Micro-electromechanical technology for harnessing terahertz waves. This project proposes novel low-cost miniature devices for spectral, spatial and temporal manipulation of terahertz waves realised using a unified platform based on a single material and fabrication technology sufficiently generic to span the entire very broad terahertz band. It inherently overcomes the most hindering issue of current terahertz instruments relating to the limited span of the spectrum each tool can cover and the h ....Micro-electromechanical technology for harnessing terahertz waves. This project proposes novel low-cost miniature devices for spectral, spatial and temporal manipulation of terahertz waves realised using a unified platform based on a single material and fabrication technology sufficiently generic to span the entire very broad terahertz band. It inherently overcomes the most hindering issue of current terahertz instruments relating to the limited span of the spectrum each tool can cover and the high costs associated with increasing this span; removing the need for making spectral band compromises in the design of future tools. The intended outcome is a platform for terahertz spectroscopic imaging, target recognition, detection of chemical composition of objects, and future high-bandwidth communications.Read moreRead less
Transforming pastefill delivery system for next-generation mining industry. This project aims to develop a new type of mining pipeline design platform that can vastly improve pastefill (slurry) delivery systems. Using an Artificial Intelligence-based design platform, understanding complex and numerous variables in the fluid dynamics of abrasive pastefill flow will inform a new pipeline design. Consisting of a vertical casing, with our new composite pipeline chokes to replace costly friction loop ....Transforming pastefill delivery system for next-generation mining industry. This project aims to develop a new type of mining pipeline design platform that can vastly improve pastefill (slurry) delivery systems. Using an Artificial Intelligence-based design platform, understanding complex and numerous variables in the fluid dynamics of abrasive pastefill flow will inform a new pipeline design. Consisting of a vertical casing, with our new composite pipeline chokes to replace costly friction loops, improvements in flow efficiency and pipeline deterioration can significantly reduce maintenance costs. This novel and adaptable next-generation pipeline design and analysis platform can be employed by the manufacturing and mining sectors for pipeline failure analysis, managing production and developing new products.Read moreRead less
Unlocking the mechanisms of vibro-acoustic communication in termites . Our understanding of how termites use microvibrations to communicate is limited, as the generation, transmission and detection of these complex vibrations in substrates at the submillimetre scale are unknown. We aim to develop a fully validated vibro-acoustic termite communication model which will be used in Swårmalätørs to demonstrate their ability to synchronise and mimic collective behaviour. This will be achieved by combi ....Unlocking the mechanisms of vibro-acoustic communication in termites . Our understanding of how termites use microvibrations to communicate is limited, as the generation, transmission and detection of these complex vibrations in substrates at the submillimetre scale are unknown. We aim to develop a fully validated vibro-acoustic termite communication model which will be used in Swårmalätørs to demonstrate their ability to synchronise and mimic collective behaviour. This will be achieved by combining novel acoustic levitation, microsystem analyses and electrophysiology to determine physical properties of termite appendages, sensory and behavioural thresholds; and by considering wave transmission characteristics in wood, friction-adhesion at the termite feet, mandible cutting and soldier alarm drumming.Read moreRead less
Modelling, Design and Development of a Novel Wave-Energy Converter. Australia has an abundant source of wave-energy commercially untapped due to technical limitations of current wave-energy devices. This project aims to develop a novel wave-energy converter (WEC) that integrates energy capture and electricity generation through a single mechanism. This novel WEC can overcome or significantly reduce the drawbacks of existing WECs, is compact and light-weight (about 30 times less), ensures surviva ....Modelling, Design and Development of a Novel Wave-Energy Converter. Australia has an abundant source of wave-energy commercially untapped due to technical limitations of current wave-energy devices. This project aims to develop a novel wave-energy converter (WEC) that integrates energy capture and electricity generation through a single mechanism. This novel WEC can overcome or significantly reduce the drawbacks of existing WECs, is compact and light-weight (about 30 times less), ensures survivability, and has low-cost installation and maintenance. The project expects to deliver novel theoretical results in fluid-structure interaction, control systems and electrical conversion for WECs and other applications. The WEC will be demonstrated via a tested proof-of-concept physical model.Read moreRead less