Evolution of Contact Damage in Layer Structures. Brittle layer structures (eg brittle coating on ceramic substrate) can be much more damage tolerant than their constituent material components - cracks tend to remain contained within the coating. Very little is known about the factors that control this behaviour. This project will exploit unique local expertise in modelling damage evolution to fill a niche in a large study being carried out at the National Institute of Standards (NIST) in the U ....Evolution of Contact Damage in Layer Structures. Brittle layer structures (eg brittle coating on ceramic substrate) can be much more damage tolerant than their constituent material components - cracks tend to remain contained within the coating. Very little is known about the factors that control this behaviour. This project will exploit unique local expertise in modelling damage evolution to fill a niche in a large study being carried out at the National Institute of Standards (NIST) in the U.S.A. An understanding of the factors that maximise the containment of cracks is essential to the design and development of the next generation of advanced layer composites for many biomechanical and other engineering applications.Read moreRead less
Cellular control mechanisms of matrix mineralization in the teeth of marine molluscs. These studies are significant as a foundation for the country's current focus on advanced materials and nanotechnology. The production of new materials is critically dependant upon understanding the crystallochemical control organisms, such as chitons and limpets, have over the precipitation of simple compounds, such as the calcium and iron oxides, phosphates and silica, often formed as nanoscale deposits. This ....Cellular control mechanisms of matrix mineralization in the teeth of marine molluscs. These studies are significant as a foundation for the country's current focus on advanced materials and nanotechnology. The production of new materials is critically dependant upon understanding the crystallochemical control organisms, such as chitons and limpets, have over the precipitation of simple compounds, such as the calcium and iron oxides, phosphates and silica, often formed as nanoscale deposits. This study constitutes a systematic in situ exploration of the biomineralization processes that form these composite microstructures and as such will provide a new source of inspiration to the production of new biomaterials.Read moreRead less
Boundary Effects on Bridging-Stress/Crack-Opening Relationship and Specific Fracture Energy. This project is to investigate the boundary/interface influence on fracture/material properties of composites and thin layered structures along crack path to free boundary and bi-material interface. The local fracture energy dissipation along crack path is emphasised and used to study the boundary influence on the cohesive law - the relationship between crack bridging stress and crack opening displaceme ....Boundary Effects on Bridging-Stress/Crack-Opening Relationship and Specific Fracture Energy. This project is to investigate the boundary/interface influence on fracture/material properties of composites and thin layered structures along crack path to free boundary and bi-material interface. The local fracture energy dissipation along crack path is emphasised and used to study the boundary influence on the cohesive law - the relationship between crack bridging stress and crack opening displacement. New fracture mechanics model is proposed that incorporates the boundary/interface influence and the more popular size effect. The new boundary/interface effect model will be more relevant to modern materials applications related to layered ceramics, thin films, coatings in electronic and bio-medical applications.Read moreRead less
Comparative Study of MnAs and Co-Based Magnetoelastic Functional Materials. Magnetoelastic materials are an emerging new class of functional materials with great potential in a wide range of innovative applications including smart structures, sensors and actuators, microelectronics, micro-electromechanical systems, and medical engineering. The study of magnetoelastic materials is still in its infancy and a great effort is required to develop them into practical materials for engineering applicat ....Comparative Study of MnAs and Co-Based Magnetoelastic Functional Materials. Magnetoelastic materials are an emerging new class of functional materials with great potential in a wide range of innovative applications including smart structures, sensors and actuators, microelectronics, micro-electromechanical systems, and medical engineering. The study of magnetoelastic materials is still in its infancy and a great effort is required to develop them into practical materials for engineering application. This study aims to investigate two promising candidate materials: CoNi and MnAs. Expected outcomes include the characterisation of their functional properties and understanding of the mechanisms of magnetoelasticity in these materials. Such understanding is expected to contribute to the development of practical magnetoelastic materials and their applications.
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Spin dynamics in magnetic nanostructures by spin-polarized single- and two-electron spectroscopy. The technological and fundamental outcomes will underpin development of spin-polarized electron dynamics in magnetic nanostructures. Electron spin dynamics offers active control and manipulation of electron spin in ultrathin films as the basis of novel technology. Potential applications are high-speed filters, sensors, quantum transistors. The surface science-based industry will find applications f ....Spin dynamics in magnetic nanostructures by spin-polarized single- and two-electron spectroscopy. The technological and fundamental outcomes will underpin development of spin-polarized electron dynamics in magnetic nanostructures. Electron spin dynamics offers active control and manipulation of electron spin in ultrathin films as the basis of novel technology. Potential applications are high-speed filters, sensors, quantum transistors. The surface science-based industry will find applications for manufacturing and control in nanotechnology. This project contributes to postgraduate and postdoctoral research and training to encourage excellence, with depth of knowledge in interdisciplinary research, a scientific environment providing access to research not otherwise in Australia, and experience in construction of scientific instruments.Read moreRead less
Composite magnetic conducting nanomaterials for microwave applications. Australian science and technology will be a leading participant in the creation of a new, useful technology for microwave and magnetologic applications whose properties arise from integration of metallic magnetic nanoelements with miniature nonmagnetic current conductors. Recent proof-of-concept demonstrations have inspired an explosion of activity on a global scale. In this project, young Australian scientists and research ....Composite magnetic conducting nanomaterials for microwave applications. Australian science and technology will be a leading participant in the creation of a new, useful technology for microwave and magnetologic applications whose properties arise from integration of metallic magnetic nanoelements with miniature nonmagnetic current conductors. Recent proof-of-concept demonstrations have inspired an explosion of activity on a global scale. In this project, young Australian scientists and research students will have opportunities to receive training and become involved in a National Priority Frontier Technology rich in possibilities for generation of intellectual property.Read moreRead less