Understanding the interaction between wool fibre surface and ionic liquids. This project will advance the knowledge on wool surface/ionic liquid interaction, which has the potential to revolutionize the traditional and environmentally unfriendly wool shrinkage-proof treatment technology. This will have significant industry wide benefit for the multi-billion dollar animal fibre industry.
The true potential and limitations of fibres. This project aims to understand the fibre spinning process of nanomaterials to identify their true potential and limitations in wearable applications. The project is expected to lead to multifunctional materials that allow design and production of smart functional fibres and textiles that store and convert energy and sense, monitor and respond to human activities and external environments. The project outcomes are expected to accelerate the transform ....The true potential and limitations of fibres. This project aims to understand the fibre spinning process of nanomaterials to identify their true potential and limitations in wearable applications. The project is expected to lead to multifunctional materials that allow design and production of smart functional fibres and textiles that store and convert energy and sense, monitor and respond to human activities and external environments. The project outcomes are expected to accelerate the transformation of the fibre industry, which will have far reaching implications across research disciplines and sectors critical to technology, health, social, and economic future.Read moreRead less
Modelling the stability and efficiency of ring spinning. This research will benefit the animal fibre industry, particularly the multi-billion dollar wool industry. Low spinning efficiency adds a significant cost to the conversion of animal fibres into textile products, which reduces the competitive position of these natural fibres. The proposed research will lead to improvement in the efficiency of ring spinning. It has been estimated that a 1% improvement in spinning efficiency will add about $ ....Modelling the stability and efficiency of ring spinning. This research will benefit the animal fibre industry, particularly the multi-billion dollar wool industry. Low spinning efficiency adds a significant cost to the conversion of animal fibres into textile products, which reduces the competitive position of these natural fibres. The proposed research will lead to improvement in the efficiency of ring spinning. It has been estimated that a 1% improvement in spinning efficiency will add about $16 million to the wool industry alone. Read moreRead less
Modelling and minimising energy consumption in ring spinning. Australia's 4-billion dollar natural fibre production is spun into yarns via ring spinning mainly. A major drawback of this spinning system is its high energy consumption. This project will examine, theoretically and experimentally, the key factors contributing to energy consumption in ring spinning. It will generate new knowledge on the relationship between yarn hairiness and the air drag on a rapidly rotating yarn package and on a b ....Modelling and minimising energy consumption in ring spinning. Australia's 4-billion dollar natural fibre production is spun into yarns via ring spinning mainly. A major drawback of this spinning system is its high energy consumption. This project will examine, theoretically and experimentally, the key factors contributing to energy consumption in ring spinning. It will generate new knowledge on the relationship between yarn hairiness and the air drag on a rapidly rotating yarn package and on a ballooning yarn, and predict how this air drag affects the energy consumption during package build-up in ring spinning. This will lead to ways of minimising energy consumption in this most important spinning process.Read moreRead less
Understanding the composite structures and properties of wild silk cocoons. This project will reveal the secret of wild silk cocoon structures, which are very thin and light in weight, yet they can protect wild silkworms in very harsh environments. This new knowledge will lead to the development of nature inspired materials and structures for personal protection.
Field-Enhanced Electrospinning for Fine and Uniform Nanofibres. This project will result in a new platform technology to produce very fine and uniform nanofibres that can be used in a range of advanced applications. It will further strengthen our leading position in the field of nanofibre technology, and contribute to the National Research Priority area of Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries. Australia already has niche expertise in nanomaterials. This proje ....Field-Enhanced Electrospinning for Fine and Uniform Nanofibres. This project will result in a new platform technology to produce very fine and uniform nanofibres that can be used in a range of advanced applications. It will further strengthen our leading position in the field of nanofibre technology, and contribute to the National Research Priority area of Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries. Australia already has niche expertise in nanomaterials. This project will significantly enhance our international standing in the field. There is a growing list of local companies that are interested in exploring the production and application of nanofibrous materials also.Read moreRead less
Directional fluid-transfer in thin porous materials with gradient wettability through thickness. This project will further strengthen Australia's world leading position in advanced fibrous materials research. It will provide a new platform technology to develop self-driven unidirectional fluid-transfer fabrics and porous membranes for diverse applications in daily life, healthcare, defence and a number of industrial processes.
Delivering Next-Generation Broadband Internet Access to Australia: Integration of Broadband Optical and Wireless Networks. Provision of broadband services is a high priority for the Australian government as evidenced by a range of initiatives costing more than $4 billion. Especially, the integration of optical and wireless broadband access will potentially provide inexpensive and efficient solutions to customers. Building on the strength of existing photonics and wireless industries in Australia ....Delivering Next-Generation Broadband Internet Access to Australia: Integration of Broadband Optical and Wireless Networks. Provision of broadband services is a high priority for the Australian government as evidenced by a range of initiatives costing more than $4 billion. Especially, the integration of optical and wireless broadband access will potentially provide inexpensive and efficient solutions to customers. Building on the strength of existing photonics and wireless industries in Australia, direct and indirect outcomes of this project can lead to new business opportunities and will further strengthen the growing local telecommunication industries. It is also anticipated that national and international collaboration will generate further research activities and significantly enhance the existing reputation of Australian research capabilities.Read moreRead less
Optical Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OOFDM): a breakthrough for ultra-broadband optical fibre systems and infrared wireless personal-area networks. Optical-OFDM provides Australia with an opportunity to develop a new, high-tech, easy-to-export technology with a very large market potential spanning three key communications markets: wireless personal-area networks, local-area networks and long-haul (80-4000 km) optical networks. It is based on innovative Australian technology genera ....Optical Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OOFDM): a breakthrough for ultra-broadband optical fibre systems and infrared wireless personal-area networks. Optical-OFDM provides Australia with an opportunity to develop a new, high-tech, easy-to-export technology with a very large market potential spanning three key communications markets: wireless personal-area networks, local-area networks and long-haul (80-4000 km) optical networks. It is based on innovative Australian technology generated from two research strengths: photonics and OFDM. OFDM is already the basis of most non-optical broadband systems, including digital broadcasting and ADSL. Patent applications have been filed. One application enables bandwidths to rural and remote communities to be quadrupled without laying new cables. By launching off this local market Australian industry can develop a world leading industry.Read moreRead less
Multiple-input multiple-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) for optical wireless: a breakthrough solution to gaps in broadband delivery. Reliable, flexible broadband delivery is critical for Australian business and for the Australian community. This project will develop the technology on which a new generation of optical wireless communication systems will be based. By using optical rather than radio frequencies they will combine the data rates of optical with the mobil ....Multiple-input multiple-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) for optical wireless: a breakthrough solution to gaps in broadband delivery. Reliable, flexible broadband delivery is critical for Australian business and for the Australian community. This project will develop the technology on which a new generation of optical wireless communication systems will be based. By using optical rather than radio frequencies they will combine the data rates of optical with the mobility of wireless. They will fill many of the gaps in existing broadband delivery including providing a new flexible last-mile technology and an alternative form of local area network for indoor use. They will lead to new business opportunities within Australia and provide excellent research training in the field of OFDM, a field in which there is significant local R&D in Australian and multinational companies.Read moreRead less