Damage micromechanisms in alumina hybrid bilayers with graded interfaces. This project proposes a new design concept for high performance alumina hybrids with graded interfaces. The key to this process is the incorporation of thin graded interfaces between an outer homogeneous alumina layer for strength, hardness and wear resistance, and an inner heterogeneous alumina hybrid layer for damage tolerance. The project will explore unresolved issues concerning the effect of graded interfaces on the f ....Damage micromechanisms in alumina hybrid bilayers with graded interfaces. This project proposes a new design concept for high performance alumina hybrids with graded interfaces. The key to this process is the incorporation of thin graded interfaces between an outer homogeneous alumina layer for strength, hardness and wear resistance, and an inner heterogeneous alumina hybrid layer for damage tolerance. The project will explore unresolved issues concerning the effect of graded interfaces on the failure micromechanisms. Advances in this area will provide new strategy or insights for designing novel next generation layered materials.Read moreRead less
IMPROVED PROPERTIES BY CONTROL OF NANOMETRE AND MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF CROSSLINKED POLYMERS. This French - Australian collaboration seeks to develop new composite, nanostructured thermosetting materials by control of molecular architecture and phase morphology, and by the incorporation of a range of nanoparticles into crosslinking systems. Such composites are increasingly required in high value industries such as electronics, aerospace and automotive. The project seeks to extend and develop the ....IMPROVED PROPERTIES BY CONTROL OF NANOMETRE AND MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF CROSSLINKED POLYMERS. This French - Australian collaboration seeks to develop new composite, nanostructured thermosetting materials by control of molecular architecture and phase morphology, and by the incorporation of a range of nanoparticles into crosslinking systems. Such composites are increasingly required in high value industries such as electronics, aerospace and automotive. The project seeks to extend and develop the current successful and productive interaction between the researchers. As well as producing nanomaterials, the participants have extensive, complementary expertise in characterization at the molecular and nanoscale - crucial if the behaviour of these new materials is to be understood, controlled and further new materials rationally designed.Read moreRead less
Green Machining of Powder Metallurgy Based Aluminium Composites. This project will initiate and establish a collaborative research program between Professor Wojciech Z. Misiolek of Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA, USA) and Professor Graham Schaffer at The University of Queensland. Professor Misiolek will spend an extended six month period at The University of Queensland. The specific aim of the project is to develop a method to machine aluminium composites in the green, or unsintered, state. Th ....Green Machining of Powder Metallurgy Based Aluminium Composites. This project will initiate and establish a collaborative research program between Professor Wojciech Z. Misiolek of Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA, USA) and Professor Graham Schaffer at The University of Queensland. Professor Misiolek will spend an extended six month period at The University of Queensland. The specific aim of the project is to develop a method to machine aluminium composites in the green, or unsintered, state. This will overcome a major impediment to the wider utilisation of aluminium matrix composites, which have an attractive combination of properties but cannot be formed into complex shapes using conventional processing methodologies.Read moreRead less
Development of Creep Resistant TiAl Alloys for High Temperature Structural Applications. TiAl based alloys are being developed as high temperature structural materials for aerospace and automotive applications and thus their creep resistance (long-term strength at elevated temperatures) is critical. This project aims at developing creep resistant TiAl alloys through a combination of addition of rare earth and severe plastic deformation. It is expected that a refined and stablised microstructure ....Development of Creep Resistant TiAl Alloys for High Temperature Structural Applications. TiAl based alloys are being developed as high temperature structural materials for aerospace and automotive applications and thus their creep resistance (long-term strength at elevated temperatures) is critical. This project aims at developing creep resistant TiAl alloys through a combination of addition of rare earth and severe plastic deformation. It is expected that a refined and stablised microstructure consisting of submicron lamellar grains and nanosized lamellae be obtained. This will result in a highly creep resistant prototype TiAl material and leads eventually to the development of commercial TiAl alloys.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured Hydrogel-Carbon Nanotube Composites for Artificial Muscles. This collaboration links the expertise of the two groups in advanced functional materials for the development of improved mechanical actuators for artificial muscles. The Korean group provides key know-how in synthetic and natural hydrogels. The Wollongong team has developed expertise in carbon nanotube actuators. The hydrogel-nanotube hybrids resulting from this collaboration are likely to show improved performance co ....Nanostructured Hydrogel-Carbon Nanotube Composites for Artificial Muscles. This collaboration links the expertise of the two groups in advanced functional materials for the development of improved mechanical actuators for artificial muscles. The Korean group provides key know-how in synthetic and natural hydrogels. The Wollongong team has developed expertise in carbon nanotube actuators. The hydrogel-nanotube hybrids resulting from this collaboration are likely to show improved performance compared with existing materials. The improved actuators will be utilised in on-going projects in both countries.Read moreRead less
Effects of Phase Purity, Porosity and Oxygen Partial Pressure on the Thermal Stability of Nanolayered Ternary Carbides. The successful completion of this collaborative research will lead to (a) enhanced understanding of the roles of phase purity, porosity and atmosphere on the thermal stability of ternary carbides which is crucial for the design of high-performance ternary carbide heating elements; (b) fostering and strengthening of the continuing research collaboration between Curtin University ....Effects of Phase Purity, Porosity and Oxygen Partial Pressure on the Thermal Stability of Nanolayered Ternary Carbides. The successful completion of this collaborative research will lead to (a) enhanced understanding of the roles of phase purity, porosity and atmosphere on the thermal stability of ternary carbides which is crucial for the design of high-performance ternary carbide heating elements; (b) fostering and strengthening of the continuing research collaboration between Curtin University and the Institute of Metals Research; (c) development of high performance prototype ternary carbide heating elements for use in high temperature furnaces and ovens; and (d) potential joint ventures with local suppliers of furnaces in Australia and China, together with Kanthal of Sweden to assist in the manufacture of ternary carbide heating elements. Read moreRead less
Ductile Bulk Metallic Glass Composites. Structural materials are the basic building blocks of modern society, even a small advancement can have a strong impact on our society. The properties of steel have been pushed close to the limit. The development of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) offers the opportunity to revolutionize the field of structural materials with strengths 3 or 4 time that of steel. The proposed project, aims to overcome the major technical barrier for BMGs of insufficient ductili ....Ductile Bulk Metallic Glass Composites. Structural materials are the basic building blocks of modern society, even a small advancement can have a strong impact on our society. The properties of steel have been pushed close to the limit. The development of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) offers the opportunity to revolutionize the field of structural materials with strengths 3 or 4 time that of steel. The proposed project, aims to overcome the major technical barrier for BMGs of insufficient ductility. The development of ductile and high strength BMGs, will position Australia and its researchers at the forefront of this exciting material innovation. The project will develop and strengthen Australia's international research linkages with overseas centres of excellence.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
Inkjet printing of nanoparticulate materials. The aim of this project is to develop inkjet printing technology to facilitate the freeform fabrication of nanomaterials. The application of nanomaterials will lead to breakthroughs in information technology, health, the environment and energy generation and storage. This project will develop the methods required to inkjet print nanomaterials into multilayered components. This is a multifunctional rapid prototyping technology that synthesises compone ....Inkjet printing of nanoparticulate materials. The aim of this project is to develop inkjet printing technology to facilitate the freeform fabrication of nanomaterials. The application of nanomaterials will lead to breakthroughs in information technology, health, the environment and energy generation and storage. This project will develop the methods required to inkjet print nanomaterials into multilayered components. This is a multifunctional rapid prototyping technology that synthesises components directly from computer solid models and radically compresses the time from concept to delivery. The outcome of this project will be a fabrication facility which will enable us to make and test nanoscale materials and components made from them.Read moreRead less
ENHANCED PERFORMANCE OF AUTOMOTIVE SHEET ALLOYS VIA CONTROL OF COMPOSITION, THERMAL PROCESSING AND NANOSTRUCTURE. This project involves characterisation using modern facilities of the form and identity of atomic-scale clusters of alloying elements in selected automotive sheet alloys that have been subjected to single and multiple ageing treatments and examination and modelling of deformation mechanisms and behaviour in such alloys. The aim is to establish the precise role of clusters of solute a ....ENHANCED PERFORMANCE OF AUTOMOTIVE SHEET ALLOYS VIA CONTROL OF COMPOSITION, THERMAL PROCESSING AND NANOSTRUCTURE. This project involves characterisation using modern facilities of the form and identity of atomic-scale clusters of alloying elements in selected automotive sheet alloys that have been subjected to single and multiple ageing treatments and examination and modelling of deformation mechanisms and behaviour in such alloys. The aim is to establish the precise role of clusters of solute atoms and vacancies in the formation of precipitate phases that control the final strength and deformation behaviour of the alloys, and to provide useful guidelines for further improvements in strength of these alloys via the control of alloy composition and of multiple ageing treatments.Read moreRead less