Derivation of Emissions Models from Vehicle Certification Tests. This research project will aim to prove the concept that emissions models capable of modelling changes in driver behaviour can be obtained from data that has been used as part of the vehicles emission certification process. Second by second emissions data from certification tests will be disaggregated into their component phases of acceleration, cruise, deceleration and idle. The emissions characteristics of these phases will be es ....Derivation of Emissions Models from Vehicle Certification Tests. This research project will aim to prove the concept that emissions models capable of modelling changes in driver behaviour can be obtained from data that has been used as part of the vehicles emission certification process. Second by second emissions data from certification tests will be disaggregated into their component phases of acceleration, cruise, deceleration and idle. The emissions characteristics of these phases will be established and analysed to produce empirical models of emissions per unit time versus mode of operation. These models will then be able to describe the changes in emission characteristics under different vehicle operating modes modes for a range of vehicle types.Read moreRead less
Derivation of Emissions Models for Commercial Vehicles. This research project will develop emissions models for commercial vehicles that are capable of modelling changes in driver behaviour. Second by second emissions data from certification tests will be disaggregated into their component phases of acceleration, cruise, deceleration and idle. The emissions characteristics of these phases will be established and analysed to produce empirical models of emissions per unit time versus mode of opera ....Derivation of Emissions Models for Commercial Vehicles. This research project will develop emissions models for commercial vehicles that are capable of modelling changes in driver behaviour. Second by second emissions data from certification tests will be disaggregated into their component phases of acceleration, cruise, deceleration and idle. The emissions characteristics of these phases will be established and analysed to produce empirical models of emissions per unit time versus mode of operation. These models will then be able to describe the changes in emission characteristics under different commercial vehicle operating modes for a range of commercial vehicle types.Read moreRead less
Strategic integration of renewable energy systems into the electricity grid. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that 'warming of the climate system is unequivocal' and there is high probability it is anthropogenic. In response to the growing awareness of climate change, there is an expansion in Australia in the use of renewable energy resources in electricity generation, albeit from a low base. The various renewable energy systems have differing patterns of availability and vol ....Strategic integration of renewable energy systems into the electricity grid. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that 'warming of the climate system is unequivocal' and there is high probability it is anthropogenic. In response to the growing awareness of climate change, there is an expansion in Australia in the use of renewable energy resources in electricity generation, albeit from a low base. The various renewable energy systems have differing patterns of availability and volatility, and it is difficult to determine the right mixture to best match the demand. It is imperative that future growth be structured so that both maximum grid penetration, and required greenhouse gas reductions be attained. Read moreRead less
Improving flow management for the control of blue-green algal blooms. Cyanobacterial (blue-green algal) blooms are a major water quality problem worldwide. They are toxic, produce odours and are estimated to cost around $200 million/year in Australia alone. Flow management is one of the most promising approaches for combating the cyanobacterial bloom problem in rivers. In this research, a new risk-based approach for quantifying the impact of flow management on cyanobacterial blooms is developed, ....Improving flow management for the control of blue-green algal blooms. Cyanobacterial (blue-green algal) blooms are a major water quality problem worldwide. They are toxic, produce odours and are estimated to cost around $200 million/year in Australia alone. Flow management is one of the most promising approaches for combating the cyanobacterial bloom problem in rivers. In this research, a new risk-based approach for quantifying the impact of flow management on cyanobacterial blooms is developed, which can be applied to rivers world wide. The utility of the approach is demonstrated for key sites in the Murray-Darling basin, providing a valuable decision support tool for river managers.Read moreRead less
Modelling the capillary entrapment phenomena and integrity of geological reservoirs for clean energy, water and waste management technologies. This project will improve our understanding of non-linear flow and fracture phenomena in porous media which is prerequisite for the development of new emerging technologies targeting the reduction of the greenhouse gas emission and development of effective waste and water management solutions including coal gasification, in-situ storage of natural and non ....Modelling the capillary entrapment phenomena and integrity of geological reservoirs for clean energy, water and waste management technologies. This project will improve our understanding of non-linear flow and fracture phenomena in porous media which is prerequisite for the development of new emerging technologies targeting the reduction of the greenhouse gas emission and development of effective waste and water management solutions including coal gasification, in-situ storage of natural and non-hydrocarbon gases, underground disposal of hazardous wastes and vadose zone remediation. The project will result in a dramatic improvement of the predictive tools for traditional ground water management, irrigation and petroleum recovery applications. It has the strength to place Australia in the forefront of these technologies. Read moreRead less
Robust streamflow predictions by improving the identification of hydrological model structure. This project aims to provide Australian environmental agencies, design engineers and policy-makers with robust methods that better utilise observed environmental data and process understanding to produce hydrological models with stronger scientific basis and improved operational predictive ability in gauged and ungauged catchments.
Innovative Grid-Connected, Small-Scale Wind Turbine Generators Offering Low Cost and Wide Operating Speed Range. Growing concerns about sustainability issues with fossil fuels have resulted in strong interest in wind power worldwide. Grid-connected inverters are an efficient way of utilising small wind turbines on domestic, farming or small commercial properties which have access to the power grid. Existing small-scale, grid-connected wind turbines are expensive and have a limited operating wind ....Innovative Grid-Connected, Small-Scale Wind Turbine Generators Offering Low Cost and Wide Operating Speed Range. Growing concerns about sustainability issues with fossil fuels have resulted in strong interest in wind power worldwide. Grid-connected inverters are an efficient way of utilising small wind turbines on domestic, farming or small commercial properties which have access to the power grid. Existing small-scale, grid-connected wind turbines are expensive and have a limited operating wind speed range. We are investigating new designs for low-cost wind turbine generators which can produce power over a wide range of wind speeds. The project should result in a greater application of small-scale wind generators in Australia and will lead to reductions in fossil fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions.Read moreRead less
Catalytic Degardation of Emerging Microplastic Pollutants. This project aims to develop robust and low-cost nanocarbon hybrids and advanced remediation technology to address globally emerging microplastic contaminations. The project expects to boost innovations in development of novel magnetic nanomaterials, process of microplastic purification, and green catalysis. Expected outcomes of this project will include efficient strategies in materials fabrication and a cutting-edge nanotechnology. The ....Catalytic Degardation of Emerging Microplastic Pollutants. This project aims to develop robust and low-cost nanocarbon hybrids and advanced remediation technology to address globally emerging microplastic contaminations. The project expects to boost innovations in development of novel magnetic nanomaterials, process of microplastic purification, and green catalysis. Expected outcomes of this project will include efficient strategies in materials fabrication and a cutting-edge nanotechnology. The success of the project will underpin the scientific bases of carbocatalysis, provide significant benefits to the Australian industry and society for a sustainable future with clean water, and increase the leading capacity of Australia in fundamental research and frontier technology.Read moreRead less
Next generation nondestructive inspection using guided-wave mixing. This project aims to develop a novel approach for early damage detection. It relies on a systematic experimental investigation of nonlinear ultrasonic interaction between different input wave modes in the presence of damage, so as to identify optimal mode selections and operating parameters that will maximise the sensitivity to particular forms of structural damage. The effects of in-service loading on wave-mixing response, and ....Next generation nondestructive inspection using guided-wave mixing. This project aims to develop a novel approach for early damage detection. It relies on a systematic experimental investigation of nonlinear ultrasonic interaction between different input wave modes in the presence of damage, so as to identify optimal mode selections and operating parameters that will maximise the sensitivity to particular forms of structural damage. The effects of in-service loading on wave-mixing response, and non-contact detection suitable for hard-to-inspect surface conditions, will also be investigated. The new developments will help transform existing schedule-based maintenance practice to a condition-based maintenance paradigm, to achieve significant cost savings in maintenance.Read moreRead less
Composite conductive electrodes for low energy desalination. Good quality drinking water supply is a critical issue for water security particularly for inland regional and remote communities, where seawater desalination is not a feasible option. The proposed research has the great potential to develop an alternative, low cost, robust desalination process for brackish water supplies. The superior electrode materials are the key to achieve this goal. The water industry will use the information to ....Composite conductive electrodes for low energy desalination. Good quality drinking water supply is a critical issue for water security particularly for inland regional and remote communities, where seawater desalination is not a feasible option. The proposed research has the great potential to develop an alternative, low cost, robust desalination process for brackish water supplies. The superior electrode materials are the key to achieve this goal. The water industry will use the information to assist their decision making for future water supply augmentation in regional communities. High capacity and lower energy forms of desalination are critical to ensuring desalinated water comes at an affordable price for the regional communities.Read moreRead less