Rocky student wins prize at international conference
Published on 27 April, 2005
A Central Queensland University Physics student has won the Best Poster Presentation Prize in the applications section at the 12th International Conference on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy held in Auckland, New Zealand, last week.
Rockhampton PhD student Clinton Hayes took out the prize in front of 62 other presenters with his poster that discussed the effect of an environmental temperature change on the spectral output of quartz halogen lamps. These lamps are commonly used in horticultural grading applications such as checking for sweetness in fruit. A change of spectral output can seriously impact on the performance of the grading instrument.
“In laymen terms, we shine light on fruit, measure what light comes back and we can tell how sweet the fruit is based on the amount of light missing,” Clinton explained.
“If the amount of light initially shone on the fruit changes, then obviously, this changes the amount reflected and thus effects our measurements.
“Since a fruit packing shed can range in temperature from 100C in the morning to 500C of an afternoon, we need to know how the light output changes with temperature.”.
Clinton is completing his postgraduate study under the supervision of Dr Colin Greensill.
“Clinton obviously has the potential to achieve great things if he puts his mind to it and I am sure he will achieve well in his postgraduate studies and professional life,” Dr Greensill said.
“He was competing in a field of over 60 international competitors, some of whom are experienced researchers and no longer students. This success clearly demonstrates the high quality of his work and of our graduates and students.”.
“It was a welcomed surprise to win the award. It is the first poster I have presented and was my first project in Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, so I am off to a good start,” Mr Hayes said.
“I was thrilled to meet so many other scientists, particularly the pioneers and those at the forefront of my field.”.
“I would like to thank my supervisor Colin Greensill for his guidance and help with the poster and to the Faculty for sending me to the conference.