NOTE: These are last year's projects. Check back in October for the 2010/2011 project details.
Project Title |
Project Details |
Supervisor |
Back-up Supervisor |
Location |
Fabricate Core-Sheath Electrospun Nanofibre |
This project aims to produce core-sheath nanofibres via electrospinning using a novel spinneret design.
Core-sheath nanofibres are fibres which consist of two different materials, the inner core of one type of material and the outer sheath of a different material. The student will use a technique called Electrospinning to make nano-dimensional materials for a range of purposes, from mechanical to biomedical applications. Using a range of suitable polymers, the electrospinning process generates fibres with diameters ranging from low nanometer to one micron. Characterization of the produced electrospun core-sheath nanofibres will be carried out using light and scanning electron microscopy and various sample preparation methods.
You will gain experience in all aspects of the electrospinning process in order to produce electrospun nanofibres. In addition, you will be trained and will gain hands-on experience in the use of different instruments to measure polymer solution properties such as surface tension, conductivity and viscosity. |
Yen Bach Truong |
Louis Ilias Kyratzis |
VIC
Clayton
Top of page |
Superhydrophobic and flexible aerogels and their potential applications |
Silica aerogel is the lightest solid in the world, generally consisting of >90% air and <10% solid silica. The ultra-low density, extremely high surface area and porosity, extremely low thermal and electrical conductivity, as well as readily tailored physical and chemical properties have provided silica aerogels with astonishing application potential.
CSIRO has recently developed a new and simplified method for fabricating a superhydrophobic and highly flexible aerogel. The method is able to produce monolithic silica aerogels or hybrid aerogels with low density and low volume shrinkage under ambient pressure drying conditions. Further improvements to the physical and mechanical properties of the aerogel are underway.
This undergraduate project will primarily investigate a specific application potential of silica aerogel materials. Your research work will build on CSIRO’s current research activity and will involve tailoring aerogel properties for the proposed application, material characterisation and performance evaluation. |
Jackie Cai |
Niall Finn |
VIC
Belmont
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The use of braided composites for sports equipment |
Braided structures have the potential to improve the performance of composite structures whilst lowering the manufacturing costs. This project will research the potential application of braided composite structures in sporting equipment.
As part of this project, you will explore the design and development of techniques to produce braided composite structures. You will also test the performance of these structures to determine their suitability for the proposed application. |
Stuart Lucas |
Andrew Abbott |
VIC
Belmont
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Advancing Human Performance: experimental study of bicycle bottom brackets performance |
International track cycling is a very competitive sport where losing a few hundredth of a second can mean losing the race. In order to support the Australian track team, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and CSIRO Material Science and Engineering (CMSE) are collaborating to reduce the energy loss in bicycle mechanisms. The project will focus on the energy loss in the bearing holding the rotation axis of the pedals, known as the bottom bracket of the bicycle.
Using the bench test developed by CMSE, you will simulate the race conditions and measure the fictional force generated in the bottom bracket. In order to obtain these measurements, you will be required to undertake detailed experimental work. Using optical and scanning electron microscopy, you will test the parts for wear resistance and assess any damaged induced by the test. |
Phil Martin |
Christophe Comte |
NSW
Lindfield
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Imaging of macro-molecules using an atomic force microscope |
This project will investigate how various factors influence the way in which molecules adsorb onto flat surfaces.
The adsorption of molecules in a solution onto a surface is governed by influences such as the nature of the solvent, the substrate and the molecule itself. These influences determine the nature of the attractive interactions (i.e. surface forces, bonding), the conformation of the molecules in solution and on the surface, as well as the resulting coverage (i.e. single molecules, monolayers, islands).
An atomic force microscope (AFM) can be used to determine the coverage type with near-atomic resolution. This project will allow you to investigate the influence of solvent chemistry and deposition conditions on the adsorption of molecules on flat surfaces using an AFM. You will undertake tasks such as imaging and sample preparation, using relatively simple methods such as evaporation and spin-coating. |
Voytek Gutowski |
Gary Toikka |
VIC
Clayton
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Hydrogen Powered Cars - Towards Driving without Greenhouse Gases |
This project will involve the synthesis of materials that form a key element in making the conceptual hydrogen powered car a reality.
Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) consist of metal clusters linked together by organic ligands, and are an exciting new porous material that could be used to store gases such as hydrogen. Because of this storage ability, MOFs may make it possible to create a car powered by hydrogen, where the only exhaust is water. In order to improve the storage properties of MOFs, we need to synthesise novel organic ligands capable of generating new structures.
This project will involve the synthesis of many polyaromatic ligands with functionalities including carboxylates, phosphonates and pyrazolates. You may also be able to undertake some experiments with CSIRO's new robotic synthesis platform to make new MOFs with a range of metals including the first row transition series and the lightweight main group elements. |
Matthew Hill |
Anita Hill |
VIC
Clayton
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Exploring the possibilities of growing single-walled carbon nanotubes with uniform properties |
It is well known that the electronic properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) depend on the two chiral numbers that determine the angle of twist (with respect to the nanotube axis) of the graphene sheet they are formed of.
Real synthesized patterns of SWCNTs have a broad spread of these chiralities and therefore are all very different, in terms of their diameters, electrical conductivity, optical properties, chemical reactivity. etc. The production of SWCNTs that exhibit the exact same properties still remains a major unresolved issue despite years of research.
This project will explore the exciting possibilities in this direction. |
Prof Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov |
Eugene Tam, Zhaojun Han, Shailesh Kumar |
NSW
Lindfield
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Biopolymer networks |
The rheology of biopolymer networks, and in particular the relationship between network structure and rheological properties, is an fundamental problem in polymer science. Importantly, this relationship affects the uses of biopolymer networks in foods and pharmaceuticals.
This project seeks to understand the structure of conventional biopolymer network gels and gels derived from plant cell wall materials.
You will study the rheology of these gels using small angle x-ray scattering, pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance, and computer simulation techniques. We will build virtual gel structures, and simulate their scattering and diffusion behaviour. |
Kate Nairn |
James Mardel (CMHT) |
VIC
Clayton
Top of page |
Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Membrane for Water Purification |
Water is essential to human existence. As safe drinking water becomes increasingly scarce due to factors such as population growth and industrialisation, the need to develop cost-effective technologies to purify drinking water becomes more pressing.
Membrane desalination by reverse osmosis has been the leading candidate technology for supplying fresh water and the development of the hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposite membranes for water separation and purification has been an active research area in recent years. Nanoparticles have significant surface, size and quantum effects that improve materials properties with enhanced physicochemical stability and separation performance. CSIRO’s advanced water treatment group is currently undertaking a significant research program in developing the low pressure and high throughput membrane for desalination and water purification.
This project aims to gain understanding of the structure-performance relationship of hybrid organic-inorganic membranes developed by CSIRO. A range of scientific characterisation techniques such as TGA, DSC, FTIR and SEM will be employed to assess this relationship. You will have a chance to learn to fabricate the hybrid membrane and evaluate the membrane performance using laboratory testing facilities. |
Manh Hoang and Ms Zongli Xie |
Ms Zongli Xie |
VIC
Clayton
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Optical dark modes in systems of metallic nanoparticles - paving the way for the development of nano-scale lasers |
This project aims to create arrangements of nano-particles that result in the formation of dark modes which can be used in exciting nano-laser, spaser systems or sensing application technology.
CSIRO is currently modelling, fabricating and testing the optical interaction between systems of metallic nano-particles to create arrangements of nano-particles that result in the formation of dark modes. Dark modes are modes which have a strong electric field but have minimal scattering or loss to bulk radiation. These dark modes are invisible to the naked eye because they do not scatter light. Energy can be pumped into the modes causing a strong build up of electric field. These modes are also useful for sensing applications, as they allow strong fields on a nano-scale level. It is thought that systems of dark modes may even be used for single molecule detection.
This project will require you to assist the group in the modelling of nanoparticle systems using electrostatic resonance software which has been developed by CMSE. You will also assist in the fabrication of these structures using e-beam and focused ion beam lithography, and in characterisation using single molecule spectroscopy. |
Tim Davis |
Kristy Vernon |
VIC
Clayton
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Surface profiling and electrochemical characterization of metal/metal alloys corroding under aerosol droplets |
A significant body of work exists that defines the relationship between atmospheric corrosion and climatic parameters. However, recent research has focused on the role of marine aerosols, inn particular coarse aerosols in coastal environments, in the atmospheric corrosion of zinc and its alloys. Aerosol droplets, which come in a range of sizes spanning 5 to 500 microns in diameter, can trigger a range of processes when deposited onto a surface. These processes include dissolution of oxides, establishment of electrochemical cells, pH and oxygen gradients, drop instability (e.g. secondary spreading) and oxide growth. These processes are system-specific which means that not all phenomena occur for all drops.
In this project, the surface topography of several coated and uncoated metal-alloy surfaces in selected electrolyte media will be characterized by microelectrodes and optical profilometer. You will perform some electrochemistry measurements to characterise the surface corrosion reactions and also some corrosion products.
Some AC impedance measurements may be included to reveal self-similarity and fractal dimension used to characterize these rough surfaces. Working with distinguished visiting scientist Dr. Bosco Emmanuel and post-doctorate Dr. Murali Venkatraman you will use relevant mathematical models to analyse the acquired data. You will jointly work under a team of CMSE scientists led by Dr. Ivan Cole and Prof. Nick Birbilis of Monash University. |
Ivan Cole |
Murali Venkatraman and Bosco Emmanuel |
VIC
Clayton
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Improving the mechanical properties of CNT based macro-structures using Physical Vapour Decomposition (PVD) Methods |
The superior mechanical properties of Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) alone do not ensure mechanically and physical superior CNT-based products. In fact, the properties of pure CNT macro structures depend on the interaction of carbon nanotubes while the inter-tube interactions in CNT bundles is very weak. Several mechanical and chemical processes, such as increasing the van der Waals forces to improve interaction between CNTs, have been carried out in an attempt to create superior CNT based products.
This project aims to improve the mechanical properties of CNT based macrostructures using Physical Vapour Decomposition (PVD) methods. In particular, this research work will focus on the plasma Torch technology at the atmospherical pressure in order to further improve the interactions between CNTs and polymers via covalent bondings. This project work will give you an opportunity to become familiar with the research and apply studied knowledge in the real world. |
Canh-Dung Tran |
George Maudev |
VIC
Belmont
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