A new methodology for the measurement of transition metals ions in complex, high temperature oxide systems relevant to non-ferrous metal production. Complex multi-component molten oxide phases, known commonly as slags, are used in the high temperature production and refining of metals. The slag systems of commercial interest contain transition metals species, such as, Fe2+, Fe3+. Each of these species behaves as if it were a separate chemical component. Researchers at the University of Queensla ....A new methodology for the measurement of transition metals ions in complex, high temperature oxide systems relevant to non-ferrous metal production. Complex multi-component molten oxide phases, known commonly as slags, are used in the high temperature production and refining of metals. The slag systems of commercial interest contain transition metals species, such as, Fe2+, Fe3+. Each of these species behaves as if it were a separate chemical component. Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed a new methodolgy, which enables the concentrations of these transition metal ions to be measured.
These types of measurements cannot be made with any of the techniques currently in use. The study will provide data on high temperature slags in a number of industrially and scientifically important systems. This approach will be applicable to a wide range of chemical systems in the fields of extractive metallurgy, materials science and geology; systems which could not previously be characterised.Read moreRead less
Numerical modelling of deformation partitioning and its role in metamorphism, tectonism and mineralization. Targeting blind mineralization is the biggest problem facing the Australian mining industry. The modelling developed in this project will integrate deformation, fluid and chemical processes and provide a means for understanding the deformation partitioning that localizes epigenetic ore regionally as well as along portions of large-scale structures. Applying this to known ore deposits may ....Numerical modelling of deformation partitioning and its role in metamorphism, tectonism and mineralization. Targeting blind mineralization is the biggest problem facing the Australian mining industry. The modelling developed in this project will integrate deformation, fluid and chemical processes and provide a means for understanding the deformation partitioning that localizes epigenetic ore regionally as well as along portions of large-scale structures. Applying this to known ore deposits may delineate adjacent plus regionally distributed zones where the deformation event responsible for mineralization is locally present at sufficient intensity to form ore. This would allow targeted deep drilling in ground with no ore close to the surface saving millions in drilling costs and dramatically increasing the financial viability of this industry. Read moreRead less
Computer simulation to study emergence of material texture in the Earth and Plate Tectonics. Plate tectonics has played a crucial role in the evolution and dynamics of the earth impacting on the diversity of life, mineralisation, and crustal dynamics. Despite its significance, how and under what conditions material texture and plate tectonics emerge from a proto-planet is not well understood. New computational methodologies to simulate the evolution of the plate-mantle system will be used to stu ....Computer simulation to study emergence of material texture in the Earth and Plate Tectonics. Plate tectonics has played a crucial role in the evolution and dynamics of the earth impacting on the diversity of life, mineralisation, and crustal dynamics. Despite its significance, how and under what conditions material texture and plate tectonics emerge from a proto-planet is not well understood. New computational methodologies to simulate the evolution of the plate-mantle system will be used to study how the upper mantle emerges as a thermo-mechanically distinct boundary layer, how this emergent structure relates to anisotropy in the upper mantle, and how it is affected by cross-scale effects controlling fault zone behaviour and crustal dynamics.Read moreRead less
Modeling fluid flow and mineralisation at crustal interfaces. Several types of mineral resources, including some uranium, iron, and base metal ore deposits, may be created by fluid flow through and around interfaces in the Earth's crust. By understanding how, where and why such deposits form, we will assist exploration for future resources of these metals. Insights will also be gained into petroleum resource generation and extraction, the distribution of seismicity and volcanoes in time and spac ....Modeling fluid flow and mineralisation at crustal interfaces. Several types of mineral resources, including some uranium, iron, and base metal ore deposits, may be created by fluid flow through and around interfaces in the Earth's crust. By understanding how, where and why such deposits form, we will assist exploration for future resources of these metals. Insights will also be gained into petroleum resource generation and extraction, the distribution of seismicity and volcanoes in time and space, the problems of underground nuclear waste disposal and sequestration of CO2, and the potential for geothermal energy, with benefits in resource identification and/or hazard assessment in these areas.Read moreRead less
The early evolution of the Earth system from multiple sulfur isotope records of sediments and seafloor mineral systems. This project addresses the early evolution of the Earth system that is one of the most important questions in Earth Sciences. It will use Australia's unique rock record and analytical techniques developed in Australia in collaboration with leading international researchers. The National Research Priority area 'An environmentally sustainable Australia: developing deep Earth reso ....The early evolution of the Earth system from multiple sulfur isotope records of sediments and seafloor mineral systems. This project addresses the early evolution of the Earth system that is one of the most important questions in Earth Sciences. It will use Australia's unique rock record and analytical techniques developed in Australia in collaboration with leading international researchers. The National Research Priority area 'An environmentally sustainable Australia: developing deep Earth resources' will benefit through the development of better exploration models for Archaean submarine metal deposits. Students will obtain a high level understanding of the early Earth system, ore deposits, stable isotope and transition metal geochemistry, which are directly applicable in both pure and applied research and mineral exploration.Read moreRead less
Thixotropic Structure Generation and Semisolid Casting of Aluminium and Magnesium Alloys. A range of aluminium and magnesium alloys will be prepared by controlled-pouring to produce structures suitable for semisolid forming. The conditions around grain nucleation and growth will be studied to ascertain the controlling factors in producing suitable microstructures. A computer model to simulate the thixotropic structure formation and define the processing parameters will be developed. Semisolid c ....Thixotropic Structure Generation and Semisolid Casting of Aluminium and Magnesium Alloys. A range of aluminium and magnesium alloys will be prepared by controlled-pouring to produce structures suitable for semisolid forming. The conditions around grain nucleation and growth will be studied to ascertain the controlling factors in producing suitable microstructures. A computer model to simulate the thixotropic structure formation and define the processing parameters will be developed. Semisolid casting using the produced feedstock will lead to extensive knowledge about the effect of different microstructures and alloys on semisolid castability. Outcomes from the project will significantly advance the scientific understanding of the thixotropic structure generation and accelerate the development of semisolid processing technology.Read moreRead less
A Novel Approach to Grain Refinement of Cast Metals. This proposal combines fundamental scientific studies with applied engineering research. The outcomes will offer materials scientists and engineers with a totally new way to understand the grain refinement of cast metals. The new scientific knowledge generated will put Australia at the absolute forefront of the field and maintain our internationally leading position. The new grain refiners and the relevant master alloys to be developed will ....A Novel Approach to Grain Refinement of Cast Metals. This proposal combines fundamental scientific studies with applied engineering research. The outcomes will offer materials scientists and engineers with a totally new way to understand the grain refinement of cast metals. The new scientific knowledge generated will put Australia at the absolute forefront of the field and maintain our internationally leading position. The new grain refiners and the relevant master alloys to be developed will have strong potential to be commercialized to produce cast metals with much improved properties and performance. This will not only increase Australian competitive ability in the international market, but will also make considerable economic benefits.Read moreRead less
Surface Nanocrystallization and Surface Alloying of Nonferrous Alloys. The research will offer materials scientists a totally new way to undertake surface modification for nonferrous alloys. The low temperature surface alloying technique to be developed will considerably improve the surface durability, therefore increase the service life of components. Combination of the surface alloying treatment with the ageing process can save energy and lower the cost of product. This will enhance Austral ....Surface Nanocrystallization and Surface Alloying of Nonferrous Alloys. The research will offer materials scientists a totally new way to undertake surface modification for nonferrous alloys. The low temperature surface alloying technique to be developed will considerably improve the surface durability, therefore increase the service life of components. Combination of the surface alloying treatment with the ageing process can save energy and lower the cost of product. This will enhance Australia's competitive ability in international markets. The study of atomic diffusion in nanomaterials will significantly contribute to material science and increase Australian research reputation in the world. In addition, the project initiates the research on surface nanocrystallization in Australia. Read moreRead less
A Unified Crystallographic Theory of Phase Transformations in Solids. Phase transformations control the microstructures that govern the properties of metallic materials. The unified crystallographic theory to be developed will improve the understanding of phase transformation and then enhance the ability to produce high performance metals and alloys. This is particularly important in the automotive and aeronautical industries, as these sectors seek increasing fuel efficiency through weight reduc ....A Unified Crystallographic Theory of Phase Transformations in Solids. Phase transformations control the microstructures that govern the properties of metallic materials. The unified crystallographic theory to be developed will improve the understanding of phase transformation and then enhance the ability to produce high performance metals and alloys. This is particularly important in the automotive and aeronautical industries, as these sectors seek increasing fuel efficiency through weight reduction. The new scientific knowledge generated will significantly impact and contribute to the fields of physical metallurgy and materials science. Furthermore, the research will also strengthen Australia's international leading position in the fields because it is based on the theories developed in Australia.Read moreRead less
CO2-brine behaviour in high temperature geological processes: Microanalysis and significance. This project clearly lies within the national research priority of developing deep earth resources. It may strengthen our economic fabric through mineral deposit discoveries in Australia as well as other circum-Pacific countries. The proposed research will also indirectly enhance our understanding of the relationships between geosphere, biosphere, fluids and global greenhouse warming. By strong national ....CO2-brine behaviour in high temperature geological processes: Microanalysis and significance. This project clearly lies within the national research priority of developing deep earth resources. It may strengthen our economic fabric through mineral deposit discoveries in Australia as well as other circum-Pacific countries. The proposed research will also indirectly enhance our understanding of the relationships between geosphere, biosphere, fluids and global greenhouse warming. By strong national and international collaborations and our use of innovative frontier technologies of fluid microgeochemistry, we will expand recognition of Australia's world-class research capacities.Read moreRead less