Low-cost, Lightweight and Liquid Helium-free Superconducting MRI Magnet. This project aims to develop a liquid-helium-free superconducting technology to address the need for more affordable MRI magnets that currently rely on expensive, limited supplies of liquid helium. This project expects to generate a world-first, much needed MRI systems to be operated in persistent mode without a power supply, to obtain high-resolution images and low-cost operation. The expected outcomes include a novel, lig ....Low-cost, Lightweight and Liquid Helium-free Superconducting MRI Magnet. This project aims to develop a liquid-helium-free superconducting technology to address the need for more affordable MRI magnets that currently rely on expensive, limited supplies of liquid helium. This project expects to generate a world-first, much needed MRI systems to be operated in persistent mode without a power supply, to obtain high-resolution images and low-cost operation. The expected outcomes include a novel, lightweight, easy-to-operate magnesium diboride superconducting MRI magnet prototype under persistent mode operation. This should provide significant benefits, including reducing the cost associated with conventional liquid helium-dependent technologies and ensuring Australia at the forefront of MRI development worldwide.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101687
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,000.00
Summary
Nanostructure Tailoring of Inorganic Membranes by Rapid Thermal Processing. This project aims to produce inorganic membranes with desired nanostructures using a Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP) technique for gas separation applications. The key concept of the research is that the RTP will be able to achieve thin-film membrane layer with a finer microstructure and pore size control without heat stress-induced cracking. RTP aims to deliver superior membrane performance with less than 10 per cent of ....Nanostructure Tailoring of Inorganic Membranes by Rapid Thermal Processing. This project aims to produce inorganic membranes with desired nanostructures using a Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP) technique for gas separation applications. The key concept of the research is that the RTP will be able to achieve thin-film membrane layer with a finer microstructure and pore size control without heat stress-induced cracking. RTP aims to deliver superior membrane performance with less than 10 per cent of the fabrication time compared to normal slow calcination. The outcomes of this new technology aims to make inorganic membranes a commercial reality and maximize the membrane manufacturing capability and productivity of petrochemcial, chemical and clean coal/energy industries.Read moreRead less
Condition-based maintenance optimisation for Australian sugar industry. The aim of this project is to develop innovative methodologies for the implementation of condition-based maintenance in the sugar milling industry. This is designed to optimise the allocation of limited maintenance resources and to significantly reduce the $350 million spent on maintenance in the industry each year. New methodologies will account for the seasonality of production and the complexity of allocating limited main ....Condition-based maintenance optimisation for Australian sugar industry. The aim of this project is to develop innovative methodologies for the implementation of condition-based maintenance in the sugar milling industry. This is designed to optimise the allocation of limited maintenance resources and to significantly reduce the $350 million spent on maintenance in the industry each year. New methodologies will account for the seasonality of production and the complexity of allocating limited maintenance resources across numerous equipment items and different production sites. The intended outcome of the project will improve the efficiency of maintenance and hence the global competitiveness of the Australian sugar industry.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100156
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
Advanced Laser Additive Manufacturing System for Extended Applications to Surface Engineering, Direct Manufacturing and New Alloy Development. Advanced laser additive manufacturing system for extended applications to surface engineering, direct manufacturing and new alloy development: This project will provide an advanced laser additive manufacturing system for extended applications. Although the facility was originally designed for forefront additive manufacturing, it enables innovative resear ....Advanced Laser Additive Manufacturing System for Extended Applications to Surface Engineering, Direct Manufacturing and New Alloy Development. Advanced laser additive manufacturing system for extended applications to surface engineering, direct manufacturing and new alloy development: This project will provide an advanced laser additive manufacturing system for extended applications. Although the facility was originally designed for forefront additive manufacturing, it enables innovative research on surface engineering to solve the long standing corrosion and wear problems associated with metal components and to produce biomedical coatings on titanium implants. The facility can also be used to develop high quality alloys, including titanium and magnesium alloys, through an accelerated metallurgy approach, leading to breakthrough progress in metal research. Such alloys are highly desired by automotive and aerospace industries to improve fuel efficiency through weight reduction. Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH150100024
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,799,251.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing of Medical Devices. ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing of Personalised Medical Devices. The project aims to transform Australia’s $10.8 billion medical technology sector by developing cost competitive technologies for the rapid production of personalised devices for Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR). To ensure the Australian industry remains globally competitive, this hub seeks to concurrently develop materials, technologies and flexible man ....ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing of Medical Devices. ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing of Personalised Medical Devices. The project aims to transform Australia’s $10.8 billion medical technology sector by developing cost competitive technologies for the rapid production of personalised devices for Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR). To ensure the Australian industry remains globally competitive, this hub seeks to concurrently develop materials, technologies and flexible manufacturing processes. The intended research outcomes include more efficient design and manufacturing processes and a new range of EVAR products generating increased market share and higher workforce capability. The resulting impacts should be better health outcomes, job creation and providing SMEs with new technologies and skills that can be transferred to the manufacture of products for other sectors.Read moreRead less
Large-volume gradient materials: Manufacturing and deformation mechanism. This project aims to develop a low-cost and high productivity process to produce large-volume metals with high strength and good ductility, suitable for engineering application. Ultrafine grained (UFG) materials and nano-grained (NG) materials are usually strong, but not very ductile. This project will use an accumulative skin-pass rolling (ASPR) technique to fabricate the metallic strips with gradient structure. The numer ....Large-volume gradient materials: Manufacturing and deformation mechanism. This project aims to develop a low-cost and high productivity process to produce large-volume metals with high strength and good ductility, suitable for engineering application. Ultrafine grained (UFG) materials and nano-grained (NG) materials are usually strong, but not very ductile. This project will use an accumulative skin-pass rolling (ASPR) technique to fabricate the metallic strips with gradient structure. The numerical simulations developed in the project are expected to contribute to understanding the deformation mechanism of gradient materials.Read moreRead less
An Integrated surface conversion for life extension of oil pipelines. This project will propose a novel, cost-effective surface engineering technique that synthesizes an effective surface coating during the pipeline manufacturing process. Seamless Steel pipelines conveying oil and contaminants can have a short life due to erosion-corrosion. The need to develop mitigation techniques against the internal corrosion-erosion has increased significantly as steel pipelines are used in more aggressive e ....An Integrated surface conversion for life extension of oil pipelines. This project will propose a novel, cost-effective surface engineering technique that synthesizes an effective surface coating during the pipeline manufacturing process. Seamless Steel pipelines conveying oil and contaminants can have a short life due to erosion-corrosion. The need to develop mitigation techniques against the internal corrosion-erosion has increased significantly as steel pipelines are used in more aggressive environments. The project expects to develop an integrated surface coating during the manufacturing process, which will provide long-term integrity and extend the life of the pipeline. The forensic evaluation and prediction of the life performance of the pipeline will quantify how the coating will combat effectively erosion-corrosion related problems in oil pipelines. Read moreRead less
Nanostructure engineered low activation superconductors for fusion energy. This project aims to develop a novel, low activation and liquid helium-free superconducting solution with superior electromagnetic, mechanical and thermal properties for use in fusion reactors. Superconducting magnets and their associated cryogenic cooling systems represent a key determinant of thermal efficiency and the construction/operating costs of fusion reactors. The project expects to overcome these barriers so tha ....Nanostructure engineered low activation superconductors for fusion energy. This project aims to develop a novel, low activation and liquid helium-free superconducting solution with superior electromagnetic, mechanical and thermal properties for use in fusion reactors. Superconducting magnets and their associated cryogenic cooling systems represent a key determinant of thermal efficiency and the construction/operating costs of fusion reactors. The project expects to overcome these barriers so that widespread uptake of these reactors becomes viable. Outcomes from the project will include a fundamental understanding of pure and doping-induced isotopic magnesium diboride superconductors and their behaviour under high neutron flux and harsh plasma atmosphere, which are specifically designed for application in next-generation, low-cost fusion reactors.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC180100008
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,981,223.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Multiscale 3D Imaging, Modelling and Manufacturing. The ARC Training Centre for Multiscale 3D Imaging, Modelling and Manufacturing aims to connect the detailed microscopic characteristics of materials with their macroscopic properties and design characteristics of natural and manufactured structures. It will train a new generation of researchers and practitioners in the emerging discipline of Digital Materials. The approach allows optimisation at all scales, enabling cost ....ARC Training Centre for Multiscale 3D Imaging, Modelling and Manufacturing. The ARC Training Centre for Multiscale 3D Imaging, Modelling and Manufacturing aims to connect the detailed microscopic characteristics of materials with their macroscopic properties and design characteristics of natural and manufactured structures. It will train a new generation of researchers and practitioners in the emerging discipline of Digital Materials. The approach allows optimisation at all scales, enabling cost reductions and performance enhancements in key industries, including Oil, Gas and Energy Resources, Medical Technologies, and Advanced Manufacturing. The Centre expects to reduce the time needed in the prototyping cycle and product development, increasing industry’s capacity for accelerated innovation. The developments will build world-class Australian capabilities for developing high-value scaleable production of bespoke products and optimised process design.Read moreRead less
Flexible roll forming of advanced high strength steel sheet . This project will develop light weight automotive components to assist fuel economy and crash worthiness through flexible roll forming. This process has the potential to form complex shapes from very high strength steels in a very cost effective and efficient small scale operation, highly suited to Australian manufacturing.