Minimization of emissions from dimethyl ether (DME) combustion in a diesel engine. The project works on the utilization of dimethyl ether, an innovative clean fuel produced from coal or natural gas, as a diesel substitute. The utilization of DME in diesel engines can potentially reduce the emissions by 90%, making it possible to meet the strictest engine standard. In the meantime the engine efficiency can be improved. The outcomes of the project will help accelarate the maturity of the DME mark ....Minimization of emissions from dimethyl ether (DME) combustion in a diesel engine. The project works on the utilization of dimethyl ether, an innovative clean fuel produced from coal or natural gas, as a diesel substitute. The utilization of DME in diesel engines can potentially reduce the emissions by 90%, making it possible to meet the strictest engine standard. In the meantime the engine efficiency can be improved. The outcomes of the project will help accelarate the maturity of the DME market in Australia. Read moreRead less
Development of Canonical Mist Filter Models. Over one million tonnes of oil (mist) is wasted every year – and emitted to the atmosphere through inefficient filtration. Over 50 per cent of energy usage in most process industries is for filtration and separation processes, yet mist filters and separators are largely designed by trial and error, resulting in sub-optimal, inefficient designs. Recent advances by the research team have, only now, made it possible to develop accurate models for such sy ....Development of Canonical Mist Filter Models. Over one million tonnes of oil (mist) is wasted every year – and emitted to the atmosphere through inefficient filtration. Over 50 per cent of energy usage in most process industries is for filtration and separation processes, yet mist filters and separators are largely designed by trial and error, resulting in sub-optimal, inefficient designs. Recent advances by the research team have, only now, made it possible to develop accurate models for such systems. This work intends to be the first to develop accurate, broadly applicable models for all processes in mist filters, thereby providing immense process efficiency benefits, together with improved worker and environmental protection, and less wastage of dwindling oil resources.Read moreRead less
A new biomechanical model for understanding aging of stored Red Blood Cells. This project plans to develop a novel modelling framework to accurately represent the biomechanical properties of red blood cells (RBCs) over time under stored conditions. Stored RBCs suffer ageing-related deformability changes which impede RBC functions. The framework aims to integrate models for RBC membrane, inside haemoglobin and outside storage solution, and accounts for ageing effects by embedding time-dependent c ....A new biomechanical model for understanding aging of stored Red Blood Cells. This project plans to develop a novel modelling framework to accurately represent the biomechanical properties of red blood cells (RBCs) over time under stored conditions. Stored RBCs suffer ageing-related deformability changes which impede RBC functions. The framework aims to integrate models for RBC membrane, inside haemoglobin and outside storage solution, and accounts for ageing effects by embedding time-dependent correlations. It should provide new insights and understanding of the mechanisms of deformability changes of RBCs during stored lifespan. Therefore, it should significantly improve blood storage industry practices in terms of improving RBC storage protocols with preventative ageing strategies.Read moreRead less
Optimising gaseous and particulate emissions from diesel engines. About $3.7 billion is spent annually in Australia on respiratory diseases. Diesel vehicle emissions of nano- and ultra-fine urban air particulate pollution are a significant factor in this disease. This project will directly addresses this problem by developing a technology to monitor and reduce diesel particulate emissions.
Precision Bending of 6xxx Aluminium Extrusions. The use of aluminium in transportation applications is predicted to double over the next 10 years. The use of extruded aluminium in structural components such as space frames is a growing area, and bending is an integral and critical process in the production of such components. The aim of this project is to develop key knowledge and technology necessary for precision bending of extruded aluminium profiles. The main outcomes will be: (i) Understand ....Precision Bending of 6xxx Aluminium Extrusions. The use of aluminium in transportation applications is predicted to double over the next 10 years. The use of extruded aluminium in structural components such as space frames is a growing area, and bending is an integral and critical process in the production of such components. The aim of this project is to develop key knowledge and technology necessary for precision bending of extruded aluminium profiles. The main outcomes will be: (i) Understanding of the relationship between extrusion conditions, microstructure and bendability of structural profiles. This will enable the optimisation of the extrusion process to ensure consistent bending behaviour. (ii) Development of the rubber-pad technology for precision bending.Read moreRead less
Nonlinear modelling, analysis and prediction of optimal conditions for cold roll forming. This project investigates fundamental analytical and experimental aspects of the highly nonlinear process of cold roll forming of flat steel strip to shaped product in order to gain predictive understanding and determine optimal process conditions. The project aims to develop an innovative software system that will permit operators to balance and optimize mill productivity, energy consumption, mill downtim ....Nonlinear modelling, analysis and prediction of optimal conditions for cold roll forming. This project investigates fundamental analytical and experimental aspects of the highly nonlinear process of cold roll forming of flat steel strip to shaped product in order to gain predictive understanding and determine optimal process conditions. The project aims to develop an innovative software system that will permit operators to balance and optimize mill productivity, energy consumption, mill downtime, and product change over times and facilitate the development of new productsRead moreRead less
Optimal transitional surface for a new continuous press forming process. This project addresses the National Research Priority - Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries through smart information use. This project aims to gain fundamental scientific understanding of a manufacturing process with the aim of developing a tool that will enhance existing manufacturing processes and controls from an 'art of expertise' to a scientific understanding and improvement. Th ....Optimal transitional surface for a new continuous press forming process. This project addresses the National Research Priority - Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries through smart information use. This project aims to gain fundamental scientific understanding of a manufacturing process with the aim of developing a tool that will enhance existing manufacturing processes and controls from an 'art of expertise' to a scientific understanding and improvement. This manufacturing area represents a niche market for Australian manufacturing and the development of a product that enhances productivity and reduces costs has the potential to elevate Australian manufacturers in the export market and create economic benefit for Australia.Read moreRead less
A new generation high crash energy absorbing barrier for improved road safety. The new, high energy absorbing road safety barrier developed in this project will provide better protection for all road users than current barriers by reducing the severity of car crashes. Current road barriers result in an average loss of 1600 lives in Australia annually, including a disproportionate number of young lives. The new barrier will be highly efficient in absorbing collisions from vehicles travelling at s ....A new generation high crash energy absorbing barrier for improved road safety. The new, high energy absorbing road safety barrier developed in this project will provide better protection for all road users than current barriers by reducing the severity of car crashes. Current road barriers result in an average loss of 1600 lives in Australia annually, including a disproportionate number of young lives. The new barrier will be highly efficient in absorbing collisions from vehicles travelling at speeds between 60 to over a 100 kilometres per hour. Installation of the new road safety barrier systems in high accident zones will save lives by reducing the severity of accidents involving road barriers. This will significantly benefit the community by reducing injury, medical, rehabilitation and property damage costs, and improve quality of life for all road users.Read moreRead less
Superior silicon carbide nanoscale sensors (SCANS) for harsh environments. This project aims to demonstrate a large increase in sensitivity, ultra-fast response, and super robust characteristics of nanoscale sensors suitable for harsh environment applications. Sensors in mining, power and aerospace industries must function properly in high temperature, aggressive chemical erosion, and high impact environments. Silicon carbide (SiC) sensors formed using a unique growth process of SiC films on lar ....Superior silicon carbide nanoscale sensors (SCANS) for harsh environments. This project aims to demonstrate a large increase in sensitivity, ultra-fast response, and super robust characteristics of nanoscale sensors suitable for harsh environment applications. Sensors in mining, power and aerospace industries must function properly in high temperature, aggressive chemical erosion, and high impact environments. Silicon carbide (SiC) sensors formed using a unique growth process of SiC films on large-diameter silicon wafers can meet these requirements through nanoscale structures. This project expects to bring direct economic benefits to the resource and manufacturing sectors, creating valuable intellectual property and new jobs for Australians.Read moreRead less
Optimisation of Dual Fuel Compression Ignition (Diesel) Engines With Respect to Engine Performance and Pollutant Emissions. A successful dual-fuel compression ignition (diesel) engine technology utilizing renewable alcohol fuels will provide a commercially attractive, immediate solution to the global fuel challenges of security and cost of oil supply, greenhouse gas emissions, and air quality . This project provides both the rigorous laboratory and field testing required to develop, test, optim ....Optimisation of Dual Fuel Compression Ignition (Diesel) Engines With Respect to Engine Performance and Pollutant Emissions. A successful dual-fuel compression ignition (diesel) engine technology utilizing renewable alcohol fuels will provide a commercially attractive, immediate solution to the global fuel challenges of security and cost of oil supply, greenhouse gas emissions, and air quality . This project provides both the rigorous laboratory and field testing required to develop, test, optimize and validate both engine performance and pollution emissions. This ethanol dual fuel approach has the potential to reduce Australia's dependence on imported fuels, support the development of regional agriculture and employment through the expansion of the biofuels industry and enhance the environmental performance of transport and stationary engines.Read moreRead less