Crack Propagation within Graded Interfaces. Functionally graded interfaces are a technologically new way of joining materials in a wide range of biomedical and industrial applications. The reduction in the interfacial stresses resulting from the graded interface increases the structural integrity of the component, however, existing models do not fully address issues of plasticity and cyclic fatigue to their fracture. The intention of this study is to investigate how modifications to the ductil ....Crack Propagation within Graded Interfaces. Functionally graded interfaces are a technologically new way of joining materials in a wide range of biomedical and industrial applications. The reduction in the interfacial stresses resulting from the graded interface increases the structural integrity of the component, however, existing models do not fully address issues of plasticity and cyclic fatigue to their fracture. The intention of this study is to investigate how modifications to the ductile reinforcement phase and how the cyclic loading influence crack extension within a graded interface. These results will assist in future design and prediction of the in-service lifetime of components containing gradient interfaces.Read moreRead less
Understanding multi-scale reinforcement of carbon fibre composites. Addition of nano scale entities, such as nanotubes, on the surface of a carbon fibre forms a bottle-brush like architecture and strengthens fibre-matrix interface. This project will pioneer development of a systematic approach for analysis and design of such multi-scale reinforced composite materials for use in aerospace and civil industries.
Dislocation motion and anelastic recovery in layered ceramic titanate. This project aims to research deformation and facture in brittle ceramic nanowire materials and anelastic behaviour in tensile deformation. Layered sodium titanate is used in energy storage and water treatment, but in-situ tensile tests have observed unconventional deformation behaviour, with significant dislocation motion and anelastic recovery. This project will study the deformation mechanism in layered sodium titanate nan ....Dislocation motion and anelastic recovery in layered ceramic titanate. This project aims to research deformation and facture in brittle ceramic nanowire materials and anelastic behaviour in tensile deformation. Layered sodium titanate is used in energy storage and water treatment, but in-situ tensile tests have observed unconventional deformation behaviour, with significant dislocation motion and anelastic recovery. This project will study the deformation mechanism in layered sodium titanate nanowires through molecular dynamics simulations, empirical interatomic potential, and in situ TEM experiments. Expected outcomes include knowledge of the deformation mechanism of this layered titanate which can be broadened to technologically important layered ceramic materials.Read moreRead less
Improved design and operational efficiency of small wind turbines in unsteady flows. The purpose of this research is to improve the design and performance of small wind turbines for energy generation. The expected outcomes are novel control strategies and mechanical designs that account for unsteady aerodynamics and its effects on structural loads and power quality. Recommendations to improve current design standards will be made.
Design of nastic cellular structures with osmotic actuation. Shape changing structures play an imperative role in aerospace, automobile, energy and other industries. This project aims to develop novel concepts extracted from nastic motion in plants and relevant computational algorithms for the design of nastic cellular structures with osmotic actuation. The project is of significance as it offers a potential solution to the shape morphing challenge in aircraft and automobile from biomimetics vie ....Design of nastic cellular structures with osmotic actuation. Shape changing structures play an imperative role in aerospace, automobile, energy and other industries. This project aims to develop novel concepts extracted from nastic motion in plants and relevant computational algorithms for the design of nastic cellular structures with osmotic actuation. The project is of significance as it offers a potential solution to the shape morphing challenge in aircraft and automobile from biomimetics viewpoint - nastic actuation. The expected outcomes will be: a new numerical method for designing nastic cellular structures; and, validated algorithms with a novel topological geometry representation and multi objectives and constraints for applications in morphing structures with multiple target shapes.Read moreRead less
Topology optimisation? An engineering approach to design of metamaterials. Metamaterials offer unusual physical properties and have significant potential to many technological innovations in precision instrument, medical, telecommunication, space and defence industries in the future. This project aims to develop a computational method for metamaterials so that they can be designed in an effective way.
Biological pattern generator for control and optimization of locomotion systems. This proposal exploits the interdisciplinary nature of systems and control area and incorporates biology science. It is expected to generate a synergy between biology science and control engineering and to advance scientific understanding in both fields. The proposed research will have impact on new innovations in a variety of fields. This will bring economic benefits for Australia. It will help to develop engineers ....Biological pattern generator for control and optimization of locomotion systems. This proposal exploits the interdisciplinary nature of systems and control area and incorporates biology science. It is expected to generate a synergy between biology science and control engineering and to advance scientific understanding in both fields. The proposed research will have impact on new innovations in a variety of fields. This will bring economic benefits for Australia. It will help to develop engineers for industry who have team-oriented problem-solving skills in a multidisciplinary working environment. It will also stimulate students' intellectual curiosity into engineering and science through a series of innovative interdisciplinary research/educational activities.Read moreRead less
Some Outstanding Mechanics Problems in Layered Ferroelectromagnetic Composites with Enhanced Magnetoelectric Effect. The proposed research has high impact on both science and technology of ferroelectromagnetic materials. The outcomes will expand Australia's knowledge base and research capability in this emerging field. Relevant industries, such as smart materials and devices, can benefit from the results of this project. The theoretical, experimental and numerical results can be directly transfo ....Some Outstanding Mechanics Problems in Layered Ferroelectromagnetic Composites with Enhanced Magnetoelectric Effect. The proposed research has high impact on both science and technology of ferroelectromagnetic materials. The outcomes will expand Australia's knowledge base and research capability in this emerging field. Relevant industries, such as smart materials and devices, can benefit from the results of this project. The theoretical, experimental and numerical results can be directly transformed to design and application guidelines for the materials engineers and scientists to develop innovative and structurally/functionally reliable ferroelectromagnetic composites and their various devices and products.Read moreRead less
Heat transfer processes in evacuated tubular solar absorbers. The aim of this project is to improve the understanding of the complex heat transfer processes in evacuated tubular solar water heaters. This project will develop thermal and hydrodynamic models for advanced solar water heaters incorporating evacuated tubular absorbers and will assess the accuracy of the models through a series of outdoor experiments on prototype evacuated tubular solar water heaters. The outcomes will lead to the d ....Heat transfer processes in evacuated tubular solar absorbers. The aim of this project is to improve the understanding of the complex heat transfer processes in evacuated tubular solar water heaters. This project will develop thermal and hydrodynamic models for advanced solar water heaters incorporating evacuated tubular absorbers and will assess the accuracy of the models through a series of outdoor experiments on prototype evacuated tubular solar water heaters. The outcomes will lead to the design and manufacturing of more efficient solar collectors, which can greatly benefit both Australian domestic and export markets.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear frequency mixing methods for materials and damage evaluation. This project aims to investigate new approaches for frequency mixing in nonlinear ultrasonics, and to demonstrate their potential for the non-destructive evaluation of material degradation and early damage detection. The anticipated outcomes will be increased detection sensitivity relative to current inspection techniques and an enhanced capability for quantifying the damage. This will provide the basis for more cost efficie ....Nonlinear frequency mixing methods for materials and damage evaluation. This project aims to investigate new approaches for frequency mixing in nonlinear ultrasonics, and to demonstrate their potential for the non-destructive evaluation of material degradation and early damage detection. The anticipated outcomes will be increased detection sensitivity relative to current inspection techniques and an enhanced capability for quantifying the damage. This will provide the basis for more cost efficient safety management of high-value assets and infrastructure, and for enhancing Australia’s competitiveness in advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less