Powder blending for dry powder inhalers: a new approach for direct control of powder structure. Over 80 per cent of pharmaceutical products involve the processing of powders. This project will generate new knowledge of how to assemble fine and cohesive particles into the structure required for dry powder inhaler products, leading to the development of new low-cost medicines in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
Granular dynamics: characterization, modelling and application. Storage and transport of bulk solids are widely encountered in mineral, metallurgical and chemical industrials which are important to Australia. The design and control of bulk solids handling equipment must be optimised for the efficiency of processing. This project provides a systematic investigation of the techniques used to characterize bulk solids, and applies the new findings to hopper flow and pneumatic conveying. This, togeth ....Granular dynamics: characterization, modelling and application. Storage and transport of bulk solids are widely encountered in mineral, metallurgical and chemical industrials which are important to Australia. The design and control of bulk solids handling equipment must be optimised for the efficiency of processing. This project provides a systematic investigation of the techniques used to characterize bulk solids, and applies the new findings to hopper flow and pneumatic conveying. This, together with the research training offered through the conduct of the work, is very helpful to maintaining Australia’s leading position in bulk solids handling and application in resource, energy, process and allied industries.Read moreRead less
Particle scale modelling and analysis of the multiphase flows in coal preparation. Australia is the world's biggest coal exporter, and black coal is Australia's largest export, with an annual value >$20 billion. Optimum design and control of the processes in coal preparation play a critical economic role in coal production. This project aims at providing substantial improvements through the application of a novel combined continuum and discrete modelling method. Specifically, the improvements ta ....Particle scale modelling and analysis of the multiphase flows in coal preparation. Australia is the world's biggest coal exporter, and black coal is Australia's largest export, with an annual value >$20 billion. Optimum design and control of the processes in coal preparation play a critical economic role in coal production. This project aims at providing substantial improvements through the application of a novel combined continuum and discrete modelling method. Specifically, the improvements targeted relate to better process and product control, a decrease in unit energy consumption and improvements in productivity, which, together with the research training offered, will further enhance Australia's leading position in global coal industry.Read moreRead less
Engineering improved technology for nanoparticle-based adjuvant manufacture. Over the next decade nanotechnology will redefine vaccines for animal and human health. Nanoparticle adjuvants will boost engineered vaccines that use minimal antigens such as recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides. This project aims to develop a platform technology for making and controlling the properties of inulin nanoparticles by optimising the engineering and manufacturing aspects of inulin nanoparticles to fu ....Engineering improved technology for nanoparticle-based adjuvant manufacture. Over the next decade nanotechnology will redefine vaccines for animal and human health. Nanoparticle adjuvants will boost engineered vaccines that use minimal antigens such as recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides. This project aims to develop a platform technology for making and controlling the properties of inulin nanoparticles by optimising the engineering and manufacturing aspects of inulin nanoparticles to fundamentally understand the relationship between physical-chemical properties and efficacy. Completion of this project aims to produce potent nanoparticle-based adjuvants underpinned by novel manufacturing technology, to ultimately facilitate the development of more effective and protective vaccines for animals and humans.Read moreRead less
Synergetic combination of localised internal magnesium diffusion process with cold compaction technique for fabrication of magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconductor wires. This project seeks major advancements in magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconductor performance through the development of novel techniques for the fabrication of MgB2 wire. Further improvement in MgB2 wire performance holds the key to a number of significant commercial applications, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging, fault cu ....Synergetic combination of localised internal magnesium diffusion process with cold compaction technique for fabrication of magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconductor wires. This project seeks major advancements in magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconductor performance through the development of novel techniques for the fabrication of MgB2 wire. Further improvement in MgB2 wire performance holds the key to a number of significant commercial applications, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging, fault current limiters and wind turbines.Read moreRead less
Fundamental investigation of the briquetting behaviour of iron ore fines. Handling, including transport and processing, may account for up to 60 per cent of the total delivered price of iron ore. This project will develop an integrated computer model for an improved briquetting process of ore fines with reduced operation cost and less environmental impact, leading to a more competitive and sustainable mineral industry in Australia.
Depressing pyrite in selective flotation of complex polymetallic ores . This project aims to understand the reactions taking place on the major gangue (waste) mineral during the recovery of base-metal and precious minerals. The mining industry is processing low grade complex ores and experiencing difficulties in rejecting gangue minerals in mineral separation and metal extraction plants. The project will develop new technologies that manipulate these reactions to achieve mineral separation and ....Depressing pyrite in selective flotation of complex polymetallic ores . This project aims to understand the reactions taking place on the major gangue (waste) mineral during the recovery of base-metal and precious minerals. The mining industry is processing low grade complex ores and experiencing difficulties in rejecting gangue minerals in mineral separation and metal extraction plants. The project will develop new technologies that manipulate these reactions to achieve mineral separation and metal extraction efficiently and economically. These technologies may provide value in processing low quality complex polymetallic resources using low quality water, whilst halving the operating costs of mineral concentrators and providing corresponding reductions in harmful emissions.Read moreRead less
Particle-scale modelling of particle-fluid flows in gas and oil extraction. Particle-scale modelling of particle-fluid flows in gas and oil extraction. This project aims to develop a particle scale model to study the pipeline transport of petroleum fluids. It will use a combined theoretical and experimental program, involving state-of-the-art discrete element modelling and simulation techniques, to describe the complex particle-fluid flow and erosion of pipeline transport in gas and oil extracti ....Particle-scale modelling of particle-fluid flows in gas and oil extraction. Particle-scale modelling of particle-fluid flows in gas and oil extraction. This project aims to develop a particle scale model to study the pipeline transport of petroleum fluids. It will use a combined theoretical and experimental program, involving state-of-the-art discrete element modelling and simulation techniques, to describe the complex particle-fluid flow and erosion of pipeline transport in gas and oil extraction, quantify the effects of key variables, and formulate strategies for optimum process control under different conditions. The research outcomes are expected to be useful for the process control of pipeline transport in Australia’s important petroleum and energy-related industries.Read moreRead less
Multiscale study of raceway operations for low-cost and stable ironmaking. This project aims to optimise blast furnace operations and to assess the performance of Australian brown coals in ironmaking. Pulverised coal injection is a cost-effective technology in blast furnace ironmaking, particularly if low-grade coal is used. This project aims to develop control strategies for stable and low-cost operation and to assess and optimise the combustion of brown coal and its blends in this process. The ....Multiscale study of raceway operations for low-cost and stable ironmaking. This project aims to optimise blast furnace operations and to assess the performance of Australian brown coals in ironmaking. Pulverised coal injection is a cost-effective technology in blast furnace ironmaking, particularly if low-grade coal is used. This project aims to develop control strategies for stable and low-cost operation and to assess and optimise the combustion of brown coal and its blends in this process. The project aims will be achieved via multiscale modelling and simulation, supported by laboratory and plant experiments. The outcomes of the project are intended to open a new market for brown coal.Read moreRead less
One for all and all for one: Engineering a drug delivery platform for DNA vaccines to the lung. Vaccination using next generation DNA plasmids is hindered by the lack of a suitable delivery technology. This project aims to develop a low-cost vaccination platform that can deliver any DNA vaccine via inhalation. High efficiency dry powder particles that contain a novel synthetic cell penetration enhancer and incorporate the drug delivery vehicle in a disposable inhalation device will be engineered ....One for all and all for one: Engineering a drug delivery platform for DNA vaccines to the lung. Vaccination using next generation DNA plasmids is hindered by the lack of a suitable delivery technology. This project aims to develop a low-cost vaccination platform that can deliver any DNA vaccine via inhalation. High efficiency dry powder particles that contain a novel synthetic cell penetration enhancer and incorporate the drug delivery vehicle in a disposable inhalation device will be engineered. The project aims to help develop a fundamental understanding of the properties that govern interactions in these systems, and a number of in vitro tools that can be used by the wider scientific community. Ultimately, a single platform that can be used for the vaccination of any disease will be created.Read moreRead less