Professor Michael Tam in his laboratory.
In June 2023, the American Chemical Society (ACS) launched a new journal – ACS Sustainable Resource Management (SRM). Michael Tam, Core WIN Member and Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering is the journal’s Deputy Editor, bringing his extensive research experience and passion in this subject to direct and guide the spirit and content of the publication.
Tam is a natural fit as Deputy Editor, as he joined the editorial team of ACS Publications in 2015. Professor Tam has dedicated much of his research on the study of sustainability and the role nanotechnology can play in it. Tam leads the Laboratory for Functional Colloids & Sustainable Nanomaterials, and focuses much of his research on the use and application of cellulose and starch nano-particles in consumer goods, biomedical science, water & environment and in energy.
Sustainable nanotechnology considers all aspects of innovation, from idea and design to manufacture, and then end-of-use in terms of natural resource management to drastically reduce environmental and ecological risks. ACS Sustainable Resource Management will focus on original research in sustainable uses for natural resources as well as converting waste into useful intermediates and products. The journal aims to open dialogue to promote the concept of sustainability with the ultimate goal of an economy based on zero-waste.
In its first editorial published to coincide with the launch of the journal, the editorial team have outlined the goal and focus of the journal:
“ACS Sustainable Resource Management (SRM) recognizes that the finite nature of resources requires responsible stewardship to achieve long-term sustainability. As such, it seeks to report advances and promote discussion among various stakeholders including academic scientists, industrial practitioners, government agencies and regulators, who will help in the implementation of strategies to achieve the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals. Our vision is to make SRM the ideal forum to disseminate advances in sustainable resource management. To achieve this goal, the journal’s scope includes the sustainable transformation of a broad range of waste resources (such as activated sludges, electronic and urban wastes, industrial effluents, waste energy, etc) via various types of processes (e.g. catalysis, adsorption, bioprocesses, phytoremediation, etc), thereby ensuring coverage of leading fundamental and applied research advances in these topics.”
“Nanotechnology is an important contributor to these advances. Researchers at WIN will play an important role in advancing the management of resources that will benefit the environment and society at large,” adds Professor Tam.
This ACS journal aims to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), objectives to which WIN has been dedicated since their introduction in 2017. WIN is one of the founding institutes of the International Network for Sustainable Nanotechnology (N4SNano) dedicated to promoting nanotechnology advancements for a healthy, safe, and equitable society. Each year, an Annual Summit is held focusing on a specific UNSDG, inviting innovation and thought leaders from around the world to discuss research topics, needs of communities and how to engage end-users on new and existing technologies. The next Global Summit will be held at the University of Sydney Nanotechnology Institute (Sydney Nano) on 27-29 November 2023 focusing on UNSDG #7 Clean & Affordable Energy.