Computational methods in atomic collision theory. We will develop computational methods for solving interactions between particles on the atomic scale. Computational problems, of particular interest to the industry partner, are the treatment of large-scale ill-conditioned linear systems, and the extension of the Gaussian molecular structure package to collision physics. We have been world-leaders in the field of atomic collision theory for almost a decade, and now, utilising the latest software ....Computational methods in atomic collision theory. We will develop computational methods for solving interactions between particles on the atomic scale. Computational problems, of particular interest to the industry partner, are the treatment of large-scale ill-conditioned linear systems, and the extension of the Gaussian molecular structure package to collision physics. We have been world-leaders in the field of atomic collision theory for almost a decade, and now, utilising the latest software and hardware, will have the capacity to extend the numerical techniques to a vast range of collision systems of interest to science and industry, where visualisation and sheer computer power will play a major role in both
code development and production runs.Read moreRead less
A Cost-Effective System for Monitoring Lightning Strikes Across Australasia. Lightning causes many major fires in Australia, and rural fire managers would benefit from access to lighting data. Lightning data have been prohibitively expensive because acquiring them requires a dense monitoring network. Low Frequency Electromagnetic Research Ltd (LF*EM) has developed an alternative, cost-effective technology for monitoring lightning based on a sparse network of stations monitoring VLF radiation. We ....A Cost-Effective System for Monitoring Lightning Strikes Across Australasia. Lightning causes many major fires in Australia, and rural fire managers would benefit from access to lighting data. Lightning data have been prohibitively expensive because acquiring them requires a dense monitoring network. Low Frequency Electromagnetic Research Ltd (LF*EM) has developed an alternative, cost-effective technology for monitoring lightning based on a sparse network of stations monitoring VLF radiation. We propose to translate LF*EM's basic science results into a product that can deliver lightning data to fire managers and other users across Oceania.Read moreRead less
Controlling hydrate slurry flow to enable deepwater oil and gas production. This project aims to investigate the plugging of hydrate slurries in pipelines to determine under what conditions they will flow satisfactorily without forming a blockage. Hydrate blockages are expensive and hazardous occurrences in oil and gas operations, so current prevention systems aim to avoid hydrate formation altogether through over-design. These over-designed hydrate prevention systems are extremely expensive to ....Controlling hydrate slurry flow to enable deepwater oil and gas production. This project aims to investigate the plugging of hydrate slurries in pipelines to determine under what conditions they will flow satisfactorily without forming a blockage. Hydrate blockages are expensive and hazardous occurrences in oil and gas operations, so current prevention systems aim to avoid hydrate formation altogether through over-design. These over-designed hydrate prevention systems are extremely expensive to build and costly to run during the operations phase. The project intends to examine the behaviour of hydrate slurry flow as a function of the oil's properties, amount of water and degree of turbulence. Outcomes are intended to be a sophisticated approach to avoiding hydrate blockages that is safe but more efficient and less costly.Read moreRead less
Syngas Production Using Catalytic Carbon Dioxide Dry Reforming. This project intends to pave the way for turning remote low-value Australian resources and greenhouse gases into valuable products. Most of Australian natural gas reserves are located in the remote north-west shelf, and many are small scale and thus cannot be economically harnessed using conventional methods such as pipeline transportation or gas liquefaction. In this project, a dry reforming reactor with novel catalysts will be des ....Syngas Production Using Catalytic Carbon Dioxide Dry Reforming. This project intends to pave the way for turning remote low-value Australian resources and greenhouse gases into valuable products. Most of Australian natural gas reserves are located in the remote north-west shelf, and many are small scale and thus cannot be economically harnessed using conventional methods such as pipeline transportation or gas liquefaction. In this project, a dry reforming reactor with novel catalysts will be designed for converting natural gas and carbon dioxide to syngas, which is an intermediate step of gas-to-liquid plant. By innovatively integrating advanced catalysis and heating technologies, reactor weight and operational costs will be minimised.Read moreRead less
Environmentally responsive clean coatings. Nature makes use of a range of fascinating surface properties, such as the leaves of the Lotus plant which stay clean even in dirty environments. In this project we will explore the molecular properties of novel polymer coated surfaces that-similar to some natural surfaces-can adapt to changing environmental stimuli and be resistant to contamination. Specifically, we aim to develop self-cleaning polymer coatings which can reversibly switch from wettab ....Environmentally responsive clean coatings. Nature makes use of a range of fascinating surface properties, such as the leaves of the Lotus plant which stay clean even in dirty environments. In this project we will explore the molecular properties of novel polymer coated surfaces that-similar to some natural surfaces-can adapt to changing environmental stimuli and be resistant to contamination. Specifically, we aim to develop self-cleaning polymer coatings which can reversibly switch from wettable to non-wettable with changing temperature and humidity. These self-cleaning polymer surfaces with environmentally responsive properties will add value to pre-painted steel products and other coatings.Read moreRead less
Geomagnetic induced currents in the Australian electricity supply network. This project will develop measures to protect the Australian electricity supply network from adverse effects of enhanced solar activity. This is essential for risk assessment and long term asset management of the Australian electricity network.
Investigation of contaminant distribution, deposition and poisoning of cathodes of solid oxide fuel cells. The purpose of the project is to fundamentally study the poisoning process of contaminants on the performance degradation and activity of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) cathode and to develop contaminant-tolerant cathodes, so as to ensure the product life over five years of the BlueGen SOFC systems being developed by Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd. in Melbourne.
Model studies of Australian lump ore applied to blast furnace ironmaking. Ore lump use in ironmaking blast furnaces (BFs) requires no preprocessing and has a lower carbon footprint. However, it suffers various technical problems. This project aims to understand and optimize the conditions for such operations. This will be achieved by means of a combined theoretical and experimental program, involving the use of state-of-the-art multiscale computer modelling and simulation techniques. The researc ....Model studies of Australian lump ore applied to blast furnace ironmaking. Ore lump use in ironmaking blast furnaces (BFs) requires no preprocessing and has a lower carbon footprint. However, it suffers various technical problems. This project aims to understand and optimize the conditions for such operations. This will be achieved by means of a combined theoretical and experimental program, involving the use of state-of-the-art multiscale computer modelling and simulation techniques. The research outcomes will be tested in the design and control of lump charging operations in practice through collaboration with the industrial partner. This will ultimately increase Australian ore lump usage in BFs, leading to significant financial and environmental benefits to Australia and the entire steel industry worldwide.Read moreRead less
Low emission iron and steelmaking using hydrogen to pre-reduce lump ore. This project aims to develop and apply a new route of lump iron ore pre-reduction with hydrogen or H2-enriched gases for ironmaking to minimise CO2 emission from steel production. The route will be built up on the base of H2 reduction kinetics of iron ore and with novel technologies such as CO2 recycle and H2-heating using hot blast, underpinning the hydrogen economy by addressing the environmental concerns in mineral and s ....Low emission iron and steelmaking using hydrogen to pre-reduce lump ore. This project aims to develop and apply a new route of lump iron ore pre-reduction with hydrogen or H2-enriched gases for ironmaking to minimise CO2 emission from steel production. The route will be built up on the base of H2 reduction kinetics of iron ore and with novel technologies such as CO2 recycle and H2-heating using hot blast, underpinning the hydrogen economy by addressing the environmental concerns in mineral and steel industries. It is not only significant for low-carbon steel production, but also for better fundamental understanding to develop the future zero-emission iron and steelmaking with hydrogen. The project will be very beneficent because it increases the use of lump iron ore and expends Australian export of iron ores.Read moreRead less
Integrating microbiology and climatic drivers to determine triggers for nitrous oxide emissions from arable soils in semi-arid Western Australia. Increasing nitrous oxide emissions from soil to the atmosphere are a concern as they contribute to global warming and the destruction of the ozone layer. While 70-81% of this increase has been attributed globally to agricultural soils, the factors controlling emissions from arable soils in southern Australia are not well understood. We aim to charact ....Integrating microbiology and climatic drivers to determine triggers for nitrous oxide emissions from arable soils in semi-arid Western Australia. Increasing nitrous oxide emissions from soil to the atmosphere are a concern as they contribute to global warming and the destruction of the ozone layer. While 70-81% of this increase has been attributed globally to agricultural soils, the factors controlling emissions from arable soils in southern Australia are not well understood. We aim to characterise and model the relationship between the soil microbial community responsible for nitrous oxide emissions and soil water availability. Understanding the processes responsible for nitrous oxide emissions will enable us to change the way we manage our semi-arid soils so as to minimise nitrous oxide emissions.Read moreRead less