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Cross-linking in free-radical polymerizations: kinetics and mechanical properties. Cross-linked polymer chains are joined together in a ?ladder? topology. This often occurs either deliberately or accidentally in industrial systems, and affects polymer properties. However, cross-linking mechanisms are poorly understood, and there are no general means of quantitatively controlling effects on mechanical properties. As a by-product from a previous IREX grant, a means was found to grow polymers with ....Cross-linking in free-radical polymerizations: kinetics and mechanical properties. Cross-linked polymer chains are joined together in a ?ladder? topology. This often occurs either deliberately or accidentally in industrial systems, and affects polymer properties. However, cross-linking mechanisms are poorly understood, and there are no general means of quantitatively controlling effects on mechanical properties. As a by-product from a previous IREX grant, a means was found to grow polymers with controlled cross-linking. This proposal exploits this method to synthesize polymers with different amounts of cross-linking, and to examine their formation mechanisms and mechanical properties. This has the potential of improving means of making rubber-based materials by polymer modification.Read moreRead less
Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) Free Radical Copolymerizations of Various Monomers. The proposed project will investigate the structure and properties of statistical copolymers prepared via living free radical polymerization. We will study the characteristics of a wide variety of Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) copolymerizations using a range of monomers, including those interesting for biomedical and material science applications. We expect to gai ....Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) Free Radical Copolymerizations of Various Monomers. The proposed project will investigate the structure and properties of statistical copolymers prepared via living free radical polymerization. We will study the characteristics of a wide variety of Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) copolymerizations using a range of monomers, including those interesting for biomedical and material science applications. We expect to gain a deeper understanding of the influence of the RAFT process on the kinetics and mechanism of copolymerization and the properties of the resulting polymers in order to tailor specific polymer materials for biomedial applications.Read moreRead less
Branching in acrylic polymers: analysis and mechanistic understanding. Some polymers can be branched. This branching has major effects on the end-product performance of a polymer, for example in adhesives and the flexibility of rubbery materials. Full quantification of this branching (the lengths of branches and the rates of the processes that create them) has been impossible hitherto. Two new complementary techniques, a new analytical method developed by the applicant Fellow in Paris, and a new ....Branching in acrylic polymers: analysis and mechanistic understanding. Some polymers can be branched. This branching has major effects on the end-product performance of a polymer, for example in adhesives and the flexibility of rubbery materials. Full quantification of this branching (the lengths of branches and the rates of the processes that create them) has been impossible hitherto. Two new complementary techniques, a new analytical method developed by the applicant Fellow in Paris, and a new synthesis technique developed in Sydney, will be used as the platforms to devise the first means of determining this information and thus understanding and quantifying branching.Read moreRead less
High-resolution in situ annealing studies of sub-micron grain structures. The proposed research is an extension of considerable ongoing collaboration between the applicants and will utilise advanced characterisation techniques to provide a more fundamental understanding than that presently available of the thermal stability of particle-containing nanocrystalline alloys. The project will reinforce the strong collaboration between our research groups and will expose Australian researchers to cutti ....High-resolution in situ annealing studies of sub-micron grain structures. The proposed research is an extension of considerable ongoing collaboration between the applicants and will utilise advanced characterisation techniques to provide a more fundamental understanding than that presently available of the thermal stability of particle-containing nanocrystalline alloys. The project will reinforce the strong collaboration between our research groups and will expose Australian researchers to cutting-edge research techniques, with particular emphasis on broadening the training experience of early career researchers. Several joint journal papers are expected from this work.
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Development of micro abrasive water jetting technology for micro machining and polishing on small complex curved surfaces. The fabrication of micro-parts such as those used in integrated sensors and micro-actuators is a new challenge for the rapid development of this industry. Many existing technologies either find limitations or result in defects on the machined surfaces. This project will develop an innovative abrasive water-jetting technology for micro machining and polishing. It will deve ....Development of micro abrasive water jetting technology for micro machining and polishing on small complex curved surfaces. The fabrication of micro-parts such as those used in integrated sensors and micro-actuators is a new challenge for the rapid development of this industry. Many existing technologies either find limitations or result in defects on the machined surfaces. This project will develop an innovative abrasive water-jetting technology for micro machining and polishing. It will develop the fundamentals and prototype for further development by industry. New nozzle designs will be analyzed and optimized by computational fluid dynamics studies and experimental investigations using a Particle Image Velocimeter. Mathematical models for the processing performance will also be developed for use in process control.Read moreRead less
Processing - Structure Relationships in Thermal Spray Coatings. Researchers in New Zealand have developed novel thermal spray processing treatments which can be used to enahnce the wear, oxidation and corrosion resisitance of materials. However, characterization of the coatings using electron microscopy is essential to understand the relationship between processing conditions and properties. The aim of this project is to draw together specialist expertise and equipment that allows integration ....Processing - Structure Relationships in Thermal Spray Coatings. Researchers in New Zealand have developed novel thermal spray processing treatments which can be used to enahnce the wear, oxidation and corrosion resisitance of materials. However, characterization of the coatings using electron microscopy is essential to understand the relationship between processing conditions and properties. The aim of this project is to draw together specialist expertise and equipment that allows integration of microscopy into the development of these films. Australian researchers will gain access to specialized preparation and testing facilities in New Zealand, whilst researchers from New Zealand will perform structural analysis of these films in Australia.Read moreRead less
Matched experiments and numerical simulations of flow-induced oscillations in uniform and tapered-stiffness collapsible tubes. Flexible tubes that can be flattened are widespread in the body and can act to limit flow-rate. Limitation is usually associated with spontaneous oscillation (repetitive opening and closing). There are many candidate explanations, but none has been shown to correspond with a given experiment. Through computer models and matched experiments on this coupled system (the ....Matched experiments and numerical simulations of flow-induced oscillations in uniform and tapered-stiffness collapsible tubes. Flexible tubes that can be flattened are widespread in the body and can act to limit flow-rate. Limitation is usually associated with spontaneous oscillation (repetitive opening and closing). There are many candidate explanations, but none has been shown to correspond with a given experiment. Through computer models and matched experiments on this coupled system (the fluid flow interacts with the tube shape), we seek to demonstrate for the first time that a given theory/computer model encompasses the physics controlling a given observed oscillation. The solution will find application in other flexible-structure design problems in engineering, and also potentially in medicine.Read moreRead less
TiO2 nanoparticle design and photocatalysis applications. The aim is to design nanosized TiO2 photocatalsysts with superior photoactivity using various synthesis paths. Nanosized TiO2 particles will be prepared using sol-gel, aerosol and plasma processing, their physical and chemical properties will be closely studied and their photocatalytic ability will be assessed. Such tailor-made photocatalysts have significant commercial potential value, as they would be highly suitable for the photooxidat ....TiO2 nanoparticle design and photocatalysis applications. The aim is to design nanosized TiO2 photocatalsysts with superior photoactivity using various synthesis paths. Nanosized TiO2 particles will be prepared using sol-gel, aerosol and plasma processing, their physical and chemical properties will be closely studied and their photocatalytic ability will be assessed. Such tailor-made photocatalysts have significant commercial potential value, as they would be highly suitable for the photooxidation of organic compounds and the photoreduction of metal ions in wastewaters. Findings from this work will pave the way for a "green" technology such as photocatalysis to become more efficient and hence a competitive alternative to conventional water treatment methods.Read moreRead less
Dynamic signaling pathways of dispersal in bacterial biofilms. This Breakthrough Science project will result in an increased understanding of the molecular processes that govern biofilm development and dispersal. While the outcomes will be directly applicable where P. aeruginosa infections continue to cause health-threatening conditions, such as in Cystic Fibrosis chronic infections, it will also be instrumental for the rational design of novel products and strategies to control biofilms of othe ....Dynamic signaling pathways of dispersal in bacterial biofilms. This Breakthrough Science project will result in an increased understanding of the molecular processes that govern biofilm development and dispersal. While the outcomes will be directly applicable where P. aeruginosa infections continue to cause health-threatening conditions, such as in Cystic Fibrosis chronic infections, it will also be instrumental for the rational design of novel products and strategies to control biofilms of other single species or of mixed species populations in many other settings. Countless environmental, industrial and clinical applications will benefit from improved antimicrobial strategies and reduced usage of antibiotics.Read moreRead less
Intelligent Modelling of Thin Strip Rolling. The main aim of this project is to develop an integrated model which incorporates asymmetric rolling, dynamics of strip-roll interface and intelligent control of strip gauge. The innovation of the project includes the intelligent modelling of thin strip rolling with high precision and strip-roll interface dynamics. The expected outcomes are technical recommendations on optimum speed differential between the top and bottom work rolls under different fr ....Intelligent Modelling of Thin Strip Rolling. The main aim of this project is to develop an integrated model which incorporates asymmetric rolling, dynamics of strip-roll interface and intelligent control of strip gauge. The innovation of the project includes the intelligent modelling of thin strip rolling with high precision and strip-roll interface dynamics. The expected outcomes are technical recommendations on optimum speed differential between the top and bottom work rolls under different friction and lubrication conditions, a model of neural networks/fuzzy logic to control accurately strip gauge and cross shear rolling and a verification of the developed model at the University of Wollongong and Tokyo Metropolitan University.Read moreRead less