Dr Richard Hannink is one of the world's leading ceramic scientists. His seminal work on transformation toughened (TT) ceramics excited the world of Materials Science when reported in "Nature" in 1975.

Subsequently, Hannink has built prolifically on this early work, both technically (rewarded by conferring of the ScD degree by Cambridge University in 1995) and commercially, by helping to establish local operations for ceramic precursor powder production (in WA) and for production of TT zirconia ceramic products (in Victoria).

Hannink's work has also been central to the creation of several companies manufacturing and selling ceramic sensors worldwide, and to establishment of Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd.