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
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
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.
Optimisation of self-healing repair systems in aerospace composite structures. Design and manufacture of composite structures for civilian and military aircraft is a multi-billion dollar export business for Boeing Aerostructures Australia and other Australian aerospace companies. To remain globally competitive, Australian industry must develop new expertise for next-generation composite aerostructures that are lighter, cheaper, more damage tolerant and easily repaired. Autonomic self-healing of ....Optimisation of self-healing repair systems in aerospace composite structures. Design and manufacture of composite structures for civilian and military aircraft is a multi-billion dollar export business for Boeing Aerostructures Australia and other Australian aerospace companies. To remain globally competitive, Australian industry must develop new expertise for next-generation composite aerostructures that are lighter, cheaper, more damage tolerant and easily repaired. Autonomic self-healing of composites is an innovative repair technology with many future potential applications for damaged aerostructures. This project will develop analytical tools and data to enable the Australian aerospace industry to take advantage of the economic benefits offered by self-healing repair systems in aircraft composite structures.Read moreRead less
Multifunctional Three-Dimensional Non-Crimp Fibre Preforms for Polymer Composites: Innovative High-Value Products for the Australian Textiles Industry. This project aims to develop a new three-dimensional (3D) weaving technology for fabricating multi-functional fabrics for advanced fibre-reinforced composites. 3D woven fabrics with low fibre waviness for high structural performance, integrally woven optical fibre sensors for loads monitoring and damage detection, and woven thermoplastic filament ....Multifunctional Three-Dimensional Non-Crimp Fibre Preforms for Polymer Composites: Innovative High-Value Products for the Australian Textiles Industry. This project aims to develop a new three-dimensional (3D) weaving technology for fabricating multi-functional fabrics for advanced fibre-reinforced composites. 3D woven fabrics with low fibre waviness for high structural performance, integrally woven optical fibre sensors for loads monitoring and damage detection, and woven thermoplastic filaments for self-healing aim to meet the emerging demands of industry for light-weight high-performance composites. This new technology aims to deliver to the Australian textiles and clothing industry a new capability in manufacturing carbon-fibre based fabrics as reinforcements in advanced composites, thus helping reinvigorate and realign an important Australian industry sector.Read moreRead less
Strong and Durable Flame-Retarding Composites by Multi-scale Encapsulation and Reinforcement. Fires cause approximately $100 million damage to Australian buildings each year. The effects of fire can be significantly reduced through microencapsulation of fire-retarding chemicals in composites used in the building industry. This project aims to encapsulate such chemicals in natural microtubules and develop cost-effective polymer/microtubule/graphene oxide composites that combine superior fire resi ....Strong and Durable Flame-Retarding Composites by Multi-scale Encapsulation and Reinforcement. Fires cause approximately $100 million damage to Australian buildings each year. The effects of fire can be significantly reduced through microencapsulation of fire-retarding chemicals in composites used in the building industry. This project aims to encapsulate such chemicals in natural microtubules and develop cost-effective polymer/microtubule/graphene oxide composites that combine superior fire resistance with high durability in a wide range of applications.Read moreRead less
Development of hierarchical carbon nanotube-glass fibre composites. Development of hierarchical carbon nanotube-glass fibre composites. This project aims to develop a new generation of hierarchical carbon nanotube-glass fibre reinforced composites, using a novel synthesis method that grafts carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto glass fibre and glass fabric. These hierarchical nano- and micro-fibre composites will have improved in-plane mechanical properties, enhanced fracture toughness and higher electri ....Development of hierarchical carbon nanotube-glass fibre composites. Development of hierarchical carbon nanotube-glass fibre composites. This project aims to develop a new generation of hierarchical carbon nanotube-glass fibre reinforced composites, using a novel synthesis method that grafts carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto glass fibre and glass fabric. These hierarchical nano- and micro-fibre composites will have improved in-plane mechanical properties, enhanced fracture toughness and higher electric conductivity. This project will use a comprehensive experimental and theoretical study to develop design tools for producing this new generation of composites. The anticipated outcome is lighter and stronger glass fibre composite structures, such as wind turbines in the renewable wind energy industry and boats in the marine industry.Read moreRead less
Optimised flush repairs for dissimilar composite material systems. The outcome of this research project will overcome a major technological challenge when designing repairs for dissimilar composite material systems, which are being utilised at an increasing pace in a multitude of industries. This new technological capability will help to improve the competitiveness of the Australian aerospace industry.
Flowable composite system with short S-glass fibre and halloysite nanotubes. Flowable composite system with short S-glass fibre and halloysite nanotubes. This project aims to design dental materials with reduced amalgams, using a strong but flowable composite with randomly distributed short S-glass fibres and a non-toxic natural nano-composite overlay. This alternative dental composite material is expected to meet international regulatory bodies’ intention to reduce amalgams. Using advanced phot ....Flowable composite system with short S-glass fibre and halloysite nanotubes. Flowable composite system with short S-glass fibre and halloysite nanotubes. This project aims to design dental materials with reduced amalgams, using a strong but flowable composite with randomly distributed short S-glass fibres and a non-toxic natural nano-composite overlay. This alternative dental composite material is expected to meet international regulatory bodies’ intention to reduce amalgams. Using advanced photonic and micro-mechanical techniques to make engineered material is also expected to enhance Australian manufacturing.Read moreRead less
From diesel to electric: a new era in personnel transport for underground coal mines. There are many factors which give rise to poor air quality in underground coal mines with the diesel engines used to transport miners being one of the major contributors. This project will develop an alternative electric power system for these vehicles which will not only be zero emission but meet the challenging environment found in these mines.