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
Development of next generation smart sucker rod wear guides . In a natural gas wells, sucker rod guides protect the production tubing from wear by the rod string. Premature and erratic failures are costing the industry tens of millions every year. In collaboration with two local SMEs, this project aims to develop the next generation of smart and durable wear guides. The project seeks to understand the complex three body wear mechanisms that drive guide and tubing wear, then use this knowledge to ....Development of next generation smart sucker rod wear guides . In a natural gas wells, sucker rod guides protect the production tubing from wear by the rod string. Premature and erratic failures are costing the industry tens of millions every year. In collaboration with two local SMEs, this project aims to develop the next generation of smart and durable wear guides. The project seeks to understand the complex three body wear mechanisms that drive guide and tubing wear, then use this knowledge to develop new wear resistant compounds and develop a smart guide that provides feedback on its wear state. This will enable the industry partners to supply cutting edge technology to the global oil and gas industry that not only reduces well operation cost but also enhances well resilience.Read moreRead less
Next generation flexible high current micro-electronic interconnects. The project aims to reduce the temperatures required for the manufacture of electronic circuitry through the use of low melting temperature metallic gallium-based alloys. The project will use a range of innovative techniques to generate methods that these low temperature alloys can rapidly transition from a liquid state to a solid intermetallic in short timeframes at low-temperatures. The outcomes from this project include red ....Next generation flexible high current micro-electronic interconnects. The project aims to reduce the temperatures required for the manufacture of electronic circuitry through the use of low melting temperature metallic gallium-based alloys. The project will use a range of innovative techniques to generate methods that these low temperature alloys can rapidly transition from a liquid state to a solid intermetallic in short timeframes at low-temperatures. The outcomes from this project include reduced energy costs during electronic manufacture and the development of techniques that will enable sensitive next-generation components to be assembled by removing the need to use elevated temperatures.Read moreRead less
Real-time imaging of crystal strengthening mechanisms in metals. The strength limit of a metal is marked by rapid motion of crystalline defects. The associated speeds can locally approach that of sound. To probe the associated mechanisms clearly requires both spatial and temporal resolution. We propose to create a new bulk x-ray technique with an unprecedented combination of temporal and spatial resolution. We plan to exploit the technique to mediate a step change in modelling strength based on ....Real-time imaging of crystal strengthening mechanisms in metals. The strength limit of a metal is marked by rapid motion of crystalline defects. The associated speeds can locally approach that of sound. To probe the associated mechanisms clearly requires both spatial and temporal resolution. We propose to create a new bulk x-ray technique with an unprecedented combination of temporal and spatial resolution. We plan to exploit the technique to mediate a step change in modelling strength based on twinning. The formation of crystalline twins is known to dictate the strength of the light metal magnesium. A fuller understanding of the effect of twinning on strength in this metal will provide much needed confidence to implement it more widely in energy saving applications.Read moreRead less
Intermetallic compounds for high reliability electronic interconnections. The aim of the proposal is to develop an entirely new way of joining functional elements of circuit boards using tailored intermetallic joints that replace traditional solders. The outcome will be that electronic devices, from smart phones to smart grids and electric vehicles, will become more reliable and less susceptible to cracking and circuit failure. Electronics will last longer and less E-waste will be generated. Thi ....Intermetallic compounds for high reliability electronic interconnections. The aim of the proposal is to develop an entirely new way of joining functional elements of circuit boards using tailored intermetallic joints that replace traditional solders. The outcome will be that electronic devices, from smart phones to smart grids and electric vehicles, will become more reliable and less susceptible to cracking and circuit failure. Electronics will last longer and less E-waste will be generated. This would revolutionise electronics manufacturing. The project has a high probability of achieving this breakthrough based on unique, world-class expertise in intermetallic compounds and characterisation that has already been established by the international network of Investigators.Read moreRead less
Microstructure control of hot-dip coated Al-Zn based alloy layers on steel . The process of hot-dip metal coating of steel has evolved to provide reliable products that find widespread application in many industries, including building and construction. This project aims to address and understand an intermittent processing problem using innovative approaches involving characterisation by synchrotron techniques and state-of-the art microscopy. Expected outcomes include increased manufacturing e ....Microstructure control of hot-dip coated Al-Zn based alloy layers on steel . The process of hot-dip metal coating of steel has evolved to provide reliable products that find widespread application in many industries, including building and construction. This project aims to address and understand an intermittent processing problem using innovative approaches involving characterisation by synchrotron techniques and state-of-the art microscopy. Expected outcomes include increased manufacturing efficiencies by identifying the cause of an intermittent processing defect and implementing methods of controlling this defect. This will help BlueScope and Australia maintain a world-leading reputation for high-quality coating products for domestic and export markets.Read moreRead less
New biocompatible titanium alloys for next-generation metallic biomaterials. This project aims to develop a new class of titanium alloy biomaterials with enhanced mechanical compatibility, biocompatibility, and bio-functionality. The project expects to generate new knowledge in phase transformation mechanisms and advanced surface modification techniques for these alloys. Expected outcomes also include developments in phase transformation theories that enable high yield strength and low Young's m ....New biocompatible titanium alloys for next-generation metallic biomaterials. This project aims to develop a new class of titanium alloy biomaterials with enhanced mechanical compatibility, biocompatibility, and bio-functionality. The project expects to generate new knowledge in phase transformation mechanisms and advanced surface modification techniques for these alloys. Expected outcomes also include developments in phase transformation theories that enable high yield strength and low Young's modulus, and innovations in manufacturing techniques for new titanium alloys. This project will provide significant benefits to both Australian healthcare providers and bone-implant recipients through greater implant lifespans, improved patient outcomes and valuable savings to the healthcare system.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC210100023
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,943,949.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre in Bioplastics and Biocomposites. There is unprecedented growth in demand for bioderived and biodegradable materials. This Training Centre in Bioplastics and Biocomposites will capitalise on Australia’s abundance of the requisite natural bioresources to drive advances in technology for the development of bioplastic and biocomposite products for the new bioeconomy. The aim is to deliver leading edge research with a holistic focus on technical, social, policy and end of life so ....ARC Training Centre in Bioplastics and Biocomposites. There is unprecedented growth in demand for bioderived and biodegradable materials. This Training Centre in Bioplastics and Biocomposites will capitalise on Australia’s abundance of the requisite natural bioresources to drive advances in technology for the development of bioplastic and biocomposite products for the new bioeconomy. The aim is to deliver leading edge research with a holistic focus on technical, social, policy and end of life solutions, training a cohort of industry ready research specialists to underpin Australia’s transition to a globally significant bioplastics and biocomposites industry, while at the same time laying the foundations for accelerated growth in this space.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH200100005
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Innovation. The Hub’s overarching goal is to support the transition of Australia’s steel manufacturing industry to a more sustainable, competitive and resilient position based on the creation of new, higher value-added products and more advanced manufacturing processes. It anticipates delivering original, innovative research designed to enable a necessary technological shift in the supply chain through integrating advanced enabling technologies in large and ....ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Innovation. The Hub’s overarching goal is to support the transition of Australia’s steel manufacturing industry to a more sustainable, competitive and resilient position based on the creation of new, higher value-added products and more advanced manufacturing processes. It anticipates delivering original, innovative research designed to enable a necessary technological shift in the supply chain through integrating advanced enabling technologies in large and small businesses, developing step-change performance in anti-corrosion treatments and coating lines, generating more functional and durable products, and increasing resource intensities. It expects to train a more skillful and diverse workforce that will be critical in achieving this transformation.Read moreRead less