Advanced framework materials for hydrogen storage applications. This project aims to develop new molecular materials capable of the highly efficient storage of hydrogen gas. Through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that targets the synthesis and detailed characterisation of two classes of molecular material this project expects to generate step-change advances in the understanding of how hydrogen gas uptake relates to the chemical and physical attributes of porous molecular systems. Sign ....Advanced framework materials for hydrogen storage applications. This project aims to develop new molecular materials capable of the highly efficient storage of hydrogen gas. Through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that targets the synthesis and detailed characterisation of two classes of molecular material this project expects to generate step-change advances in the understanding of how hydrogen gas uptake relates to the chemical and physical attributes of porous molecular systems. Significant anticipated outcomes and benefits include the development of new material design approaches that optimise performance across a diverse parameter space, and the generation of advanced new materials worthy of commercial development, spanning small scale mobile to large scale stationary storage applications.Read moreRead less
Enhancing the performance of high voltage direct current power cables by studying space charge accumulation in their synthetic polymeric insulation. Synthetic polymeric insulation has proved very successful in high voltage alternating current power transmission cables, and cable manufacturers have therefore sought to use it in high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables, for which there is a rapidly growing demand. Yet the accumulation of space charge in such cables presently severely limits the m ....Enhancing the performance of high voltage direct current power cables by studying space charge accumulation in their synthetic polymeric insulation. Synthetic polymeric insulation has proved very successful in high voltage alternating current power transmission cables, and cable manufacturers have therefore sought to use it in high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables, for which there is a rapidly growing demand. Yet the accumulation of space charge in such cables presently severely limits the maximum operating voltage and transmitted power. Nearly all this space charge is due to the temperature gradient in the insulation. We will analyze space charge profiles in polyethylene and other synthetic polymers, and derive basic scientific data which will inform the design of HVDC cables with greatly enhanced performance.Read moreRead less
Development of Reactive Ionic Liquids for Future Industrial Applications in Australia. This project creates the opportunity for a consortium of leading scientists to develop reactive ionic liquids concepts to support Australian Chemistry. The aim is to radically improve materials and processes within the manufacturing, mining and building industries by paradigm shift in chemical methodology. This will be achieved through cooperation between the major Australian chemical company, Orica, and CSIRO ....Development of Reactive Ionic Liquids for Future Industrial Applications in Australia. This project creates the opportunity for a consortium of leading scientists to develop reactive ionic liquids concepts to support Australian Chemistry. The aim is to radically improve materials and processes within the manufacturing, mining and building industries by paradigm shift in chemical methodology. This will be achieved through cooperation between the major Australian chemical company, Orica, and CSIRO - CMIT, and two leading Australian Universities, Melbourne and Monash. The majority of the manufacturing and mining industries, which will benefit from this activity and as a result become more internationally competitive, are based in regional Victoria, NSW, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia. Read moreRead less
Self-zoning in natural uraninite: radiation driven chemical separation. In this project we aim to explore and define the effects of the substitution of lead and rare earths on the crystal chemistry of uranium dioxide (uraninite) and related minerals, towards establishing the oxygen stoichiometry (as a measure of oxygen fugacity) of these materials both in nature and in synthetic materials. This project will use synthetic materials to understand the variability of oxygen stoichiometry, establish ....Self-zoning in natural uraninite: radiation driven chemical separation. In this project we aim to explore and define the effects of the substitution of lead and rare earths on the crystal chemistry of uranium dioxide (uraninite) and related minerals, towards establishing the oxygen stoichiometry (as a measure of oxygen fugacity) of these materials both in nature and in synthetic materials. This project will use synthetic materials to understand the variability of oxygen stoichiometry, establish accurate and precise structures for the oxides, and distinguish both long range and short-range order which is critical to understanding both natural and synthetic U-oxides. This will help to define the geochemical conditions leading to the formation of deposits like Olympic Dam towards potential economic benefit.Read moreRead less
Brighter than a synchrotron mid-infrared sources for spectroscopy & sensing. This project intends to develop mid-infrared spectroscopy as a powerful diagnostic tool. Mid-infrared spectroscopy allows a light beam to determine the chemical composition of objects or gaseous samples. It has wide applicability — in fields such as medicine, agriculture, the environment, national security and industrial process control — but its use has been hampered by the lack of bright, low-cost sources and integrat ....Brighter than a synchrotron mid-infrared sources for spectroscopy & sensing. This project intends to develop mid-infrared spectroscopy as a powerful diagnostic tool. Mid-infrared spectroscopy allows a light beam to determine the chemical composition of objects or gaseous samples. It has wide applicability — in fields such as medicine, agriculture, the environment, national security and industrial process control — but its use has been hampered by the lack of bright, low-cost sources and integrated devices. This project aims to implement new Australian-made sources that exceed the brightness of even synchrotrons at modest prices. It also aims to demonstrate a single chip integrated version of such a source as the first step towards deployment of mid-infrared technology.Read moreRead less
Core loss mechanisms in soft magnetic nanostructures. This project aims to clarify the mechanism of power losses in magnetic cores used in the petrol-electric hybrid cars by investigating the relationship between the core losses and magnetic correlation lengths in iron alloys. This project expects to generate new knowledge on the effect of magneto-mechanical interaction on the anomalous core loss in iron based alloys. The intended outcomes include an experimental confirmation of the random aniso ....Core loss mechanisms in soft magnetic nanostructures. This project aims to clarify the mechanism of power losses in magnetic cores used in the petrol-electric hybrid cars by investigating the relationship between the core losses and magnetic correlation lengths in iron alloys. This project expects to generate new knowledge on the effect of magneto-mechanical interaction on the anomalous core loss in iron based alloys. The intended outcomes include an experimental confirmation of the random anisotropy model, a major theoretical model in nanostructured materials and identification of ideal magnetic domain configurations for lower power losses. These intended outcomes should bring great benefits to the development of low-carbon vehicle technologies for sustainable motorisation in Australia.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured soft magnetic alloys for low-carbon cars. The aim of this project is to prepare iron-based magnetic nanostructures that exhibit a magnetic induction of 1.9 tesla and core losses lower than those of iron-silicon steels, which would deliver smaller and efficient magnetic cores for petrol-electric hybrid cars. Preliminary results from the research team show that iron-metalloid alloys with an iron content of 87 per cent meet this magnetic induction with room for further improvement of ....Nanostructured soft magnetic alloys for low-carbon cars. The aim of this project is to prepare iron-based magnetic nanostructures that exhibit a magnetic induction of 1.9 tesla and core losses lower than those of iron-silicon steels, which would deliver smaller and efficient magnetic cores for petrol-electric hybrid cars. Preliminary results from the research team show that iron-metalloid alloys with an iron content of 87 per cent meet this magnetic induction with room for further improvement of magnetic softness. The project aims to systematically investigate the effect of metalloid and micro-alloying elements on the nano-crystallisation behaviour of the precursor amorphous alloys in order to identify the alloy composition and processing conditions for preparing magnetically soft nanostructures.Read moreRead less
Soft magnetic nanostructures for clean automotive technologies: origin of induced magnetic anisotropies. This project will clarify the mechanism of annealing-induced magnetic anisotropies in magnetic nanostructures and thereby establish a basis for further alloy development of efficient core materials for electric motors. The project outcomes will potentially lead to a significant reduction of the heat loss in petrol-electric hybrid cars.
Diamond-based wideband radiofrequency fibre-optic sensor. This project aims to address the growing problem of ultra-wide radiofrequency signal monitoring. Developing a rugged and portable solution for whole-spectrum monitoring is a critical unmet need for Defence and other industries, and an important scientific challenge. Our approach is based on a diamond radio frequency sensor with fibre-optic readout. The project is expected to generate knowledge in the areas of quantum science and photonics ....Diamond-based wideband radiofrequency fibre-optic sensor. This project aims to address the growing problem of ultra-wide radiofrequency signal monitoring. Developing a rugged and portable solution for whole-spectrum monitoring is a critical unmet need for Defence and other industries, and an important scientific challenge. Our approach is based on a diamond radio frequency sensor with fibre-optic readout. The project is expected to generate knowledge in the areas of quantum science and photonics by integrating advanced optical fibres with quantum-grade diamond. Expected outcomes of the project include the development of a strategic academic and industry alliance through the establishment of a sovereign capability that will benefit Australia in the areas of cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less