Nano-Particle Suspension Behaviour in Salt Solutions: Effect of Ion Hydration and Attractive Forces. Understanding and controlling the flow behaviour of nano-particle suspensions is crucial to the processing of ceramics with nano-scale features. Interparticle forces influence the flow behaviour and depend upon the the adsorption of ions to the particle's surface. The proposed research investigates the effect of ion hydration and surface type on ion adsorption, the resulting attractive forces a ....Nano-Particle Suspension Behaviour in Salt Solutions: Effect of Ion Hydration and Attractive Forces. Understanding and controlling the flow behaviour of nano-particle suspensions is crucial to the processing of ceramics with nano-scale features. Interparticle forces influence the flow behaviour and depend upon the the adsorption of ions to the particle's surface. The proposed research investigates the effect of ion hydration and surface type on ion adsorption, the resulting attractive forces and suspension flow behaviour. The outcomes of the project have potential for significant increase in fundamental understanding of the relationship between ions, surfaces and forces. The benefits of this knowledge include producing nano-ceramics with improved properties and better understanding biopolymer behaviour.Read moreRead less
Wet Granular Materials: A Three-Dimensional Study Using X-Ray Microtomography. Wet granular materials are of immense economic importance in industries such as mining, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and food processing. It has been estimated that operations involving the storage, handling and transport of granular materials account for over a third of the capital costs and over half of all the operating costs involved in process industries worldwide. An improved understanding of the dramatic effec ....Wet Granular Materials: A Three-Dimensional Study Using X-Ray Microtomography. Wet granular materials are of immense economic importance in industries such as mining, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and food processing. It has been estimated that operations involving the storage, handling and transport of granular materials account for over a third of the capital costs and over half of all the operating costs involved in process industries worldwide. An improved understanding of the dramatic effects of liquid on the cohesion, flow and mixing of granular materials will be of benefit to Australian industry both in terms of helping to reduce costly problems, such as caking and segregation, and in terms of the development of better particulate-based products, such as ceramics and pharmaceuticals.Read moreRead less
A new paradigm in near-net-shape advanced ceramic component processing. The raw materials for high performance ceramics (such as alumina and zirconia) are readily available and produced in Australia. Nearly all of these raw materials are exported. The development of processing to make high value added ceramic components from these raw materials will result in greater profit and more jobs for Australians. The proposed research is to develop a novel innovative process to drive a value adding ce ....A new paradigm in near-net-shape advanced ceramic component processing. The raw materials for high performance ceramics (such as alumina and zirconia) are readily available and produced in Australia. Nearly all of these raw materials are exported. The development of processing to make high value added ceramic components from these raw materials will result in greater profit and more jobs for Australians. The proposed research is to develop a novel innovative process to drive a value adding ceramic processing industry in Australia.Read moreRead less