Designs of Periodic Microstructure Materials with Prescribed Multiphysical Properties. The evolutionary structural optimization (ESO) is an Australian initiative, which has made a significant impact on modern structural optimization. In advanced materials areas, Australia has well-established infrastructure and world-class expertise. Exploitation of ESO to advanced materials design will be of "exclusive significance" to Australia. More importantly, the new material design technology will present ....Designs of Periodic Microstructure Materials with Prescribed Multiphysical Properties. The evolutionary structural optimization (ESO) is an Australian initiative, which has made a significant impact on modern structural optimization. In advanced materials areas, Australia has well-established infrastructure and world-class expertise. Exploitation of ESO to advanced materials design will be of "exclusive significance" to Australia. More importantly, the new material design technology will present to Australia an opportunity to lead in this rapidly-growing area, which will definitely underpin Australia's standing as a major contributor and developer in a global materials market. It is expected that fresh classes of futuristic materials can be developed in a cost-effective fashion and add great economic benefits to Australia.Read moreRead less
Net shape manufacturing of titanium alloys by powder metallurgy. This project is aiming at developing a novel net shape manufacturing for advanced materials (titanium alloys) and addresses Priority Goal of Advanced Materials of Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Advanced Materials. It represents new science and innovative engineering and has the potential to produce valuable new intellectual property.
Experimental validation of the strain invariant failure theory for carbon/epoxy composites. The project will be of national and international benefit, through providing a validated, enhanced design capability for advanced composite materials. Greater depth of understanding of such materials will allow more efficient structures to be designed in applications requiring high strength and stiffness, low weight, and resistance to corrosion and fatigue. Such applications include the aerospace, offshor ....Experimental validation of the strain invariant failure theory for carbon/epoxy composites. The project will be of national and international benefit, through providing a validated, enhanced design capability for advanced composite materials. Greater depth of understanding of such materials will allow more efficient structures to be designed in applications requiring high strength and stiffness, low weight, and resistance to corrosion and fatigue. Such applications include the aerospace, offshore and mining industries. There are, therefore, far-reaching benefits in industries important to Australia. In addition, the reputation of the Australian aerospace research industry will be promoted through a collaborative association with Boeing, a world leader in development of commercial aircraft.Read moreRead less
Theoretical model that predicts the grain size of alloys inoculated with micro- and nano- particle master alloys and cast under an external field. The aim of this project is to develop a theoretical model that predicts grain size when components are cast under the influence of external fields (electromagnetic, ultrasonic, pulsed electric current and melt shearing treatments) and with the addition of nano-particle master alloys. Refining microstructures by available master alloys is reaching a li ....Theoretical model that predicts the grain size of alloys inoculated with micro- and nano- particle master alloys and cast under an external field. The aim of this project is to develop a theoretical model that predicts grain size when components are cast under the influence of external fields (electromagnetic, ultrasonic, pulsed electric current and melt shearing treatments) and with the addition of nano-particle master alloys. Refining microstructures by available master alloys is reaching a limit and this limits further improvement in mechanical properties to meet the challenge of new applications requiring, for example, high temperature properties or light weighting (for example, use of less material). The outcomes will be a new theoretical model, validated numerical models, new casting technologies and highly refined alloys with greater than 25 per cent improvement in mechanical properties. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100059
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Vacuum induction furnace for casting titanium alloys. This titanium melting facility will provide a level of investment and national strategic focus necessary to sustain Australian competitive advantage in both titanium research and the global titanium market. The facility will support cutting-edge research and support the development of new titanium products.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100260
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Improved quality and lower cost titanium with microstructural refinement. This project seeks to determine the nucleation mechanisms operating during solidification of titanium alloys and discover potent nucleant particles that control the solidified grain size. Titanium is desirable for many applications but is difficult and expensive to manufacture into products. Understanding the nucleation process during the liquid-to-solid transformation of metals is fundamental to developing quality solidif ....Improved quality and lower cost titanium with microstructural refinement. This project seeks to determine the nucleation mechanisms operating during solidification of titanium alloys and discover potent nucleant particles that control the solidified grain size. Titanium is desirable for many applications but is difficult and expensive to manufacture into products. Understanding the nucleation process during the liquid-to-solid transformation of metals is fundamental to developing quality solidified products. The new technology seeks to lift productivity by simplifying manufacturing processes such as shape casting; improve the quality of solidified products produced by casting, welding and 3D printing; expand the application of 3D printing to a broader range of products; and reduce the cost and environmental impact of products produced by wrought processes.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100165
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,000.00
Summary
Thermal and mechanical simulation laboratory for light metals. The creation of a thermal and mechanical simulation laboratory for light metals will provide the critical infrastructure needed for generating new alloys and composites. This will extend Australia's competitive advantage in the design of better alloys for expanding applications in the construction, packaging, automotive and aerospace sectors.
A comprehensive theoretical and simulation model for control of nucleation, prediction of as-cast grain size, and design of grain refining technology. The research will generate know-how and methods for predicting the as-cast microstructure of all metallic alloys. The outcomes enable the design of commercially viable grain refining technologies, and the development of novel microstructures that will improve the properties and quality of new products and contribute to waste and energy reduction.
Harnessing properties of liquid metals for future devices. This project aims to hybridise low toxicity liquid metal alloys of gallium with surface confined functional micro/nano materials and explore fundamental new fluidic and physical-chemistry phenomena. Liquid metals are an under-used group of materials, but their combination of flexibility, bestowed by their room temperature fluidity, and metallic properties means they demonstrate startling behaviour. The expected outcomes are new devices a ....Harnessing properties of liquid metals for future devices. This project aims to hybridise low toxicity liquid metal alloys of gallium with surface confined functional micro/nano materials and explore fundamental new fluidic and physical-chemistry phenomena. Liquid metals are an under-used group of materials, but their combination of flexibility, bestowed by their room temperature fluidity, and metallic properties means they demonstrate startling behaviour. The expected outcomes are new devices and systems such as reconfigurable and highly efficient actuators/generators, catalysts, sensors, and electronic and optical components.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL190100139
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,185,850.00
Summary
New Artificial Leaf for Efficient Solar Fuel Production . The Fellowship aims to develop next-generation materials that harness solar energy to produce valuable fuels and chemicals from water and carbon dioxide, replacing fossil fuels. The program will design new semiconductor materials to revolutionise solar-to-fuel technologies that currently have very low efficiency. The expected outcomes include innovative systems such as wireless artificial leaves that mimic natural photosynthesis for effic ....New Artificial Leaf for Efficient Solar Fuel Production . The Fellowship aims to develop next-generation materials that harness solar energy to produce valuable fuels and chemicals from water and carbon dioxide, replacing fossil fuels. The program will design new semiconductor materials to revolutionise solar-to-fuel technologies that currently have very low efficiency. The expected outcomes include innovative systems such as wireless artificial leaves that mimic natural photosynthesis for efficient hydrocarbon production, carbon dioxide reduction, and water purification. The expected benefits include next-generation solar fuel and chemical generation technologies, and research capabilities to position Australia as a global leader in the transition to a decarbonised economy.Read moreRead less