Testing, modelling and engineering applications of topologically interlocking structures. The CI and his international collaborator have recently proposed a new principle of design of materials and structures based on topological interlocking of constituent elements. Elements of simple shape, such as tetrahedra, are assembled in structures that keep their integrity without any binder or connectors. Unusual properties, such as high fracture toughness and damage tolerance were found. The project a ....Testing, modelling and engineering applications of topologically interlocking structures. The CI and his international collaborator have recently proposed a new principle of design of materials and structures based on topological interlocking of constituent elements. Elements of simple shape, such as tetrahedra, are assembled in structures that keep their integrity without any binder or connectors. Unusual properties, such as high fracture toughness and damage tolerance were found. The project aims at investigating the mechanical and acoustic properties of the newly discovered interlockable geometries (cubes, octahedra, dodecahedra and icosahedra) and identifying the areas of application. The project will promote the international leading role of the collaborating institutions in this novel field.Read moreRead less
A NEW CONCEPT IN DESIGN OF MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES BASED ON TOPOLOGICALLY INTERLOCKED ELEMENTS. The project aims to develop a new concept in materials design based on assemblies of interlocked elements. Interlocking is achieved topologically by special arrangements of blocks without connectors. Such assemblies can form structures possessing special mechanical properties and serve as load-bearing skeletons in composites with a binder phase providing desired functional properties. Various types o ....A NEW CONCEPT IN DESIGN OF MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES BASED ON TOPOLOGICALLY INTERLOCKED ELEMENTS. The project aims to develop a new concept in materials design based on assemblies of interlocked elements. Interlocking is achieved topologically by special arrangements of blocks without connectors. Such assemblies can form structures possessing special mechanical properties and serve as load-bearing skeletons in composites with a binder phase providing desired functional properties. Various types of interlocked assemblies will be modelled, produced and tested to determine their mechanical and acoustic properties. A range of experimental techniques tailored for these unusual assemblies will be employed. The expected outcome will be the implementation of the new design principle in multifunctional materials and structures.Read moreRead less
Inkjet printing of nanoparticulate materials. The aim of this project is to develop inkjet printing technology to facilitate the freeform fabrication of nanomaterials. The application of nanomaterials will lead to breakthroughs in information technology, health, the environment and energy generation and storage. This project will develop the methods required to inkjet print nanomaterials into multilayered components. This is a multifunctional rapid prototyping technology that synthesises compone ....Inkjet printing of nanoparticulate materials. The aim of this project is to develop inkjet printing technology to facilitate the freeform fabrication of nanomaterials. The application of nanomaterials will lead to breakthroughs in information technology, health, the environment and energy generation and storage. This project will develop the methods required to inkjet print nanomaterials into multilayered components. This is a multifunctional rapid prototyping technology that synthesises components directly from computer solid models and radically compresses the time from concept to delivery. The outcome of this project will be a fabrication facility which will enable us to make and test nanoscale materials and components made from them.Read moreRead less
Room Temperature Rechargeable Sulphur Batteries. The project will lead to the development of low cost sulphur rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles and will contribute to the national priority goal of reducing and capturing emissions in transport to improve our environment. The project will take the incentive in establishing a leading national position in the development of low cost energy storage technology. The Partner Organisation, Nipress, has a close con ....Room Temperature Rechargeable Sulphur Batteries. The project will lead to the development of low cost sulphur rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles and will contribute to the national priority goal of reducing and capturing emissions in transport to improve our environment. The project will take the incentive in establishing a leading national position in the development of low cost energy storage technology. The Partner Organisation, Nipress, has a close connection to Australia. The company has imported raw materials (metal lead, 8000 tons) from Australia every year. The success of sulphur batteries technology will increase the opportunity of Nipress using more Australian raw materials.
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Harnessing properties of liquid metals for future devices. This project aims to hybridise low toxicity liquid metal alloys of gallium with surface confined functional micro/nano materials and explore fundamental new fluidic and physical-chemistry phenomena. Liquid metals are an under-used group of materials, but their combination of flexibility, bestowed by their room temperature fluidity, and metallic properties means they demonstrate startling behaviour. The expected outcomes are new devices a ....Harnessing properties of liquid metals for future devices. This project aims to hybridise low toxicity liquid metal alloys of gallium with surface confined functional micro/nano materials and explore fundamental new fluidic and physical-chemistry phenomena. Liquid metals are an under-used group of materials, but their combination of flexibility, bestowed by their room temperature fluidity, and metallic properties means they demonstrate startling behaviour. The expected outcomes are new devices and systems such as reconfigurable and highly efficient actuators/generators, catalysts, sensors, and electronic and optical components.Read moreRead less
Protein Fibre Powders: Production, Characterisation and Applications. Australia leads the world in the production of protein fibres such as wool. Traditionally, these fibres are used primarily for textile related applications, which have been increasingly relying on the much cheaper synthetic fibres. The outcome from this research will be very significant in that it will underpin the future development of a sustainable protein fibre industry, through value-added and high-end applications. It wil ....Protein Fibre Powders: Production, Characterisation and Applications. Australia leads the world in the production of protein fibres such as wool. Traditionally, these fibres are used primarily for textile related applications, which have been increasingly relying on the much cheaper synthetic fibres. The outcome from this research will be very significant in that it will underpin the future development of a sustainable protein fibre industry, through value-added and high-end applications. It will further strengthen our world leading position in the production, characterisation and application of protein powder materials.Read moreRead less
Lithium-Ion Air Batteries with Non-Flammable Ionic Liquid–Based Electrolytes: A Platform to Safety in Lithium-Air Batteries. The aim of this project is to develop rechargeable lithium-ion air batteries based on novel advanced materials and non-flammable ionic-liquid-based electrolytes for use in electric vehicles. The success of this project would make a significant contribution to improving the safety of typical lithium-air batteries. The expected outcomes include: establishing novel lithium-io ....Lithium-Ion Air Batteries with Non-Flammable Ionic Liquid–Based Electrolytes: A Platform to Safety in Lithium-Air Batteries. The aim of this project is to develop rechargeable lithium-ion air batteries based on novel advanced materials and non-flammable ionic-liquid-based electrolytes for use in electric vehicles. The success of this project would make a significant contribution to improving the safety of typical lithium-air batteries. The expected outcomes include: establishing novel lithium-ion air battery electrochemical systems using selected advanced electrode materials and electrolytes which are developed in this proposal; and, understanding the degradation mechanisms of electrode materials in the novel lithium-ion air battery systems with different advanced characterisation methods.Read moreRead less
A novel hybrid electrochemical energy system for both high energy and high power. This project will lead to the development of a new energy-storage system by integrating the advantages of the lithium battery and the supercapacitor. The development of new scientific knowledge during this project will significantly enhance the international competitiveness of Australia in the area of energy storage.
Development of novel composite anode materials combined with new binders for high energy, high power and long life lithium-ion batteries. This project will lead to better lithium-ion batteries with high energy, high power and long life. Novel composite anode materials combined with new binders will be investigated. The development of new scientific knowledge during this project will significantly enhance the international competitiveness of Australia in the area of clean energy.
Terahertz Metamaterials for Molecular Sensing. Metamaterials are fascinating new man-made structures that can manipulate beams of light in surprising ways; eg. metamaterials are being studied as 'cloaking devices' to render objects invisible. Our proposal aims for fundamental studies and improvement of metamaterials operating in the terahertz (T-ray) frequency regime. The outcome will be the exploitation of new metamaterial devices for high performance molecular sensors and electromagnetic filte ....Terahertz Metamaterials for Molecular Sensing. Metamaterials are fascinating new man-made structures that can manipulate beams of light in surprising ways; eg. metamaterials are being studied as 'cloaking devices' to render objects invisible. Our proposal aims for fundamental studies and improvement of metamaterials operating in the terahertz (T-ray) frequency regime. The outcome will be the exploitation of new metamaterial devices for high performance molecular sensors and electromagnetic filters operating at terahertz frequencies. Socioeconomic benefits to Australia include: (i) increased knowledge-base in metamaterials operating in the terahertz range; (ii) the underpinning of applications in biophotonics and communications; and (iii) commercialisation of novel terahertz devices.Read moreRead less