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Sustainable Materials Research & Technology
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Homepage Veena image

Welcome to the UNSW Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT@UNSW), the home of microrecycling science, MICROfactorieTM technologies, the NESP Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub and the ARC Microrecycling Research Hub.

Watch the ABC Australian Story featuring Veena, and follow this link to learn more about our MICROfactorieTM technologies. 

Founded in 2008 by ARC Laureate Fellow, Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) at the University of New South Wales works with industry, national and international research partners, and governments across Australia, on the development of innovative environmental solutions for the world’s biggest waste challenges.

Latest News

  • Advance sustainable systems journal cover
    14 Aug 2026

    Using waste zinc to make better batteries

    A UNSW SMaRT Centre research study has developed a method of how to waste zinc to make better batteries and transform a waste stream into a high-value battery material

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  • Minerals Engineering journal image
    12 Aug 2026

    Novel recovery of rare earth from old batteries

    A UNSW SMaRT Centre research study has demonstrated a novel method of recovering a rare earth from old batteries

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  • zoshua-colah-Ynsm7r1o_3Y-unsplash
    10 Aug 2026

    SMaRT submission to Parliament's 'No time to waste' Inquiry

    The UNSW SMaRT Centre has made a detailed submission to the Australian Parliament's Environment and Communications Legislation Committee Inquiry into the Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme for Packaging (No Time to Waste) Bill 2026

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  • 01_OceanGuard_MP-Lab_Asiyah
    07 Aug 2026

    Catching plastics before they reach the ocean

    UNSW SMaRT Centre researcher experiments demonstrate that a widely used plastic for drink and food containers more easily breaks down into microplastics under common household usage and from environmental exposure than previously thought

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  • Volume 51, Issue 9
    06 Aug 2026

    How glucose can can create a better battery

    .A UNSW SMaRT Centre research study has demonstrated The study showed that a simple carbon coating formed from glucose can transform low-cost iron oxide into a significantly more effective supercapacitor electrode.

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  • Eureka_2
    04 Aug 2026

    SMaRT team a 2026 Eureka Prize finalist

    UNSW SMaRT Centre Director, Professor Veena has been named a 2022 Eureka Prize finalist

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  • Net Zero event video image
    03 Aug 2026

    SMaRT book chapter on waste crisis and technology

    A UNSW SMaRT Centre researchers have had published a 50-page book chapter on the waste crisis and the technology and changes needed to create a more sustainable circular economy

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  • tyre inquiry image 1
    21 Jul 2026

    Helping Parliamentary inquiry into waste tyres and circular economy

    UNSW SMaRT Centre has been assisting the the Australian Parliament inquiry into the state of the Australian tyre industry in the context of a circular economy

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  • veena-panel.cropimg.width=700.crop=basic
    17 Jul 2026

    Recycling spotlight for Australia-India opportunities

    Recycling research and innovation at the UNSW SMaRT Centre is helping shape conversations about how Australia and India can work together to build more sustainable manufacturing industries and strengthen resource security

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  • Coffee greening
    16 Jul 2026

    Turning coffee waste into manufacturing feedstock

    A UNSW SMaRT Centre research study has demonstrated  a practical pathway for converting a common organic waste into a high-value advanced material

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  • Journal of Energy Storage study image
    15 Jul 2026

    Sustainable energy storage using disposable masks

    A UNSW SMaRT Centre research study has demonstrated that waste disposable masks can be transformed into a valuable energy-storage material, activated carbon, instead of being sent to landfill or incineration

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  • International Day of Women and Girls in STEM event 2
    03 Jul 2026

    Veena inspires students at regional STEM event

    UNSW SMaRT Centre Director Prof Veena will speak at the Futurebuild Australia Conference on 13 June 2026

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  • showcase image with tiles
    02 Jul 2026

    SMaRT research on showcase at Parliament

    UNSW SMaRT Centre research was showcased at the Australian Parliament as part of a UNSW event highlighting emerging ideas and innovations shaping Australia's future

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  • energy-review
    01 Jul 2026

    The next generation of 'big batteries' could be here

    A UNSW SMaRT Centre research study has found that lithium sulfur batteries (LSBs) could become the next generation of big batteries needed for the electricity energy transition

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  • She build this image2
    24 Jun 2026

    Turning trash into treasure

    Government agency IP Australia has published a story about UNSW SMaRT Centre innovations led by Director, Professor Veena Sahajwalla, as part of International Women in Engineering Day

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  • Separation journal image
    22 Jun 2026

    Recovering valuable metals from liquid waste

    A UNSW SMaRT Centre research study has found how to recover valuable metals (especially rare earth elements) from liquid waste streams such as mining tailings waste

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  • Springer natue rare earrth journal image
    18 Jun 2026

    More effectively separating valuable rare earth metals from batteries

    A UNSW SMaRT Centre research study has found how to more effectively separate valuable rare earth metals from recycled batteries, making recycling cleaner, cheaper, and more practical for real-world usee

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  • RSC logo2
    17 Jun 2026

    Waste coffee recovering vital elements from waste batteries

    A UNSW SMaRT Centre research study published by the Royal Society of Chemistry has found waste coffee powder can be used to recover lithium (Li) and cobalt (Co) from waste batteries

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