Transforming pastefill delivery system for next-generation mining industry. This project aims to develop a new type of mining pipeline design platform that can vastly improve pastefill (slurry) delivery systems. Using an Artificial Intelligence-based design platform, understanding complex and numerous variables in the fluid dynamics of abrasive pastefill flow will inform a new pipeline design. Consisting of a vertical casing, with our new composite pipeline chokes to replace costly friction loop ....Transforming pastefill delivery system for next-generation mining industry. This project aims to develop a new type of mining pipeline design platform that can vastly improve pastefill (slurry) delivery systems. Using an Artificial Intelligence-based design platform, understanding complex and numerous variables in the fluid dynamics of abrasive pastefill flow will inform a new pipeline design. Consisting of a vertical casing, with our new composite pipeline chokes to replace costly friction loops, improvements in flow efficiency and pipeline deterioration can significantly reduce maintenance costs. This novel and adaptable next-generation pipeline design and analysis platform can be employed by the manufacturing and mining sectors for pipeline failure analysis, managing production and developing new products.Read moreRead less
Low-density high-performance proppants for hydraulic fracturing process . Australia has vast resources of unconventional oil/gas, which require hydraulic fracturing to stimulate production. This project aims to develop advanced low-density high-performance proppants from industry waste for hydraulic fracturing. This will be achieved by selecting purer SiO2 raw material, carefully designing the porous structure, and fully understanding its relationship with strength and pack conductivity. Low-den ....Low-density high-performance proppants for hydraulic fracturing process . Australia has vast resources of unconventional oil/gas, which require hydraulic fracturing to stimulate production. This project aims to develop advanced low-density high-performance proppants from industry waste for hydraulic fracturing. This will be achieved by selecting purer SiO2 raw material, carefully designing the porous structure, and fully understanding its relationship with strength and pack conductivity. Low-density means no chemicals in proppant transportation and application. Successful development of such high-performance proppants will significantly increase Australia oil/gas exploration and production with an environmental acceptable technology, a leap forward for the oil/gas industry in Australia and the world.Read moreRead less
High performance metal oxide inks for printable memory arrays . This project aims to develop next generation printable memory devices with low cost and excellent stability. The goal will be achieved by developing a new class of metal oxide nanomaterials based inks and large scale printing technology, through optimizing the synthesis, printing process and electrode configuration. The expected outcomes will be new electronic materials for a wide range of end uses in flexible electronics, significa ....High performance metal oxide inks for printable memory arrays . This project aims to develop next generation printable memory devices with low cost and excellent stability. The goal will be achieved by developing a new class of metal oxide nanomaterials based inks and large scale printing technology, through optimizing the synthesis, printing process and electrode configuration. The expected outcomes will be new electronic materials for a wide range of end uses in flexible electronics, significant advances in energy efficient data storage devices, and commercialisation of the technology to Australian industries.Read moreRead less
Elastic and biodegradable sponges/aerogels from exfoliated silk nanofibres . The aim of this project is to investigate methods to produce highly porous elastic sponges from silk protein nanofibres. These sponges will have optimal mechanical, insulation and degradation properties making them suitable for a wide range of applications including the biomedical and personal care sectors, where current products have significant drawbacks due to the use of non-biodegradable synthetic materials. Outco ....Elastic and biodegradable sponges/aerogels from exfoliated silk nanofibres . The aim of this project is to investigate methods to produce highly porous elastic sponges from silk protein nanofibres. These sponges will have optimal mechanical, insulation and degradation properties making them suitable for a wide range of applications including the biomedical and personal care sectors, where current products have significant drawbacks due to the use of non-biodegradable synthetic materials. Outcomes include new knowledge on controlling porous structures and tailoring properties to targeted applications. This project, by laying the groundwork for a new generation of bio-based materials, will benefit the Australian advanced manufacturing sector, and enhance Australia's standing in materials science and engineering.Read moreRead less
Low-temperature ceramic electrolysis cells for renewable energy technology. This project aims to develop advanced protonic ceramic electrolysis cells for greatly improving the efficiency of hydrogen production and carbon dioxide conversion using renewable energy. This will be achieved by nanoscale integration of proton-conducting two-dimensional materials with solid acids and ceramic proton conductors to lower the manufacturing costs and operating temperature of protonic ceramic electrolysis cel ....Low-temperature ceramic electrolysis cells for renewable energy technology. This project aims to develop advanced protonic ceramic electrolysis cells for greatly improving the efficiency of hydrogen production and carbon dioxide conversion using renewable energy. This will be achieved by nanoscale integration of proton-conducting two-dimensional materials with solid acids and ceramic proton conductors to lower the manufacturing costs and operating temperature of protonic ceramic electrolysis cells. Expected outcomes of the project include new intellectual property on materials formulation and process parameters for commercial development of this new type of ceramic electrolysis cell, thereby contributing to the growth of Australian manufacturing and renewable energy industries and reduction of carbon emissions.Read moreRead less
Development of next generation smart sucker rod wear guides . In a natural gas wells, sucker rod guides protect the production tubing from wear by the rod string. Premature and erratic failures are costing the industry tens of millions every year. In collaboration with two local SMEs, this project aims to develop the next generation of smart and durable wear guides. The project seeks to understand the complex three body wear mechanisms that drive guide and tubing wear, then use this knowledge to ....Development of next generation smart sucker rod wear guides . In a natural gas wells, sucker rod guides protect the production tubing from wear by the rod string. Premature and erratic failures are costing the industry tens of millions every year. In collaboration with two local SMEs, this project aims to develop the next generation of smart and durable wear guides. The project seeks to understand the complex three body wear mechanisms that drive guide and tubing wear, then use this knowledge to develop new wear resistant compounds and develop a smart guide that provides feedback on its wear state. This will enable the industry partners to supply cutting edge technology to the global oil and gas industry that not only reduces well operation cost but also enhances well resilience.Read moreRead less
Mid-Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IM230100079
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,019,275.00
Summary
Bio-inspired Sustainable Materials for Self-powered Environmental Sensing . This project aims to address the industry need for self-powered, light-weight and durable Internet of Things (IoT) devices for environmental sensing applications. The goal will be achieved by designing high power moisture-driven electric generators with a bi-layer interfacial architecture, developing non-flammable energy storage devices with cost-effective electrodes, and printing low power environmental sensors with he ....Bio-inspired Sustainable Materials for Self-powered Environmental Sensing . This project aims to address the industry need for self-powered, light-weight and durable Internet of Things (IoT) devices for environmental sensing applications. The goal will be achieved by designing high power moisture-driven electric generators with a bi-layer interfacial architecture, developing non-flammable energy storage devices with cost-effective electrodes, and printing low power environmental sensors with hetero-structured materials. The key outcome will be a new class of IoT devices with high power density, sustainable output, and real time environmental monitoring capabilities, that will directly benefit Australian industry by providing cost-effective, yet efficient ways to monitor and support safe working environments.Read moreRead less
High performance polymer fibres for recyclable composites . The project aims to develop novel drawn polymer fibres with aligned carbon nanotubes incorporated inside and also grafted nanotubes on their surface. Such polymer fibres can be used to reinforce thermoplastics to make high performance composites with effective recyclability. This is important as the existing thermosetting composites are not recyclable and significant property enhancement require high loading (>30%) of reinforcing fibres ....High performance polymer fibres for recyclable composites . The project aims to develop novel drawn polymer fibres with aligned carbon nanotubes incorporated inside and also grafted nanotubes on their surface. Such polymer fibres can be used to reinforce thermoplastics to make high performance composites with effective recyclability. This is important as the existing thermosetting composites are not recyclable and significant property enhancement require high loading (>30%) of reinforcing fibres. The outcomes of this project will be novel technology for making high stiffness polymer fibres and their use in thermoplastic composites. The benefits will be to allow easy processing and recycling. They will be used in down-sizing of high volume products and high value automotive or aerospace products.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH210100023
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Functional and Sustainable Fibres. This Research Hub aims to expand Australia’s position in fibres, textiles and composites by developing next generation functional fibre materials and creating synergy between functionality and sustainability, two key attributes that have hitherto been mutually exclusive. The Hub will transform regional and national economies from traditional manufacturing to a vibrant future fibre oriented advanced manufacturing sector with functionality an ....ARC Research Hub for Functional and Sustainable Fibres. This Research Hub aims to expand Australia’s position in fibres, textiles and composites by developing next generation functional fibre materials and creating synergy between functionality and sustainability, two key attributes that have hitherto been mutually exclusive. The Hub will transform regional and national economies from traditional manufacturing to a vibrant future fibre oriented advanced manufacturing sector with functionality and sustainability as central tenets. Expected outcomes include industry adoption of novel fibre-based materials, processing and recycling technologies; creating jobs, significant environmental benefits, and positioning Australia at the front of a global shift towards functional and sustainable materials.Read moreRead less
Highly Efficient Solar Window Technology Enabled by Quantum Dots. The transition to zero-greenhouse gas emitting buildings is hindered by the lack of efficient energy generating building components with good aesthetics. This project will develop integrated solar windows that can effectively convert the facades of urban buildings into energy generation sites, enabled by our nanomaterials having outstanding light emission efficiencies of over 90%, accompanied by our advanced light guiding strategi ....Highly Efficient Solar Window Technology Enabled by Quantum Dots. The transition to zero-greenhouse gas emitting buildings is hindered by the lack of efficient energy generating building components with good aesthetics. This project will develop integrated solar windows that can effectively convert the facades of urban buildings into energy generation sites, enabled by our nanomaterials having outstanding light emission efficiencies of over 90%, accompanied by our advanced light guiding strategies and innovative PV cell integration. This next generation technology can reduce the electricity cost and increase renewable energy adoption, placing Australia in a competitive position in the billion-dollar building integrated photovoltaic market whilst also contributing to decarbonising electricity generation.Read moreRead less