High-order conservative multiscale computation of elliptic problems in composite materials and porous media. The proposed technology will improve the design and performance of a wide range of mechanisms and industrial processes involving heterogeneous media, from composite materials to water filtration and recycling. Our researchers in computational mechanics will gain further opportunities to extend the advances this project will make.
Regenerable CO2 adsorbing materials for zero emission power generation systems. The new CAM material developed in this project will remove one of the major technical obstacles to the adoption of the zero emission power generation systems, leading to solutions to CO2 management without economic penalty.This project also contributes to building capacity in emerging advanced energy technologies, by keeping informed about major technology developments in areas of Australia's strategic interest.
Effective and accurate model dynamics, deterministic and stochastic, across multiple space and time scales. A persistent feature of complex systems in engineering and science is the emergence of macroscopic, coarse grained, coherent behaviour from the interactions of microscopic agents (molecules, cells, grains) and with their environment. In current modeling, ranging from ecology to materials science, the underlying microscopic mechanisms are often known, but the closures to translate microscal ....Effective and accurate model dynamics, deterministic and stochastic, across multiple space and time scales. A persistent feature of complex systems in engineering and science is the emergence of macroscopic, coarse grained, coherent behaviour from the interactions of microscopic agents (molecules, cells, grains) and with their environment. In current modeling, ranging from ecology to materials science, the underlying microscopic mechanisms are often known, but the closures to translate microscale knowledge to a system level macroscopic description are rarely available in closed form. Our novel methodology will explore this stumbling block, and promises to radically change the modeling, exploration and understanding of multiscale complex system behaviour.Read moreRead less
Novel Graphitic Mesoporous Carbon Materials for Next Generation Carbon Catalyst Supports and Carbon Electrodes. This project will bring about direct application benefits in terms of disclosing novel graphitic mesoporous carbons with high accessible surface area and graphitic framework as catalyst supports and electrode materials. This would lead to advanced processes important to the Australian energy and environmental industries, such as electrical double layer capacitors, greenhouse reduction ....Novel Graphitic Mesoporous Carbon Materials for Next Generation Carbon Catalyst Supports and Carbon Electrodes. This project will bring about direct application benefits in terms of disclosing novel graphitic mesoporous carbons with high accessible surface area and graphitic framework as catalyst supports and electrode materials. This would lead to advanced processes important to the Australian energy and environmental industries, such as electrical double layer capacitors, greenhouse reduction by hydrogen fuel, and hydrodesulfurization of diesel fuels. The techniques and synthesis strategies developed in this project are also applicable to creating other graphitic mesoporsous carbons important to advanced sensors, fuel cells and optoelectronic applications. Read moreRead less
Modelling of multiscale systems in engineering and science supports large-scale equation-free simulations and analysis. A persistent feature of complex systems in engineering and science is the emergence of macroscopic, coarse grained, coherent behaviour from the interactions of microscopic agents (molecules, cells) and with their environment. In current modeling, ranging from ecology to materials science, the underlying microscopic mechanisms are known, but the closures to translate microscale ....Modelling of multiscale systems in engineering and science supports large-scale equation-free simulations and analysis. A persistent feature of complex systems in engineering and science is the emergence of macroscopic, coarse grained, coherent behaviour from the interactions of microscopic agents (molecules, cells) and with their environment. In current modeling, ranging from ecology to materials science, the underlying microscopic mechanisms are known, but the closures to translate microscale knowledge to a system level macroscopic description are rarely available in closed form. Our novel, equation free, computational methodologies will circumvent this stumbling block, and promises to radically change the modeling, exploration and understanding of complex system behavior. We continue to develop this powerful computational methodology. Read moreRead less
Novel cathode materials for low-temperature solid-oxide fuel cells. This project will produce novel mixed ionic and electronic conducting cathodes to reduce the operating temperature of solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFC). The technology developed is of ultimate benefit to the Australian electricity consumer. It can accelerate the development of low-cost SOFCs that can serve in distributed power generation. The benefits include increased reliability of the power supply and substantive cost savings thr ....Novel cathode materials for low-temperature solid-oxide fuel cells. This project will produce novel mixed ionic and electronic conducting cathodes to reduce the operating temperature of solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFC). The technology developed is of ultimate benefit to the Australian electricity consumer. It can accelerate the development of low-cost SOFCs that can serve in distributed power generation. The benefits include increased reliability of the power supply and substantive cost savings through increased efficiency of the conversion of gas to electricity. Depending on the level of market penetration, the broad deployment of SOFCs can save well over $100 million/year for the Australian consumer. The environmentally friendly technologies will also be beneficial for reducing pollution and greenhouse gases in Australia.Read moreRead less
Characterization of mechanical behaviour of TiO2 nanotube thin films. Vertically aligned titanium oxide (TiO2) nanotube arrays have demonstrated remarkable properties for application in dyesensitised solar cell, photocatalysis, self-cleaning coating, purification of pollutants and orthopaedic implants. More excitingly, their architecture and dimensions can be precisely controlled using anodisation of titanium (Ti), creating considerable scientific interest and practical importance. This project ....Characterization of mechanical behaviour of TiO2 nanotube thin films. Vertically aligned titanium oxide (TiO2) nanotube arrays have demonstrated remarkable properties for application in dyesensitised solar cell, photocatalysis, self-cleaning coating, purification of pollutants and orthopaedic implants. More excitingly, their architecture and dimensions can be precisely controlled using anodisation of titanium (Ti), creating considerable scientific interest and practical importance. This project aims to develop novel techniques for determining the mechanical behaviour of TiO2 nanotube arrays and its dependence on crystal structure and geometrical parameters. The outcomes are expected to provide solutions to development of robust TiO2 and other nanotube arrays for broad applications in sustainable energy and tissue engineering.Read moreRead less
Achieving fuel flexibility in modern combustors. This project will develop and apply the leading combustion models to premixed and diffusion flames for a range of fuels with varying properties to provide the fundamental insights and research and development tools that are required for a transition to energy from a diverse range of renewable and synthetic fuels.
Multi-component Gas Transport in Deep Coal. The understanding of multi-component gas flow in coal underlies the use, management and optimization of deep coal as an economic resource for methane recovery, CO2 sequestration, pipeline gas storage and underground gasification. This project will develop a predictive reservoir flow model for deep coal behavior under asymmetric, dynamically evolving internal and external stresses, during multi-component gas release or injection. A confluence of new too ....Multi-component Gas Transport in Deep Coal. The understanding of multi-component gas flow in coal underlies the use, management and optimization of deep coal as an economic resource for methane recovery, CO2 sequestration, pipeline gas storage and underground gasification. This project will develop a predictive reservoir flow model for deep coal behavior under asymmetric, dynamically evolving internal and external stresses, during multi-component gas release or injection. A confluence of new tools including a large sample, high pressure, triaxial stress permeameter, and micron resolved 3D reconstruction of the coal cleat and pore structure, will provide physical parameters to the fundamentally based, competitive transport and adsorption/desorption model.Read moreRead less
Anisotropic behaviour of coal for coalbed methane recovery and CO2 geosequestration. Amongst the cheapest and safest options for clean energy are to use natural gas from coal seams for electricity and fuel production and then permanently store carbon dioxide within the depleted seams. This requires information about the underground behaviour of coal at a level of detail which is not available. In particular, the directional and dynamic response of coal to changes in pressure, stress and gas in ....Anisotropic behaviour of coal for coalbed methane recovery and CO2 geosequestration. Amongst the cheapest and safest options for clean energy are to use natural gas from coal seams for electricity and fuel production and then permanently store carbon dioxide within the depleted seams. This requires information about the underground behaviour of coal at a level of detail which is not available. In particular, the directional and dynamic response of coal to changes in pressure, stress and gas interactions is required, which is the subject of this project. Coal bed methane is rapidly growing into a multi-billion dollar industry for Australia. The geosequestration of carbon dioxide in deep coal is widely recognised presenting a secure and economical opportunity for greenhouse gas control. Read moreRead less