Deep Coal Mining. The occurrence of progressively larger gas outbursts, coal bumps, and the potential for the catastrophic collapse of coal pillars is of increasing importance as mining drives deeper in seams rich in methane and other hydrocarbons. This study will address this issue by examining the roles of stress level, strain-rate, gas desorption rate, and drained and undrained gas and liquid pressures in the dynamic failure of coal, while simultaneously evaluating the promise and fidelity of ....Deep Coal Mining. The occurrence of progressively larger gas outbursts, coal bumps, and the potential for the catastrophic collapse of coal pillars is of increasing importance as mining drives deeper in seams rich in methane and other hydrocarbons. This study will address this issue by examining the roles of stress level, strain-rate, gas desorption rate, and drained and undrained gas and liquid pressures in the dynamic failure of coal, while simultaneously evaluating the promise and fidelity of a variety of hazard indices and precursive signals.Read moreRead less
Ditopic receptors for the cooperative binding of cations and anions. This project is concerned with the design, synthesis and investigation of new receptor molecules that are capable of simultaneously binding metal cations and anions in a cooperative fashion. The new systems are based on a macrocyclic platform which acts as the metal binding site together with side-arms incorporating functional groups that are designed to cooperatively interact with a suitable anion. Potential applications exist ....Ditopic receptors for the cooperative binding of cations and anions. This project is concerned with the design, synthesis and investigation of new receptor molecules that are capable of simultaneously binding metal cations and anions in a cooperative fashion. The new systems are based on a macrocyclic platform which acts as the metal binding site together with side-arms incorporating functional groups that are designed to cooperatively interact with a suitable anion. Potential applications exist for this category of ditopic receptors in mineral processing where the ability to extract a metal as its metal salt may lead to more efficient solvent extraction processes.Read moreRead less
The Genesis and Tectonic Setting of Iron Oxide Associated Mineralisation in Germany and South Australia. FeOx associated mineralisations are not restricted to Olympic Dam and Ernest Henry types but occur in various geological settings, e.g. the Mt Painter and Olary region, S A. Ocurrences in Central Europe (Erzgebirge, Harz/Calvörde) contain U and other metals, their structural setting is well recorded. Together with the Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany, and the University of Nancy, France, these ....The Genesis and Tectonic Setting of Iron Oxide Associated Mineralisation in Germany and South Australia. FeOx associated mineralisations are not restricted to Olympic Dam and Ernest Henry types but occur in various geological settings, e.g. the Mt Painter and Olary region, S A. Ocurrences in Central Europe (Erzgebirge, Harz/Calvörde) contain U and other metals, their structural setting is well recorded. Together with the Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany, and the University of Nancy, France, these mineralisations shall be investigated with modern geological and geochemical methods to develop a unifying model for the genesis of iron oxide associated U-metal-REE deposits. This will help identifying exploration targets and distinguish different types of mineralisation upon their genetic setting.Read moreRead less
Three-dimensional flow, temperature and melting distributions in mantle subduction zones. We will predict spatial distributions and time evolution of temperature and magma production in subduction zones, where cold oceanic plates sink into the Earth's mantle, recycle crust and sediments, and generate volcanic arcs. Three-dimensional laboratory experiments, including 3-D flow visualization and high-resolution temperature measurements, will model slab segments, different rates and modes of subduct ....Three-dimensional flow, temperature and melting distributions in mantle subduction zones. We will predict spatial distributions and time evolution of temperature and magma production in subduction zones, where cold oceanic plates sink into the Earth's mantle, recycle crust and sediments, and generate volcanic arcs. Three-dimensional laboratory experiments, including 3-D flow visualization and high-resolution temperature measurements, will model slab segments, different rates and modes of subduction and upward transport of melt. Ocean trench migration (?rollback? subduction) is of special interest because it gives patterns of temperature and vertical motion most conducive to melting. Results will be used to interpret geochemical and seismic data from the Tonga subduction zone in the South Pacific.Read moreRead less
A Novel Surface Alloying Technique to Improve the Corrosion and Wear Resistance of Magnesium Alloys. Surface mechanical attrition treatment will be used to generate nanometer-sized grains in the surface layer of engineering magnesium alloys, and therefore activate the surface of this material. Together with the use of efficient activators, the project will develop a novel low temperature surface alloying technique to significantly improve the wear and corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys wi ....A Novel Surface Alloying Technique to Improve the Corrosion and Wear Resistance of Magnesium Alloys. Surface mechanical attrition treatment will be used to generate nanometer-sized grains in the surface layer of engineering magnesium alloys, and therefore activate the surface of this material. Together with the use of efficient activators, the project will develop a novel low temperature surface alloying technique to significantly improve the wear and corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys without changing the substrate properties. Microstructural features and the wear and corrosion resistance of the ultrafine-grained surface layer will be examined. In addition, it may be possible to combine the surface alloying process with the conventional ageing process together in order to save energy.Read moreRead less
In-situ solubility and speciation studies in super-critical H2O-NaCl-CO2 mixtures using synchrotron radiation. Understanding the physics and chemistry of metals in hypersaline and supercritical solutions represents a major scientific challenge with wide-ranging applications in the fields of mineral processing, economic geology, or CO2 sequestration. The advent of very bright sources of x-rays (synchrotrons) and development of spectroscopic cells that can contain corrosives samples at high pressu ....In-situ solubility and speciation studies in super-critical H2O-NaCl-CO2 mixtures using synchrotron radiation. Understanding the physics and chemistry of metals in hypersaline and supercritical solutions represents a major scientific challenge with wide-ranging applications in the fields of mineral processing, economic geology, or CO2 sequestration. The advent of very bright sources of x-rays (synchrotrons) and development of spectroscopic cells that can contain corrosives samples at high pressure and temperature allow for the first time the in-situ observation of these solutions. This project creates strong link between Australian and French scientists. By sharing the know-how developed at the European Synchrotron Research Facility, we aim to create a world-class facility at the Australian Synchrotron that will open in Melbourne in 2007.Read moreRead less
Bulk Metallic Glasses and Their Applications. Bulk Metallic Glasses (BMG) represent a significant breakthrough in amorphous metallic materials research and opens up an enormous potential for BMG as engineering materials. However, currently there is no effective way to select optimum composition. The project will bring Australia together with two leading international research groups to develop a computer model for BMG alloy design and to further optimise BMG production processes. BMG engineering ....Bulk Metallic Glasses and Their Applications. Bulk Metallic Glasses (BMG) represent a significant breakthrough in amorphous metallic materials research and opens up an enormous potential for BMG as engineering materials. However, currently there is no effective way to select optimum composition. The project will bring Australia together with two leading international research groups to develop a computer model for BMG alloy design and to further optimise BMG production processes. BMG engineering components will be produced. The project provides Australian researchers access to leading expertise and specialized facilities which will rapidly bring us to the highest level. It represents Australia's first involvement in this significant material innovation. Read moreRead less
Long-term natural ecological consequences of disturbance on coral reefs: the benthic foraminifera perspective. The tropical coastline of Australia encompasses world-renowned coral reefs (Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Marine Park). Even these reefs are not pristine and are increasingly susceptible to disturbance from human impact. The long-term ecological effects of disturbance on reef communities cannot be experimentally determined; but natural experiments from the fossil record provide mech ....Long-term natural ecological consequences of disturbance on coral reefs: the benthic foraminifera perspective. The tropical coastline of Australia encompasses world-renowned coral reefs (Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Marine Park). Even these reefs are not pristine and are increasingly susceptible to disturbance from human impact. The long-term ecological effects of disturbance on reef communities cannot be experimentally determined; but natural experiments from the fossil record provide mechanisms to ensure that managers of Australia's reefs have critical information on how past disturbance frequency and intensity has affected coral reef communities. This information will help ensure the continuation of ecosystem goods and services from Australia's high diversity coral reefs.Read moreRead less
Chemistry of the Archaean Ocean and its Impact on Earth's Early Atmosphere and Ecosystems. The Pilbara Craton (WA) contains some of the oldest and best preserved Archaean rocks and microfossils in the world. These rocks, which were recently drilled as part of a collaborative effort between France and Australia, present an unprecedented opportunity to study the composition of the Earth's early atmosphere, ocean and life. The research will strengthen Australia's strategic links with international ....Chemistry of the Archaean Ocean and its Impact on Earth's Early Atmosphere and Ecosystems. The Pilbara Craton (WA) contains some of the oldest and best preserved Archaean rocks and microfossils in the world. These rocks, which were recently drilled as part of a collaborative effort between France and Australia, present an unprecedented opportunity to study the composition of the Earth's early atmosphere, ocean and life. The research will strengthen Australia's strategic links with international experts and will provide access to the state-of-the-art synchrotron facility in France. The project links fundamental processes that shaped the Earth and thus fits into National Research Priority 1: An Environmentally Sustainable Australia.Read moreRead less
Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of the Wear Behaviour of NiTi Shape Memory Alloy. Exploring high wear-resistant materials is always an active issue in tribology and material engineering in order to extend the life of the wide-ranged wearing components and devices. NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) demonstrates a superior wear resistance to stainless steel. This project aims to theoretically and experimentally exam the wear mechanism of NiTi SMA and quantify its wear rate. The expected out ....Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of the Wear Behaviour of NiTi Shape Memory Alloy. Exploring high wear-resistant materials is always an active issue in tribology and material engineering in order to extend the life of the wide-ranged wearing components and devices. NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) demonstrates a superior wear resistance to stainless steel. This project aims to theoretically and experimentally exam the wear mechanism of NiTi SMA and quantify its wear rate. The expected outcome will discover the contributions of phase transition and plasticity on the wear property of NiTi SMA, formulate a reliable wear model and stimulate the application of NiTi in tribology and modern micro-electric-mechanical systems.Read moreRead less