The mechanics of quiet airfoils. Airfoil trailing edge noise affects many technologies, from wind turbines to computer cooling fans and must be reduced to improve productivity, public health and the environment. This project aims to develop a new class of quiet airfoil design and an active trailing edge noise control system to help solve this important problem. This research will provide multiple, long terms benefits to Australia that include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced airport no ....The mechanics of quiet airfoils. Airfoil trailing edge noise affects many technologies, from wind turbines to computer cooling fans and must be reduced to improve productivity, public health and the environment. This project aims to develop a new class of quiet airfoil design and an active trailing edge noise control system to help solve this important problem. This research will provide multiple, long terms benefits to Australia that include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced airport noise, new high technology products for export, and improved public health.Read moreRead less
The precise manipulation and deformation of fine glass medical products. The production of high quality medical products requires strict process control, which is especially important for products of microscopic dimensions such as the glass pipettes used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures and other research applications. In this project, a tailored mechanical system capable of simultaneously deforming a fine glass pipette at two points of micro geometrical dimensions and different temp ....The precise manipulation and deformation of fine glass medical products. The production of high quality medical products requires strict process control, which is especially important for products of microscopic dimensions such as the glass pipettes used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures and other research applications. In this project, a tailored mechanical system capable of simultaneously deforming a fine glass pipette at two points of micro geometrical dimensions and different temperatures will be developed after accurately experimentally benchmarking and computationally simulating the process. The system will be able to accommodate different types of pipettes and significantly improve the productivity and quality of this micro process.Read moreRead less
Virtual acoustic sensors for active noise control systems. Traditional active noise control systems achieve the greatest noise reduction at the microphone error sensor(s). It is often desirable to achieve the maximum noise reduction remote from such sensors. Virtual sensing technology, the focus of this application, has the promise to replace traditional microphone sensing by projecting the zone of quiet away from the sensor microphones and directly into the ear of the user of the active noise c ....Virtual acoustic sensors for active noise control systems. Traditional active noise control systems achieve the greatest noise reduction at the microphone error sensor(s). It is often desirable to achieve the maximum noise reduction remote from such sensors. Virtual sensing technology, the focus of this application, has the promise to replace traditional microphone sensing by projecting the zone of quiet away from the sensor microphones and directly into the ear of the user of the active noise control system. This will revolutionise the sensing used in active noise control systems, and in doing so allow the realisation of active noise control in applications that have previously been infeasible.Read moreRead less
Noise control in aircraft and motor vehicles. The principal aim of this collaborative program between Australian and Japanese research teams is to tackle the complex issue of using active noise control systems focussing "zones of quiet" at passengers in aircraft and motor vehicles. The work has important implications for increased comfort of air travel and a safer environment for drivers of heavy vehicles. The outcomes will be the development of "smart skins" for application to aircraft and veh ....Noise control in aircraft and motor vehicles. The principal aim of this collaborative program between Australian and Japanese research teams is to tackle the complex issue of using active noise control systems focussing "zones of quiet" at passengers in aircraft and motor vehicles. The work has important implications for increased comfort of air travel and a safer environment for drivers of heavy vehicles. The outcomes will be the development of "smart skins" for application to aircraft and vehicle cabin interiors to actively control of interior noise. This will be achieved by combining the Japanese team's "structural wavenumber sensors" and the Adelaide team's "virtual microphones".Read moreRead less
Fatigue Life Assessment of Structures under Realistic Loading Conditions. The project will develop a new methodology for the assessment of fatigue life of structures subjected to realistic loading conditions. This new methodology is based on recent advances in experimental techniques which make possible, for the first time, the investigation of the crack opening/closure mechanisms and the crack driving force for large numbers of fatigue cycles (>1 million) of variable amplitude, representative o ....Fatigue Life Assessment of Structures under Realistic Loading Conditions. The project will develop a new methodology for the assessment of fatigue life of structures subjected to realistic loading conditions. This new methodology is based on recent advances in experimental techniques which make possible, for the first time, the investigation of the crack opening/closure mechanisms and the crack driving force for large numbers of fatigue cycles (>1 million) of variable amplitude, representative of real-world applications. The project will expand Australia’s knowledge base and research capabilities in structural life prognosis. It will increase the competitiveness of domestic products and industries, fostering international collaborations and leadership of Australia in this strategically important area of research.Read moreRead less
Resolving the impact of pressure on hot and low-oxygen combustion. Despite the important role of renewable energy sources, combustion will remain essential for transportation into the foreseeable future. This project aims to investigate flames burning in a hot and low-oxygen environment. The objective is to better understand how these conditions could be applied to gas turbines. This project expects to generate new knowledge to enable a reduction in emissions, improvement in efficiency and incre ....Resolving the impact of pressure on hot and low-oxygen combustion. Despite the important role of renewable energy sources, combustion will remain essential for transportation into the foreseeable future. This project aims to investigate flames burning in a hot and low-oxygen environment. The objective is to better understand how these conditions could be applied to gas turbines. This project expects to generate new knowledge to enable a reduction in emissions, improvement in efficiency and increase in power output. Expected outcomes of this project include improved understanding of the governing physics to enable development of design tools for next-generation engines. This should provide significant benefits, such as reduced reliance on fossil fuels and a critical reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.Read moreRead less
Better predictions of spray flames. This project aims to predict spray flames using experimental and computational modelling of the combustion near burning droplets in spray flames. Spray flames are the dominant source of energy for the transportation sector, and are expected to remain so well into the future. Limited understanding of combustion processes surrounding the burning of the droplets restricts further technological development. This project is expected to enable progress in design too ....Better predictions of spray flames. This project aims to predict spray flames using experimental and computational modelling of the combustion near burning droplets in spray flames. Spray flames are the dominant source of energy for the transportation sector, and are expected to remain so well into the future. Limited understanding of combustion processes surrounding the burning of the droplets restricts further technological development. This project is expected to enable progress in design tools for spray flame combustors operating on liquid fuels, including bio-fuels. The result will be lower pollutant emissions and lower the cost of design of new engines.Read moreRead less
Green cool wine: solar powered solid adsorption refrigeration system with ice storage to provide cooling capability for wine industry. The project is to develop a solar thermal powered refrigeration system that is able to build up an ice bank (as a storage) through daily intermittent cycle, from late Australian spring. The ice bank will used in the vintage season in a winery for cooling purposes. The system is able to reduce the carbon foot print of the wineries significantly.
Investigation of the audio spotlight for active noise control. The focus of this project is to investigate a new technology - the audio spotlight - with the aim of developing an active noise control (ANC) system that incorporates the audio spotlight as a control source. The audio spotlight offers the potential to overcome or significantly modify the fundamental physical constraints that limit the performance of ANC systems that use conventional loudspeakers as control sources. Just as audio spot ....Investigation of the audio spotlight for active noise control. The focus of this project is to investigate a new technology - the audio spotlight - with the aim of developing an active noise control (ANC) system that incorporates the audio spotlight as a control source. The audio spotlight offers the potential to overcome or significantly modify the fundamental physical constraints that limit the performance of ANC systems that use conventional loudspeakers as control sources. Just as audio spotlights may be the most radical technological development in acoustics since the invention of the coil loudspeaker, successful incorporation of an audio spotlight into an active noise control system will revolutionise active noise control.Read moreRead less
Mathematical and mechanical models in nano-engineering and nanomedicine. The major environmental problems generated from global warming and the major human health problems, like cancer and diabetes, if they are to be solved at all, will most likely be resolved making use of advances in nanobiotechnology. This proposal will position Australia as a leader in the modelling of nanodevices such as gigahertz oscillators, nano-electromagnets, nanosensors, nanosyringes and nanoporous media suitable for ....Mathematical and mechanical models in nano-engineering and nanomedicine. The major environmental problems generated from global warming and the major human health problems, like cancer and diabetes, if they are to be solved at all, will most likely be resolved making use of advances in nanobiotechnology. This proposal will position Australia as a leader in the modelling of nanodevices such as gigahertz oscillators, nano-electromagnets, nanosensors, nanosyringes and nanoporous media suitable for hydrogen storage and gas separation, which will lead to new technologies and commercial spin-offs that will be of major benefit to this country. The applicants will develop a range of topics in nano-engineering and nanomedicine, training a team that will provide the next generation of researchers in these vital areas.Read moreRead less