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Formation of organic pollutants in fires of treated and contaminated wood. This project quantifies the emission of dioxins and biphenyls in burning of treated and contaminated wood to provide data on whether combustion of such materials should be regulated in Australia and whether an educational campaign needs to be mounted to make public aware of this problem. For example, our preliminary results indicate that, timber treated with copper boron azole, a non-arsenic replacement for CCA preservat ....Formation of organic pollutants in fires of treated and contaminated wood. This project quantifies the emission of dioxins and biphenyls in burning of treated and contaminated wood to provide data on whether combustion of such materials should be regulated in Australia and whether an educational campaign needs to be mounted to make public aware of this problem. For example, our preliminary results indicate that, timber treated with copper boron azole, a non-arsenic replacement for CCA preservative, produces extremely high levels of dioxins, both in flames and in the ash. If the preliminary results are confirmed, this agent must be disallowed as a wood preservative in Australia, as it poses unacceptable risks to the Australian population and environment. Read moreRead less
Elucidation of genetic and physiological factors controlling biosynthesis of sesquiterpenoids in sandalwood, Santalum spp. Plantation sandalwood removes pressure from natural populations and is a profitable long term investment. Australia is in a highly competitive position with regards to market supply but this cannot be taken for granted. This research seeks to understand the complex biology of sandalwood using the latest genomic and molecular technologies. This knowledge will be applied thro ....Elucidation of genetic and physiological factors controlling biosynthesis of sesquiterpenoids in sandalwood, Santalum spp. Plantation sandalwood removes pressure from natural populations and is a profitable long term investment. Australia is in a highly competitive position with regards to market supply but this cannot be taken for granted. This research seeks to understand the complex biology of sandalwood using the latest genomic and molecular technologies. This knowledge will be applied through directed, marker-assisted tree selection and improved plantation management. Ultimately we are developing a highly advanced production system with which Australia can lead Sandalwood production. Sandalwood plantations use a variety of native perennial hosts, increase biodiversity, help manage underground water resources and address carbon sequestration demands.Read moreRead less
Indian Sandalwood: genetic and oil diversity, and oil biochemistry of the Australian germplasm collection. The main aim is to improve the commerciality of the sandalwood industry in tropical Australia through smarter tree selection and breeding by development of knowledge of oil quality and quantity, oil biochemistry and DNA marker-assisted selection of the germplasm collection available in Australia.
Sustainable processes for next-generation surface coatings and core-shell nanoparticles based on biomolecular templating. Nanotechnology promises new materials with broad impact, yet our ability to manufacture complex nanomaterials using sustainable processes is very limited. This project will advance our knowledge of nanomaterial manufacture using inspiration from how complex materials are made in nature. This project will deliver next-generation surface coatings that are incredibly thin but st ....Sustainable processes for next-generation surface coatings and core-shell nanoparticles based on biomolecular templating. Nanotechnology promises new materials with broad impact, yet our ability to manufacture complex nanomaterials using sustainable processes is very limited. This project will advance our knowledge of nanomaterial manufacture using inspiration from how complex materials are made in nature. This project will deliver next-generation surface coatings that are incredibly thin but strong, and specialised nanoparticles made using biocompatible processes. The knowledge and methods developed will benefit the biotechnology and nanotechnology sectors, as well as research in soft-matter science, quantum computing, photonics and healthcare. The value proposition for innovation in these fields will increasingly rely on new nanomanufacturing approaches.Read moreRead less
Engineering Nanostructured Bio-inspired Products. New nanostructured products that draw on biology promise to revolutionise our lives and economy. Designer emulsions and self-assembling particles inspired by viruses are two such products that form the focus for this research programme. The constitutive behaviour of bio-molecular films that control emulsion performance will be characterised and linked to molecular properties and manufacturing conditions. A broad-based technology platform for t ....Engineering Nanostructured Bio-inspired Products. New nanostructured products that draw on biology promise to revolutionise our lives and economy. Designer emulsions and self-assembling particles inspired by viruses are two such products that form the focus for this research programme. The constitutive behaviour of bio-molecular films that control emulsion performance will be characterised and linked to molecular properties and manufacturing conditions. A broad-based technology platform for the in vitro creation of self-assembling biological nanoparticles will also be developed. Key outcomes will be valuable IPR and fundamental engineering science knowledge to ensure that the value chain for this class of products can deliver commercial outcomes.Read moreRead less
Nano-machining of diamond-like carbon (DLC): Scientific basis and technical potential. Nanotechnology will be the basis for the next post-industrial revolution, and will be the main driver of future national economies. It is crucially important that at the very least Australia is a significant niche player in those developments. The project represents an effort to promote those goals.
Experimental and theoretical study of the formation of nanomaterials under reduced gravity conditions. This work will investigate the formation of nanomaterials and model this process to provide the skills to develop better nanocomposite materials. A better understanding of the process and the effect gravity has on it provides better control of this industrially significant process allowing enhanced process optimisation and product design. The results are directly relevant to many organisations ....Experimental and theoretical study of the formation of nanomaterials under reduced gravity conditions. This work will investigate the formation of nanomaterials and model this process to provide the skills to develop better nanocomposite materials. A better understanding of the process and the effect gravity has on it provides better control of this industrially significant process allowing enhanced process optimisation and product design. The results are directly relevant to many organisations currently studying nanomaterials. The work provides important results in a frontier technologies which will help the building and transforming of Australian industries with applications in energy conversion, water purification, quantum semi-conductors, optical materials, films for material separation and fuel cells.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668482
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$485,000.00
Summary
X-ray micro-tomography facility. This proposal identifies a new area of importance in the investigation of the function and structure of materials as diverse as muscle and metal coatings - the ability to quantify the physical structure of an object. Researchers can further couple that ability with existing facilities at La Trobe University, which allow the chemical makeup on an interface to be analysed. The planned research projects will benefit the community in applications ranging from compos ....X-ray micro-tomography facility. This proposal identifies a new area of importance in the investigation of the function and structure of materials as diverse as muscle and metal coatings - the ability to quantify the physical structure of an object. Researchers can further couple that ability with existing facilities at La Trobe University, which allow the chemical makeup on an interface to be analysed. The planned research projects will benefit the community in applications ranging from composite and light-weight materials for aerospace, metal coatings for automotive and tool manufacture and tissue engineering for artificial heart valves. This breadth of application ensures a truly multidisciplinary training environment for students in contact with the facility.Read moreRead less
Testing, modelling and engineering applications of topologically interlocking structures. The CI and his international collaborator have recently proposed a new principle of design of materials and structures based on topological interlocking of constituent elements. Elements of simple shape, such as tetrahedra, are assembled in structures that keep their integrity without any binder or connectors. Unusual properties, such as high fracture toughness and damage tolerance were found. The project a ....Testing, modelling and engineering applications of topologically interlocking structures. The CI and his international collaborator have recently proposed a new principle of design of materials and structures based on topological interlocking of constituent elements. Elements of simple shape, such as tetrahedra, are assembled in structures that keep their integrity without any binder or connectors. Unusual properties, such as high fracture toughness and damage tolerance were found. The project aims at investigating the mechanical and acoustic properties of the newly discovered interlockable geometries (cubes, octahedra, dodecahedra and icosahedra) and identifying the areas of application. The project will promote the international leading role of the collaborating institutions in this novel field.Read moreRead less
A NEW CONCEPT IN DESIGN OF MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES BASED ON TOPOLOGICALLY INTERLOCKED ELEMENTS. The project aims to develop a new concept in materials design based on assemblies of interlocked elements. Interlocking is achieved topologically by special arrangements of blocks without connectors. Such assemblies can form structures possessing special mechanical properties and serve as load-bearing skeletons in composites with a binder phase providing desired functional properties. Various types o ....A NEW CONCEPT IN DESIGN OF MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES BASED ON TOPOLOGICALLY INTERLOCKED ELEMENTS. The project aims to develop a new concept in materials design based on assemblies of interlocked elements. Interlocking is achieved topologically by special arrangements of blocks without connectors. Such assemblies can form structures possessing special mechanical properties and serve as load-bearing skeletons in composites with a binder phase providing desired functional properties. Various types of interlocked assemblies will be modelled, produced and tested to determine their mechanical and acoustic properties. A range of experimental techniques tailored for these unusual assemblies will be employed. The expected outcome will be the implementation of the new design principle in multifunctional materials and structures.Read moreRead less