Effect of processing on microstructure of 'Biocrete' organo-mortar. 'Biocrete' is a novel organo-mortar whose composition differs substantially from conventional Portland cement based polymer mortars. It is a relatively new product with significant commercial potential because of its acid resistance and ease of application. However, the microstructure of this material is extremely complex and not well understood nor is the way the microstructure develops during the processing and application of ....Effect of processing on microstructure of 'Biocrete' organo-mortar. 'Biocrete' is a novel organo-mortar whose composition differs substantially from conventional Portland cement based polymer mortars. It is a relatively new product with significant commercial potential because of its acid resistance and ease of application. However, the microstructure of this material is extremely complex and not well understood nor is the way the microstructure develops during the processing and application of the material known. This project will use advanced materials characterisation methods to elucidate the microstructure and to quantify the effects of processing parameters on the microstructure. Such information is critical for further formulation and application development in important areas such as sewer relining.Read moreRead less
Fundamental understanding of the environmental factors essential for environmental assisted fracture (EAF) of cast magnesium alloys. This project proposes a combined theoretical and experimental approach to understand the key environmental factors causing EAF of commercial cast magnesium alloys. Rather than testing all possibilities, it is proposed to establish a mechanistic understanding for EAF, and to test and expand that understanding through key experiments. EAF is a particularly dangerous ....Fundamental understanding of the environmental factors essential for environmental assisted fracture (EAF) of cast magnesium alloys. This project proposes a combined theoretical and experimental approach to understand the key environmental factors causing EAF of commercial cast magnesium alloys. Rather than testing all possibilities, it is proposed to establish a mechanistic understanding for EAF, and to test and expand that understanding through key experiments. EAF is a particularly dangerous and complicated form of corrosion. Existing experience indicates that EAF incidence will increase as magnesium alloys are increasingly used in more challenging applications. The results and insights from this research will help to underpin a major new industry and industrial applications.Read moreRead less
Advanced Fibre Interfaces in Active Water Management Systems. Flooding is a critical issue in Australia, generating considerable economic losses, including by stormwater contamination. The current project will pioneer an integrated solution for stormwater retention, while removing chemical pollutants. In collaboration with the company ROCKWOOL-Lapinus - based on a stonewool fibre platform - we will (i) design fibre coatings based on a versatile and chemically simple deposition process, (ii) inco ....Advanced Fibre Interfaces in Active Water Management Systems. Flooding is a critical issue in Australia, generating considerable economic losses, including by stormwater contamination. The current project will pioneer an integrated solution for stormwater retention, while removing chemical pollutants. In collaboration with the company ROCKWOOL-Lapinus - based on a stonewool fibre platform - we will (i) design fibre coatings based on a versatile and chemically simple deposition process, (ii) incorporate functionalities onto the fibres allowing active stormwater treatment to e.g. retain pollutants or target heavy metals and (iii) investigate these interfaces in-depth by advanced surface and interface characterisation methods to understand the fibre interface properties from nano- to macroscale.Read moreRead less
Fire-Retardant Composite Resins for Bushfire-Safe Wind Farm Infrastructures. This project aims to develop advanced fire-retardant composite resins for manufacturing bushfire-safe wind farm infrastructures. The innovation of the project is the development of a new class of low-cost, novel, highly effective fire retardants and their value-added fire-retardant composite resins with well-preserved physical properties. This will be achieved by understanding the composition-property relationship of fi ....Fire-Retardant Composite Resins for Bushfire-Safe Wind Farm Infrastructures. This project aims to develop advanced fire-retardant composite resins for manufacturing bushfire-safe wind farm infrastructures. The innovation of the project is the development of a new class of low-cost, novel, highly effective fire retardants and their value-added fire-retardant composite resins with well-preserved physical properties. This will be achieved by understanding the composition-property relationship of fire retardants and optimising their synthetic parameters. The project will help position Australia’s advanced composite manufacturing at the forefront of technology. It will also accelerate Australia’s energy transition to renewables by enabling bushfire-safe wind farm infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Doped alumina with tailored material properties for battery applications. This project aims to develop tailored alumina materials for lithium ion battery separators through a novel in-situ approach that will: (1) produce uniform doped alumina for improved safety, (2) target specific surface and bulk material properties to increase the overall performance, and (3) reduce manufacturing costs by integrating the process with new technology developed for the production of high purity alumina. Signifi ....Doped alumina with tailored material properties for battery applications. This project aims to develop tailored alumina materials for lithium ion battery separators through a novel in-situ approach that will: (1) produce uniform doped alumina for improved safety, (2) target specific surface and bulk material properties to increase the overall performance, and (3) reduce manufacturing costs by integrating the process with new technology developed for the production of high purity alumina. Significant advances are proposed for overcoming current manufacturing limitations of doped alumina. Building research capacity and knowledge in battery material manufacturing will benefit a range of industries across Australia, whilst providing new opportunities for growth in local communities.Read moreRead less
Fatigue thresholds, crack initiation and small crack growth phenomenon in uPVC, mPVC and Oriented PVC pipes. Unplasticised polyvinylchloride (uPVC) is currently used for water reticulation pipelines. These are subject to variable pressure which can lead to fatigue failures. Improved materials, modified PVC (mPVC) and oriented PVC (oPVC), are now entering this market. uPVC shows a fatigue threshold when prenotched samples are tested. The fatigue threshold is an important design concept since it r ....Fatigue thresholds, crack initiation and small crack growth phenomenon in uPVC, mPVC and Oriented PVC pipes. Unplasticised polyvinylchloride (uPVC) is currently used for water reticulation pipelines. These are subject to variable pressure which can lead to fatigue failures. Improved materials, modified PVC (mPVC) and oriented PVC (oPVC), are now entering this market. uPVC shows a fatigue threshold when prenotched samples are tested. The fatigue threshold is an important design concept since it represents the stress amplitude below which fatigue failures should not occur. Its existence in unnotched pipes and in the newer PVC materials is uncertain. This project will quantify fatigue thresholds and the mechanisms involved in crack initiation in uPVC , mPVC and oPVC.Read moreRead less
Thermoelectric devices for high-performing localised coolers. This project aims to develop a lightweight, low-energy-consumption, and high-durability wearable thermoelectric cooler for localised cooling using a novel industry-led approach, coupled with device design and materials engineering strategies. The key breakthrough expected is to design wearable thermoelectric coolers by using flexible substrates and thermoelectric materials with engineered chemistry and unique structures for achieving ....Thermoelectric devices for high-performing localised coolers. This project aims to develop a lightweight, low-energy-consumption, and high-durability wearable thermoelectric cooler for localised cooling using a novel industry-led approach, coupled with device design and materials engineering strategies. The key breakthrough expected is to design wearable thermoelectric coolers by using flexible substrates and thermoelectric materials with engineered chemistry and unique structures for achieving localised, instant, and controllable cooling with super low power input for personal usage in building and mining industry. Expected outcomes include innovative technologies for achieving high-efficiency cooling, which will provide significant economic and commercial benefits for Australia.Read moreRead less
On-demand visible light degradable dental materials. This project aims to break new ground in the field of advanced adhesives by pioneering a unique system that can be cleaved with a defined visible light trigger, enabling the removal of previously bonded material without mechanical force. This would allow two materials to be strongly bonded, including dental crowns, braces and implants. The project will advance on-demand degradable materials design, introducing an advanced class of responsive n ....On-demand visible light degradable dental materials. This project aims to break new ground in the field of advanced adhesives by pioneering a unique system that can be cleaved with a defined visible light trigger, enabling the removal of previously bonded material without mechanical force. This would allow two materials to be strongly bonded, including dental crowns, braces and implants. The project will advance on-demand degradable materials design, introducing an advanced class of responsive networks for applications where reversible bonding is critical. It will have flow on benefits in future dental material applications and also have applications where simple-to-remove, temporary adhesives are required.Read moreRead less
Multi-functional nano-modified cementitious materials for well cementing. By incorporating different nano-materials in well cements, this project aims to develop multi-functional cementitious materials with self-sensing properties and greater strength and durability under extreme conditions including high/low temperatures, high pressure and corrosive environments. The integrity and longevity of well cement are paramount for the safe, efficient, environmentally sustainable production of oil and n ....Multi-functional nano-modified cementitious materials for well cementing. By incorporating different nano-materials in well cements, this project aims to develop multi-functional cementitious materials with self-sensing properties and greater strength and durability under extreme conditions including high/low temperatures, high pressure and corrosive environments. The integrity and longevity of well cement are paramount for the safe, efficient, environmentally sustainable production of oil and natural gas resources. Cementing problems are the main factor contributing to incidents during drilling and completion of wells, necessitating costly remediation. It is expected that the novel cement developed in the project will produce safer wells with fewer (gas) environmental emission risks.Read moreRead less
Controlling alkali-silica reaction in concrete for road pavements and bridge using graphene oxide and dune sand. This project aims to formulate a new mix design for sustainable and resilient infrastructure materials with radically improved material properties and performance, as well as reduced life cycle cost and impact on the environment and societies. The aim of the project is to investigate the effect of dune sand and graphene oxide on mechanical properties and durability of concrete composi ....Controlling alkali-silica reaction in concrete for road pavements and bridge using graphene oxide and dune sand. This project aims to formulate a new mix design for sustainable and resilient infrastructure materials with radically improved material properties and performance, as well as reduced life cycle cost and impact on the environment and societies. The aim of the project is to investigate the effect of dune sand and graphene oxide on mechanical properties and durability of concrete composites including properties and strength relation and alkali-silica reaction in concrete. The optimal mix design will be supported by the understanding of the interaction between graphene oxide, water molecules, dune sand and cement at nanolevel via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and molecular dynamics simulations.Read moreRead less