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Nanoscale repositories of the geological record of Earth and other planets. Rhenium-Osmium (Re-Os) dating is used widely to infer Earth's evolution, but most samples are hydrated, with consequent mobility of Re, which is problematic for interpretation of isotope results. This project will solve this problem by determining the effects of hydration on Re and Os. Further, our knowledge of the mobility of Re and related elements will allow us to recognise rocks that once interacted with water, even ....Nanoscale repositories of the geological record of Earth and other planets. Rhenium-Osmium (Re-Os) dating is used widely to infer Earth's evolution, but most samples are hydrated, with consequent mobility of Re, which is problematic for interpretation of isotope results. This project will solve this problem by determining the effects of hydration on Re and Os. Further, our knowledge of the mobility of Re and related elements will allow us to recognise rocks that once interacted with water, even after that water has gone, providing a tool to read the record of Earth's earliest oceans. Our new methods will enable Re-Os dating with clarity and confidence, with profound implications for understanding of Earth and extra-terrestrial planetary evolution.Read moreRead less
Experimental and empirical insight into melting of the early Earth's mantle. The early Earth's mantle produced melt at much higher temperature than today, creating rocks with unique chemistries and mineralogies. But pressing knowledge gaps about hot mantle melting remain. The aim of this project is to generate new experimental and empirical knowledge to help closing these gaps by:
(i) conducting high pressure experiments to refine phase-composition relationships and element partitioning;
(ii) qu ....Experimental and empirical insight into melting of the early Earth's mantle. The early Earth's mantle produced melt at much higher temperature than today, creating rocks with unique chemistries and mineralogies. But pressing knowledge gaps about hot mantle melting remain. The aim of this project is to generate new experimental and empirical knowledge to help closing these gaps by:
(i) conducting high pressure experiments to refine phase-composition relationships and element partitioning;
(ii) quantifying mineral fabrics in cratonic peridotites to understand the movement of early continents; and
(iii) constructing the first petrological deep time model for greenstone belt volcanic rocks.
The expected outcomes are better models for the early Earth's melting and tectonic regimes and insight into the emergence of land.Read moreRead less
Fluid chemistry and critical mineral enrichment in salty metamorphic belts. Several geological regions in Australia are worth billions of dollars to our economy in their contained copper-goldcobalt and uranium-rare earth element mineral deposits. These regions will continue to be important to Australia as the world transitions to a renewable energy economy because they can provide some of the most critical metals needed for that transition: Cu, Co, rare earth elements. This project aims to provi ....Fluid chemistry and critical mineral enrichment in salty metamorphic belts. Several geological regions in Australia are worth billions of dollars to our economy in their contained copper-goldcobalt and uranium-rare earth element mineral deposits. These regions will continue to be important to Australia as the world transitions to a renewable energy economy because they can provide some of the most critical metals needed for that transition: Cu, Co, rare earth elements. This project aims to provide a fundamental quatitative understanding of the geological processes that form these deposits. We will conduct experiments to generate quantitative models of the metamorphic and structural processes that control the liberation and migration of highly saline fluids, which are ideal for transporting a large range of metals.Read moreRead less
Experiments to quantify the geochemical behaviour of the precious metals. This project aims to measure the high-temperature geochemical properties of the precious metals, which include gold, silver and the platinum group elements. The measurements are needed to quantify the partitioning of the precious metals between silicate melts and metal or sulfide, which would enable their distinctive geochemical properties to be applied to the testing of current hypotheses on how Earth formed, the composit ....Experiments to quantify the geochemical behaviour of the precious metals. This project aims to measure the high-temperature geochemical properties of the precious metals, which include gold, silver and the platinum group elements. The measurements are needed to quantify the partitioning of the precious metals between silicate melts and metal or sulfide, which would enable their distinctive geochemical properties to be applied to the testing of current hypotheses on how Earth formed, the composition of Earth's mantle through time, the relationship of Earth to the Moon, and the evolution of magmatic systems to form copper-gold deposits. The measurements have become feasible due to newly developed experimental and analytical methods, which avoid the problems that have bedevilled previous attempts.Read moreRead less
Eruption dynamics and tsunami potential from submarine volcanoes. This project is based on recently acquired seafloor samples and geophysical data from extraordinary deposits at a modern submarine volcano. This project aims to determine the conditions that lead to explosive eruption underwater, the dynamics of associated sediment flows, and if these events can trigger tsunami. Expected outcomes include an unprecedented reconstruction of the architecture of submarine caldera volcanoes, new innova ....Eruption dynamics and tsunami potential from submarine volcanoes. This project is based on recently acquired seafloor samples and geophysical data from extraordinary deposits at a modern submarine volcano. This project aims to determine the conditions that lead to explosive eruption underwater, the dynamics of associated sediment flows, and if these events can trigger tsunami. Expected outcomes include an unprecedented reconstruction of the architecture of submarine caldera volcanoes, new innovative models applicable globally for a richer understanding of volcanic tsunami and eruptions that shape the seafloor. This project will provide significant benefits through mitigation of global marine natural hazards, and by improving knowledge on the volcanic hosts of ore deposits.Read moreRead less
Magma dynamics and ore deposits. This project aims to advance knowledge on magma transport mechanisms through the Earth’s lithosphere, and boost predictive capacity to discover new ore deposits. Using field surveys, three-dimensional reflection seismic data, laboratory experiments and rock fracture mechanics, this project will investigate where, how and why, narrow finger-like conduits form in lithosphere-scale magma plumbing systems. The project expects to generate new knowledge on the formatio ....Magma dynamics and ore deposits. This project aims to advance knowledge on magma transport mechanisms through the Earth’s lithosphere, and boost predictive capacity to discover new ore deposits. Using field surveys, three-dimensional reflection seismic data, laboratory experiments and rock fracture mechanics, this project will investigate where, how and why, narrow finger-like conduits form in lithosphere-scale magma plumbing systems. The project expects to generate new knowledge on the formation and location of highly valuable ore deposits of nickel, copper, cobalt and platinum group elements, which are preferentially trapped in poorly understood, finger-like magma conduits. Anticipated outcomes of the project include fundamental insights into how magma transport dynamics control traps for magmatic sulfide ores as well as equipping mineral explorers in targeting their search for these important, but hard to find, ore deposits, benefitting society through future discoveries of economically strategic, new commodities.Read moreRead less
Mechanics of the shape of thin strip with varying thickness. This project aims to develop an innovative technology for the production of thin strip with controlled varying longitudinal thickness and shape. The project will propose a new thin strip rolling theory and strip shape control strategy providing an improved understanding of the mechanics of manufacturing thin strips with varying longitudinal thickness. The technology to manufacture rolled products with varying thickness for lightweight ....Mechanics of the shape of thin strip with varying thickness. This project aims to develop an innovative technology for the production of thin strip with controlled varying longitudinal thickness and shape. The project will propose a new thin strip rolling theory and strip shape control strategy providing an improved understanding of the mechanics of manufacturing thin strips with varying longitudinal thickness. The technology to manufacture rolled products with varying thickness for lightweight structures is in significant demand for the automotive, aerospace and electronics industries to reduce weight through optimum strip thickness and minimum joints. The benefits will include reduced weight, fuel consumption and construction time of automobiles and aircraft when the developed novel thin strip products are used, and therefore reducing manufacturing costs and negative environmental impacts.Read moreRead less
Net-shape micro manufacturing of composite micro channels. This project aims to develop a high precision net-shape micro manufacturing technology for the production of composite micro channels in a one-step process with excellent overall performance in quality and productivity. The new technology will enhance the production of commercial micro channels which have extensive applications in micro-electromechanical systems, health, medical and communications industries. This project will improve th ....Net-shape micro manufacturing of composite micro channels. This project aims to develop a high precision net-shape micro manufacturing technology for the production of composite micro channels in a one-step process with excellent overall performance in quality and productivity. The new technology will enhance the production of commercial micro channels which have extensive applications in micro-electromechanical systems, health, medical and communications industries. This project will improve the competitive advantage for Australia in the field of advanced manufacturing and has the potential to stimulate economic benefit and growth of the manufacturing industry.Read moreRead less
Enhanced Fractionation of Mineral Particles According to Density. Aims: -to achieve a significant advance in the hydrodynamic fractionation of particles on the basis of density, and develop an algorithm to deconvolve the fractionation data to produce the underlying density distribution of the particles. Significance: This density distribution, which is used in resource assessment, plant design, and process evaluation in mineral processing, is currently produced using toxic, and environmentally d ....Enhanced Fractionation of Mineral Particles According to Density. Aims: -to achieve a significant advance in the hydrodynamic fractionation of particles on the basis of density, and develop an algorithm to deconvolve the fractionation data to produce the underlying density distribution of the particles. Significance: This density distribution, which is used in resource assessment, plant design, and process evaluation in mineral processing, is currently produced using toxic, and environmentally damaging heavy liquids, despite the emergence of alternative mineral analysers. Expected Outcomes: -a safe, cost effective basis for generating the density distribution. Benefits: -increasing mineral resource recovery through improved access to critical data, while eliminating the need for the toxic heavy liquids.
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Inorganic membrane percrystallisation in hydrometallurgy. This project aims is to develop the scientific and engineering basis for a new Australian inorganic membrane technology for the crystallisation of metal compounds. Inorganic membrane percrystallisation is a recent breakthrough promising improved productivity, energy savings and the ability to tailor particle properties. This project will develop a mechanistic model encompassing solution transport phenomena, crystal nucleation-growth-agglo ....Inorganic membrane percrystallisation in hydrometallurgy. This project aims is to develop the scientific and engineering basis for a new Australian inorganic membrane technology for the crystallisation of metal compounds. Inorganic membrane percrystallisation is a recent breakthrough promising improved productivity, energy savings and the ability to tailor particle properties. This project will develop a mechanistic model encompassing solution transport phenomena, crystal nucleation-growth-agglomeration and engineering process parameters affecting single and binary salt systems. This model will provide a basis for technology development benefiting Australia, such as the improvement of the production of nickel sulphate for the growing battery materials market.Read moreRead less