Sydney scientist the first Australian to win international technology prize
The prestigious award recognises a lifetime’s work towards a renewable energy future
2 min
A scientist from the University of New South Wales is the first Australian to be awarded the prestigious international Millennium Technology Prize.
Scientia Professor Martin Green was awarded the prize for his lifetime’s work and leadership in developing the world’s most commercially viable and efficient silicon solar cell, known as the Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC).
The Millennium prize is awarded once every two years by the Technology Academy Finland to highlight innovation in science and its impact on society. It is considered Europe’s most significant science prize and is worth 1 million euros. Prof Green was awarded by prize patron and President of Finland Sauli Niinistö at a ceremony in Helsinki.
Prof Green said he believed there was a huge transformation underway as the world shifted from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
“We need to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy to sustain the trajectory of human civilisation on our shared planet,” he said. “The pace of change is accelerating and the world will shift to solar and wind energy over the coming decade. I believe a huge transformation of historic significance is underway.”
The UNSW said that Prof Green is often referred to as ‘the father of modern photovoltaics’ and as a result of his work, solar energy is now considered a pillar in the transition towards renewable energies and away from fossil fuels.
Australia has the highest uptake of solar in the world, with about 30 percent of households with panels attached to their homes as of January this year.
In a statement, Prof Green also thanked his team, including students and research colleagues, who contributed to his work.
“The Millennium Prize not only recognises my contribution to photovoltaics (the conversion of light into electrical power), but also the achievements of my students and research colleagues at UNSW, as well as those of the broader photovoltaic (PV) research and commercial community.
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Ever wondered what it takes to create a car like the Maserati? Meet the German designer taking on an Italian icon.
3 min
Klaus Busse would like you to close your eyes and imagine yourself behind the wheel of a Maserati. Picture the GranTurismo, which launched in Australia in 2024. Where do you see yourself? Chances are, Busse suggests, it’s not during the school pick-up or commuting to the office.
“You’re probably on a wonderful road in Tuscany, or Highway 1, or you’re going to a red carpet event,” says Busse, who holds the enviable title of Head of Design at Maserati, the iconic Italian car manufacturer. “Basically, it’s about emotion.”
At the luxury end of the market, the GranTurismo Coupe—priced between $375,000 and $450,000—is designed to transform the driving experience into something extraordinary. For Busse and his team, these “sculptures on wheels” are not just status symbols or exhilarating machines but expressions of pure joy. Their mission is to encapsulate that feeling and translate it into their cars.
“I really feel the responsibility to create emotion,” he says. “We have a wonderful word in Italy: allegria, which is best translated as ‘joyful.’ Our job as a brand is to lift you into this area of joy, perfectly positioned just short of ecstasy. It’s that tingling sensation you feel in your body when you drive the car.”
Even as 60 percent of the world’s population now lives in urban areas, Maserati’s design ethos captures the essence of “everyday exceptional.” Whether navigating city streets or open roads, a Maserati turns heads without being ostentatious or aggressive. “I’ve driven these cars all over the world, and no matter where I go, people smile at me and give a thumbs-up,” says Busse.
Since joining Maserati in 2015, Busse has reimagined and redefined the brand, steering his team through the reinvention of classic models and the transition to electric vehicles. Iconic designs like the Fiat 500, which entered the EV market in 2020, serve as a testament to Maserati’s ability to blend tradition with innovation.
Unlike other luxury car brands, Maserati embraces radical change with new designs every 10 to 15 years. Busse loves connecting with fans who follow the brand closely. He explains that each Maserati model reflects a specific era, from the elegant 35GT of the 1950s to the wedge-shaped designs of the 1970s and the bold aesthetics of the 1980s.
“I often ask fans, ‘What is Maserati for you?’ because their responses tell me so much about how they connect with the brand,” he shares.
Inspired by legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, Busse balances tradition with modernity in his designs. As Giugiaro once told him, “We always do the best in the moment.” This philosophy resonates deeply with Busse, who believes in honouring the past while embracing future possibilities.
Through advances in technology, techniques, and societal trends, Busse ensures Maserati remains at the forefront of automotive design. For him, the creative process is more than just a job—it’s a way to create joy, connection, and timeless elegance.
This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan
Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.
