Mathematical and mechanical modeling of nano particulate flow. Nano particulates are the basis for many new technologies, including coatings in the electronics industry, composite materials and medical and pharmaceutical applications. Worldwide industrial competition is increasingly determined by our capacity to handle such highly cohesive materials, and to exploit their novel physical, chemical and mechanical characteristics. Devising handling mechanisms and understanding nano particulate flows ....Mathematical and mechanical modeling of nano particulate flow. Nano particulates are the basis for many new technologies, including coatings in the electronics industry, composite materials and medical and pharmaceutical applications. Worldwide industrial competition is increasingly determined by our capacity to handle such highly cohesive materials, and to exploit their novel physical, chemical and mechanical characteristics. Devising handling mechanisms and understanding nano particulate flows depends on formulating accurate mathematical models which reflect the correct underlying physics. This APF proposal will utilise advanced continuum mechanics to develop the correct underlying conceptual ideas to resolve fundamental nanomechanical particulate flows, which will lead to the next generation of engineering tools.
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Development of a Mathematical Model for Chatter Prediction in Multi-Stand Cold Flat Rolling Mills. On the one hand, this project will make a significant contribution to the field of study on dynamics of complex mechanical systems and on the other hand, directly assist the Australian steel industry in further improving quality and productivity and thereby maintaining its competitive edge in the international marketplace. The project will benefit the nation and community in:
(i) advanced steel ....Development of a Mathematical Model for Chatter Prediction in Multi-Stand Cold Flat Rolling Mills. On the one hand, this project will make a significant contribution to the field of study on dynamics of complex mechanical systems and on the other hand, directly assist the Australian steel industry in further improving quality and productivity and thereby maintaining its competitive edge in the international marketplace. The project will benefit the nation and community in:
(i) advanced steel manufacturing technology enabling higher rolling speed, production in more advanced thin gauge rolling, and prevention of production breakdowns caused by mill chatter;
(ii) strengthened competitiveness of the local steel industry resulting in increased exports and employment;
(iii) enhanced regional economy resulting from improved technologies.Read moreRead less
Towards new generations of lubricants using nanoparticles. Engines are essential to the Australian manufacturing, transport, power generation, mining and construction industries. Our project will develop the basic science for high-performance lubricants and wear-resistant materials using nanoparticles. These lubricants and materials will have a significant impact in reducing system failure from the chronic wear and friction of moving parts and optimise the cost structures of system manufacturing ....Towards new generations of lubricants using nanoparticles. Engines are essential to the Australian manufacturing, transport, power generation, mining and construction industries. Our project will develop the basic science for high-performance lubricants and wear-resistant materials using nanoparticles. These lubricants and materials will have a significant impact in reducing system failure from the chronic wear and friction of moving parts and optimise the cost structures of system manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Surface Integrity Characterization of Sapphire Wafers for Wireless and Fibre Optic Semiconductor Industry. This project aims to uncover the mechanism of surface integrity in sapphire wafers and thus to establish its relationship with the quality processing of integrated circuits. The project will comprehensively consider surface damage, residual stresses, thermal shock and dislocation evolution as an organic whole to provide an effective solution to the problems in the current production practic ....Surface Integrity Characterization of Sapphire Wafers for Wireless and Fibre Optic Semiconductor Industry. This project aims to uncover the mechanism of surface integrity in sapphire wafers and thus to establish its relationship with the quality processing of integrated circuits. The project will comprehensively consider surface damage, residual stresses, thermal shock and dislocation evolution as an organic whole to provide an effective solution to the problems in the current production practice. Problems caused by unsatisfactory surface integrity represent a major outlay for the wireless and fibre optic semiconductor industry. The proposed research holds the very real possibility of reducing the capital cost and enhancing the quality of the integrated circuits of high capacity.Read moreRead less
Development of New Superabrasives Cutting Tool Technology. This project aims to develop a new cutting tool technology for an effective high-speed machining of difficult-to-cut materials. The research will establish an innovative technique, by making full use of the current production wastes, for the precision shaping of the Australian made superabrasive composites. Based on this, the optimum machining conditions of the composite tool will be explored in terms of the tool life and the surface int ....Development of New Superabrasives Cutting Tool Technology. This project aims to develop a new cutting tool technology for an effective high-speed machining of difficult-to-cut materials. The research will establish an innovative technique, by making full use of the current production wastes, for the precision shaping of the Australian made superabrasive composites. Based on this, the optimum machining conditions of the composite tool will be explored in terms of the tool life and the surface integrity of the machined components. The success of the research will greatly enhance the competitive edge of the Australian machining industry based on its own advanced technology.Read moreRead less
Developing a new technology: advanced surface hardening and grinding in a single operation. Our advances will give Australian manufacturing industry first access to a significant technological advance in precision grinding, a critical machining process. This will improve our international competitiveness, through major cost reductions by simplifying the manufacturing procedure and by eliminating the use of toxic coolants. The technology will provide significant opportunities for further Australi ....Developing a new technology: advanced surface hardening and grinding in a single operation. Our advances will give Australian manufacturing industry first access to a significant technological advance in precision grinding, a critical machining process. This will improve our international competitiveness, through major cost reductions by simplifying the manufacturing procedure and by eliminating the use of toxic coolants. The technology will provide significant opportunities for further Australian research in precision machining by creating a foundation for extending the technology to more complex manufacturing processes.Read moreRead less
Crack Propagation within Graded Interfaces. Functionally graded interfaces are a technologically new way of joining materials in a wide range of biomedical and industrial applications. The reduction in the interfacial stresses resulting from the graded interface increases the structural integrity of the component, however, existing models do not fully address issues of plasticity and cyclic fatigue to their fracture. The intention of this study is to investigate how modifications to the ductil ....Crack Propagation within Graded Interfaces. Functionally graded interfaces are a technologically new way of joining materials in a wide range of biomedical and industrial applications. The reduction in the interfacial stresses resulting from the graded interface increases the structural integrity of the component, however, existing models do not fully address issues of plasticity and cyclic fatigue to their fracture. The intention of this study is to investigate how modifications to the ductile reinforcement phase and how the cyclic loading influence crack extension within a graded interface. These results will assist in future design and prediction of the in-service lifetime of components containing gradient interfaces.Read moreRead less
Modelling and Characterisation of Stringy/Compressible Bulk Materials. The development of new technologies in the treatment of waste products, recycling of green and paper waste and the use of biomass fuels has created the need for a new approach in the handling of non-conventional bulk solids. The Mohr-Coulomb models that are traditionally used to characterise granular materials do not adequately describe the nature of these stringy and compressible bulk solids. This project will address this ....Modelling and Characterisation of Stringy/Compressible Bulk Materials. The development of new technologies in the treatment of waste products, recycling of green and paper waste and the use of biomass fuels has created the need for a new approach in the handling of non-conventional bulk solids. The Mohr-Coulomb models that are traditionally used to characterise granular materials do not adequately describe the nature of these stringy and compressible bulk solids. This project will address this problem by developing new constitutive models and characterisation techniques for this class of materials. This work will provide the necessary tools to address a series of pressing problems in several emerging technologies.Read moreRead less
Development of a New Generation Low Rolling Resistance Conveyor Belt. Belt conveying systems are employed extensively to transport bulk materials within Australia's mining and mineral processing industries. The energy consumption of belt conveyors are significant and dominated by the indentation rolling resistance of the idler rolls into the bottom cover of the belt. This project will develop technology to design more energy efficient conveyors by employing new laminated low energy loss belt cov ....Development of a New Generation Low Rolling Resistance Conveyor Belt. Belt conveying systems are employed extensively to transport bulk materials within Australia's mining and mineral processing industries. The energy consumption of belt conveyors are significant and dominated by the indentation rolling resistance of the idler rolls into the bottom cover of the belt. This project will develop technology to design more energy efficient conveyors by employing new laminated low energy loss belt covers. With Australian mineral exports exceeding $100 billion, coupled with the considerable transportation distances often necessary in Australian mining operations, the outcomes of this research will result in significant energy savings and economic benefits to these vital industries.Read moreRead less
Modelling and Optimisation of Belt Conveyor Systems. Belt conveyors are the arteries of Australia's heavy industries. Their efficiency and cost are critical to the productivity of our major export markets. A current trend in this area is the introduction of high-speed and long distance conveying. This has placed tremendous pressure on the current design standards which are in drastic need of re-evaluation. This project will address these deficiencies and build a strong foundation for future conv ....Modelling and Optimisation of Belt Conveyor Systems. Belt conveyors are the arteries of Australia's heavy industries. Their efficiency and cost are critical to the productivity of our major export markets. A current trend in this area is the introduction of high-speed and long distance conveying. This has placed tremendous pressure on the current design standards which are in drastic need of re-evaluation. This project will address these deficiencies and build a strong foundation for future conveyor design. This will be achieved by developing rigorous mechanical models for conveyor mechanics and the application of state-of-the-art optimisation methods based on Darwinian natural selection. This will lead to significant improvements in the efficiency and running costs of belt conveyor systems.Read moreRead less