Porous Mineral Formulations for Controlled-Release Applications. The controlled release of biologically active agents from host materials is a process that is used routinely in pharmaceuticals delivery but has received only limited attention in large-scale, low-cost areas such as the agrochemicals industry. Here we identify a number of rare tubular mineral phases as having great potential for low-cost controlled release. These little-studied minerals, for which high quality deposits exist in Aus ....Porous Mineral Formulations for Controlled-Release Applications. The controlled release of biologically active agents from host materials is a process that is used routinely in pharmaceuticals delivery but has received only limited attention in large-scale, low-cost areas such as the agrochemicals industry. Here we identify a number of rare tubular mineral phases as having great potential for low-cost controlled release. These little-studied minerals, for which high quality deposits exist in Australia, consist of hollow tubules of nanoscale dimension. This project involves the first ever studies of the kinetics of guest release from these fascinating hosts, and promises to generate important new technologies in agrochemical delivery.Read moreRead less
Novel Nanostructures of Metal Oxides and Sulfides Intercalated Laponite for Catalytic Applications. The project aims to develop a novel synthesis approach for making nanocomposites of transition metal oxides and sulfides intercalated laponite clay. Such nanomaterials made by integrating template synthesis and intercalation have superior pore and surface properties promising for advanced catalytic applications. The project will provide insights into mechanisms of nanostructure formation and inter ....Novel Nanostructures of Metal Oxides and Sulfides Intercalated Laponite for Catalytic Applications. The project aims to develop a novel synthesis approach for making nanocomposites of transition metal oxides and sulfides intercalated laponite clay. Such nanomaterials made by integrating template synthesis and intercalation have superior pore and surface properties promising for advanced catalytic applications. The project will provide insights into mechanisms of nanostructure formation and interactions of molecular species during synthesis. The best catalysts screened will be tested for two important reactions to establish the relationships between processing parameters, nanostructural properties and catalytic performance. Optimised synthesis parameters for high catalytic performance will be obtained. The project contributes to significant knowledge creation in nanomaterials science and catalysis.Read moreRead less
The Influence of Cement Type, Age and Curing Conditions on the Flexural Capacity of Masonry Walls. The use of cements containing waste products such as fly ash and blast surface slag has increased markedly. This has desirable environmental and economic consequences, but the influence of these cements on the bond strength of masonry constructed from mortars containing these cements is unknown and in urgent need of clarification. This investigation studies this effect as well as the influence of ....The Influence of Cement Type, Age and Curing Conditions on the Flexural Capacity of Masonry Walls. The use of cements containing waste products such as fly ash and blast surface slag has increased markedly. This has desirable environmental and economic consequences, but the influence of these cements on the bond strength of masonry constructed from mortars containing these cements is unknown and in urgent need of clarification. This investigation studies this effect as well as the influence of age and curing conditions on masonry flexural strength at both a fundamental and applied level, thus allowing the impact of the use of mortars containing these cements on actual building performance to be assessed.Read moreRead less
Development of new-generation autoclaved cellulose fibre-cement composites using alumina-silica rich industrial waste. Autoclaved cellulose fibre-cement (FC) composites are used for construction purposes globally. Alumina-silica rich industrial waste, such as fired clay bricks and tiles, are proven to be highly reactive under autoclaving conditions and are generated in abundance either during the production process or demolition of buildings worldwide. The project aims to utilise this renewable ....Development of new-generation autoclaved cellulose fibre-cement composites using alumina-silica rich industrial waste. Autoclaved cellulose fibre-cement (FC) composites are used for construction purposes globally. Alumina-silica rich industrial waste, such as fired clay bricks and tiles, are proven to be highly reactive under autoclaving conditions and are generated in abundance either during the production process or demolition of buildings worldwide. The project aims to utilise this renewable waste for the manufacture of improved FC products. The successful outcomes of the project could allow a new range of cost-effective building products which need less energy for their manufacture, to be realised for both developed and developing countries.Read moreRead less
Development of smart material for the adsorption of oil spills on roads. The cost of road fuel spills in both Australia and worldwide is enormous. The research objective is to develop an admixture suitable for the absorption/adsorption of fuel and oil from road spills. The material will be designed to be contained within a fabric. The innovation is the application of the admixture in the form of a carpet, which is designed as easily used, non-toxic, recyclable and environmentally friendly. T ....Development of smart material for the adsorption of oil spills on roads. The cost of road fuel spills in both Australia and worldwide is enormous. The research objective is to develop an admixture suitable for the absorption/adsorption of fuel and oil from road spills. The material will be designed to be contained within a fabric. The innovation is the application of the admixture in the form of a carpet, which is designed as easily used, non-toxic, recyclable and environmentally friendly. The application is rapid. The successful development of the material has enormous economic benefits to Australia, providing a new industry with many employees. This new industry has the potential to bring great wealth to Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0239037
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$248,000.00
Summary
An Analytical Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope for South-East Queensland. The proposed equipment is an analytical scanning electron microscope (SEM) with the special capability that it can examine and analyse specimen surfaces at high magnifications while specimens remain at low vaccum. This allows hydrated or poorly conducting samples to be examined directly without the specimen preparation usually necessary for SEM. Scanning electron microscopy is already extensively used in re ....An Analytical Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope for South-East Queensland. The proposed equipment is an analytical scanning electron microscope (SEM) with the special capability that it can examine and analyse specimen surfaces at high magnifications while specimens remain at low vaccum. This allows hydrated or poorly conducting samples to be examined directly without the specimen preparation usually necessary for SEM. Scanning electron microscopy is already extensively used in research across multiple disciplines, including mineralogy, materials science and engineering, and life science. The instrument, to be sited at QUT, would be available to researchers from the three Brisbane universities, and would greatly enhance the regional capabilities for characterisation of materials.Read moreRead less
The Development of a Hybrid Energy Simulation Model for Masonry Enclosures. This project aims to develop and validate a hybrid energy simulation model for assessing the thermal performance of masonry enclosures. The model will combine the zonal and computational fluid dynamics modelling techniques into a fully integrated computational tool. Once validated, the proposed model will be employed to evaluate the thermal performance of a wide range of wall designs taking into account the Australian cl ....The Development of a Hybrid Energy Simulation Model for Masonry Enclosures. This project aims to develop and validate a hybrid energy simulation model for assessing the thermal performance of masonry enclosures. The model will combine the zonal and computational fluid dynamics modelling techniques into a fully integrated computational tool. Once validated, the proposed model will be employed to evaluate the thermal performance of a wide range of wall designs taking into account the Australian climatic conditions, construction practices and typical residential developments. The results will be then employed to modify and refine the existing wall designs and develop optimum masonry walling system(s) that are well suited for the Australian climatic conditions.Read moreRead less
A Fundamental Study Of The Behaviour Of Clay Brick Fines In Autoclaved Calcium Silicate Based Building Products. Clay brick fines constitute a significant proportion of Construction and Demolition waste, the disposal of which is a recognised global problem. This project aims to provide a fundamental understanding of the behaviour of clay brick fines in autoclaved calcium silicate based building products. Current practice of manufacture of these widely produced building materials does not use cla ....A Fundamental Study Of The Behaviour Of Clay Brick Fines In Autoclaved Calcium Silicate Based Building Products. Clay brick fines constitute a significant proportion of Construction and Demolition waste, the disposal of which is a recognised global problem. This project aims to provide a fundamental understanding of the behaviour of clay brick fines in autoclaved calcium silicate based building products. Current practice of manufacture of these widely produced building materials does not use clay brick fines due to a lack of technical information on this renewable resource material. Findings of this study will provide a benchmark for the development of new generation building products worldwide utlilising clay brick fines.Read moreRead less
Composite Mesoporous Solids of TiO2 Nano-Crystals and Silicate as Photo-catalysts for Degradation of Organic Contaminants in Water. TiO2 photo-catalysis is a promising advanced technique for breaking down organic contaminants and bacteria in water and air. This project will develop a novel class of photo-catalysts, the composite meosporous compounds of anatase and layered clay, by combining templated synthesis and pillaring techniques. They will exhibit a high photo-catalytic efficiency with sup ....Composite Mesoporous Solids of TiO2 Nano-Crystals and Silicate as Photo-catalysts for Degradation of Organic Contaminants in Water. TiO2 photo-catalysis is a promising advanced technique for breaking down organic contaminants and bacteria in water and air. This project will develop a novel class of photo-catalysts, the composite meosporous compounds of anatase and layered clay, by combining templated synthesis and pillaring techniques. They will exhibit a high photo-catalytic efficiency with superior properties for practical operations because of the framework of large porosity arising from the arrangement of discrete anatase nano-particles within the silicate layers. The project involves mostly fundamental research into material synthesis, colloid and surface chemistry and photo-catalysis, and aims to develop advanced techniques for water treatment.Read moreRead less
Development of Effective Bentonite Adsorbents for Colour Removal from Wastewater and Process Streams. This project aims to develop cost-effective adsorbents from natural bentonite clay for the removal of colour organics in water and other process streams. A new method for modifying the clays will be developed and investigated systematically. Adsorption of various dyes onto clay-based adsorbents will be examined to obtain a better understanding of the adsorption equilibrium and kinetics. The proj ....Development of Effective Bentonite Adsorbents for Colour Removal from Wastewater and Process Streams. This project aims to develop cost-effective adsorbents from natural bentonite clay for the removal of colour organics in water and other process streams. A new method for modifying the clays will be developed and investigated systematically. Adsorption of various dyes onto clay-based adsorbents will be examined to obtain a better understanding of the adsorption equilibrium and kinetics. The project will study the effects of various parameters to optimise the processing conditions for maximum removal efficiency. The project contributes to the mineral industry in value-adding and will also lead to cost-effective processes for water pollution control.Read moreRead less