Nano-scale Modification of Paint Surfaces for Contamination Resistance
Category:
2914—MATERIALS ENGINEERING
Summary:
The main aim of this work is to develop a process to produce a
dirt resistant paint surface. Dirt resistance is an important characteristic
of prepainted steel sheets often used in architectural situations where dirt
build-up is unsightly. To develop the process it will be necessary to understand
the mechanism of dirt adhesion to paints and the modes of operation of current
dirt resistant processes. In addition work will be required on the rate of surface
segregation of additives to the paint solution. We propose to combine experimental
and theoretical modelling approaches to obtain a fundamentally sound practical
solution.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr P Di Pietro
Prof CD Cook
Dr D Cuiuri
2003 $
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$14,017
$28,033
$28,033
$14,017
$84,100
APA(I) Awards:
1
Industry Partner(s):
MIAB Technology Pty Limited
Title:
Modelling and control of electromagnetically propelled arcs in
joining processes
Category:
2903—MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
Summary:
Magnetically impelled arc butt (MIAB) joining is a non-traditional
manufacturing process for tubular steel components. Parameter selection and
tuning have to date been experimentally determined via exhaustive trial-and-error
techniques. Therefore the full capabilities of the process have not yet been
realised. The project aims to model and optimise the complex process and thus
facilitate the development of new and effective control strategies. It is expected
that novel power source designs will emerge as an outcome of the research proposed.
Chief Investigator(s):
Prof RJ Dippenaar
A/Prof KA Tieu
Dr P Manohar
Dr CR Killmore
2003 $
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$30,000
$60,000
$60,000
$30,000
$180,000
APA(I) Awards:
Industry Partner(s):
BHP Steel
Title:
Dynamic recrystallization and preferred orientation in ultra-thin
steel-strip under conditions of fluctuating temperature and stress
Category:
2913—METALLURGY
Summary:
We aim to develop a sound understanding of the origins of ridge-buckle
defects in flat-rolled steel sheet and to train researchers in advanced techniques.
By studying dynamic recrystallisation and texture formation, not of the bulk,
but of isolated pockets of material within the bulk that are subject to fluctuating
conditions of temperature and stress, defect formation will be related to the
intricate interplay between rolling dynamics and microstructural development.
Through this new approach a scientifically founded quantitative model should
emerge so that defect occurrence can be forecasted, preventative action predicted
and industry?s competitive position be retained.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr L Dunn
Dr P Di Pietro
2003 $
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$11,517
$23,033
$23,033
$11,517
$69,100
APA(I) Awards:
1
Industry Partner(s):
Welding Technology Institute of Australia
Douglas Mawson Tafe
Title:
Virtual Reality Training Kit for Arc Welders
Category:
3301—EDUCATION STUDIES
Summary:
The aim of this research is to develop a virtual reality training
package that enables welders to obtain basic manipulative skills in a safe environment
before they are exposed to additional welding hazards. The research addresses
the problem of welder training in a novel manner by utilizing a virtual reality
simulator to allow the welding trainee to develop his manipulative and functional
skills prior to attempting real welding tasks. An additional feature of the
package is the internetworking facility that will allow monitoring and feedback
of results to trainers. This is an advantage especially for remote communities.
Chief Investigator(s):
Prof AK Ghose
2003 $
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$17,750
$34,650
$35,900
$19,000
$107,300
APA(I) Awards:
1
Industry Partner(s):
BHP Steel
Title:
Optimizing steel industry supply chains through constraint and
market-oriented programming.
Category:
2802—ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND SIGNAL AND IMAGE PROCESSING
Summary:
Supply chain optimization is a difficult problem, but of considerable
significance to business enterprises. Constraint programming technology is a
promising approach to solving such problems, but is inadequate in the context
of dynamic supply chains. Market-oriented programming solves resource allocation
problems by setting up artificial computational economies of trading software
agents and holds promise both as an optimization tool and as a tool that supports
explicit market negotiation. This project seeks to address several open questions
relating to the integrated deployment of these two classes of techniques, in
the context of building a practical supply chain optimization system for BHP
Steel.
Chief Investigator(s):
Prof BN Indraratna
Mr W Papworth
Ms G Lugg
2003 $
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$31,500
$63,000
$63,000
$31,500
$189,000
APA(I) Awards:
Industry Partner(s):
Shoalhaven City Council
Manildra Group Nowra
Title:
Computer simulation and field application of tidal buffering and
sub-surface alkaline barrier techniques to enhance acid sulphate soils management.
Category:
2908—CIVIL ENGINEERING
Summary:
In low-lying coastal areas, groundwater drawdown due to deep flood
mitigation drains and prolonged droughts has exacerbated sub-surface pyrite
oxidation, forming sulphuric acid. The distribution of acid following rainfall
affects soil-water quality. The pressures of urban development in the Shoalhaven
floodplain (civil infrastructure, agriculture, aquaculture and recreational
industries) necessitate the accurate prediction of acid migration. Therefore,
the key challenge will be the development of comprehensive numerical models,
which include complex estuarine hydrogeology and tidal dynamics, supported by
field monitoring. Using these models, the novel concepts of 2-way floodgates
that promote tidal flushing and the effectiveness of sub-surface alkaline barriers
can be tested in the Shoalhaven, and subsequently applied globally.
Chief Investigator(s):
Prof D Iverson
Ms S Jones
Prof JR Rossiter
Ms A St.George
Mr SC Avery
2003 $
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$20,000
$40,000
$40,000
$20,000
$120,000
APA(I) Awards:
1
Industry Partner(s):
Australian Health Management Group/CareLink
Title:
Efficacy of strategies to increase participation rates in disease
management programs.
Category:
3212—PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES
Summary:
The aim of this project is to determine the most effective strategies
for maximising recruitment and retention of at-risk adults into evidence-based
disease- and risk-management programs, as well as completion of health risk
assessments. It is evident from the literature on risk factor modification,
and on the economic and social costs of chronic diseases, that increasing participation
in these programs will lead to reduced health costs and reduced morbidity and
mortality among the target population. The primary outcome of this project will
be evidence-based guidelines on the best strategies for recruitment to, and
retention in, disease and risk management programs.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr PA Keller
Dr R Griffith
Dr SW Cox
2003 $
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$31,484
$62,967
$62,967
$31,484
$188,902
APA(I) Awards:
Industry Partner(s):
Amrad Corporation Limited
Title:
The Development of Computer-Aided Molecular Modelling and Drug
Design Techniques for Flexible Enzyme Targets - New Anti-HIV Agents.
Category:
2503—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Summary:
The dynamic motion of proteins upon binding of small molecules
is crucial in many cases for the function of the protein or for the function
of drugs acting upon the protein. Current methods in computer-aided design of
small molecules binding to proteins do not take this protein flexibility fully
into account. This project intends to develop molecular dynamics simulation
techniques for this purpose, initially using the HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme
as the target protein. The methods developed will, however, be universally applicable.
The project further aims to design, synthesise and test novel medicinal agents
specifically against drug resistance in HIV.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr BJ Meyer
Prof PR Howe
Dr TA Mori
2003 $
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$16,500
$54,000
$75,000
$37,500
$183,000
APA(I) Awards:
Industry Partner(s):
So Natural Foods
Title:
Development and nutritional evaluation of novel foods based on
a unique combination of soy and dairy products.
Category:
3212—PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES
Summary:
This exciting project will enable us to incorporate two competing
food industries (dairy and soy) to develop innovative foods combining soy and
low-fat dairy which will provide increased palatability as well as nutrition.
This project is a new collaboration between So Natural Foods and the Universities
of Wollongong, South Australia and Western Australia. The aims are 1) develop
new foods combining soy and low-fat dairy; 2) test the bioavailability of the
soy isoflavones (particularly equol production) from these foods; 3) determine
the active component(s) in soy (soy protein and/or soy isoflavones) responsible
for cholesterol reduction and other health benefits of soy; 4) evaluate consumer
acceptability and market potential of the novel soy foods. We expect to demonstrate
that healthier and more appealing food products can be produced by combining
two currently competing foods, namely soy and dairy.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr AI Schaefer
Dr BS Richards
Mr PW Jeffery
2003 $
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$40,000
$85,000
$87,500
$42,500
$255,000
APA(I) Awards:
1
Industry Partner(s):
Mono Pumps (Australia) Pty Ltd
Title:
Sustainable Technology for Removal of Trace Contaminants in Rural
Water Supplies.
Category:
2911—ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Summary:
Provision of safe drinking water treatment using sustainable technology
which can be applied in rural locations and emergency situations is the main
aim of this project. A hybrid membrane process will be combined with solar energy
for the removal of pathogens and trace pollutants such as uranium, fluoride,
arsenic, boron and nitrates. The technology will be designed for remote community
situations and hence be robust and low in maintenance. Using solar energy is
a challenge for trace contaminant removal as the operating conditions vary with
the power fluctuations, which presents a substantially different situation to
grid power connection.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr J Soar
Prof PR Croll
2003 $
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$11,517
$23,033
$23,033
$11,517
$69,100
APA(I) Awards:
1
Industry Partner(s):
Illawarra Retirement Trust
Southern Cross Homes (NSW), Inc
Our Lady of Consolation Aged Care Services
Title:
Development of domain information model for aged & community
care in Australia
Category:
2801—INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Summary:
The aim of this research is to develop a care-oriented reference
information and communication model (RIM) that will inform national policy for
the development of a national information technology strategic plan for aged
care. The model will reflect the domain specific content and work of service
providers and consumers in the aged and community care context and the unique
cultural, social and professional attributes of this sector. The model will
be used to evaluate the applicability of the HealthOnline framework, including
the relevance of emerging interoperability standards to the aged and community
care sector.
Chief Investigator(s):
A/Prof KA Tieu
Mr GE Wood
2003 $
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$24,000
$24,000
$48,000
APA(I) Awards:
1
Industry Partner(s):
BHP Steel
Title:
Analysis of complex systems for the condition monitoring of a
rolling mill.
Category:
2903—MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
Summary:
A knowledge of the relationships between input variables and measured
output states of a rolling mill should enable significant improvements to dimensional
stability of the product being produced and to an increase in availability of
the rolling mill. The aim of this project is to develop a methodology for developing
relationships between input variables that contribute to the measured output
states of fully assembled rolling mill stands and this enable the operator to
identify and avoid undesirable mill states.
Chief Investigator(s):
Prof BM Tsamenyi
Prof SB Kaye
2003 $
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$11,517
$11,517
$23,034
APA(I) Awards:
1
Industry Partner(s):
The Defence Legal Service
Title:
The Legal Framework for International Cooperation in Maritime
Enforcement Activities.
Category:
3901—LAW
Summary:
The Project will analyse the gaps in the international framework
to achieve cooperation in maritime enforcement and make recommendations for
improvements to existing legislative arrangements to facilitate successful combat
of international maritime criminal activity.The Project is timely because it
addresses some long-standing national requirements to improve Australia?s ability
to adequately enforce its sovereign rights throughout its maritime zones of
jurisdiction. The issues involved have taken on a greater contemporary significance
in light of recent events, including the surge in illegal people smuggling into
Australia, increased illegal fishing activity in Australia?s Southern Ocean
exclusive economic zone by highly organized criminal syndicates and heightened
tensions with regard to maritime terrorism.
Chief Investigator(s):
A/Prof MJ Walker
Dr S Djordjevic
2003 $
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$23,033
$46,066
$46,066
$23,033
$138,198
APA(I) Awards:
2
Industry Partner(s):
NSW Agriculture
Title:
Molecular characterisation of antibiotic resistance genes in
Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli recovered from food-producing animals
and humans.
Category:
2703—MICROBIOLOGY
Summary:
Antibiotic resistance is an accelerating global problem. Antibiotic
resistance genes are located on mobile genetic elements which can be horizontally
transferred between distantly related bacteria. It is becoming increasingly
apparent that healthy humans carry populations of resistant bacteria as part
of the normal microbial flora. This project will characterise the antibiotic
resistance gene arrangements among populations of bacteria which belong to the
Enterobacteriaceae. These resistant bacteria represent a threat to human and
veterinary health because they are readily ingested as part of the food chain
and represent reservoirs for the spread of antibiotic resistance genes to pathogens.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr JF Wallman
Dr M Dowton
2003 $
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$14,500
$29,000
$29,000
$14,500
$87,000
APA(I) Awards:
Industry Partner(s):
Forensic Services Group, New South Wales Police
Title:
Molecular identification of blowflies of forensic importance and
thermal effects on their behaviour: tools to enhance forensic entomology in
Australia
Category:
2705—ZOOLOGY
Summary:
In suspicious deaths in which a body is found three or more days
post-mortem, carrion-breeding blowflies provide time since death estimates.
These estimates are currently slow and relatively broad due to (a) an inability
to adequately distinguish immatures morphologically, and (b) insufficient information
on the biological responses of different species to temperature. We will develop
rapid molecular assays to distinguish blowfly species, and comprehensively chart
the behavioural effects of temperature on the most forensically important blowflies.
Molecular and adult morphological data will also be used to examine the evolution
of the carrion-breeding blowflies.
Chief Investigator(s):
A/Prof AD Wells
Dr TJ Scrase
Mr S Meyrick
Dr RM Muston
Ms L Meyrick
2003 $
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$27,500
$40,000
$12,500
$80,000
APA(I) Awards:
Industry Partner(s):
Meyrick & Associates Pty Ltd
Title:
The Social Impact of the Transformation of Asia-Pacific Ports
Category:
3701—SOCIOLOGY
Summary:
The Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region of maritime trade.
Globalisation has resulted in changed management and ownership structures for
ports with implications for labour relations, dockland redevelopment and relations
with their social and economic hinterlands. These changes have social and environmental
consequences, that are especially stark in the developing countries in the Asia-Pacific.
While environmental issues have been thoroughly expolored, social transformations
and impacts are poorly understood. We a suitable conceptual framework and methodology
to anticipate, manage and assess the implication of change. This project seeks
to conceptualise, compare and measure the social impact of changes to Asia-Pacific
ports.
Chief Investigator(s):
Prof RJ Whelan
Dr TD Auld
2003 $
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$11,517
$23,033
$23,033
$11,517
$69,100
APA(I) Awards:
1
Industry Partner(s):
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Title:
Comparative ecology of common and threatened
plants in fire-prone habitats
Category:
2707 - ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
Summary:
There is a critical lack of data on the
fire responses of many threatened plant species in Australia,
yet such information is essential for species recovery
planning and land management. This project will use
plants in the Family Epacridaceae (the heaths) as a
case study to test whether particular plant traits are
associated with rarity vs commonness in fire prone habitats
of south eastern Australia. The results will increase
knowledge of the ecology of this particular, under-studied
plant group and will also enable the development of
ecologically sound fire management practices, especially
in relation to threatened species.
Chief Investigator(s):
Dr HR Yeatman
Dr JF Ashton
Prof A Worsley
2003 $
2004 $
2005 $
2006 $
Total $
$11,517
$23,033
$23,033
$11,517
$69,100
APA(I) Awards:
1
Industry Partner(s):
Sanitarium Health Food Co
Australian Development
and Relief Agency
Title:
Practical methods to evaluate school breakfast
programs
Category:
3212 - PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES
Summary:
This innovative project will provide
a doctoral student with the opportunity to develop in-depth
academic research within the practical constraints of
field-based program evaluation. The candidate will develop
a practical methodology to evaluate community-based
programs, specifically school breakfast programs in
New South Wales. The outcome of the project will be
an evaluation protocol, set of tools and reporting proforma
that can be applied by volunteers and teachers to evaluate
school breakfast programs. The research process undertaken
by the candidate also will be applicable to the development
of evaluation methodologies of a range of community-based
programs.
