Ultrasound for control of cyanobacteria. Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, forms in drinking water supplies in Australia and can cause water-quality problems. Current methods to treat blue-green algae involve the use of Copper Sulphate, which is not an environmentally friendly compound. A potential alternative environmentally friendly water-treatment method involves the use of ultrasound to disrupt the cyanobacteria. The aim of this project is to determine the physical properties of ....Ultrasound for control of cyanobacteria. Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, forms in drinking water supplies in Australia and can cause water-quality problems. Current methods to treat blue-green algae involve the use of Copper Sulphate, which is not an environmentally friendly compound. A potential alternative environmentally friendly water-treatment method involves the use of ultrasound to disrupt the cyanobacteria. The aim of this project is to determine the physical properties of the cyanobacteria when excited with ultrasound for the purpose of finding an efficient method to treat large volumes of water. Read moreRead less
Novel plastics using renewable signal chemistry to remove bacteria in water. This project plans to develop synthetic plastic surfaces that continuously generate nitric oxide to deter the formation of biofilms. Plastic surfaces exposed to aqueous environments rapidly become covered by a film of bacteria, which can cause infection. Trace levels of generated nitric oxide can combat this problem by breaking up existing bacterial biofilms. Current research has developed plastics that continuously gen ....Novel plastics using renewable signal chemistry to remove bacteria in water. This project plans to develop synthetic plastic surfaces that continuously generate nitric oxide to deter the formation of biofilms. Plastic surfaces exposed to aqueous environments rapidly become covered by a film of bacteria, which can cause infection. Trace levels of generated nitric oxide can combat this problem by breaking up existing bacterial biofilms. Current research has developed plastics that continuously generate nitric oxide, but not for extended periods of time. This project’s approach is significant because it avoids bacterial resistance to the nitric oxide treatment. Applications of this technology may include removing biofilms from environments such as water filtration devices and consumable medical surfaces.Read moreRead less
Fungal Biomass Protein, a Bioproduct Derived from a Treatment Process of Winery Waste Streams. The Australian wine industry produces a substantial quantity of wastewater containing high levels of organic materials that are both highly polluting and costly to treat. This research aims to develop a biotechnological treatment process integrated with fungal biomass protein (FBP) production from the winery waste streams. The outcomes of this project are i) the production of fungal biomass for use as ....Fungal Biomass Protein, a Bioproduct Derived from a Treatment Process of Winery Waste Streams. The Australian wine industry produces a substantial quantity of wastewater containing high levels of organic materials that are both highly polluting and costly to treat. This research aims to develop a biotechnological treatment process integrated with fungal biomass protein (FBP) production from the winery waste streams. The outcomes of this project are i) the production of fungal biomass for use as a protein-rich animal feed; ii); the treatment of waste water to allow reuse for farm irrigation; and iii) reduced pollution of watercourses. The research will develop a novel technology that is environmentally friendly and adds value to the Australian winery industry via pollution reduction and FBP production.Read moreRead less
Optimizing tailings dewatering through interfacial chemistry and particle interactions. This project aims to improve the dewatering behaviour of waste tailings from mineral processing activites. Dewatering and disposal of tailings containing fine particles are serious issues which confront the mineral industry. Effective dewatering of tailings is determined by particle-solution interfacial chemistry and particle interactions. These properties will be manipulated by matching the molecular arch ....Optimizing tailings dewatering through interfacial chemistry and particle interactions. This project aims to improve the dewatering behaviour of waste tailings from mineral processing activites. Dewatering and disposal of tailings containing fine particles are serious issues which confront the mineral industry. Effective dewatering of tailings is determined by particle-solution interfacial chemistry and particle interactions. These properties will be manipulated by matching the molecular architecture and functionality of flocculants to mineral particle surface chemistry. Optimization of tails interfacial chemistry and particle interactions through conventional and non-conventional flocculants will be investigated and electoosmosis will be applied to achieve maximum dewatering behaviour.The scientific and environmental outcomes will be beneficial to all stakeholders.Read moreRead less
Assessment of bentonites as remediating agents for metal contaminated soils using innovative bioavailability reduction technology. The project seeks to carry out research on innovative, economically sustainable risk-based solutions (soil amendments) for metal-contaminated soils and methods for assessing the potential risk/bioavailability of soil bound metals. The work will determine factors affecting the reactivity, mobility and bioavailability of metals in Australian soils and clays and method ....Assessment of bentonites as remediating agents for metal contaminated soils using innovative bioavailability reduction technology. The project seeks to carry out research on innovative, economically sustainable risk-based solutions (soil amendments) for metal-contaminated soils and methods for assessing the potential risk/bioavailability of soil bound metals. The work will determine factors affecting the reactivity, mobility and bioavailability of metals in Australian soils and clays and methods by which these can be controlled. Remediation options, such as natural clay amendments to reduce metal bioavailability, will be assessed against in vivo and in vitro bioavailability assays in order to develop cost effective, risk-based remediation strategies and assessment protocols for urban and rural contaminated soils.Read moreRead less
Development and Modellling of Advanced Coagulation and Oxidation Processes. The success of this program will help place Australia at the forefront of water quality control and management research. It will address concerns with managing and treating waters of changing characteristics due to climate change. In addition to the socio benefits, project success will also impart economic benefits to the nation through (i) fabricating new hybrid coagulants, that are versatile with enhanced performance ....Development and Modellling of Advanced Coagulation and Oxidation Processes. The success of this program will help place Australia at the forefront of water quality control and management research. It will address concerns with managing and treating waters of changing characteristics due to climate change. In addition to the socio benefits, project success will also impart economic benefits to the nation through (i) fabricating new hybrid coagulants, that are versatile with enhanced performance for removing NOM, and possess antimicrobial properties (ii) developing a new energy efficient photocatalysis technology.The proposed research will expand the knowledge base in this area and increase Australia’s international profile as a global leader in developing cutting-edge cost effective water resource technologies.Read moreRead less
Multi-scale strategy to manage chloramine decay and nitrification in water distribution systems. The generation of knowledge and technologies in preventing chloramine decay would greatly benefit the Australian water industry. The success of the project would provide the highest possible quality of water, both economically and reliably, giving public assurances of microbiological compliance and safe drinking water.
Control Of Aggregate Structure, Settling And Dewatering In Mineral Tailings Processing. Modification of aggregate structures in mineral processing will lead to improved dewatering in tailings operations. In mine site rehabilitation and tailings utilisation, technology developed in this project may save not only millions of dollars in more efficient processing and tailing deposition but also help to better reuse our limited national water resources.
A Future Beyond the Wall: Improving Post-release Employment Outcomes for People Leaving Prison. Engaging in meaningful work has been shown to reduce re-offending by ex-prisoners, but few prison releasees internationally or in Australia gain employment, and successful pathways to employment for this group are poorly researched and understood. This study aims to gather and analyse, for the first time, comparative data from Australian jurisdictions and employment agencies on the relationship betwee ....A Future Beyond the Wall: Improving Post-release Employment Outcomes for People Leaving Prison. Engaging in meaningful work has been shown to reduce re-offending by ex-prisoners, but few prison releasees internationally or in Australia gain employment, and successful pathways to employment for this group are poorly researched and understood. This study aims to gather and analyse, for the first time, comparative data from Australian jurisdictions and employment agencies on the relationship between in-prison and post-prison vocational education and employment programs, employment and recidivism. It aims to identify effective elements, strategies, program and policy directions in offender training and employment. This is a unique partnership amongst key academics in the field, peak national bodies, correctional and employment organisations.Read moreRead less
Australian Mineral Science Research Institute: Transformation of resource-based industries through the generation and application of new technologies. The research conducted within AMSRI will enable our existing resource-based industries to be transformed through the application of new technologies, helping to create an environmentally sustainable nation, a key national research priority. The research programs in energy efficient liberation, frugal water use and waste management, innovative proc ....Australian Mineral Science Research Institute: Transformation of resource-based industries through the generation and application of new technologies. The research conducted within AMSRI will enable our existing resource-based industries to be transformed through the application of new technologies, helping to create an environmentally sustainable nation, a key national research priority. The research programs in energy efficient liberation, frugal water use and waste management, innovative processing, material and interface science, advanced analysis and mathematics in minerals processing are of critical importance to Australia's major export industry. AMSRI will produce unique graduate students, educated in a multi-university, industry-linked research environment, who will provide a strong intellectual resource to both Australian industry and research institutions.Read moreRead less