Materials Australia Magazine | July 2024 | Volume 57 | No 2 by materialsaustralia

buckyballs

MOFs

nanogels

YBCO

MOCVD

AuNPs

EuFOD

InAs wafers

palladium catalysts nickel foam

perovskite crystals

europium phosphors

alternative energy

thin lm

III-IV semiconductors

diamond micropowder

additive manufacturing

organometallics

surface functionalized nanoparticles

ultralight aerospace alloys nanodispersions

3D graphene foam

quantum dots

transparent ceramics

sputtering targets

endohedral fullerenes

gold nanocubes

tungsten carbide glassy carbon isotopes

photovoltaics

Nd:YAG NMC

laser crystals OLED lighting

metamaterials

osmium

silver nanoparticles

CIGS

ITO

mischmetal

scandium powder

biosynthetics

chalcogenides

The Next Generation of Material Science Catalogs

graphene oxide exible electronics

CVD precursors

deposition slugs

platinum ink

superconductors

Over 35,000 certi ed high purity laboratory chemicals, metals, & advanced materials and a state-of-the-art Research Center. Printable GHS-compliant Safety Data Sheets. Thousands of new products. And much more. All on a secure multi-language "Mobile Responsive” platform.

ultra high purity materials

pyrolitic graphite

zeolites

metallocenes

mesoporus silica

From the President - Professor Nikki Stanford

B.Eng(Hons) Ph.D. CMatP

Welcome to the July edition of the Materials Australia magazine.

I’m very excited to announce that we will be hosting PRICM in 2026 at the Gold Coast. Huge thanks to our Events Chair, Prof. Jian-Feng Nie from Monash University, who has worked very hard in the past few months to secure this event for us. Also big thanks to our Executive Officer, Tanya Smith for working hard on the complex contracting behind the scenes. The conference will be held in August 2026, and the location at the Gold Coast will to be very appealing to both domestic and international Materials Scientists.

We’re expecting this to be a really huge conference with well over a thousand delegates, and the event will be strongly supported by our partner societies, The Korean Institute of Metals and Materials (KIM), The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS), The Japan Institute of Metals and Materials (JIM) and The Chinese Society for Metals (CSM).

There is also still a little bit of time to get an abstract in for CAMS 2024. Our event has been a huge draw card for Adelaide, with many delegates planning to stay a little longer to visit some world-famous wineries such as the Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills. For those of you into sports, Australia will be playing India in a day/night test match at the Adelaide Oval on Friday the 6th of December. What a great way to end your conference visit, just a short ten minute stroll

to the Adelaide Oval and a relaxing evening of international cricket. Abstracts close 1st August 2024 !!!!

As its just passed the 30th of June, I’m sure you’re all thinking about doing your tax returns and settling into a new budget cycle at your respective workplace. That means its also time to renew your Materials Australia membership and retain your CMatP post-nominal. Materials Australia is our peak national body for materials science and engineering, and maintaining your membership ensures you have access to all of our content, magazine, meetings and conferences.

Best Regards

Nikki Stanford

National President

Materials Australia

Materials Australia does not accept responsibility for any claims made by advertisers. All communication should be directed

This magazine is the official journal of Materials Australia and is distributed to

WA Branch Technical Meeting - 13 May 2024

Polymeric Materials- “The Heart and Soul” of Coating Materials, Composite Materials and Even Concrete

Source: Dr Bogdan Dana, Senior Engineer-Materials and Corrosion, TECHT

Bogdan Dana has been working as a Chemical Engineer/ Industrial Chemist since 1993. Originally from Romania, with his first degree from study in Bucharest, Bogdan holds an MSc from Warwick University in England and a PhD from Otago University New Zealand. He has worked in Perth 2006, with the first seven years in a number of roles in formulation, manufacture, specification and quality control of paints, pigments, protective coatings and composite materials. Then then spent ten years in the cement and concrete industry, with a particular focus on mix formulation and admixtures. He recently joined TECHT corrosion and integrity management consultancy.

Bogdan drew on his deep and extensive knowledge of polymers to give his audience of overview of the role of polymers in coating materials, composites and concrete. He started by summarising polymer nomenclature and their main properties and subdivision into types according to structure, properties and manufacturing process. Properties of particular relevance in protective coatings include the glass to rubbery transition temperature, viscoelasticity, permeability and resistance to photo-, thermal- and biodegradation.

He highlighted the importance of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution/polydispersity index in controlling polymer properties. Uncontrolled polymerisation produces polymer chains with a wide variation of length/ molecular weight. Bogdan’s research studies had centred on controlled polymerisation, particularly be Atom Transfer Radical Polymerisation (ATRP). This allows a high degree of control over molecular weight, molecular architecture and polymer composition. The process is used in manufacture of functional polymers (controlled structure) including

those with biomedical uses in drug delivery and implantable devices.

Bogdan holds a patent in this field and was able to give an expert explanation of the chemical reaction processes in ATRP. Based on a metal halide catalyst, such as copper bromide, these allow precise specification and control of chain length by stopping reaction through establishing chemical equilibrium.

He based the next part of his talk on his experience in paint and coating manufacture. He showed examples of typical manufacturing formulations for different types of paint. These included the various resins, pigments, fillers, surfactants, solvents and additives, and how they are mixed. He also gave examples of how to interpret Material Safety Data Sheets, pointing out that they are available for all paints, including those from the local hardware shop.

Bogdan described a customised coating formulation he had developed while working for Matrix Composites. This was of particular interest to many in the audience since the WA Branch had a site visit to this facility a few years ago. Bogdan was able to expand on this in his description of the use of epoxy polymer in making the controlled-density spheres used in syntactic foams for subsea oil and gas riser flotation devices.

The last part of Bogdan’s talk concerned the role of polymers in cement and concrete. He pointed out that typically cement makes up about 12 percent of a concrete mix, and that polymer admixtures are typically only one percent of the cement. However, while only making up around 0.1 percent of the concrete mix, the polymers are critical in ensuring that all the sand and aggregate particles are covered with cement. Polymer admixtures are also essential in ensuring that the concrete can flow to fill all voids and can reduce the water addition by up to 30 percent, to just sufficient for the setting reactions.

Bogdan went on to explain the increasingly important role of supplementary cementitious material, such as fly ash and slag in reducing the carbon footprint of concrete. This has been one of his special interests and his work resulted in a patent for a surface-active additive that enables greater use of these materials.

Everyone in the audience has used materials he discussed, but as few would have much knowledge of the technology behind their design and manufacture, Bogdan’s insights were much appreciated.

Picture shows L to R Bogdan Dana, Ehsan Karaji

Advancing Materials andManufacturing

The 8th conference of the Combined Australian Materials Societies, incorporating Materials Australia and the Australian Ceramic Society.

Our technical program will cover a range of themes identiﬁed by researchers and industr y as issues of topical interest.

Symposia Themes

> Additive manufacturing

> Advances in materials characterisation

> Metals, alloys, casting & thermomechanical processing

> Biomaterials & nanomaterials for medicine

> Ceramics, glass and refractories

> Corrosion & wear

> Materials for energy generation, conversion and storage

> Computational materials science - simulation & modelling

> Nanostructured/nanoscale materials and interfaces

> Progress in cements, geopolymers and innovative building materials

> Surfaces, thin ﬁlms & coatings

> Polymer technology

> Composite technology

> Waste materials and environmental remediation/recycling

> Semiconductors and electronic materials

> Materials for nuclear and extreme environments

> Advances in Science and Technology of Ceramics (AOCF)

WA Branch Technical Meeting - 10 June 2024 Catching the Green Wave: Opportunities in Nickel Processing

Source: Dr Sofia Hazarabedian, DNV

Sofia started her presentation with a short description of how DNV had developed from its beginnings 160 years ago, in marine insurance and standards, to its current position as globally leading quality assurance and risk management company operating in more than 100 countries across the maritime, energy, food and healthcare industries, as well as a range of other sectors. Sofia’s presentation was based on a recent analysis that DNV had undertaken on nickel production.

Sofia graduated as a materials engineer from the Sabato Institute, Argentina and holds a PhD from Curtin University for her research focused on mitigating hydrogen embrittlement within the oil and gas sector. Her current role as a Hydrogen Engineer in the ANZ Hydrogen and Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) team at DNV reflects DNV’s strategic positioning to cover the emerging hydrogen value chain. Sofia’s current work involves strategic studies for hard-to-abate industries including large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia production, hydrogen pipelines, and decarbonisation roadmaps for critical metals and green steel.

Nickel is a crucial material for stainless steel and electric vehicle (EV) batteries, with a rapid growth in demand for high-grade nickel, driven by the burgeoning EV industry. The market for nickel metal is divided into Class 1 (>99.8% Ni), used for non-ferrous alloys and batteries, and the less pure Class 2, used for making stainless steels. Batteries currently make up around 7% of demand, but this is forecast to grow to 35% by 2030. The demand for nickel to enable a ‘greener’ economy has led to questioning of the ‘green credentials’ of nickel production. This has become particularly acute with the recent expansion of the Indonesian nickel industry. Sofia described how, in response, DNV has undertaken a desktop study for a white paper on the environmental costs of producing nickel for the three major ore types, through their typical processing routes.

The major division between nickel ores is into sulphides (produced by segregation in cooling magma) or laterites (produced by weathering of ancient rocks). Laterites are either saprolites (silicates) or limonites (oxides). These

three ore types are processed in different ways. The first consideration is that while sulphide ores can be concentrated to produce high-grade nickel sulphide, laterites have low nickel content, and the nickel is chemically combined and cannot be concentrated.

Sulphide concentrates are suitable for the production of highgrade nickel, by either pyro- or hydrometallurgical process routes. The main environmental consideration is dealing with the sulphur content, which is typically used to produce sulphuric acid. Saprolitic laterites are typically processed through the rotary kiln, electric arc furnace route to produce ferro-nickel used for stainless steel. Limonitic nickel laterites are typically processed by high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) followed by hydrometallurgical purification, making them a suitable source of Class 1 nickel.

The environmental impact of processing laterites arises mainly through the high energy cost of having to process all the ore to extract the low nickel content. With HPAL, there is an additional environmental impact from the release of carbon dioxide from the decomposition of limestone needed for the neutralisation of acid from the leaching stage. Overall, the carbon footprint of HPAL processing is approximately twice that of processing sulphide ores.

The DNV desktop study has been used to investigate the environmental costs associated with the emerging Indonesian nickel industry, which is based on lateritic ores. There is clearly a “net-zero paradox” as these operations have a high carbon footprint, while Indonesia has a goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050.

There are potential ways of reducing the carbon impact of processing in Indonesia. For example, there are large potential geothermal power resources, though these are not necessarily close to the nickel operations. Moreover, Indonesia is an archipelago and transmission of power over long distances between islands would involve large infrastructure costs.

Sofia engaged with the audience in expanding on these topics. The low direct cost of Indonesian nickel introduces high environmental costs from the use of coal as the main energy source for processing and the additional emissions from acid neutralisation. Change would require a “green wave” of regulatory pressure or a market preference for “greener” nickel. In the absence of such forces, Australian nickel production is at a long-term cost disadvantage.

Sofia Hazarabedian

Making Sure They Have a Safe Ride

HYPERSONIC MATERIALS CHARACTERISATION UP TO 2000°C AND BEYOND

∙ Thermal conductivity determination for temperatures up to 2800°C using laser flash analysis

∙ Determination of specific heat and degradation behaviour up to 2400°C and beyond

∙ Analyzing thermal expansion up to 2800°C with dilatometry

∙ Characterizing dynamic mechanical properties with forces up to 500N and 1500°C using DMA

WA Branch Technical Meeting - 8 July 2024 Visit to Hofmann Engineering

Source: Hofmann Engineering

Hofmann Engineering was founded in Perth in 1969 and has since become an icon of manufacturing in WA. In 2014 was awarded the Materials Australia Claude A Stewart Medal MA for its a significant contribution to the industrial practice of metallurgy.

It had been 12 years since the last WA Branch visit to Hofmann’s and members and guests were welcomed to the premises by Carlos Fortuna, Product Manager Defence and Rail Systems. A guided tour followed an introductory overview of Hofmann Engineering by Karl Hofmann, Product Engineer and Erich Hofmann, Managing Director,

Hofmann Engineering has its head office in Perth Western Australia, and has manufacturing sites in Melbourne, Bendigo and Newcastle as well as overseas in Peru, Chile, South Africa and North America. It is a family-owned business and operates debt free. It has a $220m turnover and employs about 600 personnel world-wide. It also employs about 80 apprentices.

The guided tour of the Bassendean operation highlighted its world class facilities for design and manufacture with a particular specialisation in gears and gearboxes. It has extensive CAD and CAM design facilities and fabrication, heat treatment, inspection, metrology and metallurgical laboratory facilities. There are several large metrology rooms

in the workshop equipped with Co-ordinate Measuring Machines.

The facilities are designed for moderately sized to very large fabrication and machining and inspection, all supported by CAD and CAM and design engineering staff. All machines are CNC controlled, including large hobbing and grinding CNC machines for all sizes of gear modules and forms such as spur, helical, double helical, spiral bevel, hypoid etc are in operation. The mining and wind power industries are major customers and the plant has capacity to build up to 15 metre diameter gears for mining and mineral processing applications.

The large-scale fabrication facilities include 6000 tonne plate rolls which can bend 220mm thick by 3700 wide steel plate (hardness of 390 BHN). The site has specialised welding capacity for high carbon alloy steel with appropriate procedures for QC.

Hofmann’s heat treatment facilities are the largest in Australia with a total of 15 furnaces covering all aspects of modern heat treatment such as gas carburising, nitrocarburising, quench and tempering. Induction hardening equipment is used in various locations in the plant.

This was a fascinating tour and The WA branch is grateful for Hofmann’s invitation.

(LtoR): Karl Hoffmann, Erich Hoffmann, Carlos Fortuna.

SEAM Profile: Nonthapat (Non) Nawbuntud

Nonthapat (Non) Nawbuntud is a PhD Student with the Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Training Centre in Surface Engineering for Advanced Materials (SEAM) at Swinburne University of Technology.

Non’s journey into engineering began when his interest in using small, easily manageable tools to disassemble and assemble toy parts ignited a curiosity for understanding how things worked. Despite the modest origin of his engineering journey, his interest in physics and mathematics peaked during schooling days that led him to enrol in the advanced sciences and mathematics program in high school.

Immersing himself in the program, Non discovered a profound enjoyment in delving into the intricacies of physics and mathematics; a passion that synergised with his natural inclination for creating and repairing things. This fusion of interests served as a fuel for him to pursue further studies in the field of engineering.

Non holds a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering from

Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand where he graduated with Honors. During his final year project, he gained hands-on experience with manufacturing processes while working collaboratively with the Centre of Excellence for Prosthetic and Orthopaedic Implant. An outcome of this project was a fixation device for canine osteotomies that enhanced the quality and efficacy of surgical procedures. Through this project he acquired invaluable research and modelling skills, utilising software including CATIA, and gained practical experience in device production through machining techniques.

Seeking to expand his horizons and gain further knowledge, he came to Australia to pursue his Masters Degree, majoring in Mechanical and Production Engineering at Swinburne University of Technology. During his first semester at Swinburne, he decided to join the Surface Engineering module as s specialisation unit, which led to an exciting opportunity to intern with ARC-SEAM. As an intern he worked on the innovative manufacturing of nanostructured solid-state

electrolytes using suspension plasma spray. Non achieved highperformance solid-state electrolyte with minimal Li loss during fabrication and eliminated the need of post treatment. His work was presented at the 11th Pacific Rim International Conference on Advanced Materials and Processing (PRICM11) in Korea and is scheduled to be presented at the International Conference on Surface Science, Engineering & Technology (SSET) in the UK. This project not only improved his research and analytical skills but also broadened his perspective on the future trends of real-world technologies.

After finishing the internship, Non started an exciting new journey with the PhD program at ARC-SEAM. There, he will be working on a project that is carried out in collaboration with Superior Shot Peening, an industry-leading company in peening and coating technology based in the US. His current research project focuses on the development of surface engineering methods for processing internal steel pipe diameters. The project aims to address high corrosion rates in pipelines and structural components – a huge challenge faced by energy, marine, and other industries for over 50 years. He is passionate about solving this problem and believes that his research can generate an impactful outcome for real-world application.

Non remains deeply grateful for the invaluable opportunities afforded to him by ARC-SEAM, where he has had the privilege of collaborating with talented professionals while contributing to a diverse and inclusive academic community.

For more information about SEAM, please visit www.arcseam.com.au/ or email seam@swinburne.edu.au

Founded in 2019 as a partnership between three universities, SEAM’s mission is to help solve critical surface engineering problems faced by industry, while training up talented industry-ready graduates for our future

ANSTO supports the national science and research priorities by providing access to advanced nuclear-based analytical techniques and world-class facilities, such as Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering and the Australian Synchrotron, to conduct cutting-edge research including surface engineering carried out by SEAM

ROMAR engineering is working with SEAM to use the full flexibility of direct energy deposition additive and subtractive manufacturing unit to improve the quality of their built components. The focus of the project is on reducing residual stress, voids and maximizing surface properties.

Superior Shot Peening has partnered with SEAM, focusing on developing peening and protective coating technologies for application inside internal diameters of pipelines commonly used in oil and gas industries. The collaboration aims to deliver a solution for addressing corrosion and durability issues in the field.

CMatP Profile: Dr Bernd Schulz

Bernd oversees the Materials Science sector at ZEISS Australia and New Zealand. He holds a PhD from UNSW Sydney and has over a decade experience as Materials Scientist within academic research and the manufacturing industry.

With a diverse background spanning the battery, semiconductor, automative, and aerospace sectors, he is committed to driving innovative solutions in his role by leveraging his extensive industry knowledge and expertise.

Where do you work?

Describe your job.

I work at ZEISS, where I look after the Materials Science sector in Australia and New Zealand. ZEISS is a one-stop manufacturer of light, electron, ion, and X-ray microscopes as well as industry-scale computer tomography (CT) and coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). My responsibilities include supporting academics in finding the right microscopy solution to answer their scientific questions. Additionally, I work with industries to identify the appropriate quality control solutions.

My role provides me with valuable exposure to a wide range of materials and processes. One of the key aspects of my position is

maintaining constant communication with various ZEISS teams around the world. This global network of communication allows me to effectively address challenges that researchers face here by leveraging the knowledge that has already been gained elsewhere.

What inspired you to choose a career in materials science and engineering?

I have always been excited about sciences. But when it came to choosing a university degree, I found myself torn between biology, physics, and chemistry. It wasn’t until I attended an open day at the University of Leoben in Austria that I was introduced to the field of Materials Science. This visit sparked the realisation that I could combine my interests into one discipline. This intersection between various fields of science and engineering, remains a key aspect that I deeply cherish in Materials Science and Engineering.

Who or what has influenced you most professionally?

My professional career has been profoundly shaped by my former PhD supervisor Prof. Sophie Primig. Our initial meeting during my undergraduate exchange semester at UNSW left a lasting impact on my career trajectory, leading me to return to Australia to pursue my PhD under her supervision. Sophie not only helped me to develop my skills as a scientist and engineer but also taught me the importance of effective science communication and strong writing abilities. I admire her commitment to creating an open and supportive environment, which not only facilitated meaningful scientific discussions but also provided a safe space where personal matters were heard and valued. Her influence has been instrumental in my professional and personal growth and development.

What has been the most challenging job or project you've worked on to date and why? One of the most challenging jobs

has been my PhD and postdoctoral research on the industrial forging of Ni-based superalloys. These materials would seemingly crack at the slightest glance. It took me more than a year to investigate and identify a basic heat treatment that would prevent these cracks – even before I could start to investigate the challenges our industry collaborator faced during the forging process itself. Eventually, we were able to successfully address the cracking challenges during the manufacturing process. In hindsight, the journey of solving the mystery behind the cracking was fascinating, and it taught me valuable lessons in resilience and perseverance.

What does being a CMatP mean to you?

Being CMatP signifies the recognition of my experience in the field of Materials Science and the commitment to continuous learning and professional development. As a CMatP, I am proud to be part of a vibrant and supportive community who are dedicated to advancing the field of Materials Science. This sense of belonging fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and growth, allowing us to collectively contribute to the advancement of materials engineering and make a positive impact in various industries, while also addressing global challenges.

What gives you the most satisfaction at work?

I find it incredibly rewarding to tackle complex challenges and think creatively to find innovative solutions. I particularly find satisfaction in the process of combining multiple techniques to overcome their individual inherent limitations and find answers to challenging questions. The sense of accomplishment and the opportunity to push the boundaries of what is possible in the field is incredibly gratifying. Knowing that my work contributes to making a positive impact in various industries and addressing global challenges brings me a great sense of fulfillment.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

One of the best pieces of advice that I have received, is to not get ahead of yourself and remain grounded in the present moment. While it is important to plan ahead and think about the future, it is equally important to stay focused on the here and now. This advice reminds me to be mindful and fully engaged in the present moment, rather than constantly worrying about what is yet to come. Although I can acknowledge, this is often easier said than done and takes continues efforts to put into practice.

What are you optimistic about?

When we open a newspaper and see the state of the world, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. But I strongly believe that we, as Materials Professionals, hold a key role in addressing these pressing global challenges such as climate change. As we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible through materials innovation, I am hopeful that we can make a positive impact on the environment and solve some of the most critical challenges.

What have been your greatest professional and personal achievements?

My greatest personal achievement has been moving overseas to Australia. As a teenager, I dreamt of living abroad, and I never imagined that I would have the courage to turn that dream into reality. I vividly recall the nerves I felt when I first made the move, but I am incredibly happy to now call Australia my home. On a professional level, I consider it a significant achievement to have gained experiences in various fields, both academically and in the manufacturing industry. Balancing work alongside my studies was not always an easy task, but I am immensely grateful for the diverse experiences it has provided me. These experiences have shaped my professional journey and have given me a broader perspective and valuable skills that I continue to carry with me.

What are the top three things on your “bucket list”?

• Continue the work on projects that actively address global challenges like climate change and work towards a more sustainable future.

• Travel South America, pickup my

Spanish again, and dive into the cultures of the region.

• Learn how to swim freestyle and tackle the Coogee Island Challenge. I feel like it is about time I become a proficient swimmer after over half a decade in Australia.

Our Certified Materials Professionals (CMatPs)

The following members of Materials Australia have been certified by the Certification Panel of Materials Australia as Certified Materials Professionals.

They can now use the post nominal ‘CMatP‘ after their name. These individuals have demonstrated the required level of qualification and experience to obtain this status. They are also required to regularly maintain their professional standing through ongoing education and commitment to the materials community.

We now have nearly 200 Certified Materials Professionals, who are being called upon to lead activities within Materials Australia. These activities include heading special interest group networks, representation on Standards Australia Committees, and representing Materials Australia at international conferences and society meetings.

A/Prof Alexey Glushenkov ACT

Dr Syed Islam ACT

Prof Yun Liu ACT

Dr Karthika Prasad ACT

Dr Avik Sarker ACT

Dr Olga Zinovieva ACT

Prof Klaus-Dieter Liss CHINA

Mr Debdutta Mallik MALAYSIA

Prof Valerie Linton NEW ZEALAND

Prof. Jamie Quinton NEW ZEALAND

Dr Amir Abdolazizi

Dr Rumana Akhter

Ms Maree Anast

NSW

Dr Edohamen Awannegbe NSW

Ms Megan Blamires

Prof John Canning

Dr Phillip Carter

NSW

A/Prof Igor Chaves NSW

Dr Evan Copland NSW

Mr Peter Crick NSW

Prof Madeleine Du Toit NSW

Dr Ehsan Farabi NSW

Prof Michael Ferry NSW

Dr Yixiang Gan NSW

Mr Michele Gimona NSW

Dr Bernd Gludovatz NSW

Dr Andrew Gregory NSW

Mr Buluc Guner NSW

Dr Ali Hadigheh NSW

Dr Alan Hellier

NSW

Prof Mark Hoffman NSW

Mr Simon Krismer

Prof Jamie Kruzic

Prof Huijun Li

Dr Yanan Li

A/Prof Xiaopeng Li

Dr Hong Lu

NSW

Mr Rodney Mackay-Sim NSW

Dr Matthew Mansell

Dr Warren McKenzie

Mr Edgar Mendez

Mr Sam Moricca

Dr Ranming Niu

Dr Anna Paradowska

Prof Elena Pereloma

A/Prof Sophie Primig

Dr Gwenaelle Proust

Miss Zhijun Qiu

Dr Blake Regan

Mr Ehsan Rahafrouz

Dr Mark Reid

Prof Simon Ringer

Dr Richard Roest

Mr Sameer Sameen

Dr Bernd Schulz

Dr Luming Shen

Mr Sasanka Sinha

Mr Frank Soto

Mr Michael Stefulj

Mr Carl Strautins

Mr Alan Todhunter

Ms Judy Turnbull

Mr Jeremy Unsworth

Dr Philip Walls

Dr Alan Whittle

Dr Richard Wuhrer

Mr Deniz Yalniz

NSW

Dr Michael Bermingham QLD

Mr Michael Chan QLD

Prof Richard Clegg QLD

Mr Andrew Dark QLD

Dr Ian Dover QLD

Mr Oscar Duyvestyn QLD

Mr John Edgley QLD

Dr Jayantha Epaarachchi QLD

Dr Jeff Gates QLD

Mr Payam Ghafoori QLD

Mr Mo Golbahar QLD

Dr David Harrison QLD

Dr Janitha Jeewantha QLD

Dr Damon Kent QLD

Mr Jaewon Lee QLD

Mr Jeezreel Malacad QLD

Mr Sadiq Nawaz QLD

Dr Saeed Nemati QLD

Mr Bhavin Panchal QLD

Mr Bob Samuels QLD

Mr Ashley Bell SA

Ms Ingrid Brundin SA

Mr Neville Cornish SA

A/Prof Colin Hall SA

Mr Brendan Dunstall SA

Mr Nikolas Hildebrand SA

Mr Mikael Johansson SA

Mr Rahim Kurji SA

Mr Andrew Sales SA

Dr Thomas Schläfer SA

Dr Christiane Schulz SA

Prof Nikki Stanford SA

Prof Youhong Tang SA

Mr Kok Toong Leong SINGAPORE

Mr Devadoss Suresh Kumar UAE

Dr Muhammad Awais Javed VIC

Dr Ossama Badr VIC

Dr Qi Chao VIC

Dr Ivan Cole VIC

Dr John Cookson VIC

Miss Ana Celine Del Rosario VIC

Dr Yvonne Durandet VIC

Dr Mark Easton VIC

Dr Rajiv Edavan VIC

Dr Reza Emdad VIC

Dr Peter Ford VIC

Mr Bruce Ham VIC

Ms Edith Hamilton VIC

Dr Shu Huang VIC

Mr Long Huynh VIC

Dr Jithin Joseph VIC

Mr. Akesh Babu Kakarla VIC

Mr Russell Kennedy VIC

Mr Daniel Lim VIC

Dr Amita Iyer VIC

Mr Robert Le Hunt VIC

Dr Thomas Ludwig VIC

Dr Roger Lumley VIC

Mr Michael Mansfield VIC

Dr Gary Martin VIC

Dr Siao Ming (Andrew) Ang VIC

Mr Glen Morrissey VIC

Dr Khurram Munir VIC

Dr Eustathios Petinakis VIC

Dr Leon Prentice

Dr Dong Qiu VIC

Mr John Rea

Miss Reyhaneh Sahraeian

Dr Christine Scala VIC

Mr Khan Sharp VIC

Dr Vadim Shterner VIC

Mr Mark Stephens VIC

Dr Graham Sussex VIC

Dr Kishore Venkatesan VIC

Mr Pranay Wadyalkar VIC

Dr Wei Xu VIC

Dr Ramdayal Yadav VIC

Dr Sam Yang VIC

Dr Matthew Young VIC

Mr Angelo Zaccari VIC

Dr Yuman Zhu VIC

Mr Mohsen Sabbagh Alvani WA

Dr Murusemy Annasamy WA

Mr Graeme Brown WA

Mr Graham Carlisle WA

Mr John Carroll WA

Mr Sridharan Chandran WA

Mr Conrad Classen WA

Mr Chris Cobain WA

Mr Adam Dunning WA

Mr Jeff Dunning WA

Dr Olubayode Ero-Phillips WA

Mr Stuart Folkard WA

Mr Toby Garrod WA

Prof Vladimir Golovanevskiy WA

Mr Chris Grant WA

Mr Paul Howard WA

Dr Paul Huggett WA

Mr Ivo Kalcic WA

Mr Srikanth Kambhampati WA

Mr Ehsan Karaji WA

Mr Ka-Seng Leung WA

Mr Mathieu Lancien WA

Dr Evelyn Ng WA

Mr Deny Nugraha WA

Mrs Mary Louise Petrick WA

Mr Johann Petrick WA

Mr Biju Kurian Pottayil WA

Dr Mobin Salasi WA

Mr Daniel Swanepoel WA

Mr James Travers WA

Why You Should Become a Certified Materials Professional

Source: Materials Australia

Accreditation as a Certified Materials Professional (CMatP) gives you recognition, not only amongst your peers, but within the materials engineering industry at large. You will be recognised as a materials scientist who maintains professional integrity, keeps up to date with developments in technology, and strives for continued personal development.

The CMatP, like a Certified Practicing Accountant or CPA, is promoted globally as the recognised standard for professionals working in the field of materials science.

There are now well over one hundred CMatPs who lead activities within Materials Australia. These activities include heading special interest group networks, representation on Standards Australia Committees, and representing Materials Australia at international conferences and society meetings.

Benefits of Becoming a CMatP

• A Certificate of Membership, often presented by the State Chapter, together with a unique Materials Australia badge.

• Access to exclusive CMatP resources and website content.

• The opportunity to attend CMatP only networking meetings.

• Promotion through Materials Australia magazine, website, social media and other public channels.

• A Certified Materials Professional can use the post nominal CMatP.

• Materials Australia will actively promote the CMatP status to the community and employers and internationally, through our partner organisations.

• A CMatP may be requested to represent Materials Australia throughout Australia and overseas, with Government, media and other important activities.

• A CMatP may be offered an opportunity as a mentor for student members.

• Networking directly with other CMatPs who have recognised levels of qualifications and experience.

• The opportunity to assume leadership roles in Special Interest Networks, to assist in the facilitation of new knowledge amongst peers and members.

What is a Certified Materials Professional?

A Certified Materials Professional is a person to whom Materials Australia has issued a certificate declaring they have attained all required professional standards. They are recognised as demonstrating excellence, and

possessing special knowledge in the practice of materials science and engineering, through their profession or workplace. A CMatP is prepared to share their knowledge and skills in the interest of others, and promote excellence and innovation in all their professional endeavours.

The Criteria

The criteria for recognition as a CMatP are structured around the applicant demonstrating substantial and sustained practice in a field of materials science and engineering. The criteria are measured by qualifications, years of employment and relevant experience, as evidenced by the applicant’s CV or submitted documentation.

Certification will be retained as long as there is evidence of continuing professional development and adherence to the Code of Ethics and Professional behaviour.

Further Information

Contact Materials Australia today: on +61 3 9326 7266 or imea@materialsaustralia.com.au or visit our website: www.materialsaustralia.com.au

Energy-Smart Bricks Keep Waste Out of Landfill

Source: Sally Wood

Engineers have invented energyefficient bricks with scrap materials, including glass, that are normally destined for landfill.

RMIT University engineers collaborated with Visy, Australia’s largest recycling company to make bricks with a minimum of 15% waste glass and 20% combusted solid waste (ash), as substitutes for clay.

Test results indicate that using these bricks in the construction of a singlestory building could reduce household energy bills by up to 5% compared to regular bricks, due to improved insulation.

Replacing clay with waste materials in the brick production helped reduce the firing temperature by up to 20% compared with standard brick mixtures, offering potential cost savings to manufacturers.

Team leader Associate Professor Dilan Robert said about 1.4 trillion bricks were used in construction projects globally every year.

“Business-as-usual brick production produces harmful emissions including carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and chlorine and puts a serious strain on our natural resources, particularly clay,” said Dilan, from RMIT’s School of Engineering.

Potential to Make Our Homes and Workplaces More Energy Efficient

The team’s research showed the new bricks have enhanced energy efficiency through improved thermal performance, and met stringent structural, durability and environmental sustainability standards. The technology has met the key compliance requirement of fired clay bricks set by Standards Australia (AS 3700).

“Bricks play a key role in preventing energy loss from buildings,” Professor Robert said. “We can also produce light-weight bricks in a range of colours from white to dark red by changing our formulations.”

Dr Biplob Pramanik, the RMIT team’s environmental engineer, said the new bricks were safe to use in construction projects. “Our bricks, manufactured from industry waste, meet state environmental regulations,” Dr Pramanik said.

A “Circular-Economy Solution” to A Big Waste Challenge

In Victoria, Visy recycles glass packaging back into new bottles and jars. However, glass pieces smaller than 3mm referred to as fines cannot be recycled into bottles.

“We are focusing on scaling up the production process to facilitate the commercialisation of our innovative bricks in collaboration with brick manufacturers in Melbourne,” Robert said.

Paul Andrich, Innovation Project Manager at Visy, said the company was thrilled to find a solution for material that cannot be recycled into food and beverage packaging.

“Diverting this waste into bricks with added insulation, rather than landfill, is another way we are powering the circular economy," he said.

The research team wants to collaborate with industries to explore applications of waste material in other construction products.

Team leader Associate Professor Dilan Robert (third from left) with the RMIT research team behind the energy-smart bricks in a lab at RMIT University. Credit: Seamus Daniel, RMIT University.

The team can make energy-smart bricks in a range of colours. Credit: Seamus Daniel, RMIT University.

Waste glass that the team can use in their energy-smart bricks. Credit: Seamus Daniel, RMIT University.

Combusted solid waste (ash) that the team can use in their energy-smart bricks. Credit: Seamus Daniel, RMIT University.

Optimising Electrolyte Filling to Improve Battery and EV Production Processes

Source: Adira Vaidyanathan (KRÜSS GmbH, Germany, kruss-scientific.com)

In the quest for fast-charging batteries, scientists are continually exploring new ways to improve the efficiency and longevity of energy storage systems. Surface science, a multidisciplinary field exploring phenomena at material interfaces, holds the potential to transform battery and electric vehicle (EV) production. As the world shifts towards sustainable energy solutions, optimising the performance, efficiency, and longevity of batteries is crucial. This article delves into how advancements in surface science are unlocking new possibilities in battery technology and accelerating EV adoption.

Challenges

of battery manufacturers

Battery manufacturers often hesitate to modify their production processes due to risks of disruption, increased scrap rates and potential loss of market share from reduced supply. In the realm of high-capacity lithium-ion battery production, where time is critical, filling a cell with electrolyte is a significant bottleneck. This time-consuming step can slow down the entire production process. Consequently, battery developers are seeking ways to improve critical steps such as calendaring and electrolyte wetting.

Understanding electrode wettability

Surveys conducted by the KRÜSS Application Team revealed that the most time-consuming and challenging hurdle in battery production is electrolyte filling. For optimal mass and charge transport, the porous layers of electrodes must be thoroughly penetrated by the electrolyte. Electrode porosity significantly impacts

wettability speed. Efficient electrolyte wetting is essential for enhancing the electrode-electrolyte interface, facilitating faster ion transport, and improving overall battery performance.

The role of speed in wettability

The speed at which wettability is achieved is crucial for scaling up battery production. Traditionally, achieving optimal wettability involves processes that can be timeconsuming and costly. However, recent developments have focused on accelerating this process to streamline production and improve efficiency.

Introducing the wettability rate K: the measure of how quickly a liquid spreads across a solid surface. A higher K indicates rapid wetting, facilitating faster and more uniform coating of electrodes and vice versa.

1. Enhanced Performance

Research has shown that optimising K can significantly enhance electrode performance metrics such as capacity retention, cycle life and power output.

2. Manufacturing Efficiency

Efficient wetting, driven by an optimal K, not only enhances battery performance but also improves manufacturing efficiency. A higher K reduces the time and resources required for electrode wetting, thereby lowering production costs. This efficiency gain becomes particularly crucial in scaling up production to meet the increasing demand for high-performance batteries in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems.

The Washburn Theory

At its core, Washburn theory relates to capillary action and the movement of liquids through porous materials.

The theory postulates that the wetting rate K is inversely proportional to the square root of time, emphasising the gradual but predictable nature of capillarydriven penetration. By measuring the time it takes for the electrolyte to wet the electrode material through a tensiometer like the Tensíío, manufacturers can calculate K with precision. This calculation informs decisions on electrode composition, porosity, and electrolyte formulation, all critical factors in determining battery efficiency and lifespan.

The tensiometer applied can be used to measure:

• The speed of the wetting process (wetting rate)

• The total amount of liquid absorbed (completeness)

Other important factors that can be determined by calculating K:

• Optimum slurry composition

• Ideal degree of calendaring

• Impact of components like separators

As battery technology advances, the application of Washburn theory continues to refine manufacturing processes, enabling the production of more reliable and efficient energy storage solutions for various applications, from portable electronics to electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage systems.

Leveraging Surface Science to Thrive in EV Production

Surface science also drives innovations in EV technology,

A. Schilling et al., DOI: 10.1002/ente.2019000078

times. Through precise atomic level manipulation, surface science enhances battery efficiency and durability. EVs rely on lithium-ion batteries (LiB/ Li-ion) and R&D in this area is critical to driving the trend. Streamline your battery R&D with the ADVANCE Software - a powerful tool which predicts wettability to identify the best sample combinations, select sealants and cell coatings, and eliminate adhesive failures.

Interfacial testing, currently underutilised in LiB development, yields benefits like increased productivity, quick ROI, unique product offerings, and higher customer satisfaction. By 2030, EVs are projected to constitute 50% of global car sales, highlighting the critical role of surface science in shaping the automotive landscape towards a greener future.

For more information contact us ATA Scientific Pty Ltd +61 2 9541 3500 enquiries@atascientific.com.au www.atascientific.com.au

Sheng, Yangping. “Investigation of Electrolyte Wetting in Lithium Ion Batteries: Effects of Electrode Pore Structures and Solutions” (2015). Theses and Dissertations. 1080.

Nanothin Printing of Electronics Hardware Could Slash Costs

Source:

Sally Wood

Engineers Harvest Alloy Crucial For 2D Printing Memory Chips

Engineering researchers at the University of Sydney have developed a 2D printing process using liquid metals that they say could create new ways of creating more advanced and energy efficient computing hardware that is manufactured at the nanoscale.

The process comes amid increasing worldwide demand for memory devices, which require significant amounts of energy to produce and use.

“Reducing the temperature at which zirconium and hafnium become liquid is crucial to developing lower-cost electrical devices as far less energy is required,” said Dr Mohammad Ghasemian, the study’s lead author from the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

Developed by University of Sydney engineers and published in Small, the researchers first combined tin, zirconium and hafnium in a precise ratio. This enabled the alloy to be

melted below 500 degrees, far lower than the individual melting points for zirconium (1855 degrees) and hafnium (2227 degrees).

‘Think of it like a marble coated in ink. The alloy is like a solvent that allows us to remove that ink and then use it for printing.’ said Dr Ghasemian.

The liquid metal alloy has a thin oxide layer or ‘crust’ while maintaining a liquid centre. It is used to harvest the ultra-thin tin oxide nanosheets doped with hafnium zirconium oxide.

“Tin is abundant, low cost and can be used at a large scale for the manufacture of critical semiconductors, transistors and memory chips,” said Dr Ghasemian.

“Though hafnium zirconium oxide is a well-known ferroelectric material used in nanoscale applications, like memory devices and sensors, obtaining nanosheets using conventional techniques is both difficult and costly,” he said.

Applying the tin-zirconium-hafnium

alloy allowed the team to harvest the nanothin tin oxide layer doped with hafnium zirconium oxide through exfoliation lifting it from its liquid surface so it could then be 2D printed on a substrate as ferroelectric nanosheets. These sheets are designed to form the basis of next generation computing hardware, from semiconductors to memory chips.

“Think of it like a marble coated in ink,” Dr Ghasemian said. “The alloy is like a solvent that allows us to remove that ink and then use it for printing. Our process allows us to harvest this precious crust layer and turn it into ultra-thin sheets, which are then used to manufacture electronics.”

“It could be a new source of functional 2D materials which are not accessible by conventional methods. This process allows us to introduce ferroelectricity into much smaller, 2D metal oxides, allowing for the development of next generation nanoelectronics at low temperatures.”

How the process worked. Image: Mohammad Ghasemian and co-authors.

Dr Mohammad Ghasemian.

FIVE COMPELLING REASONS TO USE THE PHENOM DESKTOP SEM

Ease of use is what the Phenom Pharos name has come to mean. All the capabilities of a floor-standing FEG-SEM have been housed in a tabletop model with the simplicity that Phenom desktop SEMs are known for.

1. Super fast, sharp, high contrast images

Speeds up project work and provides high -end imaging and analysis critical for many fields from materials, forensics to industrial manufacturing and even life sciences.

2. Unsurpassed user experience

Easy to use without extensive training or SEM experience means the Phenom is accessible to everyone.

3. Multiple detectors reveal finer details

Fully integrated EDS and SE detector together with a low -kV beam (1 kV) allows thin contamination layers on the surface can be observed (Phenom Pharos).

4. Intuitive software with advanced automation

Simply click and go to work or use automated recipes with elemental mapping and line scan functionality.

5. Huge time and money saver

Provides rapid, multi -scale information in-house for process monitoring and improvement.

• Field Emission Gun (FEG) SEM with 1 - 20 kV range

• NEW STEM Sample Holder

• For

automated LUXOR sputter coaters reduce risk for sample damage

✓

MADE IN GERMANY

Phenom Particle X

Gold microparticles taken using Phenom Pharos

New Device Harnesses Sweat Power for Fitness Trackers

Source: Sally Wood

A small amount of sweat could be all that's needed to power fitness trackers of the future, new research led by Deakin University's Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) reveals.

Deakin researchers have outlined how they have designed a ground-breaking wearable hydroelectric nanogenerator, powerful enough to power small electronics such as FitBits and smart watches that combines conductive nanomaterials and the evaporation of sweat to generate and store electrical power.

The broad and increasing use of wearable electronics for healthcare raises interest in using green energy sources to power them and to make them maintenance free. In this work, we develop wearable hydroelectric nanogenerators that generate energy from the evaporation of sweat.

The devices can generate sufficient energy to power small electronic devices, and the energy generated can be stored. This work helps to realise wearable devices that are selfpowered and sustainable.

In the past, the mechanics of hydroelectric nanogenerators were little understood and had several shortcomings, including lower power output density, however this new technology integrates a single-layer MXene nanosheet with wool as the electrochemically active component.

“Imagine a tiny device that you could wear, like a bracelet or headband, that could generate electricity from something as simple as your sweat,” research co-author IFM Associate Professor Jingliang Li said.

“The device only needs a small amount of sweat to operate, only few drops to cover the surface of the device. Operation-wise a device needs sweat to generate the current, but since the device is attached to a capacitor, the generated current can be stored. This does not require the wearer to sweat continuously,” Professor Jingliang Li said.

IFM researchers have designed a new hydroelectric nanogenerator for wearable electronics that integrates a single-layer MXene nanosheet with wool as the electrochemically active component.

“Similar to a solar panel generating electricity, the generated current can be gradually stored in another device.”

Figures have shown that more than half of Australians track their fitness with a smartphone, smartwatch or fitness band.

This breakthrough research led at IFM by Associate Professor Li, Dr Azadeh Nilghaz and PhD candidate Hongli Su could provide a greener, and low maintenance alternative to meet that demand.

Further development is needed before the technology could be commercialised for public sale, however, the device shows promise of being easy and low-cost to fabricate.

Looking ahead, the research team hopes to explore how the device can generate electricity if they don't sweat.

“The device can generate electricity from the moisture produced by breathing,” Professor Li said.

“This is our future work.”

The 5th Asia-Pacific International Conference on Additive Manufacturing (APICAM) is the not-to-be-missed industry conference of 2025.

APICAM was created to provide an opportunity for industry professionals and thinkers to come together, share knowledge and engage in the type of networking that is vital to the furthering of the additive manufacturing industry.

Some of the leading minds in the industry will give presentations on pressing issues and the ways in which innovations can navigate challenges. Important areas such as 3D printing and additive manufacturing in the automotive, biomedical, defence and aerospace industries will be covered by experts from each respective field.

The purpose of this conference is to provide a focused forum for the presentation of advanced research and improved understanding of various aspects of additive manufacturing.

The APICAM2025 organizing committee is seeking abstracts for either an oral or poster presentation.

Abstracts are able to be submitted in the following areas:

Additive Manufacturing Defence Application

Additive Manufacturing Green/Clean Energy

Additive Manufacturing Space Application

Additive Manufacturing Post- Processing

Bioprinting and Biomaterials

Ceramic and Concrete Additive Manufacturing

Design, Qualification and Certification

Digital Manufacturing

Emerging Additive Manufacturing Technologies

Metal Additive Manufacturing

Modelling and Simulations

Polymer Additive Manufacturing

Sustainability

Dynamic Computed Tomography for Additive Manufacturing Development

By Dr. Cameron Chai and Dr. Kamran Khajehpour, AXT PTY LTD

Additive manufacturing (AM) has come to the fore with its ability to fabricate complex parts that would otherwise be impossible or prohibitively expensive to produce using traditional methods, in particular those that only require short production runs. This makes it especially relevant to Australia where high volume manufacturing is largely a thing of the past.

Computed tomography or CT is known to be an excellent technique for quality assurance of AM parts as it can non-destructively examine high value parts for dimensional tolerances including internal features hidden from sight. It can also reveal cracks and voids which can be of obvious value for critical components.

Computed Tomography in Product Development

Similarly, in situ CT can be used to investigate the behaviour of 3D printed structures while they

are subject to external stimuli like compressive loads. Using dynamic CT, the entire process through to failure can be observed, typically revealing the mode and site where failure occurs. This valuable insight allows designers and engineers to adjust their design to produce higher levels of performance.

TESCAN CT’s like the UniTOM series allow true dynamic CT with a temporal resolution better than 3 seconds per rotation. This far exceeds the speed of other systems which at best offer time lapse scanning. Such systems can often miss critical events e.g. in the case of brittle failure or rapid microstructural changes. It also allows for uninterrupted scanning, with data being captured continuously throughout the entire process.

Case Study

Three different 3D printed structures using different infill patterns were dynamically scanned using CT while

under compressive loading. Using a TESCAN UniTOM XL, 220 tomograms were collected over 22 minutes with a temporal resolution of 5.8 seconds per sample rotation and a voxel size of 59 μm.

The load vs time curves from these experiments is provided and clearly shows that the cross 3D pattern is able to withstand a higher load initially but then drops off below the load supported by the other structures. The 3D imaging reveals that there is an initial collapse in a single layer followed by unrestrained compression of that layer until it collapses upon the next layer and most of the deformation occurs in the one region. It is also evident hat the majority of the deformation has occurred in a localised region with large amounts of deformation in the outer walls.

The cubic structure maintains overall geometry integrity with localised buckling throughout. While there is an initial failure in a single layer near the bottom, several other layers collapse over time. In contrast, the triangle structure fails via shear with the sample sliding along preferred directions.

CT examination using systems like the TESCAN UniTOM allow you to zoom in on specific volumes of interest. This type of examination can reveal defects like voids that could also lead to failure.

Summary

As the demands for AM parts increase, a better understanding of how they perform will be required to ensure they up to the task they are designed for. Techniques such as dynamic CT will become invaluable in the design phase with the added benefit of being able to be used in the QC of finished components.

For more details please visit axt.com.au

Metal 3D Printer Buyers Guide

By Dr. Cameron Chai & Peter Airey

Metal 3D printing is an extremely exciting field with the ability to produce complex parts quickly and easily, when compared to more traditional techniques like casting or machining. It really comes into its own when small production runs are required.

The technique essentially fuses metal powders into the final shape using lasers, electron beams or cold spraying. Of these laser melting is the most commonly used method and the process may be known as Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), Selective Laser Melting (SLM), and others.

LPBF systems range from compact desktop models, ideal for research and production of small components, through to larger systems capable of industrial scale outputs

Manufacturers like Aconity3D have systems that span this range and cater for the needs of academia and industry.

When buying a system you should look for a system that satisfies your performance requirements and offers versatility to allow you to take your 3D printing in any direction you might need in the future. Look for features such as:

• Completely free choice of all process parameters

• Control via Python API

• High powered, full overlap, multi laser options – fully modulated

• Multi-material options

• Platform heating

• Vibrating powder deposition

• Freely configurable machine

Other features that could prove useful:

• Multiple build chambers for maximum laser up time

• Vacuum option for reduced purging times

• High speed camera for process monitoring

• Coaxial pyrometry for recording of thermal emissivity

For more details, visit axt.com.au

Firing Up the Next Generation: Monash University Puts Students in the Spotlight

Source: Sally Wood

Australia’s future relies on selecting materials that boast strength, durability and longevity.

From building roads and public transport to recycling and renewable energy; scientists are paving the way for the next generation.

These engineering projects, and the decisions behind them would not be possible without innovation in materials science.

At Monash University, researchers and students alike are focussed on this journey.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering works on making things stronger, lighter, more functional, sustainable, and costeffective to meet the demands of the future.

Scientists work across six research themes:

• Additive manufacturing

• Biomaterials

• Functional and energy materials

• Metals and alloys

• Polymers

• Materials theory, modelling and characterisation

Professor Neil Cameron is the Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

His research focuses on materials chemistry and biology, specifically on the development of novel polymeric

biomaterials for applications in regenerative medicine and drug delivery.

Bringing these bold ideas to life requires access to state-of-the-art facilities and partnerships.

Solving Real-World Challenges

Monash University has partnered with Woodside Energy to work towards a lower-carbon economy.

The $40 million partnership transforms research from the lab into commercially viable outcomes.

At the globally-connected FutureLab, researchers are tasked with three main priorities: developing affordable, bulk clean energy; profitable carbon abatement; and thought leadership as Australia transitions to renewable energy sources.

This interactive environment is ideal for researchers and practitioners who work together towards end-user driven research.

Australia is on track to become the world’s second largest net-exporter of low-emissions hydrogen by 2030.

As such, the Woodside-Monash Energy Partnership is well-positioned to leverage their expertise and take advantage of this sector.

The partnership is focussing on the forces influencing hydrogen energy adoption for business customers, and the future role that hydrogen hubs may play in the energy transition process.

Solid Oxide Electrolysis (SOEC) is one of the techniques studied at Monash.

The SOEC method uses water splitting and carbon dioxide conversion to bring hydrogen production to life. It offers exciting potential for future research, which seeks to fill the gaps in Australia’s current energy market.

The Minster for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said Australia is ideally placed to help power the world with renewable energy.

“The whole world needs renewable hydrogen, and regional Australia is ready to provide it.”

“Renewable hydrogen is a game changer, opening the door to green metals, green fertiliser, green

New Horizons Building at Monash University. Image credit: Monash University.

Monash Centre for Electron Microscopy. Image credit: Monash University.

power and supporting industrial decarbonisation,” he said.

The project is one piece of the puzzle when it comes to developing innovative responses to real-world challenges.

Students Leading the Way

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering is one of the few institutions offering undergraduate courses in Australia. This is crucial to secure and promote a fresh pipeline of researchers into this field.

The science and engineering sectors are multi-disciplinary in nature. As such, Monash students learn to collaborate with their peers to challenge existing ways of thinking and push boundaries to deliver outcomes.

Students learn about a variety of materials science, including:

• Metals and alloys

• Biomaterials

• Nanomaterials

• Polymers

• Ceramics

• Corrosion and composites

• Materials characterisation and modelling

The Biomedical Science and Materials Engineering degree is a popular choice for incoming students, as the department is well-aligned with research centres and end-user organisations.

Many students find comfort knowing their degree will lead to employment. In fact, many students attain a job during their studies, usually in their final year. This is where students put their skills to the test in a real-world scientific environment.

Researchers “Bioprint” Living Brain Cell Networks in the Lab

Monash University Engineering researchers recently used ‘bioinks’ containing living nerve cells (neurons) to print 3D nerve networks.

Grown in the laboratory, these networks can transmit and respond to nerve signals.

The engineers used a tissue engineering approach, and bioprinting with two bioinks containing living cells and non-cell materials respectively.

Then, they were able to mimic the arrangement of grey matter and white matter seen in the brain.

Professor John Forsythe from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, who is leading the research, said two-dimensional nerve cell cultures have previously been used to study the formation of nerve networks and disease mechanisms.

However, those relatively flat structures do not reflect the way neurons grow and interact with their surroundings.

“The networks grown in this research closely replicated the 3D nature of circuits in a living brain, where nerve cells extend processes called neurites to form connections between different layers of the cortex.”

“We found that the projections growing from neurons in the printed ‘grey matter’ or cellular layer readily grew through the ‘white matter’ layer and used it as a ‘highway’ to communicate with neurons in other layers,” Professor Forsythe said.

Researchers found the neurons behaved and performed in a similar manner.

Sensitive electrophysiological measurements confirmed spontaneous nerve-like activity taking place in the 3D neuronal networks in addition to responses evoked by electrical and drug stimulation.

The presence of detectable electrical activity in tissue engineered 3D

networks represents a significant step forward in the field of neuroscience and bioprinting.

Bioprinted 3D neural networks are likely to be a promising platform for studying how nerves and nerve networks form and grow, investigating how some diseases affect neurotransmission, and screening drugs for their effects on nerve cells and the nervous system.

The study was recently published in Advanced Healthcare Materials.

Bioprinted cortical neurons and astrocytes after in vitro culture at 7DIV. A) Cross-section view of bioprinted structure consisting of cellular (green) and acellular (grey) strands. B) Maximum intensity projection of patterned structure: cellular–acellular–cellular. Neurons (NeuN, green), astrocytes (GFAP, red), and nuclei (DAPI, blue) were colocalized and developed complex structures. Axons (Tuj1, green) originating from the proximal cellular strands projected across the distal cellular strand. C) Depth-coding of Tuj1/NeuN showed the development of axonal projections across strands. White arrows indicate neurites that belong to different focal planes. D) Depth-coding of DAPI shows localization of cell nuclei. E) Confocal image in 3D. Depth-coding was represented using a color bar: red, closest to the glass substrate, and blue, 135 µm away from the substrate. Scale bar, 100 µm.

Nanodiamonds Could Hold Key to Cool Clothing

Researchers from RMIT University are using nanodiamonds to create smart textiles that can cool people down faster.

The study found fabric made from cotton coated with nanodiamonds, using a method called electrospinning, showed a reduction of 2-3 degrees Celsius during the cooling down process compared to untreated cotton. They do this by drawing out body heat and releasing it from the fabric as a result of the incredible thermal conductivity of nanodiamonds.

Project Lead and Senior Lecturer, Dr Shadi Houshyar, said there was a big opportunity to use these insights to create new textiles for sportswear and even personal protective clothing, such as underlayers to keep fire fighters cool.

The study also found nanodiamonds increased the UV protection of cotton, making it ideal for outdoor summer clothing. The use of this fabric in clothing was projected to lead to a 20-30% energy saving due to lower use of air conditioning.

Based in the Centre for Materials Innovation and Future Fashion (CMIFF), the research team is made up of RMIT engineers and textile researchers.

“They’re actually cheap to make cheaper than graphene oxide and other types of carbon materials,” Dr Houshyar said.

Cotton material was first coated with an adhesive, then electrospun with a polymer solution made from nanodiamonds, polyurethane and solvent. This process creates a web of nanofibres on the cotton fibres, which are then cured to bond the two.

Further research will study the durability of the nanofibres, especially during the washing process.

Melbourne Home to One-Of-A-Kind Electron Microscope

A large Australian team led by Monash University has devised an approach to killing antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Researchers used lipid nanoparticles that target specific layers on the surface of the bacterial cell.

It shows antibacterial lipids can be successfully used in combination with nanocarrier lipids to form nanoparticles that kill gram-negative bacteria.

Instrument scientist and co-author Dr Anton Le Brun contributed to the research with measurements on the neutron reflectometer Platypus and analysis of the data.

“Neutron reflectometry is a useful tool for understanding the structure of cell membranes at the nanometre length scale.”

The Platypus instrument at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering was used to elucidate the mechanism at work in a combined ML-niosome/polymyxin B treatment at the molecular level.

Niosomes are vesicles with special properties that are used to deliver drugs.

Meanwhile, polymyxin B is an antibiotic of last resort for treating infections from gram-negative bacteria. Some bacteria have started to show signs of resistance even to this antibiotic.

By making artificial membranes that mimic the properties of the gram-negative bacterial cell surface, the team discovered the ML-niosomes target the outer layer of the outer membrane, which is mainly composed of polysaccharides.

The binding of the ML-niosomes to the surface of the outer membrane exposes the membrane.

This grants polymyxin B better access to attack and breakdown the protective outer membrane and then the inner membrane, which ultimately kills the bacterial cell.

Future work will investigate how this is achieved in detail at the molecular level and why the combination with polymyxin B is more effective.

(L-R) Research supervisor and Senior Lecturer Dr Xin Wang, lead researcher and research assistant Dr Aisha Rehman and project leader and Senior Lecturer Dr Shadi Houshyar. Credit: Cherry Cai, RMIT University.

The electrospinning machine created a web of nanofibres on the cotton fibres, which are then cured to bond the two. Credit: Cherry Cai, RMIT University.

The electrospinning machine created a web of nanofibres on the cotton fibres, which are then cured to bond the two.

Credit: Cherry Cai, RMIT University.

Mini-brains and Lab-On-A-Chip Wearables: Jumar Bioincubator Officially Opens Within Melbourne Biomedical Precinct

Australia’s newest biotech incubator Jumar Bioincubator has officially opened its doors and revealed the first 16 innovative early-stage ventures to take up residency in its much awaited Melbourne based facility.

The state-of-the-art facilities, infrastructure, and support offered by Jumar creates a world class hub for biotech innovation that will help to progress discoveries towards realworld patient treatments.

The official opening was hosted by founding partners CSL, WEHI, and The University of Melbourne, as well as initial investor Breakthrough Victoria and operator Cicada Innovations.

Ken Jefferd, Managing Director of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation at the University of Melbourne, said Jumar’s launch was a great example of how Melbourne was continuing to evolve support to world-class researchers.

Guests at the launch, including biotech leaders who were introduced to residents working on health issues across pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, medical devices, bioinformatics, health-related AI and more.

Some of these leaders included biotech company Denteric, which is developing a therapeutic vaccine for the one billion people globally suffering from periodontal gum disease.

Ovulation bio-sensing startup Symex Labs, which has developed a wearable “lab-on-a-chip” solution that provides continuous “set-and-forget” monitoring of hormones to more conveniently and effectively predict ovulation for people wanting to conceive.

Regenerative medicine company Tessara Therapeutics is creating “mini brains” in test tubes through 3D neural microtissues that mimic the human brain and offer all the essential requirements for drug discovery, which will help fast-track the ability to find cures for neurodivergent diseases like dementia.

Through its support of the next generation of biotech startups bringing innovative health solutions like these to market, Jumar is enabling the research translation that will ensure Australia’s world-leading research results in real-world patient outcomes.

Scientists have created the largest 3D map of our universe to date. Earth is at the centre of this thin slice of the full map and the magnified section shows the underlying structure of matter in our universe. Each dot is a different galaxy similar in size to our own Milky Way. Image Credit: Claire Lamman/DESI collaboration; custom colormap package by cmastro.

Scientists Create 3D Map of Universe

An international team of researchers has created the world's largest and most detailed 3D map of the universe measuring the expansion of the cosmos over the past 11 billion years.

Dr Cullan Howlett from The University of Queensland helped develop pivotal software used for analysing data collected as part of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI).

Galaxies and massive celestial objects have been mapped with unprecedented detail, creating the largest map of the universe ever constructed. UQ researchers developed the key software used for analysing and modelling remnant sound waves from the early universe. The information allowed researchers to study how the universe has evolved over time and measure the effect of dark energy.

Using the new data, the DESI collaboration has made the most precise measurements to date of how fast the universe has expanded throughout history.

“The team at UQ was responsible for developing one of the key pieces of software used for analysing the survey data, which helps search for a very specific feature in the map,” Dr Howlett said.

The 3D map is comprised of the spatial coordinates and distances of millions of galaxies. Researchers can measure the longitudinal and latitudinal position of each galaxy, as well as its unique light ‘fingerprint’ observed by measuring the presence of chemical elements like hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

“We decoded that fingerprint, identified the individual elements, and compared the measured frequencies to those in a lab on Earth to get the distance from us,” Dr Howlett said.

The 3D map is comprised of the spatial coordinates and distances of millions of galaxies.

CSIRO Achieves Record Efficiency for Next-Gen Roll-ToRoll Printed Solar Cells

Scientists from Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, have led an international team to a clean energy breakthrough by setting a new efficiency record for fully roll-to-roll printed solar cells.

Printed onto thin plastic films, this lightweight and flexible solar technology will help meet the growing demand for renewable energy, expanding the boundaries of where solar cells can be used.

Where silicon solar panels are rigid and heavy, the printed solar cells are flexible and portable, being used in previously unimaginable ways across urban construction, mining operations and many other key industries.

CSIRO’s Renewable Energy Systems Group Leader, Dr Anthony Chesman, said the achievement was the result of more than a decade’s research and development. “CSIRO’s thin and light-weight solar cells are now on the cusp of emerging from the lab to create clean energy in the real world.”

The results were achieved in collaboration with researchers from the University of Cambridge, Monash University, the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales and have been published in the leading journal Nature Communications.

CSIRO Principal Research Scientist Dr Doojin Vak said that an automated system produced a comprehensive dataset that will pave the way to use machine learning in future research.

“We developed a system for rapidly producing and testing over ten thousand solar cells a day – something that would have been impossible to do manually,” Dr Vak said.

CSIRO is actively seeking industry partners to further develop and commercialise this technology.

This activity received funding from ARENA as part of ARENA’s Research and Development Program – Solar PV Research.

More than a decade’s research and development has culminated in this world-first efficiency outcome for CSIRO’s printable flexible solar team.

Dr Nicole Rijs and her team used robotics, including custom designed parts, to mix high loads of chemical reactions to form supramolecules.

Photo: Oscar Lloyd Williams.

The Chemistry AI Revolution: Developing a High Throughput Technique to Analyse Complex Chemical Structures

A new method for analysing the complexity of chemical reactions, using a technique known as ion mobility mass spectrometry, coupled with simple machine learning, has been developed by scientists from the UNSW School of Chemistry.

The new method could be used by scientists who study supramolecules in a range of research fields from drug discovery to material design.

“In our case, we’re building supramolecules using molecular subunits,” said Dr Nicole Rijs, a lead author on the study.

Dr Rijs and her team set out to develop a way to analyse the complexity of these selfassembling supramolecules that was efficient and high throughput. And to achieve such a feat, they turned to AI.

Dr Rijs, together with PhD candidate Oscar Williams and their team, used a liquid-handling robot to prepare over 800 reactions between different metals and other reactants, which spontaneously produced more supramolecular assemblies.

This data was then fed into an machine learning algorithm which determines how different the supramolecules are from each other, developing a technique which identifies parts of complex chemical mixtures that are often invisible to other techniques.

“We also can get that chemical information out and digitise it, and we made an efficient way that lets the information be fed in to machine learning.

“Such data can now be generated at scale and used as a training set for AI, which is important because these systems currently lack good chemical training sets.”

CSIRO’s Renewable Energy Systems Group Leader, Dr Anthony Chesman. Lead author and CSIRO Principal Research Scientist Dr Doojin Vak.

BREAKING NEWS

This Alloy is Kinky

A metal alloy composed of niobium, tantalum, titanium, and hafnium has shocked materials scientists with its impressive strength and toughness at both extremely hot and cold temperatures.

The team, led by Robert Ritchie at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and UC Berkeley, in collaboration with the groups led by professors Diran Apelian at UC Irvine and Enrique Lavernia at Texas A&M University, discovered the alloy’s surprising properties and then figured out how they arise from interactions in the atomic structure.

“The efficiency of converting heat to electricity or thrust is determined by the temperature at which fuel is burned –the hotter, the better. However, the operating temperature is limited by the structural materials which must withstand it,” said first author David Cook, a Ph.D. student in Ritchie’s lab.

The alloy in this study is from a new class of metals known as refractory high or medium entropy alloys (RHEAs/ RMEAs). The team found that the alloy had the highest strength in the cold and became slightly weaker as the temperature rose, but still boasted impressive figures throughout the wide range.

The electron microscopy data revealed that the alloy’s unusual toughness comes from an unexpected side effect of a rare defect called a kink band. Kink bands form in a crystal when an applied force causes strips of the crystal to collapse on themselves and abruptly bend.

“We show, for the first time, that in the presence of a sharp crack between atoms, kink bands actually resist the propagation of a crack by distributing damage away from it, preventing fracture and leading to extraordinarily high fracture toughness,” said Cook.

Figure 1. Schematic synthetic procedures of high-capacity/highrate anode and cathode materials for a sodiumion hybrid energy storages (SIHES) and their proposed energy storage mechanisms. Synthetic procedures for (a) ultrafine iron sulfideembedded S-doped carbon/ graphene (FS/C/G) anode and (b) zeolitic imidazolate framework-derived porous carbon (ZDPC) cathode materials. (c) Proposed energy storage mechanisms of Na+ ions in FS/C/G anode and ClO-4 ions in ZDPC cathode for an SIHES.

KAIST Develops Sodium Battery Capable of Rapid Charging in Just a Few Seconds

Sodium (Na), which is over 500 times more abundant than lithium (Li), has recently garnered significant attention for its potential in sodium-ion battery technologies. However, existing sodium-ion batteries face fundamental limitations, including lower power output, constrained storage properties, and longer charging times, necessitating the development of next-generation energy storage materials.

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) (represented by President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced that a research team led by Professor Jeung Ku Kang from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering had developed a high-energy, high-power hybrid sodium-ion battery capable of rapid charging.

The innovative hybrid energy storage system integrates anode materials typically used in batteries with cathodes suitable for supercapacitors.

However, the development of a hybrid battery with high energy and high power density requires an improvement to the slow energy storage rate of battery-type anodes as well as the enhancement of the relatively low capacity of supercapacitor-type cathode materials.

Professor Kang's team utilised two distinct metal-organic frameworks for the optimised synthesis of hybrid batteries, leading to the development of an anode material with improved kinetics through the inclusion of fine active materials in porous carbon derived from metal-organic frameworks.

The assembled full cell, comprising the newly developed anode and cathode, forms a high-performance hybrid sodium-ion energy storage device. It is expected to be suitable for rapid charging applications like electric vehicles and smart electronic devices.

Professor Kang noted that the hybrid sodium-ion energy storage device represents a breakthrough in overcoming the current limitations of energy storage systems.

A map of the crystal structure of the alloy made with electron backscatter diffraction in a scanning electron microscope. Each color represents a section of the crystal where the repeating structure changes its 3D orientation. Credit: Berkeley Lab.

New Water Batteries Stay Cool Under Pressure

A global team of researchers and industry collaborators led by RMIT University has invented recyclable ‘water batteries’ that won’t catch fire or explode.

Lithium-ion energy storage dominates the market due to its technological maturity, but its suitability for large-scale grid energy storage is limited by safety concerns with the volatile materials inside.

Lead researcher Distinguished Professor Tianyi Ma said their batteries were at the cutting edge of an emerging field of aqueous energy storage devices, with breakthroughs that significantly improve the technology’s performance and lifespan.

“What we design, and manufacture are called aqueous metal-ion batteries or we can call them water batteries,” said Ma, from the School of Science.

The team uses water to replace organic electrolytes which enable the flow of electric current between the positive and negative terminals meaning their batteries can’t start a fire or blow up unlike their lithium-ion counterparts.

“Addressing end-of-life disposal challenges that consumers, industry and governments globally face with current energy storage technology, our batteries can be safely disassembled and the materials can be reused or recycled,” Ma said.

The team has made a series of small-scale trial batteries for numerous peer-reviewed studies to tackle various technological challenges, including boosting energy storage capacity and the lifespan.

“With impressive capacity and extended lifespan, we've not only advanced battery technology but also successfully integrated our design with solar panels, showcasing efficient and stable renewable energy storage.”

“We recently made a magnesium-ion water battery that has an energy density of 75 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh kg-1) – up to 30% that of the latest Tesla car batteries.”

How a Coffee Grinder and Some Old Tyres Led to the Creation of Sulphur-Free Light Oil

Using a coffee grinder, a freezer and a furnace, researchers from Monash University have discovered a chemical synergy between scrap tyres and polystyrene can be harnessed to create sulphur-free, light oil.

Scrap tyre chips were frozen with liquid nitrogen and ground using a coffee grinder, blended with plastics and placed in a furnace at 600°C.

Believed to be the first study of its kind, chemical engineers at Monash found strong synergies between tyre scrap and plastics including low-density polyethylene (LDPE).

Blending either polystyrene or LDPE with tyre scrap for pyrolysis effectively eliminated the production of hazardous sulphur-containing compounds commonly found in the liquid oil produced from the breakdown of tyres.

Professor Lian Zhang, of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, who led the research team, said LDPE and polystyrene are both very commonly used across a range of consumer goods including packaging, plastic bags and films.

“Adding these plastics and using this process to break down tyres can substantially reduce the risk of releasing hazardous materials into the environment,” said Professor Zhang.

Further analysis allowed the mechanisms underpinning the interactions between the chemical components in the system to be identified in detail, explained PhD student Wahyu Narulita Dewi.

The Monash team is already undertaking further work to develop and optimise the technology with the aim of enhancing the yield and the quality of the sulphur-free light

Distinguished Professor Tianyi Ma (left) and Dr Lingfeng Zhu at RMIT University with the team’s water battery. Credit: Carelle Mulawa-Richards, RMIT University.

Scrap tyre chips were frozen with liquid nitrogen and ground using a coffee grinder, blended with plastics and placed in a furnace at 600°C.

New Report Reveals Australia’s Material Use and Circular Rate

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has released a new report on the country’s material use. The Australian material flow analysis to progress to a circular economy report details how Australia uses its resources, linking human consumption to environmental impacts, which can inform approaches to resource efficiency, waste minimisation, and greenhouse gas abatement.

It found that Australia’s circularity rate the measure of efficiency in which resources are reused and recycled within a system is half (4 per cent) that of the global average (8 per cent).

CSIRO scientist and report author, Dr Alessio Miatto said Australia’s material footprint refers to the total amount of raw materials required to support the country’s goods and services. “Over the last decade, Australia has successfully reduced its material footprint, increased its circularity rate, and curbed air emissions.”

The report used data on economy-wide material flows for 2019 to provide insights into Australia’s circular economy potential.

It found that housing and transport make up half of Australia’s material footprint, with food responsible for another 22 per cent.

Dr Heinz Schandl, who leads CSIRO’s circular economy research, said Australia could double its circularity rate if we were to employ circular economy opportunities in housing, mobility, food and energy provision.

Material use is the single largest determinant of energy use and emissions, responsible for over 50 per cent of global warming, and therefore serves as a big lever to reduce emissions.

The Australian material flow analysis to progress to a circular economy report is part of CSIRO’s Circular Economy for Missions initiative, aiming to solve some of Australia’s biggest challenges.

Synchrotron Techniques Provide Insights Into Swifter Battery Charging

New research shows that the next generation of lithiumsulphur (Li||S) batteries may be capable of being charged in less than five minutes, instead of several hours as is currently the case.

The University of Adelaide’s Professor Shizhang Qiao, Chair of Nanotechnology, and Director, Centre for Materials in Energy and Catalysis, at the School of Chemical Engineering, led a team who examined the sulphur reduction reaction (SRR) which is the pivotal process governing the charge-discharge rate of Li||S batteries.

Experiments at the Australian Synchrotron using the soft X-ray spectroscopy and powder diffraction beamlines supported the study.

“We investigated various carbon-based transition metal electrocatalysts, including iron, cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc during the SRR,” said Professor Qiao who is an ARC Australian Laureate Fellow.

“Our research shows a significant advancement, enabling lithium-sulphur batteries to achieve full charge/discharge in less than five minutes.”

Australian Synchrotron beamline scientists, including Dr Bernt Johannessen, Dr Anton Tadich and Dr Qinfen Gu, assisted the investigators about the speed and chemistry of a crucial chemical reaction, the sulphur redox reaction (SRR), affected overall performance.

Experiments confirmed that the concentration of polysulfides in the electrolyte depends on the occupation of electron orbitals, or “electronic structure”, within the catalyst, which can be directly probed by synchrotronspecific spectroscopic techniques

“Our breakthrough has the potential to revolutionise energy storage technologies and advance the development of high-performance battery systems for various applications,” said Professor Qiao.

High-power lithium-sulphur batteries are used in various devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and electric vehicles.

The Australian material flow analysis to progress to a circular economy report details how Australia uses its resources, linking human consumption to environmental impacts.

A view of the main floor of the Australian Synchrotron.

Breaking the Mould: Ceramics at the Core of Renewable Innovations

The world's biggest polluters are on a pathway to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

China, India, the United States, and the European Union have joined over 9,000 organisations, cities, and other institutions in the race towards net-zero.

Australia, as the world’s 14th highest emitter and one of the world’s largest economies, has a crucial role to play in this.

Burning fossil fuels remains Australia’s top contributor for carbon emissions. Energy production accounts for 32.6% of overall total emissions, while stationery energy (22.3%), and transport (21.1) are all causing damage to the environment.

Climate targets are an important step in paving the way for a greener future. But putting those plans into practice remains a challenge.

In fact, a recent analysis from the United Nations’ Global Carbon Budget, shows carbon emissions are at a record high.

Dr Pep Canadell is a Chief Research Scientist at Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO.

“The latest Global Carbon Budget shows progress in an increasing number of countries but faster, larger, and sustained efforts are needed to avoid significant negative impacts of climate change on human health, the economy, and the environment,” Dr Canadell said.

The rise in emissions comes on the back of economies rebounding from the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw the world, and emissions came to a grinding halt.

It casts doubt over the 2015 Paris Agreement, which is a legally binding climate treaty committed to pursuing efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.

“If the temperature targets of the Paris Agreement are crossed, the global effort to reach net zero emissions will require a massive, and perhaps unachievable, scale-up of deliberate carbon dioxide removal to bring down global temperatures.”

Dr Canadell is also the Executive Director of the Global Carbon Project, which provides practical steps for reaching climate goals.

CSIRO believes technology, alongside developments in materials science, is one way to help drive down emissions and secure Australia’s future.

Sustainable energy and resources, and resilient and valuable environments remain the cornerstones of the six challenges CSIRO’s assisting the nation to overcome.

Scientists are partnering with end-users to help make these plans a reality, and technology

FEATURE – Materials for Clean Energy Production - Ceramic

is pivotal in this transition.

Existing technologies are poised to reduce emissions by 52% by 2030 from levels reached at the start of this decade.

Researchers remain focussed on commercialising existing, and developing new technology to manage the risks into the 2040s and beyond.

Governments and businesses will play a critical role in this transformation, according to CSIRO’s Executive Director—Environment, Energy and Resources Dr Peter Mayfield.

“Pressure is mounting for business to speed up its efforts towards net zero and lead the way for the rest of the country. How to move faster to deliver a cleaner, sustainable and strong economy is the question on every business leader’s mind.”

“This work will help business find a rapid and achievable pathway to net zero appropriate to their sector –guiding investment to mitigate climate change, reinventing industries of old, and creating new jobs in emerging industries,” he said.

However, there are also immense opportunities for Australians to take part in the renewables journey, and help the nation steer towards net-zero emissions.

Materials Science Bringing Renewables to Life

Australian scientists are focussing their attention on modern technology and innovations in materials science to help power the nation into the future.

Ceramics are one way in which materials scientists and Australians alike can take advantage of the clean energy revolution.

These materials are known for their crystalline and glass-like nature, and offer a suite of benefits.

For example, they are resistant towards corrosion and wear, which means they have long-term benefits in a variety of applications, including:

• Batteries

• Smart glass

• Solar cells

• Nuclear power plants

• Carbon storage capture

• Thermoelectrics

• Turbines

Ceramics play a central role in the production of silicon-based photovoltaic cells, which take the energy from light and convert it into electricity to power our lives.

Australia is at the forefront of photovoltaic technology, which is specifically used in the solar panels used to power homes, offices, and buildings.

In fact, Australia is a global leader in taking advantage of the sun’s power to minimise energy costs and help tackle the impacts of a changing climate.

A 2022 Roy Morgan analysis found onein-three (32.3%) Australian homes have a solar energy system in use. South Australia and Western Australia are leading the way with their ownership of these systems, reaching 44.5 and 43% respectively.

Kane Thornton is the Chief Executive

at the Clean Energy Council, who said Australians taking up solar energy continues to grow.

"Rooftop solar is playing a massive role in decarbonising the Australian energy grid and putting us on the path to 82% renewable energy by 2030.”

“While much of the political and big policy debates are taking place for other renewable energy industries - all of which are vitally important - rooftop solar has been doing and continues to do a lot of the heavy lifting.”

In the third quarter of 2023, a record 813MW of rooftop solar was installed on Australian homes. It puts the country on a path to powering an additional 700,000 homes.

“The challenge is now to maintain this pace right through to 2030. Low-cost renewable power and energy storage will ultimately ease cost-of-living pressures and help set up Australia for a more prosperous future with greater energy security,” Mr Thornton said.

Australia’s Energy Transformation Challenges

Over the past decade, battery storage technology has changed dramatically. Today, there are vast benefits for capturing and storing electrical energy for later use.

It offers greater flexibility for households and businesses who may not receive enough sunlight during the cooler months. As such, storage solutions relying on ceramics like batteries can store excess energy for later use.

Load flexibility is a critical part of this. This means a power system can shift its electricity production or usage based on demand and other variables like the weather.

Dr John McKibbin said load flexibility could be the key for households and businesses getting cheaper electricity.

“This just means adjusting energy use to match supply. So, running appliances and charging devices when there’s more power in the grid. When we do that, we’re effectively running these devices as a giant virtual battery for the power system."

Dr McKibbin is the Energy Networks Leader at CSIRO, who is leading the team tasked with collaborating for sustainable energy using materials like ceramics.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) believes solar and wind capacity in the national grid will triple by 2023.

Meanwhile, rooftop solar capacity is expected to double, and storage capacity will increase by a factor of six.

CSIRO has developed the Global Power Systems Transformation initiative, which brings together a consortium of researchers and industry to boost Australia’s resilience and stability in the grid.

Unlike European countries, Australia lacks the density of grid interconnectedness. The Eastern seaboard operates as a single line with limited interconnectivity.

Australia can learn from European governments and agencies who are making strides in this space. The Global Power Systems Transformation plan leans on the expertise of AEMO, educational institutions, and leaders from across industry.

“There’s a big need for global collaboration if we’re to achieve these goals. It’s crucial to overcoming hurdles and making the most of international research and development,” Dr McKibbin said.

But the growing number of Australians feeding power back into the network from their rooftop solar is pushing the system’s limits.

“The existing network was not designed for such a large share of power to be generated by customers,” Dr McKibbin said.

Innovative Trial Leaning on Solar Energy Storage

Scientists are using a variety of materials and technologies to power Australia’s clean energy future.

One project in regional Victoria recently designed and trailed a two-way energy market.

The ‘Project EDGE’ initiative facilitates the efficient and scalable trade of electricity services from coordinated distributed energy resources.

This includes sources using ceramics for their power like small-scale rooftop solar, batteries and controllable energy devices.

More than 320 residential and industrial customers took part in the 11-month trial, which offered 3.5MW of flexible capacity from over 400 devices.

Violette Mouchaileh is the Executive General Manager System Design, who said small-scale energy resources should feel encouraged to participate in energy markets and reward consumers.

“Project EDGE highlights a way forward for coordinating distributed energy resources market participation at scale, which will contribute to improve electricity reliability, grid-security, and ultimately affordability.”

“Importantly, the findings of the three-year project will be available for industry and policy makers to consider as we transition to net zero while building power systems that benefits all consumers,” she said.

The project is a win for Australia’s road to net-zero, while increasing energy resilience, diversifying the electricity grid, and benefitting consumers.

Dhammika Adihetty is the General Manager for Distributed Energy at Mondo, who said businesses and individuals can play a role in transforming the energy sector.

“One of the aims of Project EDGE was to demonstrate the full potential of solar and storage assets installed at customer premises.”

Deloitte Access Economics found greater coordination of distributed energy resources can offer over $6 billion in reduced costs to all electricity consumers over the next 20 years, and an additional societal benefit of $3 billion in emissions reductions.

The Project EDGE is a collaboration between AEMO, Ausnet Services and Mondo, with support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

Bringing the Next Generation of Solar Cells to Life

Conventional silicon solar cells could become a thing of the past because of recent research from the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science.

These solar cells are typically restricted by their weight, size, and overall cost.

This breakthrough research investigates new materials for solar cell creation, including the use of technology to take advantage of the sun’s energy.

Australia has the highest rate of solar power systems in the world. Homeowners and businesses have installed these panels at an increasing rate over time, and silicon has played a central role in their development.

However, silicon has several challenges, including the need for significant amount of energy, and their overall weight and size.

For example, silicon solar cells are unable to convert 100% of the sun’s energy into electricity to power our homes. This is because the material can absorb only a limited proportion of the solar spectrum.

Silicon solar cells also pose major challenges when it comes to their recyclability.

As such, researchers are seeking to address this issue by making solar cell technologies, which take advantage of

printing processes to create cells with higher efficiencies as existing silicon, and can be recycled.

For example, researchers have looked into the benefits of liquid printing, which has been used in a variety of newspaper and magazine publications.

Professor Jacek Jasieniak, from Monash University, is the Chief Investigator on this project.

“The goal is to take a piece of glass or plastic, print over it with appropriate absorbing layers and electrode to form a solar cell…and then integrate them either on a rooftop or on a building.”

“Such devices can also be flexible, just like a newspaper, and at that point you almost think well this could be a [window] blind, this could be a rollable structure. It meets a completely different form factor to silicon.”

Professor Jasieniak is a materials science and engineering trailblazer, who is the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure) at Monash University.

His main areas of interest include the development of nanoscale materials, and putting these to the test in energy technologies, which can then be commercialised to fill the gaps in realworld applications.

Professor Jasieniak is a materials science and engineering trailblazer, who is the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure) at Monash University.

Building A Brighter Future

Solar cells are a common sight on many Australian homes and buildings. They are typically mounted on rooftops or seen in larger open spaces.

Solar power is the fastest growing type of energy generation across Australia. Households who use rooftop solar panels reap the benefits that exceed 11GW capacity.

However, researchers are seeking a more sustainable alternative, leading to the question: what if the material solar cells are made from was far less rigid than silicon?

“It’s a really interesting question,” Professor Jasieniak said.

“If you could get solar cells that were as efficient as silicon but were completely flexible, what would you do with them? You could have blinds that were rollable, you could have large fields of solar cells that you could just roll out. Portable power stations.”

“Then you wouldn’t need to fix large energy assets in [one place]. You might be able to simply roll them back up and redeploy them,” he explained.

The research team believes this could change the value proposition, and the way in which Australians conserve energy.

“As one example, instead of putting shade cloth over farmland, you could harness all of that solar energy to convert electricity for that farm or for that region,” Professor Jasieniak said.

“You can’t do that now, because it’s either too expensive or impractical. Such opportunities can be materialised, if we can get to flexible types of solar cell devices.”

Perovskites are a material with comparable efficiencies of silicon but with the advantages of easier processing and greater structural flexibility. They could hold the answer to this challenge.

Researchers have played with the idea of building-integrated photovoltaics.

“Windows in cities and apartments form a big part of buildings. So then the question is, how do we build windows that can efficiently generate electricity and how do we start to integrate these types of windows into buildings?”

Most of today’s solar panels are made using ‘photovoltaic’ silicon cells. It works by light hitting the silicon cell, which causes the electrons inside to produce an electric current.

“You can’t do that with silicon because they are opaque. A huge opportunity for new technologies is to try and develop semi-transparent windows, try and harness light absorption within a window structure while still letting light through that window in a way that’s architecturally pleasant for the user,” Professor Jasieniak said.

Launching into Fresh Opportunities

The ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science has a strong relationship with Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, who boast the facilities to bring this research to life.

“That’s a game-changer from a technology perspective. There are so many opportunities. Find the material and find the application and then you can use printing approaches to achieve those properties. It’s unbelievable. The printing facilities that CSIRO have are incredible,” Professor Jasieniak said.

CSIRO has one of the world’s most impressive photovoltaic system testing

facilities. It allows teams of researchers to see their work come to life with likeminded industry professionals.

The facilities include a slot-die coater, which uses a small amount of ink to detect any defects, like cracks. This prevents any damage or long-term issues.

“So the opportunity of this platform is to really harness the expertise around materials development, and to then work with CSIRO to try and translate that knowledge into things that are genuinely printed and demonstrated at a scale that I think is important for

real world applications,” Professor Jasieniak said.

The Australian Research Council (ARC) remains focussed on finding new ways of using energy.

It brings together an international consortium of academics and end-user partners to develop research, which is tailored to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

Flexible solar cells being produced.

Inside Australia’s Premiere Number One Solar and Energy School

UNSW Sydney is a team player when it comes to pioneering Australia’s green energy future.

For over 70 years, UNSW has stood the test of time by developing novel solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing humanity.

Today, the university is one of the world’s leading research and teachingintensive institutions. Researchers bring their knowledge and excellence together to develop innovative, pioneering research and high-quality education.

This is underpinned by the UNSW’s 2025 Strategy to advance its contribution to serve our society now and into the future.

Professor Ian Jacobs is the President and Vice-Chancellor UNSW Sydney, who said UNSW places real-world impact at the core of its business.

“A great university should be a global leader in discovery, innovation, impact, education and thought leadership— one that can make a significant difference to the lives of people in Australia and around the world.”

As the world continues to bear the consequences of a changing climate,

UNSW’s social impact focuses on sustainability and prosperity for people and the planet alike.

For example, from time to time, we have all dropped a drinking glass and cleaned up the many broken pieces from the floor.

This broken glass could hold the answer to making our planet greener.

In fact, ceramics like glass have been used in some of the world’s most notable structures for centuries.

From the Great Wall of China to the Pyramids of Giza; these structures relied on ceramics to weather the extreme conditions and corrosion.

Is Australia on Track?

UNSW researchers are actively working on clean energy solutions relying on ceramics.

These materials offer unique benefits because of their high temperature and corrosion resistance.

Ceramics are used in the manufacturing of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which are used in the solar panels lying on the roofs of Australian houses and buildings.

In fact, one in three Australia homes

use solar panels, according to the International Energy Agency’s Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme.

Meanwhile, these systems generated close to 10% of Australia’s electricity in the previous year.

Clean Energy Council Policy Director for Decarbonisation, Anna Freeman, said Australia is in a global race towards emissions reduction.

“We need to signal as quickly as possible that Australia intends to be a leader in clean energy and green commodities markets. If we don’t, we’ll find ourselves at the back of the queue for capital, technology and skilled workers.”

“Australia needs to see a substantial increase in annual financial commitments in the order of 6 to 7 GW of new large-scale renewable projects from 2024, and the installation of approximately 3.5 GW of rooftop solar per year through to 2030, in order to achieve the Government’s target of 82% by 2030. We will then need to keep powering ahead in renewable energy deployment if we are to realise our ambition to be a renewable energy superpower,” Ms Freeman said.

Local Research Driving the Renewable Energy Push

Research is helping to drive the local renewable energy space, and UNSW academics are at the forefront of delivering on their promise of being a force for good in the sustainability space.

At the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, students are encouraged to find a career path in the renewables sector to make a real difference for their future.

The school is the number one solar and renewable energy degree in Australia, and researchers have achieved the highest electricity conversion rate ever reported (40%).

Professor Martin Green is one of UNSW’s pioneers in the solar energy space. His team was the first to develop cells, which account for 90% of solar cells manufactured today.

He also played a fundamental role in the establishment of the large-scale solar cell manufacturing hub in China, which is laying the groundwork for lowering the costs of energy.

He has also trained over 120 PhD students, which is a testament to his hardworking nature and securing Australia’s pipeline of new scientists.

“We were first to estimate the limit of a silicon cell efficiency to be 29-30%. Silicon cells are very good at converting red photons from sunlight, but not so efficient at converting blue ones, since they waste a lot of their energy.”

“So we’re working on stacking cells on top of each other, which would work in tandem to convert different parts of the solar spectrum into electricity. We believe this innovation could boost commercial cell efficiency to over 40% in future,” he said.

Professor Green was recently the recipient of the VinFuture Grand Prize in Hanoi, which comes with a $US3 million prize pool.

Inside the Green Ceramics MICROfactorie

The Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) supports an innovative environment for researchers and industry to find solutions to some of the world’s biggest waste challenges.

As part of this ambition, SMaRT has developed a Green Ceramics MICROfactorie at UNSW, which investigates the role of ceramics in the renewable energy journey.

Together, researchers have developed ceramics for applications in commercial, industrial and community settings.

Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte is the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, who said the MICROfactorie is already having real-world impacts.

“You’ve got some fantastic research that’s occurred, and on the other end, you’ve got customers who would genuinely like to take that technology and apply it to minimise landfill and also to get commercial return out of it.”

The ceramics developed at the MICROfactorie have been used for kitchen benches, tabletops, floor tiles, and furnishings among other applications.

SMaRT uses waste to produce these green materials and products for the built environment.

This includes ceramic products, made from waste textiles and glass, which do not have strong recycling capabilities.

“I think the main challenges in transitioning to a circular economy are simply getting on with it. The technology, things like microfactories, are there ready to be exploited by industry,” Professor Durrant-Whyte said.

Winning the 2023 VinFuture Grand Prize has capped off a stellar year for Scientia Professor Martin Green, during which he also won the Leigh Ann Conn Prize for Renewable Energy and the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering. Image credit: UNSW/Richard Freeman.

Cootamundra MICROfactorie. Image credit: UNSW.

Could Falling Particles of Solar Energy Help Us Reach Net Zero?

Our sun-baked continent offers endless supplies of net-zero energy. However, majority of the electricity grid (67%) is still powered by fossil fuels. This is because of the challenges associated with catching and storing solar energy in a sustainable way.

This is a trajectory Australia can no longer afford, as climate change continues to impact the world’s natural environment.

As such, decarbonisation and solarbased renewable energy technology is becoming more urgent.

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, is at the forefront of bridging the gaps between research and practice.

At CSIRO’s concentrated solar thermal research facility in Newcastle, practitioners have investigated the potential of ‘falling ceramic particles’ to capture and store solar energy as heat.

Dr Jin-Soo Kim, who leads the solar technologies team, said the group recently achieved a critical milestone temperature of 803 degrees Celsius for the first time at the falling particle receiver employing a new and novel concept.

"This is significant because it creates the opportunity for greater renewable energy storage when combined with our patented heat exchanger," Jin-Soo said.

This technology is crucial for delivering low-cost renewable energy at scale, which helps to decarbonise much of Australia’s heavy industry.

"Over eight years of development and thousands of hours were invested to reach this outcome."

At the heart of this process is Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST), which uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight and convert it to heat.

This practice can be stored or used to generate electricity to power Australian homes and businesses. The concept of CST is not entirely new. In fact, the idea dates back to the 1800s when European inventors tinkered with sunlight concentration.

More recently, a range of concentrated solar thermal power technologies have evolved, including a parabolic dish circled by mirrors, and tower systems filled with molten salt.

CSIRO researchers believe tiny ceramic particles, as fine as sand, could be the next frontier in this body of work.

These ceramic particles can endure high temperatures, and store record amounts of heat for up to 15 hours.

Dominic Zaal is Director of the Australian Solar Thermal Research Institute (ASTRI), who said these particles could provide power during periods of low solar input, like winter.

CSIRO’s solar thermal facility in Newcastle has 400 mirrors. Image credit: CSIRO.

"The technology is a smart, costeffective way to store a large amount of high temperature heat for 10–15 hours," he said.

The energy is released when the particles cool down, which offers a suite of applications as Australia transitions towards a net-zero future.

How Are Falling Ceramic Particles Boosting Concentrated Solar Thermal?

Traditional CST practices, which rely on heat transfer liquids like molten salt or oil at a high temperature, can typically handle up to 600 and 400 degrees Celsius respectively.

However, ceramic particles developed by the CSIRO research team can endure temperatures over 1,000 degrees Celsius.

These particles absorb and store the sun's heat, which simplifies the existing system and reduces costs.

Falling ceramic particles rely on gravity to generate heat. When they are dropped from a hopper at the top of the tower, they are heated as they pass through focused solar energy.

In a short fall, their temperature can shoot to 800 degrees Celsius, and even higher with more advanced setups.

Once the particles are heated, they are stored accordingly and then used to produce steam for power generated when needed.

The research team overcame challenges—like when the particles fell too fast—to develop a 'catch and release' method.

This involves the particles landing in a trough, and slowing them before they were allowed to fall into the next trough.

What Are the Benefits of This?

Australia's growing use of solar and wind energy has fast-tracked the closure of many old coal-fired power stations.

These stations do not match the affordability of daytime solar power, which is known as photovoltaic (PV) solar energy.

“CST doesn't compete with PV solar energy,” Mr Zaal said.

“PV gives you power when the sun is shining, whereas CST takes energy from the sun, stores it and then allows the user to use that energy when the sun isn't shining, such as overnight or on cloudy days.”

As such, researchers rely on CST with ceramic particles to offer a

dependable and green power source.

CSIRO’s pilot system used 400 mirrors, but researchers believe a full-scale model could use over 10,000 larger mirrors, which can generate power similar to a 100MW coal plant.

Wes Stein is CSIRO’s Chief Scientist for Solar Technologies and ASTRI’s Chief Technologist, who said the challenge is how to convert energy safely and efficiently into heat and store it for later use.

“The power generation from CST technology resembles a coal-fired power plant without the coal. It uses the same turbine.”

“Typical coal fired power plants use a steam turbine that operates at 540 degrees. Instead of using coal to create the heat to superheat the steam, we capture energy from the sun and store it for 10 to 15 hours,” he said.

There are 6,460MW of projects currently in operation across 18 different countries, with another 3,859MW of projects under construction.

Where to Next?

Researchers are confident in developing the commercial viability for this project.

Mr Zaal said with significant infrastructure support, falling particle CST could potentially account for up to 40% of Australia's electricity generation and process heat requirements in remote areas by 2050.

“This would make a significant contribution to Australia's emissions reduction targets and help us to achieve a more sustainable energy future.”

This is an essential step in Australia’s net-zero emissions reduction strategy, which has been legislated by the Federal Government.

Mr Zaal said the falling ceramic particle technology will expand the role that CST can play in this mix.

“Process heat is the thermal energy used in industrial processes. And it accounts for over 20% of Australia’s total energy use and emissions. There is now strong industry interest in how to abate thermal emissions.”

Falling ceramic particle technology could play a key role in industrial decarbonisation. Image credit: CSIRO.

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These short courses provide you with an engaging learning experience. Courses may include flash animations, video of instructors teaching the course in a classroom, video segments from ASM’s DVD series relevant to the learning material, and PDFs of instructor Power Points used in the instructor led training. All online courses require internet access for reading and viewing course content. Both HTML pages and PDF files for each lesson are downloadable and printable for easy offline access. https://www.materialsaustralia.com.au/training-courses-and-workshops/online-training

BASICS OF HEAT TREATING

Steel is the most common and the most important structural material. In order to properly select and apply this basic engineering material, it is necessary to have a fundamental understanding of the structure of steel and how it can be modified to suit its application. The course is designed as a basic introduction to the fundamentals of steel heat treatment and metallurgical processing. Read More

HOW TO ORGANISE AND RUN A FAILURE INVESTIGATION

Have you ever been handed a failure investigation and have not been quite sure of all the steps required to complete the investigation? Or perhaps you had to review a failure investigation and wondered if all the aspects had been properly covered? Or perhaps you read a failure investigation and wondered what to do next? Here is a chance to learn the steps to organise a failure investigation Read More

MEDICAL DEVICE DESIGN VALIDATION AND FAILURE ANALYSIS

This course provides students with a fundamental understanding of the design process necessary to make robust medical devices. Fracture, fatigue, stress analysis, and corrosion design validation approaches are examined, and real-world medical device design validations are reviewed. Further, since failures often provide us with important information about any design, mechanical and materials failure analysis techniques are covered. Several medical device failure analysis case studies are provided Read More

METALLURGY OF STEEL FOR THE NON-METALLURGIST

This course provides essential knowledge to those who do not have a technical background in metallurgical engineering, but have a need to understand more about the technical aspects of steel manufacturing, properties and applications.

PRINCIPLES OF FAILURE ANALYSIS

Profit from failure analysis techniques, understand general failure analysis procedures, learn fundamental sources of failures. This course is designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice of failure analysis.

HEAT TREATING FURNACES AND EQUIPMENT

This course is designed as an extension of the Introduction to Heat Treatment course. It discusses advanced concepts in thermal and thermo-chemical surface treatments, such as case hardening, as well as the principles of thermal engineering (furnace design) Read More

NEW - INTRODUCTION TO COMPOSITES

Composites are a specialty material, used at increasing levels throughout our engineered environment, from high-performance aircraft and ground vehicles, to relatively low-tech applications in our daily lives. This course, designed for technical and non-technical professionals alike, provides an overarching introduction to composite materials. The course content is organised in a manner that guides the student from design to raw materials to manufacturing, assembly, quality assurance, testing, use, and life-cycle support Read More

METALLURGY FOR THE NON-METALLURGIST™

An ideal first course for anyone who needs a working understanding of metals and their applications. It has been designed for those with no previous training in metallurgy, such as technical, laboratory, and sales personnel; engineers from other disciplines; management and administrative staff; and non-technical support staff, such as purchasing and receiving agents who order and inspect incoming material.

PRACTICAL INDUCTION HEAT TREATING

Taking a fundamentals approach, this course is presented as an introduction to the world of induction heat treating. The course will cover the role of induction heating in producing reliable products, as well as the considerable savings in energy, labor, space, and time. You will gain in-depth knowledge on topics such as selecting equipment, designs of multiple systems, current application, and sources and solutions of induction heat treating problems Read More

TITANIUM AND ITS ALLOYS

Titanium occupies an important position in the family of metals because of its light weight and corrosion resistance. Its unique combination of physical, chemical and mechanical properties, make titanium alloys attractive for aerospace and industrial applications. Read More

Surface & Dimensional Analysis

Bruker Nano Surfaces provides industry-leading surface analysus instruments for research and production.

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Industry-leading quantitative nanomechanical and nanotribological test instruments are specifically designed to enable new frontiers in nanoscale materials characterisation, materials development, and process monitoring.

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Materials Australia Magazine | July 2024 | Volume 57 | No 2

From the President - Professor Nikki Stanford

WA Branch Technical Meeting - 13 May 2024

Polymeric Materials- “The Heart and Soul” of Coating Materials, Composite Materials and Even Concrete

Advancing Materials andManufacturing

WA Branch Technical Meeting - 10 June 2024 Catching the Green Wave: Opportunities in Nickel Processing

Making Sure They Have a Safe Ride

HYPERSONIC MATERIALS CHARACTERISATION UP TO 2000°C AND BEYOND

WA Branch Technical Meeting - 8 July 2024 Visit to Hofmann Engineering

SEAM Profile: Nonthapat (Non) Nawbuntud

CMatP Profile: Dr Bernd Schulz

Our Certified Materials Professionals (CMatPs)

Why You Should Become a Certified Materials Professional

What is a Certified Materials Professional?

The Criteria

Further Information

Energy-Smart Bricks Keep Waste Out of Landfill

A “Circular-Economy Solution” to A Big Waste Challenge

Optimising Electrolyte Filling to Improve Battery and EV Production Processes

Challenges

The Washburn Theory

Nanothin Printing of Electronics Hardware Could Slash Costs

Engineers Harvest Alloy Crucial For 2D Printing Memory Chips

FIVE COMPELLING REASONS TO USE THE PHENOM DESKTOP SEM

automated LUXOR sputter coaters reduce risk for sample damage

New Device Harnesses Sweat Power for Fitness Trackers

Dynamic Computed Tomography for Additive Manufacturing Development

Computed Tomography in Product Development

Case Study

Summary

Metal 3D Printer Buyers Guide

Firing Up the Next Generation: Monash University Puts Students in the Spotlight

Solving Real-World Challenges

Students Leading the Way

Researchers “Bioprint” Living Brain Cell Networks in the Lab

Nanodiamonds Could Hold Key to Cool Clothing

Melbourne Home to One-Of-A-Kind Electron Microscope

Mini-brains and Lab-On-A-Chip Wearables: Jumar Bioincubator Officially Opens Within Melbourne Biomedical Precinct

Scientists Create 3D Map of Universe

CSIRO Achieves Record Efficiency for Next-Gen Roll-ToRoll Printed Solar Cells

The Chemistry AI Revolution: Developing a High Throughput Technique to Analyse Complex Chemical Structures

BREAKING NEWS

This Alloy is Kinky

KAIST Develops Sodium Battery Capable of Rapid Charging in Just a Few Seconds

New Water Batteries Stay Cool Under Pressure

How a Coffee Grinder and Some Old Tyres Led to the Creation of Sulphur-Free Light Oil

New Report Reveals Australia’s Material Use and Circular Rate

Synchrotron Techniques Provide Insights Into Swifter Battery Charging

Breaking the Mould: Ceramics at the Core of Renewable Innovations

FEATURE – Materials for Clean Energy Production - Ceramic

Materials Science Bringing Renewables to Life

Innovative Trial Leaning on Solar Energy Storage

Bringing the Next Generation of Solar Cells to Life

Building A Brighter Future

Launching into Fresh Opportunities

Inside Australia’s Premiere Number One Solar and Energy School

Inside the Green Ceramics MICROfactorie

Could Falling Particles of Solar Energy Help Us Reach Net Zero?

What Are the Benefits of This?

Short Courses - Study at Home

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BASICS OF HEAT TREATING

HOW TO ORGANISE AND RUN A FAILURE INVESTIGATION

MEDICAL DEVICE DESIGN VALIDATION AND FAILURE ANALYSIS

METALLURGY OF STEEL FOR THE NON-METALLURGIST

PRINCIPLES OF FAILURE ANALYSIS

HEAT TREATING FURNACES AND EQUIPMENT

NEW - INTRODUCTION TO COMPOSITES

METALLURGY FOR THE NON-METALLURGIST™

PRACTICAL INDUCTION HEAT TREATING

TITANIUM AND ITS ALLOYS

Surface & Dimensional Analysis

Tribology

Nanoindentation

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Our Members

Individual Membership Benefits

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Articles inside

Could Falling Particles of Solar Energy Help Us Reach Net Zero?