Development of High Performance Mechanical Sorting of Plastics for Recycling. This research program aims to develop and test a range of high performance, mechanical in-process plastics sorting technologies in conjunction with Australia's lead recycling company. Currently, recycling techniques result in an insufficient purity and quality level, thus limiting the extent of recycling and opportunity for end product applications. Increasing the purity of recycled plastics and economics of recyclin ....Development of High Performance Mechanical Sorting of Plastics for Recycling. This research program aims to develop and test a range of high performance, mechanical in-process plastics sorting technologies in conjunction with Australia's lead recycling company. Currently, recycling techniques result in an insufficient purity and quality level, thus limiting the extent of recycling and opportunity for end product applications. Increasing the purity of recycled plastics and economics of recycling, without compromising throughput levels, will result in an increase in recycling rates and the range of applications of recycled plastics.Read moreRead less
Development of Advanced Polymers from Recycled Industrial Plastics for Replacement of Virgin Resins. The main objective of this research program is to develop strategies and techniques to develop advanced polymeric materials obtained from recycled industrial plastics for replacement of virgin resins in industrial packaging. Studies show that only a very small amount of such plastic is reclaimed after industrial use. The research will include a comprehensive study of the life cycle of the indus ....Development of Advanced Polymers from Recycled Industrial Plastics for Replacement of Virgin Resins. The main objective of this research program is to develop strategies and techniques to develop advanced polymeric materials obtained from recycled industrial plastics for replacement of virgin resins in industrial packaging. Studies show that only a very small amount of such plastic is reclaimed after industrial use. The research will include a comprehensive study of the life cycle of the industrial packaging products, development of new blends of the recycled resins, and the application of these blends to manufacture good quality injection moulded and blow moulded products including new plastic pails and containers for industrial use.Read moreRead less
High-Performance Polymer Composites for Electrical Discharging. This project aims to address the problem of electrostatic discharge by developing new industry-compatible processing techniques and taking advantage of the synergy between graphene and carbon nanotubes and fibres. Electrostatic discharge due to accumulation of static electricity is a significant problem for lightweight polymer composites used in hazard environments, such as pumps for underground mining, oil and gas storage and satel ....High-Performance Polymer Composites for Electrical Discharging. This project aims to address the problem of electrostatic discharge by developing new industry-compatible processing techniques and taking advantage of the synergy between graphene and carbon nanotubes and fibres. Electrostatic discharge due to accumulation of static electricity is a significant problem for lightweight polymer composites used in hazard environments, such as pumps for underground mining, oil and gas storage and satellites. The outcomes will potentially transform the current manufacturing practice of anti-static composites for industry applications including mining, energy, space and agriculture. Read moreRead less
Fire-Retardant Composite Resins for Bushfire-Safe Wind Farm Infrastructures. This project aims to develop advanced fire-retardant composite resins for manufacturing bushfire-safe wind farm infrastructures. The innovation of the project is the development of a new class of low-cost, novel, highly effective fire retardants and their value-added fire-retardant composite resins with well-preserved physical properties. This will be achieved by understanding the composition-property relationship of fi ....Fire-Retardant Composite Resins for Bushfire-Safe Wind Farm Infrastructures. This project aims to develop advanced fire-retardant composite resins for manufacturing bushfire-safe wind farm infrastructures. The innovation of the project is the development of a new class of low-cost, novel, highly effective fire retardants and their value-added fire-retardant composite resins with well-preserved physical properties. This will be achieved by understanding the composition-property relationship of fire retardants and optimising their synthetic parameters. The project will help position Australia’s advanced composite manufacturing at the forefront of technology. It will also accelerate Australia’s energy transition to renewables by enabling bushfire-safe wind farm infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Non-polyamide-based polymer membranes for efficient water processing. This project aims to develop an innovative, two-dimensional nanosheet scaffold polymerisation technique for the fabrication of advanced membranes. Membrane technology plays a key role in wastewater treatment and water desalination and purification. However, current membranes are not stable in an oxidation environment such as chlorine, which leads to significant membrane replacement costs. Through the development of new membran ....Non-polyamide-based polymer membranes for efficient water processing. This project aims to develop an innovative, two-dimensional nanosheet scaffold polymerisation technique for the fabrication of advanced membranes. Membrane technology plays a key role in wastewater treatment and water desalination and purification. However, current membranes are not stable in an oxidation environment such as chlorine, which leads to significant membrane replacement costs. Through the development of new membrane fabrication technology the project aims to produce non-polyamide-based polymer membranes with outstanding oxidation tolerance and separation properties. This will potentially simplify membrane processes, and improve water processing efficiency in wastewater treatment for power generation, and clean drinking water production.
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Functionalised biopolymers - a new class of renewable nano-engineered materials. Licella is an Australian start-up company, focusing on developing uses for the renewable resource lignocellulosic biomass; a fibrous material sourced principally from waste, such as that generated by forestry and agricultural operations. It is possible to use such waste and process it to separate the biomass components. This project proposes to modify these biomass fractions with living radical polymerisation (LPR) ....Functionalised biopolymers - a new class of renewable nano-engineered materials. Licella is an Australian start-up company, focusing on developing uses for the renewable resource lignocellulosic biomass; a fibrous material sourced principally from waste, such as that generated by forestry and agricultural operations. It is possible to use such waste and process it to separate the biomass components. This project proposes to modify these biomass fractions with living radical polymerisation (LPR) polymers to impart functionalities, such as antimicrobial properties, high tensile strengths and/or in-built photodegrability. New, high-performance sustainable materials like these will be the back-bone of the polymer/plastics industry of the future, replacing common plastics, sourced from non-renewable petrochemicals, with benign, sustainable plastics.Read moreRead less
Lightweight Photovoltaic Modules for Low-Load Capacity Building Roofs. This project aims to develop lightweight and reliable high efficiency photovoltaic modules that expand solar energy installations onto low-load capacity building roofs. New lightweight materials will be developed for packaging with multi-functionalities such as fast heat dissipation. This project will produce economical prototypes and enable and
facilitate cost reduction of crystalline silicon photovoltaic module installation ....Lightweight Photovoltaic Modules for Low-Load Capacity Building Roofs. This project aims to develop lightweight and reliable high efficiency photovoltaic modules that expand solar energy installations onto low-load capacity building roofs. New lightweight materials will be developed for packaging with multi-functionalities such as fast heat dissipation. This project will produce economical prototypes and enable and
facilitate cost reduction of crystalline silicon photovoltaic module installations on lightweight buildings, overcoming current constraints of heavy glass modules and making more solar energy exploited in both Australia’s urban and rural areas. This will get steps closer to zero emission buildings, by providing renewable energy alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based power generation.Read moreRead less
Formation and characterisation of continuous electrospun nanofibre yarns. Australia historically has a strong fibre and textile industry that can be augmented by embracing emerging nanotechnology. The proposed research will develop a technology that can greatly improve the productivity of nanofibres. These fibres can then be spun into continuous yarns and other form of textile products. The nanostructured products offer exceptional functions for biomedical and environmental applications. This ne ....Formation and characterisation of continuous electrospun nanofibre yarns. Australia historically has a strong fibre and textile industry that can be augmented by embracing emerging nanotechnology. The proposed research will develop a technology that can greatly improve the productivity of nanofibres. These fibres can then be spun into continuous yarns and other form of textile products. The nanostructured products offer exceptional functions for biomedical and environmental applications. This new technology has the potential to transform the Australian textile technology and fibre processing industry. Read moreRead less
Self-powered active noise control via a nanofibre acoustoelectric converter. This project aims to investigate a new, active noise control system that can eliminate low frequency noise without the use of external electricity. This project will generate new knowledge about how to realise self-powering on active noise controllers using piezoelectric nanofibres as sound detector and power generator. Expected outcomes include an effective method to produce this novel noise controller and a systemic u ....Self-powered active noise control via a nanofibre acoustoelectric converter. This project aims to investigate a new, active noise control system that can eliminate low frequency noise without the use of external electricity. This project will generate new knowledge about how to realise self-powering on active noise controllers using piezoelectric nanofibres as sound detector and power generator. Expected outcomes include an effective method to produce this novel noise controller and a systemic understanding about materials, devices and performance. This will significantly benefit development of advanced noise controlling technology and products, benefiting industry and the environment.Read moreRead less
Modelling rheology and flow parameters of injection moulding of liquid crystal polymer materials. Australian company Moldflow is a world leader in the modelling and simulation of injection moulding plastic parts, yet its sophisticated software is inadequate for liquid crystalline polymers. This research aims to redress this by appropriate rheological study of these materials, incorporating suitable rheological model in the simulation and by experimental validation. The benefit will be new know ....Modelling rheology and flow parameters of injection moulding of liquid crystal polymer materials. Australian company Moldflow is a world leader in the modelling and simulation of injection moulding plastic parts, yet its sophisticated software is inadequate for liquid crystalline polymers. This research aims to redress this by appropriate rheological study of these materials, incorporating suitable rheological model in the simulation and by experimental validation. The benefit will be new knowledge of the injection moulding process, enhancement of Australia's scientific reputation in this field, extension of the Moldflow software to a wider polymer range, new markets nationally and internationally, competitive edge of the improved software and contribution to national economy due to new business.Read moreRead less