Materials Revolution

This exhibition showcases UNSW SMaRT Centre's transformative materials science research that moves from a wasteful, linear approach to a circular economy where discarded materials become valuable resources for new products.

When:

31 March - 12 September 2025
 

Where:

Level 5 Main Library

Partner:

UNSW Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre

Materials Revolution is an exhibition showcasing transformative research by the UNSW Sustainable Materials Technology and Research (SMaRT) Centre to express a paradigm shift in how we need to view and utilise materials. Just as the Industrial Revolution reshaped 18th-century manufacturing with machines and the Technological Revolution of the 20th century brought us computers, Materials Revolution focuses on the transformation of materials themselves. This involves a significant rethinking of how we extract, produce, consume, and dispose of materials to reduce environmental impacts and excessive waste generation. Materials scientists and engineers are developing technologies that move away from a linear manufacturing model of ‘take, make, dispose’ towards a circular economy system where materials from end-of-life products are recognised as valuable feedstock for future manufacturing needs.

The UNSW SMaRT Centre is a fulcrum for interdisciplinary collaboration pioneering technologies that reform hard-to-recycle waste into valuable industrial inputs. Founded in 2008 by ARC Laureate (2014) and ARC Industry Laureate (2023) Fellow, Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla AO, the UNSW SMaRT Centre tackles the critical issue of developing innovative solutions for problematic wastes not subject to conventional recycling. Through the pioneering concept of ‘microrecycling science’, SMaRT has developed cutting-edge technologies and MICROfactories™ that transform complex waste into valuable materials and products, fostering resource circularity. By leveraging microrecycling science, diverse waste streams, such as glass, textiles, e-waste, batteries, and plastics are transformed into new products, such as Green metals, Green Ceramics™ and 3D printing filament. The Green Steel™ Polymer Injection Technology (PIT), also developed by SMaRT, uses waste rubber as a partial replacement for coke and coal needed in electric arc furnace steelmaking. Green Steel™ PIT enhances production efficiency, reduces emissions, and amplifies yields. These groundbreaking recycling practices embody the principles of a circular economy, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.

Materials Revolution was developed by UNSW Library in collaboration with the UNSW SMaRT Centre.

Materials Revolution is part of a suite of UNSW Library displays considering radical technological shifts from the 18th century to present. See also, Industrial Revolution: Foundations of Modern Manufacturing (Main Library, level 3) and Technological Revolution: The Age of Acceleration (Art & Design Paddington Library).

Accessibility: UNSW Main Library is wheelchair accessible. Large-text artwork labels, braille exhibition guide, and audio-described guide will be available.

Upcoming events

Behind the scenes: Exhibitions tour

Join the Library Special Collections & Exhibitions team during O-Week for a tour of our current exhibitions, displays, and murals.

Wednesday 28 May, 2.00pm - 2.40pm.

Register for event

Open Studio: Materials Revolution

Participants will gain insights into Materials Revolution, and learn to weave a unique textile with reuse materials.

This event will be on Wednesday 11 June.

Registration will open soon.

Exhibition text

Download the Materials Revolution large-text exhibition guide PDF below.

UNSW Library large-text guide (6.2 MB PDF)

Exhibition image gallery
A view of a gallery space with two green walls. On the left hand wall is a mounted TV with a woman speaking. On the right hand wall is text written in cardboard cut-outs that reads, "Materials Revolution". Two cardboard panels lean against the wall, filled with text.

Materials Revolution installation - title wall. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

A view of a gallery space. On the left wall is a floor-to-ceiling image of a pile of tyres, with two cardboard panels full of text. On the right wall is two framed photographs of deep orange flames against a green wall. In the corner is a large metal furnace on a steel stand.

Materials Revolution installation - view of Green Steel display, Gallery 1. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

A wide view of a gallery with various objects on plinths, a glass display case full of smaples, a video projection of a robotic arm, and several hanging fabric banners. They read, "Green Steel", "Plastics Filament", and "Green Aluminium".

Materials Revolution installation - view of Galleries 1 and 2. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

View of a gallery with a large video projection of a reel of 3D printing filament, a plinth with a pile of recycled coffee pods, a hanging fabric banner that reads "Green Aluminium", and a shiny wall of recycled aluminium.

Materials Revolution installation - view of Green Aluminium display, Gallery 1. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

A view of a gallery with green walls. On three plinths sit a pile of shredded plastic, a 3D printer, and a reel of 3D printing filament. A fabric banner hangs for the ceiling with the text, "Plastics Filament".

Materials Revolution installation - view of Plastics Filament display, Gallery 2. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

A gallery space with dark green walls features a glass display case filled with small ceramic objects, a projected video still of a hexagonal tile, and six tile samples mounted on the wall. The room also contains a hanging banner that reads "Green Ceramics", a white bench, and a plinth with textiles piled on top.

Materials Revolution installation - south view of Gallery 3. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

A glass display case containing samples in small glass jars and a selection of tiles. In the background is a floor-to-ceiling image of a pile of broken green glass bottles.

Materials Revolution installation - view of glass and Green Ceramics display, Gallery 3. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

A view of a gallery with green walls and six coloured tiles mounted in a line. To the left of the tiles is a fabric banner that reads, "Green Ceramics". To the right of the tiles is a large headstone-looking object in a glass display case.

Materials Revolution installation - view of Green Ceramics display, Gallery 3. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

A view of a gallery with a floor-to-ceiling image of colourful shredded textiles. In front of the image is a plinth with a pile of clothes, and two cardboard panels with text.

Materials Revolution installation - view of textiles and Green Ceramics display, Gallery 3. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

A man with a microphone delivers a speech. He stands against a green wall with a white circular arrow symbol.

Materials Revolution opening night - opening speech by James Lancaster, CEO of Renew IT. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

A man holds a microphone in one hand, and a sheet of paper in the other hand, delivering a speech in a gallery space.

Materials Revolution opening night - opening speech by Professor Sven Rogge, Dean of the Faculty of Science. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

A group of people gather and chat around a glass display case with various objects on display.

Materials Revolution opening night - guests socialise at the opening event. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

A woman leans over a glass display case. In the background is a hanging banner that reads "Green Ceramics".

Materials Revolution opening night - a guest views the Green Ceramics display case, Gallery 3. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

A man peers into a display case. In the background are green walls and a shiny silver display of recycled aluminium.

Materials Revolution opening night - a guest views the Gallery 1 display case. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

A man and a woman peer into a glass display case. The man points to an object.

Materials Revolution opening night - guests viewing the Gallery 2 display case. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

Two men stand in front of a green wall with several tiles mounted. They talk and point towards the tiles.

Materials Revolution opening night - guests view the Green Ceramics display, Gallery 3. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

A man leans over a display case, looking at the objects within. In the background is a large video projection of a robotic arm.

Materials Revolution opening night - a guest views the Gallery 1 display case. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

A woman leans over a glass display case, peering at the objects inside. In the background is a green wall, and a 3D printer on a stand.

Materials Revolution opening night - a guest views the Gallery 2 display case. Photograph by Jacquie Manning.

Past events from this exhibition

Opening event

Materials Revolution was opened by Professor Sven Rogge, Dean of UNSW Science and James Lancaster, Founder and CEO of Renew IT. Alexander Sussman, Director, Information Services, was the event MC.

Event was held on Tuesday 8 April 2025.

Image: Professor Sven Rogge at the Materials Revolution opening event. Photographer: Jacquie Manning.