Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100149
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Spectroscopic imaging for materials, minerals and life sciences. The spectroscopic imaging equipment highlighted in this proposal will produce a number of outcomes of national benefit. First, it will elevate the impact of research in materials, minerals, and life sciences in Australia, all of which are key areas for the national economy and community. Second, the equipment will be integral to the teaching and research nexus and experiential learning facility for a new wave of materials science ....Spectroscopic imaging for materials, minerals and life sciences. The spectroscopic imaging equipment highlighted in this proposal will produce a number of outcomes of national benefit. First, it will elevate the impact of research in materials, minerals, and life sciences in Australia, all of which are key areas for the national economy and community. Second, the equipment will be integral to the teaching and research nexus and experiential learning facility for a new wave of materials science and engineering students to be educated at UniSA in the EIF-funded M2 building at Mawson Lakes. Finally, the anticipated outcomes of the research to be supported are significant and relate clearly to a number of National Research Priorities.Read moreRead less
Nano-Particle Suspension Behaviour in Salt Solutions: Effect of Ion Hydration and Attractive Forces. Understanding and controlling the flow behaviour of nano-particle suspensions is crucial to the processing of ceramics with nano-scale features. Interparticle forces influence the flow behaviour and depend upon the the adsorption of ions to the particle's surface. The proposed research investigates the effect of ion hydration and surface type on ion adsorption, the resulting attractive forces a ....Nano-Particle Suspension Behaviour in Salt Solutions: Effect of Ion Hydration and Attractive Forces. Understanding and controlling the flow behaviour of nano-particle suspensions is crucial to the processing of ceramics with nano-scale features. Interparticle forces influence the flow behaviour and depend upon the the adsorption of ions to the particle's surface. The proposed research investigates the effect of ion hydration and surface type on ion adsorption, the resulting attractive forces and suspension flow behaviour. The outcomes of the project have potential for significant increase in fundamental understanding of the relationship between ions, surfaces and forces. The benefits of this knowledge include producing nano-ceramics with improved properties and better understanding biopolymer behaviour.Read moreRead less
Controlling Anisotropic Growth of Metal Oxide Crystals in Aqueous Solution by Selective Adsorption of Small Molecules. The proposed research will enhance our ability to make both light emitting diodes (LEDs) and piezoelectric actuators from ZnO. LEDs are a high efficiency light source that save energy compared to conventional illumination sources and can be fabricated in thin films. The proposal is to also bring the technology for device fabrication to Australia where it can ultimately be used ....Controlling Anisotropic Growth of Metal Oxide Crystals in Aqueous Solution by Selective Adsorption of Small Molecules. The proposed research will enhance our ability to make both light emitting diodes (LEDs) and piezoelectric actuators from ZnO. LEDs are a high efficiency light source that save energy compared to conventional illumination sources and can be fabricated in thin films. The proposal is to also bring the technology for device fabrication to Australia where it can ultimately be used to broaden the economic base of the country. The knowledge of crystal growth rate and crystal morphology control can be applied to improvements in the efficiency of alumina production which is already an important contributor to Australian exports.Read moreRead less
Enhanced pigment weathering resistance by coating with high dielectric ceramic. The partner company, Tiwest, based in Western Australia, is a major contributor to the economy, and earns more than $A400m annually in exports. It is the only company in the world that mines, separates, refines and manufactures titania products, including pigments, in one region. The current post-titania particle formation wet-coating process, however, presents a major capital and recurrent cost and necessitates a pi ....Enhanced pigment weathering resistance by coating with high dielectric ceramic. The partner company, Tiwest, based in Western Australia, is a major contributor to the economy, and earns more than $A400m annually in exports. It is the only company in the world that mines, separates, refines and manufactures titania products, including pigments, in one region. The current post-titania particle formation wet-coating process, however, presents a major capital and recurrent cost and necessitates a pigment regrind stage. The research will investigate the development of a highly durable dry-coated pigment utilising a novel high dielectric coating. This development has the potential to ensure the partner company's future competitiveness through reduced processing costs and improved product performance.Read moreRead less
Designing starches for increased productivity in mineral flotation. Designing starches for increased productivity in mineral flotation. This project aims to understand the process of starch-mineral surface interactions, and design and develop tailored starch depressant/flocculant biopolymers for mineral beneficiation via the froth flotation process. Natural and modified starches are used as depressants and flocculants in mineral flotation, but scientists lack knowledge of mechanisms describing s ....Designing starches for increased productivity in mineral flotation. Designing starches for increased productivity in mineral flotation. This project aims to understand the process of starch-mineral surface interactions, and design and develop tailored starch depressant/flocculant biopolymers for mineral beneficiation via the froth flotation process. Natural and modified starches are used as depressants and flocculants in mineral flotation, but scientists lack knowledge of mechanisms describing starch-mineral surface interactions, particularly how they process base metal sulphides. This project also intends to develop starch characterisation techniques and novel methods for modifying starch structures and functionalities. Anticipated outcomes are new novel manufacturing applications for starch in Australia.Read moreRead less
Wet Particulate Materials - Flow or Fracture? Most advanced materials are produced from starting materials in the form of fine particles. Powders, especially in ceramic engineering, are first processed wet into near-final shape. Improved understanding of the fracture of particle networks is critical in order to process nano-sized advanced ceramic materials for use in solar energy harvesting and extreme heat engine applications as well as minimising drying cracks in paints and coatings. The resea ....Wet Particulate Materials - Flow or Fracture? Most advanced materials are produced from starting materials in the form of fine particles. Powders, especially in ceramic engineering, are first processed wet into near-final shape. Improved understanding of the fracture of particle networks is critical in order to process nano-sized advanced ceramic materials for use in solar energy harvesting and extreme heat engine applications as well as minimising drying cracks in paints and coatings. The research aims to identify the fundamental link between particle network strength and structure and the fracture of wet powder bodies. The microscopic mechanisms that control the behaviour will be investigated with a particular focus on toughening mechanisms including the influence of plasticity.Read moreRead less
A new paradigm in near-net-shape advanced ceramic component processing. The raw materials for high performance ceramics (such as alumina and zirconia) are readily available and produced in Australia. Nearly all of these raw materials are exported. The development of processing to make high value added ceramic components from these raw materials will result in greater profit and more jobs for Australians. The proposed research is to develop a novel innovative process to drive a value adding ce ....A new paradigm in near-net-shape advanced ceramic component processing. The raw materials for high performance ceramics (such as alumina and zirconia) are readily available and produced in Australia. Nearly all of these raw materials are exported. The development of processing to make high value added ceramic components from these raw materials will result in greater profit and more jobs for Australians. The proposed research is to develop a novel innovative process to drive a value adding ceramic processing industry in Australia.Read moreRead less
The development of novel geopolymers incorporating calcium and cellulosic material. Geopolymer technology transforms waste aluminosilicate materials into commercially viable products, which possess superior physical and chemical properties compared to ordinary concrete. These high-tech materials have novel acid and fire resistance applications, e.g. in construction and for the coating of optical fibres. Understanding the chemical relationship between geopolymers and other cementitious materials ....The development of novel geopolymers incorporating calcium and cellulosic material. Geopolymer technology transforms waste aluminosilicate materials into commercially viable products, which possess superior physical and chemical properties compared to ordinary concrete. These high-tech materials have novel acid and fire resistance applications, e.g. in construction and for the coating of optical fibres. Understanding the chemical relationship between geopolymers and other cementitious materials is pivotal to further advances in inorganic polymers. This project uses surface reactivity, spectroscopy, electronmicroscopy and electron diffraction to determine the role of calcium and cellulosic additives in the phase composition, microstructure and properties of geopolymers. Therefore, the factors distinguishing geopolymers from alkali-activated cement and ordinary concrete are identified.Read moreRead less
Fibre-reinforced composites: Single-crystal mullite fibres from topaz. The project aims to develop the means of fabricating single-crystal mullite fibres from topaz that are suitable for reinforcement of metal and ceramic matrix composites. Single-crystal mullite is the most sought after fibrous additive, but is not available commercially. It is expected to attract an immediate clientele in laboratories and companies servicing the aviation industry and the military. This will allow large depos ....Fibre-reinforced composites: Single-crystal mullite fibres from topaz. The project aims to develop the means of fabricating single-crystal mullite fibres from topaz that are suitable for reinforcement of metal and ceramic matrix composites. Single-crystal mullite is the most sought after fibrous additive, but is not available commercially. It is expected to attract an immediate clientele in laboratories and companies servicing the aviation industry and the military. This will allow large deposit of topaz in Torrington, NSW to be used to develop a high-value niche product (fibres) and a large-volume, low-value product (fluoride). This will provide significant economic and environmental benefits and it addresses the research priorities - Resources and Advanced Manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR180200051
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$497,638.00
Summary
Integrated platform technologies for remediation of PFAS contaminated water. This project aims to develop low cost platform technologies using our patented high capacity adsorbent material for the removal of perfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) from contaminated water sources in Australia. Our advanced adsorbent material is made from a novel sulfur co-polymer and activated carbon, both of which have high affinity for PFAS, but when combined as a composite provide significant advantages for PFAS remed ....Integrated platform technologies for remediation of PFAS contaminated water. This project aims to develop low cost platform technologies using our patented high capacity adsorbent material for the removal of perfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) from contaminated water sources in Australia. Our advanced adsorbent material is made from a novel sulfur co-polymer and activated carbon, both of which have high affinity for PFAS, but when combined as a composite provide significant advantages for PFAS remediation. This adsorbent will be applied in mobile water treatment plants for remediation of PFAS contaminated aquifers. We will also develop point-of-use water filters for individual, domestic use from the adsorbent, thus empowering individuals and local communities by delivering tangible solutions to Australia’s PFAS crisis.Read moreRead less