Novel power system architecture and control for 'More Electric Aircraft'. This project aims to propose a new conceptual design of an internal aircraft electrical system and its control, which minimises the issues of traditional power systems and takes advantage of contemporary control and technology advances to minimise weight/volume and maximise reliability. The project will target a specific design, which includes consideration of novel power electronic topologies, to achieve these goals. The ....Novel power system architecture and control for 'More Electric Aircraft'. This project aims to propose a new conceptual design of an internal aircraft electrical system and its control, which minimises the issues of traditional power systems and takes advantage of contemporary control and technology advances to minimise weight/volume and maximise reliability. The project will target a specific design, which includes consideration of novel power electronic topologies, to achieve these goals. The results will be validated through simulation, experiments and field testing. It is anticipated that the ideas developed within this project will have a major impact on More Electric Aircraft technology, as well as on general interconnected energy resource systems, such as DC and AC microgrids.Read moreRead less
Micro-perforation for passive drag reduction. This project aims to reduce skin friction drag by developing a novel passive flow control method using micro-perforated surfaces. Advanced analytical and experimental modelling will be used to develop specific design solutions to improve efficiency in many real life applications, such as to reduce drag in the aerospace, maritime, gas pipelines and wind turbine industries. Expected outcomes include widely applicable knowledge and skills, improved mode ....Micro-perforation for passive drag reduction. This project aims to reduce skin friction drag by developing a novel passive flow control method using micro-perforated surfaces. Advanced analytical and experimental modelling will be used to develop specific design solutions to improve efficiency in many real life applications, such as to reduce drag in the aerospace, maritime, gas pipelines and wind turbine industries. Expected outcomes include widely applicable knowledge and skills, improved modelling and experimental techniques and tools, and enhanced collaborations. Benefits to Australia are expected to include significant improvements to the efficiency of the aerospace and energy industries, a boost to the Australian economy, and a reduction in carbon emissions. Read moreRead less
Advanced multivariable nonlinear control methodology for matrix converters. The aim of this project is to explore a specific multivariable nonlinear control design problem. Motivation for the project arises from the control of Matrix Converters. Matrix Converters are considered one of the key enabling technologies for the electric transport of the future. However, their penetration into practice has fallen short of their promise. This is, in part, due to the associated control design problem whi ....Advanced multivariable nonlinear control methodology for matrix converters. The aim of this project is to explore a specific multivariable nonlinear control design problem. Motivation for the project arises from the control of Matrix Converters. Matrix Converters are considered one of the key enabling technologies for the electric transport of the future. However, their penetration into practice has fallen short of their promise. This is, in part, due to the associated control design problem which is extremely difficult involving coupled nonlinear dynamics and under-actuation. We plan to address these problems by using modern control system design methods. Our specific goal is to achieve a provably stable, closed loop control system whose performance is independent of unmeasured disturbances and model errors.Read moreRead less
Room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries for large-scale energy storage. This project aims to develop room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries for renewable energy storage. Sodium-sulfur batteries are ideal for large-scale energy storage, owing to high energy density and low cost. However, there are significant challenges in attaining practical sodium-sulfur batteries with high capacity and safety. By developing novel high capacity sulphur cathodes, dendrite-free sodium metal anodes and quasi-so ....Room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries for large-scale energy storage. This project aims to develop room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries for renewable energy storage. Sodium-sulfur batteries are ideal for large-scale energy storage, owing to high energy density and low cost. However, there are significant challenges in attaining practical sodium-sulfur batteries with high capacity and safety. By developing novel high capacity sulphur cathodes, dendrite-free sodium metal anodes and quasi-solid-state gel polymer electrolytes, this project expects to achieve high-performance sodium-sulfur batteries with high capacity, long cycle life and enhanced safety. Expected benefits will arise from deployment of sodium-sulfur batteries and advances in energy storage technologies that are efficient and cost-effective.Read moreRead less
Understanding combustion in gasoline compression ignition conditions. This project aims to provide the first fundamental-level understanding of the processes of ignition, combustion, and pollutant formation relevant to a new, highly efficient combustion mode known as gasoline compression ignition (GCI). This project aims to provide information using a unique combination of direct numerical simulations, advanced transported probability density function modelling and a suite of laser measurements ....Understanding combustion in gasoline compression ignition conditions. This project aims to provide the first fundamental-level understanding of the processes of ignition, combustion, and pollutant formation relevant to a new, highly efficient combustion mode known as gasoline compression ignition (GCI). This project aims to provide information using a unique combination of direct numerical simulations, advanced transported probability density function modelling and a suite of laser measurements in a high-pressure combustion chamber. GCI engines have significant potential to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions harmful to health and the environment. The outcomes from this project will lead to accelerated development of the GCI engine, and more optimal GCI solutions to be found.Read moreRead less
The Transitional and Turbulent Structure of Rotating Disk Boundary Layers. Design optimization in areas of energy, materials processing, manufacturing and aerodynamics often depends on fluid flows adjacent to surfaces (wall-flows), and many such flows are three-dimensional (3-D). At present, 3-D wall-flows are poorly understood, and thus we aim to provide the first comprehensive study of the prototypical 3-D wall-flow on a rotating disk. Experiments in a bespoke facility will cover the importan ....The Transitional and Turbulent Structure of Rotating Disk Boundary Layers. Design optimization in areas of energy, materials processing, manufacturing and aerodynamics often depends on fluid flows adjacent to surfaces (wall-flows), and many such flows are three-dimensional (3-D). At present, 3-D wall-flows are poorly understood, and thus we aim to provide the first comprehensive study of the prototypical 3-D wall-flow on a rotating disk. Experiments in a bespoke facility will cover the important flow regimes (transitional and turbulent), and novel sensors will quantify the detailed 3-D flow structure. By clarifying critical instability scenarios and revealing turbulent flow scaling structure, this project will fundamentally advance physical understanding and analytical and computational models of 3-D wall-flowsRead moreRead less
Molecular design of complex lubricants to reduce friction. We will investigate the molecular level design of friction modifiers for a new generation of industrial lubricants. The goal is to dramatically reduce friction between moving mechanical parts, hence increasing energy efficiency in machines and reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. We will design and test these new friction modifiers by a combination of theoretical and computational methods based in statistical mechanics and nonequili ....Molecular design of complex lubricants to reduce friction. We will investigate the molecular level design of friction modifiers for a new generation of industrial lubricants. The goal is to dramatically reduce friction between moving mechanical parts, hence increasing energy efficiency in machines and reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. We will design and test these new friction modifiers by a combination of theoretical and computational methods based in statistical mechanics and nonequilibrium molecular dynamics and directly compare results with experimental measurements. Our investigations will pave the way to develop new cost-effective friction modifiers without the need for traditional and costly trial and error laboratory based experimentation.Read moreRead less
Dynamics and Resilience of Complex Network Systems with Switching Topology . This project aims to develop a breakthrough methodology and new technology to analyse and integrate large-scale network systems, such as power grids, that involve large networks of components with switching connections. The project expects to create a new theoretical framework to tackle the challenges arising from switching topology resulted from switching connections, and methods to understand their behaviours and desi ....Dynamics and Resilience of Complex Network Systems with Switching Topology . This project aims to develop a breakthrough methodology and new technology to analyse and integrate large-scale network systems, such as power grids, that involve large networks of components with switching connections. The project expects to create a new theoretical framework to tackle the challenges arising from switching topology resulted from switching connections, and methods to understand their behaviours and design intervention strategies to achieve optimal outcomes. The expected outcome is a practical technology for industry applications, such as smart power grids. This should increase the reliability and resilience of the electricity networks against faults and cyber attacks.
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Carbon-free Energy Storage and Conversion Using Ammonia as a Mediator. This project aims to develop essential technologies for ammonia-mediated energy storage, hydrogen production, and electricity generation. This project expects to generate new understandings on designing novel multi-atom-cluster catalysts for the critical ammonia synthesis, electrolysis, and oxidation processes using interdisciplinary approaches. The expected outcomes of this project include multi-functional electrocatalysts, ....Carbon-free Energy Storage and Conversion Using Ammonia as a Mediator. This project aims to develop essential technologies for ammonia-mediated energy storage, hydrogen production, and electricity generation. This project expects to generate new understandings on designing novel multi-atom-cluster catalysts for the critical ammonia synthesis, electrolysis, and oxidation processes using interdisciplinary approaches. The expected outcomes of this project include multi-functional electrocatalysts, fundamental insights of principles for electrocatalyst design, and prototype technologies. This should provide significant benefits for the harvest of clean energy, the safe utilization of hydrogen, and the development of carbon-free fuels, which are essential for optimizing the energy structure of Australia.Read moreRead less
Efficiency maps for electric machines in electric vehicles. This project aims to improve methods for calculating and predicting efficiency maps, which describe how the efficiency of electric machines varies depending on their operating point. It will interpret and model their features, and link the design parameters to the resultant efficiency map. This project will consider machines including synchronous (permanent magnet, reluctance and wound-field) and induction types. Electric machines are n ....Efficiency maps for electric machines in electric vehicles. This project aims to improve methods for calculating and predicting efficiency maps, which describe how the efficiency of electric machines varies depending on their operating point. It will interpret and model their features, and link the design parameters to the resultant efficiency map. This project will consider machines including synchronous (permanent magnet, reluctance and wound-field) and induction types. Electric machines are normally designed for a single operating point, usually at rated torque and speed. The results are expected to improve machine design to give the best performance in typical driving conditions.Read moreRead less