Towards autonomous structural safety prognostics: integrating in-situ imaging and predictive modelling. This project aims to advance a scientific basis for autonomous safety prognostics by developing predictive models and in-situ damage imaging principles. Development of this new health prognostic approach will overcome the significant challenge of safety assurance of composite structures in the presence of in-service damage, which is largely hidden.
Baseline-free Methods for Early Damage Diagnosis using Nonlinear Ultrasound. To address the significant limitation of existing non-destructive evaluation techniques in detecting and characterising early damage, this project aims to discover the physical nature of self-generated nonlinear waves by structural damage and to explore its potential for an entirely new class of non-destructive evaluation and structural health monitoring techniques. Major applications are expected to include a baseline- ....Baseline-free Methods for Early Damage Diagnosis using Nonlinear Ultrasound. To address the significant limitation of existing non-destructive evaluation techniques in detecting and characterising early damage, this project aims to discover the physical nature of self-generated nonlinear waves by structural damage and to explore its potential for an entirely new class of non-destructive evaluation and structural health monitoring techniques. Major applications are expected to include a baseline-free structural health monitoring technique capable of detecting and quantifying barely-visible impact damage in advanced composite materials, non-destructive evaluation of structures made by additive manufacturing, and detection of hard-to-inspect locations in unitised structures.Read moreRead less
Erosion of embankment dams and dam spillways. In excess of $250M is spent annually to maintain, upgrade, improve safety and monitor performance of Australian dams. Improved methods for assessing both spillway and internal erosion, the cause of 50 per cent of embankment dam failures and incidents requiring repairs, will be developed, maximising dam safety and minimising maintenance expenditure.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560716
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$864,610.00
Summary
A National T-ray Facility. T-rays are between microwaves and infrared on the electromagnetic spectrum. Recently, advances in femtosecond lasers enabled access to T-ray frequencies, producing an important new imaging modality for non-invasive sensing of materials and structures. Internationally, T-rays represent a rich new science leading to advanced forms of biophotonics, biomedical imaging and spectroscopy. Non-invasive T-ray diagnostics of nano- and bio-materials are being hotly pursued. The o ....A National T-ray Facility. T-rays are between microwaves and infrared on the electromagnetic spectrum. Recently, advances in femtosecond lasers enabled access to T-ray frequencies, producing an important new imaging modality for non-invasive sensing of materials and structures. Internationally, T-rays represent a rich new science leading to advanced forms of biophotonics, biomedical imaging and spectroscopy. Non-invasive T-ray diagnostics of nano- and bio-materials are being hotly pursued. The outcome will be a strategically important Australian T-ray facility that will provide immediate and transparent nationwide access. Historically, industry is transformed every time a new part of the electromagnetic spectrum becomes accessible - T-rays are the next frontier.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100185
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
High throughput microbial microculture and single cell analysis facility. High throughput microbial microculture and single cell analysis facility:
To support the emerging research area of microbial heterogeneity and variation in response to conditions, this project aims to establish a facility centred on a 24-microbioreactor system for high throughput microbial culturing. This is designed to be connected to two complementary analysis techniques – flow cytometry and high resolution infra-red mi ....High throughput microbial microculture and single cell analysis facility. High throughput microbial microculture and single cell analysis facility:
To support the emerging research area of microbial heterogeneity and variation in response to conditions, this project aims to establish a facility centred on a 24-microbioreactor system for high throughput microbial culturing. This is designed to be connected to two complementary analysis techniques – flow cytometry and high resolution infra-red microscopy – for the non-destructive measurement of metabolic activities and mapping of constituents of whole cells. This would help us to determine the variation in response between organisms, to guide cell line development and process optimisation for a wide range of biotechnology applications. Expected outcomes may apply to Australia’s brewing, wine, food processing, aquaculture, biofuels, biomedical and biotechnology industries.Read moreRead less
Data-driven water quality treatment management decision support system. Data-driven water quality treatment management decision support system. This project aims to develop a robust decision support system to predict manganese and the character and concentration of dissolved organic matter in drinking water reservoirs, using intelligent algorithms and data collected through remote autonomous instrumentation. These predicted water quality parameters could be used as model input variables to provi ....Data-driven water quality treatment management decision support system. Data-driven water quality treatment management decision support system. This project aims to develop a robust decision support system to predict manganese and the character and concentration of dissolved organic matter in drinking water reservoirs, using intelligent algorithms and data collected through remote autonomous instrumentation. These predicted water quality parameters could be used as model input variables to provide real-time decisions for plant operators on the required treatment regime for incoming raw water, and advise them on the optimal reservoir offtake depth. This will potentially minimise treatment costs and health risks for consumers. The ultimate goal is to significantly enhance current water supply management practices.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
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100133
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
National Facility for Physical Blast Simulation (NFPBS). Recent terrorist attacks employing large quantities of high explosives have prompted the international demand for experimental investigation of civil infrastructure response to shock wave loadings. The National Facility for Physical Blast Simulation (NFPBS) is one of only a few in the world that are suitable for conducting experimental research via a physically generated blast approach.
Reinforced crumbed rubber concrete for residential construction. Reinforced crumbed rubber concrete for residential construction. This project aims to use crumb rubber from used tyres to replace natural sand aggregate in concrete used in housing construction. Globally, very few of the millions of tyres discarded annually are recycled, while natural sand used in concrete is being depleted. This project intends to provide the tyre industry with a viable market for end of life tyres, and the premix ....Reinforced crumbed rubber concrete for residential construction. Reinforced crumbed rubber concrete for residential construction. This project aims to use crumb rubber from used tyres to replace natural sand aggregate in concrete used in housing construction. Globally, very few of the millions of tyres discarded annually are recycled, while natural sand used in concrete is being depleted. This project intends to provide the tyre industry with a viable market for end of life tyres, and the premix concrete industry with a “green” product for the residential construction market. Expected benefits include the increased use of a waste resource (used tyres), reduced use of a scarce natural resource (sand), and the development of an economic but green alternative concrete option for residential builders and owners.Read moreRead less
ARC Research Network for Advanced Materials. Materials science/engineering is decidedly interdisciplinary, covering all science and impacting on all manufacturing industry. This network will promote interactions that do not usually occur between materials researchers and students across Australia and internationally from diverse disciplines. The scope is broadly based on advanced materials production, processing and properties but focused in four areas, involving: i) innovative structural/functi ....ARC Research Network for Advanced Materials. Materials science/engineering is decidedly interdisciplinary, covering all science and impacting on all manufacturing industry. This network will promote interactions that do not usually occur between materials researchers and students across Australia and internationally from diverse disciplines. The scope is broadly based on advanced materials production, processing and properties but focused in four areas, involving: i) innovative structural/functional materials, ii) high-tech IT/communications/sensing materials, iii) materials solutions for manufacturing, iv) materials for a sustainable Australia, and v) emerging materials technologies. Key programs will promote interdisciplinary workshops and early career researcher interactions.Read moreRead less