New Paradigm for Materials Technology for AZS Glassmaking Refractories. The project aims to enable the inexpensive manufacture of widely used refractories with reduced energy and materials costs and improved thermal and mechanical properties. The project plans to exploit technology patented by the researchers to fabricate percolated mullite materials from fly ash by sintering, yielding properties equivalent or superior to those of fuse-cast alumina-zirconia-silica refractories (AZS). AZS is expe ....New Paradigm for Materials Technology for AZS Glassmaking Refractories. The project aims to enable the inexpensive manufacture of widely used refractories with reduced energy and materials costs and improved thermal and mechanical properties. The project plans to exploit technology patented by the researchers to fabricate percolated mullite materials from fly ash by sintering, yielding properties equivalent or superior to those of fuse-cast alumina-zirconia-silica refractories (AZS). AZS is expensive since it requires melting by fuse-casting and high-purity raw materials. The project aims to eliminate both requirements by sintering and use of waste fly ash, giving microstructures of dense, direct-bonded, percolated, mullite, single crystals, with residual impurities in the interstices that do not affect creep.Read moreRead less
Enhanced sensitivity of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Enhanced sensitivity of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. This project aims to enhance the sensitivity of nano-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (nanoESI-MS) by an order of magnitude by simultaneously overcoming the two interdependent limitations in ion generation and transmission efficiency. This project will design glass capillaries and tubes with complex structures to enable both multiplexing ion generation fr ....Enhanced sensitivity of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Enhanced sensitivity of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. This project aims to enhance the sensitivity of nano-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (nanoESI-MS) by an order of magnitude by simultaneously overcoming the two interdependent limitations in ion generation and transmission efficiency. This project will design glass capillaries and tubes with complex structures to enable both multiplexing ion generation from a single capillary and geometrically matching the bore of the tube collecting the emitted ion plume. NanoESI-MS has become an indispensable analytical tool for proteomics and synthetic chemistry. The significant enhancement of nanoESI-MS sensitivity in this project is expected to accelerate progress in disease research, biomarker discovery and drug development.Read moreRead less
Development of hierarchical carbon nanotube-glass fibre composites. Development of hierarchical carbon nanotube-glass fibre composites. This project aims to develop a new generation of hierarchical carbon nanotube-glass fibre reinforced composites, using a novel synthesis method that grafts carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto glass fibre and glass fabric. These hierarchical nano- and micro-fibre composites will have improved in-plane mechanical properties, enhanced fracture toughness and higher electri ....Development of hierarchical carbon nanotube-glass fibre composites. Development of hierarchical carbon nanotube-glass fibre composites. This project aims to develop a new generation of hierarchical carbon nanotube-glass fibre reinforced composites, using a novel synthesis method that grafts carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto glass fibre and glass fabric. These hierarchical nano- and micro-fibre composites will have improved in-plane mechanical properties, enhanced fracture toughness and higher electric conductivity. This project will use a comprehensive experimental and theoretical study to develop design tools for producing this new generation of composites. The anticipated outcome is lighter and stronger glass fibre composite structures, such as wind turbines in the renewable wind energy industry and boats in the marine industry.Read moreRead less
Low cost solution-processable 2D nanomaterials for smart windows. This project aims to develop low cost and scalable synthesis of the active functional nanomaterials in smart windows, their facile application techniques, and their integration into the glass manufacturing process. Smart windows, with thermochromic and electrochromic functionalities, will play important roles towards efficient energy usage and conservation (in terms of air-conditioning and lighting) in most buildings including off ....Low cost solution-processable 2D nanomaterials for smart windows. This project aims to develop low cost and scalable synthesis of the active functional nanomaterials in smart windows, their facile application techniques, and their integration into the glass manufacturing process. Smart windows, with thermochromic and electrochromic functionalities, will play important roles towards efficient energy usage and conservation (in terms of air-conditioning and lighting) in most buildings including offices, schools, and residential homes. . The intended outcome of this project is to facilitate the commercialisation of low-cost, energy-saving smart windows for efficient energy usage and conservation, which is an integral part of a sustainable environment.Read moreRead less
Smart design technology enabling the mid-infrared revolution. While mid-infrared (MIR) lasers have become indispensable to key industries ranging from research and healthcare to defence, industrial deployment of this technology has been hampered by the lack of cost-effective MIR optical fibres. This project aims to overcome this barrier through the creation of an innovative design toolkit for the fabrication of complex optical fibre structures. This efficient and commercially viable concept-to-m ....Smart design technology enabling the mid-infrared revolution. While mid-infrared (MIR) lasers have become indispensable to key industries ranging from research and healthcare to defence, industrial deployment of this technology has been hampered by the lack of cost-effective MIR optical fibres. This project aims to overcome this barrier through the creation of an innovative design toolkit for the fabrication of complex optical fibre structures. This efficient and commercially viable concept-to-manufacture development process will pave the way towards the MIR fibre technology revolution and will yield significant economic benefits spanning industrial process controls and environmental monitoring to hazardous chemical detection and biological sensing.Read moreRead less
Cost effective carbon fibres from polyethylene for lightweight applications. This project aims to deliver cost-effective, high-performance carbon fibres from polyethylene through the use of novel catalysts and advanced processing techniques. Carbon fibre-reinforced composites are extremely strong and light fibre-reinforced polymers that are commonly used wherever high strength-to-weight ratio and rigidity are required, such as in aerospace, automotive and civil engineering applications. However, ....Cost effective carbon fibres from polyethylene for lightweight applications. This project aims to deliver cost-effective, high-performance carbon fibres from polyethylene through the use of novel catalysts and advanced processing techniques. Carbon fibre-reinforced composites are extremely strong and light fibre-reinforced polymers that are commonly used wherever high strength-to-weight ratio and rigidity are required, such as in aerospace, automotive and civil engineering applications. However, broader market uptake is currently limited by carbon fibre costs. The project aims to deliver high-quality fibre with real potential to capture a share of the $14-billion carbon fibre composite market.Read moreRead less