Inorganic Chemistry, The University of Sydney
Dr Deanna D’Alessandro is developing materials to capture and convert carbon dioxide emitted from power plants and natural gas wells. These materials known as “Metal-Organic Frameworks” (or MOFs) have unique optical and electronic properties and can act as ‘molecular sponges’ to mop up greenhouse gases by virtue of their enormous surface areas-one teaspoon full can have a surface area equivalent to an entire football field. MOFs have the potential to significantly reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by power plants and may help to reduce the penalty for capture using current technologies which alone increases the energy requirements by 25-40%.
Deanna has had a strong presence in the community and has shared her knowledge through nationally covered public lectures as part of ‘Fresh Science’, the Australian Federation of Graduate Women lecture series and the L’Oréal Australia for Women in Science Fellowship. Deanna also presented the keynote lecture for the International Year of Chemistry Event Launch in Parliament House and has addressed school students as part of the Ruby Payne Scott Memorial Lecture and the 36th Professor Harry Messel International Science School.