Nanostructures of Surfactants at Solid-Liquid and Gas-Liquid Interfaces and Interfacial Properties. The proposed research aims to investigate nanostructures of surface-active agents at interfaces and related interfacial properties. Specifically, the proposal focuses on quantitative models for the self-assembly of surfactants at solid-liquid and gas-liquid interfaces, experimental validation of the models and interfacial properties produced by the surfactants for industrial applications. The stud ....Nanostructures of Surfactants at Solid-Liquid and Gas-Liquid Interfaces and Interfacial Properties. The proposed research aims to investigate nanostructures of surface-active agents at interfaces and related interfacial properties. Specifically, the proposal focuses on quantitative models for the self-assembly of surfactants at solid-liquid and gas-liquid interfaces, experimental validation of the models and interfacial properties produced by the surfactants for industrial applications. The study will increase our understanding of surfactant-interface interaction to allow us to have greater control over the interfacial properties and improve the interface-based industrial processes. The research is relevant to the minerals and coal processing industry worth hundreds of billions dollars annually to Australia and USA.Read moreRead less
Microdynamic study of the flow of granular materials in bladed mixers. This project aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of granular mixing mechanics in bladed mixers. The study will be carried out by means of newly developed advanced numerical and experimental techniques to generate particle scale information. The flow and mixing behaviour of particles under different conditions will be analysed at both micro- and macro-scopic levels. The research outcomes such as predictive equations ....Microdynamic study of the flow of granular materials in bladed mixers. This project aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of granular mixing mechanics in bladed mixers. The study will be carried out by means of newly developed advanced numerical and experimental techniques to generate particle scale information. The flow and mixing behaviour of particles under different conditions will be analysed at both micro- and macro-scopic levels. The research outcomes such as predictive equations will be tested by simulating and analysing complicated industrial mixing processes; modelling to improve granulation and breakage will be targets. It will significantly improve the design, optimisation and control of mixing processes that are widely used in many industries.Read moreRead less
Particle scale studies of powder mixing in bladed mixers. Powder handling and processing are widely used in both conventional and modern industries but rarely reach more than 60% of design capacity because of poor fundamental understanding. Such operations are important to Australia in view of the heavy dependence on raw materials processing (about 40% of the GNP). This project will tackle the core problems in powder mixing which is a key operation in many industries. Application of the research ....Particle scale studies of powder mixing in bladed mixers. Powder handling and processing are widely used in both conventional and modern industries but rarely reach more than 60% of design capacity because of poor fundamental understanding. Such operations are important to Australia in view of the heavy dependence on raw materials processing (about 40% of the GNP). This project will tackle the core problems in powder mixing which is a key operation in many industries. Application of the research outcomes can lead to better process or product control, a decrease in energy consumption and an improvement in productivity, which is very helpful to maintaining Australia's leading position in resource, energy, process and allied industries.Read moreRead less
Development of micro abrasive water jetting technology for micro machining and polishing on small complex curved surfaces. The fabrication of micro-parts such as those used in integrated sensors and micro-actuators is a new challenge for the rapid development of this industry. Many existing technologies either find limitations or result in defects on the machined surfaces. This project will develop an innovative abrasive water-jetting technology for micro machining and polishing. It will deve ....Development of micro abrasive water jetting technology for micro machining and polishing on small complex curved surfaces. The fabrication of micro-parts such as those used in integrated sensors and micro-actuators is a new challenge for the rapid development of this industry. Many existing technologies either find limitations or result in defects on the machined surfaces. This project will develop an innovative abrasive water-jetting technology for micro machining and polishing. It will develop the fundamentals and prototype for further development by industry. New nozzle designs will be analyzed and optimized by computational fluid dynamics studies and experimental investigations using a Particle Image Velocimeter. Mathematical models for the processing performance will also be developed for use in process control.Read moreRead less
Molecular dynamic simulation and experimental study on the mechanisms of high critical current density in superconductors. The aim of this project is to establish a collaboration between the Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM) and the team at Nanjing University to study the mechanisms of high critical current density (or flux pinning) in superconductors. Molecular dynamic simulation combined with experimental techniques, such as transport and magnetic measurements will ....Molecular dynamic simulation and experimental study on the mechanisms of high critical current density in superconductors. The aim of this project is to establish a collaboration between the Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM) and the team at Nanjing University to study the mechanisms of high critical current density (or flux pinning) in superconductors. Molecular dynamic simulation combined with experimental techniques, such as transport and magnetic measurements will be used. The results of this work will expand our understanding of the pinning mechanisms of high temperature superconductors and MgB2 superconductors, with the hope of further enhancing the current carrying capacity, and therefore promoting the practical applications of superconductors.Read moreRead less
Structure of Water-Based Polymer and Surfactant Lubricant Layers. The aim of this work is to understand the structures formed by mixtures of polymers and surfactant (detergent or soap) on solid surfaces, and especially how this structure affects the performance of the mixed layer as a lubricant. We will investigate a variety of polymer and surfactant molecules and their mixtures, determining the structure directly by atomic force microscopy imaging and measuring the sliding and adhesive forces ....Structure of Water-Based Polymer and Surfactant Lubricant Layers. The aim of this work is to understand the structures formed by mixtures of polymers and surfactant (detergent or soap) on solid surfaces, and especially how this structure affects the performance of the mixed layer as a lubricant. We will investigate a variety of polymer and surfactant molecules and their mixtures, determining the structure directly by atomic force microscopy imaging and measuring the sliding and adhesive forces using the surface force appararus. This will enable us to better understand water-based lubricants and design new lubricating layers.Read moreRead less