Computational methods in atomic collision theory. We will develop computational methods for solving interactions between particles on the atomic scale. Computational problems, of particular interest to the industry partner, are the treatment of large-scale ill-conditioned linear systems, and the extension of the Gaussian molecular structure package to collision physics. We have been world-leaders in the field of atomic collision theory for almost a decade, and now, utilising the latest software ....Computational methods in atomic collision theory. We will develop computational methods for solving interactions between particles on the atomic scale. Computational problems, of particular interest to the industry partner, are the treatment of large-scale ill-conditioned linear systems, and the extension of the Gaussian molecular structure package to collision physics. We have been world-leaders in the field of atomic collision theory for almost a decade, and now, utilising the latest software and hardware, will have the capacity to extend the numerical techniques to a vast range of collision systems of interest to science and industry, where visualisation and sheer computer power will play a major role in both
code development and production runs.Read moreRead less
A Cost-Effective System for Monitoring Lightning Strikes Across Australasia. Lightning causes many major fires in Australia, and rural fire managers would benefit from access to lighting data. Lightning data have been prohibitively expensive because acquiring them requires a dense monitoring network. Low Frequency Electromagnetic Research Ltd (LF*EM) has developed an alternative, cost-effective technology for monitoring lightning based on a sparse network of stations monitoring VLF radiation. We ....A Cost-Effective System for Monitoring Lightning Strikes Across Australasia. Lightning causes many major fires in Australia, and rural fire managers would benefit from access to lighting data. Lightning data have been prohibitively expensive because acquiring them requires a dense monitoring network. Low Frequency Electromagnetic Research Ltd (LF*EM) has developed an alternative, cost-effective technology for monitoring lightning based on a sparse network of stations monitoring VLF radiation. We propose to translate LF*EM's basic science results into a product that can deliver lightning data to fire managers and other users across Oceania.Read moreRead less
Controlling hydrate slurry flow to enable deepwater oil and gas production. This project aims to investigate the plugging of hydrate slurries in pipelines to determine under what conditions they will flow satisfactorily without forming a blockage. Hydrate blockages are expensive and hazardous occurrences in oil and gas operations, so current prevention systems aim to avoid hydrate formation altogether through over-design. These over-designed hydrate prevention systems are extremely expensive to ....Controlling hydrate slurry flow to enable deepwater oil and gas production. This project aims to investigate the plugging of hydrate slurries in pipelines to determine under what conditions they will flow satisfactorily without forming a blockage. Hydrate blockages are expensive and hazardous occurrences in oil and gas operations, so current prevention systems aim to avoid hydrate formation altogether through over-design. These over-designed hydrate prevention systems are extremely expensive to build and costly to run during the operations phase. The project intends to examine the behaviour of hydrate slurry flow as a function of the oil's properties, amount of water and degree of turbulence. Outcomes are intended to be a sophisticated approach to avoiding hydrate blockages that is safe but more efficient and less costly.Read moreRead less
Syngas Production Using Catalytic Carbon Dioxide Dry Reforming. This project intends to pave the way for turning remote low-value Australian resources and greenhouse gases into valuable products. Most of Australian natural gas reserves are located in the remote north-west shelf, and many are small scale and thus cannot be economically harnessed using conventional methods such as pipeline transportation or gas liquefaction. In this project, a dry reforming reactor with novel catalysts will be des ....Syngas Production Using Catalytic Carbon Dioxide Dry Reforming. This project intends to pave the way for turning remote low-value Australian resources and greenhouse gases into valuable products. Most of Australian natural gas reserves are located in the remote north-west shelf, and many are small scale and thus cannot be economically harnessed using conventional methods such as pipeline transportation or gas liquefaction. In this project, a dry reforming reactor with novel catalysts will be designed for converting natural gas and carbon dioxide to syngas, which is an intermediate step of gas-to-liquid plant. By innovatively integrating advanced catalysis and heating technologies, reactor weight and operational costs will be minimised.Read moreRead less
Environmentally responsive clean coatings. Nature makes use of a range of fascinating surface properties, such as the leaves of the Lotus plant which stay clean even in dirty environments. In this project we will explore the molecular properties of novel polymer coated surfaces that-similar to some natural surfaces-can adapt to changing environmental stimuli and be resistant to contamination. Specifically, we aim to develop self-cleaning polymer coatings which can reversibly switch from wettab ....Environmentally responsive clean coatings. Nature makes use of a range of fascinating surface properties, such as the leaves of the Lotus plant which stay clean even in dirty environments. In this project we will explore the molecular properties of novel polymer coated surfaces that-similar to some natural surfaces-can adapt to changing environmental stimuli and be resistant to contamination. Specifically, we aim to develop self-cleaning polymer coatings which can reversibly switch from wettable to non-wettable with changing temperature and humidity. These self-cleaning polymer surfaces with environmentally responsive properties will add value to pre-painted steel products and other coatings.Read moreRead less
Geomagnetic induced currents in the Australian electricity supply network. This project will develop measures to protect the Australian electricity supply network from adverse effects of enhanced solar activity. This is essential for risk assessment and long term asset management of the Australian electricity network.
Investigation of contaminant distribution, deposition and poisoning of cathodes of solid oxide fuel cells. The purpose of the project is to fundamentally study the poisoning process of contaminants on the performance degradation and activity of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) cathode and to develop contaminant-tolerant cathodes, so as to ensure the product life over five years of the BlueGen SOFC systems being developed by Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd. in Melbourne.
Integrating microbiology and climatic drivers to determine triggers for nitrous oxide emissions from arable soils in semi-arid Western Australia. Increasing nitrous oxide emissions from soil to the atmosphere are a concern as they contribute to global warming and the destruction of the ozone layer. While 70-81% of this increase has been attributed globally to agricultural soils, the factors controlling emissions from arable soils in southern Australia are not well understood. We aim to charact ....Integrating microbiology and climatic drivers to determine triggers for nitrous oxide emissions from arable soils in semi-arid Western Australia. Increasing nitrous oxide emissions from soil to the atmosphere are a concern as they contribute to global warming and the destruction of the ozone layer. While 70-81% of this increase has been attributed globally to agricultural soils, the factors controlling emissions from arable soils in southern Australia are not well understood. We aim to characterise and model the relationship between the soil microbial community responsible for nitrous oxide emissions and soil water availability. Understanding the processes responsible for nitrous oxide emissions will enable us to change the way we manage our semi-arid soils so as to minimise nitrous oxide emissions.Read moreRead less
Risk Assessment of Pesticide Contamination of Surface Water and Groundwater - Trigger Mechanisms for Fast Transport. Pesticide and herbicide transport to groundwater and surface water poses a risk to the environment and humans alike. A new event-based risk assessment approach of pesticide movement to surface water and groundwater will be developed. With the use of rainfall simulation partitioning between surface runoff and infiltration will be quantified in an agricultural catchment. Pesticide c ....Risk Assessment of Pesticide Contamination of Surface Water and Groundwater - Trigger Mechanisms for Fast Transport. Pesticide and herbicide transport to groundwater and surface water poses a risk to the environment and humans alike. A new event-based risk assessment approach of pesticide movement to surface water and groundwater will be developed. With the use of rainfall simulation partitioning between surface runoff and infiltration will be quantified in an agricultural catchment. Pesticide contamination events will be identified from climatic data such high intensity rainfalls and soil properties controlling runoff and preferential flow. Results will be used to develop management strategies to reduce offsite movement of pesticides.Read moreRead less
Development of Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance Methods and Technology to Enhance the Detection of Explosives and Other Contraband. This project will develop new methods and technology for the detection of explosives and other compounds using Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance. This technique is of great importance to aviation security and the military and is particularly relevant to the priority goal of 'Safeguarding Australia'. The Industry partner has licensing contracts with major x-ray manufacturer ....Development of Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance Methods and Technology to Enhance the Detection of Explosives and Other Contraband. This project will develop new methods and technology for the detection of explosives and other compounds using Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance. This technique is of great importance to aviation security and the military and is particularly relevant to the priority goal of 'Safeguarding Australia'. The Industry partner has licensing contracts with major x-ray manufacturers and system integrators to integrate this technology. These investigations should yield improvements in the signal to noise ratio, false alarm rates and the spatial discrimination of targets. This work will lead to significant increases in the value of the technology and open up new areas of commercialization.Read moreRead less