Materials Australia Magazine by materialsaustralia

Materials Australia has planned the Materials Australia has planned the following features for 2014, designed to following features for 2014, designed to highlight different disciplines and sectors highlight different disciplines and sectors of the Materials Community. of the Materials Community. Our aim is to publish a relevant, interesting and current Our aim is to publish a relevant, interesting and current magazine for those involved in all aspects of Materials. magazine for those involved in all aspects of Materials. These features attract attention from the right audience These features attract attention from the right audience and if your business is active in one of these areas, and if your business is active in one of these areas, then you you will will want want to to be be involved. involved. then We offer offer your your company company the the opportunity opportunityto topromote promote We your business directly to decision makers in the your business directly to decision makers in the Materials Community. Materials Community.

September 2014 September 2014 Focus on Education and Training. Targeting: universities,

Focus on Education and Training. Targeting: universities, high school students and vocational training. high school students and vocational training. Content Deadline: Friday 29th August Content Deadline: Friday 29th August Advertising Deadline: Friday 5th September Advertising Deadline: Friday 5th September

December2014 2014 December Asia-Pacific International Conference on Additive Manufacturing

Power Generation. forEEnergy: C OMaterials N F E R N C E R E P O R T Power Generation. Materials for Energy: Solar, Wind & Wave Energy. Solar, Wind & Wave Energy. PAGE 6 Content Deadline: Friday 21st November Content Deadline: Friday 21st November Advertising Deadline: Friday 28th November Advertising Deadline: Friday 28th November

Materials Australia Australia also also encourages encouragesmembers memberstoto Materials contribute to our magazine and we will consider contribute to our magazine and we will consider all editorial contributions. all editorial contributions.

CAMS2020 PAGE 13

Women In The Industry PAGE 17

University Spotlight PAGE 32

Breaking News PAGE 34

Online Short Courses PAGE 48

Non-Destructive Testing A catalyst in the progress of industry VOLUME 53 | NO 1 please For further details, further details, pleasecontact: contact: Gloss GlossCreative CreativeMedia MediaPty PtyLtd Ltd

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From the President As usual, the MISE2020 conference was only possible through the generous support of our sponsors. On behalf of Materials Australia, I would like to thank the following sponsors: Swinburne University, University of South Australia, SEAM, Olympus, Cameca, AXT, Titomic, Struers, CSIRO, Malvern Panalytical, ATA Scientific, AMPS, St Vens, Polymer Tech 1RX, and Scitek. I would also like to extend a special thank you to Vesna Stefanovski at SEAM for undertaking much of the groundwork at Swinburne University, supporting the organising committee with secretariat assistance, and keeping Professor Chris Berndt organised.

Welcome to the April 2020 edition of Materials Australia; the first edition of the magazine in a year that is going to be one of the most challenging for the association and for our members, with the COVID-19 pandemic reshaping all our lives. The association started off what was planned to be a very busy year with the Materials Innovation in Surface Engineering (MISE 2020) conference. The conference was held at Swinburne University in Melbourne with Professor Christopher Berndt (Swinburne University, Director of ARC Training Centre Surface Engineering of Advanced Materials (SEAM)) and Associate Professor Colin Hall (University of South Australia, and SA Branch President) as the conference co-chairs. The conference was well attended, and the two-day program was filled with 80 talks, 16 posters and two engaging panel sessions.

The jewel in the 2020 conference program was to be the NANO2020 conference, run in conjunction with Engineers Australia. This international conference was scheduled for 7 to 10 July 2020. Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down national and international borders to travellers, and the need to maintain social distancing, the NAN02020 conference has been cancelled. It is a great shame, as the local organising and technical committees had developed an impressive program for the four day conference. At this stage, we are still working towards holding the CAMS2020 conference, which is scheduled for 7 to 10 December 2020. The conference co-chairs and organising committee are still progressing with programming, venue bookings and all the necessary details to run the conference. Registrations and the call for abstracts will inevitably be delayed, but be sure to keep your eye out for announcements. For all the latest updates on CAMS2020, monitor cams2020.com.au. The Annual General Meeting of Materials Australia will be held on 22 April 2020.

Most of you will have received an email invite to attend the meeting via Zoom videoconferencing. For more details, please see the Materials Australia website: materialsaustralia.com.au On 27 February 2020, I tendered my resignation as President and as a member of the National Executive Committee for Materials Australia. At the same time, my Vice President, Dr Robert Acres also resigned from the National Executive Committee. The Annual General Meeting will be my last role as President of Materials Australia. It has been an interesting and, at times, challenging role. I have enjoyed meeting our many members through the CAMS, APICAM and MISE conferences and the various sub-committees that help run the association. I would like to thank the branch committees and national sub-committee members for all their work in organising local events and delivering services to our members. During my time as Vice-President, and later as President, I have had the privilege to work with our magazine publisher and marketing team at Gloss Creative Media. Gloss do fantastic work with our magazine and they are the key behind all the websites, signs, banners and hardcopy media at our conferences and events. I would like to thank Rod Kelloway, Kate Jones and the Gloss team for all their great work in supporting Materials Australia. 2020 will be a challenging year. I wish you, your family and colleagues best of health and to stay safe. Materials Australia looks forward to seeing you at events once this pandemic has safely passed. Farewell Paul Plater, National President

Materials Australia - Conference Calendar

APICAM2021

D E L L E C N CA NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre 2020 THE 7-10 LARGESTJuly INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON 7 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10 JULY 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ MELBOURNE

DEDICATED TO NANOMATERIALS

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS NANO 2020 brings together scientists, academics and industry to share cutting edge research on a range of nanoscience topics including: innovative materials, new phenomena, advanced characterisation techniques and innovative applications. Abstract submission deadline extended to Friday 6 December.

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The University of2020 Melbourne November 7-10 December 2020 Co-Chairs: Prof Xinhua Wu | Monash University Dr Andrew Ang | Swinburne University

7TH CONFERENCE OF THE COMBINED AUSTRALIAN MATERIALS SOCIETIES Enquiries: Tanya Smith - e: tanya@materialsaustralia.com.au

The 7th Conference of the Combined Australian Materials Societies;

incorporating Materials Australia and the Australian Ceramic Society.

MATERIALS AUSTRALIA | AUSTRALIAN CERAMIC SOCETY

MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON.

All Enquiries: Tanya Smith | +61 3 9326 7266 | e: imea@materialsaustralia.com.au

Highlighted speakers

WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU Prof. Herbert Gleiter University of Science and Technology Germany

Kazuhiro Hono National Institute for Materials Science Japan

Prof. Joanne Etheridge Monash University Australia

APRIL 2020 | 3

CONTENTS

Reports From the President

Materials Australia News

Swinburne University of Technology – Melbourne

MISE2020 Conference Report

NSW Branch Report UNSW Fleet Lab Tour

WA Branch Report Localised Corrosion of Additively Manufactured Stainless Steel: Which Evaluation Method Can We Trust?

C O N F E R E N C E

R E P O R T

06 17

CAMS2020 13 CMatP Profile: Ivan Cole 14 Our Certified Materials Professionals (CMatPs)

Women in the Industry Dr Cathy Foley

Industry News Putting Artificial Intelligence to Work in the Lab 18 One Giant Leap for Microplastics 19 Mind the Gap: FLEET Team from Wollongong and Monash Reveal a Wide-Band Gap Topological Insulator

Australian Laboratory Twin Screw Extruders Lead the Way for Polymer Material Research Applications

No Storm in a Teacup: It’s a Cyclone on a Silicon Chip

MANAGING EDITOR Gloss Creative Media Pty Ltd EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Prof. Ma Qian RMIT University David Hart Tanya Smith MATERIALS AUSTRALIA

4 | APRIL 2020

20 Cover Image

ADVERTISING & DESIGN MANAGER Gloss Creative Media Pty Ltd Rod Kelloway (02) 8539 7893 PUBLISHER Materials Australia Technical articles are reviewed on the Editor’s behalf

From feature article on page 40.

Materials Australia has planned the Materials Australia has planned the following features for 2014, designed to following features for 2014, designed to highlight different disciplines and sectors highlight different disciplines and sectors of the Materials Community. of the Materials Community. Our aim is to publish a relevant, interesting and current Our aim is to publish a relevant, interesting and current magazine for those involved in all aspects of Materials. magazine for those involved in all aspects of Materials. These features attract attention from the right audience These features attract attention from the right audience and if your business is active in one of these areas, and if your business is active in one of these areas, then you you will will want want to to be be involved. involved. then We offer offer your your company company the the opportunity opportunityto topromote promote We your business business directly directly to to decision decisionmakers makersininthe the your Materials Community. Community. Materials

September 2014 September 2014

Focus on Education and Training. Targeting: universities, Focus on Education and Training. Targeting: universities, high school students and vocational training. high school students and vocational training. Content Deadline: Friday 29th August Content Deadline: Friday 29th August Advertising Deadline: Friday 5th September Advertising Deadline: Friday 5th September

December2014 2014 December Asia-Pacific International Conference on Additive Manufacturing

Materials Australia Australia also also encourages encouragesmembers memberstoto Materials contribute to to our our magazine magazine and andwe wewill willconsider consider contribute all editorial editorial contributions. contributions. all

CAMS2020

PAGE 13

Women In The Industry PAGE 17

University Spotlight

PUBLISHED BY Institute of Materials Engineering Australasia Ltd. Trading as Materials Australia ACN: 004 249 183 ABN: 40 004 249 183

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Breaking News PAGE 34

Online Short Courses PAGE 48

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Letters to the editor; info@ glosscreativemedia.com.au WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

CONTENTS

Industry News NETZSCH Enhances Product Portfolio with Rheometers, Fire Testing Systems and Hotboxes

First Australian Installation of a DENSsolutions Climate Insitu TEM Platform

Batteries made with Sulphur could be Cheaper, Greener and Hold More Energy

Ultrasound can Help make 3D-Printed Alloys Stronger

Latest Micromeritics AccuPyc II 1345 Pycnometer Highlights the Value of Efficient Density Measurement

Design of a Better Biomaterial Using Artificial Intelligence

Correlative Surface Analysis - Enabling a More Detailed Understanding of Surfaces

University Spotlight: Griffith University

Breaking News

26 32

Feature Non-Destructive Testing 40 NDT has been a catalyst in the progress of industry. It can be applied at all stages of material, equipment and plant lifecycle, from construction, through to operation and maintenance.

Materials Australia - Short Courses www.materialsaustralia.com.au/training/online-training 48

Materials Australia National Office PO Box 19 Parkville Victoria 3052 Australia

This magazine is the official journal of Materials Australia and is distributed to members and interested parties throughout Australia and internationally.

T: +61 3 9326 7266 E: imea@materialsaustralia.com.au W: www.materialsaustralia.com.au

Materials Australia welcomes editorial contributions from interested parties, however it does not accept responsibility for the content of those contributions, and the views contained therein are not necessarily those of Materials Australia.

NATIONAL PRESIDENT Paul Plater

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

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Materials Australia has planned the following features for 2014, designed to highlight different disciplines and sectors of the Materials Community. Our aim is to publish a relevant, interesting and current magazine for those involved in all aspects of Materials. These features attract attention from the right audience and if your business is active in one of these areas, then you will want to be involved. We offer your company the opportunity to promote your business directly to decision makers in the Materials Community.

Fo hig Co Ad

Po So Co Ad

Materials Australia also encourages members to contribute to our magazine and we will consider all editorial contributions.

The Materials Innovations in Surface Engineering (MISE) Conference 2020 was held at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne from 10 to 12 February 2020. The MISE conference is the one of the largest interdisciplinary meeting for the year, giving attendees the chance to hear

6 | APRIL 2020

from some of the greatest minds in the industry and make meaningful connections in the process. Swinburne University in Melbourne was the perfect place for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conference; as an institution it has always been at the vanguard for materials and manufacturing both in Australia and abroad.

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MISE offered delegates the chance to gain in-depth insights into innovative developments and trends throughout industry, and provided industry representatives, academic institutions and research centres the opportunity toFor showcase their skills and foster further details, please contact: Gloss Creative Media relationships vital for future collaboration. T +61 2 8539 7893 email: magazine@materialsaustralia.

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A Dazzling Array of Speakers MISE 2020 marshalled a broad range of high-quality academic and industrial keynote speakers, who delivered papers and presentations that illuminated the critical issues facing the field of surface engineering. The plenary speakers for MISE Conference 2020 included: Dr.-ing. Filofteia-Laura Toma, Co-Editor of ITSC Proceedings and invited Co-Editor for Special Issues of Journal of Spray Technology; Professor Emily Hilder, Director of the University of South Australia’s Future Industries Institute (FII); and Professor Margaret Hyland, Vice-Provost (Research) at Victoria University of Wellington.

Dr. -Ing. Filofteia-Laura Toma Advanced Processes and Surface Technologies for Development of HighPerformance Coating Solutions: From Thin to Thick Dr Filofteia-Laura Toma obtained her PhD in 2004 on the development of photocatalytic active titanium oxide coatings for environmental applications, at the University of Technology BelfortMontbéliard. In 2006 she was awarded a distinguished fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and in 2016 received the Talenta Excellence Fellowship from Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. She is involved in the development of protective ceramic and hardmetal coatings by various thermal surface technologies.

Professor Emily Hilder Synthesis and Functionalisation of Nanostructured Porous Polymer Materials for Analytical Applications Professor Emily Hilder is the Director

of the University of South Australia’s Future Industries Institute (FII). She is also Deputy Director of the ARC Training Centre for Portable Analytical Separation Technologies (ASTech) and Deputy Director of the ARC Research Hub for Integrated Device for End-user Analysis at Low-levels (IDEAL). Her research focuses on polymeric materials, including their application for separations, bio-analysis and disease diagnosis.

Professor Margaret Hyland Trends in Research Funding: Challenges and Opportunities for Materials Science and Engineering Professor Margaret Hyland is ViceProvost (Research) at Victoria University of Wellington. Professor Hyland holds a PhD from the University of Western Ontario and has spent her research career specialising in aluminium technology, and the chemistry and engineering of material surfaces. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chemical Engineering and a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Furthermore, she has held many senior research leadership roles at national, university and faculty levels.

Dr Rogerio S. Lima Environmental Barrier Coatings and Ceramic Matrix Composites for the Next Generation of Aerospace Gas Turbine Engines: Understanding the Principles Dr Lima is a Senior Researcher at the National Research Council of Canada, where he is developing thermal spray coatings for aerospace gas turbines. Dr Lima has been the Editor or Co-Editor of five proceedings of the International Thermal Spray Conference and Co-Editor for nine special editions of the Journal

of Thermal Spray Technology. He holds a Bachelor of Physics and Masters of Science from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, and a PhD from the State University of New York.

Dr Christoph Leyens Advanced Surfacing for Innovative Products: From Microelectronics to Engineering Applications Dr Leyens is a Professor of Materials Science at the Technische Universität, and the Director of the Fraunhofer Institute of Materials and Beam Technology, both of which are located in Dresden, Germany. Leyens has covered a wide range of research topics with a focus on high temperature and lightweight materials, functional materials, surface technology, coatings and additive manufacturing. Over the course of his career, he has published more than 200 papers and seven books, and he holds 11 patents. _____________________________

Thank You Materials Australia would like to thank the MISE 2020 Co-Chairs, Distinguished Professor Chris Berndt (Swinburne University) and Associate Professor Colin Hall (University of South Australia), as well as the other members of the organising committee, including Tanya Smith (Materials Australia), Paul Plater (Plater International Consulting), Nikki Stanford (UniSA), Christiane Schulz (UniSA), Andrew Ang (Swinburne University), Milan Brandt (RMIT), Vesna Stefanovski (SEAM), Peter King (CSIRO), Daniel Fabijanic (Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University), and Ivan Cole (RMIT). Also a special mention to all the volunteers from Swinburne University, they were a great help.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS FOR MAKING THE MISE2020 CONFERENCE A GREAT SUCCESS

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NSW Branch Report

UNSW Fleet Lab Tour – 11 February, 2020 Source: Cecilia Bloise, UNSW Node Coordinator, ARC Centre of Excellence FLEET

Materials Australia members were hosted on a tour of FLEET’s labs at UNSW in February. FLEET is an ARC Centre of Excellence, researching novel materials for ultra-low energy electronics. FLEET represents over a 100 physicists and materials scientists working to develop a new generation of electronics to address the challenge of energy used in information technology and communications. NSW Branch President, Associate Professor Sophie Primig welcomed the audience to UNSW, and introduced the work of Materials Australia, which provides its

10 | APRIL 2020

members with a competitive advantage through access to lab tours and research teams such as FLEET; this was followed by a talk by Chief Investigator Nagy Valanoor, on the future of computing, more specifically, on the work of FLEET, and the materials being developed at UNSW and other NSW and Australian centres for use in future, low-energy electronics. The group was then led through a campus-wide tour of FLEET labs, starting at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, where Chief Investigator Valanoor opened his fabrication labs, and research fellow Dr Peggy Schoenherr led a talk through Chief Investigator Jan Seidel’s STM and AFM characterisation lab. The tour concluded with a visit to the

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School of Physics, led by Dr Karina Hudson. Chief Investigator Alex Hamilton opened his low-temperature measurement laboratories for quantum electronic devices; the group was briefed on the role of novel materials in the search for new, ultra-low energy electronics. Finally, Materials Australia members were invited to a networking session with staff members and students of UNSW FLEET ARC Centre of Excellence. Opposite Clockwise from Top Left: Dr Karina Hudson. Dr Peggy Schoenherr, Nagy Valanoor. Dr Hudson showing the FLEET labs. Nagy Valanoor showing lab. Nagy Valanoor showing lab. Dr Hudsons FLEET lab tour. Cheif Investigator Alex Hamilton showing his lowtemperature measurement lab for quantum electronic devices. Showing samples fabricated in Clean Rooms.

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MATERIALS AUSTRALIA

WA Branch Technical Meeting – 9 March 2020

Localised Corrosion of Additively Manufactured Stainless Steel: Which Evaluation Method Can We Trust? Source: Dr. Mobin Salasi, Curtin Corrosion Centre

Dr Mobin Salasi gained his Bachelor and Masters degrees in Iran, before undertaking research on corrosion issues in the oil industry over four years. He then returned to study, gaining his PhD, on Synergism between abrasion and corrosion, from The University of Western Australia. At the recent Western Australian branch technical meeting, Dr Mobin presented on the topic, Localised Corrosion of Additively Manufactured Stainless Steel: Which Evaluation Method Can We Trust? This work was prompted by claims that additively manufactured (AM) 316L stainless steel shows better corrosion performance than the wrought equivalent. This justified a laboratory study, supported by Woodside, to investigate the claims. The AM specimens were prepared at The University of Toulouse. Initial tests appeared to confirm a promising result, but inconsistencies indicated the need for further investigation. The investigations revealed that behaviour depends on which accelerated evaluation method is used. Dr Mobin explained the reasons for the discrepancies, and his conclusions regarding the claims of superior performance of AM stainless steel. The corrosion resistance of stainless steels depends on the presence of a passive oxide film on the surface; if this breaks down, corrosion will proceed. The most common initiators of passive film breakdown are pitting corrosion and crevice corrosion. Pitting corrosion is essentially microstructural, while crevice corrosion occurs in regions shielded from the general service environment. In both cases, the corrosion rate depends on the product of corrosion current and distance of the corroding regions from the outer environment. The sequence of corrosion is deoxygenation, followed by a concentration of metal ions, hydrogen ions and chloride anions to maintain charge balance, leading in turn to de-passivation, and continued propagation of the corrosion remote from the outer environment. 12 | APRIL 2020

L to R: Dr Paul Huggett, Dr Mobin Salasi

Subsequently, localised corroded areas coalesce, resulting first in crystallographic attach (etching) and finally in uniform (polished) attack.

was laser fusion of 30-40 µm powder, by which the localised molten pool was cooled extremely rapidly by the surrounding metal.

Rapid evaluation of propensity for localised corrosion is commonly undertaken using several tests. These include cyclic polarisation, potentiodynamic (PD) polarisation, and a combination of PDpotentiostatic-PD testing, with or without ceramic or Teflon crevice formers, and in either standard solutions, or solutions that replicate conditions inside a pit.

Microstructural study revealed siliconmanganese-oxygen inclusions, but these were at the sub-nanometre scale and thus had no effect on crystallographic corrosion attack. This led to the observations of high, though variable, breakdown potential for AM 316L in potentiodynamic tests. Once any random feature or event initiated local de-passivation, the AM alloy showed the same behaviour as wrought specimens.

Potentiodynamic testing, without a crevice former, indicated that AM 316L can show a much higher breakdown potential than the wrought material, indicating higher resistance to pitting. However, repeated testing showed variable results. Other accelerated tests did not confirm superior resistance, and longer term free potential tests, replicating normal service conditions, led to the conclusion that, “316 is 316, regardless of whether it is additively manufactured or wrought”. But, why do some tests show a higher breakdown potential? In wrought stainless steel, manganese sulphide inclusions are known to initiate passive film breakdown. However, these inclusions were absent in the AM material. The AM method used BACK TO CONTENTS

Dr Mobin’s conclusion is that accelerated testing is not a reliable indicator of improved local corrosion resistance in AM stainless steel. Evaluation must be made over a long enough time to allow for the action of all factors that could initiate depassivation. Long-term immersion remains the most reliable method. Answering questions, Dr Mobin remarked that while the availability of cheap 3D printers might give the impression that AM is a simple process, dealing with 30-40 µm metal powder is hazardous, and requires clean-room conditions. Nevertheless, it is already widely accepted in aerospace applications and is of increasing interest to the petroleum industry. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

The 7th conference of the Combined Australian Materials Societies; incorporating Materials Australia and the Australian Ceramic Society.

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 7-10 December 2020 | The University of Melbourne November 2020

Call For Papers

Symposia Themes

Co-Chairs: Prof Xinhua Wu | Monash University Dr Andrew Ang | Swinburne University • Additive, advanced & future

manufacturing, processes and

Enquiries: Tanya Smith - e: tanya@materialsaustralia.com.auproducts

Closing Date: 30 July 2020

• Advances in materials characterisation The 7th Conference of the Combined Australian Materials Societies; Join Australia’s largest interdisciplinary technical • Advances incorporating Materials Australia and the Australian Ceramic Society. in steel technology meeting on the latest advances in materials • Biomaterials & nanomaterials science, engineering and technology. for medicine • Ceramics, glass & refractories Our technical program will cover a range of themes, identified • Corrosion & degradation by researchers and industry, as issues of topical interest. of materials CONFERENCE CO-CHAIRS • Durable & wear resistant materials for demanding environments • Light metals design • Materials for energy generation, conversion & storage • Materials for nuclear waste forms & fuels • Materials simulation & modelling • Metal casting & thermomechanical Prof Xinhua Wu Dr Andrew Ang processing Monash University Swinburne University xinhua.wu@monash.edu aang@swin.edu.au • Nanostructured & nanoscale materials & interfaces Opportunities for sponsorships and exhibitions are available. • Innovative building materials in civil infrastructures CAMS 2020 • Photonics, sensors & 7-10 December 2020 optoelectronics & ferro electrics The University of Melbourne • Progress in cements & geopolymers VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA www.cams2020.com.au • Surfaces, thin films & coatings • Translational research in Conference Secretariat: polymers and composites Themes Tanya Smith Advances in materials characterisation tanya@materialsaustralia.com.au • Use of waste materials & Advances in steel technology T +61 3 9326 7266 environmental remediation

Advanced manufacturing Photos courtesy of George Vander Voort iomaterials ements & geopolymers omposites in roadmaking & bridge uilding erroelectrics ight metals design

www.cams2020.com.au

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CMatP Profile: Ivan Cole “Such philosophy as shall not vanish in the fume of subtle, sublime or delectable speculation but shall be operative to the endowment and betterment of man’s life” It sat on my parents’ book case and my reading of it blended with the heady days of technological advancement through the sixties & seventies, filling my mind with the promise of a better future through technology. The man was Prof. Doug Borland (my first supervisor) whose calm, patience and commitment taught me how a teacher and scientist should move in this world.

Which has been the most challenging job or project you have worked on to date and why?

Where do you work? Describe your job. I’ve always been passionate about transforming society through technological innovation, and my current role provides a perfect opportunity to do this. I’m both Enabling Capability Platform Director for Advanced Manufacturing & Fabrication and a Professor at RMIT University in Melbourne. As ECP Director, I’m fortunate enough to work with leading researchers across the university to focus our research on critical issues for Australian society, and to build capability to translate their work into real advances. As a professor, I can lead my team to develop some of those technologies and work with companies to advance them to market.

What inspired you to choose a career in materials science and engineering and who or what has influenced you most, professionally? My inspiration to take up a career, firstly in science and then in materials engineering, came from a book and a person. The book was ‘Science for the Citizen’ by Lancelot Hogben, first published in 1938. Its focus on science to better mankind is superbly evident in its introductory quote by Francis Bacon: 14 | APRIL 2020

My team is focussed on developing and applying methods for the rapid discovery of new materials. Rapid discovery has two advantages. Firstly, it takes significantly longer to discover a material than to design and build the engineered object (e.g. aircraft) that the material will constitute. This means we must develop materials two generations prior to the construction of the object, by which time the materials requirements may have changed, hence the pressing need for rapid materials discovery. Secondly, we can now design our materials (or at least part of them) at the molecular level. This leads to literally 100,000s (or more) possible materials design choices, and the corresponding need for fast methods to sort them. Our most exciting current project is with BASF (Germany) to combine rapid (i.e. robotic) experimentation and modelling to design the next generation of corrosion inhibitors, inhibitors, for example, for automobiles.

What does being a CMatP mean to you? Being a CMatP and an active part of the Victoria and Tasmania branch of Materials Australia gives me a broader view of materials development and applications, assists in showcasing our community’s work – particularly that of PhDs and early career researchers, and helps us to get together with old and new friends.

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What gives you the most satisfaction at work? I have three prime, interrelated drivers at work. The first is simple and surely part of any researcher’s life – the joy of a new discovery and the application of that discovery to a real-world problem. We never work alone but in teams with our partners, students and early career researchers. Thus, my second and third drivers are helping and watching the development of my PhDs and ECRs as independent researchers, and building the relationships with my partners that turns our collective ideas into real change.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? Unlike the movies, I was never sat down by an elder scientist and given that classic advice that turned a wayward junior scientist into a Nobel prize winner. Rather my ‘advice’ came from watching my seniors. The lesson I’ve drawn from those who hold my respect is to ensure your research is aimed at solving scientific problems for our society, and to persist until it does.

What are you optimistic about? Throughout my career there have been significant advances in the fields I have worked across, for example materials modelling, sensor systems, surface science, information science and nanoscience. In the last decade, we are becoming much more effective at linking them. If we do it right, we can make considerable scientific and engineering advances. But we must be wary of buzzwords and the shallow application of technology. For example, I’m a great believer in machine learning, but only if it is done in a rigorous and multidisciplinary manner. Machine learning can absolutely help us discover new materials, but only if the characterisation of materials in question is deeply and profoundly related to their performance at the relevant time and length scales. If we do this right, we can expect a host of new materials based on machine learningdriven molecular designs, that enhance traditional properties (corrosion resistance, strength, wear, etc.) but also deliver new functionalities (biocompatibility, responsiveness, etc.). WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

MATERIALS AUSTRALIA

What have been your greatest professional and personal achievements? In the Newcastle earthquake of 1989, lives were lost and buildings were damaged as brick ties (that join the outer brick cladding of a building to its framing) failed due to corrosion. No one knew if this was an isolated problem or could occur throughout Australia. In fact, no one knew precisely how building components degraded across our continent. Over the next decade, our team at CSIRO integrated field measurements with mathematical modelling and geographical information systems (GIS) to develop tools that could predict the life of building components (metal and timber) not only in Australia but throughout South East Asia. Furthermore, this applied research was built on multiscale models that analysed degradation in a fundamental way, making a very significant contribution to both atmospheric corrosion and timber research. This work has been fed into both national and international standards, making both our people and buildings safer. This multiscale corrosion model and its GIS framework was extremely useful for materials selection and life prediction of infrastructure, but it could not be used to design materials. Throughout the 2000s we drove these models down from the micron scale to the molecular scale. This allowed us to design materials on the molecular scale and then estimate their lifetime within an engineered structure,

for example a building or aircraft. This tool required intermeshing of rapid experimental data with multiscale modelling in a unique way. Between mid-2000 and mid-2010, I had the privilege of leading a major division of CSIRO (as deputy or acting chief) through a period of profound change. I am proud that we rode the wave of change while making major contributions to national challenges in advanced manufacturing, climate change, new energy sources and advanced materials. On a personal note – like any father – my greatest joy has been watching my children as they take up their separate lives.

What are the top three things on your ‘bucket list’? Bucket List 1: Cheap and Pervasive Water Sensing Our team is working on measuring water quality using fluorescent nanoparticles and molecules. This is not an academic exercise – we aim to deliver a water tester for less than 20 USD that can perform insitu tests for less than 50 cents per test, and can be operated by both adults and older children. And we are close – the device is made, we just need to perfect the fluorescent materials that will be used like ‘intelligent litmus paper’ in the device. When we succeed, we can provide cheap and pervasive water quality testing across the third world and to environmentally sensitive areas in Australia.

Bucket List 2: Autonomous Discovery – or Machine Learning with Senses Now when we talk about Machine Learning, one thinks of massive quantities of data going into ‘black box’ algorithms and then equates that to standard working practice. But that is not how we work at all – we understand the world by close integration of our sensory and cognitive abilities. We’re aiming to develop robots that perform the same measurement, then use machine learning to interpret the measurements (added by multiscale models), and finally, on the basis of that analysis, perform another set of measurements in an iterative cycle. This will not be an academic development – it will also drive on demand, machinedriven discovery of new materials in industry. Bucket List 3: Minimising Climate Change and Maximising Adaptation After the summer of 2019-2020, no one can doubt that climate change is the major threat of this century, and arguably an extinction-level crisis. This is particularly relevant to our coastal areas, where most of our population reside, and also throughout the developing world. This is not a scientific challenge – by and large we know what must be done and how. The scientific community must convince the public, and thus the government to act decisively.

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APRIL 2020 | 15

MATERIALS 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 over one hundred 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. To become a CMatP visit our website: www.materialsaustralia.com.au Prof Yun Liu Dr Takuya Tsuzuki Prof Klaus-Dieter Liss Mr Dashty Akrawi Ms Maree Anast Ms Megan Blamires Dr Todd Byrnes Dr Phillip Carter Dr Anna Ceguerra Mr Ken Chau Dr Zhenxiang Cheng Mr Peter Crick Prof Madeleine Du Toit Dr Azdiar MCGazder Mr Buluc Guner Dr Alan Hellier Prof Mark Hoffman Mr Muhammad Hussain Dr Andrii Kostryzhev Mr Simon Krismer Prof Jamie Kruzic Prof Huijun Li Prof Valerie Linton Mr Rodney Mackay-Sim Dr Matthew Mansell Dr Warren McKenzie 16 | APRIL 2020

ACT ACT CHINA NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW

Dr David Mitchell NSW Dr Anna Paradowska NSW Prof Elena Pereloma NSW A/Prof Sophie Primig NSW Dr Gwenaelle Proust NSW Prof Simon Ringer NSW Dr Richard Roest NSW Dr Luming Shen NSW Mr Sasanka Sinha NSW Mr Carl Strautins NSW Mr Alan Todhunter NSW Ms Judy Turnbull NSW Mr Jeremy Unsworth NSW Dr Philip Walls NSW Dr Rachel White NSW Dr Alan Whittle NSW Dr Richard Wuhrer NSW Mr Payam Ghafoori NT 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 Miss Mozhgan Kermajani QLD Mr Jeezreel Malacad QLD Dr Alan McLeod QLD Mr Aaron Middleton QLD Dr Jason Nairn QLD Mr Bhavin Panchal QLD Mr Stephen Reghenzani QLD Mr Bob Samuels QLD Mr David Schonfeld QLD Ms Ingrid Brundin SA Mr Neville Cornish SA A/Prof Colin Hall SA Mr Mikael Johansson SA Dr Peter Kentish SA Mr Rahim Kurji SA Mr Greg Moore SA Mr Andrew Sales SA Dr Christiane Schulz SA Ms Deborah Ward SA Mr Ashley Bell SCOTLAND Mr Kok Toong Leong SINGAPORE Dr Ivan Cole VIC Dr John Cookson VIC Dr Evan Copland VIC Dr Malcolm Couper VIC Miss Ana Celine Del Rosario VIC Dr Yvonne Durandet VIC Dr Mark Easton VIC Dr Rajiv Edavan VIC Dr Peter Ford VIC Mrs Liz Goodall VIC BACK TO CONTENTS

Mr Bruce Ham Ms Edith Hamilton Mr Hugo Howse Mr Long Huynh Dr Amita Iyer Dr John Kariuki Mr Robert Le Hunt Dr Thomas Ludwig Dr Roger Lumley Mr Michael Mansfield Dr Gary Martin Dr Siao Ming (Andrew) Ming Dr Eustathios Petinakis Mr Paul Plater Dr Dong Qiu Mr John Rea Dr M Akbar Rhamdhani Dr Christine Scala Dr Vadim Shterner Mr Mark Stephens Dr Graham Sussex Mr Pranay Wadyalkar Mr John Watson Dr Wei Xu Dr Sam Yang Mr Ashley Blackburn Mr Anthony Brooke Mr Graeme Brown Mr Graham Carlisle Mr John Carroll Mr Sridharan Chandran Mr Conrad Classen Mr Chris Cobain Ms Jessica Down Mr Jeff Dunning Mr Stuart Folkard Prof Vladimir Golovanevskiy Mr Chris Grant Dr Cathy Hewett Mr Paul Howard Dr Paul Huggett Mr Biju Kurian Pottayil Mr Mathieu Lancien Dr Yanan Li Mr Michael Lison-Pick Mr Ben Miller Dr Brian Mubaraki Mr Sadiq Nawaz Dr Evelyn Ng Mr Deny Nugraha Mr Stephen Oswald Mrs Mary Louise Petrick Mr Johann Petrick Mr Stephen Rennie Mr James Travers

VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA

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WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY

Dr Cathy Foley Source: CSIRO “Innovation is at the heart of economic growth and prosperity, and science and technology is at the heart of innovation. That’s why collaboration is so vital. We need to be working on fewer, bigger things to really have impact at scale and solve some of our greatest challenges.”

Dr Cathy Foley is unstoppable. After thirty five years of scientific excellence, she is taking on perhaps her biggest feat: harnessing talent from across more than 3500 scientists, working on hundreds of different projects, with thousands of different partners – all inside the one organisation. As Chief Scientist for Australia’s national science agency, Dr Foley is at the forefront of CSIRO’s focus on solving Australia’s greatest challenges, at a pace and scale that will have sustainable, long-term impact. She said it requires fully embracing the ideas, insights, knowledge and creativity from all CSIRO’s people, as well as the many partners they work with, domestically and internationally. “We are facing a range of seemingly intractable problems, including a remote and harsh environment, a growing and aging population, biosecurity threats to our environment and vulnerability to the impacts of climate change,” she said.

Dr Foley is drawing on the organisational expertise, across CSIRO, to map out key transformative ‘cross cutting capabilities that Australia needs for the future. This will enable scientists, with shared skillsets, to work across different areas of the organisation, enabling greater focus and efficiencies. They range from biological technologies, such as genomics and synthetic biology, to physical technologies, such as advanced materials and quantum, and even social capabilities such as social science and Indigenous knowledge. Dr Foley has always embraced challenges and opportunities. She says coming from a large family and having older brothers helped her develop a thick skin, and does not let too much bother her. Looking back on her extraordinary career, it is hard to imagine now, but at first she thought she would be a teacher – something she still considers as critical for the nation, but was not really for her. There were very few, if any, female role models at that time. It was not until university, where her eyes were opened to the possibility of a life in research as a scientist. Her professor, Heather Adamson, boldly stated one day that she was not going to be a teacher, that she was going to be a first-class honours student, win a scholarship, do a PhD and go on to work as a scientist. “It was her belief in me that stirred something inside, and I went on to

accomplish everything she said!” Dr Foley says of the obstacles she faced as a female scientist, one of the biggest was to be taken seriously, especially paving the way as the first female research scientist hired in a department. Dr Foley remembers one story when she was installing a piece of new equipment. “The sales rep said, ‘I’ve never seen a woman with a screwdriver before’. Those types of comments were part of life as a female scientist then.” Over the years, she dealt with many more challenges, including motherhood and navigating a return to work. Dr Foley and a couple of other CSIRO colleagues took it upon themselves to set up a long-term daycare, and ran it for seven years because there wasn’t one in her local council of northern Sydney at that time. In hindsight, she acknowledges these moments made her work harder and work smarter and go after what she wanted – which was to be the Chief Scientist of CSIRO. When presented with a challenge, she only seeks out solutions, she does not let challenges stand in her way. “Australia is an amazing country, that has incredible potential, if we can get all the different parts of the community working together and collaborating to jointly succeed,” Dr Foley said. “The future of science and technology will be about being ‘open’ – open to working across disciplines, with a diversity of people, both here and from around the world.” “When we use our full human potential, combined with our future science and technology, we can solve our greatest challenges and create a prosperous future for all Australians.”

“In addition, although we have excellent science metrics nationally, that doesn’t always translate into innovation by industry. In fact, our collaboration between the research sector and industry is the lowest of all OECD countries.” Dr Foley believes the future of science and technology is shaping up that no single research group or organisation can solve these challenges alone. More multidisciplinary and inter-disciplinary work will be required to build a prosperous future for our nation. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

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APRIL 2020 | 17

INDUSTRY NEWS

Putting Artificial Intelligence to Work in the Lab Source: Sally Wood

An Australian-German collaboration has demonstrated fully-autonomous SPM operation, applying artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning to remove the need for constant human supervision. The new system, dubbed DeepSPM, bridges the gap between nanoscience, automation and AI, and firmly establishes the use of machine learning for experimental scientific research. “Optimising SPM data acquisition can be very tedious. This optimisation process is usually performed by the human experimentalist, and is rarely reported,” said FLEET Chief Investigator Dr Agustin Schiffrin from Monash University. “Our new AI-driven system can operate and acquire optimal SPM data autonomously, for multiple straight days, and without any human supervision.” The advance brings advanced SPM methodologies, such as atomically-precise nanofabrication and high-throughput data acquisition, closer to a fully automated turnkey application. The new deep learning approach can be generalised to other SPM techniques. The researchers have made the entire framework publicly available online as open source, creating an important resource for the nanoscience research community.

Fully-Autonomous DeepSPM Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) has revolutionised material science and nano-science, allowing for the mapping of surface properties and surface manipulation with atomic precision. Types of SPM include scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). “Crucial to the success of DeepSPM is the use of a self-learning agent, as the correct control inputs are not known beforehand,” said Dr Cornelius Krull, project co-leader. “Learning from experience, our agent adapts to changing experimental conditions and finds a strategy to keep the system stable,” says Dr Krull, who works with Dr Schiffrin at Monash School of Physics and Astronomy. 18 | APRIL 2020

The AI-driven system begins with an algorithmic search of the best sample regions and proceeds with autonomous data acquisition. It then uses a convolutional neural network to assess the quality of the data. If the quality of the data is poor, DeepSPM uses a deep reinforcement learning agent to improve the condition of the probe. DeepSPM can run for several days, acquiring and processing data continuously, while managing SPM parameters in response to varying experimental conditions, without any supervision. The study demonstrates fully autonomous, long-term SPM operation for the first time by combining:

Dr Agustin Schiffrin and his team at the School of Physics and Astronomy (Monash University).

• An algorithmic approach for sample area selection and SPM data acquisition; • Supervised machine learning using convolutional neural networks for quality assessment and classification of SPM data, and • Deep reinforcement learning for dynamic automated in-situ probe management and conditioning.

The Study Artificial-intelligence-driven scanning probe microscopy was published in Communications Physics in March 2020.

Image acquired by atomic force microscopy (AFM): a single molecule, similar to chlorophyll.

Researchers at Monash University’s School of Physics and Astronomy worked closely with collaborators at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (Dresden), Max Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine (Berlin) and Heidelberg University. All experiments were performed at Monash, partly funded by the Australian Research Council. Computations were performed at the Centre for Information Services and High Performance Computing (which is funded by the European Research Council).

SPMs and FLEET

Image acquired by scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM): individual silver atoms on a crystalline metal surface.

Dr Schiffrin’s group at FLEET uses SPM to investigate the atomic-scale properties – structural and electronic – of new nanomaterials with potential use in future low-energy electronic technologies.

FLEET is an Australian Research Councilfunded research centre bringing together over a hundred Australian and international experts to develop a new generation of ultra-low energy electronics.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

One Giant Leap for Microplastics Source: Written by Deakin Research, disruptr.

Sometimes, in the enormity of the global climate emergency, we forget about the importance of the small stuff. In this case, it’s our microplastics. With nano and microplastics in our waterways, oceans and water waste Deakin researchers are putting even the tiniest fragments of our waste under the microscope to see their impact.

The Big Challenge: Detection

for your food waste and your garden!):

Dr Dumee’s and PhD candidate Marie Enfrin recent research in conjunction with Dr Judy Lee from The University of Surrey, ‘Nano and microplastics in water and wastewater treatment processes – Origin, impact and potential solutions’ in Water Research noted that limiting the number of microplastics in water is vital to creating positive outcomes for our waterways.

Red, your household garbage: wrapped nappies, polystyrene foam, unavoidable food waste.

So, What Defines A Microplastic?

The question then becomes: how do we reduce plastic entering our water if we can’t see them?

ARC DECRA Fellow, Dr Ludovic Dumee, from Deakin University’s Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) explains microplastics are present in many of our everyday possessions.

Albeit from the chemical footprint of plastic materials, allowing for specific identification, a key challenge lies in the detection of small, micron sized and smaller, plastic particles.

Primary microplastics can be found in “cosmetic products or additives in materials, designed to be there in a specific shape and size”.

A second difficulty lies in the composition of the water matrix, corresponding to the list of elements and molecules present in the water.

Secondary microplastics are generated by polymeric plastic materials degradation such as plastic bottles and bags when exposed to specific aggressive environments or stress.

“Most of the time these microplastics are present in fairly small concentration and are mixed with bacteria, proteins, and other natural organic matters, making their identification even more so difficult.”

It is the breaking down of the plastic in these items that allows them to morph into something smaller and more difficult to avoid. These materials go from a process of “wearing off and decomposition due to UV, temperature and other biocatalytic reactions which lead to the formation of these microplastics,” Dr Dumee says. A pair of single use plastic bottles found during a beach cleanup in Barbados. “A great amount of microplastic is generated from waste discarded improperly into rivers or the ocean. “This is also present across materials exposed to water, like surface finishes such as paints or coatings, which can wear off and weather quickly.” It then becomes about looking closer at the products we have in our lives, thinking about their post-consumer life and where they may end up.

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All these other composites in the water “represent a larger quantity compared to just the microplastics alone. “Therefore, one of the key challenges we work to is to either selectively concentrate them [plastics] or reduce the limit of detection of existing platforms.”

Yellow, your recycling bin: aerosol cans, scrunched aluminium (at least the size of a golf ball), envelopes, glass bottles and jars, plastic, paper, metal, cutlery and pizza boxes without food waste. Green, our garden waste: prunings, grass, leaves, small branches, weeds and flowers. If you’re still unsure, it is always best to check out the range of resources available – including local council guidelines and other informative websites. Some countries have gone further than the three-bin system, even. It is not uncommon in some European countries to have ten plus different bins to use at a recycling centre. This is because the mixing of glass, plastic, paper and metal among others can have poor implications for reusing our waste. “It becomes a civic duty of the people. Whereas, in Australia, we are very limited in terms of options.” Although there have been conversations about changing how kerbside collection works in Victoria, this is not all that needs to be done. It requires collaboration from the community to dispose of their waste properly, but also, the industries who engineer these materials.

Spotting microplastics is not as straightforward as it may appear.

Re-Engineering Materials For The Planet

Community Education Is Powerful

Plastics are closer to us than we first thought, literally. “There is evidence now that plastics are being found in human blood, so clearly, there are some pathways for them to diffuse into different parts of the organism,” Dr Dumee explains.

The presence of microplastics can often generate concern from people within the community who turn to ask: what can be done to help? Dr Dumee notes that educating people about how plastic should be sorted can be very effective. Understanding the ins and outs of how we should dispose of our waste could empower consumer to dispose of their plastics correctly. Our team has done some digging to produce a brief, but my no means extensive guide to yours bins (not including a compost bin – which can be wonderful BACK TO CONTENTS

It seems finding new ways to create materials that limit the use of plastic is the next step moving forward to benefit the health of our ecosystems. It is difficult to say if plastic will ever become a thing of the past – but there is some thinking that needs to be done for the future. To expand on the research of the time, some education is required not only for consumers but for industries too. APRIL 2020 | 19

INDUSTRY NEWS

Mind the Gap: FLEET Team from Wollongong and Monash Reveal a Wide-Band Gap Topological Insulator Source: Sally Wood

Left (L to R): Research Fellow Dr Zhi Li and Professor Xiaolin Wang in the lab at UOW’s Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials.

Below: Large-scale topological insulator crystal.

Since their discovery in 2006, topological insulators have been widely discussed as a promising avenue for energy efficient electronics. Their unique high mobility edge states have a form of ‘quantum armour’ that protects them from electron-scattering events that would otherwise produce waste heat.

To achieve stability, Zhao used a scheme based on co-substitution of sulphur, balanced by a small amount of larger vanadium and tin ions, resulting in the complex material Vx:Bi1.08xSn0.02Sb0.9Te2S. (Such compounds are sometimes jokingly referred to as ‘telephone number’ compounds by physicists and chemists, owing to their long chemical formulas.)

Unfortunately, practical applications of topological insulators have been severely limited by the small electronic bandgaps in most known materials. This means that, while they function well at very low temperatures by producing highly mobile surface electrons, at higher temperatures the bulk electronic states dominate, and these are no better than in other traditional semiconductors.

This compound was the culmination of two years of experimentation by Zhao, who is now in the final year of his PhD at Wollongong.

Now a team, led by Distinguished Professor Xiaolin Wang (University of Wollongong), in collaboration with Professor Michael Fuhrer (an ARC Laurete Fellow in the School of Physics at Monash University), have combined clever chemistry and advanced electronic measurements to develop a new topological insulator with a ‘wide’ bandgap of above 300 meV, which is twelve times larger than the thermal energy of a room temperature system. The lead author of the study, Weiyao Zhao, a PhD student at the University of Wollongong explains, “The special aspect of this material is the combination of a wide bandgap, and the existence of a robust surface state.” Previous studies have suggested that substituting sulphur into a Sb2Te3 or Bi2Te3 topological insulator would result in a larger band-gap, however practically, this is very difficult because the crystal structure becomes unstable owing to the size mismatch of the various atoms. 20 | APRIL 2020

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A key finding was the clear evidence of an increasing band-gap that scales with vanadium content. In tandem, using a transport technique based on observing quantum oscillations for magnetic fields at different angles, the team was able to demonstrate that the surface state is active up to the large temperatures of 50K. This places the material on par with the best known topological insulators. With the large intrinsic bandgap, there are strong prospects for further increasing the operational temperatures through reducing defect concentrations and deploying nanofabrication techniques. Professor Wang said, “We are able to observe the robust topological 2D surface state at temperatures as high as 50K in magnetic fields up to 14 Tesla on large-size topological insulator crystals. This is remarkable as large 3D topological insulating crystals can be used as a new class of substrate to host novel quantum states such as Majorana fermions and other spindependent effects.” This development fits with the theme of enabling technology within FLEET, that aims to develop materials that can operate at high temperatures to replace silicon in computing technologies. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

INDUSTRY NEWS

Australian Laboratory Twin Screw Extruders Lead the Way for Polymer Material Research Applications Source: Barrell Engineering

Superior mixing and reduced free volume. When researching new polymers and extruding filaments or fibres or films, there are often some limiting factors that place specific demands on the extruding equipment. Typically, research is done with small amounts of material, which can take a long time to generate, so ensuring the best use of the available material is very important. One client had a material that took six months to create half a cup, so being able not to waste any was a primary goal. Traditionally, twin screw extruders have two co-rotating screws which are able to provide high volume outputs, this is preferred in production machines. However, even when scaled down to laboratory sizes, there can still be a considerably large free volume, requiring more material to be able to perform the process. There is also the issue of mixing efficiency. Small screws have a low wingtip speed, which reduces the mixing ability of the screws. Finally, there is the pulsing pressure created, meaning additional devices such as a melt pump are needed to ensure constant pressure and flow, to extrude accurate and consistent filaments or fibres. Recognising these limitations, Barrell Engineering designed a laboratory extruder that uses counter-rotating screws. The resulting intermeshing screws reduce the free volume significantly and also the amount of material needed to be able to process. The next step was to make the screw sections modular so that different mixing and pressure profiles could be easily created without requiring custom made screws. These features allow for significantly improved mixing profiles and techniques, and improve the capability of adding additional materials to the extruder flow through the additional intake ports. The reduced free space volume, plus the counter-rotating screws, also reduce pressure pulsing, to the point that often an additional melt pump is not required to create accurate extruded filaments. Despite the different extruder method, scaling up from a counter-

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Top: Extruder installation at a materials research laboratory. Below Right: Examples of mixing screw modules.

rotating extruder to co-rotating extruders for production volumes is not an issue, as the resulting mixing profiles are similar. Some of the applications, in which these extruders are being utilised, include the development of new materials for 3D printing, and conductive fibres such as artificial nerve reconstruction.

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APRIL 2020 | 21

INDUSTRY NEWS

No Storm in a Teacup: It’s a Cyclone on a Silicon Chip Source: Sally Wood

University of Queensland researchers have combined quantum liquids and silicon-chip technology to study turbulence for the first time, opening the door to new navigation technologies and an improved understanding of the turbulent dynamics of cyclones and other extreme weather. Professor Warwick Bowen, from the University of Queensland’s Precision Sensing Initiative and the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems, said the finding was “a significant advance”. According to Professor Bowen, the finding has provided a new way to study turbulence. “Turbulence is often described as the oldest unsolved problem in physics,” Professor Bowen said. “Our finding allows us to observe nanoscale quantum turbulence, which mirrors the sort of behaviour you see in cyclones.” These are the quantum equivalent of vortices in water or a tornado. Their interactions cause dynamics analogous to that of a cyclone. “This advance is enabled by the properties of quantum liquids, which are fundamentally different to everyday liquids.” Professor Bowen said it was postulated more than 50 years ago that the turbulence problem could be simplified using quantum liquids. “Our new technique is exciting because it allows quantum turbulence to be studied on a silicon chip for the first time,” he said. The research also had implications in space, where quantum liquids are predicted to exist within dense astrophysical objects. “Our research could help to explain how these objects behave,” Dr Bowen said. Dr Yauhen Sachkou, a Research Fellow at the University of Queensland and the paper’s lead author, said rotating neutron stars lost angular momentum in fits and starts. 22 | APRIL 2020

The University of Queensland team has observed nanoscale quantum turbulence, which mirrors the sort of behaviour you see in cyclones. Image credit: Dr Christopher Baker, University of Queensland.

“The way this occurs is thought to hinge on quantum turbulence,” Dr Sachkou said. University of Queensland scientist, Dr Christopher Baker, who co-led the research, said the finding made possible silicon-chip based accelerometers with sensitivity far beyond current state of the art. “In quantum liquids, atoms behave more like waves than particles,” Dr Baker said. “This allows us to build laser-like sensors from atoms.” The research was a collaboration between researchers in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) and ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronic Technologies (FLEET) in Australia, and the Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies in New Zealand. It was supported by the United States Army Research Office and the Australian Research Council. The Precision Sensing Initiative The University of Queensland Precision Sensing Initiative (PSI) seeks to enhance real-world outcomes of next-generation sensing research at the University of Queensland. The three-year $1.17 million initiative is a joint venture between the School of Mathematics and Physics, and the School BACK TO CONTENTS

of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. It is directed by Professor Warwick Bowen and is affiliated with Precision Sensing Australia. The PSI comprises experts from the University of Queensland and industry, spanning the fields of quantum technology, photonics and electronics, healthcare and medical diagnostics, the resources sector, and the aerospace and defence industries. Sensors play an essential role in modern technologies, providing capabilities in areas ranging from navigation to timing, and chemical and biological diagnostics. Quantum effects are integral to enhancing the performance and capabilities of precision sensors, with research developments currently geared towards improving sensitivity and speed, lowering energy consumption and miniaturising devices. The PSI focuses on the physical technologies associated with quantum and photonic sensors, and the engineering architectures required for successful field deployment. Central to the initiative is the establishment of the Optoelectronic Integration Facility (OIF), which enables researchers to take laboratory proof-ofprinciple nanotechnologies and integrate them into industry-ready prototypes. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

INDUSTRY NEWS

NETZSCH Enhances Product Portfolio with Rheometers, Fire Testing Systems and Hotboxes Source: NETZSCH Australia Pty Ltd

NETZSCH is pleased to announce the extension of its product portfolio with the acquisition of Kinexus rotational rheometers and Rosand capillary rheometers from Malvern Panalytical Ltd (represented by ATA Scientific Pty Ltd). Rotational rheometers help maintain parameters such as consistency and fluidity, which in turn allow predictions to be made about stability, texture, and shelf life. Capillary rheometers enable controlled extrusion (by volumetric flow) of a sample through a high precision die of known dimensions to characterize material flow properties typically under conditions of high force pressure and/or high shear rate.

“Rheology is a natural addition to our thermal analysis portfolio. We will continue to support existing Kinexus and Rosand customers and we are looking forward to welcoming new users, all of whom will receive the unrivalled support level that NETZSCH customers have come to expect over the years” said Andrew Gillen, ANZ Product Manager, NETZSCH Analyzing and Testing. In January, NETZSCH acquired TAURUS® Instruments AG, a leading manufacturer of physical measuring systems for industrial and research applications. NETZSCH TAURUS® fire testing systems meet international standards and are used for determining the reaction to fire of products including building materials, cables and electronic components. NETZSCH TAURUS® hotbox systems are useful for conducting

heat transfer measurements (U-value) on large and complex building parts (for example. windows, doors and facades). The NETZSCH Group (established in 1873 in Germany) is a mid-sized, familyowned German company engaging in the manufacture of machinery and instrumentation with worldwide production, sales, and service branches. When it comes to thermal analysis, calorimetry and the determination of thermophysical properties, NETZSCH has it covered. Our 50 years of applications experience, broad state-of-the-art product line and comprehensive service offerings ensure that our solutions will not only meet your every requirement but also exceed your every expectation. Visit our website: www.netzsch.com.au/at

NETZSCH – now the new home for Kinexus Rotational and Rosand Capillary Rheometers Measuring the rheological properties of non-Newtonian liquids and soft solids – from formulation to application n at rmatio gy o f in e r t mo rheolo Find ou zsch.com.au/ et www.n

NETZSCH Australia Pty Ltd A10/24-32 Lexington Dr Bella Vista NSW 2153 Tel.: 02 9641 2846 · at.au@netzsch.com

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APRIL 2020 | 23

INDUSTRY NEWS

First Australian Installation of a DENSsolutions Climate in situ TEM Platform Source: Dr. Cameron Chai, AXT Pty Ltd

AXT, in conjunction with DENSsolutions, have installed the first Climate in situ TEM platform in Australia. The installation took place at the Australian Centre of Microscopy and Microanalysis at the University of Sydney. The Climate is in an innovative system that enables complex studies, involving controlled gas environments and elevated temperatures, to be carried out within the vacuum confines of a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). This enables researchers to observe changes at the sub-Angstrom level, under precisely controlled conditions, that can mimic real world operating conditions. An understanding of a materials behaviour, under service conditions, can accelerate the development process and provide

24 | APRIL 2020

invaluable data on service performance. Researchers at the University of Sydney will have many applications for the system. Among the first applications will be projects including catalysts for hydrogen generation, methane breakdown in relation to global warming and environmental corrosion of metals, all of which have direct ecological and societal impacts. When asked about the Climate acquisition, Dr. Vijay Bhatia, SEM Manager, commented, “The Climate system best fits the requirements of our multi-user core facility, catering to users from many different disciplines. The flexibility of the platform, interchangeability of parts and future-proof design, in conjunction with the user-friendly and intuitive software, made it the obvious choice for us”.

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Standing next to the recently installed Climate G+ system: from left, Keita Nomoto, Dr. Hongwei Liu and Lizhuo Wang from the Australian Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis.

Richard Trett, Managing Director at AXT replied, “The ability to carry out dynamic studies within a TEM extends the capabilities of the microscope beyond what the manufacturers had originally designed them for. This allows our researchers to gather more relevant data more quickly. Providing cuttingedge solutions like the Climate fulfils our mission to ensure Australian research is amongst the best in the world.”

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Batteries made with Sulphur Could be cheaper, Greener and Hold More Energy Source: Sally Wood

Imagine having access to a battery, which has the potential to power your phone for five continuous days, or enable an electric vehicle to drive more than 1,000km without needing to refuel. Monash University researchers are on the brink of commercialising the world’s most efficient lithium-sulphur (Li-S) battery, which could outperform current market leaders by more than four times, and power Australia and other global markets well into the future. Dr Mahdokht Shaibani, from Monash University’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, led an international research team that developed an ultra-high capacity Li-S battery that has better performance and less environmental impact than current lithium-ion products. The researchers have an approved filed patent (PCT/AU 2019/051239) for their manufacturing process, and prototype cells have been successfully fabricated by German R&D partners, Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology. Some of the world’s largest manufacturers of lithium batteries in China and Europe have expressed interest in upscaling production, with further testing to take place in Australia in early 2020. The study was published in Science Advances on Saturday, 4 January 2020 – the first research on Li-S batteries to feature in this prestigious international publication. Professor Mainak Majumder said this development was a breakthrough for Australian industry and could transform the way phones, cars, computers and solar grids are manufactured in the future. “Successful fabrication and implementation of Li-S batteries in cars and grids will capture a more significant part of the estimated $213 billion value chain of Australian lithium, and will revolutionise the Australian vehicle market and provide all Australians with a cleaner and more reliable energy market,” Professor Majumder said. “Our research team has received more than $2.5 million in funding from government and international industry partners to trial this battery technology in cars and grids from this year, which we’re most excited about.” Using the same materials in standard lithium-ion batteries, researchers reconfigured the design of sulphur cathodes in order to accommodate higher stress loads without a drop in overall capacity or performance. Inspired by unique bridging architecture, first recorded in processing detergent powders in the 1970s, the team engineered a method that created bonds between particles to accommodate stress and deliver a level of stability not seen in any battery to date. Attractive performance, along with lower manufacturing costs, abundant supply of material, ease of processing and reduced environmental footprint make this new battery design attractive WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

A CT scan of one of the sulphur electrodes shows the open structure that allows particles to expand as they charge.

for future real-world applications, according to Associate Professor Matthew Hill. “This approach not only favours high performance metrics and long cycle life, but is also simple and extremely low-cost to manufacture, using water-based processes, and can lead to significant reductions in environmentally hazardous waste,” Associate Professor Hill said. The research team comprises: Dr Mahdokht Shaibani, Dr Meysam Sharifzadeh Mirshekarloo, Dr M.C. Dilusha Cooray and Professor Mainak Majumder (Monash University); Dr Ruhani Singh, Dr Christopher Easton, Dr Anthony Hollenkamp (CSIRO) and Associate Professor Matthew Hill (CSIRO and Monash University); Nicolas Eshraghi (University of Liege); Dr Thomas Abendroth, Dr Susanne Dorfler, Dr Holger Althues and Professor Stefan Kaskel (Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology). BACK TO CONTENTS

APRIL 2020 | 25

INDUSTRY NEWS

Ultrasound can Help make 3D-Printed Alloys Stronger Source: Sally Wood

Carmelo Todaro and Ma Qian inspect a 3D printed titanium alloy cube on the tip of an ultrasound rod.

Researchers have used sound vibrations to shake metal alloy grains into tighter formation during 3D printing. A new study shows high frequency sound waves can have a significant impact on the inner micro-structure of 3D printed alloys, making them more consistent and stronger than those printed conventionally. Lead author and PhD candidate from RMIT University’s School of Engineering, Carmelo Todaro, said the promising results could inspire new forms of additive manufacturing. “If you look at the microscopic structure of 3D printed alloys, they’re often made up of large and elongated crystals,” Todaro explained.

tensile strength and yield stress compared to those made through conventional additive manufacturing. The team demonstrated their ultrasound approach using two major commercial grade alloys: a titanium alloy commonly used for aircraft parts and biomechanical implants, known as Ti-6Al-4V, and a nickelbased superalloy often used in marine and petroleum industries called Inconel 625. By simply switching the ultrasonic generator on and off during printing, the team also showed how specific parts of a 3D printed object can be made with different microscopic structures and compositions, useful for what is known as functional grading.

“This can make them less acceptable for engineering applications due to their lower mechanical performance and increased tendency to crack during printing.”

Study co-author and project supervisor, RMIT’s Distinguished Professor Ma Qian, said he hoped their promising results would spark interest in specially designed ultrasound devices for metal 3D printing.

“But the microscopic structure of the alloys we applied ultrasound to, during printing, looked markedly different. The alloy crystals were very fine and fully equiaxed, meaning they had formed equally in all directions throughout the entire printed metal part.”

“Although we used a titanium alloy and a nickel-based superalloy, we expect that the method can be applicable to other commercial metals, such as stainless steels, aluminium alloys and cobalt alloys,” Qian said.

Testing showed these parts were also stronger: they had a 12% improvement in

“We anticipate this technique can be scaled up to enable 3D printing of most

26 | APRIL 2020

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3D printed titanium alloys under an electron microscope: sample on the left with large, elongated crystals was printed conventionally, while sample on the right with finer, shorter crystals was printed sitting on a ultrasonic generator.

industrially relevant metal alloys for higher‑performance structural parts or structurally graded alloys.” The article ‘Grain structure control during metal 3D printing by high-intensity ultrasound’ is published in Nature Communications (DOI: 10.1038/s41467019-13874-z). This research was conducted at RMIT University’s Advanced Manufacturing Precinct and supported by an Australian Research Council Discovery Project grant. The Advanced Manufacturing Precinct combines RMIT’s expertise in technology and design innovation. RMIT are developing the next generation of engineers, designers and technicians, and working closely with industry both in Australia and internationally. Our vision is to be the leader in the implementation of the next wave of manufacturing in Australia. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

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Latest Micromeritics AccuPyc II 1345 Pycnometer Highlights the Value of Efficient Density Measurement Source: ATA Scientific Accurately measure critical parameters that influence material properties Micromeritics gas pycnometers are used worldwide to determine material density, which can impact the overall quality of raw materials and finished products. Gas pycnometry is recognised as one of the most reliable non-destructive techniques for obtaining true, absolute, skeletal, and apparent volume and density. Volume is determined by gas displacement, typically helium or nitrogen. The density parameters generated by this technique provide further insight into the internal structure and composition of solid and powdered materials. Fast, automated and efficient, the latest AccuPyc II 1345 from Micromeritics offers a comprehensive solution for

density measurement of materials, from R&D, through to manufacturing and quality control.

equilibration, percent solids content and total pore volume reports. For more details about the latest AccuPyc II 1345 pycnometer, or for a quote, please contact us.

The AccuPyc II 1345 is a fast, fully automatic gas pycnometer that provides high-speed, high-precision volume measurements and true density calculations, on a wide variety of powders, solids, and slurries. After analyses are started with a few keystrokes, data is collected, calculations are performed and results displayed. A minimal amount of operator attention is required. The instrument can be operated with a keypad or an optional Windows interface. Both versions include direct sample mass input from balance and cycle-based displacement volume reporting. The Windows interface also includes time-based pressure

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APRIL 2020 | 27

INDUSTRY NEWS

Design of a Better Biomaterial using Artificial Intelligence Source: Dr. Cameron Chai, Dr. Joshua Chou (University of Technology, Sydney) and Dr, Hung-Wei Yen (National Taiwan University)

Artificial Intelligence or AI was a term that was thrown around in science fiction movies and novels, but is now a reality. In fact, it is becoming increasingly prevalent in such things as the Google Assistant, in Industry 4.0 and in self-driving cars. Closer to home, it is now being used to design new materials. What is Artificial Intelligence? AI is the ability of smart machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. It is made possible by machine learning and deep learning. The advent of AI is creating a paradigm shift in all areas of high industry. Neural networks are a type of machine learning that are modelled upon the human brain. They allow computers to learn by incorporating new data via deep learning. They cannot be programmed directly, rather they learn by incorporating new data.

Existing Biomaterials for Load-Bearing Applications In a recent article published in the April 2019 issue of Materials Australia (Orthopaedic Materials), the behaviour of the various classes of biomaterial was outlined and the various properties of numerous materials compared. In orthopaedics, the titanium alloy Ti6Al4V is the preferred biomaterial for load-bearing applications as it has the requisite strength to be used in loadbearing applications combined with the lowest density (closest to cortical bone) and the closest Young’s Modulus to bone. The latter property is important as it influences how new bone forms around the implant, with too high a flexural strength leading to stress shielding as loads are not transferred to surrounding bone, leading to bone resorption and ultimately implant loosening and failure. Ti6Al4V was already an existing alloy before it became an accepted biomaterial. It had been used in the aerospace industry for some time and its properties were well understood. Despite the fact it has been accepted as a biomaterial, there are documented connections between aluminium and vanadium with Alzheimers Disease and cytoxicity.

Development of Titanium Alloys for Biomedical Applications Ti6Al4V has a Young’s Modulus of 110GPa, which is significantly more than cortical bone, which has a Young’s Modulus of 35GPa.

This has spawned numerous projects that have sought to produce titanium alloys with Young’s Modulus less than 50GPa. In the last decade alone the alloys Ti-24Nb-4Zr-7.9Sn, Ti-38.9Nb-5.5Zr, and Ti-5.3Mo-10.2Nb-10Zr-6.5Sn (in wt. %) have all been created to satisfy this requirement. Unfortunately, the alloying elements niobium, molybdenum and tantalum are all very expensive, making the resulting alloys unaffordable.

Artificial Intelligence and the Design of a New Biomaterial In a recently published article, titled “Machine learning recommends affordable new Ti alloy with bone-like modulus”, published in the journal Materials Today, a group of researchers used a machine learning (ML)-assisted approach based on an artificial neural networks (ANN) to guide the design of an affordable titanium alloy with a bone-like Young’s Modulus. The approach was called ßLow as it was used to recommend unique alloy compositions with low Young’s Modulus, typical of ß or close to ß-titanium alloy compositions. ßLow used two ANNs. They both used the biocompatible alloying elements tantalum, molybdenum, tin, zirconium and niobium as inputs. The ANNs used a three stage model: 1. They predicted Young’s Modulus of the ß-phase alloy and the martensitic transformation onset temperature (Ms temperature) 2. T hey used the Ms temperature to check that the ß-phase will be stable at room temperature, following quenching from temperatures above the ß transus. This also dictates whether the predicted Young’s Modulus is relevant at room temperature. 3. They verified the predicted Young’s Modulus by checking it against other similar predicted compositions The ANNs were trained using over 100 reliable Young’s Modulus data points and 112 Ms temperature data points for ß-phase Ti alloys compiled from published literature. The predicted alloy properties were directly compared to the reported data sets. ßLow suggested recipes, and their respective properties were confirmed by preparing the compositions from commercially pure metals, which were arc melted in a vacuum melting furnace under an argon atmosphere. The melting process was repeated at least three times to ensure homogeneity. The resultant ingots were homogenised at 1200°C for 24 hours and water quenched before being hot rolled to a thickness of 2.5mm at 1000°C and subject to tensile testing (Materials Test System, MTS810) to determine Young’s Modulus. The presence of the ß-phase was confirmed using XRD (Rigaku TTRAX). The test samples that were produced to validate the predicted data could be divided into three groups: Group 1 - low-modulus β-Ti alloys in the Ti-Nb-Zr-Sn system Group 2 - Ti alloys with unstable β-phase in the Ti-Nb-Zr-Sn system (α”-phase at room temperature) Group 3 - β-Ti alloys of Ti-Nb-Zr-Sn-Ta/Mo systems Group 2, while not satisfying the ß-alloy rule, were included to demonstrate the correct outputs from the system

28 | APRIL 2020

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Group

ßLow Predicted Value

Experimentally Determined Value

Composition (wt.%)

Ms (K)

E (GPa)

Composition (wt.%)

Ms (K)

E (GPa)

Ti-24Nb-10Zr-5SN

252 (ß)

Ti-23.2Nb-9.2Zr-5.7SN

43.1

Ti-12Nb-12Zr-12Sn

254 (ß)

Ti-11.6Nb-11.4Zr-12.0 Sn

43.0

IIa

Ti-10Nb-18Zr- 10Sn

400 (α”)

Ti-9.6Nb-18.7Zr- 9.8Sn

α”

72.3

IIb

Ti-16Nb-16Zr-6Sn

375 (α”)

Ti-15.3Nb-16.1Zr-6.1Sn

α”

75.1

IIIa

Ti-6Nb-12Zr-12Sn-6Mo

107 (ß)

Ti-5.7Nb-11.6Zr-11.8Sn-5.3Mo

65.3

IIIb

Ti-15Nb-6Zr-10Sn-6Ta

281 (ß)

Ti-14.6Nb-5.7Zr-9.9Sn-5.5Ta

55.8

Table 1. Predicted and actual values of proposed new biocompatible titanium alloys designed by artifical intelligence.

Testing data indicated that ßLow is an accurate method for predicting Young’s Modulus of titanium alloys deviating from measured data by less than 5%. Similarly, XRD testing confirmed that alloys had a phase composition as predicted by ßLow. The predictions of ßLow were further tested when the Ti-12Nb12Zr-12Sn alloy was subjected to biocompatibility testing. Here its biological function and response was compared to commercially pure titanium and Ti6Al4V, which are both accepted biomaterials. This was assessed by looking at how osteoblast bone cells and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) adhere and proliferate on the surface of each alloy. After 14 days, the alloy designed by ßLow showed statistically more bone mineralisation than the already accepted biomaterials, indicating higher levels of osteobalistic differentiation. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

Summary Machine learning is a disruptive technique that can quickly help humans to design new alloys, minimising physical experimentation, which can be both time-consuming and expensive. In this instance, ßLow has been shown to be an accurate methodology for predicting a biocompatible titanium alloy composition that is both cheap to produce and has a Young’s Modulus close to that of human cortical bone. Furthermore, when tested against existing biocompatible titanium alloys, it exhibited superior biocompatibility, indicating it is a viable contender for use in biomedical applications.

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APRIL 2020 | 29

INDUSTRY NEWS

Correlative Surface Analysis - Enabling a More Detailed Understanding of Surfaces Source: By Dr. Cameron Chai and Dr. Kamran Khajehpour, AXT Pty Ltd

There are many examples of where multiple materials characterisation techniques can and should be combined to give a comprehensive analysis. Often a single technique may have a shortcoming that can be overcome by correlating data from another technique, and the resultant datasets can be married together to provide a better understanding of the structure and properties of a material. Surface analysis is no exception. Surface Analysis The study of surfaces is important to a vast number of fields, including but not restricted to adhesion, contamination, coatings wettability, corrosion, chemical and catalytic activity, electrical, biocompatibility, etc. The surface is generally referred to as the top 1nm of the sample, which equates to just a few atomic layers, but is the place where materials react with their surrounding environments and is therefore of importance to our understanding of how materials behave.

UPS generates spectra from the valence band region and as such is used for valence band acquisition and workfunction measurement.

Reflection Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (REELS) REELS is an excellent complementary technique to XPS, as it provides three main areas of interest. Firstly, it can help determine band gap (the difference in energy between the valence and conduction bands) which is particularly important for semiconductor analyses. Secondly, it gives much richer information with regards to loss features, as compared to XPS. And thirdly it can be used to confirm the presence of hydrogen in the surface region. REELS uses a beam of electrons of known energy (typically 1000eV) to elastically scatter electrons from the top few nm of the sample. By detecting the energy of the scattered electrons, and plotting these on a kinetic energy scale, any energy loss of the scattered electrons can be determined. It is this energy loss that yields a lot of information such as band gap. Unlike XPS, REELS is sensitive to hydrogen. As such, it can be used to compare differences in hydrogen content between samples.

In this article we look at a host of surface analytical techniques and how they can work together to provide a more comprehensive analysis. It should also be noted that, in all cases, the surface sensitive nature of these techniques relies on a clean surface in order to produce accurate results.

X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) XPS is the most widely used surface analytical technique. With increasing focus on characterisation of surfaces and behaviour at the surface or interface, XPS is growing in popularity. Exploiting the photoelectric effect, it relies on electrons being emitted from a material as a result of being irradiated by X-rays, and often requires an electron beam to compensate for positive charge build-up from X-ray irradiation. It generates signals from the outermost 10nm of the sample It is a very capable analytical technique on its own. Using XPS imaging, potential problem areas can be located visually so users can zero in on points of interest to analyse. It can also produce depth profiles using the MAGCIS gas cluster ion source which can be used to etch away layers, which can be subsequently analysed using XPS. Sometimes XPS can not provide all the answers, and other techniques are required to derive a more complete picture that can better help explain the behaviour of a material or component.

Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS) UPS is similar to XPS except that it uses UV photons generated by a (helium, argon or neon) gas discharge lamp to irradiate the sample. This technique is just as surface sensitive as XPS, and UPS acesses the valence levels associated with chemical bonding and electronic properties of materials, producing data that enables the determination of molecular species. 30 | APRIL 2020

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Figure 1. Band gap measurements using REELS data. Both samples are Al2O3 coatings on SiO2, 0.8nm thick with band gap of 6.9eV (left) and right 4nm thicj with band gap of 6.5eV.

Ion Scattering Spectroscopy (ISS) ISS is similar to REELS in that the sample is bombarded by an ion beam of known energy. The difference here is the ions are typically noble gases such as He+, Ne+, Ar+ etc., where the ion should be lighter than the atoms in the sample. It again relies on measuring the kinetic energy of backscattered ions. The impinging ions lose an amount of energy during collision with atoms on the surface, and the amount of energy lost is dependent on the mass of the atom involved in the collision. Any ions that penetrate are unable to be detected, meaning that ISS exclusively analyses the top layer of atoms, making it very surface sensitive. While ISS is generally regarded as non-destructive, it can also be used for depth profiling by increasing the mass of the ions and the ion current. This effectively etches the surface, similar to XPS

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depth profiling. The process is called dynamic ISS, and uses cycles of high energy to remove material and low energy ISS to analyse the surface. Figure 2. ISS spectrum of SiO2, with beam energy calibrated against a gold standard.

Raman Spectroscopy Raman involves shining a laser onto the surface of the sample. Most light will bounce back elastically, while some will scatter inelastically, undergoing a change in energy according to the Stokes shift principle, resulting in a slight change in colour and wavelength. The scattered Raman light is emitted upon transition of a molecule from a higher energy virtual state to a lower vibrational energy level. Different wavelength lasers can be used to access different vibrational modes in a variety of samples. Raman is principally used for providing molecular structure information that is complimentary to the chemical composition information provided by XPS.

Figure 3. XPS analysis of a HfO2 coating in a MOSFET device.

Case Study 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; TiO2 Polymorphs In this simple example, rutile and anatase samples, both TiO2 polymorphs, were examined by XPS and Raman. The XPS spectra are both identical, as expected as they both have the same chemical composition. However, when examined using Raman, the two different phases can be readily distinguished. Figure 4. (a) and (b) are portions of the XPS spectra, while (c) is the Raman spectra for rutile and anatase.

Multiple Surface Analysis Techniques in One Instrument Nexsa, from Thermo Scientific, can provide up to five techniques on one system, each directed to the same analysis position, enabling in-situ analysis of the same region of the same sample using any or all of the techniques including XPS, UPS, Raman, ISS (or LEIS) and REELS. The system is flexible and expandable having been optimised for multi-technique surface analysis. System control and data handling is seamlessly integrated in the Avantage data system. Avantage provides access to all of the analytical modes, including inbuilt tools for determining bandgap from REELS spectra. In days gone by, the running of XPS experiments, and analysing the resultant data, was the realm of highly trained technicians. Modern intuitive user interfaces like Avantage make surface measurements much simpler, allowing novice users to accurately analyse the data. This brings another suite of analytical techniques well within reach of more researchers.

Case Study â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gate Dielectric Material Gate dielectrics are used in components such as MOSFETS, a type of field effect transistor (FET). Silicon substrates FETs commonly use SiO2 as the gate dielectric. As the gate oxide thicknesses get smaller, the SiO2 can be subject to excessive leakage. This can be combatted using a high dielectric layer such as HfO2 that can be deposited using processes such as Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). In this study, the properties of the HfO2 coating are examined using complimentary techniques.

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APRIL 2020 | 31

UNIVERSITY SPOTLIGHT

Griffith University Source: Sally Wood

Griffith University has six campuses in South East Queensland that facilitate teaching and research across all disciplines. With an international outlook, a deep connection with the Asian region and a strong focus on links with industry, Griffith prides itself on its socially conscious and environmentally aware attitude. Providing education for over 40 years, the university was named after Sir Samuel Walker Griffith, two-time premier of Queensland, the principal author of the Australian Constitution and the first Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia. Today, Griffith ranks in the top 2% of universities globally, with a range of subjects ranked in the world’s top 200 and with world standard or above rated research in more than 50 disciplines. Griffith’s Contribution to Materials Science and the Engineering Centre for Clean Environment and Energy Griffith University’s Centre for Clean Environment and Energy is dedicated to addressing the issue of environmental sustainability. Chemical, microbiological and nano-technological approaches are central to delivering multidisciplinary research and innovation. The work of the Centre runs from creating green energy sources to understanding how pollutants affect soils and aquatic environments. The Centre has specialised laboratories for: • Materials synthesis and preparation • Energy storage research • Clean fuel production and energy conversion • Environmental sensing • 3D printing • Advanced materials characterisation Laboratories are fitted out with state-ofthe-art equipment, including: • Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope: Used to analyse micro- and nano-structures. It has resolution capabilities of 1.2 nm at 30kV and 3.0 nm at 1kV. It is equipped with a Quorum Technology cry preparation system which allows for liquid and hydrated specimens 32 | APRIL 2020

Professor Robert Sang and Professor Igor Litvinyuk in the Australian Attosecond Science Facility.

to be examined in a frozen state. X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscope (EDS) microanalysis is also possible thanks to a JEOL eV resolution silicon drift detector (SDD). • X-Ray Powder Diffractometer (XRD): The XRD can perform a range of applications, including phase identification, structure determination and refinement, microstructure analysis, residual stress, Grazing Incidence Diffraction and Small Angle X-ray Scattering. • nScrypt 3Dn 3D Printer: A key piece of technology for the Centre’s work and used for solar cell metallisation, material manipulation and electronic packaging. Centre for Quantum Dynamics The Ultrafast (Attosecond) Science research group, hosted by Griffth’s Centre for Quantum Dynamics, is dedicated to investigating highly non-linear interaction between ultra-fast and ultra-short light pulses, and matter. Using the most sophisticated laser system, the Australian Attosecond Science Facility (AASF) can investigate how electrons move inside atoms and molecules. The Facility’s four key areas of research are: • Attosecond light pulse generation • Electron dynamics with exotic atoms • Controlling electron motion in molecules • Precision measurement of Attosecond dynamics BACK TO CONTENTS

This research helps to better understand chemical bonding, which is essential in developing the next generation of materials. The AASF laser can strip electrons from atoms and then smash them together to create intense bursts of ultraviolet light. One experiment involves investigating the ionisation of atoms in excited states. Previously, atoms were only tested in ground and low energy states. By testing ‘over the barrier’ ionisation, the binding potential of the atoms is less than the distortion induced by the ionising light field. It is also possible to see how the ionisation process is influenced by electron spin and atomic target structure. The AASF is the only laboratory in the world that can test at this level. The team can test control schemes for the motion of electrons in molecules, and influence how photochemicals transform within molecules. Being able to control atomic behaviour is key to attosecond science, and the AASF is using the data they collect to assist other researchers in materials science projects. Australian Attosecond Science Wins Research Council Grant The AASF was recently awarded funding by the Australian Research Council. The grant will be used for a new ultrafast laser system. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

UNIVERSITY SPOTLIGHT

“The upgraded laser system will produce more than 10 times the pulses of light than the current system, and will lead to a greater understanding of the dynamics of atoms and molecules,” said Professor Robert Sang (Dean (Academic), Griffith Sciences). “This will enable us to undertake a whole range of new atomic physics experiments that weren’t previously feasible with the existing Australian Attosecond Science Facility. The knowledge of these processes underpins many technologies that rely on quantum physics, from simple LED lights to transistors in computers.” “Ultrafast and attosecond science is a fast-developing field actively pursued by all scientifically advanced nations,” said Professor Igor Litvinyuk (Director, Australian Attosecond Science Facility). “The detailed understanding of these processes will guide further fundamental scientific and technological research that will underpin the development of new materials, nanostructures and medicines, enabling Australia to remain internationally competitive in this growing field, rather than to rely on others for those new materials and technologies.” Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers The Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers is dedicated to the research and development of functional materials that will address global environmental and health issues. The ultimate aim is to unlock

the potential of biological systems and allow for the synthesis and assembly of biologically active materials. This will be achieved by employing techniques from biotechnology, synthetic biology and bioengineering. The research looks into how microorganisms behave to create biological nano and micro-structures. This knowledge can inform the design and development of bio-based materials. The Centre has already pioneered the development of smart materials that could be used to develop new drugs and assist in cleaning-up environments that have been polluted.

The Engineering, Technology and Aviation building at Griffith University.

Professor Bernd Rehm, and post-graduate student Kampachiro Ogura are working on creating bioengineered particles, inspired by nature. “We started from basic science by trying to understand how those materials are made naturally, and if you understand the mechanisms, you can then go back into nature and do bioengineering, and rewire the bacteria to recombine things a little bit differently, towards possible applications,” Professor Rehm said. “This development of a new materials platform technology combines naturally occurring biopolymers in a very new way, to create functionality that has not been achieved before.” “It’s the first proof of concept; it’s a platform technology that can now be easily

Understanding how natural materials are created has helped a Griffith University research team create a smart material platform to aid in the creation of new drugs, and even help in the clean-up of polluted environments.

adapted to a variety of environmental, industrial and medical applications,” Professor Rehm said. The end product, bioengineered polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), is capable of reducing pollutants, while the natural degradation process ensures it does not create further pollutant problems.

The New Engineering Lab At Nathan Campus Griffith University’s Nathan Campus in Brisbane has a new Engineering, Technology and Aviation Building. It is a 6,000m2 building, featuring six levels of multi-functional spaces and state-of-the-art technology. The high bay lab, as it is also known, includes an indoor drone fly-zone and a gantry upon which a lightweight aircraft or vehicle can be suspended, so that students can practice remote inspections and engage in unique learning experiences. The landmark building was constructed over three years. Associate Professor Cheryl Desha led the project. Desha completed an Environmental Engineering degree at Griffith and returned to oversee the project with Griffith Sciences colleague Stephen Boyd. “This is an energy efficient, low carbon building that includes specialised laboratories, workshops, informal learning spaces, engagement spaces, a simulation studio and a rooftop garden that students can access,” said Associate Professor Desha, now the Engagement Director (Industry) for the School of Engineering and Built Environment. “The whole building is also considered a ‘Living Laboratory’ where more than 30 sensors relay information about its’ energy use, water requirements and structural performance, in real-time to students, ready for use within their studies.” “While civil engineering has been offered at Griffith for 25 years, most learning was facilitated at our Gold Coast campus, so bringing civil into the fold at Nathan with electrical, electronic, software and environmental engineering is an exciting step forward,” said Vice Chancellor Professor Carolyn Evans. “This building provides a genuine environment for authentic, experiential learning, with job-ready training opportunities and ongoing industry engagement and collaboration.”

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APRIL 2020 | 33

INDUSTRY NEWS

BREAKING NEWS More than $1.3 Million Awarded to Support Research Linking Monash and Industry

Controlling the Charge State of Organic Molecule Quantum Dots in a 2D Nanoarray

Federal Minister for Education, the Hon Dan Tehan MP, recently announced that three Monash University research projects will receive more than $1.3 million in Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage grants, to be matched by industry partners.

A Monash University study has fabricated a self-assembled, carbonbased nanofilm in which the charge state (electronically neutral or positive) can be controlled at the level of individual molecules, on a length scale of around one nanometre.

The Linkage program promotes research partnerships between researchers and business, industry, community organisations and other publicly funded research agencies. By supporting the development of partnerships, the ARC encourages the transfer of skills, knowledge and ideas as a basis for securing commercial and other benefits of research. One of the funded projects includes investigating new materials for zero carbon energy storage. Professor Douglas MacFarlane will lead this project, which will develop new materials to advance the technology of thermal energy storage. New and inexpensive ways of storing renewable energy are urgently required. The project will focus on new materials that store thermal energy in the temperature range between 100 to 220C that is optimal for distributed storage of solar and wind energy. The other projects include: clarifying the legal basis for protecting geographical indications for wines; and investigating nutrient runoff to support clean water and land management. Monash University Provost and Senior Vice-President, Professor Marc Parlange, said the results were evidence of the strength of the University’s record for enterprise and innovation.

The atomically-thin nanofilm consists of an ordered two-dimensional (2D) array of molecules which behave as ‘zero dimensional’ entities called quantum dots (QDs). This system has exciting implications for fields such as computer memory, light-emitting devices and quantum computing. The School of Physics and Astronomy study shows that a singlecomponent, self-assembled 2D array of the organic (carbon-based) molecule dicyanoanthracene can be synthesised on a metal, such that the charge state of each molecule can be controlled individually via an applied electric field. “This discovery would enable the fabrication of 2D arrays of individually addressable (switchable) quantum dots from the bottom-up, via self-assembly,” said lead author Dhaneesh Kumar, a PhD student in the FLEET Centre of Excellence. “We would be able to achieve densities tens of times larger than state-of-the-art, topdown synthesised inorganic systems.” Quantum dots are extremely small – about one nanometre across, which is equivalent to a millionth of a millimetre. Because their size is similar to the wavelength of electrons, their electronic properties are radically different to conventional materials. Ordered arrays of charge-controllable quantum dots can find applications in computing memory, as well as light-emitting devices (such as low-energy TV or smartphone screens).

“With its unrivalled record of collaboration with industry partners to pioneer discoveries and advance new technology, Monash is consistently recognised as Australia’s most innovative university,” he said. “The latest ARC Linkage outcomes demonstrate Monash researchers are building on that record even further. My warmest congratulations to everyone who has been successful this funding round.”

New Centre to Address AI and Digital Ethics

Scanning tunnelling microscope images of DCA on Ag(111).

A new centre for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital ethics has been launched by the University of Melbourne, to address ethical, policy and legal challenges posed by new technologies. Combining expertise from Melbourne Law School, Melbourne School of Engineering, the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science, the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Ethics (CAIDE) will bring insights to AI and digital ethics with a uniquely Australian focus. The Centre seeks to facilitate cross-disciplinary research and teaching to promote the fair, safe and accountable use and regulation of AI and digital technologies, drawing on a range of different perspectives including from the humanities, social sciences, science, law and engineering. 34 | APRIL 2020

Scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) images of a self-assembled 2D nanoarray of carbon-based quantum dots (QDs). An applied electric field individually controls the molecular QDs charge state

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INDUSTRY NEWS

BREAKING NEWS University of Queensland Charging Up for a Sustainable Future

University of South Australia Researchers Support NASA to Keep Astronauts Safe Associate Professor Craig Priest (South Australian Node Director of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) and Foundation Fellow at the University of South Australia’s Future Industries Institute) is set to play an important role in keeping astronauts safe, as part of a new partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Associate Professor Priest is leading research into the development of microfluidic sensor platforms (laboratories miniaturised on to a microchip) designed to monitor human health factors. These platforms will be an initial focus of the international partnership between NASA and the ANFF. Associate Professor Priest says the partnership will harness some of the exciting research in nanotechnology and microfluidics, being undertaken at UniSA’s Mawson Lakes campus in a world class research environment, supported by the ANFF.

(L to R): University of Queensland Professor Aidan Byrne and University of Queensland Chief Operating Officer Greg Pringle.

The switch has been flicked on one of Queensland’s largest behind-the-meter battery storage systems, capable of powering 175 average homes for 24 hours. The Tesla Powerpack battery system delivers two megawatt-hours of energy storage and will help the University of Queensland meet its renewable energy goals. University of Queensland Chief Operating Officer, Greg Pringle, said the large-scale battery and inverter system could store enough energy to power up to 10% of the St Lucia campus for two hours. “To put it into perspective, the university uses a large amount of electricity to power lecture theatres, laboratories, libraries and other facilities for more than 50,000 students and staff,” Pringle said. “We are on track to become the first university in the world to offset 100% of our electricity use using our own renewable energy generation. This battery storage system will help us to support that ambitious goal - it will complement the Warwick Solar Farm which is nearing completion, and recently won a coveted Australasian Green Gown Award.”

“When you are working and travelling in space there is no doctor on board or regular health testing facilities, and we know astronauts are operating in a challenging environment,” said Associate Professor Priest. “We are aiming to work with NASA to develop non-invasive health self-assessment, and possibly wearable tools that will be able to analyse things like sweat and saliva and track health effects in real time. The research supports ambitions for further and longer journeys into space and will help astronauts to monitor and mitigate the physiological effects of longer exposure to space environments.” Director of the University of South Australia’s Future Industries Institute, Professor Emily Hilder, said the partnership with NASA is a strong indicator of the quality and relevance of the research being undertaken here in South Australia. “This is a hugely exciting project and testament to the world class talent we have at UniSA. It also shows that UniSA researchers are playing an important role in some of the many applications supporting the international space industry.”

The $2 million investment, funded through the earnings generated from University of Queensland’s rooftop solar arrays, has the energy storage equivalent of around 500,000 standard AA batteries. University of Queensland’s Energy and Sustainability Manager, Andrew Wilson, said the battery storage system was a key component of the University’s plan to become an active participant in the energy market from the start of 2020. “We can now trade in the wholesale energy market – the goal is to charge when prices are low and renewable energy is abundant, and then discharge when demand and prices are high,” Wilson said. “To facilitate this we are using a custom control system which was developed by one of our engineering graduates, to monitor wholesale energy prices around the clock and automatically control our trading of energy.” WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

University of South Australia researchers support NASA to keep astronauts safe.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

BREAKING NEWS University of Sydney Prepares for the Hydrogen Economy University of Sydney researchers have found evidence of how hydrogen causes embrittlement of steels. When hydrogen moves into steel, it makes the metal become brittle, leading to catastrophic failures. This has been one of the major challenges in moving towards a greener, hydrogen-fuelled future, where steel tanks and pipelines are essential components that must be able to survive in pure hydrogen environments.

Successful trials of titanium-copper alloys for 3D printing could kickstart a new range of high-performance alloys for medical device and aerospace applications.

Adding Copper Strengthens 3D Printed Titanium A recent study has found that current titanium alloys, used in additive manufacturing, often cool and bond together in column-shaped crystals during the 3D printing process, making them prone to cracking or distortion. And unlike aluminium or other commonly used metals, there is no commercial grain refiner for titanium that manufacturers can use to effectively refine the microstructure to avoid these issues.

The researchers also found the first direct evidence that clusters of niobium carbide, within the steel, trap hydrogen in such a way that it cannot readily move to the dislocations and crystal boundaries to cause embrittlement. This effect has the potential to be used to design steels that can resist embrittlement. Lead researcher Dr Yi-Sheng Chen, from the Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis and Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney, said these findings were an important step to finding a safe solution to produce, store and transport hydrogen. “These findings are vital for designing embrittlement-resistant steel; the carbides offer a solution to ensuring high-strength steels are not prone to early fracture and reduced toughness in the presence of hydrogen,” Dr Chen said. Senior author Professor Julie Cairney, from the Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis and Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney, said these findings were a positive step towards implementing clean fuels.

But now, a new titanium alloy with copper appears to have solved this problem. Professor Mark Easton from RMIT University’s School of Engineering said their titanium–copper alloy printed with “exceptional properties” without any special process control or additional treatment. “Of particular note was its fully equiaxed grain structure: this means the crystal grains had grown equally in all directions to form a strong bond, instead of in columns, which can lead to weak points liable to cracking. Alloys with this microstructure can withstand much higher forces and will be much less likely to have defects, such as cracking or distortion, during manufacture,” Easton said. The collaborative project involved leading researchers in the area of alloy composition and grain microstructure from RMIT University, CSIRO, the University of Queensland and the Ohio State University.

“Hydrogen is a low carbon fuel source that could potentially replace fossil fuels. But there are challenges with the use of steel, the world’s most important engineering material, to safely store and transport it. This research gives us key insights into how we might be able to improve this situation,” Professor Cairney said.

Top: Dr Yi-Sheng Chen with the Atom Probe Tomography, key equipment that will enable his research.

CSIRO Senior Principal Research Scientist, Dr Mark Gibson, said their findings also suggest similar metal systems could be treated in the same way to improve their properties. “Titanium-copper alloys are one option, particularly if the use of other additional alloying elements or heat treatments can be employed to improve the properties further,” said Gibson. “But there are also a number of other alloying elements that are likely to have similar effects. These could all have applications in the aerospace and biomedical industries.” 36 | APRIL 2020

The researchers found hydrogen accumulates at microstructures, called dislocations, and at the boundaries between the individual crystals that make up the steel. This accumulation weakens the steel along these features, leading to embrittlement.

Bottom left: Illustration highlighting the association of hydrogen (red) with the dislocations in the crystal structure of steel. Bottom right: Illustration highlighting the concentration of hydrogen atoms (red balls) at the crystal boundaries and dislocations in steel.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

BREAKING NEWS Scientists Discover Ripple in Development of Complex Oxides Research from a team led by scientists at the United States Department of Energy (DOE)’s Argonne National Laboratory, offers a new, nanoscopic view of complex oxides, which are promising materials for advanced microelectronics. The new research reveals insights about freestanding complex oxides that could eventually create an entirely new research field: complex oxide microelectronics. Using scanning probe microscopy, the team studied lead zirconium titanate (PZT), a type of single-crystal complex oxide ferroelectric thin film. Such single-crystal films possess ideal properties for microelectronics – they are highly polarized, endurable and fast-switchable, making them suitable for future ferroelectric random-access memory chips, for example.

(L to R): Governor of New South Wales, the Honourable Margaret Beazley AO QC is greeted by Professor Hala Zreiqat AM.

$10.5 Million Facility to Boost Bioengineering Research The University of Sydney has provided $10.5 million to create a bioengineering facility “that brings together excellence in research and teaching in service of better health outcomes for us all.” The Governor of New South Wales, the Honourable Margaret Beazley AO QC, recently joined University of Sydney ViceChancellor and Principal, Dr Michael Spence AC, and Professor Hala Zreiqat AM to launch the new, state-of-the-art $10.5 million Australian Research Council Centre for Innovative BioEngineering facility at the University of Sydney. Speaking at the launch, Dr Spence said, “This laboratory sums up much of what we want to do at the University and what we think is the future of New South Wales and Australia. The new facility is a place that brings together excellence in research and teaching in service of better health outcomes for us all.”

Growing these thin films requires temperatures of about 700°C, which can deteriorate the interfacial layer’s properties if the PZT is grown directly on silicon. So the researchers grew the PZT on a more amenable substrate – a base of strontium titanate (STO) with a ‘sacrificial layer’ of lanthanum strontium manganite (LSMO) sandwiched in between. To transfer the PZT thin film to another substrate, the researchers broke the bonds that united it with the LSMO. After transforming the PZT into a freestanding film, the research team flipped the film over and gently redeposited it onto an identical STO-LSMO substrate. This gave a first-ever view of PZT’s detached underside. The team used electrostatic force microscopy with 20nm radius probes to measure the material’s local ferroelectric properties. Their analysis showed that the local static properties of the bottom surface of freestanding PZT were quite similar to those of the top surface. This finding is very encouraging for future complex oxide microelectronics, because it confirms that the interfacial surface of the transferred PZT film is a high-quality ferroelectric layer. That means the transfer technique should be able to combine the best materials from different worlds, such as PZT (ferroelectric) and silicon (semiconductors). So far, no direct growth technique has achieved this without damaging the interfacial surface.

Leading the centre is biomedical engineering academic and 2018 NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year, Jordanian-born, Professor Zreiqat. She has pioneered advances in tissue bioengineering and the creation of 3D-printed materials such as tendons, ligaments and bone. “The centre aims to provide researchers with the interdisciplinary skills and mentorship to be leaders in the rapidly evolving, highly innovative field of bioengineering,” Professor Zreiqat said. “Our brand-new $10.5 million laboratories will allow our researchers to make fundamental discoveries that will shape the future of healthcare,” she said. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

Scanning tunneling microscopy topography of a rippled MoS2 single layer as a result of strain relaxation (bottom). The corresponding dI/dV map at the valence band edge (middle), and the strain map (top) are overlaid. (Image by Argonne National Laboratory.)

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INDUSTRY NEWS

BREAKING NEWS Five Key Opportunities Identified for Hydrogen Industry Growth A report from the national science agency, CSIRO, has mapped the critical research steps Australia must take to realise a potential 7,600 jobs and $11 billion a year, by 2050 from the burgeoning hydrogen industry. The report found investing in research could solve industry challenges to create five key national opportunities: hydrogen exports; integration of hydrogen into gas networks; transport; electricity systems; and industrial processes. Steps to translate Australia’s strong hydrogen research capability into a key pillar of the nation’s energy and export profile are laid out in Hydrogen Research Development and Demonstration (RD&D): Priorities and Opportunities for Australia. Australia’s current hydrogen research footprint includes 23 institutions actively exploring hydrogen in various technology and research areas, as well as another 23 hydrogen-specific demonstration projects and research facilities around Australia. CSIRO Research Director, Dr Patrick Hartley, said CSIRO was on a mission to bring together industry, government and other research organisations to fast-track emerging hydrogen technologies. “This isn’t limited to the domestic industry development – we’ll link Australian expertise with international projects,” Dr Hartley said. “The overall focus will be on enabling Australia’s domestic and export hydrogen industries. “Importantly, solving the challenges identified can have a multiplier effect that boosts demand for hydrogen – particularly in large scale industrial settings – and encourages further hydrogen supply cost reductions through improvements in efficiency and economies of scale.” In developing the report, researchers undertook extensive consultation including interviews with representatives from 35 industry and government organisations, over 80 interviews with researchers from 23 institutions, and an extensive literature review.

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BREAKING NEWS Olympus Introduces new Ultrasonic Capability Source: Olympus Australia

Olympus has introduced the Omniscan X3 phased array flaw detector into the non-destructive testing market. A new key feature is the Total Focus Method (TFM) which brings new imaging, similar to techniques used in medical ultrasound. For materials experts this gives a new way of finding and studying material flaws, such as hydrogen attack, cracks, corrosion, bonding and more. The new feature uses a phased array ultrasonic probe where each element is fired and every other element receives, so there is a time-based waveform for every point. The TFM is a method of analysing this data and creating an image. Because the beams travel at many angles, the image shows a better definition of the shape of the reflector and is easier to understand. Olympus is a world-leading manufacturer and distributor of high quality analytical, optical and precision engineering products, for geochemical, scientific and industrial applications. The Olympus industrial leadingedge testing technologies include X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, remote visual inspection, ultrasonic testing and microscopy.

New Study Brings Astronomical Approach Down to the Nanoscale Researchers at Columbia University and the University of California, San Diego, have introduced a novel ‘multi-messenger’ approach to quantum physics that represents a technological leap in how scientists can explore quantum materials. “We have brought a technique from the inter-galactic scale down to the realm of the ultra-small,” said Dmitri Basov, Professor of Physics and Director of the Energy Frontier Research Center at Columbia University. “Equipped with multi-modal nanoscience tools, we can now routinely go places no one thought would be possible as recently as five years ago.” The work was inspired by ‘multi-messenger’ astrophysics, which emerged during the last decade, as a revolutionary technique for studying distant phenomena, like black hole mergers. Simultaneous measurements from instruments such as infrared, optical, X-ray and gravitational-wave telescopes, can, taken together, deliver a physical picture greater than the sum of their individual parts. The search is on for new materials that can supplement WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

conventional electronic semiconductors. One example is materials with properties that can be controlled by light, which can offer improved functionality, speed, flexibility and energy efficiency for next-generation computing platforms. Experimental papers on quantum materials have typically reported results obtained using only one type of spectroscopy. The researchers have now shown the power of using a combination of measurement techniques to simultaneously examine a material’s electrical and optical properties. The researchers performed their experiments by focusing laser light onto the sharp tip of a needle probe coated with magnetic material. When thin films of metal oxide are subject to a unique strain, ultra-fast light pulses can trigger the material to switch into an unexplored phase of nanometer-scale domains, and this change is reversible. By scanning the probe over the surface of their thin film sample, the researchers were able to trigger the change locally. They also simultaneously manipulated and recorded the electrical, magnetic and optical properties of these light-triggered domains with nanometer-scale precision. BACK TO CONTENTS

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FEATURE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Non-Destructive Testing

Non-Destructive Testing NDT has been a catalyst in the progress of industry. It can be applied at all stages of material, equipment and plant lifecycle, from construction, through to operation and maintenance.

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FEATURE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Non-Destructive Testing

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is the practice of examining, testing and analysing materials, equipment or plants using methods which do not disrupt or alter the function of the object undergoing testing. As such, NDT enables the testing of the usefulness, compliance, safety and efficiency of an object while still allowing it to operate. NDT is applicable to all stages of material, equipment, and plant lifecycle, including its construction, operation and maintenance. Because of this, NDT has been a catalyst of progress to countless sectors and industries

Laser profilometry, on the other hand, uses a highspeed rotating laser light source and miniature optics to detect erosion, corrosion, pitting and cracks, by producing a 3D image which is able to identify changes. Finally, laser shearography uses laser light to create images of before and after a surface is exposed to stress. These images are then compared to detect any defects or damage. Other methods of NDT include: - Acoustic emission testing - Electromagnetic testing

Capabilities of NDT The capabilities of NDT are primarily its ability to detect differences and discontinuities in the characteristics of materials, equipment, components and plants. While destructive testing is able to test ductility, yield, fatigue strength and ultimate fatigue strength, it is not able to identify discontinuities and differences. Furthermore, NDT is able to test the joining and bonding of material during the construction and start-up phases, which destructive testing is simply unable to do.

Benefits of NDT There are numerous benefits of NDT, but the most obvious is its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Not only is this because the equipment, material or plant does not have to be destroyed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and therefore does not have to be replaced â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but also because NDT can often detect and identify inefficiencies in industrial equipment and problems before they worsen. Furthermore, NDT allows comprehensive testing, in that it is able to test the entire scope of the materials, equipment or plant rather than just a batch or sample. Further benefits of NDT include: - Increased reliability of performance

- Guided wave testing - Leak testing - Magnetic flux leakage - Magnetic particle testing - Radiographic testing - Ultrasonic testing - Vibration analysis - Visual testing

Examples of NDT NDT is used in countless sectors and industries. One example of its real-life application is in a manufacturing plant that has storage tanks or pressure vessels. It is likely that this kind of plant, would regularly undergo NDT in order to ensure there are no leaks, corrosion or any possibility of explosion. In this scenario, NDT can be performed by quickly altering the pressure inside the vessel or applying heat, as probes would be able to detect sounds which indicate erosion or any leaks. The computer attached to the probes would pinpoint the location of any leaks or corrosion, and a technician would then be able to evaluate whether it is a minor or major problem.

A Brief History of NDT

- Compliance with technical requirements and protocols - Complete control throughout the manufacturing process - Increased time efficiency through the ability to set up preventative maintenance schedules - Maintenance of consistent levels of quality are maintained - Ensured safety is ensured through wide-scale testing ability

Methods of NDT An example of an NDT method is laser testing, which falls into three categories: holographic testing, laser

profilometry, and laser shearography. The first method, holographic testing, uses a laser to detect changes in the surface of a material which has been exposed to heat, pressure or vibration. These results are compared to an undamaged surface in order to detect defects.

The precise beginnings of NDT are unknown; however, it has certainly been around, in some form, for thousands of years. Records detailing early uses of NDT date as far back as the ancient Romans, who used flour and oil to detect cracks in marble slabs. Furthermore, early blacksmiths and bell-makers also used a primitive form of NDT when listening to the ringing sound metals would make when being hammered into shape. A more modern form of NDT was recorded in 1868 when S.H. Saxby, an Englishman, used the magnetic characteristics of a compass to locate cracks in gun barrels. It was not until the development of X-rays, however,

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APRIL 2020 | 41

FEATURE – Non-Destructive Testing

that the application of NDT in the industrial sector became widespread. X-rays were first invented by a German physicist in 1895 – an invention which won him the first ever Nobel Prize. While X-rays were widely used in medicine from their inception, it was not until the 1930s that they were applied industrially. This was thanks to Richard Seifert, who developed higher energy medical equipment, expanding its use with the cooperation of welding institutes. Magnetic particle crack detection was introduced into the industrial sector by Alfred Victor de Forest and Foster Baird Doane in 1929. In 1934 they began Magnaflux, a company that manufactured NDT products, and which still exists today. World War II was a major catalyst in the recognition of NDT as a significant emerging technology. In 1941, the American Radium and X-Ray Society was formed – known today as ASNT – which helped to increase the visibility of NDT in the industrial sector. From the 1950s onwards, there has been

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an explosion of developments in the NDT industry, and the benefits of NDT are now widely recognised. As its applications and methods continue to develop, it will undoubtedly continue to benefit a wide range of industries.

The Outlook for the NDT Industry According to Mordor Intelligence, the NDT market was valued at AU$24.6 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach a value of AU$36.3 billion by 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.7% during the forecast period 2020-2025. For instance, according to the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing, every day more than 25,000 inspections are carried out in factories and on-site, in the UK, to detect defects and damage in a huge range of products, plant, and structures; it is estimated that there are more than 120,000 inspectors operating worldwide. With the increase in automation in the industrial manufacturing and

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infrastructure sectors, there has been a substantial hike in the demand for flaw detection related to cracks, porosity, manufacturing disorders, and so on. Therefore, adherence to industrial safety norms is a significant factor behind the growth of the NDT market. Moreover, several governmental agencies and regional bodies, such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), have been instituted across the world to take stringent measures for assuring the safety of instruments and overseeing of engineering services testing. This is important for gaining clearances and certificates from concerned authorities. This creates a positive impact on the NDT market globally. In addition, the market is witnessing a growing demand for NDT inspection services from the power generation industry, high growth in emerging countries, and technological improvement is creating new application areas for NDT equipment.

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FEATURE – Non-Destructive Testing

Major Players in the NDT Industry

Advanced Technology Testing and Research (ATTAR) ATTAR was founded in 1986 in order to conduct materials testing and research, using the most advanced techniques available, and to provide NDT training to industry throughout Australia. Since its inception, ATTAR’s expertise has grown to encompass an expansive array of nondestructive testing, failure analysis and forensic engineering, risk assessment services, specialist testing of structures and vessels, and the provision of expert witness services. ATTAR is committed to providing the highest standard of excellence in NDT training. As such, it is an Authorised Qualifying Body (AQB) for AINDT and BINDT and an industry leader, providing expert NDT training, such as the provision of private and customised courses, as well as consulting, auditing and specialised Level 3 services. Level 3 services can help to ensure compliance with national and international Standards, and guarantees techniques, methods and procedures are current, reliable, efficient and best practice. The NDT courses offered by ATTAR include: Eddy current; In-service inspection of air receivers; In-service inspection of pressure vessels; Introduction to NDT techniques; Liquid penetration; Magnetic flux leakage; Materials technology; Phased array ultrasonics; Post weld heat treatment; Radiography; Radiation safety; and Visual and optical inspection.

Accredited in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 by NATA, Australia, LMATS is comprised of an exceptionally experienced team of metallurgists, engineers, inspectors and NDT personnel. The combination of these professionals’ skills and knowledge allows their clients to benefit from a cost-effective inspection regime that complies with regulatory requirements. LMATS uses complementing NDT technology and methods to overcome the limitations of using a single NDT technology. This contributes to the increased life of existing assets and helps to avoid the use of new replacement parts.

- Allowing permanent traceable records for future monitoring - Ease of data review of complex inspections

The NDT techniques and services offered by Stork include:

- Analysis of complex evaluation and monitoring

- Visual inspection and metrology

LMATS is able to service a wide variety of industries, including, but not limited to: petrochemical, gas, oil, energy generation, transport, aerospace, marine, manufacturing and print.

- Dye penetration inspection

- Accurate defect sizing in three dimensions - Inspection of components with complex geometry

LMATS processes and techniques include: - Visual inspection and boroscopy - Radiographic testing - Ultrasonic testing - Eddy current testing - Magnetic particle testing - Dye penetrant testing - Leak testing - Heat exchanger tube leakage testing

LMATS offer advanced NDT methods and provide customers with an extensive range of methods for an array of applications including weld inspections, the detection of hidden cracks, voids and porosity, as well as internal irregularities in metals, composites, plastics and ceramics. These techniques are fast, accurate and traceable. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

Among the vast capabilities of Stork, they are able to offer reliable NDT services. With an extensive and global track record, across multiple onshore and offshore sectors, their industry experts use their experience and knowledge to ensure that clients’ assets are in compliance with all applicable standards and regulations. Using state-of-the-art equipment and proven techniques, Stork’s highly competent and qualified pool of technicians provide a high level of asset integrity assurance, efficiently and accurately. As well as carrying out inspection work, they are also able to provide technical and advisory support to maximise the integrity and maintenance programs of a client’s assets.

The unique benefits of the techniques offered by LMATS include:

- Ferrite measurement

Laboratories for Materials Advanced Testing Services (LMATS)

Stork

- Magnetic particle inspection - Ultrasonic testing - Eddy current inspection - Radiography (digital, computed and conventional) - Positive material identification testing and holiday testing Additionally, Stork offer advanced techniques using leading technology to enhance their already-extensive conventional NDT services. These advanced inspection capabilities are able to deliver next-level technical solutions for accurate and repeatable detection of manufacturing and in-service defects.

- Vacuum box testing

These advanced inspection techniques include:

- Hardness testing

- Automated ultrasonic testing

- Material identification

- Multi-SKIP

- Contamination testing - Concrete slab inspection

- Phased array inspection (weldments and corrosion mapping)

- Anchors load testing

- Time of flight diffraction

- Phased array ultrasonic testing

- Internal rotary inspection system

- Time of flight diffraction

- Remote field eddy current

- Internal rotary inspection system

- Pulsed eddy current testing

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FEATURE – Non-Destructive Additive Manufacturing Testing

Australian Institute for NonDestructive Testing (AINDT) First founded in 1963, AINDT is a leading Australian technological society with over 1,000 members. It has achieved international recognition, and has obtained third-party JAS-ANZ accreditation, for its certification scheme that meets the requirements of ISO 17024 Conformity assessment — General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons. As such, AINDT is the national certification body for NDT personnel, providing certification in accordance with AS 3998 and ISO 9712 Non-destructive testing Qualification and certification of personnel, as well as ISO 18436 Condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines — Requirements for qualification and assessment of personnel. Moreover, AINDT has played a significant role in the harmonisation of NDT personnel certification schemes, in the southeast Asian region, through the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Regional Cooperation Agreement (RCA).

Sonomatic

Australian Lab Services (ALS)

Sonomatic’s expertise lies in ultrasonic inspection, design development and application, and is applied to a vast array of industries including defence, power generation, and oil and gas. Sonomatic has become a leader in this specialised field, thanks to its capabilities of developing software, equipment, scanners and bespoke developments, combined with its engineers’ expertise.

ALS began as a small geochemistry lab in 1976, in Brisbane, but has since expanded to offer a wide array of services, including NDT. ALS’s broad capabilities regarding NDT techniques, which are newly researched, acquired and implemented on a regular basis, ensures the efficacy of their service. Furthermore, their quality is maintained through independently certified compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 17025 and NATA.

Sonomatic is a world leader in certain NDT techniques, such as time of flight diffraction (TOFD), and continues to design and develop innovative inspection techniques which can then be put into practice by a team of experienced field engineers. As a member of the Industrial Rope Access Training Association (IRATA), Sonomatic is able to offer both conventional and advanced NDT techniques, utilising the company’s professional and experienced inspection personnel.

Through the combination of ALS’s NDT expertise and modern access solutions, such as rope access and remote pilot aircraft, they are able to guarantee efficient and effective inspections. The advanced NDT techniques offered by ALS include: - Digital radiography - Phased array - Time and flight diffraction - Electromagnetic acoustic transducers - Long range ultrasonic testing - Short range guided wave - Internal rotating inspection systems

Furthermore, AINDT plays a major role in the development and updating of NDT Standards through its representation on relevant Australian Standards industry panels.

- RFT bracelet corrosion detection - Pulsed eddy current - Saturated low frequency eddy current

NDT Equipment Suppliers

AXT AXT is a leading Australian supplier of high technology scientific equipment for sample preparation and analysis. Used for both academic and industrial applications, AXT supplies internationally renowned brands and is able to offer complete and comprehensive solution packages from their product portfolios.

Russell Fraser Sales Russel Fraser Sales (RFS) has been serving Australia’s NDT industry since 1993. They have established their position as a trusted supplier by staying up to date with the changing needs within the industry, as well as offering their customers the opportunity to see and try new NDT technologies before committing to a sale.

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FEATURE – Non-Destructive Additive Manufacturing Testing

Positive Metals Identification PMI – XRF vs LIBS Source: Dr. Cameron Chai, and Peter Airey, AXT Pty Ltd

Handheld XRFs have been a mainstay in the PMI sector for a long time. In recent years, increases in performance have extended the reach of these instruments, while handheld LIBS analysers have also raised their heads and demonstrated that they have a place in the industry. Handheld instruments have become very popular due to their small form factor, portability and ability to rapidly identify materials non-destructively, without dragging them back to the lab.

Handheld XRF The first commercially available handheld XRF’s became available in 1994, freeing technicians and geologists from the confines of their labs, which housed larger benchtop and floor standing systems. Since then, the systems have become smaller, lighter, faster, with longer battery life and new capabilities adding to their usability. There are now a vast number of manufacturers of these instruments. The newest system on the market is the SciAps X-550, which continues to raise the bar in terms of performance and features, as well as having a slim form factor so it can access tighter spaces.

PMI is a critical aspect of asset management in an array of industries, such as oil and gas refining, chemical processing, power generation, aerospace and marine. PMI is also used in manufacturing, to ensure the right alloy stock is being used for the application in question.

metals or refractory metals e.g. stainless steel, titanium, nickel, cobalt based alloys, as well as special alloys based on zirconium, tungsten or tantalum. More recent systems, such as the X-550, are now able to quickly and accurately analyse aluminium and magnesium alloys, where older systems struggled to analyse such alloys in reasonable timeframes. Light elements have been traditionally difficult to measure using XRF, and more so, portable XRF. This is because the fluorescent X-rays, generated by said light elements, have such low energy that they struggle to travel through the air and reach the detector. The development of the silicon drift detector (SDD) has alleviated this limitation. However, elements lighter than magnesium are still beyond the capabilities of handheld XRFs.

Handheld LIBS While the LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) phenomena was discovered in the 1960’s shortly after lasers were invented, the first (bulky) commercial system came into being in the 1990’s. Handheld devices however, have only entered the market in recent years.

The question is often asked, which technique is better? In this article we will look at both technologies and instruments to see how they best fit your application.

Handheld XRFs work in a similar way to their larger brethren, exposing samples to a high energy X-ray beam which ionises the sample by dislodging electrons from low energy orbitals, (typically K and L orbitals). These vacancies are filled by electrons from higher energy outer orbitals. This movement results in the release of X-rays of a given wavelength, which are characteristic of the element and atom affected. Thus, analysis of the resultant spectrum, by an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, enables the identification of the elements present. The intensity of the resultant peaks is proportional to their abundance, making quantitative analyses possible and hence identification of the alloy in question.

The physics of LIBS analysis is similar to more traditional spark OES. In both cases a tiny amount of material is vapourised

These instruments can effectively measure all elements from magnesium to uranium. They have deservedly grown a reputation for being able to accurately analyse most metals and alloys, especially those containing high levels of alloying transition

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FEATURE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Non-Destructive Testing

for weld repairs. Closer to home, First Gas (NZ) has also developed their own workflow using handheld LIBS for the same purpose, prior to affecting weld repairs and hot taps to their gas pipeline, negating the time-consuming need to send samples back to the lab.

Concluding Remarks

from the surface using a high energy source (electrical spark or pulsed laser). In the case of LIBS, a tiny plasma plume is generated. As the resultant ions decay back to their ground state, they emit light of a characteristic wavelength. This light interacts with a diffraction grating that splits it into its component wavelengths, which are then analysed by a spectrometer. Given that each element has its own characteristic wavelength, the composition of the sample can be quantified. The use of a laser was key to the miniaturisation of the technology due to its energy efficient nature, which can be powered by a battery. Generating an electrical spark on the other hand requires a lot of energy. The laser spot size is also much smaller than the spark site, requiring far less (approx. 1000x less) argon. So, where a spark OES might require an argon gas bottle, handheld LIBS can be served by a tiny cannister, akin to those used in soda siphons. Another contributing factor was the miniaturisation of the detector. Despite their diminutive size, side-by-side tests have shown that both techniques produce the same results. The argon gas used in systems like the SciAps Z200 C+ purges the measurement region ensuring any extraneous atmospheric species are excluded from the analysis. These systems also typically analyse multiple spots in a single measurement to guarantee accuracy. This type of instrument has really come to the fore in the last few years as it has the ability to accurately measure carbon content, something which XRF is not able to do. The most sensitive instruments are WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

able to distinguish L, H and standard grades of stainless steels (e.g. 316L with less than 0.03% carbon, 316 and 316H) and other carbon steels. Furthermore, inbuilt algorithms allow technicians to determine carbon equivalents (CE) which is important for in-field asset management where weld repairs are required e.g. pipeline maintenance. Handheld LIBS instruments also excel at measuring alloying elements present in low concentrations. This includes elements such as nickel, chromium and copper which are used in small quantities in carbon steels for petrochemical and nuclear power plants. LIBS has the advantage over XRF in that it is able to measure light elements as well as carbon, so the analysis of alloys containing lithium, beryllium and boron is now possible.

In both cases, the instruments have in-built libraries and databases allowing instantaneous metal and alloy identifications to be made. Some instruments also feature cameras so specific regions can be targeted for analysis and the recording of images, and also include GPS so that measurements can be matched back to specific locations. For convenience, some also include WiFi and Bluetooth communication so measurements can be transferred, in real-time, back to another PC or central lab. Other features that may be of use are customised automated reports, automated backup of data to the cloud and merging of data from multiple instruments, including XRF or LIBS, even of different manufacturers. Both techniques have relative strengths and weaknesses, making them more complimentary than competitive. So it comes down to what you are needing to analyse. In short, if you need to measure alloys containing carbon and low alloys steels, in particular if you need to differentiate L and H grade stainless steels, LIBS is for you. For pretty much everything else, XRF is the better choice. If you do not know what you are dealing with, you are best off taking both instruments into the field and using something like the â&#x20AC;&#x153;one box solutionâ&#x20AC;?.

LIBS is also the ideal solution for analysing sulfidic corrosion in refineries, where it can measure silicon contents below 0.02% in less than 3 seconds. It is also perfect for determining Flow Accelerated Corrosion (FAC), requiring measurement of chromium at levels less than 0.03% in just seconds with no need for X-ray radiation. Although a relative newcomer to the market, the handheld LIBS technique has been recognised as an accepted method, by the American Petroleum Institute, for measuring carbon and other alloying elements in steels and stainless steels in accordance with API Recommended Practice 578 (3rd Edition). In this application, carbon content and carbon equivalents are measured in preparation BACK TO CONTENTS

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FEATURE – Additive MATERIALS AUSTRALIA Manufacturing – Short Courses

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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 PDF’s 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.

www.materialsaustralia.com.au/training/online-training BASICS OF HEAT TREATING

HEAT TREATING FURNACES AND EQUIPMENT

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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

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METALLURGY OF STEEL FOR THE NON-METALLURGIST

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Materials Australia Magazine

Articles inside

Feature

Breaking News

University Spotlight: Griffith University

Materials Australia - Short Courses

Correlative Surface Analysis - Enabling a More Detailed Understanding of Surfaces

Ultrasound can Help make 3D-Printed Alloys Stronger

Batteries made with Sulphur could be Cheaper, Greener and Hold More Energy

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No Storm in a Teacup: It’s a Cyclone on a Silicon Chip

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Industry News

Our Certified Materials Professionals (CMatPs

Putting Artificial Intelligence to Work in the Lab

One Giant Leap for Microplastics

NSW Branch Report

WA Branch Report

Women in the Industry

MISE2020 Conference Report

CMatP Profile: Ivan Cole