Theory and methods for evaluation of microstructural fatigue damage. The microstructural damage accumulation stage often consumes a significant portion of the total fatigue life of structures. However, its progressive evaluation is beyond the reach of safety inspection techniques which are currently employed to maintain structural integrity and prevent fatigue failures. This project aims to fill this gap by developing innovative methods for the measurement of material properties related to fatig ....Theory and methods for evaluation of microstructural fatigue damage. The microstructural damage accumulation stage often consumes a significant portion of the total fatigue life of structures. However, its progressive evaluation is beyond the reach of safety inspection techniques which are currently employed to maintain structural integrity and prevent fatigue failures. This project aims to fill this gap by developing innovative methods for the measurement of material properties related to fatigue damage and establishing a new theory which links these properties to the remaining life of the structure. The project outcomes will facilitate the global trend towards predictive maintenance strategies, thereby generating substantial cost benefits, specifically, for high-value assets and ageing infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Next generation nondestructive inspection using guided-wave mixing. This project aims to develop a novel approach for early damage detection. It relies on a systematic experimental investigation of nonlinear ultrasonic interaction between different input wave modes in the presence of damage, so as to identify optimal mode selections and operating parameters that will maximise the sensitivity to particular forms of structural damage. The effects of in-service loading on wave-mixing response, and ....Next generation nondestructive inspection using guided-wave mixing. This project aims to develop a novel approach for early damage detection. It relies on a systematic experimental investigation of nonlinear ultrasonic interaction between different input wave modes in the presence of damage, so as to identify optimal mode selections and operating parameters that will maximise the sensitivity to particular forms of structural damage. The effects of in-service loading on wave-mixing response, and non-contact detection suitable for hard-to-inspect surface conditions, will also be investigated. The new developments will help transform existing schedule-based maintenance practice to a condition-based maintenance paradigm, to achieve significant cost savings in maintenance.Read moreRead less
Fatigue Life Assessment of Structures under Realistic Loading Conditions. The project will develop a new methodology for the assessment of fatigue life of structures subjected to realistic loading conditions. This new methodology is based on recent advances in experimental techniques which make possible, for the first time, the investigation of the crack opening/closure mechanisms and the crack driving force for large numbers of fatigue cycles (>1 million) of variable amplitude, representative o ....Fatigue Life Assessment of Structures under Realistic Loading Conditions. The project will develop a new methodology for the assessment of fatigue life of structures subjected to realistic loading conditions. This new methodology is based on recent advances in experimental techniques which make possible, for the first time, the investigation of the crack opening/closure mechanisms and the crack driving force for large numbers of fatigue cycles (>1 million) of variable amplitude, representative of real-world applications. The project will expand Australia’s knowledge base and research capabilities in structural life prognosis. It will increase the competitiveness of domestic products and industries, fostering international collaborations and leadership of Australia in this strategically important area of research.Read moreRead less
A study of the nongenomic action of Vitamin D: proposed role of the nuclear VDR and downstream signalling molecules. Vitamin D (1,25D) activates genes in the nucleus through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). 1,25D can also elicit rapid responses at the plasma membrane. This action is critical to the activation of nuclear genes. We hypothesise that a proportion of the nuclear VDR is located at the plasma membrane where it stimulates downstream signalling molecules eg Ras, ERK1/2 and ERK5. We plan to ....A study of the nongenomic action of Vitamin D: proposed role of the nuclear VDR and downstream signalling molecules. Vitamin D (1,25D) activates genes in the nucleus through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). 1,25D can also elicit rapid responses at the plasma membrane. This action is critical to the activation of nuclear genes. We hypothesise that a proportion of the nuclear VDR is located at the plasma membrane where it stimulates downstream signalling molecules eg Ras, ERK1/2 and ERK5. We plan to explore this hypothesis and to identify the signalling molecules. We will also investigate our novel finding that a specific Ras isoform is involved in ERK5 activation. The work will provide new information on signalling pathways.Read moreRead less
Order from chaos: Rational design of biointerfacing plasma polymer coatings. The project goal is to facilitate a new generation of bio-interface platforms to be designed using plasma processing. Functionalised plasma polymer surfaces used for bio-interfaces result from random processes in the plasma phase and at the surface. While rules-of-thumb exist for tailoring simple functionalised plasma polymers, detailed knowledge linking plasma processes to surface chemistry is lacking. Using a homologo ....Order from chaos: Rational design of biointerfacing plasma polymer coatings. The project goal is to facilitate a new generation of bio-interface platforms to be designed using plasma processing. Functionalised plasma polymer surfaces used for bio-interfaces result from random processes in the plasma phase and at the surface. While rules-of-thumb exist for tailoring simple functionalised plasma polymers, detailed knowledge linking plasma processes to surface chemistry is lacking. Using a homologous series of precursors, the project aims to unravel physical and chemical plasma processes to enable retention of complex surface functional groups which are critical for subsequent surface processing. This is designed to be achieved by linking plasma physics and chemistry via plasma phase mass spectrometry and surface analysis.Read moreRead less
Design of Tough, Durable and Corrosion-resistant Coatings. Coatings are frequently applied to components operating in harsh environments to enhance durability. Often such coatings exhibit low toughness and poor corrosion resistance that leads to premature failure. The aim of this project is to design, characterise and test innovative coatings that exhibit unique architectures based on natural materials such as teeth and nacre. It is envisaged that these coatings will be hard, tough and durable i ....Design of Tough, Durable and Corrosion-resistant Coatings. Coatings are frequently applied to components operating in harsh environments to enhance durability. Often such coatings exhibit low toughness and poor corrosion resistance that leads to premature failure. The aim of this project is to design, characterise and test innovative coatings that exhibit unique architectures based on natural materials such as teeth and nacre. It is envisaged that these coatings will be hard, tough and durable in hostile, corrosive environments, and will thus, transform industries such as manufacturing, mining and offshore oil exploration as well as enhance the lifetime of prosthetic devices.Read moreRead less
A Tough Resilin Based Hydrogel Platform for Repair and Regeneration. This project seeks to develop novel hydrogels that mimic the properties of the body. In the field of repair and regeneration, our challenge is to make hydrogels that retain the fatigue and resilience properties of the natural body part, but are comprised of nontoxic material. Resilin is a remarkable material exhibiting a broad range of stimuli-responsive behaviour and outstanding elasticity. The project aim is to create a tough ....A Tough Resilin Based Hydrogel Platform for Repair and Regeneration. This project seeks to develop novel hydrogels that mimic the properties of the body. In the field of repair and regeneration, our challenge is to make hydrogels that retain the fatigue and resilience properties of the natural body part, but are comprised of nontoxic material. Resilin is a remarkable material exhibiting a broad range of stimuli-responsive behaviour and outstanding elasticity. The project aim is to create a tough and responsive hydrogel platform from this disordered protein family through greater understanding of structure and mechanical function and incorporating adequate stiffness, strength and biocompatibility. Such tough hydrogels would be applicable to a range of biotechnological applications (eg intervertebral disc repair or artificial skin tissue engineering).Read moreRead less
Light Powered Materials for Producing Chemical Fuels. This project aims to develop a hybrid, solar-powered catalytic material for the manufacture of liquid hydrocarbon chemicals, without consuming external heating. The key concept is to transform hydrogen and carbon monoxide into long-chain hydrocarbons over hybrid materials that can convert light energy into heat and simultaneously catalyze the chemical transformation. Investigations on the relations between material synthesis, nanostructures, ....Light Powered Materials for Producing Chemical Fuels. This project aims to develop a hybrid, solar-powered catalytic material for the manufacture of liquid hydrocarbon chemicals, without consuming external heating. The key concept is to transform hydrogen and carbon monoxide into long-chain hydrocarbons over hybrid materials that can convert light energy into heat and simultaneously catalyze the chemical transformation. Investigations on the relations between material synthesis, nanostructures, and performance of the new catalysis processes will be conducted using experiments and theoretical computation. Expected outcomes include low cost and efficient materials for solar-to-fuel conversion, will provide benefits to low-carbon living, new clean energy resource and environmental protections.Read moreRead less
Nanoscale characterisation of the dynamics of artificial lipid membranes - model systems for drug binding studies. This project will see the development of artificial membranes replicating the physiological behaviour of cell membranes providing a novel platform for in vitro drug evaluation clearing the way for the development of effective new therapies with fewer side effects.
Electrowetting as a tool for measuring the surface energy of solids. Ionic liquids can be forced to spread over hydrophobic surfaces by applying an electric field, thus overwriting their natural tendency to bead. This phenomenon, called electrowetting, can be used to manipulate liquids but also to determine the surface energy of the solid surface which is a key design parameter in many applications.