Enhanced pigment weathering resistance by coating with high dielectric ceramic. The partner company, Tiwest, based in Western Australia, is a major contributor to the economy, and earns more than $A400m annually in exports. It is the only company in the world that mines, separates, refines and manufactures titania products, including pigments, in one region. The current post-titania particle formation wet-coating process, however, presents a major capital and recurrent cost and necessitates a pi ....Enhanced pigment weathering resistance by coating with high dielectric ceramic. The partner company, Tiwest, based in Western Australia, is a major contributor to the economy, and earns more than $A400m annually in exports. It is the only company in the world that mines, separates, refines and manufactures titania products, including pigments, in one region. The current post-titania particle formation wet-coating process, however, presents a major capital and recurrent cost and necessitates a pigment regrind stage. The research will investigate the development of a highly durable dry-coated pigment utilising a novel high dielectric coating. This development has the potential to ensure the partner company's future competitiveness through reduced processing costs and improved product performance.Read moreRead less
New Nanoscale Up-converting Photoluminescent Materials for Passive Safety Visual Systems. The demand for safety and security products is growing as the importance of providing an environment safer from natural, accidental or man-made threats increases in the community. Life safety applications in buildings and work environments as well as trains and planes for example are dependent upon the ability for non-powered passive systems to give efficient visual guidance in dangerous dark and smoke fill ....New Nanoscale Up-converting Photoluminescent Materials for Passive Safety Visual Systems. The demand for safety and security products is growing as the importance of providing an environment safer from natural, accidental or man-made threats increases in the community. Life safety applications in buildings and work environments as well as trains and planes for example are dependent upon the ability for non-powered passive systems to give efficient visual guidance in dangerous dark and smoke filled environments. This project will provide a practical demonstration of the successful implementation of nanotechnology to smaller Australian companies where it will overcome significant drawbacks in current manufacturing and yield new products which are activated in darkness by infrared radiation.Read moreRead less
Deciphering interactions of conducting polymers in agricultural soils. The project aims to improve agricultural efficiency, productivity and yield by advancing the understanding of polymer materials interacting with fertiliser. This project will test the key assumptions behind a new sensor for real-time in-ground monitoring of fertiliser. The expected outcome from this is the rapid synthesis of conducting polymers for stable sensing of fertiliser in a range of soil types and conditions. This sho ....Deciphering interactions of conducting polymers in agricultural soils. The project aims to improve agricultural efficiency, productivity and yield by advancing the understanding of polymer materials interacting with fertiliser. This project will test the key assumptions behind a new sensor for real-time in-ground monitoring of fertiliser. The expected outcome from this is the rapid synthesis of conducting polymers for stable sensing of fertiliser in a range of soil types and conditions. This should provide the pathway to a world first real-time in-ground fertiliser sensor, providing benefit for the sensor manufacturers, farmers, consumers and the environment.Read moreRead less
Tailoring the microwave dielectric properties of promising electroceramics for use in wireless telecommunication components and devices. This project aims to develop and tailor the microwave dielectric properties of promising electroceramic materials specifically targeting next generation wireless telecommunications applications. The partnership between the ANU and the Australian company Microwave and Materials Designs has the potential to enable new microwave electroceramic materials to be disc ....Tailoring the microwave dielectric properties of promising electroceramics for use in wireless telecommunication components and devices. This project aims to develop and tailor the microwave dielectric properties of promising electroceramic materials specifically targeting next generation wireless telecommunications applications. The partnership between the ANU and the Australian company Microwave and Materials Designs has the potential to enable new microwave electroceramic materials to be discovered and then incorporated into new microwave components and/or devices developed in response to the requirements of the international wireless telecommunications market. The requested PhD student will gain experience in both the industrial and academic worlds and the skills needed to be part of Australia's high-tech workforce. Read moreRead less
Nano-scale Modification of Paint Surfaces for Contamination Resistance. The main aim of this work is to develop a process to produce a dirt resistant paint surface. Dirt resistance is an important characteristic of prepainted steel sheets often used in architectural situations where dirt build-up is unsightly. To develop the process it will be necessary to understand the mechanism of dirt adhesion to paints and the modes of operation of current dirt resistant processes. In addition work will be ....Nano-scale Modification of Paint Surfaces for Contamination Resistance. The main aim of this work is to develop a process to produce a dirt resistant paint surface. Dirt resistance is an important characteristic of prepainted steel sheets often used in architectural situations where dirt build-up is unsightly. To develop the process it will be necessary to understand the mechanism of dirt adhesion to paints and the modes of operation of current dirt resistant processes. In addition work will be required on the rate of surface segregation of additives to the paint solution. We propose to combine experimental and theoretical modelling approaches to obtain a fundamentally sound practical solution.Read moreRead less
Novel Nano Particles for Advanced Automotive and Industrial Coatings. In conjunction with our industrial partner (DuPont Australia), this project will develop a new generation of automotive and industrial coatings. The technology developed from this project can integrate into the existing system. The new coatings will be environmentally friendly and will make a significant contribution to solve the emission issue of volatile organic compound (VOC) faced by the industry. The novel nano particles ....Novel Nano Particles for Advanced Automotive and Industrial Coatings. In conjunction with our industrial partner (DuPont Australia), this project will develop a new generation of automotive and industrial coatings. The technology developed from this project can integrate into the existing system. The new coatings will be environmentally friendly and will make a significant contribution to solve the emission issue of volatile organic compound (VOC) faced by the industry. The novel nano particles developed from this project will provide unique properties for automotive paint and can be commercialized at an acceptable price. The science involved in this project represents the cutting edge of world leading technology and will bring polymer science into a new field.Read moreRead less
Exploration of new catalyst materials for hydrogen/air fed proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Fuel cell technology is the most critical technology for the hydrogen economy. Hydrogen/air fed fuel cells can provide pollution-free power sources for vehicles and distributed power generation. A breakthrough in fuel cell technology using hydrogen as fuel will supply us with clean and sustainable energy sources, dramatically improve our environment, and maintain national energy security. The success ....Exploration of new catalyst materials for hydrogen/air fed proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Fuel cell technology is the most critical technology for the hydrogen economy. Hydrogen/air fed fuel cells can provide pollution-free power sources for vehicles and distributed power generation. A breakthrough in fuel cell technology using hydrogen as fuel will supply us with clean and sustainable energy sources, dramatically improve our environment, and maintain national energy security. The success of fuel cell technology will also significantly reduce our dependence on oil. This research project is expected to establish local expertise, and scientific and industrial know-how on fuel-cell technology.Read moreRead less
Lithium/Sulfur rechargeable battery for power applications. The Lithium/Sulphur battery system is very promising for large-scale power applications as it has the highest energy density and lowest cost among various types of rechargeable batteries. However, the degradation of the capacity and short cycle life of Li/S battery have been problematic for commercial development. The aim of this project is to study the mechanisms of capacity fading and to develop effective means such as use of carbon n ....Lithium/Sulfur rechargeable battery for power applications. The Lithium/Sulphur battery system is very promising for large-scale power applications as it has the highest energy density and lowest cost among various types of rechargeable batteries. However, the degradation of the capacity and short cycle life of Li/S battery have been problematic for commercial development. The aim of this project is to study the mechanisms of capacity fading and to develop effective means such as use of carbon nanotubes and nanosize composite absorbents to improve the cycle life of Li/S batteries. The expected outcomes are the development of sulphur-containing cathode materials and polymer electrolytes, enabling electric vehicles to be a technically competitive and environmentally superior transportation option.Read moreRead less
Investigation of Nano-materials for use in Lithium Rechargable Batteries. Lithium ion batteries are emerging as a new generation of rechargeable batteries for power sources of portable electronics. The aim of this project is to explore potential applications of novel nano-materials such as intermetallic alloys, transition-metal oxides, and carbon nanotubes as anode materials in lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. Significance and expected outcomes will be the development of alternative anode ma ....Investigation of Nano-materials for use in Lithium Rechargable Batteries. Lithium ion batteries are emerging as a new generation of rechargeable batteries for power sources of portable electronics. The aim of this project is to explore potential applications of novel nano-materials such as intermetallic alloys, transition-metal oxides, and carbon nanotubes as anode materials in lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. Significance and expected outcomes will be the development of alternative anode materials with improved performance in energy capacity and cycle life over existing anode materials. This could open opportunities for Australian mineral companies to take advantage of the developments to produce value-added new products.Read moreRead less
Bulk Mg based hydrogen storage alloys with faster activation. Bulk Mg based hydrogen storage alloys with faster activation. This project aims to improve the performance and efficiency of manufacture of magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloys, making them more cost competitive and widely useable. A hydrogen economy will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in urban areas. The expected outcomes are an understanding of the mechanisms governing the activation process, a necessary ....Bulk Mg based hydrogen storage alloys with faster activation. Bulk Mg based hydrogen storage alloys with faster activation. This project aims to improve the performance and efficiency of manufacture of magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloys, making them more cost competitive and widely useable. A hydrogen economy will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in urban areas. The expected outcomes are an understanding of the mechanisms governing the activation process, a necessary step in manufacture, and techniques to exploit these mechanisms to minimise the activation time. This is expected to develop competitive, bulk magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloys for effective and safe hydrogen storage systems.Read moreRead less