Development of an active noise control system for sleeper seats on large commercial aircraft. Possible avenues will be investigated to actively reduce aircraft cabin noise experienced by passengers in sleeper seats, using localised active noise control (ANC). Previous work has focused on headsets and upright seat headrests which represent a different problem to the partially enclosed sleeper seats considered here. Efficiency and robustness problems that affect existing ANC systems will be addres ....Development of an active noise control system for sleeper seats on large commercial aircraft. Possible avenues will be investigated to actively reduce aircraft cabin noise experienced by passengers in sleeper seats, using localised active noise control (ANC). Previous work has focused on headsets and upright seat headrests which represent a different problem to the partially enclosed sleeper seats considered here. Efficiency and robustness problems that affect existing ANC systems will be addressed. A prototype system will be produced for a business class sleeper seat in a wide body aircraft. A second outcome is the establishment of a robust integrated system design procedure that can be used to quickly develop ANC systems for future designs.Read moreRead less
Development of Carbon Nanotube Nanothermometers and Their Application for Temperature Measurement in the Catalytic Layers of Fuel Cells. The project encompasses cutting-edge work in nanotechnology and advanced materials, covering aspects of carbon nanotubes and their applications, along with fuel cell technology. It will provide unique insights into the phenomena of the nanoworld, including manipulation of nanotubes, and nanoscale oxidation behaviour and temperature measurement. The scientific a ....Development of Carbon Nanotube Nanothermometers and Their Application for Temperature Measurement in the Catalytic Layers of Fuel Cells. The project encompasses cutting-edge work in nanotechnology and advanced materials, covering aspects of carbon nanotubes and their applications, along with fuel cell technology. It will provide unique insights into the phenomena of the nanoworld, including manipulation of nanotubes, and nanoscale oxidation behaviour and temperature measurement. The scientific and engineering understanding acquired through this project is vital for solving the problems that limit the wide application of fuel cells. Ultimately, full commercialisation of fuel cells will provide significant environmental benefits by increasing the use of renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.Read moreRead less
Ground based monitoring of plasma dynamics in the magnetosphere. We will use a new technique to study the plasmapause, a fundamental and highly dynamic boundary in geospace. This is usually examined using spacecraft and ground-based VLF measurements, but these suffer several limitations. We have developed the ability to monitor plasma density in geospace, by measuring the resonant frequency of geomagnetic field line oscillations. This project will use data from extensive ground magnetometer a ....Ground based monitoring of plasma dynamics in the magnetosphere. We will use a new technique to study the plasmapause, a fundamental and highly dynamic boundary in geospace. This is usually examined using spacecraft and ground-based VLF measurements, but these suffer several limitations. We have developed the ability to monitor plasma density in geospace, by measuring the resonant frequency of geomagnetic field line oscillations. This project will use data from extensive ground magnetometer arrays to thus study the spatial and temporal variation in particle density near the plasmapause. Comparison with VLF and spacecraft measurements will provide new information on the plasma composition and dynamics in this important region.Read moreRead less
DYNAMICS OF EARTH'S RADIATION BELTS. Space weather is produced by rapid variations in wave fields and particle populations in near-Earth space, and has many effects. These include damage to spacecraft (causing operational anomalies and loss of service), degrading the performance of GPS, space-ground, HF radio and cable-based networks, and affecting surveillance radars. The core aim of this project is to improve knowledge of the waves and particles causing these effects. While being important to ....DYNAMICS OF EARTH'S RADIATION BELTS. Space weather is produced by rapid variations in wave fields and particle populations in near-Earth space, and has many effects. These include damage to spacecraft (causing operational anomalies and loss of service), degrading the performance of GPS, space-ground, HF radio and cable-based networks, and affecting surveillance radars. The core aim of this project is to improve knowledge of the waves and particles causing these effects. While being important to aerospace engineers, this work also consolidates Australia's international space profile and provides excellent training in this field. Since space weather causes significant radiation exposure to aircraft crew and passengers this work also has broader ramifications.Read moreRead less
Ring Current and Radiation Belt Dynamics. Outbursts of energy from the Sun manifest themselves as geomagnetic storms in the Earth's magnetosphere. These storms can severely disrupt and damage advanced technological systems operating on the ground and in space. Operational spacecraft may experience anomalies, pipelines in the long term may corrode and the performance of GPS navigational systems, HF (High Frequency) communications systems, mobile/cell telephone networks and defence surveillance ra ....Ring Current and Radiation Belt Dynamics. Outbursts of energy from the Sun manifest themselves as geomagnetic storms in the Earth's magnetosphere. These storms can severely disrupt and damage advanced technological systems operating on the ground and in space. Operational spacecraft may experience anomalies, pipelines in the long term may corrode and the performance of GPS navigational systems, HF (High Frequency) communications systems, mobile/cell telephone networks and defence surveillance radars may be degraded. It is important to understand the magnetospheric conditions contributing to these problems. This research identifies relevant mechanisms. It also enhances Australia's international space research profile, contributes to Australia's future and supports excellent postgraduate training.Read moreRead less
Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves and Magnetosphere Plasma Dynamics. Space weather, manifest as magnetic storms in the Earth's magnetosphere, can severely disrupt and damage advanced technological systems operating in space and on the ground. Spacecraft may experience operational anomalies, pipeline corrosion may eventuate in the long term, and the performance of GPS navigation systems, HF communication systems, mobile phone networks, and surveillance radars, may be degraded. Knowledge of the ....Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves and Magnetosphere Plasma Dynamics. Space weather, manifest as magnetic storms in the Earth's magnetosphere, can severely disrupt and damage advanced technological systems operating in space and on the ground. Spacecraft may experience operational anomalies, pipeline corrosion may eventuate in the long term, and the performance of GPS navigation systems, HF communication systems, mobile phone networks, and surveillance radars, may be degraded. Knowledge of the near-Earth space environment under which these problems occur is extremely important. This project identifies relevant mechanisms. The research consolidates Australia's international space profile, provides excellent postgraduate training in the field, and contributes to Australia's future technological development.Read moreRead less
Development of constitutive models for concentrated suspensions via particle-level simulations. The outcome of this work will be a comprehensive theoretical framework by which accurate microstructural information is distilled into a macro-scale constitutive model of particulate suspensions, readily useable for modelling of practical industrial applications. This work will have a direct impact on the design capability and performance of a wide range of mechanisms and industrial processes involvin ....Development of constitutive models for concentrated suspensions via particle-level simulations. The outcome of this work will be a comprehensive theoretical framework by which accurate microstructural information is distilled into a macro-scale constitutive model of particulate suspensions, readily useable for modelling of practical industrial applications. This work will have a direct impact on the design capability and performance of a wide range of mechanisms and industrial processes involving suspensions. The development of better models for industrially useful suspensions offers a competitive advantage for a diverse range of Australia industry, from the food preparation sector, to mineral slurry transport, and water filtration and recycling.Read moreRead less
Direct simulation of composite microstructures in fluid and elastic media. The proposed innovative computational methodology will improve the design and performance of a wide range of mechanisms and industrial processes involving particulate inclusions, from engineering to biological applications. The resultant technology will make a contribution to maintain and enhance Australia's role in the development of advanced engineering materials through manipulating their composite microstructures. The ....Direct simulation of composite microstructures in fluid and elastic media. The proposed innovative computational methodology will improve the design and performance of a wide range of mechanisms and industrial processes involving particulate inclusions, from engineering to biological applications. The resultant technology will make a contribution to maintain and enhance Australia's role in the development of advanced engineering materials through manipulating their composite microstructures. The proposed computational method will also lead to new opportunities for Australian companies that develop computer simulation software. Our researchers in computational mechanics will gain further opportunities to extend the advances this project will make.Read moreRead less
Microstructural mechanisms of magnetorheological suspensions. A magnetorheological suspension (MRS) is a "smart material" which shows an enormous but reversible increase in flow resistance upon application of a magnetic field. These tunable fluids have many engineering applications, such as in adjustable vibration damping systems. This project comprises a series of innovative experiments and computer simulations, which will lead to a predictive constitutive model. We will investigate the underly ....Microstructural mechanisms of magnetorheological suspensions. A magnetorheological suspension (MRS) is a "smart material" which shows an enormous but reversible increase in flow resistance upon application of a magnetic field. These tunable fluids have many engineering applications, such as in adjustable vibration damping systems. This project comprises a series of innovative experiments and computer simulations, which will lead to a predictive constitutive model. We will investigate the underlying physical mechanisms governing the mechanical response of MRS, including the behaviour under small strains and under squeeze flow, the effects of rheometer wall conditions, and the role of matrix viscoelasticity or viscoplasticity.Read moreRead less
Turbulent mixing of a passive scalar. Turbulence is the usual state of fluid motion. This proposal will increase Australia's expertise in fundamental turbulence research, especially in the area of turbulent mixing, which is of major importance in many natural and engineering problems involving combustion, chemical reactions and pollution. A better knowledge of mixing at small scales will lead to more efficient combustion, savings in energy expenditure as well as a reduction in pollutant emiss ....Turbulent mixing of a passive scalar. Turbulence is the usual state of fluid motion. This proposal will increase Australia's expertise in fundamental turbulence research, especially in the area of turbulent mixing, which is of major importance in many natural and engineering problems involving combustion, chemical reactions and pollution. A better knowledge of mixing at small scales will lead to more efficient combustion, savings in energy expenditure as well as a reduction in pollutant emissions. Read moreRead less