Development of Canonical Mist Filter Models. Over one million tonnes of oil (mist) is wasted every year – and emitted to the atmosphere through inefficient filtration. Over 50 per cent of energy usage in most process industries is for filtration and separation processes, yet mist filters and separators are largely designed by trial and error, resulting in sub-optimal, inefficient designs. Recent advances by the research team have, only now, made it possible to develop accurate models for such sy ....Development of Canonical Mist Filter Models. Over one million tonnes of oil (mist) is wasted every year – and emitted to the atmosphere through inefficient filtration. Over 50 per cent of energy usage in most process industries is for filtration and separation processes, yet mist filters and separators are largely designed by trial and error, resulting in sub-optimal, inefficient designs. Recent advances by the research team have, only now, made it possible to develop accurate models for such systems. This work intends to be the first to develop accurate, broadly applicable models for all processes in mist filters, thereby providing immense process efficiency benefits, together with improved worker and environmental protection, and less wastage of dwindling oil resources.Read moreRead less
A novel multiscale model to investigate mechanical properties of cartilage. This project aims to develop a new multiscale model to investigate anisotropic and inhomogeneous mechanical properties of cartilage. It has been found that the mechanical properties of cartilage highly depend on its microstructures and components. The new model is proposed based on a new constitutive relation in the macroscale and a novel algorithm to obtain local stress distributions in the microscale as well as through ....A novel multiscale model to investigate mechanical properties of cartilage. This project aims to develop a new multiscale model to investigate anisotropic and inhomogeneous mechanical properties of cartilage. It has been found that the mechanical properties of cartilage highly depend on its microstructures and components. The new model is proposed based on a new constitutive relation in the macroscale and a novel algorithm to obtain local stress distributions in the microscale as well as through rigorous experimental validations. This model will be a powerful tool to understand cartilage mechanical properties. It will accelerate the design of mechanically viable artificial cartilage biomaterial, which will provide significant economic benefits and place Australia in the forefront of modelling and biomaterials.Read moreRead less
Antibacterial impact assessment of nanopillar surfaces on titanium implants. This project aims to further understand the bactericidal properties of nano-pillared/textured surfaces, onto orthopaedic implants. It will do so by mimicking the nano-pillar structures derived from cicada wings by using Helium ion microscopy (HIM) and also Hydro Thermal techniques. The project also aims to study the physical mechanisms of the fracture of bacteria using numerical modelling. This project will result in ne ....Antibacterial impact assessment of nanopillar surfaces on titanium implants. This project aims to further understand the bactericidal properties of nano-pillared/textured surfaces, onto orthopaedic implants. It will do so by mimicking the nano-pillar structures derived from cicada wings by using Helium ion microscopy (HIM) and also Hydro Thermal techniques. The project also aims to study the physical mechanisms of the fracture of bacteria using numerical modelling. This project will result in new generation implants with minimal bacterial infection that could result in cost savings to the Australian healthcare, improved quality of life in aged population, and may lead to the establishment of new implant industry sector in Australia.Read moreRead less
Novel Multilevel Modelling Framework to Design Advanced Food Drying Process. In this project, a novel multilevel modelling framework for food drying will be developed by integrating the micro, macro, and dryer scale transport process and considering the dynamic changes in the drying environment under the intermittent application of microwave energy (IMCD). This modelling framework will be the first comprehensive scientific tool for industry for developing next-generation food drying systems, whi ....Novel Multilevel Modelling Framework to Design Advanced Food Drying Process. In this project, a novel multilevel modelling framework for food drying will be developed by integrating the micro, macro, and dryer scale transport process and considering the dynamic changes in the drying environment under the intermittent application of microwave energy (IMCD). This modelling framework will be the first comprehensive scientific tool for industry for developing next-generation food drying systems, which are expected to deliver significant improvement in energy efficiency and product quality and reduction in drying time and food waste. Finally, based on the outcomes of the modelling framework, a smart IMCD drying system will be developed to demonstrate the feasibility of the framework in industry application.Read moreRead less
Innovative multiscale modelling to explore mechanical properties of single living cells. This project will develop a new modelling platform to explore the relationship between living cell mechanical properties, their response to mechanical loads and their biological functions. Providing knowledge beyond current experimental measurements, this model will support studies into new treatments and preventions for diseases.
A novel multiscale modelling technique to explore mechanical deformation of nanowires in high-performance devices. A novel multiscale modelling technique with a number of key innovations will be developed. This new model is capable of taking account of the surface effects which are important for nanowires and will enhance prediction accuracy and provide knowledge beyond current experimental measurements to underpin performance of new devices.
Physics-informed Computational Framework for Optimised Microfluidic Systems. The miniaturisation of chemical and biological processes requires microfluidic tools for the precise manipulation of complex fluids at the microscale. This project aims to integrate new computational methods that enable unprecedented control over the design and optimisation of these tools. The project will deliver a cornerstone framework to elucidate the complex microscopic fluid physics that currently poses a challenge ....Physics-informed Computational Framework for Optimised Microfluidic Systems. The miniaturisation of chemical and biological processes requires microfluidic tools for the precise manipulation of complex fluids at the microscale. This project aims to integrate new computational methods that enable unprecedented control over the design and optimisation of these tools. The project will deliver a cornerstone framework to elucidate the complex microscopic fluid physics that currently poses a challenge for the advancement of microfluidic technologies. The outcomes of this project will establish physical principles to guide the design of microfluidic systems and provide the computational capabilities that can potentially transform the way researchers and engineers design, optimise and use microfluidic technologies.Read moreRead less
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
Characterization of mechanical behaviour of TiO2 nanotube thin films. Vertically aligned titanium oxide (TiO2) nanotube arrays have demonstrated remarkable properties for application in dyesensitised solar cell, photocatalysis, self-cleaning coating, purification of pollutants and orthopaedic implants. More excitingly, their architecture and dimensions can be precisely controlled using anodisation of titanium (Ti), creating considerable scientific interest and practical importance. This project ....Characterization of mechanical behaviour of TiO2 nanotube thin films. Vertically aligned titanium oxide (TiO2) nanotube arrays have demonstrated remarkable properties for application in dyesensitised solar cell, photocatalysis, self-cleaning coating, purification of pollutants and orthopaedic implants. More excitingly, their architecture and dimensions can be precisely controlled using anodisation of titanium (Ti), creating considerable scientific interest and practical importance. This project aims to develop novel techniques for determining the mechanical behaviour of TiO2 nanotube arrays and its dependence on crystal structure and geometrical parameters. The outcomes are expected to provide solutions to development of robust TiO2 and other nanotube arrays for broad applications in sustainable energy and tissue engineering.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.