Mechanical Characterization of Carbon Nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes play important roles in the development of nanotechnology, a key technology in the twenty-first century. This project aims to establish the theories and techniques for characterizing the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes. A novel method combining atomic analysis, predictive modeling and direct experimental quantification with atomic force microscopy will be used to achieve the objectives. The research will bring about new ....Mechanical Characterization of Carbon Nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes play important roles in the development of nanotechnology, a key technology in the twenty-first century. This project aims to establish the theories and techniques for characterizing the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes. A novel method combining atomic analysis, predictive modeling and direct experimental quantification with atomic force microscopy will be used to achieve the objectives. The research will bring about new nanomechanics theories, resolve the existing paradox in nanotube deformation and provide an effective measuring method under complex loading. The achievement will contribute to the knowledge of nanotechnology and help the industry for further technical development.Read moreRead less
An innovative manufacturing technology enabling new generations of hip joint prostheses. The success of the present project will revolutionise the way we produce hip joint prostheses, resolve the critical issues caused by the wear of the hip joint bearing surfaces, and dramatically improve patients' life quality. The project will open an entirely new application field for the Australian made materials which have a very limited market so far. With the innovative technology and the new generations ....An innovative manufacturing technology enabling new generations of hip joint prostheses. The success of the present project will revolutionise the way we produce hip joint prostheses, resolve the critical issues caused by the wear of the hip joint bearing surfaces, and dramatically improve patients' life quality. The project will open an entirely new application field for the Australian made materials which have a very limited market so far. With the innovative technology and the new generations of hip joint prostheses, the international competitive edge of the Australian industry will be markedly sharpened. Patients, and the Australian economy, are expected to benefit greatly from successful developments in this project.Read moreRead less
Value Adding to Australian Cashmere Fleece. This project will lead to major technical advance in the processing of both cashmere fibres and cashmere guard hair. Reducing the level of breakage in fine cashmere fibres will add significant premium to the price of cashmere fibres and products. In addition, the large amount of coarse guard hair removed from cashmere dehairing process will be converted into quality fine powders, which will add significant value to an otherwise 'waste' product. This pr ....Value Adding to Australian Cashmere Fleece. This project will lead to major technical advance in the processing of both cashmere fibres and cashmere guard hair. Reducing the level of breakage in fine cashmere fibres will add significant premium to the price of cashmere fibres and products. In addition, the large amount of coarse guard hair removed from cashmere dehairing process will be converted into quality fine powders, which will add significant value to an otherwise 'waste' product. This project will benefit the entire animal fibre industry, particularly the rare animal fibre industry.Read moreRead less
The characterization and pocessing of Australian grown hemp fibres. This project will, for the first time, systematically examine the characteristics and processing behaviour of Australian grown hemp fibres. The hemp industry is an emerging new industry in rural Australia. This research will tackle a number of complex problems concerning characterization, degumming, and processing of Australian grown hemp, and will engineer the finest and softest yarns as well as industrial products from this he ....The characterization and pocessing of Australian grown hemp fibres. This project will, for the first time, systematically examine the characteristics and processing behaviour of Australian grown hemp fibres. The hemp industry is an emerging new industry in rural Australia. This research will tackle a number of complex problems concerning characterization, degumming, and processing of Australian grown hemp, and will engineer the finest and softest yarns as well as industrial products from this hemp. This will position the local hemp industry as well fibre processing industry in a very strong position to meet the growing demand world wide on this "green" fibre.Read moreRead less
A new abrasive waterjet milling technology and process models for fabricating energy-efficient electrical machines from amorphous magnetic metal laminations. As the most energy-efficient core material for electrical machines, amorphous magnetic metal (AMM) can save more than 36% of the energy wasted by ordinary electrical motors. Since electrical motors consume about 70% of all the electricity generated, if all electrical motors in Australia use AMM as the core material, an annual energy saving ....A new abrasive waterjet milling technology and process models for fabricating energy-efficient electrical machines from amorphous magnetic metal laminations. As the most energy-efficient core material for electrical machines, amorphous magnetic metal (AMM) can save more than 36% of the energy wasted by ordinary electrical motors. Since electrical motors consume about 70% of all the electricity generated, if all electrical motors in Australia use AMM as the core material, an annual energy saving worth approximately $4 billion and an annual reduction of 16 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emission in Australia are expected based on the predicted electricity consumption in 2010. This project will develop a new technology for fabricating larger electrical machines from AMM laminations. It targets the national research priorities in Frontier Technologies and An Environmentally Sustainable Australia.Read moreRead less
Modelling of Pulse Current Parameters and Design of Fuzzy Logic Controller for Uniform Metal Transfer in Pulsed Gas Metal Arc Welding of Aluminium Alloy. The use of aluminium alloys in automotive and aerospace industry is growing across the world. In order to improve the use of aluminium alloy in various industries, the welding process for aluminium need to be improved. The objective of this research is to develop an intelligent controller for welding power source, which is capable of selectin ....Modelling of Pulse Current Parameters and Design of Fuzzy Logic Controller for Uniform Metal Transfer in Pulsed Gas Metal Arc Welding of Aluminium Alloy. The use of aluminium alloys in automotive and aerospace industry is growing across the world. In order to improve the use of aluminium alloy in various industries, the welding process for aluminium need to be improved. The objective of this research is to develop an intelligent controller for welding power source, which is capable of selecting process parameters automatically for varying pulse conditions in welding of aluminium alloys. The fundamental understanding about development of proposed intelligent system with smart controller for uniform metal transfer will create global interest across the welding industry and will create a new market potential throughout world where use of aluminium as a base material is growing.Read moreRead less
New hybrid fibres incorporating nano protein materials. This project aims to develop new cellulose fibres incorporating nano protein materials extracted from animal fibres such as wool. The structure and property of the new hybrid fibres will be studied. Combining cellulose and protein materials within a single fibre is a new and original concept. This will lead to the production of new fibres with enhanced attributes and add significant value to the multi-billion dollar animal fibre industry in ....New hybrid fibres incorporating nano protein materials. This project aims to develop new cellulose fibres incorporating nano protein materials extracted from animal fibres such as wool. The structure and property of the new hybrid fibres will be studied. Combining cellulose and protein materials within a single fibre is a new and original concept. This will lead to the production of new fibres with enhanced attributes and add significant value to the multi-billion dollar animal fibre industry in Australia. It will also benefit the collaborating country as the major consumer of animal fibres imported from AustraliaRead moreRead less
Developing a new nano-surfacing and micro-fabrication technology for complex part features using micro-abrasive jet. Ultra-precision fabrication such as nano-surfacing, micro-channelling and micro-texturing is crucial for the development of high-integrity, high-density systems for engineering, communication, computing, photovoltaic, electric and optical devices and systems. This project will gain a fundamental understanding of the physics in nano-surface formation using a micro-abrasive jet, and ....Developing a new nano-surfacing and micro-fabrication technology for complex part features using micro-abrasive jet. Ultra-precision fabrication such as nano-surfacing, micro-channelling and micro-texturing is crucial for the development of high-integrity, high-density systems for engineering, communication, computing, photovoltaic, electric and optical devices and systems. This project will gain a fundamental understanding of the physics in nano-surface formation using a micro-abrasive jet, and make a significant impact to the ultra-precision engineering discipline. It will also develop a frontier technology that will increase the competitiveness of the Australian fabrication industry in developing leading edge technologies and products.Read moreRead less
Magneto-optical imaging of super-current flow in superconducting tapes and wires. This project is aimed at establishing the connections between local and global superconducting current-carrying abilities in magnesium diboride and high temperature superconducting tapes and wires. Local high-resolution magneto-optical imaging combined with transport current techniques will be employed. Super-current stream-lines and critical current density distributions will be quantitatively obtained from local ....Magneto-optical imaging of super-current flow in superconducting tapes and wires. This project is aimed at establishing the connections between local and global superconducting current-carrying abilities in magnesium diboride and high temperature superconducting tapes and wires. Local high-resolution magneto-optical imaging combined with transport current techniques will be employed. Super-current stream-lines and critical current density distributions will be quantitatively obtained from local magnetic flux behaviour. Pinpointing the connections is expected not only to promote production technology, but also to elucidate factors influencing the current-carrying ability in the tapes and wires.Read moreRead less
Formation and characterisation of continuous electrospun nanofibre yarns. Australia historically has a strong fibre and textile industry that can be augmented by embracing emerging nanotechnology. The proposed research will develop a technology that can greatly improve the productivity of nanofibres. These fibres can then be spun into continuous yarns and other form of textile products. The nanostructured products offer exceptional functions for biomedical and environmental applications. This ne ....Formation and characterisation of continuous electrospun nanofibre yarns. Australia historically has a strong fibre and textile industry that can be augmented by embracing emerging nanotechnology. The proposed research will develop a technology that can greatly improve the productivity of nanofibres. These fibres can then be spun into continuous yarns and other form of textile products. The nanostructured products offer exceptional functions for biomedical and environmental applications. This new technology has the potential to transform the Australian textile technology and fibre processing industry. Read moreRead less