Advanced materials for space propulsion: satellites and cubesats. Poorly controlled interactions between plasmas and surfaces often mean loss of process efficiency and surface degradation over time. For Hall thrusters, a type of engine used to move satellites in space, this means increased fuel consumption and shorter useful life. Through modelling and experiment, this project will show how intelligent selection of advanced materials and plasma parameters can minimise surface wear, enable in sit ....Advanced materials for space propulsion: satellites and cubesats. Poorly controlled interactions between plasmas and surfaces often mean loss of process efficiency and surface degradation over time. For Hall thrusters, a type of engine used to move satellites in space, this means increased fuel consumption and shorter useful life. Through modelling and experiment, this project will show how intelligent selection of advanced materials and plasma parameters can minimise surface wear, enable in situ material repair to extend device lifetime, and modulate plasma properties to increase thruster efficiency for a given task. These benefits enable reliable propulsion platforms for massive communication and observation satellite networks and deep space exploration.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190101152
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$404,000.00
Summary
Micro/nano-mechanical testing methodologies for interfacial adhesion. This project aims to develop reliable approaches for measuring the toughness of a variety of metal/polymer interfaces integral to contemporary flexible devices. Adhesion between metal thin film conductors and polymer substrates is a critical factor influencing the reliability of the emerging polymer-based flexible electronics. This project will develop new methodologies for understanding the behaviour of these metal/polymer in ....Micro/nano-mechanical testing methodologies for interfacial adhesion. This project aims to develop reliable approaches for measuring the toughness of a variety of metal/polymer interfaces integral to contemporary flexible devices. Adhesion between metal thin film conductors and polymer substrates is a critical factor influencing the reliability of the emerging polymer-based flexible electronics. This project will develop new methodologies for understanding the behaviour of these metal/polymer interfaces. This project will be a crucial enabler to accelerating the development of new flexible microelectronic technologies, from solar panels to electronic skin. This innovation will enable Australia to maintain an important connection to the rapidly-evolving international microelectronic industry and add significant value to Australian manufacturing industries.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
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
Characterisation of mechanical behaviour of lithiated silicon. This project aims to develop novel characterisation and numerical techniques, thus aiming to solve the problem of mechanical failure in silicon based high energy density lithium-ion batteries. This will be achieved through development of novel techniques for in situ microscopy observation, nano-mechanics testing and atomistic modeling. The expected outcomes are effective solutions for development of reliable and efficient battery sys ....Characterisation of mechanical behaviour of lithiated silicon. This project aims to develop novel characterisation and numerical techniques, thus aiming to solve the problem of mechanical failure in silicon based high energy density lithium-ion batteries. This will be achieved through development of novel techniques for in situ microscopy observation, nano-mechanics testing and atomistic modeling. The expected outcomes are effective solutions for development of reliable and efficient battery systems. This project will provide significant benefits in the development of new power sources and energy storage devices for mobile electronics, electric vehicle and sustainable energy industries.Read moreRead less
Interface structures mediating load transfer between soft and hard tissues. This project aims to develop a novel technology platform to mediate load transfer between synthetic and biological materials with dissimilar mechanical properties, creating an effective interface mechanism. It will generate new knowledge in materials engineering by combining interdisciplinary expertise and state-of-the-art technologies in computational modelling, biomaterials, and additive manufacturing. Expected outcome ....Interface structures mediating load transfer between soft and hard tissues. This project aims to develop a novel technology platform to mediate load transfer between synthetic and biological materials with dissimilar mechanical properties, creating an effective interface mechanism. It will generate new knowledge in materials engineering by combining interdisciplinary expertise and state-of-the-art technologies in computational modelling, biomaterials, and additive manufacturing. Expected outcomes are high-tech ceramic structures optimized to interface effectively between synthetic soft tissues and natural hard tissues. This could ultimately benefit Australian industry engaged in developing next-generation synthetic orthopaedic solutions, providing a significant competitive advantage in an expanding global market.Read moreRead less
Design of Non-Equilibrium Architectures: Leveraging High Entropy Materials. Novel metallic alloys, termed as ‘high entropy materials’, will be investigated as surface coatings in order to provide improved strength, corrosion and wear performance under extreme industrial environments. This new evolution in materials engineering is created by mixing at least 5 elements in equal ratios and has recently been proven to provide excellent functionality in the bulk form. The novelty of this project is t ....Design of Non-Equilibrium Architectures: Leveraging High Entropy Materials. Novel metallic alloys, termed as ‘high entropy materials’, will be investigated as surface coatings in order to provide improved strength, corrosion and wear performance under extreme industrial environments. This new evolution in materials engineering is created by mixing at least 5 elements in equal ratios and has recently been proven to provide excellent functionality in the bulk form. The novelty of this project is that thermal spray engineering will be employed to manufacture bespoke coatings for industries such as the mining and power generation sectors. We now need to understand the materials science for a technological tipping point that directly impacts manufacturing industries for improved performance, efficiency and reliability.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100527
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,000.00
Summary
Novel high-performance copper-based materials via additive manufacturing. This project aims to develop novel high-performance copper-based materials produced by additive manufacturing for the electrification revolution, which will provide significantly higher mechanical performance, superior electrical and thermal properties and enable flexible complex shape options. Atomic-scale microstructural analysis using advanced microscopy techniques will reveal profound new insights into the process-stru ....Novel high-performance copper-based materials via additive manufacturing. This project aims to develop novel high-performance copper-based materials produced by additive manufacturing for the electrification revolution, which will provide significantly higher mechanical performance, superior electrical and thermal properties and enable flexible complex shape options. Atomic-scale microstructural analysis using advanced microscopy techniques will reveal profound new insights into the process-structure-property relationship. Expected outcomes include new understandings of the fundamental physics of new functional materials, eco-friendly products, and an ability to facilitate the increasingly widespread use of the copper-based materials for renewable electricity towards a more sustainable society and economy.Read moreRead less
Cost-efficient 2D heterostructures for solar overall water splitting. This project aims to develop novel processes to enable water splitting to generate hydrogen and oxygen under sunlight using cost-efficient 2D van der Waals heterostructures. Enhanced optical absorption and reduced charge transfer distance across the interface are expected to improve the photocatalytic activity. Experimental design and theoretical simulations will be combined to modulate the materials and achieve optimum photoc ....Cost-efficient 2D heterostructures for solar overall water splitting. This project aims to develop novel processes to enable water splitting to generate hydrogen and oxygen under sunlight using cost-efficient 2D van der Waals heterostructures. Enhanced optical absorption and reduced charge transfer distance across the interface are expected to improve the photocatalytic activity. Experimental design and theoretical simulations will be combined to modulate the materials and achieve optimum photocatalytic performances. Expected outcomes of this project include expanded chemistry knowledge and techniques in materials design and synthesis, photophysics and photocatalysis mechanism and solar energy conversion. This will provide significant benefits to clean energy and environmental protections.Read moreRead less
Low-density high-performance proppants for hydraulic fracturing process . Australia has vast resources of unconventional oil/gas, which require hydraulic fracturing to stimulate production. This project aims to develop advanced low-density high-performance proppants from industry waste for hydraulic fracturing. This will be achieved by selecting purer SiO2 raw material, carefully designing the porous structure, and fully understanding its relationship with strength and pack conductivity. Low-den ....Low-density high-performance proppants for hydraulic fracturing process . Australia has vast resources of unconventional oil/gas, which require hydraulic fracturing to stimulate production. This project aims to develop advanced low-density high-performance proppants from industry waste for hydraulic fracturing. This will be achieved by selecting purer SiO2 raw material, carefully designing the porous structure, and fully understanding its relationship with strength and pack conductivity. Low-density means no chemicals in proppant transportation and application. Successful development of such high-performance proppants will significantly increase Australia oil/gas exploration and production with an environmental acceptable technology, a leap forward for the oil/gas industry in Australia and the world.Read moreRead less