报告人学术简介
 Dr. Ben Yin is a senior lecturer at the University of Canterbury (UC). He leads the Advanced Membrane Technology Group at UC, which focuses on developing cutting-edge separation technologies to promote energy and environmental sustainability. He has published in leading journals, including Nature Communications, Chemical Engineering Journal, Advanced Functional Materials, and Nature Nanotechnology, among others. With total research funding of over NZD 6 million, his research has a strong industry focus, resulting in commercial products for practical applications that have generated over NZD 20 million in sales revenue.

报告内容
 Access to clean water is a paramount humanitarian priority worldwide. Currently available water treatment tools have a significant environmental footprint. There is an increasing demand for accessible and environmentally friendly water treatment options. Harakeke (Phormium tenax) is native to New Zealand and holds great cultural importance to Māori, the indigenous people. Throughout history, harakeke has been used for vital purposes, from medicine to textiles. Its leaves contain strong fibres and possess an intrinsically porous structure that closely resembles that of polymeric membranes. This talk endeavours our journey of developing a harakeke membrane for purifying drinking water.     Beyond the technical aspect, this talk will review harakeke’s historical, cultural, and social significance to Māori and New Zealand, highlighting the impact of this indigenous-involved research. A research approach that respectfully interweaves Eurocentric scientific methods with Māori philosophy and cultural practices will be introduced. We emphasise that sustainable development involves not only technical and environmental considerations but also respecting cultural integrity and social responsibility.