Nanostrutured Magnesium-base Composites for High-density Hydrogen Storage. This project aims to develop nanocrstalline magnesium-based composites for effective hydrogen storage, overcoming two main technical barriers of current metal hydride systems: high charging/discharging temperature and slow kinetics. Nanoscale catalysts based on mesoporous carbons and metal nanoparticles will be introduced into the magnesium to increase storage capacity and increase the rate at low temperatures. Fundament ....Nanostrutured Magnesium-base Composites for High-density Hydrogen Storage. This project aims to develop nanocrstalline magnesium-based composites for effective hydrogen storage, overcoming two main technical barriers of current metal hydride systems: high charging/discharging temperature and slow kinetics. Nanoscale catalysts based on mesoporous carbons and metal nanoparticles will be introduced into the magnesium to increase storage capacity and increase the rate at low temperatures. Fundamental understanding on the effects of catalysts, and adsorption and desorption mechanisms will be obtained to optimise the composite materials. This project will lead to effective and practical technology for hydrogen storage that will meet the target of commercial fuel cell vehicles.Read moreRead less
Fine Structured Optical Fibre Fabrication - Soot, Rheology and Nanostructure in Modified Chemical Vapour Deposition. For 30 years photonics and telecommunications have relied heavily on optical fibres made by Modified Chemical Vapour Deposition (MCVD), a complex, highly dynamic process with many interacting variables, which is still more art than science. The results are good enough for most purposes but the next generation of photonics demands fibres with intricate, precisely defined internal s ....Fine Structured Optical Fibre Fabrication - Soot, Rheology and Nanostructure in Modified Chemical Vapour Deposition. For 30 years photonics and telecommunications have relied heavily on optical fibres made by Modified Chemical Vapour Deposition (MCVD), a complex, highly dynamic process with many interacting variables, which is still more art than science. The results are good enough for most purposes but the next generation of photonics demands fibres with intricate, precisely defined internal structures. A multi-disciplinary team will elucidate and quantify the exact nature of the fundamental science underlying MCVD - of silicate soot formation, deposition and heat treatment - and translate this into reproducibly fabricated fine structured fibres with high optical and mechanical performance.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
New Generation Pipeline and Q&T Plate Steels. If successful, the progressive reformulation of the alloy design of a new family of steels would enhance their properties, greatly reduce the complexity of manufacture, ensure more efficient steelmaking production practices and enable the full capacity of the domestic pipe mills and plate manufacturing facilities to be realised. This innovative and new approach opens up opportunities for market growth and export potential in areas of fundamental impo ....New Generation Pipeline and Q&T Plate Steels. If successful, the progressive reformulation of the alloy design of a new family of steels would enhance their properties, greatly reduce the complexity of manufacture, ensure more efficient steelmaking production practices and enable the full capacity of the domestic pipe mills and plate manufacturing facilities to be realised. This innovative and new approach opens up opportunities for market growth and export potential in areas of fundamental importance to Australia's infrastructure and mining industries and defence capability. Implementation of this newly developed technology would, for the first time, create export market opportunities for Australian pipe manufacturers.
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Structurally designed catalysts for high-performance natural gas reforming. This project aims to develop a new class of highly stable catalysts with specially designed physical and chemical structures that can be used in high temperature chemical processes. These catalysts can potentially be used for the reforming of natural gas to produce the synthesis gas, which can then be used to produce liquid fuels and chemicals.
INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF ALLOYING ELEMENTS ON SHEAR BAND FORMATION DURING THE WARM ROLLING OF LOW CARBON AND INTERSTITIAL FREE STEELS. This proposal involves the application of three dimensional atom probe field ion microscopy and advanced transmission electron microscopy techniques to study the phenomena of precipitation and solute atoms' interactions with dislocations in warm rolled low carbon steels and interstitial free steels. It is intended to examine the effect of alloying addition ....INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF ALLOYING ELEMENTS ON SHEAR BAND FORMATION DURING THE WARM ROLLING OF LOW CARBON AND INTERSTITIAL FREE STEELS. This proposal involves the application of three dimensional atom probe field ion microscopy and advanced transmission electron microscopy techniques to study the phenomena of precipitation and solute atoms' interactions with dislocations in warm rolled low carbon steels and interstitial free steels. It is intended to examine the effect of alloying additions on in-grain shear bands formation, texture formation and formability of warm rolled and annealed low carbon steels. Ultimately, the project is concerned with developing of fundamental understanging of solute interactions which provide an improved basis for design of these economically significant steels.Read moreRead less
CO2 Utilisation for Energy Storage. This project aims to develop a novel technology that can convert carbon dioxide into useful products while storing intermittent renewable energy as green stable chemical energy. The project plans to focus on the development of a robust cathode for the conversion of carbon dioxide with optimum physical and chemical structure to achieve long-term stable performance. This technology would make a significant contribution to increasing the proportion of renewable e ....CO2 Utilisation for Energy Storage. This project aims to develop a novel technology that can convert carbon dioxide into useful products while storing intermittent renewable energy as green stable chemical energy. The project plans to focus on the development of a robust cathode for the conversion of carbon dioxide with optimum physical and chemical structure to achieve long-term stable performance. This technology would make a significant contribution to increasing the proportion of renewable energy in our energy supply and reducing our carbon dioxide emissions.Read moreRead less
Precision Bending of 6xxx Aluminium Extrusions. The use of aluminium in transportation applications is predicted to double over the next 10 years. The use of extruded aluminium in structural components such as space frames is a growing area, and bending is an integral and critical process in the production of such components. The aim of this project is to develop key knowledge and technology necessary for precision bending of extruded aluminium profiles. The main outcomes will be: (i) Understand ....Precision Bending of 6xxx Aluminium Extrusions. The use of aluminium in transportation applications is predicted to double over the next 10 years. The use of extruded aluminium in structural components such as space frames is a growing area, and bending is an integral and critical process in the production of such components. The aim of this project is to develop key knowledge and technology necessary for precision bending of extruded aluminium profiles. The main outcomes will be: (i) Understanding of the relationship between extrusion conditions, microstructure and bendability of structural profiles. This will enable the optimisation of the extrusion process to ensure consistent bending behaviour. (ii) Development of the rubber-pad technology for precision bending.Read moreRead less
The Development of High Strength Aluminium and Magnesium Alloys Using "Edge-to-edge" Matching Model. The theoretical, crystallographic "edge-to-edge" matching model for diffusion-controlled phase transformations will be applied to the practical development of improved industrial aluminium and magnesium alloys with assistance of computer simulations. The model will be used to enhance the precipitation hardening response and to identify more effective grain refiners in these light alloys. The aim ....The Development of High Strength Aluminium and Magnesium Alloys Using "Edge-to-edge" Matching Model. The theoretical, crystallographic "edge-to-edge" matching model for diffusion-controlled phase transformations will be applied to the practical development of improved industrial aluminium and magnesium alloys with assistance of computer simulations. The model will be used to enhance the precipitation hardening response and to identify more effective grain refiners in these light alloys. The aims will be the development of one high strength aluminium alloy with good ductility and one high strength magnesium alloy with good creep resistance at elevated temperatures. A computer program that will help to identify the most effective grain refiners for specific light alloys will also be produced.Read moreRead less
Catalytic production of health food additives from crustacean wastes. Cost-effective production of new synthetic amino acids as value-added food additives from crustacean wastes is vital for waste recycling and a sustainable economy. This project will develop a unique catalytic system for the selective conversion of waste-derived compounds into tailor-made products. Advanced in situ spectroscopic techniques will be employed to establish the structure-reactivity relationship of working catalysts ....Catalytic production of health food additives from crustacean wastes. Cost-effective production of new synthetic amino acids as value-added food additives from crustacean wastes is vital for waste recycling and a sustainable economy. This project will develop a unique catalytic system for the selective conversion of waste-derived compounds into tailor-made products. Advanced in situ spectroscopic techniques will be employed to establish the structure-reactivity relationship of working catalysts and thereby manipulate the key factors governing the activity/selectivity. Such cutting-edge knowledge gained is crucial for optimising process effciency and resource utilisation, which is essential for the success of the biorefining industry and a more environmentally-friendly chemical and food economy in Australia.Read moreRead less