Bidirectional Evolutionary Structural Optimization for Transient Problems. Aims: This proposal aims to expand the bidirectional evolutionary structural optimisation (BESO) method for transient mechanical, multiphysical and robotic problems.
Significance: The study will develop new BESO transient algorithms by integrating time-dependent analysis and stepwise design sensitivity in multicriteria and multidisciplinary optimisation.
Expected outcomes: The project will largely broaden the algorithmi ....Bidirectional Evolutionary Structural Optimization for Transient Problems. Aims: This proposal aims to expand the bidirectional evolutionary structural optimisation (BESO) method for transient mechanical, multiphysical and robotic problems.
Significance: The study will develop new BESO transient algorithms by integrating time-dependent analysis and stepwise design sensitivity in multicriteria and multidisciplinary optimisation.
Expected outcomes: The project will largely broaden the algorithmic scope of BESO and enables it to solve more extensive real-life problems with time-varying nature.
Benefits include a new BESO design framework and computer program, as well as a series of novel designs, potentially being implemented for aerospace, automotive, biomedical, mechanical, civil and mechatronic applications.Read moreRead less
Experiment-numerical-virtual Generative Design for Nondeterministic Impacts. This project will establish an advanced nondeterministic design methodology to uncover the optimised material properties and 3D printed metastructural capacity in real-time against impact loading. It will develop a rigorous framework that integrates numerical simulation, experiment, and machine learning-based virtual modelling to tackle practical challenges in design and manufacture of impact-proof materials and structu ....Experiment-numerical-virtual Generative Design for Nondeterministic Impacts. This project will establish an advanced nondeterministic design methodology to uncover the optimised material properties and 3D printed metastructural capacity in real-time against impact loading. It will develop a rigorous framework that integrates numerical simulation, experiment, and machine learning-based virtual modelling to tackle practical challenges in design and manufacture of impact-proof materials and structures with intrinsic uncertainties. The generative design-calibration system unifying experimental-numerical-virtual processes will largely reduce the need for repetitive large-scale experimental tests. This project benefits civil, aerospace, automotive, and defence with competitive advantage through technological innovation.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101683
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$448,354.00
Summary
Computational Design of Defect-Free Additive Manufactured Ceramic Structure. Despite its importance and potential, ceramic additive manufacturing (AM) is facing significant challenge for its inherent material characteristics prone to shrinkage and fracture during fabrication process. This project aims to fill a knowledge gap by developing a new computational design framework for a commonly-used indirect AM process. It will address a range of AM issues, such as residual stress/distortion, cracks, ....Computational Design of Defect-Free Additive Manufactured Ceramic Structure. Despite its importance and potential, ceramic additive manufacturing (AM) is facing significant challenge for its inherent material characteristics prone to shrinkage and fracture during fabrication process. This project aims to fill a knowledge gap by developing a new computational design framework for a commonly-used indirect AM process. It will address a range of AM issues, such as residual stress/distortion, cracks, and uncertainty in a nondeterministic context. The study is expected to establish novel design methodologies for ceramic AM with process modelling, robust/reliable optimisation, and fracture-based design. It will provide ceramic industry with a new framework for biomedical, aerospace and mechanical applications.Read moreRead less
Hybrid Toughening of Carbon Fibre Composites for Liquid Hydrogen Storage. This project aims to develop hybrid toughening technologies to overcome the major problem of transverse matrix cracking and splitting in existing carbon fibre composites when subjected to thermal-mechanical loading at the ultracold liquid hydrogen temperature. Nano-toughened thin-ply carbon fibre layers will be hybridised with standard-ply laminates to sustain internal pressure and external impact loading at cryogenic temp ....Hybrid Toughening of Carbon Fibre Composites for Liquid Hydrogen Storage. This project aims to develop hybrid toughening technologies to overcome the major problem of transverse matrix cracking and splitting in existing carbon fibre composites when subjected to thermal-mechanical loading at the ultracold liquid hydrogen temperature. Nano-toughened thin-ply carbon fibre layers will be hybridised with standard-ply laminates to sustain internal pressure and external impact loading at cryogenic temperatures without leaks. The hybrid composites are expected to enable Australian companies to engineer, manufacture and export lightweight carbon fibre tanks for storing and exporting liquid hydrogen, which is emerging as a transformational opportunity for Australia to become a global supplier of green energy.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
Magnetorheological Elastomer Based Tuned Mass Damper. This project aims to protect buildings utilising an advanced tuned mass damper (TMD) which has characteristics of adaptability, is energy and sensor free and has negative stiffness via the integration of magnetorheological elastomers, a self-sensing self-powered element and negative stiffness technologies. This project expects to theoretically and experimentally study the performance of the TMD on structural protection from wind loads and ear ....Magnetorheological Elastomer Based Tuned Mass Damper. This project aims to protect buildings utilising an advanced tuned mass damper (TMD) which has characteristics of adaptability, is energy and sensor free and has negative stiffness via the integration of magnetorheological elastomers, a self-sensing self-powered element and negative stiffness technologies. This project expects to theoretically and experimentally study the performance of the TMD on structural protection from wind loads and earthquakes. The expected outcomes of this project will advance TMD practice and structural protection technology, and benefit the building protection industry, both domestically and globally. This will provide significant benefits to the working efficiency and safety of building occupants.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100627
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$436,250.00
Summary
Topological phonons in solids. This project aims to create a complete list of possible topological phonons in time-reversal-invariant systems via symmetry analysis, to determine ideal topological phononic materials, and to study topological phonon-related properties and possible applications. The significant outcomes of this project will be the generation of new knowledge that will help conclude the search for novel topological phonons and the prediction of novel topological phononic materials b ....Topological phonons in solids. This project aims to create a complete list of possible topological phonons in time-reversal-invariant systems via symmetry analysis, to determine ideal topological phononic materials, and to study topological phonon-related properties and possible applications. The significant outcomes of this project will be the generation of new knowledge that will help conclude the search for novel topological phonons and the prediction of novel topological phononic materials based on the complete classification list of topological phonons. The outcomes of this project should unlock the physics of the exotic topological phonons and lay a solid foundation for applying topological phononic materials based on their unprecedented properties.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100837
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$441,454.00
Summary
Modulating protein phase behavior: cell functions vs material development. It has been recognized recently that cellular proteins can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation, however, a further liquid-to-solid transition can lead to aberrant biological processes. This project aims to investigate and control this behaviour to gain insights into cell dysfunction and new routes for biomaterials development. An integrated approach combining microfluidic platforms, optical techniques, and vibrational ....Modulating protein phase behavior: cell functions vs material development. It has been recognized recently that cellular proteins can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation, however, a further liquid-to-solid transition can lead to aberrant biological processes. This project aims to investigate and control this behaviour to gain insights into cell dysfunction and new routes for biomaterials development. An integrated approach combining microfluidic platforms, optical techniques, and vibrational spectroscopy will be exploited. Expected outcomes of this project include the mechanistic understanding of protein phase behaviour and protein-based biomaterial engineering. This should provide significant benefits in the prevention of aberrant protein aggregation and the generation of materials as plastic substitutes.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
Reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions from urban wastewater systems. This project aims to develop a systematic framework for water utilities to monitor and reduce direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wastewater systems. A standardised monitoring protocol will be developed to conduct an unprecedented nationwide sampling campaign. The obtained data, with microbial characterisation and mechanism analysis, will be used to develop novel models for accurate prediction of GHG emissions. Expect ....Reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions from urban wastewater systems. This project aims to develop a systematic framework for water utilities to monitor and reduce direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wastewater systems. A standardised monitoring protocol will be developed to conduct an unprecedented nationwide sampling campaign. The obtained data, with microbial characterisation and mechanism analysis, will be used to develop novel models for accurate prediction of GHG emissions. Expected outcomes include protocol to accurately monitor emissions, models to predict emission under various conditions, and mitigation guideline for typical plant configurations. The anticipated benefit is a significant reduction in GHG emissions from urban water industry and support it to meet net-zero-emission goal by 2050.Read moreRead less