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
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
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
Scouring and Dehairing Australian Cashmere Fibres. The project aims to develop a viable method of dehairing greasy Australian cashmere materials. Traditionally, cashmere materials are scoured or washed first, followed by dehairing to extract the useful fine cashmere fibres. This is expensive and water consumption for scouring is also high. The current project will overcome the difficulties in dehairing greasy cashmere and optimise the process of scouring dehaired cashmere fibres. Technology deve ....Scouring and Dehairing Australian Cashmere Fibres. The project aims to develop a viable method of dehairing greasy Australian cashmere materials. Traditionally, cashmere materials are scoured or washed first, followed by dehairing to extract the useful fine cashmere fibres. This is expensive and water consumption for scouring is also high. The current project will overcome the difficulties in dehairing greasy cashmere and optimise the process of scouring dehaired cashmere fibres. Technology developed in this project will reduce scouring cost and water consumption, improve dehairing yield, and increase the flexibility of cashmere scouring and processing, leading to a more sustainable Australian cashmere industry.Read moreRead less
Modelling the stability and efficiency of ring spinning. This research will benefit the animal fibre industry, particularly the multi-billion dollar wool industry. Low spinning efficiency adds a significant cost to the conversion of animal fibres into textile products, which reduces the competitive position of these natural fibres. The proposed research will lead to improvement in the efficiency of ring spinning. It has been estimated that a 1% improvement in spinning efficiency will add about $ ....Modelling the stability and efficiency of ring spinning. This research will benefit the animal fibre industry, particularly the multi-billion dollar wool industry. Low spinning efficiency adds a significant cost to the conversion of animal fibres into textile products, which reduces the competitive position of these natural fibres. The proposed research will lead to improvement in the efficiency of ring spinning. It has been estimated that a 1% improvement in spinning efficiency will add about $16 million to the wool industry alone. Read moreRead less