Multiscale modeling of flexible fibrous suspensions under flow. The outcome of this work will be a comprehensive theoretical framework by which microstructural information is distilled into an accurate multiscale model of fibre suspensions, readily applicable to industrial situations. This work will have a direct impact on the design capability and performance of a wide range of mechanisms and industrial processes involving fibres. The development of better models for industrially useful suspen ....Multiscale modeling of flexible fibrous suspensions under flow. The outcome of this work will be a comprehensive theoretical framework by which microstructural information is distilled into an accurate multiscale model of fibre suspensions, readily applicable to industrial situations. This work will have a direct impact on the design capability and performance of a wide range of mechanisms and industrial processes involving fibres. The development of better models for industrially useful suspensions offers a competitive advantage for a diverse range of Australian industries, from the paper manufacture sector, to the production of fibre-filled composite materials.Read moreRead less
Formation of organic pollutants in fires of treated and contaminated wood. This project quantifies the emission of dioxins and biphenyls in burning of treated and contaminated wood to provide data on whether combustion of such materials should be regulated in Australia and whether an educational campaign needs to be mounted to make public aware of this problem. For example, our preliminary results indicate that, timber treated with copper boron azole, a non-arsenic replacement for CCA preservat ....Formation of organic pollutants in fires of treated and contaminated wood. This project quantifies the emission of dioxins and biphenyls in burning of treated and contaminated wood to provide data on whether combustion of such materials should be regulated in Australia and whether an educational campaign needs to be mounted to make public aware of this problem. For example, our preliminary results indicate that, timber treated with copper boron azole, a non-arsenic replacement for CCA preservative, produces extremely high levels of dioxins, both in flames and in the ash. If the preliminary results are confirmed, this agent must be disallowed as a wood preservative in Australia, as it poses unacceptable risks to the Australian population and environment. Read moreRead less
Development of a Model Relating Aggregate Properties with Aggregation Conditions for Design and Control Purposes. The project aims to understand the role of shear and other important parameters in the aggregation of nano- and micron-sized particles through fundamental studies on different particulate systems and shear environments. The knowledge will be used to develop an engineering model relating the floc properties to system conditions, thus allowing the utilisation of experimental data to fu ....Development of a Model Relating Aggregate Properties with Aggregation Conditions for Design and Control Purposes. The project aims to understand the role of shear and other important parameters in the aggregation of nano- and micron-sized particles through fundamental studies on different particulate systems and shear environments. The knowledge will be used to develop an engineering model relating the floc properties to system conditions, thus allowing the utilisation of experimental data to full-scale operations without eschewing their relevance. Project outcomes include a comprehensive guideline to set optimum conditions required to generate flocs with desirable properties for control and design purposes, with applicability extending from solid-liquid separation to nano-material synthesis, and various processes involving particle aggregation.Read moreRead less
Application of a Novel Reflux Classifier for Separating Nut Shell Fragments from Powdered Food Mixtures. An important operation in the food industry is the physical separation of valuable particles from a mixture containing waste materials, such as shell fragments. The purpose of this study is to investigate the application of a novel gas-solid fluidised bed system, utilising parallel inclined plates to radically amplify the differential segregation rates to produce separations based on particle ....Application of a Novel Reflux Classifier for Separating Nut Shell Fragments from Powdered Food Mixtures. An important operation in the food industry is the physical separation of valuable particles from a mixture containing waste materials, such as shell fragments. The purpose of this study is to investigate the application of a novel gas-solid fluidised bed system, utilising parallel inclined plates to radically amplify the differential segregation rates to produce separations based on particle size. Our aim is to develop a fundamental understanding of the principles governing the nature of this system. The project should result in considerable technological and economic benefits for the food industry, a well trained and educated person at the postgraduate level, and a stronger collaborative link between the University and Sanitarium.Read moreRead less
Mullins-type effects in soft filled viscoelastic solids. Bread dough is made in vast quantities daily, and improvements in processing,especially sheet rolling,are needed,and to enable this we propose to create a novel mathematical description of the material. Also, wheat breeding cycles can be drastically shortened by using knowledge of dough rheology, since baking quality is closely linked to rheology. The mathematical framework can then be applied to other filled viscoelastic systems, and work ....Mullins-type effects in soft filled viscoelastic solids. Bread dough is made in vast quantities daily, and improvements in processing,especially sheet rolling,are needed,and to enable this we propose to create a novel mathematical description of the material. Also, wheat breeding cycles can be drastically shortened by using knowledge of dough rheology, since baking quality is closely linked to rheology. The mathematical framework can then be applied to other filled viscoelastic systems, and work on liquid crystals may be used to develop artificial muscle material, once their rheological description and behaviour are known.Read moreRead less
Engineering Nanostructured Bio-inspired Products. New nanostructured products that draw on biology promise to revolutionise our lives and economy. Designer emulsions and self-assembling particles inspired by viruses are two such products that form the focus for this research programme. The constitutive behaviour of bio-molecular films that control emulsion performance will be characterised and linked to molecular properties and manufacturing conditions. A broad-based technology platform for t ....Engineering Nanostructured Bio-inspired Products. New nanostructured products that draw on biology promise to revolutionise our lives and economy. Designer emulsions and self-assembling particles inspired by viruses are two such products that form the focus for this research programme. The constitutive behaviour of bio-molecular films that control emulsion performance will be characterised and linked to molecular properties and manufacturing conditions. A broad-based technology platform for the in vitro creation of self-assembling biological nanoparticles will also be developed. Key outcomes will be valuable IPR and fundamental engineering science knowledge to ensure that the value chain for this class of products can deliver commercial outcomes.Read moreRead less
Doped Nanocrystalline TiO2 - Synthesis and application for photoreduction reactions. The proposed project aims to develop a novel photocatalyst, prepared by doping nanocrystalline TiO2 with noble metals, for use in photoreduction reactions. The ability of this photocatalyst to reduce heavy metals and its potential to generate H2 in an inert environment will be explored. The project will benefit the environment by removing toxic compounds from polluted wastewaters as well as potentially generatin ....Doped Nanocrystalline TiO2 - Synthesis and application for photoreduction reactions. The proposed project aims to develop a novel photocatalyst, prepared by doping nanocrystalline TiO2 with noble metals, for use in photoreduction reactions. The ability of this photocatalyst to reduce heavy metals and its potential to generate H2 in an inert environment will be explored. The project will benefit the environment by removing toxic compounds from polluted wastewaters as well as potentially generating substantial levels of H2 (an attractive energy source). Project outcomes include the development of an economical and cleaner process for treating waters contaminated with heavy metals and providing a valuable knowledge base from which photoreductive efficiencies can be drawn.Read moreRead less
Sustainable processes for next-generation surface coatings and core-shell nanoparticles based on biomolecular templating. Nanotechnology promises new materials with broad impact, yet our ability to manufacture complex nanomaterials using sustainable processes is very limited. This project will advance our knowledge of nanomaterial manufacture using inspiration from how complex materials are made in nature. This project will deliver next-generation surface coatings that are incredibly thin but st ....Sustainable processes for next-generation surface coatings and core-shell nanoparticles based on biomolecular templating. Nanotechnology promises new materials with broad impact, yet our ability to manufacture complex nanomaterials using sustainable processes is very limited. This project will advance our knowledge of nanomaterial manufacture using inspiration from how complex materials are made in nature. This project will deliver next-generation surface coatings that are incredibly thin but strong, and specialised nanoparticles made using biocompatible processes. The knowledge and methods developed will benefit the biotechnology and nanotechnology sectors, as well as research in soft-matter science, quantum computing, photonics and healthcare. The value proposition for innovation in these fields will increasingly rely on new nanomanufacturing approaches.Read moreRead less
Understanding of structure development in drying droplets through the stickiness paradigm. The aims of this research are to develop a new model for multicomponent droplet drying. This model will provide predictions of conditions where composition variation exists in the drying particles. Validation of the model will be made using a novel instrument to measure the in-situ development of surface stickiness during drying. Stickiness is an important issue encountered during drying and handling of so ....Understanding of structure development in drying droplets through the stickiness paradigm. The aims of this research are to develop a new model for multicomponent droplet drying. This model will provide predictions of conditions where composition variation exists in the drying particles. Validation of the model will be made using a novel instrument to measure the in-situ development of surface stickiness during drying. Stickiness is an important issue encountered during drying and handling of some key food and consumer materials. Currently, there is no technique to measure the evolution of stickiness during drying. Key outputs will include the model, the instrument, and the development of efficient methods to generate the multicomponent data.Read moreRead less
Production of Concentrated Fresh Milk Products. This project focuses on developing production processes for concentrated fresh milk ingredients for the international market. Ultrafiltration of whole milk solutions will be extended to maximise the product protein concentration. Electrodialysis and nanofiltration will be tailored to separate salts from lactose and produce 'designer' products with minimum wastage and energy consumption. Production of lactitol from dairy lactose, a potential new man ....Production of Concentrated Fresh Milk Products. This project focuses on developing production processes for concentrated fresh milk ingredients for the international market. Ultrafiltration of whole milk solutions will be extended to maximise the product protein concentration. Electrodialysis and nanofiltration will be tailored to separate salts from lactose and produce 'designer' products with minimum wastage and energy consumption. Production of lactitol from dairy lactose, a potential new manufacturing operation for Australia, will be assessed. This project will result in diversion of quality ingredients from commodity markets to products with significant added value. The Korumburra region will benefit financially and socially from expansion in the local dairy industry.
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