Understanding the composite structures and properties of wild silk cocoons. This project will reveal the secret of wild silk cocoon structures, which are very thin and light in weight, yet they can protect wild silkworms in very harsh environments. This new knowledge will lead to the development of nature inspired materials and structures for personal protection.
Directional fluid-transfer in thin porous materials with gradient wettability through thickness. This project will further strengthen Australia's world leading position in advanced fibrous materials research. It will provide a new platform technology to develop self-driven unidirectional fluid-transfer fabrics and porous membranes for diverse applications in daily life, healthcare, defence and a number of industrial processes.
The true potential and limitations of fibres. This project aims to understand the fibre spinning process of nanomaterials to identify their true potential and limitations in wearable applications. The project is expected to lead to multifunctional materials that allow design and production of smart functional fibres and textiles that store and convert energy and sense, monitor and respond to human activities and external environments. The project outcomes are expected to accelerate the transform ....The true potential and limitations of fibres. This project aims to understand the fibre spinning process of nanomaterials to identify their true potential and limitations in wearable applications. The project is expected to lead to multifunctional materials that allow design and production of smart functional fibres and textiles that store and convert energy and sense, monitor and respond to human activities and external environments. The project outcomes are expected to accelerate the transformation of the fibre industry, which will have far reaching implications across research disciplines and sectors critical to technology, health, social, and economic future.Read moreRead less
Field-Enhanced Electrospinning for Fine and Uniform Nanofibres. This project will result in a new platform technology to produce very fine and uniform nanofibres that can be used in a range of advanced applications. It will further strengthen our leading position in the field of nanofibre technology, and contribute to the National Research Priority area of Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries. Australia already has niche expertise in nanomaterials. This proje ....Field-Enhanced Electrospinning for Fine and Uniform Nanofibres. This project will result in a new platform technology to produce very fine and uniform nanofibres that can be used in a range of advanced applications. It will further strengthen our leading position in the field of nanofibre technology, and contribute to the National Research Priority area of Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries. Australia already has niche expertise in nanomaterials. This project will significantly enhance our international standing in the field. There is a growing list of local companies that are interested in exploring the production and application of nanofibrous materials also.Read moreRead less
Modelling the stability and efficiency of ring spinning. This research will benefit the animal fibre industry, particularly the multi-billion dollar wool industry. Low spinning efficiency adds a significant cost to the conversion of animal fibres into textile products, which reduces the competitive position of these natural fibres. The proposed research will lead to improvement in the efficiency of ring spinning. It has been estimated that a 1% improvement in spinning efficiency will add about $ ....Modelling the stability and efficiency of ring spinning. This research will benefit the animal fibre industry, particularly the multi-billion dollar wool industry. Low spinning efficiency adds a significant cost to the conversion of animal fibres into textile products, which reduces the competitive position of these natural fibres. The proposed research will lead to improvement in the efficiency of ring spinning. It has been estimated that a 1% improvement in spinning efficiency will add about $16 million to the wool industry alone. Read moreRead less
Modelling and minimising energy consumption in ring spinning. Australia's 4-billion dollar natural fibre production is spun into yarns via ring spinning mainly. A major drawback of this spinning system is its high energy consumption. This project will examine, theoretically and experimentally, the key factors contributing to energy consumption in ring spinning. It will generate new knowledge on the relationship between yarn hairiness and the air drag on a rapidly rotating yarn package and on a b ....Modelling and minimising energy consumption in ring spinning. Australia's 4-billion dollar natural fibre production is spun into yarns via ring spinning mainly. A major drawback of this spinning system is its high energy consumption. This project will examine, theoretically and experimentally, the key factors contributing to energy consumption in ring spinning. It will generate new knowledge on the relationship between yarn hairiness and the air drag on a rapidly rotating yarn package and on a ballooning yarn, and predict how this air drag affects the energy consumption during package build-up in ring spinning. This will lead to ways of minimising energy consumption in this most important spinning process.Read moreRead less
Fibrous fabrics with differential transplanar transport properties for moisture and water. The project develops a framework for the development of fibrous fabrics with desired differential transplanar transport properties for moisture and water, integrating various transport mechanisms with hierarchical microstructures of the fabrics. The results will lead to the development of new fabrics for the local and overseas apparel industry.
Understanding the interaction between wool fibre surface and ionic liquids. This project will advance the knowledge on wool surface/ionic liquid interaction, which has the potential to revolutionize the traditional and environmentally unfriendly wool shrinkage-proof treatment technology. This will have significant industry wide benefit for the multi-billion dollar animal fibre industry.
Mechanical advantage: biomimetic artificial muscles for micro-machines. This project will develop better ways to operate miniature machines by copying the way that muscle operates in Nature. The outcome will be important for portable devices like digital cameras that need small, efficient motors. The artificial muscles developed in this project may also be used in medical prosthetics and more agile robots.