Development of a new rail maintenance technology by using laser cladding. With the continuously increasing demand for higher production, and hence increased haulage rates and reduced track access for maintenance purposes, the development and application of new cost effective manufacture and repair rails maintenance strategies play a more important role in ensuring the structural integrity of rail infrastructure. This project aims to systematically investigate the laser cladding materials and par ....Development of a new rail maintenance technology by using laser cladding. With the continuously increasing demand for higher production, and hence increased haulage rates and reduced track access for maintenance purposes, the development and application of new cost effective manufacture and repair rails maintenance strategies play a more important role in ensuring the structural integrity of rail infrastructure. This project aims to systematically investigate the laser cladding materials and parameters to enhance the wear and fatigue performance of a series of high strength rail steels used in heavy haul railway lines. The outcomes of this project intend to be applied directly to the rail industry track producers and operators of high axle load rail systems to develop and improve their rail maintenance strategies.Read moreRead less
Modelling and control of electromagnetically propelled arcs in joining processes. Magnetically impelled arc butt (MIAB) joining is a non-traditional manufacturing process for tubular steel components. Parameter selection and tuning have to date been experimentally determined via exhaustive trial-and-error techniques. Therefore the full capabilities of the process have not yet been realised. The project aims to model and optimise the complex process and thus facilitate the development of new a ....Modelling and control of electromagnetically propelled arcs in joining processes. Magnetically impelled arc butt (MIAB) joining is a non-traditional manufacturing process for tubular steel components. Parameter selection and tuning have to date been experimentally determined via exhaustive trial-and-error techniques. Therefore the full capabilities of the process have not yet been realised. The project aims to model and optimise the complex process and thus facilitate the development of new and effective control strategies. It is expected that novel power source designs will emerge as an outcome of the research proposed.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100003
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$280,000.00
Summary
Flexible forming facility for low cost light weight applications. Flexible forming facility for low-cost light-weight applications: This project will establish Australia’s first flexible roll forming facility. The facility will be unique in the world, being specifically designed to roll form the most advanced high strength alloys into complex three-dimensional shapes and investigate their material behaviour under a wide range of loading conditions. This technology represents a step change in com ....Flexible forming facility for low cost light weight applications. Flexible forming facility for low-cost light-weight applications: This project will establish Australia’s first flexible roll forming facility. The facility will be unique in the world, being specifically designed to roll form the most advanced high strength alloys into complex three-dimensional shapes and investigate their material behaviour under a wide range of loading conditions. This technology represents a step change in commercial processing and has the capacity to form materials with high strength and limited ductility. This will lead to the development of new techniques for the manufacture of new advanced materials including advanced high strength steels, composites, nano structured metals and light metal alloys for automotive and aerospace applications.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180101407
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,446.00
Summary
Three-dimensional metal printing based on controlled removal of self-assembled monolayers. This project aims to develop a unique approach for three-dimensional metal micro-printing based on controlled removal of self-assembled monolayers. The application of electro-deposition for three-dimensional metal printing is currently hindered by the incapacity of site-selective control of the deposition area. The project expects to produce a new three dimensional metal microprinting technology, with bene ....Three-dimensional metal printing based on controlled removal of self-assembled monolayers. This project aims to develop a unique approach for three-dimensional metal micro-printing based on controlled removal of self-assembled monolayers. The application of electro-deposition for three-dimensional metal printing is currently hindered by the incapacity of site-selective control of the deposition area. The project expects to produce a new three dimensional metal microprinting technology, with benefits to manufacturing industries, particularly those requiring production of micro/nano metallic components.Read moreRead less
A universally efficient antibacterial coating with remarkable durability. To prevent the spread of diseases and infections through contaminated surfaces, the project intends to create new ceramic-based coatings that combine mechanical durability with broad-spectrum antibacterial activities. Around 200 000 infections, many fatal, occur in Australian hospitals each year, with contaminated surfaces being a primary source. To combat this challenge, the project aims to develop a new class of ceramic- ....A universally efficient antibacterial coating with remarkable durability. To prevent the spread of diseases and infections through contaminated surfaces, the project intends to create new ceramic-based coatings that combine mechanical durability with broad-spectrum antibacterial activities. Around 200 000 infections, many fatal, occur in Australian hospitals each year, with contaminated surfaces being a primary source. To combat this challenge, the project aims to develop a new class of ceramic-based coatings, which are extremely robust yet highly effective in eliminating common and emerging bacteria, by uniting new antibacterial agents into a self-toughening micro-architecture. By disrupting bacterial transmission through surfaces, this project promises to protect the wellbeing of patients and healthcare professionals, and to help maintain food and water safety standards in Australia.Read moreRead less
Antibacterial impact assessment of nanopillar surfaces on titanium implants. This project aims to further understand the bactericidal properties of nano-pillared/textured surfaces, onto orthopaedic implants. It will do so by mimicking the nano-pillar structures derived from cicada wings by using Helium ion microscopy (HIM) and also Hydro Thermal techniques. The project also aims to study the physical mechanisms of the fracture of bacteria using numerical modelling. This project will result in ne ....Antibacterial impact assessment of nanopillar surfaces on titanium implants. This project aims to further understand the bactericidal properties of nano-pillared/textured surfaces, onto orthopaedic implants. It will do so by mimicking the nano-pillar structures derived from cicada wings by using Helium ion microscopy (HIM) and also Hydro Thermal techniques. The project also aims to study the physical mechanisms of the fracture of bacteria using numerical modelling. This project will result in new generation implants with minimal bacterial infection that could result in cost savings to the Australian healthcare, improved quality of life in aged population, and may lead to the establishment of new implant industry sector in Australia.Read moreRead less
Large-volume gradient materials: Manufacturing and deformation mechanism. This project aims to develop a low-cost and high productivity process to produce large-volume metals with high strength and good ductility, suitable for engineering application. Ultrafine grained (UFG) materials and nano-grained (NG) materials are usually strong, but not very ductile. This project will use an accumulative skin-pass rolling (ASPR) technique to fabricate the metallic strips with gradient structure. The numer ....Large-volume gradient materials: Manufacturing and deformation mechanism. This project aims to develop a low-cost and high productivity process to produce large-volume metals with high strength and good ductility, suitable for engineering application. Ultrafine grained (UFG) materials and nano-grained (NG) materials are usually strong, but not very ductile. This project will use an accumulative skin-pass rolling (ASPR) technique to fabricate the metallic strips with gradient structure. The numerical simulations developed in the project are expected to contribute to understanding the deformation mechanism of gradient materials.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346666
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$260,000.00
Summary
Mobile high power diode laser for thermal processing applications. This proposal seeks to establish a mobile, high-power diode laser facility for thermal processing of in-situ components in the power generation, defence, shipbuilding and mining industries. Diode lasers offer significant advantages for laser thermal processing over conventional CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers in terms of their output wavelength, size and efficiency. The mobile high power diode laser facility will help build a strong infr ....Mobile high power diode laser for thermal processing applications. This proposal seeks to establish a mobile, high-power diode laser facility for thermal processing of in-situ components in the power generation, defence, shipbuilding and mining industries. Diode lasers offer significant advantages for laser thermal processing over conventional CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers in terms of their output wavelength, size and efficiency. The mobile high power diode laser facility will help build a strong infrastructure for in-situ repair of worn components and is expected to reduce overall component repair costs and time.Read moreRead less
Mechanics of innovative high precision rolling technology in micromanufacturing. This project will focus on the establishment of high precision rolling technology for manufacturing microparts in Australia by using a unique profile and flexible rolling method. A successful outcome will provide an important breakthrough in the microrolling area and new knowledge for advanced micromanufacturing technology and its applications.
High-efficient abrasive waterjet machining of complex curved surfaces. This project aims to develop an abrasive waterjet process technology that is expected to increase the manufacturing efficiency by 4 times for complex curved surface structures such as the integral impellers and blisks used in turbine machines and aeroengines. It will also explore the science associated with the energy dissipation process for ultrahigh velocity abrasive waterjets and the curved surface generation process by th ....High-efficient abrasive waterjet machining of complex curved surfaces. This project aims to develop an abrasive waterjet process technology that is expected to increase the manufacturing efficiency by 4 times for complex curved surface structures such as the integral impellers and blisks used in turbine machines and aeroengines. It will also explore the science associated with the energy dissipation process for ultrahigh velocity abrasive waterjets and the curved surface generation process by the impact of a cloud of numerous particles. The intended outcome will break a technological barrier and make it entirely possible for the wide use of integral impellers and blisks in airplanes to significantly increase fuel efficiency. The economic, social and environmental benefit is expected to be enormous.Read moreRead less