Innovative thermodynamic process control - the key to sustainable metal use. Large amounts of electronic goods such as computers and mobile phones are discarded each year in Australia. They contain both valuable and toxic metals so dumping them as landfill is unacceptable. Australia has a smelting method which could be adapted to reprocess this waste to recover the valuable metals, returning them for reuse. It would also safely handle the toxics. This project will determine the appropriate s ....Innovative thermodynamic process control - the key to sustainable metal use. Large amounts of electronic goods such as computers and mobile phones are discarded each year in Australia. They contain both valuable and toxic metals so dumping them as landfill is unacceptable. Australia has a smelting method which could be adapted to reprocess this waste to recover the valuable metals, returning them for reuse. It would also safely handle the toxics. This project will determine the appropriate smelting strategies and control methods. As a result, transportation of toxic materials overseas will be eliminated, environmental hazards will be reduced and our sustainable use of metals will be increased.Read moreRead less
Future copper metallurgy for the age of e-mobility and the circular economy. Copper, nickel, cobalt, chromium and tin metals are essential for the manufacture of new battery materials, electrical and electronic devices and technologies that will enable the global transition to sustainable energy systems. There are major technical challenges associated with the industrial scale high temperature production, separation and recycling of these metals. The aim of the present study is develop advanced ....Future copper metallurgy for the age of e-mobility and the circular economy. Copper, nickel, cobalt, chromium and tin metals are essential for the manufacture of new battery materials, electrical and electronic devices and technologies that will enable the global transition to sustainable energy systems. There are major technical challenges associated with the industrial scale high temperature production, separation and recycling of these metals. The aim of the present study is develop advanced chemical thermodynamic databases and models that can be used to predict the outcomes of these complex chemical reactions, and in doing so provide the industry with the vital fundamental scientific information and tools needed to be able to design and improve new, more efficient metal production and recycling technologies. Read moreRead less
Large-volume gradient materials: Manufacturing and deformation mechanism. This project aims to develop a low-cost and high productivity process to produce large-volume metals with high strength and good ductility, suitable for engineering application. Ultrafine grained (UFG) materials and nano-grained (NG) materials are usually strong, but not very ductile. This project will use an accumulative skin-pass rolling (ASPR) technique to fabricate the metallic strips with gradient structure. The numer ....Large-volume gradient materials: Manufacturing and deformation mechanism. This project aims to develop a low-cost and high productivity process to produce large-volume metals with high strength and good ductility, suitable for engineering application. Ultrafine grained (UFG) materials and nano-grained (NG) materials are usually strong, but not very ductile. This project will use an accumulative skin-pass rolling (ASPR) technique to fabricate the metallic strips with gradient structure. The numerical simulations developed in the project are expected to contribute to understanding the deformation mechanism of gradient materials.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100124
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$374,446.00
Summary
Fabrication of large-scale two-dimensional metallic nanosheets by accumulative rolling. This project aims to develop new techniques and insight into the thinning of metals from bulk to nano thicknesses which enables bulk manufacturing of large-scale two-dimensional (2D) metallic nanosheets. A novel rolling strategy will be adopted to achieve 2D metallic sheets with thicknesses less than 5nm and lateral sizes larger than 1mm, as well as demonstrating significantly improved electro-catalytic perfo ....Fabrication of large-scale two-dimensional metallic nanosheets by accumulative rolling. This project aims to develop new techniques and insight into the thinning of metals from bulk to nano thicknesses which enables bulk manufacturing of large-scale two-dimensional (2D) metallic nanosheets. A novel rolling strategy will be adopted to achieve 2D metallic sheets with thicknesses less than 5nm and lateral sizes larger than 1mm, as well as demonstrating significantly improved electro-catalytic performance. The proposed technique is expected to be a high-yield, low-cost alternative to traditional bottom-up techniques and is expected to be ready for implementation in industry for bulk manufacturing of 2D metallic nanosheets.Read moreRead less
Selective Adsorption throught Molecular Imprinting in Nanoporous Silica. A novel synthesis method, molecular imprinting (MI) combined with a templating technique, will be used to prepare mesoporous silica materials with specific molecular recognition sites. The surface morphology of the materials can be duplicated at a molecular level known as molecular imprinting. The imprinting of metal ions, organic and enantiomeric molecules and the subsequent interactions with the template will be studied ....Selective Adsorption throught Molecular Imprinting in Nanoporous Silica. A novel synthesis method, molecular imprinting (MI) combined with a templating technique, will be used to prepare mesoporous silica materials with specific molecular recognition sites. The surface morphology of the materials can be duplicated at a molecular level known as molecular imprinting. The imprinting of metal ions, organic and enantiomeric molecules and the subsequent interactions with the template will be studied. The molecular recognition properties of imprinted materials will be evaluated by selective adsorption equilibrium and kinetics of Hg2+/Pd2+, D-glucose and (-)-borneol/(+)-fenchol respectively. The novelty of the research is in combining the template synthesis of nanoporous silicates with the technique of MI.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.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100115
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,000.00
Summary
Facility for the development of new lightweight extruded alloys and structures. This will be Australia's only large-scale, research-dedicated extrusion facility. It is expected to lead to the development of new light metal alloys, metal-matrix composites, micro-truss structures and powder base metals for structural and biomedical applications.
Elastic softening of Ti alloys by plastic deformation for safer and more durable bone implants. This project will explore a critical factor that will form the basis of improving the biomechanical compatibility of titanium alloys for human bone implants. The outcomes will be a major step in optimising the design and development of human bone implants that will last a lifetime, avoiding the agony and risk associated with implant failure.
Effects of grain size on the deformation mechanisms and mechanical properties of Gum Metals (Ti alloys). The project aims to understand the relationships among grain size, mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms using in-situ deformation transmission electron microscopy techniques. This will provide the fundamental science for designing Gum Metals with superior properties for a range of engineered and biomedical applications.
The significant impacts of morphological and interface stability on gas/solid reaction kinetics and for metals production. This project will provide fundamental scientific information on the reduction of metal oxides in hydrocarbon based systems, information required to successfully reduce Greenhouse gas emissions in metal production technologies. It will also extend our understanding of the fundamental science of decomposition of inorganic metal compounds.