Functionalisation of boron nitride nanotubes: preparation, underlying mechanism and potential sensor applications. Building on Australian expertise in synthesis and characterisations of nanomaterials, this project will carry out comprehensive and systematic research in functionalisation of boron nitride nanotubes and explore their potential applications. The success of this project will enhance Australian international reputation in nanotechnology development and ensure our leading position in t ....Functionalisation of boron nitride nanotubes: preparation, underlying mechanism and potential sensor applications. Building on Australian expertise in synthesis and characterisations of nanomaterials, this project will carry out comprehensive and systematic research in functionalisation of boron nitride nanotubes and explore their potential applications. The success of this project will enhance Australian international reputation in nanotechnology development and ensure our leading position in this highly competitive area. The outcome of this project will promote the potentially functional applications of boron nitride nanotubes in various nanodevices and nanosensors. It will also offer trainings for Australia's future scientists and will further strengthen international scientific collaboration in these fields.Read moreRead less
Online Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) System Using Active Diagnostic Sensor Network. It is imperative to remain technological leading for Australian research community. But current lack of reliable technique in structural health monitoring in Australia is considerably impeding her competition with other developed countries in areas of forefront technology. Outcomes of the project will lead to an online structural health monitoring system incorporated with active diagnostic sensor network, re ....Online Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) System Using Active Diagnostic Sensor Network. It is imperative to remain technological leading for Australian research community. But current lack of reliable technique in structural health monitoring in Australia is considerably impeding her competition with other developed countries in areas of forefront technology. Outcomes of the project will lead to an online structural health monitoring system incorporated with active diagnostic sensor network, related software and hardware, novel signal processing technique, and artificial intelligence algorithm-based damage identification scheme. Its successful applications in various industries, e.g. aerospace, maritime and civil, are expected to bring significant improvement in operation safety and great benefit in reducing maintenance cost.Read moreRead less
A Stress Transfer Principle for Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Materials under Complex Loading. Many breakthrough technologies in the future will build upon carbon nanotube reinforced materials but the scientific basis in the area is still unavailable. This project aims to establish a reliable stress transfer principle so that the design, production and application of the materials can be accurately controlled and the great strength of carbon nanotubes can be wisely utilized. The research will resol ....A Stress Transfer Principle for Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Materials under Complex Loading. Many breakthrough technologies in the future will build upon carbon nanotube reinforced materials but the scientific basis in the area is still unavailable. This project aims to establish a reliable stress transfer principle so that the design, production and application of the materials can be accurately controlled and the great strength of carbon nanotubes can be wisely utilized. The research will resolve a key paradox and develop a series of innovative theories and technologies. The success of the project will make a significant impact on the nanoscience and nanotechnology associated with the applications of carbon nanotube reinforced materials.Read moreRead less
Interface Engineering of Multilayer Nanostructures. Nanostructured multilayers can outperform coatings of their constituent layers in both hardness and strength. It is believed that the nature of interfaces in these materials is critical since they mediate dislocation motion and crack propagation. This project will use advanced synthesis, microanalysis and theoretical methods to investigate multilayer coatings with sharp, diffuse and rough interfaces in order to reveal their failure mechanisms u ....Interface Engineering of Multilayer Nanostructures. Nanostructured multilayers can outperform coatings of their constituent layers in both hardness and strength. It is believed that the nature of interfaces in these materials is critical since they mediate dislocation motion and crack propagation. This project will use advanced synthesis, microanalysis and theoretical methods to investigate multilayer coatings with sharp, diffuse and rough interfaces in order to reveal their failure mechanisms under stress. This will enable us to understand the principles required to design the strongest structures and facilitate the selection of materials and deposition parameters in order to produce coatings optimised for a range of demanding applications.Read moreRead less
Carbon dioxide conversion over nanostructured mixed metal catalysts. Nanocatalysts are particles of very small size that have the ability to accelerate chemical reactions. This project will develop nanocatalysts to convert carbon dioxide into other small molecules to provide new options for managing greenhouse gas emissions.
Developing Intelligent Systems for Manufacturing Control. The primary aim of this project is to develop control systems that interactively learn from the environment to increase the capabilities and performance of manufacturing processes. To achieve this we propose to develop manufacturing control systems that can automatically adapt to the changes in the process under control. Since these systems are expected to operate with limited or no human intervention, they need to be intelligent enough t ....Developing Intelligent Systems for Manufacturing Control. The primary aim of this project is to develop control systems that interactively learn from the environment to increase the capabilities and performance of manufacturing processes. To achieve this we propose to develop manufacturing control systems that can automatically adapt to the changes in the process under control. Since these systems are expected to operate with limited or no human intervention, they need to be intelligent enough to be able to learn from a changing environment and adapt correspondingly in order to achieve and maintain performance objectives.
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Micro-electromechanics and finite element analysis models for adaptive structures. Adaptive structures are becoming increasingly important due to their direct improvement of structural system performance. However, electroelastic behaviour and damage mechanism, which are primary concerns for adaptive structural design, are poorly understood. This project aims at developing micro-electromechanics and finite element analysis models to investigate the electroelastic properties and detect delaminatio ....Micro-electromechanics and finite element analysis models for adaptive structures. Adaptive structures are becoming increasingly important due to their direct improvement of structural system performance. However, electroelastic behaviour and damage mechanism, which are primary concerns for adaptive structural design, are poorly understood. This project aims at developing micro-electromechanics and finite element analysis models to investigate the electroelastic properties and detect delamination for adaptive structures. It combines the fields of micro-electromechanics and composite material analysis in a computational framework to provide a useful and cost-effective tool for modelling the response of adaptive structures. It is a challenging task and will have significant impact in the adaptive structure design community.Read moreRead less
A Unified Approach to Determine Permeabilities of Fibre Preforms for Manufacturing Advanced Composite Structures. A unified framework is developed first time to determine 3-D permeabilities of fibre preforms for advanced fibre composites using homogenisation theories based on micro-, meso- and macro-structures of fibre preforms. Mechanistic models based on experimental studies, theoretical analyses and computational modelling are established to quantify permeabilities in different scales. It off ....A Unified Approach to Determine Permeabilities of Fibre Preforms for Manufacturing Advanced Composite Structures. A unified framework is developed first time to determine 3-D permeabilities of fibre preforms for advanced fibre composites using homogenisation theories based on micro-, meso- and macro-structures of fibre preforms. Mechanistic models based on experimental studies, theoretical analyses and computational modelling are established to quantify permeabilities in different scales. It offers a unique technique to determine 3-D permeabilities for manufacturing advanced composite structures using various novel technologies based on resin impregnation or infusion, such as VARTM and RI. The outcomes of the project will fill the gap in the essential knowledge for cost-effective manufacturing of advanced composite structures in practical applications.Read moreRead less
Bacterial cell behaviour in micro/nano-confined environments. The project aims to progress the understanding of the mechanisms of marine bacteria biofilm formation and surface-modulated metabolic response. We will adjust the surface characteristics of photopolymers (as ?model? surfaces) and probe the bacterial response to surfaces, passively with micro/nano-fabricated structures and Atomic Force Microscopy; and actively with optical manipulation of single cells. The results will contribute to th ....Bacterial cell behaviour in micro/nano-confined environments. The project aims to progress the understanding of the mechanisms of marine bacteria biofilm formation and surface-modulated metabolic response. We will adjust the surface characteristics of photopolymers (as ?model? surfaces) and probe the bacterial response to surfaces, passively with micro/nano-fabricated structures and Atomic Force Microscopy; and actively with optical manipulation of single cells. The results will contribute to the fundamental knowledge regarding central biological phenomena -down to single-cell processes- as well as on applied knowledge regarding the manufacturing of antimicrobial surfaces that mimic natural bactericide processes, with larger implications on biomedical practice, and environmental, civil, mining and manufacturing industrial applications.Read moreRead less
Nanotribology of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Composites: The Processing-Microstructure-Property Principles and Technology. The nanotribology science for carbon nanotube reinforced composites has not been established and industry found that published methods were not usable. This project will make a major step forward on the theoretical development and offer an innovative technology to enable industry to determine optimal manufacturing conditions. The success of research will greatly enhance Austr ....Nanotribology of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Composites: The Processing-Microstructure-Property Principles and Technology. The nanotribology science for carbon nanotube reinforced composites has not been established and industry found that published methods were not usable. This project will make a major step forward on the theoretical development and offer an innovative technology to enable industry to determine optimal manufacturing conditions. The success of research will greatly enhance Australia's international standing and sharpen the competitive edge of Australian industry. Meanwhile, the project will strengthen Australia's international links and provide an interdisciplinary opportunity for junior researchers to develop their skills in one of the most important areas in the century.Read moreRead less