Ceramic matrix nanocomposites. Using a novel process developed by the applicant, this project will create and study ceramic matrix nanocomposites of two types: (i) those in which the nanoparticles are homogeneously distributed in alumina and (ii) functionally-graded nanocomposites of controlled heterogeneity, that is, nanocomposites in which the nanoparticles are distributed heterogeneously in glass. Homogeneous nanocomposites of alumina are potentially of great importance to the mining industry ....Ceramic matrix nanocomposites. Using a novel process developed by the applicant, this project will create and study ceramic matrix nanocomposites of two types: (i) those in which the nanoparticles are homogeneously distributed in alumina and (ii) functionally-graded nanocomposites of controlled heterogeneity, that is, nanocomposites in which the nanoparticles are distributed heterogeneously in glass. Homogeneous nanocomposites of alumina are potentially of great importance to the mining industry as they can increase the toughness and wear resistance of mining components. Heterogeneous nanocomposities have the potential to revolutionise the dental restoration industry by combining greatly increased toughness with the aesthetic benefit of controllable translucency.Read moreRead less
New Generation Lead-free Piezoelectric Ceramics for Acoustic Sensor Technologies. Cooperative research between University of NSW and Thales Australia to design new Lead-free piezoceramics is of critical importance to Australia's strategic leadership in underwater acoustic technology. This area has been identified by the Department of Defence to be a critical defence capability and essential to Australia's exploration of oil, gas, and minerals. Improved and new transducer components will provide ....New Generation Lead-free Piezoelectric Ceramics for Acoustic Sensor Technologies. Cooperative research between University of NSW and Thales Australia to design new Lead-free piezoceramics is of critical importance to Australia's strategic leadership in underwater acoustic technology. This area has been identified by the Department of Defence to be a critical defence capability and essential to Australia's exploration of oil, gas, and minerals. Improved and new transducer components will provide significant economic benefit to Australia through increased export of sonar technology, particularly to Europe and all Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliant countries. The project will produce highly skilled graduates ensuring an on-going basis for Australia's future innovation in this area.Read moreRead less
Some Outstanding Mechanics Problems in Layered Ferroelectromagnetic Composites with Enhanced Magnetoelectric Effect. The proposed research has high impact on both science and technology of ferroelectromagnetic materials. The outcomes will expand Australia's knowledge base and research capability in this emerging field. Relevant industries, such as smart materials and devices, can benefit from the results of this project. The theoretical, experimental and numerical results can be directly transfo ....Some Outstanding Mechanics Problems in Layered Ferroelectromagnetic Composites with Enhanced Magnetoelectric Effect. The proposed research has high impact on both science and technology of ferroelectromagnetic materials. The outcomes will expand Australia's knowledge base and research capability in this emerging field. Relevant industries, such as smart materials and devices, can benefit from the results of this project. The theoretical, experimental and numerical results can be directly transformed to design and application guidelines for the materials engineers and scientists to develop innovative and structurally/functionally reliable ferroelectromagnetic composites and their various devices and products.Read moreRead less
Surface Polymorphism of Hard Brittle Materials. The knowledge gained from this project will be of great value in creating components of hard brittle materials with enhanced properties and expanded margins of application. The outcome will have impact on the ultra-precision manufacturing giving a competitive edge to the Australian fabrication industry. The fundamental knowledge gained from this project has the potential to facilitate the development of new devices and techniques such as those requ ....Surface Polymorphism of Hard Brittle Materials. The knowledge gained from this project will be of great value in creating components of hard brittle materials with enhanced properties and expanded margins of application. The outcome will have impact on the ultra-precision manufacturing giving a competitive edge to the Australian fabrication industry. The fundamental knowledge gained from this project has the potential to facilitate the development of new devices and techniques such as those required for bio-medical, photonic and electronic technologies.Read moreRead less
Engineering of Crystalline Ternary Ceramic Precursors. Ti3SiC2 belongs to a large group of ternary carbides that exhibit an unique combination of high temperature ceramic properties, with the electrical and thermal conductivity of metals. A great number of potential applications have been identified, but are currently limited by residual intermediate compounds, that degrade the properties. This project will use crystal structure similarities between TiCx and Ti3SiC2 to engineer a crystalline pre ....Engineering of Crystalline Ternary Ceramic Precursors. Ti3SiC2 belongs to a large group of ternary carbides that exhibit an unique combination of high temperature ceramic properties, with the electrical and thermal conductivity of metals. A great number of potential applications have been identified, but are currently limited by residual intermediate compounds, that degrade the properties. This project will use crystal structure similarities between TiCx and Ti3SiC2 to engineer a crystalline precursor, Ti3C2, which circumvents intermediate compound formation. This innovative methodology will also reduce the cost and time of fabrication. Advanced in-situ neutron diffraction techniques will be used to quantify the synthesis kinetics and optimize the method.Read moreRead less
Damage micromechanisms in alumina hybrid bilayers with graded interfaces. This project proposes a new design concept for high performance alumina hybrids with graded interfaces. The key to this process is the incorporation of thin graded interfaces between an outer homogeneous alumina layer for strength, hardness and wear resistance, and an inner heterogeneous alumina hybrid layer for damage tolerance. The project will explore unresolved issues concerning the effect of graded interfaces on the f ....Damage micromechanisms in alumina hybrid bilayers with graded interfaces. This project proposes a new design concept for high performance alumina hybrids with graded interfaces. The key to this process is the incorporation of thin graded interfaces between an outer homogeneous alumina layer for strength, hardness and wear resistance, and an inner heterogeneous alumina hybrid layer for damage tolerance. The project will explore unresolved issues concerning the effect of graded interfaces on the failure micromechanisms. Advances in this area will provide new strategy or insights for designing novel next generation layered materials.Read moreRead less
CO2 Utilisation for Energy Storage. This project aims to develop a novel technology that can convert carbon dioxide into useful products while storing intermittent renewable energy as green stable chemical energy. The project plans to focus on the development of a robust cathode for the conversion of carbon dioxide with optimum physical and chemical structure to achieve long-term stable performance. This technology would make a significant contribution to increasing the proportion of renewable e ....CO2 Utilisation for Energy Storage. This project aims to develop a novel technology that can convert carbon dioxide into useful products while storing intermittent renewable energy as green stable chemical energy. The project plans to focus on the development of a robust cathode for the conversion of carbon dioxide with optimum physical and chemical structure to achieve long-term stable performance. This technology would make a significant contribution to increasing the proportion of renewable energy in our energy supply and reducing our carbon dioxide emissions.Read moreRead less
Development of new-generation autoclaved cellulose fibre-cement composites using alumina-silica rich industrial waste. Autoclaved cellulose fibre-cement (FC) composites are used for construction purposes globally. Alumina-silica rich industrial waste, such as fired clay bricks and tiles, are proven to be highly reactive under autoclaving conditions and are generated in abundance either during the production process or demolition of buildings worldwide. The project aims to utilise this renewable ....Development of new-generation autoclaved cellulose fibre-cement composites using alumina-silica rich industrial waste. Autoclaved cellulose fibre-cement (FC) composites are used for construction purposes globally. Alumina-silica rich industrial waste, such as fired clay bricks and tiles, are proven to be highly reactive under autoclaving conditions and are generated in abundance either during the production process or demolition of buildings worldwide. The project aims to utilise this renewable waste for the manufacture of improved FC products. The successful outcomes of the project could allow a new range of cost-effective building products which need less energy for their manufacture, to be realised for both developed and developing countries.Read moreRead less
Effects of Phase Purity, Porosity and Oxygen Partial Pressure on the Thermal Stability of Nanolayered Ternary Carbides. The successful completion of this collaborative research will lead to (a) enhanced understanding of the roles of phase purity, porosity and atmosphere on the thermal stability of ternary carbides which is crucial for the design of high-performance ternary carbide heating elements; (b) fostering and strengthening of the continuing research collaboration between Curtin University ....Effects of Phase Purity, Porosity and Oxygen Partial Pressure on the Thermal Stability of Nanolayered Ternary Carbides. The successful completion of this collaborative research will lead to (a) enhanced understanding of the roles of phase purity, porosity and atmosphere on the thermal stability of ternary carbides which is crucial for the design of high-performance ternary carbide heating elements; (b) fostering and strengthening of the continuing research collaboration between Curtin University and the Institute of Metals Research; (c) development of high performance prototype ternary carbide heating elements for use in high temperature furnaces and ovens; and (d) potential joint ventures with local suppliers of furnaces in Australia and China, together with Kanthal of Sweden to assist in the manufacture of ternary carbide heating elements. Read moreRead less
Synthesis of Novel Nanostructured Ternary Carbide Composites. This research will lead to (a) new advances and provide contribution of new knowledge to the Priority Research Areas of Advanced Materials; (b) a novel vacuum heat-treatment process for nanostructured materials design. This will offer the ceramics industry in Australia a new technology for producing wear- and heat-resistant components for advanced engineering applications. (c) design of new layer-graded materials with a unique combina ....Synthesis of Novel Nanostructured Ternary Carbide Composites. This research will lead to (a) new advances and provide contribution of new knowledge to the Priority Research Areas of Advanced Materials; (b) a novel vacuum heat-treatment process for nanostructured materials design. This will offer the ceramics industry in Australia a new technology for producing wear- and heat-resistant components for advanced engineering applications. (c) design of new layer-graded materials with a unique combination of hardness for wear resistance and toughness for damage tolerance. This will enable the ceramics industry in Australia to compete internationally in the business of advanced and high performance ceramic products.Read moreRead less