous papers and other publications on solar thermal and concentrated solar power systems.
Dr Graham Morrison is Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of New South Wales. He was Founder and Inaugural Director of the Solar and Thermal Energy Laboratory for 26 years. During that time, he established and managed the outdoor Solar Thermal Test Facility and the Heat Transfer Laboratory used to generate the comparative rating for solar water heating systems.
Dr. Morrison also co-developed the Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector technology mentioned prior and introduced the first course in solar thermal energy in Australia.
Both scientists founded solar thermal firm Ausra Inc, which relocated to the USA in 2007 due to better levels of support for the solar thermal industry at that time. Ausra was then sold to Areva and is now known as Areva Solar.
Previous recipients of Member of the Order of Australia medals involved in the field of solar technologies include University of NSW’s Professor Martin Green, who received the honour last year.
