Energy dissipation and vibration-assisted self-healing in structures with topological interlocking. High dissipation of impact and vibration energy, vibration-assisted self-healing, high tolerance to block failure and an ease of assembly/disassembly make topological interlocking structures ideal for safety barriers, protective shields and floating structures. The theory of these phenomena will open a way for more efficient protection of infrastructure against both natural and human perpetrated i ....Energy dissipation and vibration-assisted self-healing in structures with topological interlocking. High dissipation of impact and vibration energy, vibration-assisted self-healing, high tolerance to block failure and an ease of assembly/disassembly make topological interlocking structures ideal for safety barriers, protective shields and floating structures. The theory of these phenomena will open a way for more efficient protection of infrastructure against both natural and human perpetrated impacts and for developing new methodology in constructing mobile marine bases. This constitutes the main benefit of the project. Furthermore, understanding the resonance structure of travelling waves will improve methods of non-destructive monitoring by back analysing spectral signatures of the waves.Read moreRead less
Negative Poisson's ratio and negative stiffness: rational approach to hybrid materials with internally engineered architecture. The project falls within Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries. This generic work involves cutting-edge multidisciplinary research leading to better understanding of the fundamental principles governing the behaviour of hybrid materials. The proposed framework of internally engineered architecture will enrich the ....Negative Poisson's ratio and negative stiffness: rational approach to hybrid materials with internally engineered architecture. The project falls within Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries. This generic work involves cutting-edge multidisciplinary research leading to better understanding of the fundamental principles governing the behaviour of hybrid materials. The proposed framework of internally engineered architecture will enrich the existing set of available methods of designing new materials, extend the knowledge base of the discipline and maintain Australia's leading position in the field. Australian Industry will benefit directly from unique engineering properties and functionalities that hybrids provide. This contributes to Priority Goals: Breakthrough Science and Advanced Materials.Read moreRead less
High-order conservative multiscale computation of elliptic problems in composite materials and porous media. The proposed technology will improve the design and performance of a wide range of mechanisms and industrial processes involving heterogeneous media, from composite materials to water filtration and recycling. Our researchers in computational mechanics will gain further opportunities to extend the advances this project will make.
Direct simulation of composite microstructures in fluid and elastic media. The proposed innovative computational methodology will improve the design and performance of a wide range of mechanisms and industrial processes involving particulate inclusions, from engineering to biological applications. The resultant technology will make a contribution to maintain and enhance Australia's role in the development of advanced engineering materials through manipulating their composite microstructures. The ....Direct simulation of composite microstructures in fluid and elastic media. The proposed innovative computational methodology will improve the design and performance of a wide range of mechanisms and industrial processes involving particulate inclusions, from engineering to biological applications. The resultant technology will make a contribution to maintain and enhance Australia's role in the development of advanced engineering materials through manipulating their composite microstructures. The proposed computational method will also lead to new opportunities for Australian companies that develop computer simulation software. Our researchers in computational mechanics will gain further opportunities to extend the advances this project will make.Read moreRead less
Engineering functional nerves using microtailored culture systems. The aim of this work is to develop new culture systems for developing and growing nerves outside of the body. The project will generate knowledge and engineering technology for production of neural implants suitable for medical applications. The availability of engineered nerve grafts to repair neural injuries will improve patient health outcomes.
A Fundamental Investigation into the Behaviour of Mineral Matter in Coal during Coke Formation and in Blast Furnace. Minerals in coal are present in various forms and sizes resulting in vastly different thermal behaviour. Thermal transformation of minerals in coal influences the coke properties and subsequent performance of coke in blast furnace. Earlier investigations have been based on bulk ash analysis of coals. In the current project, Computer Controlled Scanning Electron Microscopy will be ....A Fundamental Investigation into the Behaviour of Mineral Matter in Coal during Coke Formation and in Blast Furnace. Minerals in coal are present in various forms and sizes resulting in vastly different thermal behaviour. Thermal transformation of minerals in coal influences the coke properties and subsequent performance of coke in blast furnace. Earlier investigations have been based on bulk ash analysis of coals. In the current project, Computer Controlled Scanning Electron Microscopy will be used in place of bulk ash analysis for coal, coke and thermally treated coke in blast furnace simulated conditions to investigate and model the effects of minerals in coal on coke structure during coke-making and its subsequent effect on its performance in blast furnace.Read moreRead less
Regenerable CO2 adsorbing materials for zero emission power generation systems. The new CAM material developed in this project will remove one of the major technical obstacles to the adoption of the zero emission power generation systems, leading to solutions to CO2 management without economic penalty.This project also contributes to building capacity in emerging advanced energy technologies, by keeping informed about major technology developments in areas of Australia's strategic interest.
Transforming drug screening technology. Transforming drug screening technology. This project aims to develop field-leading microchip technology, including the ability to measure contraction of micro-tissues on a chip. Micro-chip technology is in its infancy for use in drug discovery. However, interest in development and applications in Pharma and Biotech industries is immense. The project is intended to take proof-of-concept studies through to the “working model” stage and then to a level of ind ....Transforming drug screening technology. Transforming drug screening technology. This project aims to develop field-leading microchip technology, including the ability to measure contraction of micro-tissues on a chip. Micro-chip technology is in its infancy for use in drug discovery. However, interest in development and applications in Pharma and Biotech industries is immense. The project is intended to take proof-of-concept studies through to the “working model” stage and then to a level of industry-utility, focussing on predictive value, reproducibility and throughput. Successful development of the drug discovery micro-fluidics chip is expected to improve efficiency, reduce the costs and the use of experimental animals.Read moreRead less
Novel cathode materials for low-temperature solid-oxide fuel cells. This project will produce novel mixed ionic and electronic conducting cathodes to reduce the operating temperature of solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFC). The technology developed is of ultimate benefit to the Australian electricity consumer. It can accelerate the development of low-cost SOFCs that can serve in distributed power generation. The benefits include increased reliability of the power supply and substantive cost savings thr ....Novel cathode materials for low-temperature solid-oxide fuel cells. This project will produce novel mixed ionic and electronic conducting cathodes to reduce the operating temperature of solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFC). The technology developed is of ultimate benefit to the Australian electricity consumer. It can accelerate the development of low-cost SOFCs that can serve in distributed power generation. The benefits include increased reliability of the power supply and substantive cost savings through increased efficiency of the conversion of gas to electricity. Depending on the level of market penetration, the broad deployment of SOFCs can save well over $100 million/year for the Australian consumer. The environmentally friendly technologies will also be beneficial for reducing pollution and greenhouse gases in Australia.Read moreRead less
Wireless microvalve for biomedical applications. This program will investigate and perform an in-laboratory proof-of-concept demonstration of a polymer microvalve that can operate by a remote control radio signal. This will be a wireless microvalve that does not require a battery power source. This advance in the technology and scientific knowledge will have important applications for humankind ranging from drug delivery devices to through to valves in chips that can perform microfluidic chemica ....Wireless microvalve for biomedical applications. This program will investigate and perform an in-laboratory proof-of-concept demonstration of a polymer microvalve that can operate by a remote control radio signal. This will be a wireless microvalve that does not require a battery power source. This advance in the technology and scientific knowledge will have important applications for humankind ranging from drug delivery devices to through to valves in chips that can perform microfluidic chemical analysis. A far reaching long-range vision is its use in electronically reversible male fertility control. The community benefit in terms of novel biomedical devices and the resulting large international commercial market is significant.Read moreRead less