Nanostructured Hydrogel-Carbon Nanotube Composites for Artificial Muscles. This collaboration links the expertise of the two groups in advanced functional materials for the development of improved mechanical actuators for artificial muscles. The Korean group provides key know-how in synthetic and natural hydrogels. The Wollongong team has developed expertise in carbon nanotube actuators. The hydrogel-nanotube hybrids resulting from this collaboration are likely to show improved performance co ....Nanostructured Hydrogel-Carbon Nanotube Composites for Artificial Muscles. This collaboration links the expertise of the two groups in advanced functional materials for the development of improved mechanical actuators for artificial muscles. The Korean group provides key know-how in synthetic and natural hydrogels. The Wollongong team has developed expertise in carbon nanotube actuators. The hydrogel-nanotube hybrids resulting from this collaboration are likely to show improved performance compared with existing materials. The improved actuators will be utilised in on-going projects in both countries.Read moreRead less
Molecular modelling of the structure and mechanical properties of clay-based polymer nanocomposites. Nanotechnology is one of the most rapidly growing areas in the 21st century. Its world market is expected to reach US$2.6 trillions in 2014, valued at 15% of global manufacturing output. The use of clay nanofillers as polymer reinforcement is an emerging cutting-edge research and of paramount importance in Australia in view of its heavy dependence on mineral industries. The project will tackle th ....Molecular modelling of the structure and mechanical properties of clay-based polymer nanocomposites. Nanotechnology is one of the most rapidly growing areas in the 21st century. Its world market is expected to reach US$2.6 trillions in 2014, valued at 15% of global manufacturing output. The use of clay nanofillers as polymer reinforcement is an emerging cutting-edge research and of paramount importance in Australia in view of its heavy dependence on mineral industries. The project will tackle the core problems in this field. The research outcomes will lead to highly value-added mineral products and better process control. Furthermore, the application of polymer nanocomposites in automotive and packaging industries will significantly decrease energy consumption and CO2 emission, and increase the shelf-life for food and beverage. Read moreRead less
An innovative approach to fabricate thermally stable polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites. By fully taking advantage of excellent affinity of water with polar layered silicate and polar polymer, an innovative approach to fabricate thermally stable polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites via melt extrusion with the aid of water/water vapour will be developed. In this process, the pristine layered silicate will be directly exfoliated into individual layers with nanometer thickness and high aspe ....An innovative approach to fabricate thermally stable polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites. By fully taking advantage of excellent affinity of water with polar layered silicate and polar polymer, an innovative approach to fabricate thermally stable polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites via melt extrusion with the aid of water/water vapour will be developed. In this process, the pristine layered silicate will be directly exfoliated into individual layers with nanometer thickness and high aspect ratio, and uniformly dispersed in a polymer matrix. This novel approach is environmentally benign and cost-effective since no alkyl ammonium surfactants are required. The resultant nanocomposites will exhibit excellent barrier properties, high thermal stability, environmental durability and superior mechanical properties. These qualities make them very attractive for many applications in the automotive and packaging industries.Read moreRead less
The development of super-toughened epoxies using a novel nanomaterial. Epoxy resins are widely used as structural adhesives and coatings in engineering structures. This project will address the problem of the intrinsic brittleness of epoxy by making it significantly tougher with superior performance and cost-effectiveness. Our technology for producing super-toughened epoxy will lead to a wide range of applications for new and existing products in the construction, automotive, aerospace, adhesive ....The development of super-toughened epoxies using a novel nanomaterial. Epoxy resins are widely used as structural adhesives and coatings in engineering structures. This project will address the problem of the intrinsic brittleness of epoxy by making it significantly tougher with superior performance and cost-effectiveness. Our technology for producing super-toughened epoxy will lead to a wide range of applications for new and existing products in the construction, automotive, aerospace, adhesive and microelectronics industries.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354805
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Research Network for Rehabilitation of Structures Using Advanced Materials and Frontier Technologies. There is an urgent need to rehabilitate existing structures that are considered inadequate in strength and serviceability. Frontier strengthening technologies (such as external post-tensioning and plate bonding) using conventional and advanced materials are being currently developed in Australia by different groups, but as yet not in a coordinated manner. The aim of this network is to bring tog ....Research Network for Rehabilitation of Structures Using Advanced Materials and Frontier Technologies. There is an urgent need to rehabilitate existing structures that are considered inadequate in strength and serviceability. Frontier strengthening technologies (such as external post-tensioning and plate bonding) using conventional and advanced materials are being currently developed in Australia by different groups, but as yet not in a coordinated manner. The aim of this network is to bring together a multi-disciplinary team with complementary strengths to provide an integrated solution for rehabilitation of structures. The core of the network focuses on design tools, linking the various technologies to provide appropriate rehabilitation and understanding of life cycle demands for major infrastructure.Read moreRead less
NOVEL STUCTURES AND MATERIALS IN MICROSTRUCTURED POLYMER OPTICAL FIBRES. Last year we succeeded in fabricating the microstructured polymer optical fibres (MPOF). This work means that the fabrication constraints applying to similar glass fibres can be overcome, and entirely new types of structures can be investigated. As polymers can contain a much larger variety of dopants than glass the material properties of MPOF can also be fully exploited to develop new fibre functionalities. The combination ....NOVEL STUCTURES AND MATERIALS IN MICROSTRUCTURED POLYMER OPTICAL FIBRES. Last year we succeeded in fabricating the microstructured polymer optical fibres (MPOF). This work means that the fabrication constraints applying to similar glass fibres can be overcome, and entirely new types of structures can be investigated. As polymers can contain a much larger variety of dopants than glass the material properties of MPOF can also be fully exploited to develop new fibre functionalities. The combination of structural and material flexibility possible in MPOF offer the opportunity to radically redefine what is possible in microstructured fibres. It is these possibilities that we aim to explore in this project.Read moreRead less
Novel biodegradable starch/clay nanocomposites with enhanced strength and moisture resistance. The outcomes of the project will make an important contribution to a new technology of biodegradable polymer nanocomposites based on natural starch and clay. The project has direct environmental benefit due to the complete biodegradation of the resulting starch/clay nanocomposites which will be able to replace some non-biodegradable polymers in packaging and disposable bags, cups and boxes, etc. The re ....Novel biodegradable starch/clay nanocomposites with enhanced strength and moisture resistance. The outcomes of the project will make an important contribution to a new technology of biodegradable polymer nanocomposites based on natural starch and clay. The project has direct environmental benefit due to the complete biodegradation of the resulting starch/clay nanocomposites which will be able to replace some non-biodegradable polymers in packaging and disposable bags, cups and boxes, etc. The reduction in use of non-biodegradable polymers will be helpful to solve the "white pollution" and improve our living environments. This study will result in huge economic benefits for the national agriculture and plastic industries since Australia has a large starch production, and will enable Australia to be at the leading edge in this area.Read moreRead less
Deformation and Fracture Studies on Polymer Nano-Composites. Polymer nano-composites are a class of emerging materials consisting of nano-meter scale inorganic fillers dispersed in an organic polymer matrix. THey have superior specific strengh and stiffness, good fire retardant and barrier properties. AS such, they have found many potential applications in the automotive and packagingindustries. However, one major limitation is their low fracture toughness. This project aims to study the ori ....Deformation and Fracture Studies on Polymer Nano-Composites. Polymer nano-composites are a class of emerging materials consisting of nano-meter scale inorganic fillers dispersed in an organic polymer matrix. THey have superior specific strengh and stiffness, good fire retardant and barrier properties. AS such, they have found many potential applications in the automotive and packagingindustries. However, one major limitation is their low fracture toughness. This project aims to study the origin of brittleness and improve the toughness. THe anticipated outcomes are: (a) new methods of toughening, and (b) design tools to tailor processing-microstructure-mechanical properties of these nano-composites.Read moreRead less
Nanostructure Design and Toughening Mechanisms of Novel Thermosets. The research will enable a new technology to manufacture a class of novel nanostructured thermosets that will impact many application areas in Australia, such as protective surface coatings, structural adhesives and composite matrix materials for aerospace and automotive, and microelectronic devices, etc. The intellectual properties and patents generated will contribute to the overall competitiveness and productivity of Australi ....Nanostructure Design and Toughening Mechanisms of Novel Thermosets. The research will enable a new technology to manufacture a class of novel nanostructured thermosets that will impact many application areas in Australia, such as protective surface coatings, structural adhesives and composite matrix materials for aerospace and automotive, and microelectronic devices, etc. The intellectual properties and patents generated will contribute to the overall competitiveness and productivity of Australia~{!/~}s R&D. They will also provide business opportunities to develop niche markets for these new and high-value added materials on a large scale in Australia so as to maximise return and create jobs. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0211003
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$125,000.00
Summary
A Facility for Probing Nanostructure in Polymers. The properties of a polymer are only partly determined by its molecular structure. It is now clear that the organization of molecular structure and phase morphology on a nano-scale has an equally important role in determining material behaviour. Increasingly this can be manipulated by judicious choice of formulation and processing variables. The polymer Nano-Structure Facility will bring together Australia's principal polymer experts in this a ....A Facility for Probing Nanostructure in Polymers. The properties of a polymer are only partly determined by its molecular structure. It is now clear that the organization of molecular structure and phase morphology on a nano-scale has an equally important role in determining material behaviour. Increasingly this can be manipulated by judicious choice of formulation and processing variables. The polymer Nano-Structure Facility will bring together Australia's principal polymer experts in this area of structure-property relations and provide them with shared access to the appropriate, modern analytical tools required to probe the nano-structure of such new materials with enhanced properties.Read moreRead less