A Vision Controlled Autonomous Multi-Robot Welding System. This developed system will increase the application of robotic welding in more Australian industries thereby increaseing the productivity and competitiveness of the nation. The system will provide a safer work environment for workers by reducing and potentially eliminating direct exposure of workers to the welding process. This fully automated welding system will give the Lincoln a significant advantage in commercialise this technology b ....A Vision Controlled Autonomous Multi-Robot Welding System. This developed system will increase the application of robotic welding in more Australian industries thereby increaseing the productivity and competitiveness of the nation. The system will provide a safer work environment for workers by reducing and potentially eliminating direct exposure of workers to the welding process. This fully automated welding system will give the Lincoln a significant advantage in commercialise this technology both in Australia and overseas. Therefore, this will reap considerable economic benefit for the company, and the nation. This project will also provide a realistic industrial environment for PhD student training.Read moreRead less
Virtual Reality Training Kit for Arc Welders. The aim of this research is to develop a virtual reality training package that enables welders to obtain basic manipulative skills in a safe environment before they are exposed to additional welding hazards. The research addresses the problem of welder training in a novel manner by utilizing a virtual reality simulator to allow the welding trainee to develop his manipulative and functional skills prior to attempting real welding tasks. An additional ....Virtual Reality Training Kit for Arc Welders. The aim of this research is to develop a virtual reality training package that enables welders to obtain basic manipulative skills in a safe environment before they are exposed to additional welding hazards. The research addresses the problem of welder training in a novel manner by utilizing a virtual reality simulator to allow the welding trainee to develop his manipulative and functional skills prior to attempting real welding tasks. An additional feature of the package is the internetworking facility that will allow monitoring and feedback of results to trainers. This is an advantage especially for remote communitiesRead moreRead less
Advanced Testing and Structural Analysis for Assessment and Control of Hydrogen Damage in Structural Steels. Hydrogen offers the potential for reducing emissions in transport and energy generation industries as it is a low emission energy carrier. However, there remain questions in relation to the effects of hydrogen gas on the structural integrity of large structural steel components, such as gas distribution pipelines. The project aims to provide guidance on the safe use of hydrogen in high pr ....Advanced Testing and Structural Analysis for Assessment and Control of Hydrogen Damage in Structural Steels. Hydrogen offers the potential for reducing emissions in transport and energy generation industries as it is a low emission energy carrier. However, there remain questions in relation to the effects of hydrogen gas on the structural integrity of large structural steel components, such as gas distribution pipelines. The project aims to provide guidance on the safe use of hydrogen in high pressure vessels manufactured from low alloy ferritic steels. This project will increase confidence in relevant safety codes and standards, consequently increasing the likelihood of large scale uptake of hydrogen energy technologies. Read moreRead less
Modelling and control of electromagnetically propelled arcs in joining processes. Magnetically impelled arc butt (MIAB) joining is a non-traditional manufacturing process for tubular steel components. Parameter selection and tuning have to date been experimentally determined via exhaustive trial-and-error techniques. Therefore the full capabilities of the process have not yet been realised. The project aims to model and optimise the complex process and thus facilitate the development of new a ....Modelling and control of electromagnetically propelled arcs in joining processes. Magnetically impelled arc butt (MIAB) joining is a non-traditional manufacturing process for tubular steel components. Parameter selection and tuning have to date been experimentally determined via exhaustive trial-and-error techniques. Therefore the full capabilities of the process have not yet been realised. The project aims to model and optimise the complex process and thus facilitate the development of new and effective control strategies. It is expected that novel power source designs will emerge as an outcome of the research proposed.Read moreRead less
Integration of Wireless LAN and GPRS/UMTS Cellular Systems. Integration of wireless local area networks with cellular mobile systems provides a feasible, reliable, and cost-effective way for high-speed mobile Internet access in wide area networks. In this project in collaboration with Australia's second largest telecommunications company; Optus, we will develop network architecture and essential access and mobility techniques for such a system. The project's outcomes will enable Optus to expand ....Integration of Wireless LAN and GPRS/UMTS Cellular Systems. Integration of wireless local area networks with cellular mobile systems provides a feasible, reliable, and cost-effective way for high-speed mobile Internet access in wide area networks. In this project in collaboration with Australia's second largest telecommunications company; Optus, we will develop network architecture and essential access and mobility techniques for such a system. The project's outcomes will enable Optus to expand its broadband mobile Internet service to all parts and population of the country including rural and regional areas and subsequently export the breakthrough technology resulted from the project to overseas.Read moreRead less
Improving road safety: advanced hybrid vehicle-based technology for monitoring driver drowsiness. Innovative technology geared towards reducing road accidents and fatalities (for improving public health) will constitute major socio-economic benefit to Australia. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau notes fatigue as a major cause of road accidents (2006). The World Health Organisation dedicated World Health Day 2004 to road safety and emphasized the importance of combating fatigue ('Road Safety ....Improving road safety: advanced hybrid vehicle-based technology for monitoring driver drowsiness. Innovative technology geared towards reducing road accidents and fatalities (for improving public health) will constitute major socio-economic benefit to Australia. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau notes fatigue as a major cause of road accidents (2006). The World Health Organisation dedicated World Health Day 2004 to road safety and emphasized the importance of combating fatigue ('Road Safety is no Accident'). This research will develop an innovative driver drowsiness detecting technology. With drowsiness attributable to substantial road fatalities, this technology aims to reduce this emotional and socio-economic burden on the community, contributing to national and community benefit by providing a safer road environment.Read moreRead less
Smart Antennas for Broadband Wireless Data Systems. Smart antennas can facilitate accommodation of an increasing demand for bandwidth and quality in wireless communications by directing the antenna beam towards the desired user, while suppressing signals coming from interferers. The beam forming processor can adapt to changes in channel propagation conditions as well as movements of the user or interferers. Many algorithms for controlling smart antennas have been proposed, and usually there is a ....Smart Antennas for Broadband Wireless Data Systems. Smart antennas can facilitate accommodation of an increasing demand for bandwidth and quality in wireless communications by directing the antenna beam towards the desired user, while suppressing signals coming from interferers. The beam forming processor can adapt to changes in channel propagation conditions as well as movements of the user or interferers. Many algorithms for controlling smart antennas have been proposed, and usually there is a trade-off between complexity and performance. We aim to find a suitable compromise to implement smart antennas for broadband wireless access systems and to apply smart antenna technology to increase the range of ultra-wideband communications.Read moreRead less
Maximising diffusion of innovative products on public infrastructure projects: A qualitative management study of open innovation systems. Australia's infrastructure in water, energy, health, education, transport and communication is the platform for our future prosperity and growth. In response to an identified deficit, Australian governments are embarking on major investment programs. Our ability to deliver these programs efficiently and effectively relies heavily on the promotion of innovation ....Maximising diffusion of innovative products on public infrastructure projects: A qualitative management study of open innovation systems. Australia's infrastructure in water, energy, health, education, transport and communication is the platform for our future prosperity and growth. In response to an identified deficit, Australian governments are embarking on major investment programs. Our ability to deliver these programs efficiently and effectively relies heavily on the promotion of innovation in the delivery phase. This study contributes to this major challenge by identifying how diffusion of innovative products can be maximised on infrastructure projects, focusing on knowledge flows within open innovation systems. The study will provide tools to optimise delivery of a world-class and integrated infrastructure network to meet Australia's future social and economic needs.Read moreRead less
Recycling lignocellulosic agricultural waste as an iron oxide reductant in ferrous processing. This project seeks to recycle agricultural waste as a renewable carbon resource to replace coal-based metallurgical coke as a raw material in ferrous processing. This approach will lead to an innovative recycling of this waste, wherein nothing is wasted and maximum value is extracted from agricultural materials.
Novel recycling approach for automotive waste glass and plastics. This project will develop innovative recycling of automotive waste containing glass and plastics by converting them into value-added material resources. The project outcomes will allow industries to tackle this global waste challenge, reduce landfill burden and enhance waste recycling in Australia.