Understanding the Drafting-against-Untwisting Process for Engineering Fine and Soft Yarns of Low Hairiness. This research will lead to much improved understanding of a very novel yarn engineering process to achieve fine, soft and low-hairiness yarns from natural fibres. It will demonstrate that Australia not only provides quality wool and cotton fibres, but also leads the world in innovative textile engineering technologies that can enhance the competitive positions of its natural fibres in the ....Understanding the Drafting-against-Untwisting Process for Engineering Fine and Soft Yarns of Low Hairiness. This research will lead to much improved understanding of a very novel yarn engineering process to achieve fine, soft and low-hairiness yarns from natural fibres. It will demonstrate that Australia not only provides quality wool and cotton fibres, but also leads the world in innovative textile engineering technologies that can enhance the competitive positions of its natural fibres in the global fibre market. This research promotes value adding in Australian fibre products by developing advanced yarn engineering technology, which will be of significant national benefit to the multi-billion natural fibre industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
The characterization and pocessing of Australian grown hemp fibres. This project will, for the first time, systematically examine the characteristics and processing behaviour of Australian grown hemp fibres. The hemp industry is an emerging new industry in rural Australia. This research will tackle a number of complex problems concerning characterization, degumming, and processing of Australian grown hemp, and will engineer the finest and softest yarns as well as industrial products from this he ....The characterization and pocessing of Australian grown hemp fibres. This project will, for the first time, systematically examine the characteristics and processing behaviour of Australian grown hemp fibres. The hemp industry is an emerging new industry in rural Australia. This research will tackle a number of complex problems concerning characterization, degumming, and processing of Australian grown hemp, and will engineer the finest and softest yarns as well as industrial products from this hemp. This will position the local hemp industry as well fibre processing industry in a very strong position to meet the growing demand world wide on this "green" fibre.Read moreRead less
Modelling and Performance Evaluation of Stab and Ballistic Resistant Fabrics. The aims of the project are to model and design stab resistant fabrics, and evaluate their stab and ballistic performance under simulated end-use conditions. Bi-component ballistic and stab resistant wearable and concealable garments will be produced and comprehensively characterised. This program is a significant first step towards developing Australian owned intellectual property for specialised protective garments f ....Modelling and Performance Evaluation of Stab and Ballistic Resistant Fabrics. The aims of the project are to model and design stab resistant fabrics, and evaluate their stab and ballistic performance under simulated end-use conditions. Bi-component ballistic and stab resistant wearable and concealable garments will be produced and comprehensively characterised. This program is a significant first step towards developing Australian owned intellectual property for specialised protective garments for local and export markets. Results from this study will produce fundamental knowledge on stab and ballistic resistant fabrics and armours, and provide practical information on the preparation of commercially acceptable protective products.Read moreRead less
New hybrid fibres incorporating nano protein materials. This project aims to develop new cellulose fibres incorporating nano protein materials extracted from animal fibres such as wool. The structure and property of the new hybrid fibres will be studied. Combining cellulose and protein materials within a single fibre is a new and original concept. This will lead to the production of new fibres with enhanced attributes and add significant value to the multi-billion dollar animal fibre industry in ....New hybrid fibres incorporating nano protein materials. This project aims to develop new cellulose fibres incorporating nano protein materials extracted from animal fibres such as wool. The structure and property of the new hybrid fibres will be studied. Combining cellulose and protein materials within a single fibre is a new and original concept. This will lead to the production of new fibres with enhanced attributes and add significant value to the multi-billion dollar animal fibre industry in Australia. It will also benefit the collaborating country as the major consumer of animal fibres imported from AustraliaRead moreRead less
Spinning Nanosheets for Versatile Applications. This project seeks to develop a highly versatile and innovative fibre spinning research platform for fabricating multifunctional hybrid fibres with unprecedented mechanical, electrical and electrochemical properties. The novel fibres to be produced can be assembled into macroscale architectures or be weaved into functional textiles that can feed into relevant technologies and Australian industries such as advanced textiles for wearable energy stora ....Spinning Nanosheets for Versatile Applications. This project seeks to develop a highly versatile and innovative fibre spinning research platform for fabricating multifunctional hybrid fibres with unprecedented mechanical, electrical and electrochemical properties. The novel fibres to be produced can be assembled into macroscale architectures or be weaved into functional textiles that can feed into relevant technologies and Australian industries such as advanced textiles for wearable energy storage and conversion, microelectrodes and sensors, and smart medical/biomedical platforms. More importantly, this project will have far reaching implications across a range of research disciplines, and ultimately sectors critical to Australia’s health, social, and economic future.Read moreRead less
Elastic and biodegradable sponges/aerogels from exfoliated silk nanofibres . The aim of this project is to investigate methods to produce highly porous elastic sponges from silk protein nanofibres. These sponges will have optimal mechanical, insulation and degradation properties making them suitable for a wide range of applications including the biomedical and personal care sectors, where current products have significant drawbacks due to the use of non-biodegradable synthetic materials. Outco ....Elastic and biodegradable sponges/aerogels from exfoliated silk nanofibres . The aim of this project is to investigate methods to produce highly porous elastic sponges from silk protein nanofibres. These sponges will have optimal mechanical, insulation and degradation properties making them suitable for a wide range of applications including the biomedical and personal care sectors, where current products have significant drawbacks due to the use of non-biodegradable synthetic materials. Outcomes include new knowledge on controlling porous structures and tailoring properties to targeted applications. This project, by laying the groundwork for a new generation of bio-based materials, will benefit the Australian advanced manufacturing sector, and enhance Australia's standing in materials science and engineering.Read moreRead less
Multilayered Safety Clothing for Personal Protective Equipment. This project aims to improve multilayered firefighting protective garments and their thermal comfort by utilizing aerogel microparticles containing thermal regulation materials and flame-retardant agents. This research will create new multifunctional fabric designs and engineering techniques to integrate improved heat and flame protection, comfort and smart features into optimized multilayered garments. It will create novel clothing ....Multilayered Safety Clothing for Personal Protective Equipment. This project aims to improve multilayered firefighting protective garments and their thermal comfort by utilizing aerogel microparticles containing thermal regulation materials and flame-retardant agents. This research will create new multifunctional fabric designs and engineering techniques to integrate improved heat and flame protection, comfort and smart features into optimized multilayered garments. It will create novel clothing systems that will better protect wearers and allow them to effectively combat bushfires and save lives and assets. The successful completion will enable industrial capability in next generation advanced protective garments and functional uniforms for broad occupational health safety and well-being applications.Read moreRead less
Reducing the hairiness and improving the quality of wool yarns. The fibre ends that protrude from the surface of wool yarns make the yarns hairy. Yarn hairiness leads to reduced efficiency in spinning, knitting and weaving. Excessive yarn hairiness also adversely affects other important yarn properties as well as the quality of wool garments. This project aims at reducing the hairiness and improving the quality of yarns made from Australian merino wool. It will generate new knowledge on the mech ....Reducing the hairiness and improving the quality of wool yarns. The fibre ends that protrude from the surface of wool yarns make the yarns hairy. Yarn hairiness leads to reduced efficiency in spinning, knitting and weaving. Excessive yarn hairiness also adversely affects other important yarn properties as well as the quality of wool garments. This project aims at reducing the hairiness and improving the quality of yarns made from Australian merino wool. It will generate new knowledge on the mechanism of hairiness formation and its reduction. This research will also help enhance the quality image of Australian merino wool and wool garments, adding value to the multi-billion dollar wool industry.
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The Properties and Processing Performance of Ultrasonically Cleaned Wool Fibres. Australian wool production is a $2.5 billion export industry, and about 70% of Australian wool is exported to China for further processing. Scouring or wool cleaning is the first critical step in the processing chain, which has come under increasing pressure to reduce water and energy consumption and effluent discharge. Assisting leading wool processors in the research and development of the latest wool processing t ....The Properties and Processing Performance of Ultrasonically Cleaned Wool Fibres. Australian wool production is a $2.5 billion export industry, and about 70% of Australian wool is exported to China for further processing. Scouring or wool cleaning is the first critical step in the processing chain, which has come under increasing pressure to reduce water and energy consumption and effluent discharge. Assisting leading wool processors in the research and development of the latest wool processing technologies is of direct benefit to the wool production industry in Australia.Read moreRead less