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
Debonding Failure in CFRP Strengthened Steel Structures. The research will make a breakthrough in understanding the bond characteristics between CFRP and steel. It will enhance the capacity of Australian researchers to participate in a new cutting-edge research area, and help create a vibrant new industry for strengthening steel structures. The project will contribute to improved cost efficiency and safety of steel structures thereby contributing to the socio-economic well being of Australia inc ....Debonding Failure in CFRP Strengthened Steel Structures. The research will make a breakthrough in understanding the bond characteristics between CFRP and steel. It will enhance the capacity of Australian researchers to participate in a new cutting-edge research area, and help create a vibrant new industry for strengthening steel structures. The project will contribute to improved cost efficiency and safety of steel structures thereby contributing to the socio-economic well being of Australia including road, offshore, building and mining industries. It will increase the international competitiveness of Australian steel industry and infrastructure maintenance capability. Australia will be better positioned in this region for potential technology transfer to Asian countries.Read moreRead less
Thermoforming Mechanisms for Cost-effective Manufacturing of Advanced Composite Structures. The cost barrier in thermoforming, due to the lack of understanding of shear deformation and wrinkling, has inhibited the large-scale application of fibre-reinforced composite structures in aerospace and automobile industries. This project aims to develop a cost-effective diaphragm thermoforming process through an in-depth understanding of the thermoforming mechanisms. The outcomes will include novel theo ....Thermoforming Mechanisms for Cost-effective Manufacturing of Advanced Composite Structures. The cost barrier in thermoforming, due to the lack of understanding of shear deformation and wrinkling, has inhibited the large-scale application of fibre-reinforced composite structures in aerospace and automobile industries. This project aims to develop a cost-effective diaphragm thermoforming process through an in-depth understanding of the thermoforming mechanisms. The outcomes will include novel theories for thermoforming, a standard method for material property characterization and new finite element models compatible with the most popular software available for industry. The project will form the basis for establishing the effective production window and enhance greatly the competitive edge of the Australian manufacturing industry.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
Development of novel methods for the preparation of composite coatings containing liquid microcapsules. Corrosion and material wear cause significant losses. Statistics shows that over $2 billion is lost annually to material wear and corrosion in Australia alone. Composite coatings from electrolytic co-deposition of solid particles with metals have better wear, friction and corrosion properties than their base materials and find application in space and automobile industries. This proposal aims ....Development of novel methods for the preparation of composite coatings containing liquid microcapsules. Corrosion and material wear cause significant losses. Statistics shows that over $2 billion is lost annually to material wear and corrosion in Australia alone. Composite coatings from electrolytic co-deposition of solid particles with metals have better wear, friction and corrosion properties than their base materials and find application in space and automobile industries. This proposal aims to develop novel methods for the fabrication of composite coatings containing liquid microcapsules, which will further improve the corrosion and friction properties of the coatings over those containing solid particles.Read moreRead less
Micro-electromechanics and finite element analysis models for adaptive structures. Adaptive structures are becoming increasingly important due to their direct improvement of structural system performance. However, electroelastic behaviour and damage mechanism, which are primary concerns for adaptive structural design, are poorly understood. This project aims at developing micro-electromechanics and finite element analysis models to investigate the electroelastic properties and detect delaminatio ....Micro-electromechanics and finite element analysis models for adaptive structures. Adaptive structures are becoming increasingly important due to their direct improvement of structural system performance. However, electroelastic behaviour and damage mechanism, which are primary concerns for adaptive structural design, are poorly understood. This project aims at developing micro-electromechanics and finite element analysis models to investigate the electroelastic properties and detect delamination for adaptive structures. It combines the fields of micro-electromechanics and composite material analysis in a computational framework to provide a useful and cost-effective tool for modelling the response of adaptive structures. It is a challenging task and will have significant impact in the adaptive structure design community.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
Evolution of Contact Damage in Layer Structures. Brittle layer structures (eg brittle coating on ceramic substrate) can be much more damage tolerant than their constituent material components - cracks tend to remain contained within the coating. Very little is known about the factors that control this behaviour. This project will exploit unique local expertise in modelling damage evolution to fill a niche in a large study being carried out at the National Institute of Standards (NIST) in the U ....Evolution of Contact Damage in Layer Structures. Brittle layer structures (eg brittle coating on ceramic substrate) can be much more damage tolerant than their constituent material components - cracks tend to remain contained within the coating. Very little is known about the factors that control this behaviour. This project will exploit unique local expertise in modelling damage evolution to fill a niche in a large study being carried out at the National Institute of Standards (NIST) in the U.S.A. An understanding of the factors that maximise the containment of cracks is essential to the design and development of the next generation of advanced layer composites for many biomechanical and other engineering applications.Read moreRead less
Ductile Bulk Metallic Glass Composites. Structural materials are the basic building blocks of modern society, even a small advancement can have a strong impact on our society. The properties of steel have been pushed close to the limit. The development of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) offers the opportunity to revolutionize the field of structural materials with strengths 3 or 4 time that of steel. The proposed project, aims to overcome the major technical barrier for BMGs of insufficient ductili ....Ductile Bulk Metallic Glass Composites. Structural materials are the basic building blocks of modern society, even a small advancement can have a strong impact on our society. The properties of steel have been pushed close to the limit. The development of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) offers the opportunity to revolutionize the field of structural materials with strengths 3 or 4 time that of steel. The proposed project, aims to overcome the major technical barrier for BMGs of insufficient ductility. The development of ductile and high strength BMGs, will position Australia and its researchers at the forefront of this exciting material innovation. The project will develop and strengthen Australia's international research linkages with overseas centres of excellence.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