CSIRO opens high tech green biolab
Monday, 17 August, 2009
The CSIRO has today opened a new $14.7m biotechnology research building attached to its existing entomology facility at Black Mountain in Canberra.
The lab facility, which can accommodate 56 research staff, is built to comply with the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator's PC2 safety rating, and incorporates the latest in biocontainment technology
Features include a highly insulated building envelope, clad with a recyclable material to internalise thermal mass and skylights to provide indirect natural lighting.
A 200,000 litre chilled water tank for thermal energy storage, along with refrigerants with low or zero-ozone-depleting potential and a solar boosted gas-fired hot water plant are used to keep heating and cooling energy requirements to a minimum.
This makes the new facility more environmentally-friendly than the old laboratories based at CSIRO Entomology's old main building, built in 1929, which the new labs are replacing.
The facility was opened in a ceremony earlier today by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr.
“CSIRO Entomology is contributing to this transition through its expanding biotechnology research portfolio. This portfolio includes projects such as turning insect silks into new sources of biopolymers, new bio-based polymers and biocides, second-generation biofuels and bioremediation of contaminated water,” Senator Carr said.
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