The permeability of organized flocculated structures in dewatering in process engineering. The work aims to understand the method by which assemblies of particles in water, produced through flocculation, can be manipulated to produce highly permeable networks of particles. The work is critical to new developments and improving the efficiency of suspension dewatering processes world-wide and is of relevance to the food, pigments, minerals and electronics industries. The outcomes will be more ef ....The permeability of organized flocculated structures in dewatering in process engineering. The work aims to understand the method by which assemblies of particles in water, produced through flocculation, can be manipulated to produce highly permeable networks of particles. The work is critical to new developments and improving the efficiency of suspension dewatering processes world-wide and is of relevance to the food, pigments, minerals and electronics industries. The outcomes will be more efficient dewatering processes and novel products in these industries.Read moreRead less
Food structure design. Food structure design. This project aims to use fundamental studies in multi-scale rheology and biotribology, surface sciences, soft matter physics and protein chemistry to develop new measurement capabilities and knowledge for rational food structure design. This research is intended to enable researchers and industry to quantify how oral processing (including saliva) transforms food during consumption, and to provide new instrumental measurements and know-how that assist ....Food structure design. Food structure design. This project aims to use fundamental studies in multi-scale rheology and biotribology, surface sciences, soft matter physics and protein chemistry to develop new measurement capabilities and knowledge for rational food structure design. This research is intended to enable researchers and industry to quantify how oral processing (including saliva) transforms food during consumption, and to provide new instrumental measurements and know-how that assists in defining sensory percepts in dairy foods and beverages such as creaminess in full, reduced or non-fat systems and grittiness in high protein systems.Read moreRead less
Nanoporous bioaffinity adsorbents for separations in the pharmaceutical industry. This proposal aims to develop new high performance adsorbents for bioprocess engineering based on templated nanoporous silica materials. This research will lead to significant advances in advanced materials and adsorbent technology, downstream processing for the biotechnology industries, and understanding of highly specific affinity interactions used for difficult bioseparations. It will have important benefits for ....Nanoporous bioaffinity adsorbents for separations in the pharmaceutical industry. This proposal aims to develop new high performance adsorbents for bioprocess engineering based on templated nanoporous silica materials. This research will lead to significant advances in advanced materials and adsorbent technology, downstream processing for the biotechnology industries, and understanding of highly specific affinity interactions used for difficult bioseparations. It will have important benefits for processes involving protein purification, such as bioplasma processing, as well as flow on effects to other applications of adsorbent technology such as food processing and water treatment. The new adsorbents will lead to reductions in the costs, energy usage and waste generation of Australian industries.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR180100016
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$880,187.00
Summary
A skid-based transportable plant for PFAS contaminated site remediation. This project aims to develop a self contained skid-based transportable process for onsite destruction of per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances (PFAS) toxins at contaminated sites. The new technologies developed will span a range of application areas, although remediation of sites contaminated with PFAS by ongoing or legacy use of fire-fighting foams is a key target for this project. The process is expected to enable remediati ....A skid-based transportable plant for PFAS contaminated site remediation. This project aims to develop a self contained skid-based transportable process for onsite destruction of per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances (PFAS) toxins at contaminated sites. The new technologies developed will span a range of application areas, although remediation of sites contaminated with PFAS by ongoing or legacy use of fire-fighting foams is a key target for this project. The process is expected to enable remediation of these sites by completely converting all toxins into safe products such as carbon dioxide and harmless salts. This project will deliver significant benefits, as the process is easily scalable and is intended to form the basis of a new or expanded remediation industry in Australia, resulting in manufacturing growth, job opportunities and significant impacts in terms of environmental safety and quality.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR180200046
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$758,233.00
Summary
Plasma Bubble Column for one step remediation of PFAS. This project aims to develop a new class of plasma water treatment reactors by combining the effectiveness of atmospheric air plasma with the effective mixing of bubble columns. Non-thermal plasmas have been demonstrated to degrade PFAS at the laboratory scale, but key questions remain on the mechanisms of action and process scaling. This project brings together expertise on plasma engineering, bubble column reactors, modelling and industria ....Plasma Bubble Column for one step remediation of PFAS. This project aims to develop a new class of plasma water treatment reactors by combining the effectiveness of atmospheric air plasma with the effective mixing of bubble columns. Non-thermal plasmas have been demonstrated to degrade PFAS at the laboratory scale, but key questions remain on the mechanisms of action and process scaling. This project brings together expertise on plasma engineering, bubble column reactors, modelling and industrial scaling to address these issues. The expected outcomes of this project are the development and demonstration of a modular, re-deployable plasma bubble column reactor for the one step destruction of PFAS. The benefits of this project are a new low cost method to remediate PFAS contamination.Read moreRead less
Numerical Modelling and Experimental Studies to Design and Engineer Nanoparticulate Systems for Bioapplications. Project outcomes will enhance Australia's reputation for scientific innovation in the field of bio-nanotechnology. The project will expand the knowledge base in this area and increase Australia's international profile in research on nanomaterials for bio-related applications. The project partners UNSW and Australian company (Minomic), integrating their skills, expertise and facilities ....Numerical Modelling and Experimental Studies to Design and Engineer Nanoparticulate Systems for Bioapplications. Project outcomes will enhance Australia's reputation for scientific innovation in the field of bio-nanotechnology. The project will expand the knowledge base in this area and increase Australia's international profile in research on nanomaterials for bio-related applications. The project partners UNSW and Australian company (Minomic), integrating their skills, expertise and facilities to address current limitations in understanding the stability of magnetic nanoparticles in biological fluids. The Australian partners will play a leading role in commercializing new applications for functionalized magnetic nanoparticles. The project will provide an excellent multidisciplinary research environment and training for early career researchers.Read moreRead less
Scalable fabrication of novel mesoporous carbonaceous spheres with uniform size as effective adsorbents in water treatment. A productive route to generate mesoporous microspheres as highly effective adsorbents for toxins from algae blooms is proposed via an innovative drying technology. A breakthrough will be achieved in the practical development of novel adsorbents to ensure the availability of clean freshwater with enormous impacts for communities around Australia.
Enabling the design of superior healthy snack foods and beverages through innovative assessment of oral processing and mucosal film interactions. Reducing sugar and fat in foods generally leads to products that are perceived as less flavoursome and appealing. A significant contributor to this is the interaction of foods and beverages with oral mucosal substrates, which play a key role in perceptual processes that drive unacceptable mouthfeel sensations. This project seeks to develop and use oral ....Enabling the design of superior healthy snack foods and beverages through innovative assessment of oral processing and mucosal film interactions. Reducing sugar and fat in foods generally leads to products that are perceived as less flavoursome and appealing. A significant contributor to this is the interaction of foods and beverages with oral mucosal substrates, which play a key role in perceptual processes that drive unacceptable mouthfeel sensations. This project seeks to develop and use oral mimetic substrates to permit objective and quantified rheological and tribological responses, imitating the underlying physics occurring during food oral processing that drive dynamic sensory responses. The project aims to enable a mechanism-based approach to minimise the amounts of fat, salt and sugar required for sensory properties that meet consumer expectations.Read moreRead less
Development of smart material for the adsorption of oil spills on roads. The cost of road fuel spills in both Australia and worldwide is enormous. The research objective is to develop an admixture suitable for the absorption/adsorption of fuel and oil from road spills. The material will be designed to be contained within a fabric. The innovation is the application of the admixture in the form of a carpet, which is designed as easily used, non-toxic, recyclable and environmentally friendly. T ....Development of smart material for the adsorption of oil spills on roads. The cost of road fuel spills in both Australia and worldwide is enormous. The research objective is to develop an admixture suitable for the absorption/adsorption of fuel and oil from road spills. The material will be designed to be contained within a fabric. The innovation is the application of the admixture in the form of a carpet, which is designed as easily used, non-toxic, recyclable and environmentally friendly. The application is rapid. The successful development of the material has enormous economic benefits to Australia, providing a new industry with many employees. This new industry has the potential to bring great wealth to Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775550
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,000.00
Summary
Characterisation Equipment for Advanced Gas Separation Applications. The proposed research will lead to the synthesis of new advanced materials capable of performing new and existing separations more efficiently than previous methods. We therefore expect the new materials to directly benefit the community through improved removal and recovery of a wide range of pollutants which would otherwise enter the environment. This research is directly aligned to the National Research Priority of Frontie ....Characterisation Equipment for Advanced Gas Separation Applications. The proposed research will lead to the synthesis of new advanced materials capable of performing new and existing separations more efficiently than previous methods. We therefore expect the new materials to directly benefit the community through improved removal and recovery of a wide range of pollutants which would otherwise enter the environment. This research is directly aligned to the National Research Priority of Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries: Advanced Materials.Read moreRead less