Innovative Magnetorheological Powertrains for Electric Heavy Duty Vehicles. An electric vehicle powertrain mainly consists of an electric motor-driven system, a mechanical transmission and other components. This project aims to explore innovative powertrains with a regenerative braking function to maximise driving range, reduce power consumption, and enhance the dynamic performance of electrified vehicles. The proposed powertrains are expected to achieve seamless gear changing for driving and be ....Innovative Magnetorheological Powertrains for Electric Heavy Duty Vehicles. An electric vehicle powertrain mainly consists of an electric motor-driven system, a mechanical transmission and other components. This project aims to explore innovative powertrains with a regenerative braking function to maximise driving range, reduce power consumption, and enhance the dynamic performance of electrified vehicles. The proposed powertrains are expected to achieve seamless gear changing for driving and better braking performance by applying magnetorheological technology for a high-quality control of power-shifting, and therefore significantly improve vehicle dynamic and economic performance. A new era of high-efficiency electric powertrains could potentially be launched through the development of these novel technologies.Read moreRead less
Improving the process modelling capability for manufacturing large composite structures used on passenger aircraft. This proposal aims to reduce manufacturing costs by developing innovative simulation tools for the production of future lightweight composite aerostructures.The development of a reliable predictive tool to simulate the cost-effective production of resin-infused composite aerostructures, will represent a significant technical advance. The successful transfer of this technology to Bo ....Improving the process modelling capability for manufacturing large composite structures used on passenger aircraft. This proposal aims to reduce manufacturing costs by developing innovative simulation tools for the production of future lightweight composite aerostructures.The development of a reliable predictive tool to simulate the cost-effective production of resin-infused composite aerostructures, will represent a significant technical advance. The successful transfer of this technology to Boeing Aerostructures Australia would give it a distinct competitive edge when bidding for participation in future international development programmes and will yield substantial economic benefits whilst further strengthening and developing local expertise. Lightweight aircraft structures will also contribute towards reducing the environmental impact of aviation. Read moreRead less
Lightweight Photovoltaic Modules for Low-Load Capacity Building Roofs. This project aims to develop lightweight and reliable high efficiency photovoltaic modules that expand solar energy installations onto low-load capacity building roofs. New lightweight materials will be developed for packaging with multi-functionalities such as fast heat dissipation. This project will produce economical prototypes and enable and
facilitate cost reduction of crystalline silicon photovoltaic module installation ....Lightweight Photovoltaic Modules for Low-Load Capacity Building Roofs. This project aims to develop lightweight and reliable high efficiency photovoltaic modules that expand solar energy installations onto low-load capacity building roofs. New lightweight materials will be developed for packaging with multi-functionalities such as fast heat dissipation. This project will produce economical prototypes and enable and
facilitate cost reduction of crystalline silicon photovoltaic module installations on lightweight buildings, overcoming current constraints of heavy glass modules and making more solar energy exploited in both Australia’s urban and rural areas. This will get steps closer to zero emission buildings, by providing renewable energy alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based power generation.Read moreRead less
In-situ transmission electron microscopy nanoindentation investigation of advanced structural metallic materials. This project will apply in-situ transmission electron microscopy nanoindentation to understand the relationships among microstructures, deformation mechanisms and mechanical properties of advanced metallic materials, including nanostructured alloys and metallic amorphous-crystalline composites. The results will deliver the fundamental science to design materials with optimum mechanic ....In-situ transmission electron microscopy nanoindentation investigation of advanced structural metallic materials. This project will apply in-situ transmission electron microscopy nanoindentation to understand the relationships among microstructures, deformation mechanisms and mechanical properties of advanced metallic materials, including nanostructured alloys and metallic amorphous-crystalline composites. The results will deliver the fundamental science to design materials with optimum mechanical properties for a wide range of applications, such as fuel-efficient aircraft and road vehicles. The project will bring a cutting-edge technique to Australian science that adds an important arm to our already prominent research strengths in materials science, and will provide Australian scientists greater capability to understand and design advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Low-density high-performance proppants for hydraulic fracturing process . Australia has vast resources of unconventional oil/gas, which require hydraulic fracturing to stimulate production. This project aims to develop advanced low-density high-performance proppants from industry waste for hydraulic fracturing. This will be achieved by selecting purer SiO2 raw material, carefully designing the porous structure, and fully understanding its relationship with strength and pack conductivity. Low-den ....Low-density high-performance proppants for hydraulic fracturing process . Australia has vast resources of unconventional oil/gas, which require hydraulic fracturing to stimulate production. This project aims to develop advanced low-density high-performance proppants from industry waste for hydraulic fracturing. This will be achieved by selecting purer SiO2 raw material, carefully designing the porous structure, and fully understanding its relationship with strength and pack conductivity. Low-density means no chemicals in proppant transportation and application. Successful development of such high-performance proppants will significantly increase Australia oil/gas exploration and production with an environmental acceptable technology, a leap forward for the oil/gas industry in Australia and the world.Read moreRead less
Onset Theory: Pushing the design envelope for textile composite structures. This study aims to exploit an innovative physics-based approach to predict the strength of textile composites. This is particularly important in areas such as aircraft design, where drastic weight savings are needed to allow designers to remain competitive in a low-carbon future. Improved theory and design tools will remove conservatism and account for a large part of these weight savings. The new approach is the first t ....Onset Theory: Pushing the design envelope for textile composite structures. This study aims to exploit an innovative physics-based approach to predict the strength of textile composites. This is particularly important in areas such as aircraft design, where drastic weight savings are needed to allow designers to remain competitive in a low-carbon future. Improved theory and design tools will remove conservatism and account for a large part of these weight savings. The new approach is the first to be consistent at all length scales — from atoms to aeroplanes — ensuring relevance for new and evolving composite material systems. A novel understanding of crack initiation in textile laminates is intended to reduce design and certification effort for new aircraft and help to design more efficient airframes at a lower cost.Read moreRead less
Development of the next generation battery storage system for smart grid. Development of the next generation battery storage system for smart grid. This project aims to significantly improve the energy density, safety and robust storage performance of lithium batteries with reduced cost, by developing a next-generation battery with lithium-rich layered oxide cathodes and titanium oxide-based and silicon-based anodes. Intelligent features will make the whole energy network a next-generation batte ....Development of the next generation battery storage system for smart grid. Development of the next generation battery storage system for smart grid. This project aims to significantly improve the energy density, safety and robust storage performance of lithium batteries with reduced cost, by developing a next-generation battery with lithium-rich layered oxide cathodes and titanium oxide-based and silicon-based anodes. Intelligent features will make the whole energy network a next-generation battery storage system, with mechanisms to protect the battery from hazardous and inefficient operating conditions. This lithium ion battery storage system is expected to create opportunities for businesses that harvest renewable energy and make existing industries more environmentally benign.Read moreRead less
Development of a novel and practical method for fabricating carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composites for automotive applications. An effective, economical and environmentally friendly technology will be developed by this project to fabricate carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composites. The thus obtained products will be applied as automotive parts.
High performance metal oxide inks for printable memory arrays . This project aims to develop next generation printable memory devices with low cost and excellent stability. The goal will be achieved by developing a new class of metal oxide nanomaterials based inks and large scale printing technology, through optimizing the synthesis, printing process and electrode configuration. The expected outcomes will be new electronic materials for a wide range of end uses in flexible electronics, significa ....High performance metal oxide inks for printable memory arrays . This project aims to develop next generation printable memory devices with low cost and excellent stability. The goal will be achieved by developing a new class of metal oxide nanomaterials based inks and large scale printing technology, through optimizing the synthesis, printing process and electrode configuration. The expected outcomes will be new electronic materials for a wide range of end uses in flexible electronics, significant advances in energy efficient data storage devices, and commercialisation of the technology to Australian industries.Read moreRead less
Fibre-sized energy generators and storage in multi-functional fabrics. This project proposes to do away with conventional batteries for powering portable or wearable devices by developing wearable fabrics capable of energy generation. The outcome will be a robust fabric with the capability of powering wearable or portable devices in the communications, health-care, sports and defence industries.