Studies on Nanocomposite Coatings: Processing, Characterisation and Properties. Superhard nanocomposite coatings are relatively new materials that have found many applications in the manufacturing industries. The main objectives of this project are: (a)development and optimisation of fabrication techniques for a range of novel superhard nano-composites; (b) fundamental understanding of the relationships between residual stress, microstructure and composition; and (c) evaluations of fracture-mech ....Studies on Nanocomposite Coatings: Processing, Characterisation and Properties. Superhard nanocomposite coatings are relatively new materials that have found many applications in the manufacturing industries. The main objectives of this project are: (a)development and optimisation of fabrication techniques for a range of novel superhard nano-composites; (b) fundamental understanding of the relationships between residual stress, microstructure and composition; and (c) evaluations of fracture-mechanical properties including wear-resistance. Major research outcomes are improved basic knowledge of these novel nanocomposite coatings leading to optimal processing of superhard nano-materials.Read moreRead less
Fundamental roles of nano-particles in composite-fibre/epoxy-polymer (CF/EP) composites. There is a significant demand for value-added, innovative epoxy resins for various applications. Australia has a well established aerospace industry and world-leading expertise in synthesising and processing inorganic nano-particles. The outputs of this project will be beneficial to both material manufacturers and design engineers. Understanding the fundamental roles of functional nano-fillers will stimulate ....Fundamental roles of nano-particles in composite-fibre/epoxy-polymer (CF/EP) composites. There is a significant demand for value-added, innovative epoxy resins for various applications. Australia has a well established aerospace industry and world-leading expertise in synthesising and processing inorganic nano-particles. The outputs of this project will be beneficial to both material manufacturers and design engineers. Understanding the fundamental roles of functional nano-fillers will stimulate scientific and technological interests for future research and development of multifunctional engineering materials with improved properties and structures designed in the nano-scale. The project will give Australian researchers a technological edge over their competitors in materials science and engineering.Read moreRead less
Practical Hydrogen Storage for Fuel Cells Electrical Vehicles by Confined Ammonia Borane System. Practical hydrogen storage is critical to make the hydrogen economy a reality, in particular for fuel cells electrical vehicles (FCVE). However, currently there is no approach to satisfy the requirements of hydrogen storage for FCVE, e.g. fulfill the US Department of Energy target for practical hydrogen storage. This project is proposed to develop a new strategy to achieve the goal of practical hyd ....Practical Hydrogen Storage for Fuel Cells Electrical Vehicles by Confined Ammonia Borane System. Practical hydrogen storage is critical to make the hydrogen economy a reality, in particular for fuel cells electrical vehicles (FCVE). However, currently there is no approach to satisfy the requirements of hydrogen storage for FCVE, e.g. fulfill the US Department of Energy target for practical hydrogen storage. This project is proposed to develop a new strategy to achieve the goal of practical hydrogen storage which, if successful, will make FCVE possible in Australia in the near future. It will also be beneficial for reducing the dependence on exported oil and possibly solving critical environmental issues, and thus benefits the Australian economy.Read moreRead less
Fundamental study on hydrogen desorption from nanoscale Magnesium (Mg) hydrides. Hydrogen storage is the most challenge in realizing the hydrogen economy, especially for on-board application in hydrogen-driving vehicles. Magnesium is among the few promising candidates of effective, safe, high density and cheap hydrogen storage, which has attracted tremendous interests of research. This project creates an innovative science and technology to solve the critical problem of hydrogen storage that wil ....Fundamental study on hydrogen desorption from nanoscale Magnesium (Mg) hydrides. Hydrogen storage is the most challenge in realizing the hydrogen economy, especially for on-board application in hydrogen-driving vehicles. Magnesium is among the few promising candidates of effective, safe, high density and cheap hydrogen storage, which has attracted tremendous interests of research. This project creates an innovative science and technology to solve the critical problem of hydrogen storage that will enhance the international reputation and impact of Australian research in nanoscience and nanothechnology. Realizing the practical hydrogen storage will also enable hydrogen vehicles soon in Australia that adds Australia great potential to reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and greenhouse emissions.Read moreRead less
Interface Engineering of Multilayer Nanostructures. Nanostructured multilayers can outperform coatings of their constituent layers in both hardness and strength. It is believed that the nature of interfaces in these materials is critical since they mediate dislocation motion and crack propagation. This project will use advanced synthesis, microanalysis and theoretical methods to investigate multilayer coatings with sharp, diffuse and rough interfaces in order to reveal their failure mechanisms u ....Interface Engineering of Multilayer Nanostructures. Nanostructured multilayers can outperform coatings of their constituent layers in both hardness and strength. It is believed that the nature of interfaces in these materials is critical since they mediate dislocation motion and crack propagation. This project will use advanced synthesis, microanalysis and theoretical methods to investigate multilayer coatings with sharp, diffuse and rough interfaces in order to reveal their failure mechanisms under stress. This will enable us to understand the principles required to design the strongest structures and facilitate the selection of materials and deposition parameters in order to produce coatings optimised for a range of demanding applications.Read moreRead less