New insulins for the improved management of diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes has increased dramatically over the past few decades and now this condition is widely considered the world’s fastest growing disease. New insulins with improved pharmacological and storage properties are desperately needed, and this project will work on chemical synthesis enabling designer insulins to be prepared for improved management of diabetes.
A new biophysical approach to understanding self-assembly of dairy proteins in real time in complex systems of industrial importance. The study seeks to understand the molecular basis of self-assembly (aggregation and gelation) of dairy proteins during thermal processing of dairy products. This will involve direct determination, in real time, of the extent, rate and degree of reversibility of the changes that take place. These include changes in the composition, structure and stability of the ca ....A new biophysical approach to understanding self-assembly of dairy proteins in real time in complex systems of industrial importance. The study seeks to understand the molecular basis of self-assembly (aggregation and gelation) of dairy proteins during thermal processing of dairy products. This will involve direct determination, in real time, of the extent, rate and degree of reversibility of the changes that take place. These include changes in the composition, structure and stability of the casein micelles, changes in properties such as pH and pCa and changes such as the denaturation of b-lactoglobulin and its binding to k -casein. The purpose of the study is to provide the scientific base for improving the consistency of manufactured dairy products and for developing new food ingredients with new functionalities thus opening up new opportunities for the dairy industry.Read moreRead less
Enhanced metal recovery from a modified Caron leach of mixed nickel-cobalt intermediate concentrate. Nickel metal production from lateritic deposits involves dissolution in acid followed by purification and selective alkaline precipitation of the nickel and cobalt as hydroxide phase. Hydroxides from several plants are transported to a central refinery where the hydroxide is redissolved in ammoniacal solutions and nickel and cobalt are separated and reduced to metal.
This project will examine t ....Enhanced metal recovery from a modified Caron leach of mixed nickel-cobalt intermediate concentrate. Nickel metal production from lateritic deposits involves dissolution in acid followed by purification and selective alkaline precipitation of the nickel and cobalt as hydroxide phase. Hydroxides from several plants are transported to a central refinery where the hydroxide is redissolved in ammoniacal solutions and nickel and cobalt are separated and reduced to metal.
This project will examine the effect of preparation conditions and aging of the hydroxide precipitate on the refining process.
MORERead moreRead less
Blended calcium-magnesium binders for improved and more sustainable building materials. The project will explore the potential of new blended calcium-magnesium cements to significantly improve the sustainability and properties of concrete produced with Portland cement (PC). Concrete based on PC contributes to around 10% of global anthropogenic carbon dioxide. PC Concrete has many weaknesses such as rapid deterioration when exposed to aggressive environments, delayed reactions and early age crack ....Blended calcium-magnesium binders for improved and more sustainable building materials. The project will explore the potential of new blended calcium-magnesium cements to significantly improve the sustainability and properties of concrete produced with Portland cement (PC). Concrete based on PC contributes to around 10% of global anthropogenic carbon dioxide. PC Concrete has many weaknesses such as rapid deterioration when exposed to aggressive environments, delayed reactions and early age cracking caused by shrinkage. The proposed research will investigate ways of using the new binder system to overcome these weaknesses and to reduce carbon dioxide emission. The expected outcome will be a proven technology for manufacturing new building materials that are environmentally more sustainable and with enhanced properties.Read moreRead less
Novel barrier products: synthesis design using controlled radical polymerization in dispersed systems. Personal barrier products (eg surgical and industrial rubber gloves) are currently manufactured using emulsion polymerization synthesis methods that have evolved little in 50 years. A dramatic new method for controlling polymer architecture, developed by a team led by the CI and Dulux for paints, also has the potential to tailor-make barrier products, from less hazardous raw materials. This pro ....Novel barrier products: synthesis design using controlled radical polymerization in dispersed systems. Personal barrier products (eg surgical and industrial rubber gloves) are currently manufactured using emulsion polymerization synthesis methods that have evolved little in 50 years. A dramatic new method for controlling polymer architecture, developed by a team led by the CI and Dulux for paints, also has the potential to tailor-make barrier products, from less hazardous raw materials. This project commences the fundamental research for understanding the mechanisms involved in using this method with butadiene, and the mechanical properties of the resulting novel block copolymers. This science would later be applied by the industrial partner to significantly improve their barrier products.Read moreRead less
Study the Utility of Novel Drug Polymer Conjugates. The products likely to arise from the technology described in this proposal could have application in medical, veterinary and agricultural industries. It offers the potential to treat diseases that are at present poorly treated by enabling delivery direct to the diseased organ (e.g. eye - bacterial endophthalmitis). Completion of the project will also assist a fledgling biotech company transition to a development company with a multiple produ ....Study the Utility of Novel Drug Polymer Conjugates. The products likely to arise from the technology described in this proposal could have application in medical, veterinary and agricultural industries. It offers the potential to treat diseases that are at present poorly treated by enabling delivery direct to the diseased organ (e.g. eye - bacterial endophthalmitis). Completion of the project will also assist a fledgling biotech company transition to a development company with a multiple product portfolio, which will have a direct economic benefit to Australia both in terms of potential export earnings and as an employer highly skilled staff. The project will also provide research training and career opportunities for developing Australian based researchers.Read moreRead less
Multiscale study of raceway operations for low-cost and stable ironmaking. This project aims to optimise blast furnace operations and to assess the performance of Australian brown coals in ironmaking. Pulverised coal injection is a cost-effective technology in blast furnace ironmaking, particularly if low-grade coal is used. This project aims to develop control strategies for stable and low-cost operation and to assess and optimise the combustion of brown coal and its blends in this process. The ....Multiscale study of raceway operations for low-cost and stable ironmaking. This project aims to optimise blast furnace operations and to assess the performance of Australian brown coals in ironmaking. Pulverised coal injection is a cost-effective technology in blast furnace ironmaking, particularly if low-grade coal is used. This project aims to develop control strategies for stable and low-cost operation and to assess and optimise the combustion of brown coal and its blends in this process. The project aims will be achieved via multiscale modelling and simulation, supported by laboratory and plant experiments. The outcomes of the project are intended to open a new market for brown coal.Read moreRead less
Model studies of new ironmaking processes. This project aims to study the fundamentals governing the multiphase flow and thermochemical performance in representative new ironmaking processes, and formulate some useful strategies for the design, control and optimisation of next generation of ironmaking technology which is useful to Australia's future mineral and steel industries.
Sustainable copper metallurgy and recycling – saving energy and resources. This project aims to develop new, powerful and sophisticated, computer-based models that can reliably predict the results of chemical reactions in complex, high temperature metal production processes. This project expects to use these models, initially applied to copper smelting systems, to enable the improved recycling of other valuable metals. These models should be able to be applied to a wide range of technologies use ....Sustainable copper metallurgy and recycling – saving energy and resources. This project aims to develop new, powerful and sophisticated, computer-based models that can reliably predict the results of chemical reactions in complex, high temperature metal production processes. This project expects to use these models, initially applied to copper smelting systems, to enable the improved recycling of other valuable metals. These models should be able to be applied to a wide range of technologies used in the metallurgical industry as most of the world’s metals are produced by these pyrometallurgical processes. This should provide significant benefits such as substantial improvements in productivity and process efficiencies, whilst at the same time delivering energy savings and improved use of valuable metal resources.Read moreRead less
Development and application of a virtue experimental blast furnace. This project aims to develop a virtual experimental blast furnace based on advanced discrete particle simulation technique. It is intended that the model furnace will be used to study the flow and thermochemical behaviour in iron making, quantify the effects of key variables related to raw material and operational conditions, and formulate strategies for optimum process design and control under different conditions. The findings ....Development and application of a virtue experimental blast furnace. This project aims to develop a virtual experimental blast furnace based on advanced discrete particle simulation technique. It is intended that the model furnace will be used to study the flow and thermochemical behaviour in iron making, quantify the effects of key variables related to raw material and operational conditions, and formulate strategies for optimum process design and control under different conditions. The findings aim to be very useful to comprehensively assess the performance of Australian minerals in iron making, improve the energy efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emission in the steel industry, and enhance the competitiveness of the Australian economy.Read moreRead less