Quantitative structural health assessment of large membrane-like structures. This project aims to develop a new approach, based on remote sensing and computational modelling, to assess and manage the structural health of large floating covers used for odour control and biogas harvesting to prevent unexpected failures. The project has potential benefits for high-value-added manufacturing and maintenance of these floating covers by Australian industry.
Transforming pastefill delivery system for next-generation mining industry. This project aims to develop a new type of mining pipeline design platform that can vastly improve pastefill (slurry) delivery systems. Using an Artificial Intelligence-based design platform, understanding complex and numerous variables in the fluid dynamics of abrasive pastefill flow will inform a new pipeline design. Consisting of a vertical casing, with our new composite pipeline chokes to replace costly friction loop ....Transforming pastefill delivery system for next-generation mining industry. This project aims to develop a new type of mining pipeline design platform that can vastly improve pastefill (slurry) delivery systems. Using an Artificial Intelligence-based design platform, understanding complex and numerous variables in the fluid dynamics of abrasive pastefill flow will inform a new pipeline design. Consisting of a vertical casing, with our new composite pipeline chokes to replace costly friction loops, improvements in flow efficiency and pipeline deterioration can significantly reduce maintenance costs. This novel and adaptable next-generation pipeline design and analysis platform can be employed by the manufacturing and mining sectors for pipeline failure analysis, managing production and developing new products.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH200100035
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub in New Safe and Reliable Energy Storage and Conversion Technologies. This Research Hub addresses safety and reliability issues, and environmental impact of current energy storage and conversion technologies. The research will deliver a new generation of technologies for storage from small scale portable devices to large scale industrial applications, using recycled and natural materials, and eliminating the serious fire risk in current technologies. Outcomes include innovative ....ARC Research Hub in New Safe and Reliable Energy Storage and Conversion Technologies. This Research Hub addresses safety and reliability issues, and environmental impact of current energy storage and conversion technologies. The research will deliver a new generation of technologies for storage from small scale portable devices to large scale industrial applications, using recycled and natural materials, and eliminating the serious fire risk in current technologies. Outcomes include innovative integrated energy conversion and storage technologies and new energy materials and devices designed for different scale applications, leading to creation of start up companies and commercialisation opportunities for existing partners, benefiting both the Australian economy and potentially transforming the energy industry landscape.Read moreRead less
Unlocking self-healing bio-concrete through multiscale modelling. Self-healing bio-concrete, which uses bacteria as means to repair cracks, has the potential to revolutionise the construction industry and reduce the infrastructure repair and maintenance cost by billions of dollars annually. To unlock this, we need to understand the bacterial self-healing mechanisms for effective control of the performance. This project will develop a multiscale framework to describe the competing mechanisms betw ....Unlocking self-healing bio-concrete through multiscale modelling. Self-healing bio-concrete, which uses bacteria as means to repair cracks, has the potential to revolutionise the construction industry and reduce the infrastructure repair and maintenance cost by billions of dollars annually. To unlock this, we need to understand the bacterial self-healing mechanisms for effective control of the performance. This project will develop a multiscale framework to describe the competing mechanisms between crack widening and healing at the macro-scale, incorporated with key information of substances diffusion and bio-cementation at the meso- and micro-scales. This will enable to optimise the self-healing of bio-concrete via design–test–learn approach and enhance the durability of structures under sustained loads.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100184
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$183,437.00
Summary
Femtoliter Liquid Deposition Facility. This project aims to create a research capacity for direct printing of femtolitre volumes of functional liquids onto devices and surfaces. This project expects to enable the development of new sensing and electronic devices that require a novel fabrication step with delicate materials that cannot be deposited using existing processes. Expected outcomes include new chemical and biological sensors created through collaborative research between the partner in ....Femtoliter Liquid Deposition Facility. This project aims to create a research capacity for direct printing of femtolitre volumes of functional liquids onto devices and surfaces. This project expects to enable the development of new sensing and electronic devices that require a novel fabrication step with delicate materials that cannot be deposited using existing processes. Expected outcomes include new chemical and biological sensors created through collaborative research between the partner institutions and researchers. The benefits of this project should include the creation of a new rapid prototyping facility for Australian researchers, and the application of these capabilities for the development of new low-cost sensors for environmental gas sensing and glucose monitoring.Read moreRead less
Unlocking the mechanisms of vibro-acoustic communication in termites . Our understanding of how termites use microvibrations to communicate is limited, as the generation, transmission and detection of these complex vibrations in substrates at the submillimetre scale are unknown. We aim to develop a fully validated vibro-acoustic termite communication model which will be used in Swårmalätørs to demonstrate their ability to synchronise and mimic collective behaviour. This will be achieved by combi ....Unlocking the mechanisms of vibro-acoustic communication in termites . Our understanding of how termites use microvibrations to communicate is limited, as the generation, transmission and detection of these complex vibrations in substrates at the submillimetre scale are unknown. We aim to develop a fully validated vibro-acoustic termite communication model which will be used in Swårmalätørs to demonstrate their ability to synchronise and mimic collective behaviour. This will be achieved by combining novel acoustic levitation, microsystem analyses and electrophysiology to determine physical properties of termite appendages, sensory and behavioural thresholds; and by considering wave transmission characteristics in wood, friction-adhesion at the termite feet, mandible cutting and soldier alarm drumming.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH180100020
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,058,152.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Integrated Energy Storage Solutions. The ARC Research Hub for Integrated Energy Storage Solutions aims to develop advanced energy storage technologies, including printed batteries, structural supercapacitors, innovative fuel cells and power-to-gas systems. It plans to integrate these storage solutions with existing energy networks and applications using novel storage monitoring, control and optimisation technologies. The Hub is expected to generate new knowledge in storage t ....ARC Research Hub for Integrated Energy Storage Solutions. The ARC Research Hub for Integrated Energy Storage Solutions aims to develop advanced energy storage technologies, including printed batteries, structural supercapacitors, innovative fuel cells and power-to-gas systems. It plans to integrate these storage solutions with existing energy networks and applications using novel storage monitoring, control and optimisation technologies. The Hub is expected to generate new knowledge in storage technology manufacturing, control and management. Expected outcomes include cheaper and more effective storage devices and better storage integration solutions, supporting renewables, reducing carbon emissions, and improving efficiency in the energy sector. Resulting benefits include a more sustainable, secure, reliable and economically efficient energy supply. This Hub will contribute to improving the economic efficiency of Australia’s energy sector.Read moreRead less
A sentinel network for vibration-based termite control. Termite damage is costly and eradication via chemicals is hazardous to environment and health. As termites use vibrations to make foraging decisions and eavesdrop on competitors/predators, it is feasible but not attempted hitherto to detect and control termites using vibrations. A smart sentinel network will be developed to enable timber infrastructure to be continuously monitored for termites and for termites to be repelled using specific ....A sentinel network for vibration-based termite control. Termite damage is costly and eradication via chemicals is hazardous to environment and health. As termites use vibrations to make foraging decisions and eavesdrop on competitors/predators, it is feasible but not attempted hitherto to detect and control termites using vibrations. A smart sentinel network will be developed to enable timber infrastructure to be continuously monitored for termites and for termites to be repelled using specific vibration signals and manipulated structures, with minimal environmental and health impacts. For this network to be efficient and effective, an improved understanding on how vibrations influence termite sociality will be obtained by studying habituation and signal adaptation on collective behaviour.Read moreRead less
Discovering how termites use vibrations to thrive in a predators' world. Our recent research revealed termites use vibrations to avoid predators/competitors for survival. However, the enabling mechanisms of this amazing ability remain unknown. The project aims at unlocking the secrets of these mechanisms by relating the mechanical properties of termite, legs, antennae and sensing organs (measured with advanced micro measurement techniques) to vibration signatures of ants and termites (extracted ....Discovering how termites use vibrations to thrive in a predators' world. Our recent research revealed termites use vibrations to avoid predators/competitors for survival. However, the enabling mechanisms of this amazing ability remain unknown. The project aims at unlocking the secrets of these mechanisms by relating the mechanical properties of termite, legs, antennae and sensing organs (measured with advanced micro measurement techniques) to vibration signatures of ants and termites (extracted using innovative signal processing techniques and nonlinear dynamics). We will develop novel bio-dynamics models that incorporate machine learning. We will test the models’ ability to manipulate termites foraging behaviour, with the ultimate objective of developing chemical-free, vibration-based pest control devices. Read moreRead less