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Enhanced pigment weathering resistance by coating with high dielectric ceramic. The partner company, Tiwest, based in Western Australia, is a major contributor to the economy, and earns more than $A400m annually in exports. It is the only company in the world that mines, separates, refines and manufactures titania products, including pigments, in one region. The current post-titania particle formation wet-coating process, however, presents a major capital and recurrent cost and necessitates a pi ....Enhanced pigment weathering resistance by coating with high dielectric ceramic. The partner company, Tiwest, based in Western Australia, is a major contributor to the economy, and earns more than $A400m annually in exports. It is the only company in the world that mines, separates, refines and manufactures titania products, including pigments, in one region. The current post-titania particle formation wet-coating process, however, presents a major capital and recurrent cost and necessitates a pigment regrind stage. The research will investigate the development of a highly durable dry-coated pigment utilising a novel high dielectric coating. This development has the potential to ensure the partner company's future competitiveness through reduced processing costs and improved product performance.Read moreRead less
Controlling Anisotropic Growth of Metal Oxide Crystals in Aqueous Solution by Selective Adsorption of Small Molecules. The proposed research will enhance our ability to make both light emitting diodes (LEDs) and piezoelectric actuators from ZnO. LEDs are a high efficiency light source that save energy compared to conventional illumination sources and can be fabricated in thin films. The proposal is to also bring the technology for device fabrication to Australia where it can ultimately be used ....Controlling Anisotropic Growth of Metal Oxide Crystals in Aqueous Solution by Selective Adsorption of Small Molecules. The proposed research will enhance our ability to make both light emitting diodes (LEDs) and piezoelectric actuators from ZnO. LEDs are a high efficiency light source that save energy compared to conventional illumination sources and can be fabricated in thin films. The proposal is to also bring the technology for device fabrication to Australia where it can ultimately be used to broaden the economic base of the country. The knowledge of crystal growth rate and crystal morphology control can be applied to improvements in the efficiency of alumina production which is already an important contributor to Australian exports.Read moreRead less
Wet Particulate Materials - Flow or Fracture? Most advanced materials are produced from starting materials in the form of fine particles. Powders, especially in ceramic engineering, are first processed wet into near-final shape. Improved understanding of the fracture of particle networks is critical in order to process nano-sized advanced ceramic materials for use in solar energy harvesting and extreme heat engine applications as well as minimising drying cracks in paints and coatings. The resea ....Wet Particulate Materials - Flow or Fracture? Most advanced materials are produced from starting materials in the form of fine particles. Powders, especially in ceramic engineering, are first processed wet into near-final shape. Improved understanding of the fracture of particle networks is critical in order to process nano-sized advanced ceramic materials for use in solar energy harvesting and extreme heat engine applications as well as minimising drying cracks in paints and coatings. The research aims to identify the fundamental link between particle network strength and structure and the fracture of wet powder bodies. The microscopic mechanisms that control the behaviour will be investigated with a particular focus on toughening mechanisms including the influence of plasticity.Read moreRead less
A new paradigm in near-net-shape advanced ceramic component processing. The raw materials for high performance ceramics (such as alumina and zirconia) are readily available and produced in Australia. Nearly all of these raw materials are exported. The development of processing to make high value added ceramic components from these raw materials will result in greater profit and more jobs for Australians. The proposed research is to develop a novel innovative process to drive a value adding ce ....A new paradigm in near-net-shape advanced ceramic component processing. The raw materials for high performance ceramics (such as alumina and zirconia) are readily available and produced in Australia. Nearly all of these raw materials are exported. The development of processing to make high value added ceramic components from these raw materials will result in greater profit and more jobs for Australians. The proposed research is to develop a novel innovative process to drive a value adding ceramic processing industry in Australia.Read moreRead less
Tailoring the optical properties of matter with Sol-Gel: innovative optical materials for 3D photonic crystals with complete photonic band-gap. The success of this project will allow for improvement of existing technologies in diverse fields, from optics to green energy production. Realization of 3D complete Photonic Band-Gap (PBG) structures is the first step toward full optic-based data processing systems, which will be one of the most revolutionary achievements in technology after introductio ....Tailoring the optical properties of matter with Sol-Gel: innovative optical materials for 3D photonic crystals with complete photonic band-gap. The success of this project will allow for improvement of existing technologies in diverse fields, from optics to green energy production. Realization of 3D complete Photonic Band-Gap (PBG) structures is the first step toward full optic-based data processing systems, which will be one of the most revolutionary achievements in technology after introduction of electronic-based processors. Improvement of energy conversion efficiency of existing solar cells and polymer-based solar cells will be achievable thanks to implementation of PhCs as high-reflective layers. The establishment of scaleable protocols for production of high quality materials for photonics will put Australia among the leading countries in the future photonic-devices market.Read moreRead less
Magnetic liquid marbles: a new droplet manipulation technique for channel-free microfluidics. The project will explore the feasibility of developing a new droplet-manipulation strategy by using magnetically responsive liquid marbles capable of hosting various liquid droplets. It will significantly advance the development of a new generation of microfluidic devices: magnetic field-actuated channel-free droplet microfluidics.
Gel interactions in geopolymers for sustainable construction. This project will benefit Australia by enabling reliable production of environmentally friendly construction materials. These materials, geopolymer cements, have been developed to the point where they are beginning to be commercialised in Australia, but the factors controlling their performance and durability are only beginning to be well understood. Geopolymer cements are made using ash from coal-fired power stations, and are competi ....Gel interactions in geopolymers for sustainable construction. This project will benefit Australia by enabling reliable production of environmentally friendly construction materials. These materials, geopolymer cements, have been developed to the point where they are beginning to be commercialised in Australia, but the factors controlling their performance and durability are only beginning to be well understood. Geopolymer cements are made using ash from coal-fired power stations, and are competitive with traditional Portland cement in terms of both performance and cost. This project will use recently developed experimental techniques and Australian research expertise in this field, and will lead to significant environmental and cost savings in the construction industry.Read moreRead less
Nano-Particle Suspension Behaviour in Salt Solutions: Effect of Ion Hydration and Attractive Forces. Understanding and controlling the flow behaviour of nano-particle suspensions is crucial to the processing of ceramics with nano-scale features. Interparticle forces influence the flow behaviour and depend upon the the adsorption of ions to the particle's surface. The proposed research investigates the effect of ion hydration and surface type on ion adsorption, the resulting attractive forces a ....Nano-Particle Suspension Behaviour in Salt Solutions: Effect of Ion Hydration and Attractive Forces. Understanding and controlling the flow behaviour of nano-particle suspensions is crucial to the processing of ceramics with nano-scale features. Interparticle forces influence the flow behaviour and depend upon the the adsorption of ions to the particle's surface. The proposed research investigates the effect of ion hydration and surface type on ion adsorption, the resulting attractive forces and suspension flow behaviour. The outcomes of the project have potential for significant increase in fundamental understanding of the relationship between ions, surfaces and forces. The benefits of this knowledge include producing nano-ceramics with improved properties and better understanding biopolymer behaviour.Read moreRead less
Adhesive Bonding for LoadBearing Joints in Aluminium Fast Ferries. The aim of this project is to investigate new chemical pre-treatment techniques and new sensor technologies for specific use in adhesively bonding aluminium in the Australian Fast Ferry industry. These technologies are important in increasing the use of adhesives in ships, possibly leading to considerable weight savings, which, in turn increases the payload of the vessel. These advances in shipbuilding practice can help maintain ....Adhesive Bonding for LoadBearing Joints in Aluminium Fast Ferries. The aim of this project is to investigate new chemical pre-treatment techniques and new sensor technologies for specific use in adhesively bonding aluminium in the Australian Fast Ferry industry. These technologies are important in increasing the use of adhesives in ships, possibly leading to considerable weight savings, which, in turn increases the payload of the vessel. These advances in shipbuilding practice can help maintain the world-leading status of the Australian Fast Ferry industry. The technology also has the potential to expand the market for Australian-manufactured adhesives. The project also offers a stimulating learning environment for a PhD student.Read moreRead less
Deciphering interactions of conducting polymers in agricultural soils. The project aims to improve agricultural efficiency, productivity and yield by advancing the understanding of polymer materials interacting with fertiliser. This project will test the key assumptions behind a new sensor for real-time in-ground monitoring of fertiliser. The expected outcome from this is the rapid synthesis of conducting polymers for stable sensing of fertiliser in a range of soil types and conditions. This sho ....Deciphering interactions of conducting polymers in agricultural soils. The project aims to improve agricultural efficiency, productivity and yield by advancing the understanding of polymer materials interacting with fertiliser. This project will test the key assumptions behind a new sensor for real-time in-ground monitoring of fertiliser. The expected outcome from this is the rapid synthesis of conducting polymers for stable sensing of fertiliser in a range of soil types and conditions. This should provide the pathway to a world first real-time in-ground fertiliser sensor, providing benefit for the sensor manufacturers, farmers, consumers and the environment.Read moreRead less