Fibre-Polymer Composites With Graded Microstructure. This project concerns the development of a novel fibre-polymer functionally graded composite material that mimics the structure of the spinal disk. The spinal disk comprises a soft core (nucleus) and a tough fibrous periphery (annulus). The graded composite approach of this proposal represents a significant advance over spinal fusion, and over the current generation of spinal disk protheses (metal plates with springs/polymers as shock absorber ....Fibre-Polymer Composites With Graded Microstructure. This project concerns the development of a novel fibre-polymer functionally graded composite material that mimics the structure of the spinal disk. The spinal disk comprises a soft core (nucleus) and a tough fibrous periphery (annulus). The graded composite approach of this proposal represents a significant advance over spinal fusion, and over the current generation of spinal disk protheses (metal plates with springs/polymers as shock absorbers). Chronic back pain affects a significant proportion of the population and is primarily caused by failure of the spinal disk. Therefore a strong social and economic imperative exists to develop engineering solutions to this problem.Read moreRead less
Development of advanced lithium ion battery and battery management system for electric /hybrid electric vehicle applications. This project represents a significant scientific and economic development for Australia as it aims to create advanced, high performing, energy storage devices with a focus on safety, that will provide enormous benefits for the environment. An added advantage will be the establishment of local and national expertise in the area of electrochemical energy storage systems, th ....Development of advanced lithium ion battery and battery management system for electric /hybrid electric vehicle applications. This project represents a significant scientific and economic development for Australia as it aims to create advanced, high performing, energy storage devices with a focus on safety, that will provide enormous benefits for the environment. An added advantage will be the establishment of local and national expertise in the area of electrochemical energy storage systems, that will place Australia at the forefront of lithium ion battery research and development. Flow-on benefits will also be created for Australian organizations involved in the manufacturing of electric vehicles and portable devices.Read moreRead less
Development of a Cost-Effective Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposite for High Quality Gravure Printing. Gravure printing is the printing process of choice for long runs and high quality. The conventional process involves the manufacture of copper-plated, chrome-coated cylinders into which the desired image is engraved. The cylinders have high manufacturing and operating costs. The chemicals used in the process are highly toxic and therefore pose major threats to humans and environment. This proposa ....Development of a Cost-Effective Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposite for High Quality Gravure Printing. Gravure printing is the printing process of choice for long runs and high quality. The conventional process involves the manufacture of copper-plated, chrome-coated cylinders into which the desired image is engraved. The cylinders have high manufacturing and operating costs. The chemicals used in the process are highly toxic and therefore pose major threats to humans and environment. This proposal outlines the first attempts to develop a new and innovative hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposite material to replace the copper plating and chrome coating. The success of the project will offer high quality, affordable and environmentally friendly printing service to both local and international clientele.
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Development of Low Cost, High Quality Nitrides for Solid-State Lighting and Other Power Saving Applications. The advent of high brightness, low cost, compact, low power white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will revolutionise lighting as we currently know it. Incandescent light bulbs and fluorescent tubes are inefficient light sources and their replacement with high efficiency solid state LED lighting over the next 10 years will provide a 10% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions. The develo ....Development of Low Cost, High Quality Nitrides for Solid-State Lighting and Other Power Saving Applications. The advent of high brightness, low cost, compact, low power white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will revolutionise lighting as we currently know it. Incandescent light bulbs and fluorescent tubes are inefficient light sources and their replacement with high efficiency solid state LED lighting over the next 10 years will provide a 10% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions. The development and enhancement of a recent Australian innovation for the fabrication of low cost high brightness LEDs will enable Australia to be at the frontier of this technology and to be a world leader in the next stage of its development.Read moreRead less
Foundation remediation using resin injection. The aim of this research project is to explore the application of injected expanded polyurethane resins as a new option for the re-levelling and stabilisation of deflected foundations on reactive clay soils. It will identify the physical and behavioural characteristics of resin-injected reactive clay foundations, in the context of both shallow and deep injection, and will identify any limitations to the applicability of the approach. Based on detaile ....Foundation remediation using resin injection. The aim of this research project is to explore the application of injected expanded polyurethane resins as a new option for the re-levelling and stabilisation of deflected foundations on reactive clay soils. It will identify the physical and behavioural characteristics of resin-injected reactive clay foundations, in the context of both shallow and deep injection, and will identify any limitations to the applicability of the approach. Based on detailed laboratory and field testing, and advanced numerical modelling, the outcome will be the ability to confidently assess various foundation remediation strategies in reactive clay soils, and provide much needed design guidance to the geotechnical profession and building industry.Read moreRead less
Composite Beams using Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC) Profiled Slabs. The Australian construction industry is currently introducing long-span trapezoidal profiled steel sheeting for the composite floor slabs in composite steel-concrete framed buildings, in order improve efficiency and economy. When the ribs in the sheeting are orthogonal to the steel beam (the secondary beam), the integrity of the shear connection between the steel beam and the composite slab is compromised by premature failur ....Composite Beams using Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC) Profiled Slabs. The Australian construction industry is currently introducing long-span trapezoidal profiled steel sheeting for the composite floor slabs in composite steel-concrete framed buildings, in order improve efficiency and economy. When the ribs in the sheeting are orthogonal to the steel beam (the secondary beam), the integrity of the shear connection between the steel beam and the composite slab is compromised by premature failures. This project aims to research the innovative use of steel fibre reinforced concrete in these slabs, which has been shown (at UNSW and elsewhere) in other applications to possess superior strength properties when subjected to a variety of loading regimes.Read moreRead less
Development of superconducting leads with ultra-low thermal conductivity for cryoelectronic applications. Superconducting systems are revolutionary technologies that have the potential to make a significant impact on society. The development of the new technology of superconducting wiring, which would effectively eliminate heat generation and its transfer to the cryogenic electronics, and its subsequent employment will enable superconductive electronics to become price competitive, significantly ....Development of superconducting leads with ultra-low thermal conductivity for cryoelectronic applications. Superconducting systems are revolutionary technologies that have the potential to make a significant impact on society. The development of the new technology of superconducting wiring, which would effectively eliminate heat generation and its transfer to the cryogenic electronics, and its subsequent employment will enable superconductive electronics to become price competitive, significantly outperforming conventional systems. The establishment of this new frontier technology of heat-switch current leads will benefit Australian industries and have a dramatic impact in the future on the field of cryogenic quantum electronics (such as quantum computing), which is currently under profound exploration in Australia.Read moreRead less
Development of new-generation autoclaved cellulose fibre-cement composites using alumina-silica rich industrial waste. Autoclaved cellulose fibre-cement (FC) composites are used for construction purposes globally. Alumina-silica rich industrial waste, such as fired clay bricks and tiles, are proven to be highly reactive under autoclaving conditions and are generated in abundance either during the production process or demolition of buildings worldwide. The project aims to utilise this renewable ....Development of new-generation autoclaved cellulose fibre-cement composites using alumina-silica rich industrial waste. Autoclaved cellulose fibre-cement (FC) composites are used for construction purposes globally. Alumina-silica rich industrial waste, such as fired clay bricks and tiles, are proven to be highly reactive under autoclaving conditions and are generated in abundance either during the production process or demolition of buildings worldwide. The project aims to utilise this renewable waste for the manufacture of improved FC products. The successful outcomes of the project could allow a new range of cost-effective building products which need less energy for their manufacture, to be realised for both developed and developing countries.Read moreRead less
Thermoforming Mechanisms for Cost-effective Manufacturing of Advanced Composite Structures. The cost barrier in thermoforming, due to the lack of understanding of shear deformation and wrinkling, has inhibited the large-scale application of fibre-reinforced composite structures in aerospace and automobile industries. This project aims to develop a cost-effective diaphragm thermoforming process through an in-depth understanding of the thermoforming mechanisms. The outcomes will include novel theo ....Thermoforming Mechanisms for Cost-effective Manufacturing of Advanced Composite Structures. The cost barrier in thermoforming, due to the lack of understanding of shear deformation and wrinkling, has inhibited the large-scale application of fibre-reinforced composite structures in aerospace and automobile industries. This project aims to develop a cost-effective diaphragm thermoforming process through an in-depth understanding of the thermoforming mechanisms. The outcomes will include novel theories for thermoforming, a standard method for material property characterization and new finite element models compatible with the most popular software available for industry. The project will form the basis for establishing the effective production window and enhance greatly the competitive edge of the Australian manufacturing industry.Read moreRead less
Miniature lithium ion battery for implantable medical device applications. This project addresses National Research Priorities in the areas of breakthrough science, frontier technologies and promoting and maintaining good health. Substantial national benefit could be derived from this project: (i) Australia will innovate in an important and intensely active area in which the results will have long-lasting significance in implantable rechargeable battery development; (ii)The development of new sc ....Miniature lithium ion battery for implantable medical device applications. This project addresses National Research Priorities in the areas of breakthrough science, frontier technologies and promoting and maintaining good health. Substantial national benefit could be derived from this project: (i) Australia will innovate in an important and intensely active area in which the results will have long-lasting significance in implantable rechargeable battery development; (ii)The development of new scientific knowledge related to this project will place Australia at the forefront of an emerging domain of research body batteries; (iii) In the long term, the successful outcome of this research will lead to more reliable batteries for implantable devices, thereby promoting health care.Read moreRead less