DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND EXPERIMENTAL BASIS FOR MANUFACTURE OF BUILDING MATERIALS WITH SPECIAL PROPERTIES BASED ON GEOPOLYMERS. This project seeks to develop a new class of building materials based on geopolymers. These materials will have superior corrosion resistance, fire resistance, heat and noise insulating properties. The project will study in detail the effect of processing parameters on microstructure of these materials, and effect of structure and composition on properties. A good ....DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND EXPERIMENTAL BASIS FOR MANUFACTURE OF BUILDING MATERIALS WITH SPECIAL PROPERTIES BASED ON GEOPOLYMERS. This project seeks to develop a new class of building materials based on geopolymers. These materials will have superior corrosion resistance, fire resistance, heat and noise insulating properties. The project will study in detail the effect of processing parameters on microstructure of these materials, and effect of structure and composition on properties. A good understanding of this would result in environmentally friendly inexpensive inorganic materials with superior durability, chemical and fire resistance, heat and noise insulation properties that can substitute organic polymers and ordinary Portland cement concrete in special applications.Read moreRead less
Prediction of Time-dependent Deformations in Post-tensioned Concrete Suspended Slabs in Tall Buildings. The proposed project aims to develop an analytical model that can predict the time-dependent deformations in post-tensioned concrete slabs considering concrete shrinkage and creep, cracking, and bond-slip behaviour. Over the past several years, numerous cases have been reported in Australia and elsewhere, of flexural elements for which the calculated deflection is far less than the actual defl ....Prediction of Time-dependent Deformations in Post-tensioned Concrete Suspended Slabs in Tall Buildings. The proposed project aims to develop an analytical model that can predict the time-dependent deformations in post-tensioned concrete slabs considering concrete shrinkage and creep, cracking, and bond-slip behaviour. Over the past several years, numerous cases have been reported in Australia and elsewhere, of flexural elements for which the calculated deflection is far less than the actual deflection leading to serviceability problems. The significance of this investigation hence lies in its potential to provide a solution to more accurately predict service-life deflections in post-tensioned concrete suspended slabs and validate the model with real-life deflections monitored over time on a current building project.Read moreRead less
Development of Ultrafine Aluminium Matrix Composites for Automotive Applications. This project aims at developing aluminium matrix composites using flyash, a waste product from power stations, for automotive applications. It introduces innovative processing and a new generation of metal matrix composites (MMCs) containing ultrafine ceramic particles. These MMCs will be tailored for selected applications such as disc brake rotors and drums. It is expected that an integrated system for processi ....Development of Ultrafine Aluminium Matrix Composites for Automotive Applications. This project aims at developing aluminium matrix composites using flyash, a waste product from power stations, for automotive applications. It introduces innovative processing and a new generation of metal matrix composites (MMCs) containing ultrafine ceramic particles. These MMCs will be tailored for selected applications such as disc brake rotors and drums. It is expected that an integrated system for processing MMCs and forming components be developed and prototype automotive parts produced. The results will lead to further collaborations with automotive parts suppliers in Australia and overseas to develop commercial products and enhance the export capability of the industry.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL180100053
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,162,000.00
Summary
Re-discovering liquid metals from core to surface. This project aims to investigate and make new discoveries on the unique properties of liquid metals. Liquid metals have traditionally been used in mining, for switches, barometers, heat transfer units, and coolers and heaters. However, recent discoveries have indicated that liquid metals have untapped potential in applications for creating systems with extraordinary physical and chemical properties. This project will expand our knowledge of liqu ....Re-discovering liquid metals from core to surface. This project aims to investigate and make new discoveries on the unique properties of liquid metals. Liquid metals have traditionally been used in mining, for switches, barometers, heat transfer units, and coolers and heaters. However, recent discoveries have indicated that liquid metals have untapped potential in applications for creating systems with extraordinary physical and chemical properties. This project will expand our knowledge of liquid metals by exploring liquid metals as electron rich solvents and investigating new properties to develop future applications in electronics, optics, catalysts, thermal devices and bio systems.Read moreRead less
Corrosion triggered self-passivation of magnesium alloys . This project aims to sustainably protect magnesium alloys from aqueous corrosion in engineering services through an unprecedented self-passivation mechanism (analogues to stainless steel). This project is expected to generate new knowledge in the area of passivation mechanisms for magnesium alloys in corrosive environments through high-throughput screening and in-situ corrosion characterisation at atomic scale. This should provide signif ....Corrosion triggered self-passivation of magnesium alloys . This project aims to sustainably protect magnesium alloys from aqueous corrosion in engineering services through an unprecedented self-passivation mechanism (analogues to stainless steel). This project is expected to generate new knowledge in the area of passivation mechanisms for magnesium alloys in corrosive environments through high-throughput screening and in-situ corrosion characterisation at atomic scale. This should provide significant benefits, such as enabling the debut of a scientific strategy to transform the magnesium alloy market with respect to end use (such as electric car industry), energy composition and emissions, which has significant industrial interest as it will provide new opportunities to minimise carbon footprint.Read moreRead less
Mid-Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IM230100048
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,052,296.00
Summary
Developing a recyclable carbon fibre composite capability for Australia. This project will use innovative surface modification techniques on reclaimed and virgin carbon fibres to enhance their compatibility with thermoplastic polymers. Valorising reclaimed carbon fibres and optimising thermoplastic composite materials will overcome the global industry challenges of: Raw material shortfall and High-volume manufacture, respectively. The successful implementation of this work will enable the critic ....Developing a recyclable carbon fibre composite capability for Australia. This project will use innovative surface modification techniques on reclaimed and virgin carbon fibres to enhance their compatibility with thermoplastic polymers. Valorising reclaimed carbon fibres and optimising thermoplastic composite materials will overcome the global industry challenges of: Raw material shortfall and High-volume manufacture, respectively. The successful implementation of this work will enable the critical role that high performance carbon fibre composite materials will play in transitioning to alternative energy sectors such as wind and hydrogen. This fellowship will create a sovereign capability and source of high value materials for Australia that will benefit energy, construction, mining, and defence.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354805
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Research Network for Rehabilitation of Structures Using Advanced Materials and Frontier Technologies. There is an urgent need to rehabilitate existing structures that are considered inadequate in strength and serviceability. Frontier strengthening technologies (such as external post-tensioning and plate bonding) using conventional and advanced materials are being currently developed in Australia by different groups, but as yet not in a coordinated manner. The aim of this network is to bring tog ....Research Network for Rehabilitation of Structures Using Advanced Materials and Frontier Technologies. There is an urgent need to rehabilitate existing structures that are considered inadequate in strength and serviceability. Frontier strengthening technologies (such as external post-tensioning and plate bonding) using conventional and advanced materials are being currently developed in Australia by different groups, but as yet not in a coordinated manner. The aim of this network is to bring together a multi-disciplinary team with complementary strengths to provide an integrated solution for rehabilitation of structures. The core of the network focuses on design tools, linking the various technologies to provide appropriate rehabilitation and understanding of life cycle demands for major infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Developing new, water-based lubricants for sheet metal forming. There is increasing pressure on manufacturers, including the sheet metal forming industry, to use less toxic, water-based lubricants with a number of common additives being banned or being phased out internationally. In the case of automotive manufacturers, this is combined with demand for alternative sheet materials to reduce costs or cater for export markets. Efficient development of new lubricants or replacement additives require ....Developing new, water-based lubricants for sheet metal forming. There is increasing pressure on manufacturers, including the sheet metal forming industry, to use less toxic, water-based lubricants with a number of common additives being banned or being phased out internationally. In the case of automotive manufacturers, this is combined with demand for alternative sheet materials to reduce costs or cater for export markets. Efficient development of new lubricants or replacement additives requires a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between lubricant components and the surface of the sheet metal. This project will explore and model these interactions and how they are affected by the variables in a metal forming process.Read moreRead less
Unlocking the ion selectivity of lithium superionic conductor membranes. This project aims to address a longstanding challenge in designing advanced membranes to enable sustainable lithium refining by unlocking the ion selectivity of lithium superionic conductors. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the areas of membrane science and emerging nanoionics by using interdisciplinary approaches. Expected outcomes of this project include a novel class of lithium separation membranes and ....Unlocking the ion selectivity of lithium superionic conductor membranes. This project aims to address a longstanding challenge in designing advanced membranes to enable sustainable lithium refining by unlocking the ion selectivity of lithium superionic conductors. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the areas of membrane science and emerging nanoionics by using interdisciplinary approaches. Expected outcomes of this project include a novel class of lithium separation membranes and their fabrication techniques. This should provide significant benefits in improving lithium extraction and recycling efficiency, reducing their environmental impact and building the research capacity in advanced membrane manufacturing and critical mineral refining in Australia. Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC160100032
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,024,379.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre in Lightweight Automotive Structures. ARC Training Centre in Lightweight Automotive Structures. This training centre aims to train a cohort of industry-focused researchers and to develop new lightweighting technologies, which are key to reducing carbon dioxide (CO2 emissions in transportation. In partnership with domestic and international companies and universities, this centre intends to develop new lightweight materials, advanced manufacturing processes, energy storage des ....ARC Training Centre in Lightweight Automotive Structures. ARC Training Centre in Lightweight Automotive Structures. This training centre aims to train a cohort of industry-focused researchers and to develop new lightweighting technologies, which are key to reducing carbon dioxide (CO2 emissions in transportation. In partnership with domestic and international companies and universities, this centre intends to develop new lightweight materials, advanced manufacturing processes, energy storage designs, and rapid non-destructive evaluation techniques. The intended outcome is to accelerate the transformation of Australia's automotive industry—now facing unprecedented structural adjustment—from vehicle production to export of design and engineering services, high-value products, and novel technology solutions.Read moreRead less