New technology for designing advanced surface textures. This project aims to develop new methods for the characterisation of advanced textures to aid the manufacturing industry. There is an increasing demand for surfaces with various texture patterns manufactured by modern industry. Thus, novel texture characterisation methods are needed. New methods will allow for optimisation of surface textures for example for improved energy efficiency, bone growth in artificial implants, and others.
Seismic attenuation of structures through use of magnetorheological dampers. This project aims to improve understanding of the attenuating characteristics of the co-flowing of magnetised solid particles and fluid in a conduit subject to seismic waves generated by rapid ground movement. The distribution of magnetised solid particles in fluid plays an important role in the design of large-scale magnetorhelogical dampers for seismic conditions. These dampers promote the protection of historical str ....Seismic attenuation of structures through use of magnetorheological dampers. This project aims to improve understanding of the attenuating characteristics of the co-flowing of magnetised solid particles and fluid in a conduit subject to seismic waves generated by rapid ground movement. The distribution of magnetised solid particles in fluid plays an important role in the design of large-scale magnetorhelogical dampers for seismic conditions. These dampers promote the protection of historical structures and eliminate costly rebuilding of architectural structures. The project plans to perform experimental and numerical investigations to develop robust and accurate predictive models to improve understanding of the seismic attenuation of next-generation magnetorhelogical dampers, prevalent in semi-active control devices, and of the ability of such devices to suppress elevated structural vibrations.Read moreRead less
Next generation core-shell materials based on biomolecular dual-templating. This project aims to discover and develop new methods and knowledge for the precision engineering of next-generation core-shell materials using sustainable biomolecular dual-templating processes. This research builds on a recent breakthrough - emulsion and biomimetic dual-templating technology for facile preparation of silica capsules, and is expected to revolutionise current approaches for making core-shell materials. S ....Next generation core-shell materials based on biomolecular dual-templating. This project aims to discover and develop new methods and knowledge for the precision engineering of next-generation core-shell materials using sustainable biomolecular dual-templating processes. This research builds on a recent breakthrough - emulsion and biomimetic dual-templating technology for facile preparation of silica capsules, and is expected to revolutionise current approaches for making core-shell materials. Significant outcomes are expected to be achieved through building fundamental understanding around this breakthrough, including new concepts for hierarchical nanomaterials based on biomolecular design, new molecular and engineering design rules for core-shell materials, and novel materials for applications in sustained release and delivery systems.Read moreRead less
Engineering floating liquid marbles for three-dimensional cell cultures. This project aims to understand the physics of three-dimensional cell cultures in a liquid marble floating on a liquid free surface. New methodology developed can produce these cell cultures without using matrices or scaffolds and with run-times well beyond existing technologies. This methodology closely mimics a normal in-vivo environment and produces spheroids needed in cell transplantation therapies. This project will re ....Engineering floating liquid marbles for three-dimensional cell cultures. This project aims to understand the physics of three-dimensional cell cultures in a liquid marble floating on a liquid free surface. New methodology developed can produce these cell cultures without using matrices or scaffolds and with run-times well beyond existing technologies. This methodology closely mimics a normal in-vivo environment and produces spheroids needed in cell transplantation therapies. This project will resolve uncertainties in the underlying phenomena. The expected outcome should support future high quality cell cultures suitable for transplantation therapies.Read moreRead less
Adverse effects of sopite syndrome on occupants in wind-excited buildings. Current building motion design guidelines focus primarily on motion perception and complaint rates. However, wind-induced building motion can cause sopite syndrome or early onset motion sickness which adversely affects occupant wellbeing and work performance. This research aims to advance the understanding of the physiology of sopite syndrome, quantify the motion dosage that causes sopite syndrome and determine its advers ....Adverse effects of sopite syndrome on occupants in wind-excited buildings. Current building motion design guidelines focus primarily on motion perception and complaint rates. However, wind-induced building motion can cause sopite syndrome or early onset motion sickness which adversely affects occupant wellbeing and work performance. This research aims to advance the understanding of the physiology of sopite syndrome, quantify the motion dosage that causes sopite syndrome and determine its adverse effects on building occupants in real-world motion environments. This knowledge is expected to guide the formulation of building motion acceptability criteria based on safe motion exposure duration to facilitate the design of tall building that promotes population health and wellbeing and lifts work performance and productivity.Read moreRead less
Pile foundations in unsaturated soils: a mechanistic framework. This project will develop a mechanistic approach to pile foundation design in variably saturated soils through integrated expertise in the fields of unsaturated soil mechanics, material nonlinearity, numerical modelling, limit analysis and experimental investigation. It will achieve a rigorous understanding of pile behaviour in unsaturated
soils subjected to monotonic loading through a comprehensive program of scaled laboratory test ....Pile foundations in unsaturated soils: a mechanistic framework. This project will develop a mechanistic approach to pile foundation design in variably saturated soils through integrated expertise in the fields of unsaturated soil mechanics, material nonlinearity, numerical modelling, limit analysis and experimental investigation. It will achieve a rigorous understanding of pile behaviour in unsaturated
soils subjected to monotonic loading through a comprehensive program of scaled laboratory testing, numerical and theoretical analyses. The models, theories, mechanics and predictive tools arising from this research will have direct and immediate impact on the planning, design, construction and management of many types of infrastructure involving pile foundations in industrial and residential developments.Read moreRead less
Dynamic soil structure interaction. The aim of this project is to undertake a study of an important class of geotechnical problems in which systems composed of soil, structure and pore water are subjected to dynamic or impact loading. The outcomes will include safer and more efficient methods for designing geotechnical structures subjected to dynamic loading.
Precision-engineered hybrid core-shell materials . This project aims to develop new platform technologies for making nanostructured hybrid core-shell materials with exceptionally high drug loading and programmed release. Building on this research team's recent breakthrough in the precision engineering of core-shell materials, this research will revolutionise current approaches for making drug-loaded polymer and inorganic particles. Significant outcomes will include a novel sequential nanoprecipi ....Precision-engineered hybrid core-shell materials . This project aims to develop new platform technologies for making nanostructured hybrid core-shell materials with exceptionally high drug loading and programmed release. Building on this research team's recent breakthrough in the precision engineering of core-shell materials, this research will revolutionise current approaches for making drug-loaded polymer and inorganic particles. Significant outcomes will include a novel sequential nanoprecipitation platform technology for making drug-core polymer-shell nanoparticles, and a new bio-inspired approach for making hybrid drug-core silica-shell nanocomposites, and new materials for applications in programmed release and delivery systems.Read moreRead less
Multifunctional Structural Panels for Next-generation Infrastructure. This project aims to develop a multifunctional prefabricated structural panel for current and future infrastructure applications for both land and offshore environments. Prefabrication enables enhanced product control as well as the ability to rapidly construct whole structures or their components. The panels utilise an inner lightweight foam and fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite core with strong outer panels made from ....Multifunctional Structural Panels for Next-generation Infrastructure. This project aims to develop a multifunctional prefabricated structural panel for current and future infrastructure applications for both land and offshore environments. Prefabrication enables enhanced product control as well as the ability to rapidly construct whole structures or their components. The panels utilise an inner lightweight foam and fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite core with strong outer panels made from FRP sheets and high-strength concrete. The expected outcomes include experimental and numerical validation of the system, that will give designers and asset owners the confidence to adopt this new panel. The panel system presents an upward step change in construction technology and built infrastructure performance.Read moreRead less
Retrofitted brick masonry buildings - are they reliable over the long term? The aim of this project is to investigate the long-term reliability of a new earthquake strengthening technique for brick buildings. The technique involves the use of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) strips as reinforcement for brick walls and has been shown to give substantial instantaneous strength increases. However, no research has been undertaken to ensure that the improved strength is sustained over the remaining lif ....Retrofitted brick masonry buildings - are they reliable over the long term? The aim of this project is to investigate the long-term reliability of a new earthquake strengthening technique for brick buildings. The technique involves the use of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) strips as reinforcement for brick walls and has been shown to give substantial instantaneous strength increases. However, no research has been undertaken to ensure that the improved strength is sustained over the remaining life of the building. The only related research involves reinforced concrete which suggests that a reduction of at least 33 per cent could be expected. Hence, this project will quantify the long-term strength of FRP reinforced brickwork to enable engineers to safely apply this new cost-effective retrofit technique.Read moreRead less