Development of PVC-Based Polymer Nanocomposites. The aim of the project is to develop a PVC polymer nanocomposite material to be used in water pipelines. It has been found that the inclusion of a nanoparticle phase, in this case calcium carbonate, leads to increases in strength, stiffness, toughness and abrasion resistance. This proposed project will develop and assess an optimum material in addition to investigating the mechanisms of deformation.
Computational analysis and design of injection stretch blow-moulded polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. There are approximately 2.5 billion containers made each year representing 80,000 tonnes of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in Australia. A weight reduction of each PET container will have a significant economic benefit and an environmental impact. This project aims to develop an integrated and innovative computer-aided design technology for assisting manufacturing of injection stretch ....Computational analysis and design of injection stretch blow-moulded polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. There are approximately 2.5 billion containers made each year representing 80,000 tonnes of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in Australia. A weight reduction of each PET container will have a significant economic benefit and an environmental impact. This project aims to develop an integrated and innovative computer-aided design technology for assisting manufacturing of injection stretch moulded PET bottles by making full use of the up-to-date computational technologies. It is expected that the research will improve the competitiveness of Australian packaging industries by developing leading-edge technology and will enhance living environment in terms of optimally designing lightweight and structurally strong PET bottles.Read moreRead less
Designing starches for increased productivity in mineral flotation. Designing starches for increased productivity in mineral flotation. This project aims to understand the process of starch-mineral surface interactions, and design and develop tailored starch depressant/flocculant biopolymers for mineral beneficiation via the froth flotation process. Natural and modified starches are used as depressants and flocculants in mineral flotation, but scientists lack knowledge of mechanisms describing s ....Designing starches for increased productivity in mineral flotation. Designing starches for increased productivity in mineral flotation. This project aims to understand the process of starch-mineral surface interactions, and design and develop tailored starch depressant/flocculant biopolymers for mineral beneficiation via the froth flotation process. Natural and modified starches are used as depressants and flocculants in mineral flotation, but scientists lack knowledge of mechanisms describing starch-mineral surface interactions, particularly how they process base metal sulphides. This project also intends to develop starch characterisation techniques and novel methods for modifying starch structures and functionalities. Anticipated outcomes are new novel manufacturing applications for starch in Australia.Read moreRead less
Innovative platforms for further enhancing security and durability of the Australian Polymer Banknote and other security documents. The polymer banknote is a symbol of world-leading Australian innovation and prosperity. The utility, durability and security of our banknotes underpins consumer confidence, economic stability and national security. Events of recent years, and opportunities and threats from rapid global information flow heighten the need to enhance and renew the many security feature ....Innovative platforms for further enhancing security and durability of the Australian Polymer Banknote and other security documents. The polymer banknote is a symbol of world-leading Australian innovation and prosperity. The utility, durability and security of our banknotes underpins consumer confidence, economic stability and national security. Events of recent years, and opportunities and threats from rapid global information flow heighten the need to enhance and renew the many security features incorporated in our currency. The novel, cost-effective security-feature technologies to be developed in this project will also contribute to increasing the substantial polymer banknote export market, enable further expansion into other, even more demanding, security documents such as passports, and provide a needed boost to our domestic manufacturing industries.Read moreRead less
Development of a Cost-Effective Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposite for High Quality Gravure Printing. Gravure printing is the printing process of choice for long runs and high quality. The conventional process involves the manufacture of copper-plated, chrome-coated cylinders into which the desired image is engraved. The cylinders have high manufacturing and operating costs. The chemicals used in the process are highly toxic and therefore pose major threats to humans and environment. This proposa ....Development of a Cost-Effective Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposite for High Quality Gravure Printing. Gravure printing is the printing process of choice for long runs and high quality. The conventional process involves the manufacture of copper-plated, chrome-coated cylinders into which the desired image is engraved. The cylinders have high manufacturing and operating costs. The chemicals used in the process are highly toxic and therefore pose major threats to humans and environment. This proposal outlines the first attempts to develop a new and innovative hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposite material to replace the copper plating and chrome coating. The success of the project will offer high quality, affordable and environmentally friendly printing service to both local and international clientele.
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Cost effective high output polymer fibre optic lighting systems. A new flexible composite polymer can transport light over distances beyond 30 metres within diameters of 5mm to 25mm and still be intrinsically bright. The link between composition, transport efficiency and output will be established. Input studies will include tailored external optics and full integration of bright LED's inside the cable. Prototypes evaluated will include, lighting inside display refrigeration, "on person" safety ....Cost effective high output polymer fibre optic lighting systems. A new flexible composite polymer can transport light over distances beyond 30 metres within diameters of 5mm to 25mm and still be intrinsically bright. The link between composition, transport efficiency and output will be established. Input studies will include tailored external optics and full integration of bright LED's inside the cable. Prototypes evaluated will include, lighting inside display refrigeration, "on person" safety and fashion lighting (including novel jewellery), solar powered LED lighting for remote areas (including roadworks, stand alone signs, developing country and remote rural homes), daylight and lamps together in the one cable, and general lighting. Many of these will be developed by the industry collaborator.Read moreRead less
PRODUCTION OF OPTIMAL MICROSTRUCTURED POLYMER OPTICAL FIBRE. Microstructured optical fibres have been described as the 'next generation' of optical fibres, because of their ability to produce tailorisable optical effects. Our success in producing these fibres in polymer was a world-first. This project will yield a fundamental understanding of the fabrication process, so that for any fibre design the optimal drawing conditions can be determined and maintained for extended draws. This will allow i ....PRODUCTION OF OPTIMAL MICROSTRUCTURED POLYMER OPTICAL FIBRE. Microstructured optical fibres have been described as the 'next generation' of optical fibres, because of their ability to produce tailorisable optical effects. Our success in producing these fibres in polymer was a world-first. This project will yield a fundamental understanding of the fabrication process, so that for any fibre design the optimal drawing conditions can be determined and maintained for extended draws. This will allow improved draw reproducibility and fibre uniformity so that commercial quality fibres can be produced at economic rates. We will establish quantitative relationships between drawing parameters and optical properties, thus developing optimal designs and production processes.Read moreRead less
Low Fouling Hollow Fibre Membranes. The aim is to obtain hydrophilic water-filtration membranes. This is important as making the filtrations more hydrophilic reduces fouling. We expect the outcome to be a new type of water filtration membrane with improved properties over existing commercial membranes.
One Step Pre-forms for Microstructured Polymer Optical Fibre. The pre-form rods this project yields will enable polymer optical fibre technology, just as suitable glass pre-forms enabled today's optical fibre. One-step casting techniques will yield PMMA rods with arrays of internal channels which can be empty, or filled with different clear polymer. Polymer microstructured optical fibre (PMOF) suitable for high bandwidth communications is then produced by drawing. It is urgently needed for local ....One Step Pre-forms for Microstructured Polymer Optical Fibre. The pre-form rods this project yields will enable polymer optical fibre technology, just as suitable glass pre-forms enabled today's optical fibre. One-step casting techniques will yield PMMA rods with arrays of internal channels which can be empty, or filled with different clear polymer. Polymer microstructured optical fibre (PMOF) suitable for high bandwidth communications is then produced by drawing. It is urgently needed for local communication networks in cars and buildings. Solid PMOF channels are new to this project, and should make PMOF easier to deploy. Nanoscale mapping of light transport modes and polymer defects will help validate channel designs.Read moreRead less
Drug Delivery Devices : Hydrogels manufactured utilising Dense Gas Technologies. Many drugs are rapidly eliminated from the human body, and would benefit from being released over a long period of time. In this study, formulations to deliver drugs will be developed, using hydrogels: highly cross-linked, water saturated polymers. The polymers to be investigated are based on ingredients suitable for ingestion. Hydrogels are in common use as external therapeutic devices, such as contact lenses or wo ....Drug Delivery Devices : Hydrogels manufactured utilising Dense Gas Technologies. Many drugs are rapidly eliminated from the human body, and would benefit from being released over a long period of time. In this study, formulations to deliver drugs will be developed, using hydrogels: highly cross-linked, water saturated polymers. The polymers to be investigated are based on ingredients suitable for ingestion. Hydrogels are in common use as external therapeutic devices, such as contact lenses or wound dressings. However, hydrogels are not commonly in use as ingested drug delivery devices due to problems with the existing technologies, such as toxicity of ingredients. These problems will be addressed in this study.Read moreRead less