Prediction of Atomic Transport Properties in Multicomponent Engineering Alloys. Technological advances bring demands for new engineering materials and the improvement of existing ones. Since almost every property of such materials depends directly or indirectly on matter transport, it is imperative that the materials designer can accurately predict its direction and extent. This theoretical project, supported and tested by computer simulation, will provide this knowledge. It will develop a toolb ....Prediction of Atomic Transport Properties in Multicomponent Engineering Alloys. Technological advances bring demands for new engineering materials and the improvement of existing ones. Since almost every property of such materials depends directly or indirectly on matter transport, it is imperative that the materials designer can accurately predict its direction and extent. This theoretical project, supported and tested by computer simulation, will provide this knowledge. It will develop a toolbox of robust and versatile expressions for predicting and interpreting matter transport in alloy systems at high temperatures. With these expressions in hand, the designer will be in a superior position to tailor the properties of such materials.Read moreRead less
Mathematical modelling of tidal, splash and coastal atmospheric marine corrosion for structural reliability assessment. The project deals with structural deterioration due to steel corrosion. It is at the cutting-edge of international structural reliability research and based on the CI's previous successful corrosion modeling research. It will provide improved understanding of tidal, splash and coastal atmospheric corrosion and novel physically-based mathematical models for the progression of co ....Mathematical modelling of tidal, splash and coastal atmospheric marine corrosion for structural reliability assessment. The project deals with structural deterioration due to steel corrosion. It is at the cutting-edge of international structural reliability research and based on the CI's previous successful corrosion modeling research. It will provide improved understanding of tidal, splash and coastal atmospheric corrosion and novel physically-based mathematical models for the progression of corrosion with time. These can provide input for modern risk-based techniques for safety and functional performance assessment to assist with cost-effective planning, maintenance and rehabilitation decisions. The project has national economic implications for the design, maintenance and rehabilitation of Australian physical assets, including deteriorating civil infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Studies on Nanocomposite Coatings: Processing, Characterisation and Properties. Superhard nanocomposite coatings are relatively new materials that have found many applications in the manufacturing industries. The main objectives of this project are: (a)development and optimisation of fabrication techniques for a range of novel superhard nano-composites; (b) fundamental understanding of the relationships between residual stress, microstructure and composition; and (c) evaluations of fracture-mech ....Studies on Nanocomposite Coatings: Processing, Characterisation and Properties. Superhard nanocomposite coatings are relatively new materials that have found many applications in the manufacturing industries. The main objectives of this project are: (a)development and optimisation of fabrication techniques for a range of novel superhard nano-composites; (b) fundamental understanding of the relationships between residual stress, microstructure and composition; and (c) evaluations of fracture-mechanical properties including wear-resistance. Major research outcomes are improved basic knowledge of these novel nanocomposite coatings leading to optimal processing of superhard nano-materials.Read moreRead less
A Predictive Theory of Kinetic Demixing in Engineering Ceramics. Technological advances bring demands for new engineering ceramics and the improvement of existing ones. The properties of engineering ceramics are critically dependent on the composition and distribution of atomic components. However, separation or demixing of the components occurs in-service at high temperatures as a result of stress, electric fields or oxygen gradients. Demixing causes a major loss of performance and longevity. T ....A Predictive Theory of Kinetic Demixing in Engineering Ceramics. Technological advances bring demands for new engineering ceramics and the improvement of existing ones. The properties of engineering ceramics are critically dependent on the composition and distribution of atomic components. However, separation or demixing of the components occurs in-service at high temperatures as a result of stress, electric fields or oxygen gradients. Demixing causes a major loss of performance and longevity. This Project will develop a robust and versatile theory of demixing to enhance longevities of engineering ceramics. It will also guide the deliberate manipulation of demixing to generate novel compositionally-graded engineering ceramics having new properties of technological interest.Read moreRead less
A Theory to Predict and Control Porosity Occurring During Diffusion-Bonding. This Project will guide the design of strategies that will substantially improve the diffusion-bonding process and broaden the range of materials possible for bonding. Many Australian industries, from manufacturers of computer chip connectors to aircraft engines, could benefit significantly from the results of this research. By means of the training of computational and theoretical materials scientists/engineers, this P ....A Theory to Predict and Control Porosity Occurring During Diffusion-Bonding. This Project will guide the design of strategies that will substantially improve the diffusion-bonding process and broaden the range of materials possible for bonding. Many Australian industries, from manufacturers of computer chip connectors to aircraft engines, could benefit significantly from the results of this research. By means of the training of computational and theoretical materials scientists/engineers, this Project will also make a substantial contribution to building Australia's research capacity in this internationally recognized growth area.Read moreRead less
Structural reliability and remaining life estimation for deteriorating steel infrastructure. The risk-based approach to infrastructure performance allows the likelihood and extent of corrosion damage to be modelled. This will allow the safety of new and existing steel infrastructure to be assessed, and the safe remaining service life to be calculated.
Helium Atom Detection in Scanning Helium Microscopy. The development of an imaging helium atom detector based on carbon nanotubes would be world-first achievement and would place Australia at the forefront of technology in this field. The concurrent goal of understanding the contrast mechanisms that occur in helium atom scattering is also fundamental to the development of the scanning helium microscope. This project secures Australia's position at the forefront of atom microscopy by strategicall ....Helium Atom Detection in Scanning Helium Microscopy. The development of an imaging helium atom detector based on carbon nanotubes would be world-first achievement and would place Australia at the forefront of technology in this field. The concurrent goal of understanding the contrast mechanisms that occur in helium atom scattering is also fundamental to the development of the scanning helium microscope. This project secures Australia's position at the forefront of atom microscopy by strategically targeting the cutting-edge science critical for this emerging technology. A significant side-benefit of a nanotube based detector is that it could be incorporated into battery-operated portable gas sensors for use in environmental, industrial and even counter-terrorism applications.Read moreRead less
Interfacial Structures in Thermal Spray Coatings. The use of coatings on the surfaces of components provides high levels of resistance to mechanical damage, corrosion, oxidation or thermal degradation. As a result, coated components exhibit increased lifetimes and reliability. However, the durability of such components is still crucially limited by the quality of the coating. An improved understanding of the bonding mechanisms that occur during the deposition of such coatings, prepared through t ....Interfacial Structures in Thermal Spray Coatings. The use of coatings on the surfaces of components provides high levels of resistance to mechanical damage, corrosion, oxidation or thermal degradation. As a result, coated components exhibit increased lifetimes and reliability. However, the durability of such components is still crucially limited by the quality of the coating. An improved understanding of the bonding mechanisms that occur during the deposition of such coatings, prepared through thermal spray methods, will provide improvements in coating structure and thus, component performance and lifetime. This will benefit a wide range of manufacturing industries that use such coatings. Read moreRead less
Intelligent Materials Processing: Microstructure And Texture Control In Bcc Metals. In Australia, steel companies are continuing to search for cost effective steel compositions and processing routes. Concurrently, applications for Ti alloys in chemical, medical and aerospace industries are continuing to widen. As an outcome of this project, the basis for the optimisation of processing routes in order to achieve enhanced product properties at lower cost will be established. In the course of this ....Intelligent Materials Processing: Microstructure And Texture Control In Bcc Metals. In Australia, steel companies are continuing to search for cost effective steel compositions and processing routes. Concurrently, applications for Ti alloys in chemical, medical and aerospace industries are continuing to widen. As an outcome of this project, the basis for the optimisation of processing routes in order to achieve enhanced product properties at lower cost will be established. In the course of this work, a new model for the prediction of microstructure and texture evolution during recrystallisation will be developed and new process routes will be designed. Read moreRead less
The implications of low-ductility reinforcement and strain localisation on the strength and ductility of reinforced concrete two-way slabs. In the design of reinforced concrete structures, ductility is an important requirement, providing warning of failure, redistribution of internal actions at overloads and justification of many of the assumptions made in structural analysis and design. The recent introduction in Australia of low-ductility, deformed welded wire fabric reinforcement (Class L) ha ....The implications of low-ductility reinforcement and strain localisation on the strength and ductility of reinforced concrete two-way slabs. In the design of reinforced concrete structures, ductility is an important requirement, providing warning of failure, redistribution of internal actions at overloads and justification of many of the assumptions made in structural analysis and design. The recent introduction in Australia of low-ductility, deformed welded wire fabric reinforcement (Class L) has resulted in concrete slabs with relatively brittle failure modes and its use has been the subject of much debate. This research will investigate the ductility of two-way slabs containing Class L mesh and the applicability of established design procedures. It will lead to safer and better performing r.c. floor systems and, if necessary, new ductility specifications for Class L steel.Read moreRead less