Multi-functional graphene interleaves in multi-scale carbon fibre reinforced composites. This research project will lead to the development of a new class of multi-functional composites with improved mechanical/fracture performance and in-built health monitoring capability. The new composite systems will revolutionise the design of composite structures for the new generation aerospace vehicles.
Aligning and Chaining Carbon Nanofillers in Fibre Composites: Synergistically Improving Damage Tolerance and Diagnosis. Recent studies reveal that alternating electric or magnetic fields can rotate conductive nanofillers in polymers. This project aims to advance a new concept of aligning nano-scale reinforcements (for example, graphene nano-sheets and carbon nanofibres) along the thickness direction of composite materials. The alignment of nano-sized reinforcement will address the perennial prob ....Aligning and Chaining Carbon Nanofillers in Fibre Composites: Synergistically Improving Damage Tolerance and Diagnosis. Recent studies reveal that alternating electric or magnetic fields can rotate conductive nanofillers in polymers. This project aims to advance a new concept of aligning nano-scale reinforcements (for example, graphene nano-sheets and carbon nanofibres) along the thickness direction of composite materials. The alignment of nano-sized reinforcement will address the perennial problem of through-thickness weaknesses of fibre-reinforced composites and, at the same time, improve the electrical conductivity of composites. The synergistic improvements in the mechanical and electrical properties will improve damage tolerance and diagnosis of composites, thus expanding their applications in transport and civil construction to help reduce carbon dioxide emission.Read moreRead less
Optimised flush repairs for dissimilar composite material systems. The outcome of this research project will overcome a major technological challenge when designing repairs for dissimilar composite material systems, which are being utilised at an increasing pace in a multitude of industries. This new technological capability will help to improve the competitiveness of the Australian aerospace industry.
Understanding multi-scale reinforcement of carbon fibre composites. Addition of nano scale entities, such as nanotubes, on the surface of a carbon fibre forms a bottle-brush like architecture and strengthens fibre-matrix interface. This project will pioneer development of a systematic approach for analysis and design of such multi-scale reinforced composite materials for use in aerospace and civil industries.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100059
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Vacuum induction furnace for casting titanium alloys. This titanium melting facility will provide a level of investment and national strategic focus necessary to sustain Australian competitive advantage in both titanium research and the global titanium market. The facility will support cutting-edge research and support the development of new titanium products.
Theory and methods for evaluation of microstructural fatigue damage. The microstructural damage accumulation stage often consumes a significant portion of the total fatigue life of structures. However, its progressive evaluation is beyond the reach of safety inspection techniques which are currently employed to maintain structural integrity and prevent fatigue failures. This project aims to fill this gap by developing innovative methods for the measurement of material properties related to fatig ....Theory and methods for evaluation of microstructural fatigue damage. The microstructural damage accumulation stage often consumes a significant portion of the total fatigue life of structures. However, its progressive evaluation is beyond the reach of safety inspection techniques which are currently employed to maintain structural integrity and prevent fatigue failures. This project aims to fill this gap by developing innovative methods for the measurement of material properties related to fatigue damage and establishing a new theory which links these properties to the remaining life of the structure. The project outcomes will facilitate the global trend towards predictive maintenance strategies, thereby generating substantial cost benefits, specifically, for high-value assets and ageing infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100260
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Improved quality and lower cost titanium with microstructural refinement. This project seeks to determine the nucleation mechanisms operating during solidification of titanium alloys and discover potent nucleant particles that control the solidified grain size. Titanium is desirable for many applications but is difficult and expensive to manufacture into products. Understanding the nucleation process during the liquid-to-solid transformation of metals is fundamental to developing quality solidif ....Improved quality and lower cost titanium with microstructural refinement. This project seeks to determine the nucleation mechanisms operating during solidification of titanium alloys and discover potent nucleant particles that control the solidified grain size. Titanium is desirable for many applications but is difficult and expensive to manufacture into products. Understanding the nucleation process during the liquid-to-solid transformation of metals is fundamental to developing quality solidified products. The new technology seeks to lift productivity by simplifying manufacturing processes such as shape casting; improve the quality of solidified products produced by casting, welding and 3D printing; expand the application of 3D printing to a broader range of products; and reduce the cost and environmental impact of products produced by wrought processes.Read moreRead less
Improving affordability of composite materials to meet sustainability challenges. The project will develop new technologies to improve the affordability of carbon fibre composites for non-aerospace applications. The outcome of this project will greatly accelerate the insertion of light-weight composites in clean-energy products, such as carbon fibre composite wheels, to drastically reduce CO2 emissions of road transport.
Novel quantitative sizing of inaccessible and hard-to-inspect defects to address the challenges posed by innovations in airframe design. Modern unitised aircraft structures cannot be reliably inspected using traditional techniques. This project will develop new techniques to quantify defects required for this innovation in aircraft component design. This research will improve the through-life support of future metallic and composite aircraft structures and improve air safety.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101676
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,690.00
Summary
Machine learning-based design of triply periodic minimal surface structures. This project aims to develop a new approach to design of new lightweight, crashworthy and manufacturable structures by taking advantage of the latest technologies in computational optimisation, artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing. The study intends to develop a new machine learning-based multiscale design framework to seek optimal triply periodic minimal surface structures, considering fabrication-induced ....Machine learning-based design of triply periodic minimal surface structures. This project aims to develop a new approach to design of new lightweight, crashworthy and manufacturable structures by taking advantage of the latest technologies in computational optimisation, artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing. The study intends to develop a new machine learning-based multiscale design framework to seek optimal triply periodic minimal surface structures, considering fabrication-induced defects and uncertainty. The expected outcome of this project is new methodologies for generating eco-friendly structures with robust mechanical properties in crashing applications. This should provide significant benefits to transport industries by enhancing structural safety and energy saving for next generation vehicles.Read moreRead less