Bidirectional Evolutionary Structural Optimization for Transient Problems. Aims: This proposal aims to expand the bidirectional evolutionary structural optimisation (BESO) method for transient mechanical, multiphysical and robotic problems.
Significance: The study will develop new BESO transient algorithms by integrating time-dependent analysis and stepwise design sensitivity in multicriteria and multidisciplinary optimisation.
Expected outcomes: The project will largely broaden the algorithmi ....Bidirectional Evolutionary Structural Optimization for Transient Problems. Aims: This proposal aims to expand the bidirectional evolutionary structural optimisation (BESO) method for transient mechanical, multiphysical and robotic problems.
Significance: The study will develop new BESO transient algorithms by integrating time-dependent analysis and stepwise design sensitivity in multicriteria and multidisciplinary optimisation.
Expected outcomes: The project will largely broaden the algorithmic scope of BESO and enables it to solve more extensive real-life problems with time-varying nature.
Benefits include a new BESO design framework and computer program, as well as a series of novel designs, potentially being implemented for aerospace, automotive, biomedical, mechanical, civil and mechatronic applications.Read moreRead less
Experiment-numerical-virtual Generative Design for Nondeterministic Impacts. This project will establish an advanced nondeterministic design methodology to uncover the optimised material properties and 3D printed metastructural capacity in real-time against impact loading. It will develop a rigorous framework that integrates numerical simulation, experiment, and machine learning-based virtual modelling to tackle practical challenges in design and manufacture of impact-proof materials and structu ....Experiment-numerical-virtual Generative Design for Nondeterministic Impacts. This project will establish an advanced nondeterministic design methodology to uncover the optimised material properties and 3D printed metastructural capacity in real-time against impact loading. It will develop a rigorous framework that integrates numerical simulation, experiment, and machine learning-based virtual modelling to tackle practical challenges in design and manufacture of impact-proof materials and structures with intrinsic uncertainties. The generative design-calibration system unifying experimental-numerical-virtual processes will largely reduce the need for repetitive large-scale experimental tests. This project benefits civil, aerospace, automotive, and defence with competitive advantage through technological innovation.Read moreRead less
Novel multiscale fibre composites for cryogenic space technologies. This project aims to develop new composite materials technologies for cryogenic space applications. Multifunctional nanomaterials with negative thermal expansion properties will be developed to simultaneously reduce thermal stress and improve fracture toughness, suppressing microcracking of fibre composites observed in current materials at cryogenic temperatures. New interleaves will be developed to act as gas barriers and provi ....Novel multiscale fibre composites for cryogenic space technologies. This project aims to develop new composite materials technologies for cryogenic space applications. Multifunctional nanomaterials with negative thermal expansion properties will be developed to simultaneously reduce thermal stress and improve fracture toughness, suppressing microcracking of fibre composites observed in current materials at cryogenic temperatures. New interleaves will be developed to act as gas barriers and provide strength. The composites will provide a new lightweight solution for storing cryogenic propellants such as liquid hydrogen and oxygen, for the next generation re-usable spacecraft. The outcomes of this project will enable Australian companies to produce and export specialised, high-performance composite products.Read moreRead less
Topological Design of Mechanical Meta-Structures. This project aims to establish a new computational design methodology to address current challenges facing creation of ultralight structures with ultra-high-performance characteristics. The latest technologies in structural topology optimization and its correlated numerical simulation and structural analysis methods will be unified towards an integrated design framework. Expected outcomes include an advanced generative design platform for discove ....Topological Design of Mechanical Meta-Structures. This project aims to establish a new computational design methodology to address current challenges facing creation of ultralight structures with ultra-high-performance characteristics. The latest technologies in structural topology optimization and its correlated numerical simulation and structural analysis methods will be unified towards an integrated design framework. Expected outcomes include an advanced generative design platform for discovering novel geometries to underpin new meta-structure architectures, validated by appropriate fabrication techniques considering their geometric complexity. Such capabilities will benefit defence, civil, aerospace, energy and transport industries that pursue competitive advantage through innovation.Read moreRead less
How does an essential histone variant effect changes in gene expression? The mechanisms that determine how genes are switched on and off in different tissues and at different times are not clearly known. It is well established that gene expression patterns are determined in part by the molecular signals transmitted by variation in the proteins that package eukaryotic DNA. Our aim is to understand new aspects of these mechanisms that revolve around how our DNA is packaged. This foundational knowl ....How does an essential histone variant effect changes in gene expression? The mechanisms that determine how genes are switched on and off in different tissues and at different times are not clearly known. It is well established that gene expression patterns are determined in part by the molecular signals transmitted by variation in the proteins that package eukaryotic DNA. Our aim is to understand new aspects of these mechanisms that revolve around how our DNA is packaged. This foundational knowledge will deepen our understanding of gene regulation in all complex organisms and will inform future efforts to rationally modulate gene expression patterns in agriculture, research and other important areas.Read moreRead less
Crashworthiness topology optimisation for light-weight battery compartments. This project uses computational modelling and optimisation methods to the design of battery compartments for electric vehicles. As the use of electric vehicles becomes more extensive, awareness of the consequences of catastrophic failure of high energy battery in a crash has increased. This project will develop novel design methodologies, using multi-disciplinary techniques for battery compartment structure. The methodo ....Crashworthiness topology optimisation for light-weight battery compartments. This project uses computational modelling and optimisation methods to the design of battery compartments for electric vehicles. As the use of electric vehicles becomes more extensive, awareness of the consequences of catastrophic failure of high energy battery in a crash has increased. This project will develop novel design methodologies, using multi-disciplinary techniques for battery compartment structure. The methodology will expand conventional crashworthiness design to the coupled mechanical-electrochemical-thermal problems. The proposed crashworthiness optimisation of battery compartment structure will enhance safety and reliability of electric vehicles, potentially benefiting consumers and manufacturers.Read moreRead less
Hybrid Toughening of Carbon Fibre Composites for Liquid Hydrogen Storage. This project aims to develop hybrid toughening technologies to overcome the major problem of transverse matrix cracking and splitting in existing carbon fibre composites when subjected to thermal-mechanical loading at the ultracold liquid hydrogen temperature. Nano-toughened thin-ply carbon fibre layers will be hybridised with standard-ply laminates to sustain internal pressure and external impact loading at cryogenic temp ....Hybrid Toughening of Carbon Fibre Composites for Liquid Hydrogen Storage. This project aims to develop hybrid toughening technologies to overcome the major problem of transverse matrix cracking and splitting in existing carbon fibre composites when subjected to thermal-mechanical loading at the ultracold liquid hydrogen temperature. Nano-toughened thin-ply carbon fibre layers will be hybridised with standard-ply laminates to sustain internal pressure and external impact loading at cryogenic temperatures without leaks. The hybrid composites are expected to enable Australian companies to engineer, manufacture and export lightweight carbon fibre tanks for storing and exporting liquid hydrogen, which is emerging as a transformational opportunity for Australia to become a global supplier of green energy.Read moreRead less
Fair pricing of superannuation guaranteed benefits with downturn risk. Australians have more than $2.7 trillion in superannuation assets, meaning that Australia is the fourth largest holder of pension fund assets worldwide. Hence the impact of market fluctuations on financial well-being of retirees can be detrimental, especially during market downturns associated with economic crises. The finance industry addresses this issue by complementing variable annuities with riders designed to protect th ....Fair pricing of superannuation guaranteed benefits with downturn risk. Australians have more than $2.7 trillion in superannuation assets, meaning that Australia is the fourth largest holder of pension fund assets worldwide. Hence the impact of market fluctuations on financial well-being of retirees can be detrimental, especially during market downturns associated with economic crises. The finance industry addresses this issue by complementing variable annuities with riders designed to protect the income stream of retirees. This project aims to develop a novel approach to fair pricing and optimal withdrawals and surrender policies for superannuation guaranteed benefit products through a comprehensive analysis of complex optimisation problems in stochastic models of financial markets with downturn risk.Read moreRead less
Unlocking self-healing bio-concrete through multiscale modelling. Self-healing bio-concrete, which uses bacteria as means to repair cracks, has the potential to revolutionise the construction industry and reduce the infrastructure repair and maintenance cost by billions of dollars annually. To unlock this, we need to understand the bacterial self-healing mechanisms for effective control of the performance. This project will develop a multiscale framework to describe the competing mechanisms betw ....Unlocking self-healing bio-concrete through multiscale modelling. Self-healing bio-concrete, which uses bacteria as means to repair cracks, has the potential to revolutionise the construction industry and reduce the infrastructure repair and maintenance cost by billions of dollars annually. To unlock this, we need to understand the bacterial self-healing mechanisms for effective control of the performance. This project will develop a multiscale framework to describe the competing mechanisms between crack widening and healing at the macro-scale, incorporated with key information of substances diffusion and bio-cementation at the meso- and micro-scales. This will enable to optimise the self-healing of bio-concrete via design–test–learn approach and enhance the durability of structures under sustained loads.Read moreRead less
Multilayer Graphene Based Anti-Corrosion Polymer Coated Structures. This project aims to develop a novel multilayer graphene/polymer coating for structures exposed to corrosive environment with graphene concentration varying layer-wise to eliminate galvanic corrosion yet maintain all unique advantages owing to graphene inclusion, thus offering a cost-effective design solution with significantly improved anti-corrosion performance and remarkably enhanced safety and durability for structures. Expe ....Multilayer Graphene Based Anti-Corrosion Polymer Coated Structures. This project aims to develop a novel multilayer graphene/polymer coating for structures exposed to corrosive environment with graphene concentration varying layer-wise to eliminate galvanic corrosion yet maintain all unique advantages owing to graphene inclusion, thus offering a cost-effective design solution with significantly improved anti-corrosion performance and remarkably enhanced safety and durability for structures. Expected outcomes of this project include an innovative design, experimental data on corrosion prevention, development of reliable simulation techniques and design procedures for the proposed coating. This should provide huge benefits to Australian civil, offshore and marine engineering industry and national economy.Read moreRead less