Synthetic storage for improving flexibility and security of micro-grids. This project aims to remove the need for energy storage in micro-grids via adoption of synthetic storage. Micro-grids encounter high renewable energy penetrations early, given their small size. Typically, micro-grid variability is managed with technologies such as energy storage. Synthetic storage involves replacing fixed speed diesel assets with variable speed diesel technology. This project offers a cost-effective way to ....Synthetic storage for improving flexibility and security of micro-grids. This project aims to remove the need for energy storage in micro-grids via adoption of synthetic storage. Micro-grids encounter high renewable energy penetrations early, given their small size. Typically, micro-grid variability is managed with technologies such as energy storage. Synthetic storage involves replacing fixed speed diesel assets with variable speed diesel technology. This project offers a cost-effective way to improve renewable penetration and reduce diesel fuel consumption in micro-grids by removing the need for expensive energy storage. The expected project outcomes include reductions in cost and complexity for high renewable energy penetration micro-grids, reduced emissions and improved micro-grid reliability.Read moreRead less
A high speed, high fidelity 3D printer for fabricating microfluidic devices. This project aims to develop a novel 3D printer offering the highest resolution available and fastest printing speed for the single-step manufacturing of complex microfluidic devices. New resins developed to exploit the inert liquid interface layer printing approach will provide unprecedented capability to create micron sized channels interconnected in 3D space and fabricate Lab-on-a-Chip systems that cannot be generate ....A high speed, high fidelity 3D printer for fabricating microfluidic devices. This project aims to develop a novel 3D printer offering the highest resolution available and fastest printing speed for the single-step manufacturing of complex microfluidic devices. New resins developed to exploit the inert liquid interface layer printing approach will provide unprecedented capability to create micron sized channels interconnected in 3D space and fabricate Lab-on-a-Chip systems that cannot be generated by any current fabrication approach. This novel high speed, high fidelity 3D printer and the new resins to be developed are expected to lead to more effective manufacturing approaches for portable chemical devices and to promote complex chemical analysis into the knowledge immediacy culture of today.Read moreRead less
Fluorinated surfactants and hydrocarbons at coastal airports. Fluorinated surfactants and hydrocarbons at coastal airports. This project aims to develop a model and parameters that describe transport and co-transport of fluoro-surfactants and hydrocarbons, priority pollutants with a wide range of physico-chemical properties, at coastal airports. Sixty percent of Australian airports are in the coastal plain, and all are affected by contamination from internationally banned fluoro-surfactants and ....Fluorinated surfactants and hydrocarbons at coastal airports. Fluorinated surfactants and hydrocarbons at coastal airports. This project aims to develop a model and parameters that describe transport and co-transport of fluoro-surfactants and hydrocarbons, priority pollutants with a wide range of physico-chemical properties, at coastal airports. Sixty percent of Australian airports are in the coastal plain, and all are affected by contamination from internationally banned fluoro-surfactants and hydrocarbons. Their extensive past use at firefighting training grounds resulted in costly remediation worldwide. Understanding the fate of persistent fluoro-surfactants from point sources, and their role in transporting non-polar chemicals such as hydrocarbons, will improve risk-based decision making. This research is expected to form the basis for effective risk management and intervention strategies.Read moreRead less
Seamless journeys to work for young adults with physical disabilities. This project seeks to explore the transition to work of young people with a disability and, in particular, the role that digital technologies can play in improving self-determination and employment. Promoting self-determination, workforce participation and job retention are key planks in Australia’s policy reforms in the field of disability services. In 2013, Australia invested $750 million to support access to employment for ....Seamless journeys to work for young adults with physical disabilities. This project seeks to explore the transition to work of young people with a disability and, in particular, the role that digital technologies can play in improving self-determination and employment. Promoting self-determination, workforce participation and job retention are key planks in Australia’s policy reforms in the field of disability services. In 2013, Australia invested $750 million to support access to employment for people with disabilities. However, 70 per cent of this group did not keep their jobs beyond the initial six months. The project aims to provide new knowledge for policy and service delivery and deliver a web-based platform to facilitate self-determination for young people with a disability.Read moreRead less
Advanced micro analysis systems for environmental monitoring. Understanding of the behaviour of the nutrients controlling nuisance algae in water bodies is currently limited by the cost and logistics of collecting and analysing the large numbers of samples required.
This proposal describes the development and evaluation of portable multiparameter micro analysis systems that will be capable of high frequency measurements from a sampling vessel. This will enable environmental agencies to perfo ....Advanced micro analysis systems for environmental monitoring. Understanding of the behaviour of the nutrients controlling nuisance algae in water bodies is currently limited by the cost and logistics of collecting and analysing the large numbers of samples required.
This proposal describes the development and evaluation of portable multiparameter micro analysis systems that will be capable of high frequency measurements from a sampling vessel. This will enable environmental agencies to perform rapid on-site mapping of nutrients and other water quality parameters in large water bodies, intensive scale mapping of effluent mixing and dispersal zones, quick assessment of the impact of dredging and aquaculture, and compliance monitoring in effluent streams.
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Performance and design optimisation of oscillating water column ocean wave energy converters. This project will develop an optimised design for ocean wave energy extraction devices, known as oscillating water columns. This will significantly reduce energy conversion losses from oscillating water columns and contribute towards making them internationally competitive with other renewable energy technologies.
Predictive cost and maintenance models for bidding and short term scheduling strategies in hydro power plants. The aim of this project is to develop knowledge based models that can be used to estimate the costs implicit in operating hydro-electric power generation systems in intermittent and off-design modes. These costs manifest in increased maintenance, loss of water supply and opportunity costs or values. A model of the Tasmanian system would be unique, and the application of knowledge based ....Predictive cost and maintenance models for bidding and short term scheduling strategies in hydro power plants. The aim of this project is to develop knowledge based models that can be used to estimate the costs implicit in operating hydro-electric power generation systems in intermittent and off-design modes. These costs manifest in increased maintenance, loss of water supply and opportunity costs or values. A model of the Tasmanian system would be unique, and the application of knowledge based systems to cost and decision making in this situation is novel. Opportunities exist to collaborate with Norwegian researchers. The success of the project will lead to better utilization of the Tasmanian renewable energy resource.Read moreRead less
Optimisation of Road Network Maintenance Strategies for Life-Cycle Costs. The future of Tasmania and the nation as a competitive force in the international market is intimately linked to its transportation infrastructure network. The successful maintenance and performance of the road component is essential for an efficient and integrated system and minimisation of freight costs. The research proposes to develop a less empirical and phenomenological method of predicting the future performance of ....Optimisation of Road Network Maintenance Strategies for Life-Cycle Costs. The future of Tasmania and the nation as a competitive force in the international market is intimately linked to its transportation infrastructure network. The successful maintenance and performance of the road component is essential for an efficient and integrated system and minimisation of freight costs. The research proposes to develop a less empirical and phenomenological method of predicting the future performance of pavements, based on optimisation of maintenance strategies, by incorporating the use of probabilistic methods and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) into new Whole of Life Costing (WOLC) models.Read moreRead less
Resilience of lake ecosystems to water-level manipulation. Which lakes recover from fluctuations in water level and which do not? Manipulations of water levels in lakes will need to intensify as droughts become more frequent. This project will develop robust ways of forecasting how lakes will respond to changes in manipulations of water levels, to minimise extinctions and maintain aesthetics and water quality.
A longitudinal study of neuropsychological and neuromotor effects of low level manganese exposure. This study will investigate the neuropsychological and neuromotor effects of low level exposure to mangenese particulate. Previous studies have indicated symptomology of high level exposure, but there is contention in the literature regarding the effects of low levels of exposure. Our aim is to refine measures of cumulative exposure and develop a more comprehensive and senstitive testing protocol t ....A longitudinal study of neuropsychological and neuromotor effects of low level manganese exposure. This study will investigate the neuropsychological and neuromotor effects of low level exposure to mangenese particulate. Previous studies have indicated symptomology of high level exposure, but there is contention in the literature regarding the effects of low levels of exposure. Our aim is to refine measures of cumulative exposure and develop a more comprehensive and senstitive testing protocol than has been reported thus far. These measures and protocols will be incorporated into a longitudinal design, which has not been conducted in research studies to date. In addition, a database of exposure variables will be developed to facilitate long-term, accurate research into the effects of the low levels of exposure.Read moreRead less