Low temperature carbothermal reduction of alumina. Australia is the world's largest producer of alumina and bauxite; and the aluminium industry is our second largest commodity exporter. This project targets the development of fundamentals of an advanced technology for aluminium production with advantages of low energy consumption, low production costs and being more environment-friendly. This frontier technology will enhance the competitiveness of the Australian aluminium industry and contribute ....Low temperature carbothermal reduction of alumina. Australia is the world's largest producer of alumina and bauxite; and the aluminium industry is our second largest commodity exporter. This project targets the development of fundamentals of an advanced technology for aluminium production with advantages of low energy consumption, low production costs and being more environment-friendly. This frontier technology will enhance the competitiveness of the Australian aluminium industry and contribute to making an environmentally sustainable Australia. The project will also provide high quality education to final year undergraduate students. The project will contribute to the theory of metallurgical processes, particularly to the gas-solid reactions in the reduction and carburisation processes. Read moreRead less
Fundamental Investigation of metal/refractory interactions in processing of non-ferrous metals: Wettability Phenomena. This project aims to develop new understanding of interfacial phenomenon during refractory/metal reactions including the influence of novel additives on wettability leading to optimisation of refractory composition during processing of non-ferrous metals. This project will allow development of advanced refractories that will enhance corrosion resistance thereby improving refract ....Fundamental Investigation of metal/refractory interactions in processing of non-ferrous metals: Wettability Phenomena. This project aims to develop new understanding of interfacial phenomenon during refractory/metal reactions including the influence of novel additives on wettability leading to optimisation of refractory composition during processing of non-ferrous metals. This project will allow development of advanced refractories that will enhance corrosion resistance thereby improving refractory life and efficiency of metal production. This can contribute in further enhancing Australia's position as a significant producer and exporter of aluminium and associated products. The project will generate scientific data on refractory/metal interactions and establish influence of non-wetting agents in improving refractory performance against metal attack. Read moreRead less
Reactive barriers for the remediation of fluoride contamination in groundwater. This project will build the first pilot scale calcite permeable reactive barrier for the remediation of fluoride contamination in groundwater at VAW aluminium. At VAW, fluoride has contaminated groundwater at concentrations up to 3000mg/L, levels far higher than the drinking water guideline value of 1.5mg/L. The barrier design will be based on laboratory work from a previous SPIRT project with VAW and the CIs which h ....Reactive barriers for the remediation of fluoride contamination in groundwater. This project will build the first pilot scale calcite permeable reactive barrier for the remediation of fluoride contamination in groundwater at VAW aluminium. At VAW, fluoride has contaminated groundwater at concentrations up to 3000mg/L, levels far higher than the drinking water guideline value of 1.5mg/L. The barrier design will be based on laboratory work from a previous SPIRT project with VAW and the CIs which has shown that calcite can remove 99% of fluoride contamination from water. The project will prove the technology at the field scale and provide the basis for its application to other contaminants.Read moreRead less
In-situ transmission electron microscopy nanoindentation investigation of advanced structural metallic materials. This project will apply in-situ transmission electron microscopy nanoindentation to understand the relationships among microstructures, deformation mechanisms and mechanical properties of advanced metallic materials, including nanostructured alloys and metallic amorphous-crystalline composites. The results will deliver the fundamental science to design materials with optimum mechanic ....In-situ transmission electron microscopy nanoindentation investigation of advanced structural metallic materials. This project will apply in-situ transmission electron microscopy nanoindentation to understand the relationships among microstructures, deformation mechanisms and mechanical properties of advanced metallic materials, including nanostructured alloys and metallic amorphous-crystalline composites. The results will deliver the fundamental science to design materials with optimum mechanical properties for a wide range of applications, such as fuel-efficient aircraft and road vehicles. The project will bring a cutting-edge technique to Australian science that adds an important arm to our already prominent research strengths in materials science, and will provide Australian scientists greater capability to understand and design advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775511
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Laser Flash Thermophysical Properties Analyzer for the Development of Advanced Materials, Food Processing Technologies and Biomedical Components. The Australian's energy, mining, metallurgical and food industries spearhead the advancement of technologies in the global competitive market. They are the locomotive of Australian economy's strength. Future progress of these industries will be largely driven by advances in materials and food processing technology. The installation of the proposed fa ....Laser Flash Thermophysical Properties Analyzer for the Development of Advanced Materials, Food Processing Technologies and Biomedical Components. The Australian's energy, mining, metallurgical and food industries spearhead the advancement of technologies in the global competitive market. They are the locomotive of Australian economy's strength. Future progress of these industries will be largely driven by advances in materials and food processing technology. The installation of the proposed facility will add a new dimension to high-level research performance and significantly enhance the capability for characterization of various forms of materials, foods and biomedical components in Australia. The continual development of advanced materials and food processing technology will potentially provide a sustainable means for meeting the increasing global challenge for the industries.Read moreRead less
Mechanics of transverse friction and roughness in cold strip rolling. The transverse friction and roughness have a significant effect on the shape and surface quality of the rolled strip. However, mechanics of transverse friction in cold rolling have not been identified clearly. In this project, a two-dimensional mixed film lubrication model, which couples with the strip deformation and the roll stacks deformation, will be developed to quantify the effects of transverse friction and roughness on ....Mechanics of transverse friction and roughness in cold strip rolling. The transverse friction and roughness have a significant effect on the shape and surface quality of the rolled strip. However, mechanics of transverse friction in cold rolling have not been identified clearly. In this project, a two-dimensional mixed film lubrication model, which couples with the strip deformation and the roll stacks deformation, will be developed to quantify the effects of transverse friction and roughness on strip shape and surface quality. It will extend the scope of friction and roughness analysis well beyond other existing models.Read moreRead less
A novel low-energy process route for primary copper production utilising synergistic hydro- and pyro-metallurgical processes. With increasing demand for copper metal, there is an urgent need to find new ways to efficiently treat lower grade ores. The new process offers a way of significantly reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in primary copper production and making more efficient use of the world's copper resources.
Quantitative Atom Probe Tomography for Nanostructural Analysis of Materials. The ultimate in microscopy would involve the ability to image and chemically identify every atom or molecule in a specimen. This project involves the development of reconstruction and analysis methodologies for more accurately determining relative atomic positions in atom probe tomography. We will develop a comprehensive, platform-independent approach to enable quantitative atom probe tomography for the Australian resea ....Quantitative Atom Probe Tomography for Nanostructural Analysis of Materials. The ultimate in microscopy would involve the ability to image and chemically identify every atom or molecule in a specimen. This project involves the development of reconstruction and analysis methodologies for more accurately determining relative atomic positions in atom probe tomography. We will develop a comprehensive, platform-independent approach to enable quantitative atom probe tomography for the Australian research community. This development will be used to address current questions on the influence of the chemistry, crystallography, type and dispersion of sub-critical atomic clusters and supra-critical nanoscale precipitates on the strengthening mechanisms in light alloys used for structural applications in transport.Read moreRead less
Enhanced Fractionation of Mineral Particles According to Density. Aims: -to achieve a significant advance in the hydrodynamic fractionation of particles on the basis of density, and develop an algorithm to deconvolve the fractionation data to produce the underlying density distribution of the particles. Significance: This density distribution, which is used in resource assessment, plant design, and process evaluation in mineral processing, is currently produced using toxic, and environmentally d ....Enhanced Fractionation of Mineral Particles According to Density. Aims: -to achieve a significant advance in the hydrodynamic fractionation of particles on the basis of density, and develop an algorithm to deconvolve the fractionation data to produce the underlying density distribution of the particles. Significance: This density distribution, which is used in resource assessment, plant design, and process evaluation in mineral processing, is currently produced using toxic, and environmentally damaging heavy liquids, despite the emergence of alternative mineral analysers. Expected Outcomes: -a safe, cost effective basis for generating the density distribution. Benefits: -increasing mineral resource recovery through improved access to critical data, while eliminating the need for the toxic heavy liquids.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100195
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,000,000.00
Summary
Field-emission gun transmission electron microscope for the research in nanomaterials, metal alloys and biological sciences. The proposed facility is required by a large range of world-leading research programs in light metals, nanomaterials, fibres and biomaterials. These research programs are strongly supported by automobile, textile, mineral and advanced materials industries that have important roles in the current national economy and local communities. The facility will improve significan ....Field-emission gun transmission electron microscope for the research in nanomaterials, metal alloys and biological sciences. The proposed facility is required by a large range of world-leading research programs in light metals, nanomaterials, fibres and biomaterials. These research programs are strongly supported by automobile, textile, mineral and advanced materials industries that have important roles in the current national economy and local communities. The facility will improve significantly our current research ability and help the creation of new research areas in nanotechnology and energy materials beneficial to clean energy, environmental protections and health care. It is also important equipment for new research student training.Read moreRead less