Wireless microvalve for biomedical applications. This program will investigate and perform an in-laboratory proof-of-concept demonstration of a polymer microvalve that can operate by a remote control radio signal. This will be a wireless microvalve that does not require a battery power source. This advance in the technology and scientific knowledge will have important applications for humankind ranging from drug delivery devices to through to valves in chips that can perform microfluidic chemica ....Wireless microvalve for biomedical applications. This program will investigate and perform an in-laboratory proof-of-concept demonstration of a polymer microvalve that can operate by a remote control radio signal. This will be a wireless microvalve that does not require a battery power source. This advance in the technology and scientific knowledge will have important applications for humankind ranging from drug delivery devices to through to valves in chips that can perform microfluidic chemical analysis. A far reaching long-range vision is its use in electronically reversible male fertility control. The community benefit in terms of novel biomedical devices and the resulting large international commercial market is significant.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0214172
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,000.00
Summary
Measuring highly resolved flow and sound in Australia's largest wind tunnel. Monash and RMIT Universities have developed an aero-acoustic facility of international standing to study flows around vehicles, buildings and structures. This is based around the largest wind tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere, which provides a National facility crucial to the development of a competitive automotive industry. To achieve the next stage of research development, velocities and acoustic fields need to be mea ....Measuring highly resolved flow and sound in Australia's largest wind tunnel. Monash and RMIT Universities have developed an aero-acoustic facility of international standing to study flows around vehicles, buildings and structures. This is based around the largest wind tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere, which provides a National facility crucial to the development of a competitive automotive industry. To achieve the next stage of research development, velocities and acoustic fields need to be measured with increased accuracy and spatial resolution than currently available. Given the physical scale of the facility, it is proposed to achieve this with an automated measurement system, which will also be integral to future research programs.Read moreRead less
Novel RF Controlled Electromechanical Microvalve. The significance of the proposed microvalve is its potential use in exciting biomedical applications such as in drug delivery and fertility control. For human body implantation, it must be batteryless, wireless and be made of a biofriendly-polymer. We propose to meet all three criteria, based on novel use of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) as the actuation mechanism in a polymer material. Energy for actuation will be supplied by a radio frequency ( ....Novel RF Controlled Electromechanical Microvalve. The significance of the proposed microvalve is its potential use in exciting biomedical applications such as in drug delivery and fertility control. For human body implantation, it must be batteryless, wireless and be made of a biofriendly-polymer. We propose to meet all three criteria, based on novel use of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) as the actuation mechanism in a polymer material. Energy for actuation will be supplied by a radio frequency (RF) signal. We propose to model, design and demonstrate the device in laboratory conditions. This will enable development of application specific designs in future programs, such as ARC linkage.Read moreRead less
High efficiency III-V solar cells based on low-dimensional quantum confined heterostructures. There is no doubt that clean and sustainable solar energy is one of the most viable energy sources to address the issues of climate change, global warming and depletion of conventional energy sources. With the great advantages offered by quantum confined nanostructures and nanotechnology, this project may lead to substantial efficiency improvement of current III-V solar cells (already higher efficiency ....High efficiency III-V solar cells based on low-dimensional quantum confined heterostructures. There is no doubt that clean and sustainable solar energy is one of the most viable energy sources to address the issues of climate change, global warming and depletion of conventional energy sources. With the great advantages offered by quantum confined nanostructures and nanotechnology, this project may lead to substantial efficiency improvement of current III-V solar cells (already higher efficiency than Si solar cells), making great contribution to the society and Nation in the areas of science, technology, environment, and economy.Read moreRead less
High-order conservative multiscale computation of elliptic problems in composite materials and porous media. The proposed technology will improve the design and performance of a wide range of mechanisms and industrial processes involving heterogeneous media, from composite materials to water filtration and recycling. Our researchers in computational mechanics will gain further opportunities to extend the advances this project will make.
Development of constitutive models for concentrated suspensions via particle-level simulations. The outcome of this work will be a comprehensive theoretical framework by which accurate microstructural information is distilled into a macro-scale constitutive model of particulate suspensions, readily useable for modelling of practical industrial applications. This work will have a direct impact on the design capability and performance of a wide range of mechanisms and industrial processes involvin ....Development of constitutive models for concentrated suspensions via particle-level simulations. The outcome of this work will be a comprehensive theoretical framework by which accurate microstructural information is distilled into a macro-scale constitutive model of particulate suspensions, readily useable for modelling of practical industrial applications. This work will have a direct impact on the design capability and performance of a wide range of mechanisms and industrial processes involving suspensions. The development of better models for industrially useful suspensions offers a competitive advantage for a diverse range of Australia industry, from the food preparation sector, to mineral slurry transport, and water filtration and recycling.Read moreRead less
Direct simulation of composite microstructures in fluid and elastic media. The proposed innovative computational methodology will improve the design and performance of a wide range of mechanisms and industrial processes involving particulate inclusions, from engineering to biological applications. The resultant technology will make a contribution to maintain and enhance Australia's role in the development of advanced engineering materials through manipulating their composite microstructures. The ....Direct simulation of composite microstructures in fluid and elastic media. The proposed innovative computational methodology will improve the design and performance of a wide range of mechanisms and industrial processes involving particulate inclusions, from engineering to biological applications. The resultant technology will make a contribution to maintain and enhance Australia's role in the development of advanced engineering materials through manipulating their composite microstructures. The proposed computational method will also lead to new opportunities for Australian companies that develop computer simulation software. Our researchers in computational mechanics will gain further opportunities to extend the advances this project will make.Read moreRead less
Production of a compact disk summarising the evolution and impact of Boger fluids. In 1977 the discovery of a unique class of materials, now called Boger fluids, was reported in the Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics. These materials have had a huge impact in the development of non-Newtonian fluid mechanics, to the extent that the Institute of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics in the UK have offered to make a cd documenting the impact of these materials. Funding is requested to support, in p ....Production of a compact disk summarising the evolution and impact of Boger fluids. In 1977 the discovery of a unique class of materials, now called Boger fluids, was reported in the Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics. These materials have had a huge impact in the development of non-Newtonian fluid mechanics, to the extent that the Institute of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics in the UK have offered to make a cd documenting the impact of these materials. Funding is requested to support, in part, the documentation of this important discovery.Read moreRead less
Microstructural mechanisms of magnetorheological suspensions. A magnetorheological suspension (MRS) is a "smart material" which shows an enormous but reversible increase in flow resistance upon application of a magnetic field. These tunable fluids have many engineering applications, such as in adjustable vibration damping systems. This project comprises a series of innovative experiments and computer simulations, which will lead to a predictive constitutive model. We will investigate the underly ....Microstructural mechanisms of magnetorheological suspensions. A magnetorheological suspension (MRS) is a "smart material" which shows an enormous but reversible increase in flow resistance upon application of a magnetic field. These tunable fluids have many engineering applications, such as in adjustable vibration damping systems. This project comprises a series of innovative experiments and computer simulations, which will lead to a predictive constitutive model. We will investigate the underlying physical mechanisms governing the mechanical response of MRS, including the behaviour under small strains and under squeeze flow, the effects of rheometer wall conditions, and the role of matrix viscoelasticity or viscoplasticity.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882471
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,000.00
Summary
Three-Dimensional Optical Laser Velocimetry for the HRNBLWT (High Reynolds Number Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel). The experimental information that can be gained from this infrastructure would lead to significant advances in understanding turbulent flows, which would impact a broad range of engineering and geophysical fields. Some specific examples include the development of efficient turbulence control strategies for the reduction of skin-friction drag and improved combustion processes, resulting ....Three-Dimensional Optical Laser Velocimetry for the HRNBLWT (High Reynolds Number Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel). The experimental information that can be gained from this infrastructure would lead to significant advances in understanding turbulent flows, which would impact a broad range of engineering and geophysical fields. Some specific examples include the development of efficient turbulence control strategies for the reduction of skin-friction drag and improved combustion processes, resulting in not only better fuel efficiency for vehicles but also reduced CO2 and pollutant emissions. Significant advances could also be made in the area of understanding the dispersion of particles, including pollutants, in the atmosphere; wind turbine design and implementation strategies, and climate change modelling.Read moreRead less