Performance and design optimisation of oscillating water column ocean wave energy converters. This project will develop an optimised design for ocean wave energy extraction devices, known as oscillating water columns. This will significantly reduce energy conversion losses from oscillating water columns and contribute towards making them internationally competitive with other renewable energy technologies.
Predictive cost and maintenance models for bidding and short term scheduling strategies in hydro power plants. The aim of this project is to develop knowledge based models that can be used to estimate the costs implicit in operating hydro-electric power generation systems in intermittent and off-design modes. These costs manifest in increased maintenance, loss of water supply and opportunity costs or values. A model of the Tasmanian system would be unique, and the application of knowledge based ....Predictive cost and maintenance models for bidding and short term scheduling strategies in hydro power plants. The aim of this project is to develop knowledge based models that can be used to estimate the costs implicit in operating hydro-electric power generation systems in intermittent and off-design modes. These costs manifest in increased maintenance, loss of water supply and opportunity costs or values. A model of the Tasmanian system would be unique, and the application of knowledge based systems to cost and decision making in this situation is novel. Opportunities exist to collaborate with Norwegian researchers. The success of the project will lead to better utilization of the Tasmanian renewable energy resource.Read moreRead less
Optimisation of Road Network Maintenance Strategies for Life-Cycle Costs. The future of Tasmania and the nation as a competitive force in the international market is intimately linked to its transportation infrastructure network. The successful maintenance and performance of the road component is essential for an efficient and integrated system and minimisation of freight costs. The research proposes to develop a less empirical and phenomenological method of predicting the future performance of ....Optimisation of Road Network Maintenance Strategies for Life-Cycle Costs. The future of Tasmania and the nation as a competitive force in the international market is intimately linked to its transportation infrastructure network. The successful maintenance and performance of the road component is essential for an efficient and integrated system and minimisation of freight costs. The research proposes to develop a less empirical and phenomenological method of predicting the future performance of pavements, based on optimisation of maintenance strategies, by incorporating the use of probabilistic methods and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) into new Whole of Life Costing (WOLC) models.Read moreRead less
Geologic, genetic and exploration implications of syndeformational, structurally-controlled, sediment-hosted copper deposits: investigation of the Mt Oxide deposit, Queensland. This project will use a multi-disciplinary approach to understand the geology, geochemistry and genesis of the syndeformational, structurally-controlled, sediment-hosted copper mineralisation at the Mt Oxide deposit, Queensland. Copper deposits, like Mt Oxide, are an important exploration target in sedimentary basins but ....Geologic, genetic and exploration implications of syndeformational, structurally-controlled, sediment-hosted copper deposits: investigation of the Mt Oxide deposit, Queensland. This project will use a multi-disciplinary approach to understand the geology, geochemistry and genesis of the syndeformational, structurally-controlled, sediment-hosted copper mineralisation at the Mt Oxide deposit, Queensland. Copper deposits, like Mt Oxide, are an important exploration target in sedimentary basins but their characteristics and formation are poorly understood. Discovery of further sediment-hosted Cu deposits is imperative as Australia's industrial competitivness in exploration and mining depends on the discovery of new ore depsoits. This project specifically addresses the need for better genetic and exploration models for copper deposits concealed within ancient, deformed sedimentary sequences in Australia and overseas.Read moreRead less
Origin and setting of Congolese-type Cu deposits. This project aims to understand the genesis of the giant sediment-hosted Cu ore deposits of the Congolese Copperbelt, and their relationship to the enclosing strata. We will use selected study areas within the correlative Neoproterozic basin successions in Australia, which are well exposed and covered by modern geoscientific datasets, as analogues for the poorly exposed Congolese system. Once this is achieved, we will combine the results with tho ....Origin and setting of Congolese-type Cu deposits. This project aims to understand the genesis of the giant sediment-hosted Cu ore deposits of the Congolese Copperbelt, and their relationship to the enclosing strata. We will use selected study areas within the correlative Neoproterozic basin successions in Australia, which are well exposed and covered by modern geoscientific datasets, as analogues for the poorly exposed Congolese system. Once this is achieved, we will combine the results with those of a previous ARC linkage project on the nearby Zambian Copperbelt, to provide the first integrated model of the worlds largest sedimentary Cu system.Read moreRead less
The future of shipping: achieving autonomous navigation. This project aims to develop autonomous decision systems and onshore control stations to support the design and operation of unmanned cargo ships. Blending observations, numerical models, virtual reality and machine learning, the project will develop algorithms for unsupervised navigation and embed these in an advanced ship simulator platform capable of responding to environmental conditions and optimising sea freight transport capabilitie ....The future of shipping: achieving autonomous navigation. This project aims to develop autonomous decision systems and onshore control stations to support the design and operation of unmanned cargo ships. Blending observations, numerical models, virtual reality and machine learning, the project will develop algorithms for unsupervised navigation and embed these in an advanced ship simulator platform capable of responding to environmental conditions and optimising sea freight transport capabilities. The expected outcomes will enable the integration of automated controls in ships, including remote-control capabilities. This will support Australia’s transition towards an autonomous shipping industry, delivering greater reliability, efficiency, productivity and safety.Read moreRead less
Freshwater biofouling of hydraulic conduits: impact, mitigation, and control, and the consequences of Climate Change. National economic and environmental benefits will flow from increased outputs of renewable energy from hydroelectric power systems. Improved performance of canals and pipelines will enable energy and water losses to be reduced and will provide the National Electricity Market with additional renewable energy, lowering the requirement for fossil fuels. Knowledge of the impacts of ....Freshwater biofouling of hydraulic conduits: impact, mitigation, and control, and the consequences of Climate Change. National economic and environmental benefits will flow from increased outputs of renewable energy from hydroelectric power systems. Improved performance of canals and pipelines will enable energy and water losses to be reduced and will provide the National Electricity Market with additional renewable energy, lowering the requirement for fossil fuels. Knowledge of the impacts of Climate Change will enable industry to manage changes in rainfall pattern and conduit biofouling. An improved understanding of biofilms can be applied to achieve wider national benefit in water reticulation, irrigation systems and maritime applications. The team will develop research skills and technical expertise and train PhD students and industry counterparts.Read moreRead less
Development of an implantable blood flow and pressure monitor for pulmonary hypertension. The aim is to develop an implantable device for continuous measurement of blood pressure and flow rate in the pulmonary artery. The device is to store data and download it on request to an external device. Development steps include design of the sensor lead incorporating impedance electrodes and a pressure transducer, numerical modelling of the electrode system, characterising pressure and flow waveforms f ....Development of an implantable blood flow and pressure monitor for pulmonary hypertension. The aim is to develop an implantable device for continuous measurement of blood pressure and flow rate in the pulmonary artery. The device is to store data and download it on request to an external device. Development steps include design of the sensor lead incorporating impedance electrodes and a pressure transducer, numerical modelling of the electrode system, characterising pressure and flow waveforms for condensed storage, establishing flow sensor and blood flow relationships and assessment of sensor stability and calibration demands. The device will facilitate research in pulmonary hypertension and may lead to clinical devices for monitoring effectiveness of treatment.Read moreRead less
Marine vessel wave wake: Ferry operations in sheltered waterways. This project aims to address one of the biggest risk factors to the Sydney ferry system, by ensuring the waves that new ferries generate are minimised. This would reduce the impact on other users of this busy waterway or damage to the surrounding infrastructure or environment. Modernising Sydney’s fleet of iconic passenger ferries is an integral part of the New South Wales Government’s long-term transport master plan. The project ....Marine vessel wave wake: Ferry operations in sheltered waterways. This project aims to address one of the biggest risk factors to the Sydney ferry system, by ensuring the waves that new ferries generate are minimised. This would reduce the impact on other users of this busy waterway or damage to the surrounding infrastructure or environment. Modernising Sydney’s fleet of iconic passenger ferries is an integral part of the New South Wales Government’s long-term transport master plan. The project is intended to predict the waves produced by any proposed ferry operation, allowing changes to be made to minimise waves during early planning stages. The new method for predicting the complex wave phenomenon is designed to provide more comprehensive and accurate assessments than conventional technologies.Read moreRead less
Skin friction control using engineering and biological surface coatings. The development of techniques to reduce skin friction in water conveying assets will increase renewable energy production from existing hydro-electric plant and improve the energy efficiency of water conveying utilities. There is also potential for application to marine biofouling problems and reducing fuel usage by shipping. Passive (non-chemical) and biological control methods to reduce fouling and friction will be sought ....Skin friction control using engineering and biological surface coatings. The development of techniques to reduce skin friction in water conveying assets will increase renewable energy production from existing hydro-electric plant and improve the energy efficiency of water conveying utilities. There is also potential for application to marine biofouling problems and reducing fuel usage by shipping. Passive (non-chemical) and biological control methods to reduce fouling and friction will be sought to minimise environmental impact and maintain potable water quality. This multidisciplinary project combining engineering, photogrammetry and biological sciences will provide valuable training for the project team members and develop a pool of skilled personnel available to Australian industries.Read moreRead less