Cleaning of tough paints on advanced composites using laser technologies. This project researches fundamental knowledge and algorithms to underpin the deployment of a novel ablation technology using pulsed lasers to remove paints, in particular tough paints, from surfaces of advanced composite structures, e.g. airframes and turbine blades. It establishes thermal mechanical models to describe ablation mechanisms of pulsed laser removal of the paint using both IR and UV bands. Optimal processing p ....Cleaning of tough paints on advanced composites using laser technologies. This project researches fundamental knowledge and algorithms to underpin the deployment of a novel ablation technology using pulsed lasers to remove paints, in particular tough paints, from surfaces of advanced composite structures, e.g. airframes and turbine blades. It establishes thermal mechanical models to describe ablation mechanisms of pulsed laser removal of the paint using both IR and UV bands. Optimal processing protocols to clean paints with different properties, without damaging the underlying composites, will be determined and demonstrated. It meets a cleaning technology need for this paint-on-composites material system to support retrofitting and re-manufacturing in industry. These are crucial industry requirements. Read moreRead less
Probing microbial emulsions to break barriers to green oil production. This project aims to understand ultrasonic processing of concentrated slurries of oil-bearing yeast and algae. Humans must reduce their dependency on petroleum. While microorganisms can produce oils as replacement fuels and base chemicals, the processes for extracting these oils are inefficient. Ultrasound could improve oil recovery by replacing toxic solvents. Understanding the effects of ultrasound on microbial emulsions is ....Probing microbial emulsions to break barriers to green oil production. This project aims to understand ultrasonic processing of concentrated slurries of oil-bearing yeast and algae. Humans must reduce their dependency on petroleum. While microorganisms can produce oils as replacement fuels and base chemicals, the processes for extracting these oils are inefficient. Ultrasound could improve oil recovery by replacing toxic solvents. Understanding the effects of ultrasound on microbial emulsions is expected to develop solvent-free oil recovery processes that improve the economic and environmental benefits of microbial oil production. Such processes would greatly increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of producing microbial oils that can be used as green alternatives to petroleum fuels and chemicals.Read moreRead less
High yield adaptive laser nanomanufacturing system for photonic devices. This project aims at developing an entirely new nanofabrication platform combining adaptive beamshaping with highly accurate large area nanopositioner to simultaneously address the throughput and accuracy challenges in nanomanufacturing. The proposed prototype system and fabricated photonic chips have performance far surpassing the state-of-the-art. Through trial in the industrial best laser nanofabrication system, commerci ....High yield adaptive laser nanomanufacturing system for photonic devices. This project aims at developing an entirely new nanofabrication platform combining adaptive beamshaping with highly accurate large area nanopositioner to simultaneously address the throughput and accuracy challenges in nanomanufacturing. The proposed prototype system and fabricated photonic chips have performance far surpassing the state-of-the-art. Through trial in the industrial best laser nanofabrication system, commercial benefits can be fast tracked for Australian industry in the rapidly expanding nanomanufacturing field. The outcomes lead to a platform technology enabling broad impact and benefits to other high-tech applications requiring high precision and throughput, enhancing Australia’s leading position in advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Ultrasound-assisted fabrication of biofunctional materials. The project aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the mechanism involved in the synthetic process in order to control the physical and functional properties of core-shell biomaterials. Biofunctional core-shell materials are of scientific interest due to their potential use in a variety of applications including food manufacturing. Among existing methodologies for the synthesis of core-shell biomaterials, ultrasonic technology o ....Ultrasound-assisted fabrication of biofunctional materials. The project aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the mechanism involved in the synthetic process in order to control the physical and functional properties of core-shell biomaterials. Biofunctional core-shell materials are of scientific interest due to their potential use in a variety of applications including food manufacturing. Among existing methodologies for the synthesis of core-shell biomaterials, ultrasonic technology offers versatility and a wider choice of core and shell materials possessing specific biofunctionality. The outcomes of this project may include the establishment of a versatile technology for the fabrication of tailor-made biofunctional materials suitable for specific applications.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100667
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,000.00
Summary
Removing a Key Barrier for Autotrophic Nitrogen Removal from Wastewater. This project aims to develop new technology to enable stable autotrophic nitrogen removal from domestic wastewater. The technology selectively suppresses the growth of nitrite-oxidising bacteria using a by-product of wastewater treatment – free nitrous acid. Maximising energy recovery from wastewater and providing greenhouse gas neutral water services have been the targets of water utilities in Australia and worldwide. The ....Removing a Key Barrier for Autotrophic Nitrogen Removal from Wastewater. This project aims to develop new technology to enable stable autotrophic nitrogen removal from domestic wastewater. The technology selectively suppresses the growth of nitrite-oxidising bacteria using a by-product of wastewater treatment – free nitrous acid. Maximising energy recovery from wastewater and providing greenhouse gas neutral water services have been the targets of water utilities in Australia and worldwide. The project will potentially change wastewater management and bring economic, environmental and social benefits to water utilities.Read moreRead less
Development of far Infrared multispectral thermal image sensors . This project aims to develop a technology that will bypass limitations of existing thermal-image sensor pixels to produce multi-spectral imaging of objects with specificity, clarity and sharpness in a wide range of far infrared wavelength regions. This technology has applications in remote sensing, pest control, and precision agriculture. The project is based on an existing collaboration between The University of Melbourne and t ....Development of far Infrared multispectral thermal image sensors . This project aims to develop a technology that will bypass limitations of existing thermal-image sensor pixels to produce multi-spectral imaging of objects with specificity, clarity and sharpness in a wide range of far infrared wavelength regions. This technology has applications in remote sensing, pest control, and precision agriculture. The project is based on an existing collaboration between The University of Melbourne and the start-up company Digital Falcon. Digital Falcon provides extensive industry service in developing custom image analysis algorithms and post processing to visualisation tools. The University of Melbourne provides research expertise in image sensor pixel technology and sensor electronics.Read moreRead less
Sustainable wastewater management. This project aims to extract high-value liquid products (medium-chain fatty acids) from wastewater with minimised greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, in addition to clean water. Traditional wastewater treatment removes organic carbon and nutrients by using vast amounts of energy and releasing greenhouse gas. However, wastewater is a substantial but largely untapped renewable resource. The intended outcome is to transform wastewater from a troubleso ....Sustainable wastewater management. This project aims to extract high-value liquid products (medium-chain fatty acids) from wastewater with minimised greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, in addition to clean water. Traditional wastewater treatment removes organic carbon and nutrients by using vast amounts of energy and releasing greenhouse gas. However, wastewater is a substantial but largely untapped renewable resource. The intended outcome is to transform wastewater from a troublesome pollutant to a valuable resource and reduce carbon footprints.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100451
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Novel biotreatment for micropollutant removal from contaminated water. Micropollutants in contaminated water create major environmental challenges to water resource management in Australia. This project will use a novel biological process to remove micropollutants from water resources sustainably and ensure clean drinking water for Australians.
Micro-managed biofilm - next generation environmental biotechnologies. Eutrophication in waterways due to the presence of nitrogen creates major environmental challenges in inland Australia. This project will develop novel biological nitrogen removal technology, through management of microbial composition to achieve sustainable high-level nitrogen removal from wastewaters and benefical reuse of the water.
Microbial Control in Wastewater Systems Using a Renewable Material. The project aims to address 3 long-standing problems and an emerging problem for wastewater systems by developing a suite of innovative technologies for microbial control. These will use a renewable material from wastewater. The project expects to advance understanding of microbiology to improve processes for removing phosphorus, managing sludge bulking, cleaning membranes, and reducing the spread of antibiotic resistance. Expec ....Microbial Control in Wastewater Systems Using a Renewable Material. The project aims to address 3 long-standing problems and an emerging problem for wastewater systems by developing a suite of innovative technologies for microbial control. These will use a renewable material from wastewater. The project expects to advance understanding of microbiology to improve processes for removing phosphorus, managing sludge bulking, cleaning membranes, and reducing the spread of antibiotic resistance. Expected outcomes include substantial cost reduction, a secure resource future, and elimination of the need to use chemicals that present safety risks to workers and the environment. The project should benefit public health, the environment and the water industry, as well as create commercial opportunities in Australia.Read moreRead less