Prediction of mixed mode fracture failures of metal pipelines. This project aims to create a theory for failure mechanisms of metal pipes and solve their service life prediction, thereby preventing catastrophic failures of metal pipes. This project integrates corrosion science, fracture mechanics and time-dependent reliability theory into a methodology to accurately predict pipe failures. The project is expected to advance failure theory, fracture mechanics and reliability theory, and solve the ....Prediction of mixed mode fracture failures of metal pipelines. This project aims to create a theory for failure mechanisms of metal pipes and solve their service life prediction, thereby preventing catastrophic failures of metal pipes. This project integrates corrosion science, fracture mechanics and time-dependent reliability theory into a methodology to accurately predict pipe failures. The project is expected to advance failure theory, fracture mechanics and reliability theory, and solve the intelligent management of the vast asset of pipelines in the world. The outcomes should maximise economic, commercial, environmental and social benefits both nationally and internationally.Read moreRead less
Stress Evaluation with Non-Linear Guided Waves. This project plans to investigate a novel approach for in situ measurement of stress in structures based on an internal resonance phenomenon for nonlinear guided waves. Monitoring the stress level of critical structural components is important to ensure structural safety. The project plans to derive the requirements for this internal resonance and its dependence on stress analytically and verify them experimentally for both simple waveguides and mo ....Stress Evaluation with Non-Linear Guided Waves. This project plans to investigate a novel approach for in situ measurement of stress in structures based on an internal resonance phenomenon for nonlinear guided waves. Monitoring the stress level of critical structural components is important to ensure structural safety. The project plans to derive the requirements for this internal resonance and its dependence on stress analytically and verify them experimentally for both simple waveguides and more realistic structures. The expected outcome is the demonstration of the feasibility of a new inexpensive method for continuous monitoring of applied or thermally-induced stresses, which is of great importance in several engineering contexts, such as modern railway track rails, pipelines or pre-stressed strands in concrete structures.Read moreRead less
Engineering the Microstructure of Electrodes for Advanced Fuel Cells. A polymer solution-based integration technique is proposed to be developed to fabricate polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, allowing for effective engineering of the porous networks and interfaces within electrodes and cells. This novel systems materials engineering approach is expected to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional hot pressing method, enabling precise integration of nanostructured electrodes and membrane ....Engineering the Microstructure of Electrodes for Advanced Fuel Cells. A polymer solution-based integration technique is proposed to be developed to fabricate polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, allowing for effective engineering of the porous networks and interfaces within electrodes and cells. This novel systems materials engineering approach is expected to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional hot pressing method, enabling precise integration of nanostructured electrodes and membrane into high-performance, flexible fuel cells. The outcomes of this research aim to provide a unique opportunity for Australia to become a world leader in the rapidly-emerging clean energy technology, and critical manufacturing of new energy generation systems for domestic uses and exports, thereby producing important economic benefits.Read moreRead less
Understanding multi-scale reinforcement of carbon fibre composites. Addition of nano scale entities, such as nanotubes, on the surface of a carbon fibre forms a bottle-brush like architecture and strengthens fibre-matrix interface. This project will pioneer development of a systematic approach for analysis and design of such multi-scale reinforced composite materials for use in aerospace and civil industries.
Topological Design of Mechanical Meta-Structures. This project aims to establish a new computational design methodology to address current challenges facing creation of ultralight structures with ultra-high-performance characteristics. The latest technologies in structural topology optimization and its correlated numerical simulation and structural analysis methods will be unified towards an integrated design framework. Expected outcomes include an advanced generative design platform for discove ....Topological Design of Mechanical Meta-Structures. This project aims to establish a new computational design methodology to address current challenges facing creation of ultralight structures with ultra-high-performance characteristics. The latest technologies in structural topology optimization and its correlated numerical simulation and structural analysis methods will be unified towards an integrated design framework. Expected outcomes include an advanced generative design platform for discovering novel geometries to underpin new meta-structure architectures, validated by appropriate fabrication techniques considering their geometric complexity. Such capabilities will benefit defence, civil, aerospace, energy and transport industries that pursue competitive advantage through innovation.Read moreRead less
A new energy absorption system for brain injury mitigation. This research aims to propose and investigate a next generation high-energy absorbing helmet pad that will protect the Australian Defence Force soldiers against both ballistic and blast threats. New fundamental knowledge in the area of high-energy absorbing metamaterials will be obtained by using numerical modelling and experimental studies. The expected outcomes of the project include the development of a new wearable energy absorbing ....A new energy absorption system for brain injury mitigation. This research aims to propose and investigate a next generation high-energy absorbing helmet pad that will protect the Australian Defence Force soldiers against both ballistic and blast threats. New fundamental knowledge in the area of high-energy absorbing metamaterials will be obtained by using numerical modelling and experimental studies. The expected outcomes of the project include the development of a new wearable energy absorbing pad which can be used as the next generation combat helmet liners and accessories. The novel high-performance energy absorption system will have a wide range of direct applications in future personal armour, as well as sports gears and elderly healthcare products.Read moreRead less
An energetic approach to characterise fracture of soft matter by cutting. Cutting of soft materials is a common daily life experience (e.g. slicing of meat and cheese) and an essential operation in many industries, healthcare (e.g. surgery) and manufacturing (e.g. paint removal) among them. By measuring the cutting forces of the tool and examining the deformation mechanisms of the work-piece, this project aims to put the cutting process on a strong scientific and technological footing. It provid ....An energetic approach to characterise fracture of soft matter by cutting. Cutting of soft materials is a common daily life experience (e.g. slicing of meat and cheese) and an essential operation in many industries, healthcare (e.g. surgery) and manufacturing (e.g. paint removal) among them. By measuring the cutting forces of the tool and examining the deformation mechanisms of the work-piece, this project aims to put the cutting process on a strong scientific and technological footing. It provides an ingenious method to measure the fracture energy, i.e. specific resistance to cracking, of plastics, bulk and thin film polymer nanocomposites at different cut-depths. New knowledge gained from the project is expected to improve tool design and optimise cutting conditions to increase the cutting process efficiency.Read moreRead less
Modelling surface stresses in crystalline plates. This project intends to improve our understanding of the influence of surface stress on bending in anisotropic crystalline plates. Micro/nanoelectro-mechanical systems as transducers, switches, logic gates, actuators and sensors are widely used in fields of biotechnology, medicine, automotive, civionics, avionics and defence. A key issue that affects the accuracy and reliability of these systems is how to correctly predict the size-dependent surf ....Modelling surface stresses in crystalline plates. This project intends to improve our understanding of the influence of surface stress on bending in anisotropic crystalline plates. Micro/nanoelectro-mechanical systems as transducers, switches, logic gates, actuators and sensors are widely used in fields of biotechnology, medicine, automotive, civionics, avionics and defence. A key issue that affects the accuracy and reliability of these systems is how to correctly predict the size-dependent surface stress of the structural components in the systems. The project aims to quantify the relations between the change in surface stress and the bending of structures with micro/nanoscale thickness and arbitrary crystallographic symmetry. Expected project outcomes may lead to significant advancement in overcoming the current shortcomings in designing micro/nanoelectro-mechanical devices.Read moreRead less
Dynamic Properties of Mechanical Metamaterials: Optimization and Experiment. The aim of this project is to develop novel mechanical metamaterials through topology optimization for manipulating the propagation of elastic and acoustic waves. Mechanical metamaterials achieve exotic dynamic properties, which have many applications ranging from noise management and vibration control to defence. The computational tool and optimization algorithms to be developed will seamlessly integrate with additive ....Dynamic Properties of Mechanical Metamaterials: Optimization and Experiment. The aim of this project is to develop novel mechanical metamaterials through topology optimization for manipulating the propagation of elastic and acoustic waves. Mechanical metamaterials achieve exotic dynamic properties, which have many applications ranging from noise management and vibration control to defence. The computational tool and optimization algorithms to be developed will seamlessly integrate with additive manufacturing to enable the end-users to characterize, design and fabricate the next generation of mechanical metamaterials in an effective way. The outcomes of this project offer significant benefits for the long-term and sustainable development of knowledge-based economy in Australia.Read moreRead less
Theory and methods for evaluation of microstructural fatigue damage. The microstructural damage accumulation stage often consumes a significant portion of the total fatigue life of structures. However, its progressive evaluation is beyond the reach of safety inspection techniques which are currently employed to maintain structural integrity and prevent fatigue failures. This project aims to fill this gap by developing innovative methods for the measurement of material properties related to fatig ....Theory and methods for evaluation of microstructural fatigue damage. The microstructural damage accumulation stage often consumes a significant portion of the total fatigue life of structures. However, its progressive evaluation is beyond the reach of safety inspection techniques which are currently employed to maintain structural integrity and prevent fatigue failures. This project aims to fill this gap by developing innovative methods for the measurement of material properties related to fatigue damage and establishing a new theory which links these properties to the remaining life of the structure. The project outcomes will facilitate the global trend towards predictive maintenance strategies, thereby generating substantial cost benefits, specifically, for high-value assets and ageing infrastructure.Read moreRead less