Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102784
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Water-swellable rubber with nanoparticle-enabled super capacity as smart water-leakage sealant. A novel water-swellable rubber (WSR) sealant with continuous hydrophobic phase and isolated hydrophilic phase is developed for stopping water leakage from gaps and cracks. Nanoparticle-enabled blocks and network channels in rubber matrix effectively improve the integrity and capability of WSR as smart water-leakage sealants in various applications.
The development of super-toughened epoxies using a novel nanomaterial. Epoxy resins are widely used as structural adhesives and coatings in engineering structures. This project will address the problem of the intrinsic brittleness of epoxy by making it significantly tougher with superior performance and cost-effectiveness. Our technology for producing super-toughened epoxy will lead to a wide range of applications for new and existing products in the construction, automotive, aerospace, adhesive ....The development of super-toughened epoxies using a novel nanomaterial. Epoxy resins are widely used as structural adhesives and coatings in engineering structures. This project will address the problem of the intrinsic brittleness of epoxy by making it significantly tougher with superior performance and cost-effectiveness. Our technology for producing super-toughened epoxy will lead to a wide range of applications for new and existing products in the construction, automotive, aerospace, adhesive and microelectronics industries.Read moreRead less
Novel Waterborne Multifunctional Sealer for Asphalt Pavement. One of the long-term challenges and most serious problems faced by the asphalt surfacing and road construction industry is the rapid deterioration of asphaltic surfaces to the extent that they become unfit/unsafe for use in short time. The length of the Australian local government road system is approximately 810,000 kilometres and currently approximately $2,460 million/year is spent on road maintenance; the replacement value of ....Novel Waterborne Multifunctional Sealer for Asphalt Pavement. One of the long-term challenges and most serious problems faced by the asphalt surfacing and road construction industry is the rapid deterioration of asphaltic surfaces to the extent that they become unfit/unsafe for use in short time. The length of the Australian local government road system is approximately 810,000 kilometres and currently approximately $2,460 million/year is spent on road maintenance; the replacement value of the road asset exceeds $106,000 million. Thus providing satisfactory tough protective shield on asphalt pavements that locks out destructive elements and provide long-term protection is of enormous economic importance and national/community benefit.Read moreRead less
Development of Multilayered Packaging Materials with Controlled Barrier Properties. The project aims to develop advanced new material for multilayered packaging with high oxygen and moisture barrier properties for cost effective packaging applications. Poly Products currently imports and uses some polymer as its key component for controlling barrier property of their food packaging. However, the new nanostructured material when sandwiched between less expensive materials in a multilayered packag ....Development of Multilayered Packaging Materials with Controlled Barrier Properties. The project aims to develop advanced new material for multilayered packaging with high oxygen and moisture barrier properties for cost effective packaging applications. Poly Products currently imports and uses some polymer as its key component for controlling barrier property of their food packaging. However, the new nanostructured material when sandwiched between less expensive materials in a multilayered packaging film will yield excellent barrier properties, leading to extended shelf life of different food products. The new smart material will generate significant material saving and replace the imported polymer, and will secure export market of the product in Asia -Pacific region.Read moreRead less
Multifunctional Porous Nanospheres Engineered Composite Membranes for Hydrogen and Methanol Fuel Cells. Increasing concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and dwindling petroleum supplies have driven the development and commercialisation of fuel cells. The development of novel nanocomposite membranes will possibly lead to the materials breakthrough necessary for advancing both hydrogen and methanol fuel cell technologies, significantly benefiting Australian clean energy supplies and in particul ....Multifunctional Porous Nanospheres Engineered Composite Membranes for Hydrogen and Methanol Fuel Cells. Increasing concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and dwindling petroleum supplies have driven the development and commercialisation of fuel cells. The development of novel nanocomposite membranes will possibly lead to the materials breakthrough necessary for advancing both hydrogen and methanol fuel cell technologies, significantly benefiting Australian clean energy supplies and in particular transport vehicles and portable devices. The synthesis strategies generated will be applicable to creating other functional nanoporous or nanocomposite materials for wider application. This project will also enhance the international reputation and impact of Australian research in the internationally focused fields of nanomaterials and fuel cell technology.Read moreRead less
A Novel Approach for Color and Degradation Control in Post Consumer Polyethylene Terephthalate During Recycling. Discoloration is a critical problem in the manufacturing of post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymeric products in which optical clarity requirement is high. The inherent weakness of the PET demands highly efficient stabilisation of this polymer. The project aims to understand and eliminate the occurrence of such discoloration and improve the quality of the Visy product ....A Novel Approach for Color and Degradation Control in Post Consumer Polyethylene Terephthalate During Recycling. Discoloration is a critical problem in the manufacturing of post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymeric products in which optical clarity requirement is high. The inherent weakness of the PET demands highly efficient stabilisation of this polymer. The project aims to understand and eliminate the occurrence of such discoloration and improve the quality of the Visy products. New multifunctional additives will be developed, which when added to PET during processing, will not only quench the discoloration reaction but also yield high quality products with excellent optical properties. This project is of substantial strategic importance to the Australian/global polymer processing and recycling industries.
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Numerical Modelling of Injection Moulding for Viscoplastic Fluids. The project aims to modify and extend the numerical software developed by the world renowned Moldflow Pty Ltd, Melbourne, for the simulation of injection moulding in the plastics industry. The significance of the project lies in the application of the relatively new mathematical tool, called the variational inequality approach, to the problem of solidification of the molten plastic in a mould. The expected outcomes lie in the dev ....Numerical Modelling of Injection Moulding for Viscoplastic Fluids. The project aims to modify and extend the numerical software developed by the world renowned Moldflow Pty Ltd, Melbourne, for the simulation of injection moulding in the plastics industry. The significance of the project lies in the application of the relatively new mathematical tool, called the variational inequality approach, to the problem of solidification of the molten plastic in a mould. The expected outcomes lie in the development of new software for use in the plastics industry, which will improve the production of fibre reinforced thermoplastics throughout the world.Read moreRead less
Viscoplasticity, Solidification and Non-Isotropic Heat Transfer in Injection Moulding. The development of new software for use by the plastics industry will maintain Australia's position at the forefront of research contributing to improved production in this extremely important manufacturing sector. The application of this research by Melbourne's Moldflow, already the world's leading supplier of injection moulding software, will consolidate its position and enable it to increase further its mar ....Viscoplasticity, Solidification and Non-Isotropic Heat Transfer in Injection Moulding. The development of new software for use by the plastics industry will maintain Australia's position at the forefront of research contributing to improved production in this extremely important manufacturing sector. The application of this research by Melbourne's Moldflow, already the world's leading supplier of injection moulding software, will consolidate its position and enable it to increase further its market share, with consequential employment and other economic flow-on benefits to Australia. This project also increases the quantum of industry relevant scientific research, contributing to the enhancement of the national profile in exporting Australian products to world markets. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989068
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$637,120.00
Summary
Equipment for Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy: surface analysis with excellent surface sensitivity. One of the major research strengths of Australia is surface science as it is important for both fundamental and industry related research. In many cases it is crucial to investigate the outermost layer of a material or mineral. Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy is an ideal technique as it is sensitive exclusively to the outermost layer of a broad range of samples. The information g ....Equipment for Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy: surface analysis with excellent surface sensitivity. One of the major research strengths of Australia is surface science as it is important for both fundamental and industry related research. In many cases it is crucial to investigate the outermost layer of a material or mineral. Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy is an ideal technique as it is sensitive exclusively to the outermost layer of a broad range of samples. The information gained is not accessible by any other method. The proposed equipment will be the first of this type in Australia and will complement existing surface science facilities. The project will enhance Australia's position in surface science internationally and a large number of projects will benefit from access to the equipment.Read moreRead less