"The Diamond Bionic Eye”

Professor Prawer is the director of the Melbourne Materials Institute, a multidisciplinary research initiative dedicated to using advanced materials science and technology to address problems of

). He has a world wide reputation in advanced http://materials.unimelb.edu.au global significance.

diamond science and technology with over 25 years of experience and over 250 scientific publications.

Professor Prawer is currently a senior leader one of Australia’s most prestigious national projects dedicated to the development of a bionic eye. He leads the team to develop the high density electrode array plus encapsulation strategy capable of delivering a high acuity device which will enable profoundly blind people to once again be able to recognize the faces of loved ones and read large print.

In 2000 he spearheaded The University of Melbourne’s entry into the world of quantum computing and nanotechnology becoming the inaugural Director of the Melbourne node of the Special Research Centre for Quantum Computer Technology  He has developed the technology for the fabrication for practical, diamond based quantum devices, such as single photon sources for secure communications, and room temperature read-out for spintronics for use in advanced quantum sensing. In 2005 he cofounded Quantum Communications Victoria

), which produced the first prototype commercial single photon http://qcvictoria.com/)

source, for use in quantum key distribution for ultra-secure communications.

Professor Prawer has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Lady Davis Visiting Professorship, The David Syme Research Prize, a Fulbright Senior visiting fellowship, visiting fellowship at Woolfson College Inin Oxford, and the Royal Society of Victoria Research medal. In  2010 he was elected to the Australian Academy of Science in recognition of his seminal contributions to diamond science and technology.