Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH170100020
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,641,142.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Processing Lignocellulosics into High Value Products. The ARC Research Hub for Processing Lignocellulosics into High Value Products aims to convert renewable and readily-available biomass material and waste streams from the Australian Pulp, Paper and Forest Industry into new, high-value products that are in high demand in existing and developing markets. The Research Hub will translate leading scientific discoveries in biomass conversion into the manufacture of advanced mate ....ARC Research Hub for Processing Lignocellulosics into High Value Products. The ARC Research Hub for Processing Lignocellulosics into High Value Products aims to convert renewable and readily-available biomass material and waste streams from the Australian Pulp, Paper and Forest Industry into new, high-value products that are in high demand in existing and developing markets. The Research Hub will translate leading scientific discoveries in biomass conversion into the manufacture of advanced materials that can be used in the industries of the future. Research aims to identify new applications and products. They will be derived from lignocellulose through the advent of new smart paper packaging, green chemical and materials with unique properties. Benefits will flow to the pharmaceutical, chemicals, plastics and food packaging industries.Read moreRead less
Novel bioderived and biodegradable wood plastic composites from wastes. This project pioneers the development of high performance wood plastic composites from polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) generated from pulp and paper waste. The key innovations are: developing a new bioderived and biodegradable high performance wood fibre composite with improved melt flow leading to better binding; and making direct use of PHA-rich biomass so avoiding the cost and environmental burden of polymer extraction. The ....Novel bioderived and biodegradable wood plastic composites from wastes. This project pioneers the development of high performance wood plastic composites from polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) generated from pulp and paper waste. The key innovations are: developing a new bioderived and biodegradable high performance wood fibre composite with improved melt flow leading to better binding; and making direct use of PHA-rich biomass so avoiding the cost and environmental burden of polymer extraction. The project aims to lead to new products and more diverse markets for the Australian forestry industry and maximise Australia’s competitive advantage in biomass-based product development.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH130100017
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Manufacturing. ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Manufacturing. The aim of this Research Hub is to develop breakthrough process and product innovations to enable the Australian steel industry to improve its global competitiveness. Based on an integrated, value chain-wide approach to innovation in the steel sector the Research Hub includes projects on innovation strategy and management, customer-focused product development, innovation in coating and surfa ....ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Manufacturing. ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Manufacturing. The aim of this Research Hub is to develop breakthrough process and product innovations to enable the Australian steel industry to improve its global competitiveness. Based on an integrated, value chain-wide approach to innovation in the steel sector the Research Hub includes projects on innovation strategy and management, customer-focused product development, innovation in coating and surface engineering technology, and economic and environmental sustainability of iron and steelmaking.Read moreRead less
Development of next generation smart sucker rod wear guides . In a natural gas wells, sucker rod guides protect the production tubing from wear by the rod string. Premature and erratic failures are costing the industry tens of millions every year. In collaboration with two local SMEs, this project aims to develop the next generation of smart and durable wear guides. The project seeks to understand the complex three body wear mechanisms that drive guide and tubing wear, then use this knowledge to ....Development of next generation smart sucker rod wear guides . In a natural gas wells, sucker rod guides protect the production tubing from wear by the rod string. Premature and erratic failures are costing the industry tens of millions every year. In collaboration with two local SMEs, this project aims to develop the next generation of smart and durable wear guides. The project seeks to understand the complex three body wear mechanisms that drive guide and tubing wear, then use this knowledge to develop new wear resistant compounds and develop a smart guide that provides feedback on its wear state. This will enable the industry partners to supply cutting edge technology to the global oil and gas industry that not only reduces well operation cost but also enhances well resilience.Read moreRead less
Advanced high strength steels produced by energy efficient direct strip casting. Over one billion tonnes of steel is produced every year and one method of reducing the environmental footprint of this production is through strip casting. This process reduces the energy required to process liquid steel into thin sheet product by an astounding 90 per cent. This proposal aims to expand the application of this technology to new steel grades.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453732
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$726,164.00
Summary
Interactive network for plasma and surface analysis. Plasma-based materials synthesis and surface modification methods have great value because they allow a wide range of ion energies and processing conditions to be achieved. Accurate in-situ measurement of the plasma conditions is crucial to the development of reliable new processes. This proposal will establish unique capabilities for carrying out diagnostic studies of plasma surface treatment technologies. The proposal will link Australia's m ....Interactive network for plasma and surface analysis. Plasma-based materials synthesis and surface modification methods have great value because they allow a wide range of ion energies and processing conditions to be achieved. Accurate in-situ measurement of the plasma conditions is crucial to the development of reliable new processes. This proposal will establish unique capabilities for carrying out diagnostic studies of plasma surface treatment technologies. The proposal will link Australia's most advanced plasma processing and diagnostic equipment located at the University of Sydney and the ANU to advanced materials and surface analysis facilities at La Trobe and RMIT Universities in Melbourne, using interactive e-science links and vacuum sample-transfer facilities.Read moreRead less
CNTs-modified polymer composites for tribological applications. The growth of the Australian economy relies on continuous improvements in all sectors of production, manufacturing, operation and management where tribology is playing a significant role. System failure relevant to wear and friction over years and its impact on the Australian economy have continued to be a challenge for the community in the new century. The project is at the forefront of materials research, and the outcomes will pro ....CNTs-modified polymer composites for tribological applications. The growth of the Australian economy relies on continuous improvements in all sectors of production, manufacturing, operation and management where tribology is playing a significant role. System failure relevant to wear and friction over years and its impact on the Australian economy have continued to be a challenge for the community in the new century. The project is at the forefront of materials research, and the outcomes will provide (1) novel technical ways to optimise tribological performance of industrial contacting components, and (2) development of new wear resistant materials. The project will give Australia a competitive edge in the advances of tribology and nanotechnologyRead moreRead less
Feedthrough technologies for polymeric encapsulated active implants. The project will address the scientific challenges of signal transfer between tissue and novel active implantable medical devices, with major implications for cochlear implant manufacture. This will lead to improvements in the quality of life of the hearing-impaired, and will make an important contribution to the development of other sensory implants.
Real-time imaging of crystal strengthening mechanisms in metals. The strength limit of a metal is marked by rapid motion of crystalline defects. The associated speeds can locally approach that of sound. To probe the associated mechanisms clearly requires both spatial and temporal resolution. We propose to create a new bulk x-ray technique with an unprecedented combination of temporal and spatial resolution. We plan to exploit the technique to mediate a step change in modelling strength based on ....Real-time imaging of crystal strengthening mechanisms in metals. The strength limit of a metal is marked by rapid motion of crystalline defects. The associated speeds can locally approach that of sound. To probe the associated mechanisms clearly requires both spatial and temporal resolution. We propose to create a new bulk x-ray technique with an unprecedented combination of temporal and spatial resolution. We plan to exploit the technique to mediate a step change in modelling strength based on twinning. The formation of crystalline twins is known to dictate the strength of the light metal magnesium. A fuller understanding of the effect of twinning on strength in this metal will provide much needed confidence to implement it more widely in energy saving applications.Read moreRead less