Liquid metal solvents for high entropy and atomically configured systems. Significant challenges remain in developing high entropy alloys, which are future disruptors in metallurgy, ranging from configurational entropy to atomic ordering. To address such challenges, we will explore liquid metal solvents for synthesising high entropy and atomically configured systems from the combination of reactive and high melting point elements stabilised in metallic solvents. Molecular imprinting, mechanical ....Liquid metal solvents for high entropy and atomically configured systems. Significant challenges remain in developing high entropy alloys, which are future disruptors in metallurgy, ranging from configurational entropy to atomic ordering. To address such challenges, we will explore liquid metal solvents for synthesising high entropy and atomically configured systems from the combination of reactive and high melting point elements stabilised in metallic solvents. Molecular imprinting, mechanical and electrochemical triggers will control interfacial atomic organisation and precipitation. The growth mechanisms, both at the interface and in the bulk, will be explored by high energy probing techniques and computational simulations. We will offer new metallurgical paradigms for future catalysis and sensing concepts.Read moreRead less
Advanced shield materials for compact fusion energy. We aim to predict how materials used for shielding sensitive components in nuclear fusion reactors will degrade over time. We will use this knowledge to design advanced alloys for radiation shield, which are critical for the development of more compact fusion reactors design, with lower construction cost, and shorter assembly time. These advanced shield materials may also be used in other applications in radiation fields (e.g. space, nuclear m ....Advanced shield materials for compact fusion energy. We aim to predict how materials used for shielding sensitive components in nuclear fusion reactors will degrade over time. We will use this knowledge to design advanced alloys for radiation shield, which are critical for the development of more compact fusion reactors design, with lower construction cost, and shorter assembly time. These advanced shield materials may also be used in other applications in radiation fields (e.g. space, nuclear medicine). The project also seeks to extend the Australian nuclear research capability by developing an innovative technique to study radiation damage using the OPAL reactor at ANSTO.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE240100049
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,200,000.00
Summary
In-situ nanomechanical testing for materials under extreme environments. This project aims to establish a state-of-the-art in-situ nanomechanical testing capability for materials under extreme environments. A cutting-edge nanoindentation stage with customisable modules, as well as an optimally configured scanning electron microscope, will enable this capability for the first time in Australia. The expected outcomes will provide valuable insights into how microstructures affect mechanical propert ....In-situ nanomechanical testing for materials under extreme environments. This project aims to establish a state-of-the-art in-situ nanomechanical testing capability for materials under extreme environments. A cutting-edge nanoindentation stage with customisable modules, as well as an optimally configured scanning electron microscope, will enable this capability for the first time in Australia. The expected outcomes will provide valuable insights into how microstructures affect mechanical properties at temperatures ranging from -150 to 1000 °C, strain rates from 10E-5/s to 10E5/s, and liquid environments. The resulting knowledge will guide the development of structural materials that withstand harsh environmental conditions, thereby advancing Australia's advanced manufacturing and sustainable energy sectors.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE240100130
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,300,000.00
Summary
Thermophysical Property Analysers for Materials under Extreme Environments. The development of new materials with properties specifically tailored to withstand the extreme environments begins with understanding the physical nature of the processes involved, including the properties of atoms and molecules extending from the nanoscale to the collective behaviour at the macroscale. This relies on the knowledge achieved with new capabilities of analytical tools to open new avenues for developing the ....Thermophysical Property Analysers for Materials under Extreme Environments. The development of new materials with properties specifically tailored to withstand the extreme environments begins with understanding the physical nature of the processes involved, including the properties of atoms and molecules extending from the nanoscale to the collective behaviour at the macroscale. This relies on the knowledge achieved with new capabilities of analytical tools to open new avenues for developing the materials. This project aims to strengthen Australian research activities in the development of advanced materials for energy, defence and space, and advanced manufacturing technologies through establishing a high temperature, high pressure and high force materials characterisation suite for extreme environments at UNSW.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE240100036
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$754,700.00
Summary
Ultra-fast structure-property characterisation of materials. The design of materials for functional and damage-tolerant applications requires detailed knowledge of their structure and the mechanisms that operate at length scales ranging from interatomic layers to micro, meso and macro scales. This project aims to establish ultra-fast processing capabilities that enable ion-damage free structural modifications and microstructure-mechanical properties characterisation across multiple length scales ....Ultra-fast structure-property characterisation of materials. The design of materials for functional and damage-tolerant applications requires detailed knowledge of their structure and the mechanisms that operate at length scales ranging from interatomic layers to micro, meso and macro scales. This project aims to establish ultra-fast processing capabilities that enable ion-damage free structural modifications and microstructure-mechanical properties characterisation across multiple length scales at unprecedented speed and accuracy. Expected outcomes include the ability to create new knowledge about multi-scale structure, composition and deformation mechanisms for the design of novel materials systems that enable manufacturing benefits throughout transportation, defence and clean energy sectors.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE240100120
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$546,254.00
Summary
Powder Manufacturing Facility for Additive Manufacturing. This proposal aims to enhance Australian capability in advanced manufacturing by enabling academia and industry to access a new Powder Manufacturing Facility for Additive Manufacturing (AM) to produce and characterise metallic powders for AM. There is presently an urgent need to develop metallic powders specific to AM instead of relying on alloys that were developed for traditional processes and that are not performing optimally in AM due ....Powder Manufacturing Facility for Additive Manufacturing. This proposal aims to enhance Australian capability in advanced manufacturing by enabling academia and industry to access a new Powder Manufacturing Facility for Additive Manufacturing (AM) to produce and characterise metallic powders for AM. There is presently an urgent need to develop metallic powders specific to AM instead of relying on alloys that were developed for traditional processes and that are not performing optimally in AM due to the fundamental physical differences between modern and traditional manufacturing technologies. Additionally, within this new facility, investigations on recycling metal products into powders to be used in AM will be conducted, providing new opportunities to achieve a circular economy.Read moreRead less
Mid-Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IM230100125
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,053,296.00
Summary
Life prediction and optimisation of advanced first-wall fusion materials. The project focusses on accelerating the development radiation-tolerant materials for fusion energy, in collaboration with HB11 and Tokamak Energy. Specifically, we aim to understand the degradation mechanisms of the “first-wall” component, which is exposed to high energy radiation. In turn, this will (a) enable accurate life assessments of the component, and (b) inform how to optimise it material for longer-lasting fusion ....Life prediction and optimisation of advanced first-wall fusion materials. The project focusses on accelerating the development radiation-tolerant materials for fusion energy, in collaboration with HB11 and Tokamak Energy. Specifically, we aim to understand the degradation mechanisms of the “first-wall” component, which is exposed to high energy radiation. In turn, this will (a) enable accurate life assessments of the component, and (b) inform how to optimise it material for longer-lasting fusion devices. The outcomes directly reduce the cost of energy produced by the partner’s fusion devices, help bridge the gap from TRL 3 to 6, and provide valuable inputs for techno-economic models and licensing applications. The fellowship will also enhance Australia’s prominence in the international fusion energy stage.Read moreRead less
Making Strong Alloys Ductile and Hydrogen-Tolerant via Tuning Nanogradients. This project aims to develop a novel design concept of gradient segregation engineering (GSE) to produce high-performance alloys. The innovative GSE will synergistically introduce a chemical gradient via grain boundary segregation and a physical gradient by microstructure control to simultaneously achieve an excellent strength-ductility combination and exceptional resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. This project expec ....Making Strong Alloys Ductile and Hydrogen-Tolerant via Tuning Nanogradients. This project aims to develop a novel design concept of gradient segregation engineering (GSE) to produce high-performance alloys. The innovative GSE will synergistically introduce a chemical gradient via grain boundary segregation and a physical gradient by microstructure control to simultaneously achieve an excellent strength-ductility combination and exceptional resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. This project expects to create new fundamental knowledge and provide critical perspectives for future mechanistic alloy design. The results will enhance Australia’s capacity to develop next-generation advanced alloys to underpin current and emerging industrial applications and strengthen the country’s leading position in materials engineering.Read moreRead less
Advanced refractory alloy components for aerospace and energy sectors. This project aims to employ state-of-the-art alloy modelling and a new additive manufacturing approach to fabricate advanced alloy components with superior high temperature and chemical properties. Components will be manufactured from both existing and completely new alloys. Expected outcomes include stronger and more damage resistant high temperature parts for high-speed aerospace vehicles, and more stable corrosion resistan ....Advanced refractory alloy components for aerospace and energy sectors. This project aims to employ state-of-the-art alloy modelling and a new additive manufacturing approach to fabricate advanced alloy components with superior high temperature and chemical properties. Components will be manufactured from both existing and completely new alloys. Expected outcomes include stronger and more damage resistant high temperature parts for high-speed aerospace vehicles, and more stable corrosion resistant alloys for application in molten salts. The project expects to increase our sovereign capabilities in advanced alloy component manufacture, for the benefit of sectors including high-velocity aerospace, defence and molten salt-based energy storage and power generation.Read moreRead less