Functional Renewable Plastics: Developing Novel Polysaccharide, Protein and Natural Polyester Based Polymer Nanocomposites. Biopolymer based plastics (eg starch and proteins from plants; polylactic acid from wastes) are made from renewable sources and are readily biodegradable, making them good substitutes for synthetic plastics for uses like packaging and agricultural film.
Some biopolymer plastics properties (eg water migration barrier, strength) are not as high as synthetic plastics. Creat ....Functional Renewable Plastics: Developing Novel Polysaccharide, Protein and Natural Polyester Based Polymer Nanocomposites. Biopolymer based plastics (eg starch and proteins from plants; polylactic acid from wastes) are made from renewable sources and are readily biodegradable, making them good substitutes for synthetic plastics for uses like packaging and agricultural film.
Some biopolymer plastics properties (eg water migration barrier, strength) are not as high as synthetic plastics. Creating nano-biocomposites (biopolymer plastics mixed with low levels of nano particles) will improve the properties of biopolymer plastics, giving novel materials that can be substituted for synthetic plastics in a wider range of applications.
These products will reduce our environmental impact, and also create economic benefits from novel, high-value nano-biocomposites.Read moreRead less
Development of Multilayered Packaging Materials with Controlled Barrier Properties. The project aims to develop advanced new material for multilayered packaging with high oxygen and moisture barrier properties for cost effective packaging applications. Poly Products currently imports and uses some polymer as its key component for controlling barrier property of their food packaging. However, the new nanostructured material when sandwiched between less expensive materials in a multilayered packag ....Development of Multilayered Packaging Materials with Controlled Barrier Properties. The project aims to develop advanced new material for multilayered packaging with high oxygen and moisture barrier properties for cost effective packaging applications. Poly Products currently imports and uses some polymer as its key component for controlling barrier property of their food packaging. However, the new nanostructured material when sandwiched between less expensive materials in a multilayered packaging film will yield excellent barrier properties, leading to extended shelf life of different food products. The new smart material will generate significant material saving and replace the imported polymer, and will secure export market of the product in Asia -Pacific region.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775643
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,000.00
Summary
A multiscale system for characterizing surface and subsurface properties of advanced materials. The installation of the proposed equipment will greatly strengthen the research capability and capacity of the leading Australian teams in the frontier areas of multiscale manufacturing and advanced materials technology. This will in turn lead to more significant innovations and sharpen Australia's competitive edge internationally. The facility will enable the advanced training of students and enginee ....A multiscale system for characterizing surface and subsurface properties of advanced materials. The installation of the proposed equipment will greatly strengthen the research capability and capacity of the leading Australian teams in the frontier areas of multiscale manufacturing and advanced materials technology. This will in turn lead to more significant innovations and sharpen Australia's competitive edge internationally. The facility will enable the advanced training of students and engineers most needed by the country. Read moreRead less
Grown not extracted: high performance plant-based polymer packaging. This project aims to develop high performance, thermoformed paper-like materials to replace petroleum-derived plastic packaging. The materials are made using mechanically broken down waste cellulose fibres, which are then formed into shapes with added barrier layers. The grant aims to control the mechanical treatment for optimum performance, engineer the shape forming process and design laminate structures to produce packaging ....Grown not extracted: high performance plant-based polymer packaging. This project aims to develop high performance, thermoformed paper-like materials to replace petroleum-derived plastic packaging. The materials are made using mechanically broken down waste cellulose fibres, which are then formed into shapes with added barrier layers. The grant aims to control the mechanical treatment for optimum performance, engineer the shape forming process and design laminate structures to produce packaging materials, which have all the advantages of plastic packaging with none of the environmental drawbacks. The grant also aims to develop new methods to characterise these composites. The intended outcome is a new industry manufacturing renewable, biodegradable packaging in Australia.
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Electrically conductive elastomeric composites by nanomaterials. Electrically conductive elastomeric composites by nanomaterials. This project aims to develop electrically conductive, mechanically robust, cost-effective elastomeric composites, by exploring new processing methods and studying the synergy between graphene sheets and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Composites will be design, research and manufactured to suit the fabrication of rolling-resistance sensors that detect early-stage malfu ....Electrically conductive elastomeric composites by nanomaterials. Electrically conductive elastomeric composites by nanomaterials. This project aims to develop electrically conductive, mechanically robust, cost-effective elastomeric composites, by exploring new processing methods and studying the synergy between graphene sheets and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Composites will be design, research and manufactured to suit the fabrication of rolling-resistance sensors that detect early-stage malfunctioning idler rolls. This technology could prevent the breakage of conveyor belts which are essential to the mining, processing and transportation of loose bulk materials; and improve the design and manufacturing of flexible sensors.Read moreRead less
Low-density high-performance proppants for hydraulic fracturing process . Australia has vast resources of unconventional oil/gas, which require hydraulic fracturing to stimulate production. This project aims to develop advanced low-density high-performance proppants from industry waste for hydraulic fracturing. This will be achieved by selecting purer SiO2 raw material, carefully designing the porous structure, and fully understanding its relationship with strength and pack conductivity. Low-den ....Low-density high-performance proppants for hydraulic fracturing process . Australia has vast resources of unconventional oil/gas, which require hydraulic fracturing to stimulate production. This project aims to develop advanced low-density high-performance proppants from industry waste for hydraulic fracturing. This will be achieved by selecting purer SiO2 raw material, carefully designing the porous structure, and fully understanding its relationship with strength and pack conductivity. Low-density means no chemicals in proppant transportation and application. Successful development of such high-performance proppants will significantly increase Australia oil/gas exploration and production with an environmental acceptable technology, a leap forward for the oil/gas industry in Australia and the world.Read moreRead less
New-generation low-fouling coatings for membrane and metal surfaces for dairy processes. This project will create new coatings that provide high levels of resistance to membrane and metal surfaces fouling in the dairy industry. The project will enable the implementation of a family of readily applicable low-fouling membrane coatings that will significantly reduce operational costs.
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH130100017
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Manufacturing. ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Manufacturing. The aim of this Research Hub is to develop breakthrough process and product innovations to enable the Australian steel industry to improve its global competitiveness. Based on an integrated, value chain-wide approach to innovation in the steel sector the Research Hub includes projects on innovation strategy and management, customer-focused product development, innovation in coating and surfa ....ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Manufacturing. ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Manufacturing. The aim of this Research Hub is to develop breakthrough process and product innovations to enable the Australian steel industry to improve its global competitiveness. Based on an integrated, value chain-wide approach to innovation in the steel sector the Research Hub includes projects on innovation strategy and management, customer-focused product development, innovation in coating and surface engineering technology, and economic and environmental sustainability of iron and steelmaking.Read moreRead less
Carbon nanotube fluidic channels for desalination - interplay of nanoscale confinement and electrostatics. Tiny tubes of carbon, ten thousand times smaller than human hair, allow water to pass through at extraordinary speed. This project aims to understand and improve their salt rejection properties using comprehensive experimental and theoretical approaches. This will provide the impetus and knowledge for developing advanced membranes for desalination