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Who we are & What we do
The Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre (MWAC) is part of the Division of Research. We manage major instrumentation used by researchers for the study of the structure and composition of biological, chemical and physical materials. Our facilities are housed in custom-built laboratories, mainly in the Lowy, Wallace Wurth and Chemical Sciences buildings.
The Centre's major Research Facilities are accessible to all staff and students of UNSW, as well as to external researchers. Government and industry users are also welcome. Staff of the Centre provide research collaboration, technical support, education and training to researchers accessing the facilities.
The Centre undertakes industry projects and specialist consulting work for external clients in areas of specialisation. The Chemical Consulting Laboratory within the Centre offers a broad range of consulting and general analytical services.
For Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC) purposes, all work conducted at the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre is deemed research unless explicitly declared otherwise by the customer to the facility manager.
Return to campus and the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre
Please see the COVID-19 - UNSW Sydney page for current information on the return to campus.
MWAC staff will continue to operate to our normal high standards, within the Covid-19 guidance of UNSW as a whole and NSW state government. This means that experimental advice, consultancy and help with analysis of data will generally continue online (because it does not require MWAC staff or our customers to be on-site), which in turn depends on the continued developments in the guidelines for UNSW staff and students as a whole.
In some cases it will be possible for users to leave samples for analysis at MWAC - you should check with the MWAC unit concerned. However, in line with the Government advice and the UNSW Safe Return to Campus guidelines, the COVID-19 situation dictates that everyone needs to minimise any non-essential face-to-face contact and practice social distancing of 1.5m between individuals. Remote methods of communication will replace face-to-face communication where possible. A contact number for each Unit will be displayed at their entrance door. Please refer to changes summarised in the pdf linked in 'Related Documents' to ensure safety for all users of all Units.
1. If you are feeling unwell, please self-isolate and do not visit UNSW. If you show symptoms while in our labs, you will be asked to leave.
2. Hand sanitizer will be supplied (where possible) at entrances for Visitors to use.
3. Disposable latex gloves will be available for ANY equipment usage (including keyboards). MWAC Units will take extra care to observe good hygiene practices e.g. cleaning surfaces but you should not rely on these.
4. Wash your hands with soap (for 20 seconds) prior to entry to all Units.
5. Maintain a safe distance of at least 1.5m from others including staff and others at all times.
Thank you all for your understanding and patience.
