Wet Particulate Materials - Flow or Fracture? Most advanced materials are produced from starting materials in the form of fine particles. Powders, especially in ceramic engineering, are first processed wet into near-final shape. Improved understanding of the fracture of particle networks is critical in order to process nano-sized advanced ceramic materials for use in solar energy harvesting and extreme heat engine applications as well as minimising drying cracks in paints and coatings. The resea ....Wet Particulate Materials - Flow or Fracture? Most advanced materials are produced from starting materials in the form of fine particles. Powders, especially in ceramic engineering, are first processed wet into near-final shape. Improved understanding of the fracture of particle networks is critical in order to process nano-sized advanced ceramic materials for use in solar energy harvesting and extreme heat engine applications as well as minimising drying cracks in paints and coatings. The research aims to identify the fundamental link between particle network strength and structure and the fracture of wet powder bodies. The microscopic mechanisms that control the behaviour will be investigated with a particular focus on toughening mechanisms including the influence of plasticity.Read moreRead less
Crystalline Mesoporous Metal Oxides for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrodes. Our crystalline mesoporous electrodes will help realise the full potentials of solid oxide fuel cells. Such advanced fuel cell technology will drastically increase the power generation efficiency, and reduce CO2 emissions from present power plants, thereby transforming Australian energy industry and improving our environment. The design and development of novel crystalline mesoporous materials that find widespread industri ....Crystalline Mesoporous Metal Oxides for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrodes. Our crystalline mesoporous electrodes will help realise the full potentials of solid oxide fuel cells. Such advanced fuel cell technology will drastically increase the power generation efficiency, and reduce CO2 emissions from present power plants, thereby transforming Australian energy industry and improving our environment. The design and development of novel crystalline mesoporous materials that find widespread industrial applications will advance Australia's knowledge and skill base, and help Australia's high-tech industries to stay competitive, including the development of new high-tech industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100121
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,000,000.00
Summary
An analytical transmission electron microscope for the investigation of functional materials, earth processes and novel condensed matter. Sustainablity depends on the delivery of clean energy, pristine water and air, and the manufacture of consumer products with small environmental footprints. Modelling long-term impacts requires an understanding of the hydro-geological cycles. The technologies are well known—efficient electronics, fuel cells, lightweight composites, and so on—but delivery is ....An analytical transmission electron microscope for the investigation of functional materials, earth processes and novel condensed matter. Sustainablity depends on the delivery of clean energy, pristine water and air, and the manufacture of consumer products with small environmental footprints. Modelling long-term impacts requires an understanding of the hydro-geological cycles. The technologies are well known—efficient electronics, fuel cells, lightweight composites, and so on—but delivery is not straightforward. It is clear, however, that novel materials manipulated at fine scales will be key. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) guides the development of sustainable technologies. The new TEM facility at ANU will accelerate current studies, by enhancing the materials research portfolio, and extending national and international collaborations in materials, geological and earth sciences.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775729
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,000.00
Summary
Improved understanding of nanoscale materials - structure, composition, crystallography and defects revealed by electron imaging and analysis at high spatial resolution. Modern materials scientists and engineers are driven by world-wide competition to develop new technology and manufactured devices. The trend has for some time been towards miniaturisation and one of the main challenges lies in effectively characterising nanostructures that are produced as a key step in research and development o ....Improved understanding of nanoscale materials - structure, composition, crystallography and defects revealed by electron imaging and analysis at high spatial resolution. Modern materials scientists and engineers are driven by world-wide competition to develop new technology and manufactured devices. The trend has for some time been towards miniaturisation and one of the main challenges lies in effectively characterising nanostructures that are produced as a key step in research and development of advanced materials. The proposed electron microscope and detectors will provide a state-of-the-art analytical facility to support the cross-disciplinary materials science and nanotechnology research at the Australian National University. It will also provide an important training facility for students and early-career researchers and will be available to investigators from other Australian institutions.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100141
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$326,367.00
Summary
Thermo-gravimetric infra-red imaging system for functional materials study. This proposal seeks to establish a multi-functional system for investigating surface, interface, and thermal properties of functional materials. The instrumentation features thermo-gravimetric, infra-red imaging hyphenated with gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry. The expected benefits are an enhanced research capability in solid-electrolyte-interphase and electrolyte decomposition on electrodes being used in alkaline-i ....Thermo-gravimetric infra-red imaging system for functional materials study. This proposal seeks to establish a multi-functional system for investigating surface, interface, and thermal properties of functional materials. The instrumentation features thermo-gravimetric, infra-red imaging hyphenated with gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry. The expected benefits are an enhanced research capability in solid-electrolyte-interphase and electrolyte decomposition on electrodes being used in alkaline-ion batteries, which could potentially pose risks during manufacturing and application. The system will not only facilitate high-quality research and impact the training of young researchers, but also provide a platform from which to enhance Australian materials research capabilities.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100195
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,000,000.00
Summary
Field-emission gun transmission electron microscope for the research in nanomaterials, metal alloys and biological sciences. The proposed facility is required by a large range of world-leading research programs in light metals, nanomaterials, fibres and biomaterials. These research programs are strongly supported by automobile, textile, mineral and advanced materials industries that have important roles in the current national economy and local communities. The facility will improve significan ....Field-emission gun transmission electron microscope for the research in nanomaterials, metal alloys and biological sciences. The proposed facility is required by a large range of world-leading research programs in light metals, nanomaterials, fibres and biomaterials. These research programs are strongly supported by automobile, textile, mineral and advanced materials industries that have important roles in the current national economy and local communities. The facility will improve significantly our current research ability and help the creation of new research areas in nanotechnology and energy materials beneficial to clean energy, environmental protections and health care. It is also important equipment for new research student training.Read moreRead less
AM of MAX Phase parts for applications in extreme environments. This project aims to develop techniques to synthesize MAX Phase compound materials in-situ using laser additive manufacturing. The project expects to increase jet engine fuel efficiency and thrust, and to fabricate longer-lasting parts for supersonic speed applications. The expected outcomes include well-developed additive manufacturing processes to make high performance engineering components with shape complexity for extreme envir ....AM of MAX Phase parts for applications in extreme environments. This project aims to develop techniques to synthesize MAX Phase compound materials in-situ using laser additive manufacturing. The project expects to increase jet engine fuel efficiency and thrust, and to fabricate longer-lasting parts for supersonic speed applications. The expected outcomes include well-developed additive manufacturing processes to make high performance engineering components with shape complexity for extreme environment applications, and new methods to increase the 3D printability of brittle materials. This should provide significant benefits to aerospace and defense industries through solving their long standing bottleneck material and processing problems. The outcomes also enhance Australia’s manufacturing capacity.Read moreRead less
A Predictive Approach to the Formation of Plate-Shaped Strengthening and Toughening Constituents in Advanced Metallic and Ceramic Materials. Development of stronger and tougher materials has been largely empirical and the properties obtained so far are only a small fraction of the theoretical values. One of the key steps to develop stronger and tougher materials is to understand the mechanisms responsible for the formation and distribution of key strengthening and/or toughening components in the ....A Predictive Approach to the Formation of Plate-Shaped Strengthening and Toughening Constituents in Advanced Metallic and Ceramic Materials. Development of stronger and tougher materials has been largely empirical and the properties obtained so far are only a small fraction of the theoretical values. One of the key steps to develop stronger and tougher materials is to understand the mechanisms responsible for the formation and distribution of key strengthening and/or toughening components in the materials. This project seeks to make this step. The findings will provide guidance to the development of stronger and tougher materials for the aerospace, aircraft and automotive industries. This project provides opportunities to strengthen the collaboration with USA experts and to train early career researchers.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989123
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$575,000.00
Summary
Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) Facility for Advanced Materials Processing. The establishment of the first Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) facility would significantly enhance Australia's capacity in manufacturing of advanced materials, especially the more sophisticated and specialized materials, which is a National Research Priority. This facility will benefit a large number of researchers and projects in Australia's premier research organisations and will also meet the needs of organisations outside ....Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) Facility for Advanced Materials Processing. The establishment of the first Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) facility would significantly enhance Australia's capacity in manufacturing of advanced materials, especially the more sophisticated and specialized materials, which is a National Research Priority. This facility will benefit a large number of researchers and projects in Australia's premier research organisations and will also meet the needs of organisations outside the consortium. It will allow Australian researchers to remain at the leading edge of research and enhance collaborations in advanced materials nationwide. The successful outcomes of these activities will underpin the advancement in many areas of research and technology developments in the country.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100975
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,775.00
Summary
Architectured ceramics to combine strength, toughness, and complex shapes. This project aims to develop ceramics that are simultaneously strong and tough, and to form them into complex shapes without compromising their mechanical properties – major challenges in science and engineering. Inspired by the internal architectures that confer these advantages on natural hard materials, it will produce novel ceramics with rationally-designed, highly-controlled dense architectures by developing a fast, ....Architectured ceramics to combine strength, toughness, and complex shapes. This project aims to develop ceramics that are simultaneously strong and tough, and to form them into complex shapes without compromising their mechanical properties – major challenges in science and engineering. Inspired by the internal architectures that confer these advantages on natural hard materials, it will produce novel ceramics with rationally-designed, highly-controlled dense architectures by developing a fast, scalable and versatile light-based 3D–4D printing technique combined with discrete element modelling. Outcomes will be toughened ceramics and new knowledge on processing-architecture-performance relationships, with significant benefits for biomaterials, defence, transport, high-temperature and aerospace applications.Read moreRead less