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
Tensile enhancement of cements utilising carbon nanotubes to create stronger, lighter, more ductile, and easier-to-build structures. Portland cement, commonly used worldwide for construction, is brittle and prone to cracking. A carbon nanotube-cement nanocomposite will be developed, improving tensile strength and durability. Stronger and lighter structures are viable. Less cement (and steel reinforcement) will be needed, thus reducing CO2 emissions and promoting sustainability.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160101606
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,000.00
Summary
3D printing of concrete structures reinforced using multiscale fibers. The project aims to develop high performance concrete structures using 3D printing techniques. 3D printing of concrete is receiving increasing attention because of its potential use for direct construction of buildings and other complex infrastructures of considerable dimensions and of virtually any shape. This project aims to develop high-performance concrete structures reinforced by multiscale (nano- and micro-fibre) filler ....3D printing of concrete structures reinforced using multiscale fibers. The project aims to develop high performance concrete structures using 3D printing techniques. 3D printing of concrete is receiving increasing attention because of its potential use for direct construction of buildings and other complex infrastructures of considerable dimensions and of virtually any shape. This project aims to develop high-performance concrete structures reinforced by multiscale (nano- and micro-fibre) fillers using 3D printing. The project plans to introduce a micro-fibre 3D mesh into the concrete with a ‘knitting’ technique. The outcome of the project may lead to a 60 per cent reduction in current manufacturing cost and reduction of the lead-time for concrete infrastructures.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100604
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Foam concrete using three-dimensional printing and nano-engineering. This project aims to design foam concrete. Foam concrete, made of air-voids and thin concrete films, has good thermal insulation/fire resistance and energy adsorption capacity but is weak. This project will develop a foam concrete via 3D printing to control air-void structures to achieve high strength and ductility and nano-engineering to improve the performance and durability of thin concrete films. It is expected that this hi ....Foam concrete using three-dimensional printing and nano-engineering. This project aims to design foam concrete. Foam concrete, made of air-voids and thin concrete films, has good thermal insulation/fire resistance and energy adsorption capacity but is weak. This project will develop a foam concrete via 3D printing to control air-void structures to achieve high strength and ductility and nano-engineering to improve the performance and durability of thin concrete films. It is expected that this high-performance foam concrete can be used as a load-bearing structural element to reduce construction costs. The project should discover chemical and physical mechanisms governing the resilience and sustainability of newly developed foam concrete.Read moreRead less
Multi-functional nano-modified cementitious materials for well cementing. By incorporating different nano-materials in well cements, this project aims to develop multi-functional cementitious materials with self-sensing properties and greater strength and durability under extreme conditions including high/low temperatures, high pressure and corrosive environments. The integrity and longevity of well cement are paramount for the safe, efficient, environmentally sustainable production of oil and n ....Multi-functional nano-modified cementitious materials for well cementing. By incorporating different nano-materials in well cements, this project aims to develop multi-functional cementitious materials with self-sensing properties and greater strength and durability under extreme conditions including high/low temperatures, high pressure and corrosive environments. The integrity and longevity of well cement are paramount for the safe, efficient, environmentally sustainable production of oil and natural gas resources. Cementing problems are the main factor contributing to incidents during drilling and completion of wells, necessitating costly remediation. It is expected that the novel cement developed in the project will produce safer wells with fewer (gas) environmental emission risks.Read moreRead less
Controlling alkali-silica reaction in concrete for road pavements and bridge using graphene oxide and dune sand. This project aims to formulate a new mix design for sustainable and resilient infrastructure materials with radically improved material properties and performance, as well as reduced life cycle cost and impact on the environment and societies. The aim of the project is to investigate the effect of dune sand and graphene oxide on mechanical properties and durability of concrete composi ....Controlling alkali-silica reaction in concrete for road pavements and bridge using graphene oxide and dune sand. This project aims to formulate a new mix design for sustainable and resilient infrastructure materials with radically improved material properties and performance, as well as reduced life cycle cost and impact on the environment and societies. The aim of the project is to investigate the effect of dune sand and graphene oxide on mechanical properties and durability of concrete composites including properties and strength relation and alkali-silica reaction in concrete. The optimal mix design will be supported by the understanding of the interaction between graphene oxide, water molecules, dune sand and cement at nanolevel via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and molecular dynamics simulations.Read moreRead less
Development of nano reinforced concrete using boron nitride nanosheets. This project seeks to develop high-performance concrete materials by exploiting emerging nanotechnology. It plans to adopt emerging nanotechnology involving hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets and advanced micro-computer tomography instrumentation to transform conventional concrete into one that is stronger and more durable in extreme environmental conditions. It also plans to use sophisticated modelling techniques including ....Development of nano reinforced concrete using boron nitride nanosheets. This project seeks to develop high-performance concrete materials by exploiting emerging nanotechnology. It plans to adopt emerging nanotechnology involving hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets and advanced micro-computer tomography instrumentation to transform conventional concrete into one that is stronger and more durable in extreme environmental conditions. It also plans to use sophisticated modelling techniques including molecular dynamics simulations as well as microplane models to analyse the effect of nanofillers. The findings may drive advances in cement hydration, nanotechnology, concrete technology and blast, impact and fire engineering.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH150100006
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Nanoscience-based Construction Material Manufacturing. ARC Research Hub for Nanoscience-based Construction Material Manufacturing. This research hub aims to develop novel construction materials including binders, cement additives, high-performance concrete materials, concrete structural systems, polymer composites, and pavement materials. The multi-disciplinary hub provides a centralised platform to transform the construction materials industry into an advanced manufacturing ....ARC Research Hub for Nanoscience-based Construction Material Manufacturing. ARC Research Hub for Nanoscience-based Construction Material Manufacturing. This research hub aims to develop novel construction materials including binders, cement additives, high-performance concrete materials, concrete structural systems, polymer composites, and pavement materials. The multi-disciplinary hub provides a centralised platform to transform the construction materials industry into an advanced manufacturing sector delivering sustainable and resilient infrastructure assets. The hub intends to develop nanotechnology, cement chemistry, concrete technology and extreme engineering solutions; and to train the next generation of skilled workers, re-positioning Australian industry competitiveness and global market leadership to capture international infrastructure development opportunities.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100906
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$367,150.00
Summary
Nanoengineering of low-CO2 geopolymer cements. With increasing pressure for Australia to use environmentally-conscious building materials, geopolymer concrete is an important emerging alternative to traditional concretes. This project will enhance use of this new material by discovering how to control performance and durability through nanoscale experiments and atom-based simulations.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100056
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$433,746.00
Summary
Microstructured Nanohybrid Films for Passive Daytime Cooling. This project aims to develop a daytime radiative cooling surface without external energy requirement via novel microstructured nanohybrid film coatings to perpetually dump heat into cold outer space through the atmospheric window. The project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in the area of building cooling materials, via multidisciplinary utilisation of cutting-edge construction materials and design. The expected outcome ....Microstructured Nanohybrid Films for Passive Daytime Cooling. This project aims to develop a daytime radiative cooling surface without external energy requirement via novel microstructured nanohybrid film coatings to perpetually dump heat into cold outer space through the atmospheric window. The project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in the area of building cooling materials, via multidisciplinary utilisation of cutting-edge construction materials and design. The expected outcome of the project will place Australia in a competitive position in advanced green building infrastructure and highly demanded energy-saving technologies. This should provide benefits, such as significantly decreasing building energy consumption, and, thus reducing greenhouse gas emission.Read moreRead less