Renewable energy generation from flow-induced vibration. Much engineering effort has been expended to eliminate vibration of marine structures. This project seeks to provide the basis for the development of tidal energy harnessing, by deliberately amplifying and harnessing vibration. This technology offers the promise of capturing clean, zero-emissions energy, while presenting no risk to marine life.
Testing theories of two-phase fluid flow in porous media through experiment, imaging and modelling. The process underlying oil extraction, groundwater flow and the sequestration of carbon dioxide is that of one fluid pushing another out of the microscopic spaces in porous rocks and soils. Using the latest three-dimensional X-ray microscopes and computing technology, the project will image and model these fluid flows, allowing theories to be tested for the first time.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100742
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$315,000.00
Summary
Biofilms in two-dimensional turbulent flows:effects on Lagrangian transport. This project aims to investigate how surface biofilms affect flows at the ocean surface. Great stretches of the ocean surface are covered by an organic microlayer called biofilm. Flows at the ocean surface are a crucial part of climate machinery, and biofilms have profound, largely unexplored effects on these flows. There is no fundamental understanding of how biofilms affect fluid motion. This project aims to use labor ....Biofilms in two-dimensional turbulent flows:effects on Lagrangian transport. This project aims to investigate how surface biofilms affect flows at the ocean surface. Great stretches of the ocean surface are covered by an organic microlayer called biofilm. Flows at the ocean surface are a crucial part of climate machinery, and biofilms have profound, largely unexplored effects on these flows. There is no fundamental understanding of how biofilms affect fluid motion. This project aims to use laboratory models and new measurement techniques to study and quantify the impact of biofilms on turbulent transport. Understanding these effects is important in a time of climate change and this knowledge may also help address environmental issues related to spreading of pollutants and flow control at the ocean surface.Read moreRead less
Dynamic tomography: high-resolution, four-dimensional imaging of processes. This project will develop imaging technology that allows us to collect detailed, three dimensional movies of complex, microscopic processes in a laboratory. This technology will have applications in soil science, biology, oil extraction, and carbon sequestration.
Transport barriers in complex turbulent flows: formation, detection and characterization. Barriers to transport in complex fluid flows are ubiquitous in nature, yet mathematical and numerical approaches have so far been unable to solve this problem in the presence of turbulence. This project aims to undertake the first systematic laboratory study of transport barrier generation, control and interactions to reveal the role of turbulence in the stochastic transport in fluids. It will develop new m ....Transport barriers in complex turbulent flows: formation, detection and characterization. Barriers to transport in complex fluid flows are ubiquitous in nature, yet mathematical and numerical approaches have so far been unable to solve this problem in the presence of turbulence. This project aims to undertake the first systematic laboratory study of transport barrier generation, control and interactions to reveal the role of turbulence in the stochastic transport in fluids. It will develop new methods of transport barrier modelling which will equip specialists dealing with Lagrangian transport with new tools for the transport barrier modelling and characterisation.Read moreRead less
Flow generation on the water surface. This project focuses on the efficient use of the energy of surface waves. It has been found recently that energy of surface waves can be converted and stored in the horizontal water motion near the surface. This project aims to develop new technologies to harness wave energy, including a novel method of accumulating the energy of random waves into a stationary surface flow and novel methods of manipulating floating objects by sending surface waves. This may ....Flow generation on the water surface. This project focuses on the efficient use of the energy of surface waves. It has been found recently that energy of surface waves can be converted and stored in the horizontal water motion near the surface. This project aims to develop new technologies to harness wave energy, including a novel method of accumulating the energy of random waves into a stationary surface flow and novel methods of manipulating floating objects by sending surface waves. This may help to stop the spread of surface pollutants or attract floating objects by sending waves towards them, and may help us to understand how rip currents are formed on the beach.Read moreRead less
Studies of turbulence and coherent structures in quasi two-dimensional plasmas and fluids. One of the most celebrated but least understood complex systems in nature is turbulent flow. This cross-disciplinary project aims to contribute to basic scientific knowledge of a class of turbulent flows, known as quasi two-dimensional fluids, that typically exhibit self-organizing properties, stable sheared flow, and relatively weak dissipation. The significance lies in the proposed testing, by modelling ....Studies of turbulence and coherent structures in quasi two-dimensional plasmas and fluids. One of the most celebrated but least understood complex systems in nature is turbulent flow. This cross-disciplinary project aims to contribute to basic scientific knowledge of a class of turbulent flows, known as quasi two-dimensional fluids, that typically exhibit self-organizing properties, stable sheared flow, and relatively weak dissipation. The significance lies in the proposed testing, by modelling and simulation studies, of the well-grounded hypothesis that suppression of turbulence by sheared flow is a universal phenomenon in such fluids, and that it can be exploited to control transport of fluid constituents. Applications of this new knowledge will be developed.Read moreRead less
Low-order dynamical models for non-linear fluid behaviour in quasi two-dimensional plasmas. Two complex systems in which a magnetic field imposes two-dimensional fluid motions are turbulent fusion plasmas and magnetospheric plasmas. A distinctive property of 2D flows is the inverse energy cascade, whereby energy streaming into large-scale vortices, coherent structures, or sheared flows gives a remarkable propensity for self-organizing behaviour. This can be exploited to govern or guide our respo ....Low-order dynamical models for non-linear fluid behaviour in quasi two-dimensional plasmas. Two complex systems in which a magnetic field imposes two-dimensional fluid motions are turbulent fusion plasmas and magnetospheric plasmas. A distinctive property of 2D flows is the inverse energy cascade, whereby energy streaming into large-scale vortices, coherent structures, or sheared flows gives a remarkable propensity for self-organizing behaviour. This can be exploited to govern or guide our response to such systems. We propose to investigate the dynamics of momentum and energy exchange in these plasmas, using reduced dynamical models and bifurcation and stability mathematics. Expected outcomes are improved prediction of magnetospheric substorms and confinement of fusion plasmas.
Read moreRead less
Structural transitions in turbulent fluids and plasma through self-organization. Studies into structural transitions in turbulent systems will greatly benefit Australia through its contributions to the science of complex systems, in the areas of self-organization and turbulence control. Applications range from understanding the formation of the Earth's atmospheric spectrum to generation of transport barriers in magnetically confined plasma, as well as development of novel methods of turbulence c ....Structural transitions in turbulent fluids and plasma through self-organization. Studies into structural transitions in turbulent systems will greatly benefit Australia through its contributions to the science of complex systems, in the areas of self-organization and turbulence control. Applications range from understanding the formation of the Earth's atmospheric spectrum to generation of transport barriers in magnetically confined plasma, as well as development of novel methods of turbulence control in engineering. Recent discoveries by the authors open a window of opportunity for a breakthrough in this fundamental field of modern science. The project is based on several national and international collaborations. Australian postgraduate and research training is an integral part of the project.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100082
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$367,446.00
Summary
Impact of geochemical alteration on carbon dioxide stability in the subsurface. This project aims to investigate the reactive behaviour of carbon dioxide in sandstone rocks to improve the safety of carbon sequestration operations. The project will develop new techniques to link fluid flow behaviour and geochemistry analysis, using high resolution 3D microscopy within geologic samples. The results will demonstrate the level of stability and security of carbon dioxide in underground sandstone rock ....Impact of geochemical alteration on carbon dioxide stability in the subsurface. This project aims to investigate the reactive behaviour of carbon dioxide in sandstone rocks to improve the safety of carbon sequestration operations. The project will develop new techniques to link fluid flow behaviour and geochemistry analysis, using high resolution 3D microscopy within geologic samples. The results will demonstrate the level of stability and security of carbon dioxide in underground sandstone rocks, and lead to safer design of sequestration operations.Read moreRead less