Next generation chromium free primers for galvanised steel. This project aims to develop a new family of chrome-free primers to protect galvanised steel against corrosion. Corrosion resistance is a critical factor in durability of galvanised steel, which is usually protected from corrosion by a primer and topcoat, which prolong life and provide aesthetics. The primer coating contains chromates. Chromates are recognised for their toxicity, but in spite of this they unfortunately remain the indust ....Next generation chromium free primers for galvanised steel. This project aims to develop a new family of chrome-free primers to protect galvanised steel against corrosion. Corrosion resistance is a critical factor in durability of galvanised steel, which is usually protected from corrosion by a primer and topcoat, which prolong life and provide aesthetics. The primer coating contains chromates. Chromates are recognised for their toxicity, but in spite of this they unfortunately remain the industry standard. Chromate-free primers are urgently required, and this project aims to conduct fundamental research to enable their development.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101795
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
Exceptional properties by design – NiTi vision. The fundamental leaps in new technologies occur with improvements in the materials with which they are made. Until recently high performance metallic composite design had hit a 20 year blockage in nanocomposite design. The solution, a Nickel, Titanium and Niobium (NiTi-Nb) nanowire composite has been heralded as an era of new possibilities in materials design. This project aims to advance high performance metallic composite design by investigating ....Exceptional properties by design – NiTi vision. The fundamental leaps in new technologies occur with improvements in the materials with which they are made. Until recently high performance metallic composite design had hit a 20 year blockage in nanocomposite design. The solution, a Nickel, Titanium and Niobium (NiTi-Nb) nanowire composite has been heralded as an era of new possibilities in materials design. This project aims to advance high performance metallic composite design by investigating the mechanisms of exceptionally large elastic strains achieved in nanowires embedded in a phase-transforming metallic matrix (i.e. NiTi). An understanding of this high performance nanocomposite design has broad application in medicine and engineering.Read moreRead less
Experimental mapping of electron densities in nano-structured materials. This project aims to map electrons in nano-structured materials using a new technique combining the latest solid-state theory with electron scattering experiments in one of the world’s most advanced electron microscopes. It is expected that by revealing the electronic structure of nano-scale features in bulk materials for the first time, their functions will become fully explainable. Aside from this new capability, other ....Experimental mapping of electron densities in nano-structured materials. This project aims to map electrons in nano-structured materials using a new technique combining the latest solid-state theory with electron scattering experiments in one of the world’s most advanced electron microscopes. It is expected that by revealing the electronic structure of nano-scale features in bulk materials for the first time, their functions will become fully explainable. Aside from this new capability, other expected outcomes include discovering how heat is converted into electricity in thermoelectric materials and how precipitates affect alloy strength. The benefits may include more informed materials design, more efficient thermoelectrics for sustainable energy technologies, and higher strength-to-weight ratio alloys.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100115
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
High-temperature probes for investigating phase transitions and reaction kinetics in thin films, nanostructured materials and biomaterials. This infrastructure for high temperature surface analysis and in-situ diagnostics as a function of temperature and gas environments will enhance Australia's capabilities in creating new materials for devices that will meet needs in medical, communications, environmental and security applications. The facility will enable researchers to understand and exploi ....High-temperature probes for investigating phase transitions and reaction kinetics in thin films, nanostructured materials and biomaterials. This infrastructure for high temperature surface analysis and in-situ diagnostics as a function of temperature and gas environments will enhance Australia's capabilities in creating new materials for devices that will meet needs in medical, communications, environmental and security applications. The facility will enable researchers to understand and exploit interfacial phenomena and to tailor processing-microstructure-composition correlations, so as to design new materials with the best performance possible. Probes with unique capabilities will measure surface morphology, optical properties, elemental composition and crystallographic phase.The facility will be the first in Australia to offer a comprehensive study of structure and properties at high temperature.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100798
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$433,000.00
Summary
Novel multinary intermetallic compounds for water electrolysis. This project aims to make breakthrough developments in producing high performance water splitting electrocatalysts based on high-entropy intermetallic compounds (HEIMCs) by understanding their processing-structure-catalysis relationships. The project will generate new knowledge on how to enhance that performance by the combined effect of nanoscale atomic ordering and lattice distortion via alloying. Expected outcomes will be an enha ....Novel multinary intermetallic compounds for water electrolysis. This project aims to make breakthrough developments in producing high performance water splitting electrocatalysts based on high-entropy intermetallic compounds (HEIMCs) by understanding their processing-structure-catalysis relationships. The project will generate new knowledge on how to enhance that performance by the combined effect of nanoscale atomic ordering and lattice distortion via alloying. Expected outcomes will be an enhanced capacity to develop and commercialise HEIMCs with functional properties superior to current hydrogen production catalysts. Anticipated benefits will be reduced consumption of fossil fuels, development of renewable clean energy, and stimulation of economic development to Australian mining industries. Read moreRead less
Elastic Strain Engineered Transforming Metal Matrix-Nanowire Composite. This project aims to develop metallic composites of superior mechanical properties based on the principle of elastic strain coupling between ultrahigh-strength nanowires and phase transforming matrix. This new composite design concept has not been explored in the literature. Using the principle of elastic strain coupling, the composite is able to exhibit extraordinary mechanical properties unmatched by any existing engineeri ....Elastic Strain Engineered Transforming Metal Matrix-Nanowire Composite. This project aims to develop metallic composites of superior mechanical properties based on the principle of elastic strain coupling between ultrahigh-strength nanowires and phase transforming matrix. This new composite design concept has not been explored in the literature. Using the principle of elastic strain coupling, the composite is able to exhibit extraordinary mechanical properties unmatched by any existing engineering materials, including high strength, low Young’s modulus and high elastic strain limit. This new concept is a breakthrough and offers a unique opportunity to overcome a long-standing challenge in nanowire composite design, commonly known as the “valley of death”.Read moreRead less
Designer microstructures through cold spray powder deposition. Additive manufacturing routes are very attractive in terms of reduced material usage and shorter lead times. This project will look at opportunities for the expansion of one such process (cold spray) from surfacing using a single powder feedstock to three-dimensional construction of multi-powder mixtures into high performance components.