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HDR Opportunities in Engineering
Engineering Manufacturing
Postgraduate Research Students can complete a degree with the following research groups and projects:
Centre for Engineering Mechanics (CEM)
- Computational mechanics in metal forming (FEM, CEF etc.)
- Manufacturing processes research: rolling, metal forming
- Rolling technology of thin strip materials
- Sustainable energy: wind and wave power generation
- Industrial ventilation and fume control
Centre for Intelligent Mechatronics Research (CIMR)
- Haptic and Virtual Modelling in manufacturing (assembly)
- Image Processing: content based retrieval, image coding
- Magnetorheological (MR) Joystick for Virtual Reality Applications
- Intelligent robotic grippers
- Tele-presence and tele-operation over the Internet
- MEMS and NEMS based on smart materials and structures
- Fabrication, modelling and control of micro and nano scale actuators and sensors
Integral Energy Power Quality & Reliability Centre (PQRC)
- Power quality data management and reporting concepts for power systems
- Reduction of voltage unbalance in electrical power systems
- Harmonics of photovoltaic inverter systems in distribution networks
- Development of reliability analysis software for distribution networks
- Reliability enhancement of targeted distribution feeders
Centre for Bulk Solids and Particulate Technologies (BMH)
- Fundamental modelling of fluidised dense-phase conveying of powders
- Effect of product properties on conveyor trajectories
- Dust generation and minimisation, air entrainment mechanisms
- Development of on-line powder flow monitoring/measurement technology
- Contract research for industry via Bulk Materials Engineering Australia
Welding Engineering Research Group
- Rapid Robotic Programming for Repair Welding
- Magnetically Impelled Arc Butt Welding of Pipe
- Hybrid Laser GMAW and Tandem GMAW
- On Line Process Monitoring and Control in Arc Welding
- Weldability of High Strength and Coated Steel
Contact for Engineering Manufacturing: Professor John Norrish <johnn@uow.edu.au>
For further information: http://www.uow.edu.au/eng/research/manufacturing/
Engineering Materials Institute
Postgraduate Research Students can complete a degree with the following research groups and projects:
Materials Process Engineering Group
- Development of a new generation of low-manganese steels
- Study of defect formation during steel processing
PYROmetallurgy Research Group
- Development and optimization of new and existing melt processing techniques
- Sustainable smelting technologies for low greenhouse gas emissions
- Refractory stability
- Thermodynamic and kinetic modelling of metal-liquid oxide (slag) systems involving high temerity (1750oC) experimental work under oxidising and reducing conditions
Special Materials Advanced Research & Technology Group
- Development of innovative materials processing technologies based on reactive milling and complex plasma powder processing (synthesis of: novel super-hard materials, nanopowders, hydrogen storage materials, advanced metal matrix composites, reduction of minerals)
- Innovative electric discharge compaction and sintering of powders
- Synthesis and characterisation of special purpose shape memory alloys (advanced ferrous and non-ferrous)
- Materials characterisation (structure processing interrelationships, thermal analysis, x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and thermomechanical processing).
Polymer Properties Group
- Understanding and r3eplicating gecko adhesion
- Toughness and adhesion of charges polymers and gels
- Pain/Metal adhesion and particle adhesion to paint surfaces
Rolling Mechanics Group
- Atomic to macroscale modeling of hot and cold rolling processes
- Rolling process optimisation, development of high strength metal, thin strip rolling, product quality (surface roughness, thickness and shape), friction, lubrication and wear and the contact mechanics of rolling
Engineering Alloy Design Characterisation
- Development of advanced high strength steels for automotive applications
- Texture control in annealed Cr-alloyed low carbon steels and Ti alloys
- Cluster strengthening of alloys
- Development of materials suitable for microforming of components
Contact for Engineering Materials Institute: Professor Geoff Spinks gspinks@uow.edu.au
For further information: http://www.uow.edu.au/eng/research/emi/
Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM)
For all ISEM HDR opportunities please view the Materials web page
Centre for Medical Radiation Physics
Postgraduate Research Students can complete a degree with the following research groups and projects:
Radiation Detection and Instrumentation
- Semiconductor real time dosimetry for external beam therapy and brachytherapy
- Radiation probes, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) detector modules and gantry for small animal imaging
- Semiconductor micro- and nano-dosimetry in mixed radiation fields for radiation therapy and space
- Radiation detectors for synchrotron imaging and microbeam radiation therapy
- Radiation instrumentation for HEP and homeland security
Radiation Oncology – Radiotherapy Physics
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy-translational research
- Image Guided Radiotherapy/ Adaptive Radiotherapy research and advanced dosimetry
- Brachytherapy for prostate cancer treatment
- Synchrotron Microbeam Radiation Therapy
- Radio-Magneto-Therapy
Micro- and nano-dosimetry and new radiation oncology modalities
- Silicon microdosimetry for radiotherapy, space and avionics
- Proton therapy and proton computer tomography
- Dosimetry in hadron therapy
- Radiobiology for hadron therapy and Radio-Magneto therapy
- Monte Carlo radiation
Applied Medical Imaging
- Film dosimetry: radiochromic and radiographic
- Optically Simulated Luminescent (OSL) dosimetry
- Radiological dosimetry
- Image fusion for radiotherapy planning
Contact for Centre for Medical Radiation Physics: Professor Anatoly Rozenfeld anatoly@uow.edu.au
For further information: http://www.uow.edu.au/eng/phys/rpg/
Research Centre for Geomechanics and Railway Engineering
Postgraduate Research Students can complete a degree in the following research areas:
Soft Soil Engineering and Ground Improvement
- Stabilising soft clay embankments using prefabricated vertical drains combined with vacuum preloading
- Chemical stabilisation of problematic soils including erodible, dispersive, collapsible and unstable soils
- Use of synthetic materials for improving subsurface drainage and reducing track deflection
- Stabilisation of soft and weak foundation soils using native vegetation exploiting root suction
Rail Track Engineering
- The dynamic modelling and prediction of track performance
- Automated monitoring of track defects
- New materials for track and rail components
- Decision support systems applied to track maintenance scheduling,
- Assessment of rail-ballast-foundation interaction
- Behaviour of granular materials under cyclic loads including particle degradation and cyclic densification
- Effect of slope movements on rail tracks
- Railway sub-ballast filtration under cyclic conditions
Dams and Foundation Engineering
- Design and construction of granular filtration for embankment dams
- Role of filtration in eroded soil retention
- Stability analysis of embankment dams
Rock Engineering and Mining Geomechanics and Mine Planning
- Jointed rock engineering
- Rock excavations including tunnelling and mining
- Strategic mine planning for deep mineral extraction and ventilation models
Minimisation of Geo-hazards and Geo-environmental Impact
- Landslides hazards and risk management
- Remediation of acid sulphate soils to prevent corrosion of track components
- Stability assessment of embankments
Computational and numerical Geomechanics
- Deep foundations and pile driving dynamics
- Earthquake effects on foundations
- Computational geomechanics
Wheel-rail Interface
- Rail noise source identification and mitigation
- Curving noise modelling
- Wheel-rail wear
- Train dynamics
Contact for the Research Centre for Geomechanics and Railway Engineering: Professor Buddhima Indraratna <indra@uow.edu.au>
For further information: http://www.uow.edu.au/eng/research/geotechnical/
Sustainable Water and Energy Research Group
Postgraduate Research Students can complete a degree in the following research areas:
Integrated water cycle management
- Recycling and reuse
- Catchment, river and lake water quality
- Microbial risk assessment
- Social aspects
Membrane filtration
- MF/UF/NF/RO systems and modelling
- Trace contaminants removal
- Fouling processes
- Leachate treatment
- Electrodialysis
- Membrane distillation
Sustainable water treatment and recycling technologies
- Dairyshed waste treatment and recycling
- Marine ballast water treatment
- Mine water treatment
- Residuals drying and reuse
- Nutrient removal for onsite systems
- Greywater treatment
- Membrane bioreactors (MBRs)
Renewable energy technologies
- Vertical axis wind turbines
- Wave power systems
- Solar electrocoagulation
- Bio-energy development from dairy shed wastes
Geo-environmental engineering
- Soil contamination modelling
- Permeable reactive barriers
- Solidification of waste
Contact for the Sustainable Water and Energy Research Group: Associate Professor Muttucumaru Sivakumar <siva@uow.edu.au>
For further information: http://www.uow.edu.au/eng/research/swerg/
Advanced Structural Engineering and Construction Materials Group
Postgraduate Research Students can complete a degree in the following research areas:
- Advanced analysis and design of structures
- High performance concrete
- High performance metallic alloys
- Ground-structure interaction investigating the interaction between foundations with soil under variable loading, and reinforcement systems with rock
Contact for Advanced Structural Engineering and Construction Materials Group: Professor Timothy McCarthy <timmc@uow.edu.au>
For further information: http://www.uow.edu.au/eng/research/aseacm/
