Materials Australia Magazine | April 2021 | Volume 54 | No1 by materialsaustralia

CAMS2021

PAGE 9

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

APICAM2022 & LMT2022

Focus on Education and Training. Targeting: universities, high school students and vocational training. high school students and vocational training. Content Deadline: Friday 29th August PAGE 11 Content Deadline: Friday 29th August Advertising Deadline: Friday 5th September Advertising Deadline: Friday 5th September

December2014 2014 December

Online Short Courses

Power Generation. Materials for Energy: Power Generation. Materials for Energy: Solar, Wind & Wave Energy. Solar, Wind & Wave Energy. Content Deadline: Friday 21st November Content Deadline: Friday 21st November Advertising Deadline: Friday 28th November Advertising Deadline: Friday 28th November

PAGE 54

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.

Sustainable Materials Now and Into the Future

VOLUME 54 | NO 1 please For further details, further details, pleasecontact: contact: Gloss GlossCreative CreativeMedia MediaPty PtyLtd Ltd

APRIL 2021

+61 ISSNT T1037-7107 +61 22 8539 8539 7893 7893 email: email:magazine@materialsaustralia.com.au magazine@materialsaustralia.com.au www.glosscreativemedia.com.au www.glosscreativemedia.com.au

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MATERIALS AUSTRALIA

From the President

Welcome to the first edition of Materials Australia Magazine for 2021. The year is quickly ramping up and things are progressing well for Materials Australia. There is certainly a sense of optimism about what the new year will bring and we are all looking forward to the post-pandemic future. Membership remains strong and we are investigating further opportunities to expand the activities of our state branch across the country. While we are still in somewhat of a holding pattern with regards to running face-to-face events, we are still planning for a successful 2021. We expect to facilitate a combination of online, hybrid and in-person events this year, with the hope that our ‘new normal’ will translate into continued membership growth. Preparation is well underway for the CAMS 2021 conference to be held in December, which will be a major event for Materials Australia. If you can, I encourage you to support this conference, plan to attend, and potentially present your work. Looking to the future, where do Australia’s best opportunities lie in materials science and engineering? While facing financial challenges, companies will need to prioritise environmental and social governance to protect themselves and their financial position. Materials science and engineering plays a pivotal role in society and will continue to underpin the future of the country, WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

helping to create healthy, sustainable and prosperous communities.

recruit people with the desired skillset, especially in niche industry areas.

Although we have faced some difficult times recently, as a country, Australia has been notably able to cope with many challenges. With assistance from Government and support from industry, demands for a skilled workforce in the materials sectors continues to expand.

In my company (AWBell), we were very fortunate to have been part of a collaboration that gained funding via the Workplace Training Innovation Fund for developing a new Course in Precision Metal Castings, to be administered by Chisholm TAFE. As part of this, I have recently been developing coursework for five units of competency with a strong focus on workplace skills and training. We expect to soon be enrolling our staff for the pilot of the course, which will run over two years. We hope to eventually have all staff complete the course, which we expect will have many long-term benefits. Most importantly, it gives the company the ability to grow, reduce operating risks, and build resilience.

Without locally trained staff, we cannot rapidly grow advanced materials industries and capitalise on the opportunities available. The increased value of a local workforce has recently been further reinforced due to the challenges brought about by border restrictions and the reduced ability to travel. Our allied industries (such as manufacturing, fabrication, welding, NDT, and so on) are reportedly still performing well on the whole and we look to be on the verge of a new manufacturing renaissance within Australia. However, attracting staff in the under-35 age bracket is a particular problem. Many industries are reporting skills shortages and new opportunities for training, upskilling or reskilling are present. Since labour shortages are actually a long-term problem, new initiatives in capability development of people should help to diminish reliance on what can be difficultto-fill jobs. Training and mentoring have always been a key part of professional development, and these are activities that, as an organisation, Materials Australia can work to promote in 2021. It is especially important to continue our networking activities, and support the future professional materials specialists.

It is important to note that, when we first proposed this course and asked for expressions of interest from staff, the response rate was extremely high and very positive. If your company is interested in developing training content specifically for your own staff, it is really a great option to follow as a means to facilitate company growth. In closing, there is an optimistic future on the horizon. Local manufacturing is well positioned and has support of the both state and federal governments to grow our industries that are fundamentally based on advanced materials technologies. As before, I wish you, your families and friends the best of health and to stay safe during 2021. Best Regards Roger Lumley, National President

There is also an opportunity for all of us to explore new learning models and methods. If you have worked for a company or in an industry for several years, your knowledge and experience is a major asset—not only for your employer, but also for your colleagues. If we are serious about upskilling our workforces, we need to be proactive and start thinking about how we are going to actually train them. Handing the task over to someone else is not necessarily suitable, nor is it possible to simply try to BACK TO CONTENTS

APRIL 2021 | 3

CONTENTS

Reports From the President

Contents

Materials Australia - Corporate Sponsors | Advertisers

6 Advancing Materials and Manufacturing

Materials Australia News WA Branch Technical Meeting - 9 November 2020

CAMS2021 9 Annual Sir Frank Ledger Breakfast - 18 November 2020 10 New Conference Dates | APICAM 2022 | LMT 2022

Up Coming Events 12 CMatP Profile: Dr Rachel White

Our Certified Materials Professionals (CMatPs)

Why You Should Become a CMatP 17

Industry News Local Research Collaboration Cuts the Wear And Tear on Mineral Processing Equipment

$4.5 Million for Monash Initiatives That Drive Transition to Sustainable Energy

Sound Waves Power New Advances in Drug Delivery and Smart Materials

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

4 | APRIL 2021

14 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 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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From feature article on page 40. CAMS2021

PAGE 9

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

NEW CONFERENCE DATES

APICAM2022 & LMT2022

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 PAGE 11 Content Deadline: Friday 29th August Advertising Deadline: Friday 5th September Advertising Deadline: Friday 5th September

December2014 2014 December

Online Short Courses

PAGE 54

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

Sustainable Materials Now and Into the Future

VOLUME 54 | NO 1 please For further details, further details, pleasecontact: contact: Gloss GlossCreative CreativeMedia MediaPty PtyLtd Ltd

APRIL 2021

+61 ISSNT T1037-7107 +61 22 8539 8539 7893 7893 email: email:magazine@materialsaustralia.com.au magazine@materialsaustralia.com.au www.glosscreativemedia.com.au www.glosscreativemedia.com.au

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

CONTENTS

Industry News New Butterfly-Inspired Hydrogen Sensor Is Powered By Light

A Brief History of The Contract Heat Treatment Association of Australia

DNA Nanobots Build Themselves – How Can We Help Them Grow The Right Way?

Game-Changer in Thermoelectric Materials: Decoupling Electronic and Thermal Transport

Phenom ParticleX AM Addresses the Challenges of Additive Manufacturing

Scanning Electron Microscopy for Your Lab

AXT add Oxford Instruments’ Benchtop NMR Products to their range of Scientific Solutions

18 37

The Effect of 125 Years of X-rays on Materials Science 30 Breaking News

Feature Sustainable Materials - Now and Into the Future 40 Materials Australia - Short Courses 54 www.materialsaustralia.com.au/training/online-training

49 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 Roger Lumley

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

WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

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APRIL 2021 | 5

MATERIALS AUSTRALIA

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APRIL 2021 | 7

MATERIALS AUSTRALIA

WA Branch Technical Meeting - 9 November 2020

Corrosion Management: Towards Effective Corrosion Mitigation Strategies Source: Dr Kateřina Lepková. Senior Research Fellow, Curtin Corrosion Centre

Kateřina Lepková is a corrosion and materials scientist with 15 years of experience in Europe and Australia. Kateřina holds a MSc in Chemical Engineering and a PhD in Physical Chemistry and is a Senior Research Fellow at the Curtin Corrosion Centre (CCC). Kateřina noted that CCC has now been in operation for 32 years, pursuing industrydriven research, and offering a Masters degree in corrosion engineering. Most of CCC’s research has been in partnership with the oil & gas industry; there are many benefits available from technology transfer to other industries, but this is hampered by an evident ‘disconnect’. This is most unfortunate as corrosion costs around 3.4% of Australian GDP annually, and saving of 15-30% can be expected simply by applying current best technologies. Kateřina’s presentation focussed on two well established approaches to corrosion protection: chemical corrosion inhibition and coatings. She described work at the CCC in optimising protection and spoke about leading edge research into understanding protection mechanisms. Chemical inhibition is used against corrosion under insulation, microbially induced corrosion and tribocorrosion. It is used as routine maintenance in closed systems, such as O&G pipelines, and also in open systems, such as ships’ bilges and in washing of aircraft and mining equipment. Inhibitors are surfactants having a hydrocarbon chain with a polar head-group which adheres to steel, and are usually a mixture of inhibiting chemicals working synergistically; the precise mechanism is not clear. Development is aimed at specifying a formulation that is efficient, persistent, environmentally friendly, and low-cost. Test methods include electrochemical testing, partitioning between oil and water, stability under temperature and pressure, and resistance to shear. Evaluation of formulations for specific applications involves simulation of conditions for corrosion at welds and corrosion under deposits, in which ability to penetrate deposits can be evaluated. Avoidance of pitting is an important consideration. 8 | APRIL 2021

L to R: Dr Katerina Lepková; Dr Steve Algie

Advanced research techniques include the use of atomic force microscopy for imaging the morphology of adsorbed micelle structures; these can vary with iron grain orientation, and across weld structures. This technique can also measure the lateral force to remove the adsorbed inhibitors. Kateřina then turned to coatings, noting that early failure is often due to errors in preparation and application or mechanical damage. The standard tests are instrumented long-term outdoor exposure racks and 22-week exposure in salt spray and environmental chambers. Impedance measurement offers a quick (20 day) result but must be correlated against the established longer tests. Artificial intelligence methods are being used to train an assessment system to recognise different defect types (e.g. uniform, pitting or passive surfaces) and correlate the different measurements. As an example of technology transfer, she referred to the corrosivity of bulk cargoes (coal, iron or and mineral concentrates), BACK TO CONTENTS

which can be likened to under-deposit corrosion. Modified under-deposit corrosion measurement techniques are being used to assesses cargo corrosivity. Kateřina concluded her talk with an account of state-of-the-art research the CCC has conducted using the ANSTO facilities and the Australian Synchrotron. Small-angle neutron scattering (ANSTO) is used to resolve micelle structure. High energy, high resolution X-ray diffraction has allowed simultaneous electrochemical and surface analysis. Scanning the beam allows study of the interface layer, and synchrotron tomography has been applied to welds without the need to cut the metal. Access to a timeslot on the Australian Synchrotron is only available through a competitive grant application process, and the time window is strictly limited. Kateřina painted a vivid picture of the state of high excitement involved in making the most of a hard-earned session on the beam line; everything has to be set up precisely well in advance, leaving little time for sleep! WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

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

1-3 December 2021 | The University of Melbourne

Call For Papers Closing Date: 30 July 2021

Join Australia’s largest interdisciplinary technical meeting on the latest advances in materials science, engineering and technology. Our technical program will cover a range of themes, identified by researchers and industry, as issues of topical interest. CONFERENCE CO-CHAIRS

Prof Xinhua Wu Monash University

Dr Andrew Ang Swinburne University

xinhua.wu@monash.edu

aang@swin.edu.au

Opportunities for sponsorships and exhibitions are available. CAMS2021 1-3 December 2021 The University of Melbourne VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA www.cams2021.com.au

Conference Secretariat: Tanya Smith tanya@materialsaustralia.com.au dvances in materials characterisation dvances in steel technology T +61 3 9326 7266

hemes

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

Symposia Themes • Additive, advanced & future manufacturing, processes and products • Advances in materials characterisation • Advances in steel technology • Biomaterials & nanomaterials for medicine • Ceramics, glass & refractories • Corrosion & degradation of materials • 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 processing • Nanostructured & nanoscale materials & interfaces • Innovative building materials in civil infrastructures • Photonics, sensors & optoelectronics & ferro electrics • Progress in cements & geopolymers • Surfaces, thin films & coatings • Translational research in polymers and composites • Use of waste materials & environmental remediation

www.cams2021.com.au

MATERIALS AUSTRALIA NEWS

Perth Branch Annual Sir Frank Ledger Breakfast - 18 Nov 2020 Changes in Underground Mining Technology over the Last 40 Years Source: Steve Coughlan, Executive Chairman, Byrnecut Group

Underground mining continues to be important industry in the Australian economy, and improving the technology used in underground mining is a major driver of innovation in local industry. Byrnecut, founded in Kalgoorlie in 1987, is now an internationally renowned specialist underground mining contractor, the leading mechanised underground mining contractor in Australia, and is also at the forefront of the development of new technology for mining. The Branch was very pleased that Steve Coughlan, one of the founders of Byrnecut, had agreed to address the Sir Frank Ledger breakfast, which honours Sir Frank’s role in the founding of what was to become Materials Australia. Steve Coughlan started his mining engineering career in 1974 in Kambalda at the Western Mining Corporation’s Silver Lake shaft. He recalled the ‘can-do’ attitude at that operation as a formative experience that has continued to guide his subsequent ventures. He has overseen the growth of the Byrnecut Group to the point where it employs 4,500 people worldwide with an annual turnover of around $2 billion. From its beginning as a contract mining operation, the Group’s capabilities now include mine design and mine feasibility, long term mine development and production, shaft sinking, shotcreting, indigenous training, engineering design, mechanical and electrical engineering services, equipment hire and EPCM mine, civil and structural works. Steve structured his talk around the changes in underground mining techniques that have occurred over the last 40 years, driven by increasing depth, improved processing technology, increased scale, equipment productivity, environmental and safety legislation and perceptions. He described advancements in technologies relating to drilling, shotcrete ground support and other materials related technology, enlivened by anecdotes and illustrated with photographs, drawings, 10 | APRIL 2021

charts and videos that made the complex changes clear to the highly engaged audience. Regarding the name Byrnecut, Steve explained that while there had been a Mr Byrne, who was a wellknown figure in Kalgoorlie, the name was chosen as a play on words. A ‘burn cut’ describes a drilling and firing pattern commonly used in underground mining. Long experience gives Steve a wide perspective on the mining industry and the ever-changing balance between ore prices, ore grades, and investors’ L to R: Steve Coughlan; Steve Algie appetites for risk. Steve recalled that Byrnecut’s shotcreting system (Jetcrete) in which first contract was for the thickness is measured and controlled during Bellevue mine, which had just re-opened application. In turn, for this technology to after a 75-year closure; it is now about to work effectively, the business has had to re-start after another two-decade closure. Showing differing assessments of risk and develop expertise in concrete mix design. value, Byrnecut has been mining Jundee for Australia is the biggest market in the 19 years, but for a succession of different world for mining equipment, but most of owners. Byrnecut’s own direct experience the intellectual property is held overseas. of risk came in 1990, when interest rates Steve wants to change this, and he outlined went above 20% and the business faced several developments in progress. One closure. Fortunately, a private investor took example is a guidance system (‘Co-pilot’) a 50% interest and saved the company; used as a company-wide baseline for the faith of the founders and their ‘silent underground loader operation; this is an partner’ has been rewarded. automated system with manual assist. The With decreasing grades and increasing company’s most ambitious current project depth, improvements in technology have is to design and build (locally) the ‘world’s been keys to Byrnecut’s growth. Technology ultimate underground haul truck’. This is more than the concept of doing things has 60 tonne capacity, with electric wheel differently; it must also work in practice. motors; the prototype has diesel-electric Raise boring is an example: suspending power, but the design can accommodate and driving a 30 tonne cutter head with any power source. a 500 m rod string depends critically on Materials selection, combined with the threaded joints between the rods. structural design, is vital in achieving IN another major technology shift, the design targets. The prototype uses steel, compressed-air-driven drilling jumbos in but Byrnecut is working with CSIRO on an use when Steve started his career gave option that could see a complete chassis way to electro-hydraulic versions. additively manufactured by metal spraying, Recognition of the key role of technology potentially from titanium alloy. has led Byrnecut to develop in-house The audience appreciated the long-awaited engineering design, mechanical and opportunity for a pre-Covid-style event, electrical engineering services. As an and applauded Steve for an informative, example, the Group’s Murray Engineering business has developed a laser-guided entertaining and inspiring presentation. BACK TO CONTENTS

WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

NEWCONFERENCE DATES

Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19, we have had to postpone both the APICAM and LMT conferences.

APICAM2022 Asia-Pacific International Conference on Additive Manufacturing

6 - 8 July 2022 RMIT University, Melbourne The 3rd Asia-Pacific International Conference on Additive Manufacturing (APICAM) is the not-to-be-missed industry conference of 2022. APICAM was created to provide an opportunity for industry professionals and thinkers to come together, share knowledge and engage in the type of networking that is vital to the furthering of the additive manufacturing industry. The purpose of this conference is to provide a focused forum for the presentation of advanced research and improved understanding of various aspects of additive manufacturing. This conference will include lectures from invited internationally distinguished researchers, contributed presentations and posters. Contributions will be encouraged in the following areas of interest:

Additive Manufacturing of Metals

Additive Manufacturing of Polymers

Additive Manufacturing of Concretes

Advanced Characterisation Techniques and Feedstocks

Computational Modelling of Thermal Processes for Metallic Parts

Part Design for Additive Manufacturing

Failure Mechanisms and Analysis

Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Materials

New Frontiers in Additive Manufacturing

Process Parameter and Defect Control

Process-Microstructure-Property Relationships

Testing and Qualification in Additive Manufacturing

www.apicam2022.com.au Opportunities for sponsorships WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

The Light Metals Technology (LMT) Conference is a biennial event that focuses on recent advances in science and technologies associated with the development and manufacture of aluminium, magnesium and titanium alloys and their translation into commercial products. The conference presents an opportunity for academic researchers, students and industry to discuss cutting edge developments and to facilitate new collaborations.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

You are invited to submit abstracts on topics within the themes of Net Shape Manufacturing, Solid State Transformations and Mechanical Performance, and Translation to Applications. For example, but not limited to: > Alloy development > Solidification and casting > Thermomechanical processing and forming > Machining and subtractive processes > Mechanical behaviour of light metal alloys > Corrosion and surface modification > Advanced characterisation techniques > Joining > Applications in bio-medical, automotive, aerospace, and energy industries > Simulation and modelling > Integrated computational materials engineering

www.lmt2022.com

and exhibitions are for both APICAM2022 and 2020 LMT2022. BACK TO available CONTENTS SEPTEMBER | 11 Enquiries: Tanya Smith | Materials Australia +61 3 9326 7266 | imea@materialsaustralia.com.au

MATERIALS AUSTRALIA

Up Coming Events Surface Engineering Workshop Invited Talks Dr Thomas Schläfer, LaserBond Ltd: Laser Cladding and Thermal Spraying for wear and corrosion protection of components in heavy industries A/Prof Colin Hall, University of South Australia: Surface finishing of Additively Manufactured parts Dr Paul Colegrove, AML3D: Wire Additive Manufacturing (WAM) at AML3DIncludes a lab tour through the Future Industries Institute. Click here for more information 05 May 2021 | 4pm

MIIX 2021- Materials Inspection and Instrumentation Expo Come along to a free industry event Click here for more information 10 May 2021

Materials Challenges in Concentrated Solar Thermal Power Generation Speaker: Dr. Stuart Bell QUTOnline or face-to-face. Click here to book | 12 May 2021

CMatP Mini Conference Online -

CAMS 2021 - Advancing Materials & Manufacturing Melbourne, Australia 01 - 03 December 2021 Submit an Abstract | Book Now

PTM2022 - 8th International Conference on Solid — Solid Phase Transformations in Inorganic Materials Xi’an, China 27 June - 01 July 2022 | More Infomation

APICAM 2022 - 3rd Asia-Pacific

Zoom - Click here for more information 08 September 2021 | 5-6.30pm AEST

International Conference on Additive Manufacturing - Melbourne 06 - 08 July 2022 | More Information

Oil and Gas Integrity Symposium 2021

LMT 2022 - 10th International Light

OGIS is an independent industry forum run biennially by members in the industry Book here | 8-10 September 2020

Metals Technology Conference RMIT Melbourne 11-13 July 2022 | More Information

Australian Journal of Mechanical Engineering Looking to Publish your Research? We aim to make publishing with Taylor & Francis a rewarding experience for all our authors. Please visit our Author Services website for more information and guidance, and do contact us if there is anything we can help with!

Submission Instructions

Submissions To ensure that all manuscripts are correctly identified for consideration for this Special Issue, it is important that authors select ‘Special Issue: Advances in Additive Manufacturing’ when uploading the manuscript. Themes Manuscripts should be prepared in accordance with the journal’s instructions for authors Advances in materials link below. All submitted manuscripts will be subject to Journal’s single- characterisa anonymous review process. Advances in steel technology

CAMS 2014

Advanced manufacturing Biomaterials Cements & geopolymers Full paper submission deadline: July 1, 2021 Composites in roadmaking & bridge building Publication of the special issue: December 2021 Ferroelectrics The 3rd biennial conference of the Combined Australian (accepted will appear online ahead of publication) Materials Societies, incorporating Materials andarticles Austceram Light metals design energy generation, Informal queries regarding this special issue can Materials be directedfor to Professor conversion & storage Ma Qian, ma.qian@rmit.edu.au. For more general queries about Australian Materials simulation Journal of Mechanical Engineering, please write to the Journal editors. & modelling Join Australia’s largest interdisciplinary technical Metal casting & thermomechanical meeting on the latest advances in materials processing INSTRUCTIONS FOR science, engineering and technology. Microstructure & properties of SUBMIT AN ARTICLE VISIT JOURNAL ARTICLES AUTHORS composites Nanostructured & nanoscale mater Our technical program will cover a range of themes identified by Nuclear waste forms & fuels researchers and industry as issues of topical interest. 12 | APRIL 2021 BACK TO CONTENTS WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU Particulate packing & flow Please submit abstracts online by Wednesday 15 June 2014. Raw materials processing Key Dates Call opens: March 2021

call for abstracts

MATERIALS AUSTRALIA

CMatP Profile: Dr Rachel White undergraduate degree, I took an introduction to materials science course. I’d heard good things about the course, and it was scheduled in the evening, which suited my work schedule. I loved the course. I went on to most of the other materials science courses my university offered. The variety of the field and application to real world problems really appealed to me. I’ve always been more of a ‘how?’ than a ‘why?’ person and materials science really drew me in. It’s a fascinating field.

Rachel obtained her Bachelor of Applied Science (Chemistry) (First Class Honours) from the University of Technology Sydney. She was a ‘Year In Industry Student’, working at ANSTO’s cyclotron producing radiopharmaceuticals in parallel to her undergraduate studies. Rachel completed her PhD at the University of Technology Sydney, during which she studied artistic paint pigments with electron microscopy. Since finishing her studies, Rachel has followed her passion for enabling science. In her first role, Rachel was a lab manager at the research labs of the Children’s Hospital Westmead. In 2007, Rachel then moved into a role with ANSTO, where she was a laboratory manager for the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering (formerly the Bragg Institute) for six years. Following this, Rachel undertook a range of quality, safety and regulatory systems management roles within ANSTO, before returning to neutron scattering in her current role as Sample Environment Group Leader.

Where do you work? Describe your job. I work at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering (ACNS) which is a large-scale scientific infrastructure facility at ANSTO’s Lucas Heights campus. ACNS operates 15 neutron beam instruments that undertake merit access and commercial research experiments across all areas of science. 14 | APRIL 2021

I lead the ACNS Sample Environment Group. The Group provides in-situ physical environments for samples to either replicate conditions in the laboratory whilst they are being investigated with neutrons or to specifically utilise the unique properties of neutrons. Our instrumentation and equipment are used across all of our neutron beam instruments across a broad range science experiments. We cover a wide range of parameters, from ultra-low temperatures to furnace temperatures, high pressure, magnetic fields, gas and vapour delivery, and combinations of these conditions. The maintenance and installation of our equipment and development of new experiment set-ups requires expertise to ensure the experimental conditions meet the requirements of the researchers. My role is to: ensure that sample environment equipment and services are available for scheduled experiments; advise researchers and instrument scientists on the selection of instrumentation and equipment; develop new sample environment instrumentation and equipment; and anticipate needs for new capabilities in collaboration with our instrument scientists. It is a dynamic, exciting and—at times—challenging role.

What inspired you to choose a career in materials science and engineering? While I was working during my BACK TO CONTENTS

Materials science is an integral part of my current role. There is a balance between material performance and material interaction with neutron scattering that my team needs to manage through their day-to-day work and in new developments or improvements. The changing nature of research brings us new materials challenges as we develop new experiment set ups.

Who or what has influenced you most professionally? Dr Norman Booth—who many within Materials Australia will know—has influenced me most. His commitment to science, to robust experimental method, and to the education of others has been an inspiration to me. I am honoured to have worked with him, both at UTS when I was demonstrating materials science prac classes, and now in the sample environment team at ACNS. I hope to emulate his guidance and patience with newcomers to science.

Which has been the most challenging job or project you’ve worked on to date and why? My current role is deeply interesting and diverse and also very challenging. Multi-user neutron scattering facilities are dynamic and responsive workplaces. The need for innovation and drive for advancement for research outcomes has to be managed within the regulatory and safety frameworks that apply to radiation facilities. I am fortunate to have the support of my team, colleagues and management in creating that balance where great science happens suitable to WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

MATERIALS AUSTRALIA

the requirements and expectations in place for our facility. In our busy facility there are frequently developments that are technically, as well as administratively, challenging. A recent success was a complex humidity flow experiment for a neutron beam experiment. This required technical development of specific sample cells able to sufficiently contain an in-situ reaction with heating and humidity/gas flow. There was also a considerable safety and regulatory component to this experiment which required the coordination of multiple experts. It was a real team effort and result in a great outcome for the researchers with a first in world set-up.

What does being a CMatP mean to you? It means recognition of the large role materials science has in my job and the developments my team undertakes. It is also important in enabling me to show students and newcomers to the field that there is great diversity in materials science, especially in terms of roles and career paths.

What gives you the most satisfaction at work? I love helping people. Undertaking scientific experiments in a large-scale multi-user facility is often complex. It is a great feeling when you’ve been able to help someone navigate the systems and processes to

What have been your greatest professional and personal achievements?

achieve their outcomes, and given them the tools and knowledge to be more independent in the future along the way.

My current sample environment team at ACNS is my greatest professional achievement. We have faced significant challenges together with resources, welcomed new people to the team, and met the effects of the pandemic on our facility and user community. Through all that, we’ve continued to support each other, and the facility, to enable great science.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? I think the best advice is encouragement and acknowledgement. Where someone has recognised your contribution in making a pattern of work better or improving something for others. One particular instance that has stuck with me was when I was a laboratory manager; my manager told me that I’d influenced how people work safely through the systems I’d set up, the processes I ensured were followed, and how I modelled the safe lab behaviours myself.

Personally, I take pride in being able to share science, especially materials science, with my children, their school mates and, even occasionally, with strangers. I’m the person who will explain to people why a traffic light pole looks the way it does or why something has corroded. This year, New South Wales primary school students are studying materials science, which is a great opportunity to tell more people about materials science.

It can be easy to forget how big your impact can be in a workplace—that moment gave me the confidence that what I was doing daily was actually making a big contribution.

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

What are you optimistic about?

To finally take my kids to the British Science Museum where I started my journey in science.

The benefits of the growing trend for multifaceted or diverse teams. I have witnessed and supported a lot of great science in my career and many of those teams bring together people with diverse knowledge, fields and perspectives to work together to do great science.

To undertake more site visits with Materials Australia. To engage with students and introduce them to the exciting, albeit niche, world of sample environment.

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APRIL 2021 | 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 A/Prof Alexey Glushenkov Dr Syed Islam Prof Yun Liu Dr Takuya Tsuzuki Prof Klaus-Dieter Liss Mr Debdutta Mallik 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 Prof Michael Ferry Dr Bernd Gludovatz Mr Buluc Guner Dr Alan Hellier Prof Mark Hoffman Mr Simon Krismer Prof Jamie Kruzic Prof Huijun Li Prof Valerie Linton Mr Rodney Mackay-Sim Dr Matthew Mansell Dr Warren McKenzie 16 | APRIL 2021

ACT ACT ACT ACT CHINA MALAYSIA 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 Mr Sam Moricca NSW Dr Anna Paradowska NSW Prof Elena Pereloma NSW A/Prof Sophie Primig NSW Dr Gwenaelle Proust NSW Prof. Jamie Quinton NSW Dr Mark Reid NSW Prof Simon Ringer NSW Dr Richard Roest NSW Mr Sameer Sameen NSW Dr Luming Shen NSW Mr Sasanka Sinha NSW Mr Frank Soto 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 Dr Andrii Kostryzhev QLD Mr Jeezreel Malacad QLD Mr Arya Mirsepasi QLD Dr Jason Nairn QLD Mr Bhavin Panchal 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 Mr Rahim Kurji SA Mr Greg Moore SA Mr Andrew Sales SA Dr Thomas Schläfer SA Dr Christiane Schulz SA Prof Nikki Stanford SA Ms Deborah Ward SA Mr Ashley Bell SCOTLAND Mr Kok Toong Leong SINGAPORE Mr Devadoss Suresh Kumar UAE Dr Ivan Cole VIC Dr John Cookson VIC Dr Evan Copland VIC Miss Ana Celine Del Rosario VIC Dr Yvonne Durandet VIC Dr Mark Easton VIC Dr Rajiv Edavan VIC BACK TO CONTENTS

Dr Peter Ford Mrs Liz Goodall Mr Bruce Ham Ms Edith Hamilton Mr Nikolas Hildebrand Mr Hugo Howse Mr Long Huynh Mr. Daniel Lim Dr Amita Iyer Mr Robert Le Hunt Dr Thomas Ludwig Dr Roger Lumley Mr Michael Mansfield Dr Gary Martin Dr Siao Ming (Andrew) Ang Dr Eustathios Petinakis Mr Paul Plater Dr Dong Qiu Mr John Rea Dr M Akbar Rhamdhani Mr Steve Rockey Dr Christine Scala Mr Khan Sharp Dr Vadim Shterner Dr Antonella Sola Mr Mark Stephens Dr Graham Sussex Dr Jenna Tong Mr Pranay Wadyalkar Mr John Watson Dr Wei Xu Dr Sam Yang 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 Ehsan Karaji Mr Biju Kurian Pottayil Mr Mathieu Lancien Dr Yanan Li Mr Michael Lison-Pick Mr Ben Miller 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 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

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MATERIALS AUSTRALIA

Why You Should Become a Certified Materials Professional Source: Materials Australia

Accreditation as a Certified Materials Professional (CMatP) gives you recognition, not only amongst your peers, but within the materials engineering industry at large. You will be recognised as a materials scientist who maintains professional integrity, keeps up to date with developments in technology, and strives for continued personal development. The CMatP, like a Certified Practicing Accountant or CPA, is promoted globally as the recognised standard for professionals working in the field of materials science. There are now well over one hundred CMatPs who lead activities within Materials Australia. These activities include heading special interest group networks, representation on Standards Australia Committees, and representing Materials Australia at international conferences and society meetings.

Benefits of Becoming a CMatP • A Certificate of Membership, often presented by the State Chapter, together with a unique Materials Australia badge. • Access to exclusive CMatP resources and website content.

• The opportunity to attend CMatP only networking meetings. • Promotion through Materials Australia magazine, website, social media and other public channels. • A Certified Materials Professional can use the post nominal CMatP. • Materials Australia will actively promote the CMatP status to the community and employers and internationally, through our partner organisations. • A CMatP may be requested to represent Materials Australia throughout Australia and overseas, with Government, media and other important activities. • A CMatP may be offered an opportunity as a mentor for student members. • Networking directly with other CMatPs who have recognised levels of qualifications and experience. • The opportunity to assume leadership roles in Special Interest Networks, to assist in the facilitation of new knowledge amongst peers and members.

What is a Certified Materials Professional? A Certified Materials Professional is a person to whom Materials Australia has issued a certificate declaring they have attained all required professional standards. They are

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

The Criteria The criteria for recognition as a CMatP are structured around the applicant demonstrating substantial and sustained practice in a field of materials science and engineering. The criteria are measured by qualifications, years of employment and relevant experience, as evidenced by the applicant’s CV or submitted documentation. Certification will be retained as long as there is evidence of continuing professional development and adherence to the Code of Ethics and Professional behaviour.

Further Information For further information on becoming a CMatP, contact Materials Australia today: on +61 3 9326 7266 or imea@materialsaustralia.com.au, or visit our website: www.materialsaustralia.com.au.

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APRIL 2021 | 17

INDUSTRY NEWS

Local Research Collaboration Cuts the Wear And Tear on Mineral Processing Equipment Source: Sally Wood

A new $2.4 million research partnership between the University of South Australia (UniSA), LaserBond, and the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC), will develop some of the world’s most resilient minerals processing equipment. Minerals processing machinery – often worth hundreds of thousands of dollars – endures some of the harshest possible conditions, including erosion, corrosion and wear and tear induced by repetitive impact. A key competitive advantage for the industry and for manufacturers alike, would be to increase the longevity of mineral processing equipment through composite coatings, also known as cladding. When the improved cladding matches facility maintenance shutdown schedules, unforeseen shutdowns can be avoided or minimised. Shutdowns for repairs and maintenance of the equipment can cost over $100,000 for every hour of downtime. Lead researcher at UniSA, Professor Peter Murphy, said he welcomed the chance to grow the advanced manufacturing sector within Australia. “This comes at a time where we need to nurture our manufacturing capability and this project has the capacity to grow, employ and lead Australia through the challenging economic times,” Professor Murphy said.

“What we hope to do through this partnership is work with LaserBond to refine the technology, specifically focussing on key areas within mineral processing machinery prone to wear in different circumstances, to provide tailor-made coatings that resist that degradation,” Associate Professor Hall said. He explained how UniSA’s extensive range of technology can help strengthen testing, and also accelerate further relationships between academia and industry. “UniSA’s extensive tribology laboratories can be used to perform accelerated wear testing in erosion, corrosion and impact abrasion, and we want to combine these results to predict wear rates in the real world and then inform material and process optimisation carried out by LaserBond.” FII builds knowledge and capacity in core future industries and develops an internationally competitive research capacity. It is focused on four key areas: minerals and resources engineering; energy and advanced manufacturing; environmental science and engineering, and biomaterials engineering and nanomedicine. It ranked number one in Australia for research impact and engagement as part an assessment from the Australian Research Council in 2018. It also boasts

100 per cent of its research is either at, or above world-class standards. The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of IMCRC David Chuter explained how the research collaboration builds on a long-standing and consultative partnership between LaserBond and UniSA. “Together, wear and corrosion, continues to be a costly and disruptive challenge across many industries and developing advanced materials and technologies for wear and corrosion protection will help both Australian and global manufacturers combat these challenges,” Chuter said. IMCRC assists Australian companies to increase their global relevance through new innovations in manufacturing. It is informed by research, and operates on an end-user basis. The team at IMCRC work with a range of Australia research partners, including universities, CSIRO, and hospitals with a research capacity. Chuter said the new partnership between LaserBond and UniSA could open new opportunities for Australian research on the international stage. “It is great to see, that through engagement with the University of South Australia’s researchers, LaserBond, in collaboration with local manufacturers can develop its solution locally and then take it globally,” he said.

LaserBond are a pioneering Australian surface engineering company, who will work with UniSA’s Specialist Coatings Research Group at the Future Industries Institute (FII) to continue their collaboration on this new challenge. UniSA’s Industry Associate Professor Colin Hall is a key researcher on the project, who said industry experts in surface engineering, like LaserBond, have long recognised the challenge and have specialised in the development of hard, wear-resistant coatings using laser cladding. 18 | APRIL 2021

UniSA, LaserBond, and the IMCRC will develop some of the world’s most resilient minerals processing equipment. Image credit: University of South Australia.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

$4.5 Million for Monash Initiatives That Drive Transition to Sustainable Energy Source: Sally Wood

Monash University received $3.9 million in funding to establish the dedicated ‘High Throughput SolutionProcessable Photovoltaic Materials Discovery Facility’.

manufacturing of high-precision optical coatings, semiconductor devices and nanotechnology products. This customised system will enable combinatorial discovery of materials, where different target materials will be simultaneously mixed to provide practically unlimited material combinations.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) recently announced more than $4.5 million in funding for two Monash University-led projects to enable the discovery of new materials that will drive the global transition to a sustainable energy future. The funding, which is supported by the Federal Government, will provide vital assistance for Monash to establish a $7 million leading facility at the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication. It will seek to accelerate the development of new materials through both vacuum and printing processes. The facility, made available through the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, will strengthen Australia’s competitiveness in the development of next-generation solar cells, solar fuels, batteries and various other types of new energy technologies.

Professor Bach, who is also a Chief Investigator of the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, said the facility will place Australia in a sound global position. “Monash is a world leader in energy science and engineering. This facility will dramatically increase the rate of discovery in the energy materials space as Australia, and indeed other countries globally, prioritise a reduction in carbon emissions and a transition to sustainable energy sources,” he explained. The new facility will have the capacity to run autonomously for 24 hours, while making and characterising thin film coatings. It will allow future users to speed up their experimental throughput by at least 100 times compared to conventional research practices. Ongoing research into perovskites – an emerging material for next generation solar cells – will also be a major focus.

Professor of Chemical Engineering at Monash University, Udo Bach received $3.9 million in funding to establish the dedicated ‘High Throughput SolutionProcessable Photovoltaic Materials Discovery Facility’.

In addition, ARENA has contributed a further $661,000 to a team led by Professor Jacek Jasieniak at Monash University, to progress new materials discovery through an advanced sputtering tool.

It will bring together advanced robotics, automation and artificial intelligence concepts to rapidly synthesise, deposit and test the properties of new generations of printable and ‘paint on’ energy materials.

Sputtering is a phenomenon where nanoscopic particles of a solid material are ejected from a surface, after the material itself is hit with energised particles of plasma or gas. It is a technique used in the

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“The development of new materials and interfaces is critical towards future progress in silicon and other emerging photovoltaics. However, such developments are inherently unproductive and expensive,” Professor Jasieniak said. This system can support the accelerated discovery and development of materials suitable across many aspects related to photovoltaics, including new earthabundant inorganic absorbers, interfacing transport layers, electrodes, anti-reflective coatings and protecting layers. “The proposed facility will develop a new capability in a combinatorial sputtering system within Australia that will accelerate the development and optimisation of sputtered inorganic materials in a big way compared to more conventional vacuum techniques,” Professor Jasieniak explained. A number of organisations have also contributed funding towards these projects, including Monash University, the Australian National Fabrication Facility, CSIRO and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science. Professor Elizabeth Croft, Dean of Monash University’s Faculty of Engineering, said the investments are an important step in transforming how Australia’s energy systems function. “With our top nationally-ranked and world-leading research in chemical engineering and materials science and engineering, and our leadership in data science, robotics and AI, Monash is uniquely placed to drive the novel scientific advances in energy materials, and the automated optimisation.” APRIL 2021 | 19

INDUSTRY NEWS

Sound Waves Power New Advances in Drug Delivery and Smart Materials Source: Sally Wood

Researchers have revealed how high-frequency sound waves can be used to build new materials, make smart nanoparticles and deliver drugs to the lungs for painless, needle-free vaccinations. While sound waves have been part of science and medicine for decades – ultrasound was first used for clinical imaging in 1942 and for driving chemical reactions in the 1980s – the technologies have always relied on low frequencies. But research undertaken at RMIT University shows how high frequency sound waves could revolutionise the field. A recently-published review in Advanced Science showed the effects of highfrequency sound waves on materials and cells, like molecules that can spontaneously order themselves after being hit with the sonic equivalent of a semi-trailer. Distinguished Professor Leslie Yeo and his team spent over a decade researching the interaction of sound waves at frequencies above ten MHz with different materials. But Professor Yeo said they are only now starting to understand the range of strange phenomena they often observe in the lab. “When we couple highfrequency sound waves into fluids, materials and cells, the effects are extraordinary. “We’ve harnessed the power of these sound waves to develop innovative biomedical technologies and to synthesise advanced materials,” he said. The research could be used in a variety of applications, like drug delivery to the lungs, which could deliver life-saving drugs and vaccines by inhalation, rather than through injections. It could also encapsulate drugs in special nano-coatings to protect them from deterioration, control their release over time and ensure they precisely target the right places in the body like tumours or infections. 20 | APRIL 2021

In addition, the breakthrough could change smart materials – leading to sustainable production of super-porous nanomaterials that can be used to store, separate, release and protect almost anything. The team’s discoveries have also changed their fundamental understanding of ultrasound-driven chemistry – and revealed how little they really knew.

Distinguished Professor Leslie Yeo. Image credit: RMIT University. Below: The patented ‘Respite’ nebuliser uses high-frequency sound waves to precisely deliver drugs to the lungs. Image credit: RMIT University.

“Trying to explain the science of what we see and then applying that to solve practical problems is a big and exciting challenge,” Professor Yeo said. Ultrasound has traditionally been used at low frequencies – around ten kHz to three MHz – to drive chemical reactions, a field typically known as ‘sonochemistry’. At these low frequencies, sonochemical reactions are driven by the violent implosion of air bubbles. But the process, known as cavitation, results in huge pressures and ultrahigh temperatures – like a tiny and extremely localised pressure cooker. However, when the frequency is increased, the reactions change entirely. As the research team transmitted high frequency sound waves into various materials and cells, the researchers saw behaviour that had never been observed with lowfrequency ultrasound. “We’ve seen self-ordering molecules that seem to orient themselves in the crystal along the direction of the sound waves,” Professor Yeo said. “The sound wavelengths involved can be over 100,000 times larger than an individual molecule, so it’s incredibly puzzling how something so tiny can be precisely manipulated with something so big. “It’s like driving a truck through a random scattering of Lego bricks, then finding BACK TO CONTENTS

The pioneering Micro/Nanophysics Research Laboratory team. Image credit: RMIT University. Left: An acoustically-created MOF, with the microchip that produced the high-frequency sound waves used in the process. Image credit: RMIT University.

those pieces stack nicely on top of each other – it shouldn’t happen,” he explained. The team at the Micro/Nanophysics Research Lab at RMIT’s School of Engineering, is one of a limited number of research groups in the world who are bringing together high-frequency sound waves, microfluidics and materials. Professor Yeo said the research challenges long-held physics theories, and opens up a new field of ‘high frequency excitation’ in parallel to sonochemistry. “The classical theories established since the mid-1800s don’t always explain the strange and sometimes contradictory behaviour we see – we’re pushing the boundaries of our understanding,” he said. The research is supported through Australian Research Council Discovery Project grants. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

INDUSTRY NEWS

New Butterfly-Inspired Hydrogen Sensor Is Powered By Light Source: Sally Wood

Inspired by the surface of butterfly wings, researchers have developed a light-activated hydrogen sensor that produces ultra-precise results at room temperature. The technology can detect hydrogen leaks well before they pose safety risks and can measure tiny amounts of the gas on people’s breath, for diagnosing gut disorders. The sensor, which is based on the bumpy microstructures that imitate the surface of butterfly wings, is detailed in a new study published in the journal ACS Sensors. Researcher Dr Ylias Sabri at RMIT University said the prototype was scalable, cost-effective and offered a total package of features that could not be matched by any hydrogen sensor currently on the market. “Some sensors can measure tiny amounts, others can detect larger concentrations; they all need a lot of heat to work. “Our hydrogen sensor can do it all - it’s sensitive, selective, works at room temperature and can detect across a full range of levels,” Dr Sabri said. The sensor can detect hydrogen at concentrations from as little as ten parts per million molecules (for medical diagnoses) to 40,000 parts per million – the level where the gas becomes potentially explosive. Co-lead researcher Dr Ahmad Kandjani said the broad detection range made it ideal for both medical use and to enhance safety in the emerging hydrogen economy. “Hydrogen has potential to be the fuel of the future but we know safety fears could affect public confidence in this renewable energy source. “By delivering precise and reliable sensing technology that can detect the tiniest of leaks, well before they become dangerous, we hope to contribute to advancing a hydrogen economy that can transform energy supplies around the world,” he added. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

The innovative core of the new sensor is made up of tiny spheres known as photonic or colloidal crystals. These hollow shapes – similar to the miniscule bumps found on the surface of butterfly wings – are highly ordered structures that are ultra-efficient at absorbing light. This allows the sensor to draw on the energy it needs to operate from a beam of light, rather than from heat. An electronic chip is first covered with a thin layer of photonic crystals and then with a titanium palladium composite. When hydrogen interacts with the chip, the gas is converted into water. This process creates an electronic current, and by measuring the magnitude of the current, the sensor can tell precisely how much hydrogen is present. The technology is highly selective so it can accurately isolate hydrogen from other gases. The breakthrough could have wide applications in the medical industry, particularly in diagnosis and monitoring, as elevated levels of hydrogen are known to be connected to gastrointestinal disorders. The standard diagnostic approach is typically completed through breath samples, which are sent to labs for processing. Dr Sabri said the new chip could be integrated into a hand-held device to deliver instant results. “With gut conditions, the difference between healthy levels of hydrogen and unhealthy levels is miniscule – just ten parts per million - but our sensor can accurately measure such tiny differences,” he said. A provisional patent application has BACK TO CONTENTS

been filed for the technology and the research team hopes to collaborate with manufacturers of hydrogen sensors, fuel cells, batteries or medical diagnostic companies to commercialise the sensor. The new study is the culmination of over a two decade investigation into gas sensing by researchers at RMIT’s Centre for Advanced Materials and Industrial Chemistry, led by Distinguished Professor Suresh Bhargava. Professor Bhargava said Ebtsam Alenezy, an international PhD student who came to RMIT from Saudi Arabia’s Al Jouf University in 2017, had set a high benchmark with her research. “Ebtsam is an inspirational role model for aspiring scientists. She has been an important contributor to the crossdisciplinary CAMIC team,” he said. Top: PhD researcher Ebtsam Alenezy holds a prototype of the light-activated hydrogen sensor, which can deliver ultra-precise results at room temperature. Image credit: RMIT University. Middle Left: The sensor is made with an electronic chip, which is covered with a thin layer of photonic crystals and then a titanium palladium composite. Image credit: RMIT University. Bottom: These tiny hollow spheres known as photonic crystals, inspired by the bumpy surface of butterfly wings, are the innovative core of the new hydrogen sensor. Image magnified 40,000 times. Image credit: RMIT University.

APRIL 2021 | 21

INDUSTRY NEWS

A Brief History of The Contract Heat Treatment Association of Australia In the post-World War II era, the manufacturing industry in Australia grew at a phenomenal rate. Along with this exponential growth came an increased need for heat treatment of metals.

Australasia Ltd. Its members were invited to the meeting to offer valuable advice and experience, where needed.

Heat treatment companies sprung up all over Australia. Some ‘in-house’ facilities aligned with manufacturing companies that were large enough to heat treat their own parts, such as automotive companies. Smaller manufacturing companies, however, subcontracted out their parts to an increasing number of contact heat treatment companies.

“That the association be dedicated to protecting, promoting and advancing companies engaged in the selling of their services in the open market and/or products appertaining to the heat treatment of metals.”

These companies were generally run by fiercely independent operators who shunned the limelight and preferred to spend their time getting on with the job—many literally worked around the clock, 12 to 15 hours a day, seven days a week.

1. Healthy and safe working conditions of all staff

During the 1960s and early 1970s, some of the Melbourne-based owners of these contact heat treatment companies found time to get together for lunch and a beer. They mostly chatted about their passion—heat treatment— and the various issues they had to deal with on a daily basis. It was at one of these lunches that the seed of an idea was born: some sort of ‘association’ to help deal with issues that were of particular interest to heat treatment companies in a more formal manner. So, on 17 September 1975, at 74 Eastern Road in South Melbourne, a group of the largest heat treatment companies in Melbourne met. During this meeting, the association was named and formalised, with its aims and objectives set out. Those present on that historic day included: R. Le Souf, Commercial Heat Treaters F. Robertson, Heat Treaters P/L D. Hill, Hills Heat Treatment P/L J. Oppy, Oppy Heat Treatment P/L J. McConvville, Thermal Heat Treatment P/L I. McRichie, McRichie Heat Treatment P/L E. Hollbrow, Ace Heat Treatment P/L H. Mahoney, Alpha Heat Treatment P/L Also in attendance were representatives of the Metal Treatment Industry Association (MTIA), including B. Peek, J. Roberts and S. Sorrell. The MTIA was the fore runner to the current Institute of Materials Engineering 22 | APRIL 2021

The proposed name was The Contract Heat Treatment Association of Australia (CHTAA) and the aim was stated as follows:

Among its objectives would be co-operation and mutual assistance among members for:

2. Accident insurance 3. Liability insurance relating to damaged work 4. Other objectives which may be discussed and accepted at the meeting. It was proposed that a Committee prepare a draft Constitution for submission to the inaugural meeting to be held in one month. So, in October 1975, the first constituted meeting of the CHTAA was held. Of course, back in those days, I had no idea of the existence of the CHTAA. I had just started working at Alpha Heat Treatment and my dad, Harry Mahoney, invited me to accompany him to one of the regular CHTAA meetings. I was excited to finally meet the illustrious group of people my dad had told me stories about. He had always emphasised how they were an important cog in wheel of the Australian manufacturing Industry. On the way to the meeting we stopped at Commercial Heat Treatment. Des Hannen hopped into dad’s car and sat next to me. Des was a big man and a ‘larger than life character’ with a reddish complexion. I noticed a leather cord hanging around his neck with a shiny bottle opener attached to it. Des introduced himself and seemed to be in a very jovial mood. We had a good chat on the way and I got the feeling this meeting was going to be more interesting than I first thought. We arrived at the meeting room that had been hired for the event and walked in to be confronted by a gathering of about fifteen men holding a plate of food in one hand and a BACK TO CONTENTS

glass of beer in the other. They were standing around a long wooden trestle, stacked with all kinds of sandwiches, small pies, sausage rolls and small hot dogs. I couldn’t see any salad! After a brief introduction to some of the members, I quickly picked up a plate of food and poured myself a beer, thinking to myself, I better get in before it’s all gone. The meeting started after about 45 minutes of loud talking and laughter. Ian McRichie chaired the meeting. I don’t recall the exact subjects that were discussed that day, but I do remember everyone got on very well and had a good time. Although the members of the original CHTAA were all Victorian-based, over later years, two South Australian companies joined, Tooling & General Heat Treatment and Winfield Heat Treatment. Another member, Heat Treatment Australia, operated across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. In more recent times, the CHTAA has achieved the following: • Developed a ‘Terms of Trade’ document, which formally defines the relationship between ‘Heat Treater’ and ‘Customer’. Many members displayed this important document on their websites. • Promoted a regular technical evening and dinner. This event, which was attended by members, members guests and special guests from other Industry groups, was a great success and proved a popular event by all attendees. • Developed a Lifetime Achievement Award to recognise those people in the Australian heat treatment industry who had made a very significant contribution to the industry. • Worked hard with RMIT to develop a heat treatment training scheme. Several members were the beneficiary of some of their staff being trained though the various programs over the years. Unfortunately, due to changing times, the CHTAA is no longer seen as relevant, so it’s now time to wrap it up and move on. So, I ask everyone to say cheers and goodbye to the CHTAA, an association representing a group of companies critically important to a strong and robust Australian manufacturing industry. May all its members continue to thrive. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

INDUSTRY NEWS

DNA Nanobots Build Themselves – How Can We Help Them Grow The Right Way? Source: Sally Wood

Researchers at UNSW have overcome a major design challenge on the path to controlling the dimensions of so-called DNA nanobots, which are structures that assemble themselves from DNA components. Self-assembling nanorobots may sound like science fiction, but new research in DNA nanotechnology has brought them a step closer to reality. Future nanobot use cases may include larger applications in the health and medical fields, like wound healing and unclogging of arteries. Researchers from UNSW, alongside colleagues in the United Kingdom, have published a new design theory in ACS Nano on how to control the length of selfassembling nanobots in the absence of a mould, or template. Lead author Dr Lawrence Lee, at UNSW Medicine’s Single Molecule Science explained the challenges associated with his research. “Traditionally we build structures by manually assembling components into the desired end product. That works quite well and easily if the parts are large, but as you go smaller and smaller, it becomes harder to do this,” he said.

Medical researchers are already able to build nano-scale robots that can be programmed to do very small tasks, like position tiny electrical components or deliver drugs to cancer cells. UNSW researchers use biological molecules – like DNA – to build these nanorobots. In a process known as molecular self-assembly, tiny individual component parts build themselves into larger structures. But using self-assembly to build is a challenge, as researchers must work out how to program the building blocks to build the desired structure, and ensure they stop when the structure is long or tall enough. For this project, the UNSW researchers implemented their design by synthesising DNA subunits, called PolyBricks. As happens in natural systems, the building blocks are encoded with the master plans to self-assemble into pre-defined structures of a set length. Dr Lee said the PolyBricks are similar to the microbots in the film Big Hero Six, where microbots self-assemble into a multitude of different formations. “In the film, the ultimate robot is a bunch of identical subunits that can be instructed to self-assemble into any desired global form,” Dr Lee said.

The researchers used a design principle known as strain accumulation to control the dimensions of their built structures. “With each block we add, strain energy accumulates between the PolyBricks, until ultimately the energy is too great for any more blocks to bind. This is the point at which the subunits will stop assembling,” Dr Lee explained. To control the length of the final structure – like how many PolyBricks are joined together – the research team modified the sequence in their DNA design to regulate how much strain is added with each new block. “Our theory could help researchers design other ways to use strain accumulation to control the global dimensions of open self-assemblies,” Dr Lee said. PhD graduate and lead author Dr Jonathan Berengut explained that this mechanism could be used to encode more complex shapes using self-assembly units. “It’s this type of fundamental research into how we organise matter at the nanoscale that’s going to lead us to the next generation of nanomaterials, nanomedicines, and nanoelectronics,” he said. Dr Berengut was the global winner of the 2018 Three Minute Thesis, which grants PhD candidates with the opportunity to share their research with a broad audience in just three minutes. Dr Berengut’s thesis explored nanobots and a technique called ‘DNA origami’ to construct billions of nanoscale robots – each one thousands of times smaller than the thickness of a single hair – to accomplish complex molecular tasks. “Although DNA origami nanobots like the ones I build have been used for many things such as cancer drug delivery, nanoelectronics and biosensing, I see what I do as fundamental research,” he said.

At UNSW, researchers use DNA to build nanorobots. Pictured here are their PolyBricks. Image credit: Jonathan Berengut.

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APRIL 2021 | 23

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Game-Changer in Thermoelectric Materials: Decoupling Electronic and Thermal Transport Source: Sally Wood

A new study at the University of Wollongong (UOW) has overcome a major challenge of thermoelectric materials, which can convert heat into electricity and vice versa, and improve conversion efficiency by more than 60 per cent. Current and potential future applications range from low-maintenance, solid-state refrigeration to compact, zero-carbon power generation, which could include small, personal devices powered by the body’s own heat. “The decoupling of electronic (electronbased) and thermal (phonon-based) transport will be a game-changer in this industry,” said Professor Xiaolin Wang at the University of Wollongong, who lead the project. Bismuth telluride-based materials (Bi2Te3, Sb2Te3 and their alloys) are the most successful commercially-available thermoelectric materials. Current and future applications fall into two categories: converting electricity into heat, and vice versa. Converting electricity into heat is reliable, and involves low-maintenance solidstate refrigeration with no moving parts, no noise, and no vibration. Meanwhile, converting heat into electricity involves fossil-free power generation from a wide range of heat sources or powering microdevices ‘for free’, using ambient or body temperature. Heat harvesting takes advantage of the free, plentiful heat sources provided by body heat, automobiles, everyday living, and industrial process. But without the need for batteries or a power supply, thermoelectric materials could be used to power intelligent sensors in remote, inaccessible locations. An ongoing challenge of thermoelectric materials is the balance of electrical and thermal properties. In most cases, an improvement in a material’s electrical properties, like higher electrical conductivity, means a worsening of thermal properties. The three-year project at UOW’s Institute 24 | APRIL 2021

of Superconductivity and Electronic Materials discovered a way to decouple and simultaneously improve both thermal and electronic properties. The team added a small amount of amorphous nanoboron particles to bismuth telluridebased thermoelectric materials, using nanodefect engineering and structural design. Amorphous nano boron particles were introduced using the spark plasma sintering method. “This reduces the thermal conductivity of the material, and at the same time increases its electron transmission.

Thermoelectric material demonstration: powering a small fan, LED. Image credit: FLEET.

Left: Lead author, UOW PhD student Guangsai Yang. Image credit: FLEET. Right: Chief Investigator Professor Xiaolin Wang (University of Wollongong). Image credit: FLEET.

“The secret of thermoelectric materials engineering is manipulating the phonon and electron transport,” explained Professor Wang. While electrons carry heat and conduct electricity, material engineering based on electron transport alone is prone to the perennial trade-off between thermal and electrical properties. In comparison, phonons only carry heat. Hence, blocking phonon transport reduces thermal conductivity induced by lattice vibrations, without affecting electronic properties. “The key to improving thermoelectric efficiency is to minimise the heat flow via phonon blocking, and maximise electron flow via (electron transmitting),” said lead author and PhD student Guangsai Yang. “This is the origin of the record-high thermoelectric efficiency in our materials.” The results include a record-high conversion efficiency of 11.3 per cent, which is 60 per cent better than commercially-available materials prepared by the zone melting method. BACK TO CONTENTS

It is also the most successful commerciallyavailable thermoelectric materials, as bismuth telluride-based materials are also typical topological insulators. In addition to support from the Australian Research Council Future Fellowship, Centre of Excellence and Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities programs, funding was also received from the China Scholarship Council and National Natural Science Foundation of China. Experimentation facilities included the UOW Electron Microscopy Centre, with technical support from the Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis at the University of Sydney. Professor Wang leads FLEET’s UOW node. He also leads the Enabling Technology team who are developing novel and atomically thin materials underpinning FLEET’s search for ultra-low energy electronics, managing synthesis and characterisation of novel 2D at UOW. FLEET is a collaboration of over a hundred researchers, seeking to develop ultra-low energy electronics to face the challenge of energy use in computation. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

One monitor controls imaging & analysis

Platinum-coated metal grid (SED)

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Large samples— up to 100 x 100 mm, eucentric sample holder enables tilt and rotation.

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Easy to learn, easy to use—Users of any experience level can quickly start producing results.

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Fast, high-resolution imaging—Long-lifetime CeB6 electron source that offers high brightness and low maintenance, high quality images in just 30s.

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Advanced automation— New 24’’ Full screen image, Magnification 350,000x, <6nm resolution (SED & BSD).

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Live element ID - using integrated X-ray (EDS) detector.

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Elemental mapping of a mineral sample

3D roughness reconstruction

CONTACT US FOR A DEMO & QUOTE ATA Scientific Pty Ltd | enquiries@atascientific.com.au | www.atascientific.com.au | +61 2 9541 3500

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Phenom ParticleX AM Addresses the Challenges of Additive Manufacturing Source: ATA Scientific

Additive manufacturing (AM) is on track to revolutionise manufacturing processes by not only reducing costs but by creating complex parts that are not possible with traditional methods. The adoption of AM by many industries relies heavily on its ability to solve current manufacturing challenges. The Phenom ParticleX AM is a specialised high-resolution desktop scanning electron microscope (SEM) dedicated to aiding additive manufacturers improve to product quality. The ParticleX AM rapidly profiles feed powders for size and morphological distribution, as well as elemental

composition. Operators can then complete high-resolution imaging of the finished part to assess quality and look for defects in the print. This fully integrated system is simple to operate and eliminates the need for outsourcing for quality checks, speeding up time-to-market. Challenge #1: Feed quality analysis Obtaining regular-shaped and ideal size distribution of feed powder is crucial to creating high-quality parts. Smooth, regular-shaped particles flow more easily due to reduced friction and a lack of interlocking provides a more continuous powder bed. Additionally, achieving the optimal mix

of small and large particles is critical to densely packed beds. Therefore, understanding the morphology and size distribution of particles is the key to produce high-quality parts with a smooth finish and high strength. The ParticleX AM can be used to quickly identify the morphological and the elemental composition of thousands of feed particles. From the resultant size distribution, morphological and elemental profiles, a given batch of powder can be assigned for specific use as per internal criteria. ParticleX AM allows ready access to extensive information on the starting material to deliver a powerful method for improving the quality of the final product.

Figure 1. ParticleX AM quantitatively analyses the morphology of feed powder. The intuitive software enables the user to revisit standout particles instantly, and produce plots and reports.

Figure 2. Criteria for qualifying feed may be formed based on the content of fines amongst the feed.

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Figure 3. High-res select-area BSD-SED hybrid scan of an Aluminium (Al) bottle opener reveals (a) an irregularity on an inner support beam and (b) trace foreign element - later identified as iron using EDS mapping (c). Approximate field of view of the Aluminium (Al) bottle opener represents an area 70mm x 20mm.

Challenge #2: Product integrity assessment The ability to scan for defects assists AM to validate a finished product. The ParticleX AM has a scanning area of 100 mm x 100 mm which grants a large degree of freedom to image and assess the size and shape of whole parts or sections of a larger component simultaneously (left). By combining an imaging resolution of <8nm and magnifications up to 200,000x, properties such as structural integrity, print resolution, surface uniformity and phases across large surfaces can be determined to contribute unique insights not possible with other systems. The secondary electron detector (SED) integrated within the ParticleX AM reveals topological features in fine detail, therefore pores, cracks and inclusions can

be readily detected. The high-contrast backscatter detector (BSD) is ideal for imaging phases and the distribution of elements, complementing the energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) detector for elemental identification. Challenge #3: Feed recycling optimisation Viability of an AM process relies on the efficient utilisation of expensive powder feeds. Although recycling can save cost, it may also change the size and shape distribution and/or even composition through contamination. The Phenom ParticleX AM can be used to monitor the integrity of recycled powders by using the automatic morphological and elemental analysis capability. ATA would like to thank Dr. Haopeng Shen, researcher at Monash Centre for Additive Manufacturing, for providing the titanium powders, and Amaero for the bottle opener featured herein.

Available for demo now: The new desktop Phenom ParticleX SEM Requiring very little lab space, Phenom ParticleX offers in-house analysis and validation of 3D printed goods against industry-approved standards. Users can obtain high-quality images in just 40 seconds—three times faster than other desktop SEM systems on the market. Contact us for a demonstration or quote today! ATA Scientific Pty Ltd +61 2 9541 3500 enquiries@atascientific.com.au www.atascientific.com.au

Figure 4. Changes in morphology caused by heating at 650° C for four hours and the resultant surface delamination leads to an increased presence of fines for titanium alloy powder.

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APRIL 2021 | 27

INDUSTRY NEWS

Scanning Electron Microscopy for Your Lab Source: Dr. Cameron Chai and Dr. Kamran Khajehpour

Scanning Electron Microscopy or SEM is no longer a technique found solely in central analytical facilities within universities. Systems like the TESCAN VEGA bring SEM capabilities well within the realms of possibility for smaller testing labs, quality control labs and companies involved in R&D. They can also prove their worth in short timeframes in onsite labs eliminating the need to send samples off-site for testing. There was a time many years ago when SEMs required highly skilled operators who sat in dark rooms peering at small black and white screens, backed up by clever maintenance engineers who were regularly called on to fix all manner of problems. These days are all well behind us, with the latest crop of instruments from TESCAN providing unrivaled reliability and ease of use. TESCAN’s generation 4 SEMs come standard with their revolutionary Essence software. This allows the user interface to be customised to your own specific

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workflow requirements. With a host of automated operations and other innovations such a wide field optics which streamlines sample navigation and live chamber view camera, and a super-smart collision model, accidents become almost impossible. These features also make systems like the TESCAN VEGA an ideal teaching or workhorse instrument with even novice operators able to generate high-quality images with very little training. Essence EDS is fully integrated into the user interface and provides real-time chemical analysis via Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). EDS is the most common analytical addition for SEMs. EDS mapping can provide valuable information about chemical distributions and inhomogeneities. Systems like the TESCAN VEGA are also highly affordable, especially when compared with other analytical instruments and smaller benchtop SEMs. As an entry-level system, the TESCAN VEGA Compact benefits from many years of evolution and other developments common to its more sophisticated stablemates. Furthermore, it is actually cheaper than many benchtop systems and offers superior performance and

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versatility with a larger chamber size and the ability to add additional detectors either at the time of purchase or down the track. Should you need to analyse even larger samples, this is possible at very little extra cost using similar systems with larger chamber sizes. While many things such as electronics can be successfully miniaturised while still bringing performance gains, this does not translate to everything, such as electron optics. Smaller electron optics i.e. SEM column typically translates into lower magnification and resolution power from benchtop SEMs. Benchtop SEMs often only offer low vacuum imaging capabilities. This means they rely on BSE detectors which do not reveal as much detail as SE detectors. Furthermore, benchtop SEMs typically have lower accelerating voltages and extremely lower probe currents. These make EDS analysis (qualitative and quantitative especially) much more challenging. With SEMs, there are often consequences to small and cheap. Imaging of most insulating and beamsensitive materials is fast and easy using the standard SingleVac mode. For the most challenging samples TESCAN offers the MultiVac option. TESCAN MultiVac enables low vacuum and extended variable pressure on TESCAN SEMs. MultiVac operates in both N c and H2O atmospheres, and MultiVac’s extended variable pressure (up to 500 Pa) mode allows controlled fine-tuning of vacuum to achieve the best charge compensation for any insulating sample. MultiVac also includes TESCAN’s proprietary gaseous secondary electron detector (GSD) which, when used in H2O atmospheres, enables high resolution imaging at low keV and low beam currents for topography characterisation on beam sensitive samples. The ability to characterise a sample’s topography at low keV is essential, because lower beam penetration depth will enhance topographical contrast and reveal surface details. MultiVac seamlessly integrates with TESCAN SEMs and is controlled directly from TESCAN’s Essence™ software, making high quality characterisation of insulating, beam sensitive and outgassing samples effortless and accessible to all users. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

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AXT add Oxford Instruments’ Benchtop NMR Products to their range of Scientific Solutions AXT are proud to announce that they have just entered into an agreement with Oxford Instruments Magnetic Resonance, a leading provider of high technology products and services to the world’s leading companies and scientific research communities to distribute their range of benchtop Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) instruments in Australia and New Zealand. These instruments enable novel research and optimise quality control for industrial QA/QC and rock core analysis. Oxford Instruments have a range of benchtop NMR spectrometers and time domain (TDNMR) relaxometry solutions. These systems redefine NMR analysis making a high-end analytical technique easily available for

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smaller laboratories by offering it in a compact benchtop configuration with no need for special facilities or cryogens, but still capable of producing research quality results. Oxford Instruments product range is headlined with X-Pulse, the world’s first benchtop NMR to offer unique broadband multi-nuclei selection for identifying molecular structure and monitoring reaction dynamics. This is complemented by the MQC+ range that provides fast, simple and accurate measurement of oil, water, fluorine and fat content delivering robust QA/QC solutions. These systems are designed for applications in the food, agriculture, textiles, polymers, chemical, pharmaceuticals, oil exploration, geochemistry and petrophysics industries.

available and our systems offer a revolution in flexibility and convenience. We are looking forward to expanding the reach of this technology with our partners in Australia, AXT”

Barry Jones, Director of Business Development from Oxford Instruments said, “Our range of benchtop NMR instruments make the technique much more widely

For more information on the Oxford Instruments range of NMR instruments, please visit www.axt.com.au/suppliers/ oxford-instruments-nmr/.

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Richard Trett, Managing Director at AXT replied, “I’ve seen how simple these instruments are to operate. In combination with the technique’s versatility, I can see this range of products making an impact in both academia and industry in Australia and New Zealand.”

APRIL 2021 | 29

INDUSTRY NEWS

The Effect of 125 Years of X-rays on Materials Science Source: Dr Cameron Chai

It has been 125 years since the German mechanical engineer and physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen first discovered X-rays. From his first observations on November 8, to his first provisional communication submission, “On a New Kind of Rays”, on December 28, to his first public lecture and demonstration in January 1896, the path was extremely rapid. His discovery was so significant that, X-rays were being used in clinical applications as soon as February 1896. Röntgen was awarded the first Nobel Prize for physics in 1901 for his discovery. Interestingly, he never patented anything to do with X-rays, preferring to make his discoveries freely available for the world to benefit from. He even donated the Nobel Prize money to the University of Würzburg where he worked. While X-rays had an immediate effect in the field of medicine, they have gone on to have a profound effect on the materials industry in both imaging and analysis. Now they are used in a wide variety of modes with instruments ranging from small handheld devices, all the way up to synchrotrons, which can be larger than a football field.

What is an X-ray X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation just like visible light. With wavelength ranging from 10 picometres to

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10 nanometres. This puts them between ultraviolet (UV) radiation at the lower end and gamma rays at the upper end. X-rays exhibit dual wave-particle characteristics. As a wave, X-rays exhibit diffraction phenomena and as a particle, they have energy inversely proportional to their wavelength.

fine metal microstructures encapsulated in a diamond substrate. This design is capable of producing a “higher brightness” X-ray source as the limitation on power density before the solid metal anode melts has been overcome.

How X-rays are Generated Since Röntgen’s original observations using Crookes tubes, which were superseded by Coolidge’s more reliable hot cathode design developed in 1913, the way in which X-rays have been generated has remained fairly consistent. In these designs, electrons from a cathode are accelerated towards an anode or target using a high voltage. A characteristic X-ray is produced when the incident electrons dislodge electrons from the anode. When an electron falls from another shell to fill the vacancy, an X-ray is produced of a wavelength specific to the anode material. The process described above takes place inside in an evacuated glass tube, with all components being stationary. The process itself generates a lot of heat at the anode, where the electrons strike the anode. A variation on the stationary tube involves having a rotating anode, whereby the electrons effectively impinge upon a much greater area. This design, first commercialised in 1929, has been used to great success by Rigaku in their powder, thin-film, single crystal and protein crystallography XRD systems to generate high X-ray fluxes. There have also been a number of other X-ray source technologies developed in the last 20 years. The MetalJet is a variation on the conventional X-ray tube, except that it uses a jet of liquid metal e.g. gallium for the anode. The US company Tribogenics used the phenomenon of triboluminescence for their cartridgebased X-ray sources (~2007). Another US-based company, Sigray have pioneered a totally new concept. Known as FAAST™ or Fine Anode Array Source Technology. These microfocus x-ray sources feature an x-ray target comprised of BACK TO CONTENTS

Heat distribution in a conventional X-ray target. Melting of the solid metal target limits power loading and source brightness.

Heat distribution in the FAAST Microstructured Target. Small structures enable rapid thermal dissipation for higher power loading.

All of these X-ray generation sources are suitable for use in a typical laboratory. At the other end of the scale is the MacDaddy of X-ray sources, the synchrotron. Synchrotrons can be as large as a football field. These annular-shaped facilities are capable of producing the most brilliant source of X-rays. While it is impossible to have a synchrotron in every facility, it is feasible to have a Lyncean Compact Light Source, effectively a room-sized synchrotron, which also produces a synchrotron beamline for home laboratory applications.

X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) German physicist Max von Laue is credited for discovering X-rays are diffracted by crystalline materials. He first published his findings in 1912 and 2 years later received a Nobel Prize in Physics. His work also paved the way for the father and son team of Sir William and Sir Lawrence Bragg (born in Adelaide) to formulate Bragg’s Law (nλ=2d.sinθ) which relates WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

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in recent times for XRD is the development of HPC or Hybrid Photon Counting. These supersede the original 0D scintillation counters and 1D silicon strip detectors. These next generation semiconductor 2D detectors directly measure almost all photons generated by the sample. They are what is called an event driven device, which means they only count individual photons and do not accumulate noise. Combined with zero dead time and next to no noise, they are also much faster, making them the ideal partner for high-flux XRDs. Furthermore, when equipped with energy discrimination that prevents possible charge sharing between pixels, HPAD detectors produce the best quality data. the wavelength of the X-rays (λ) and their angle of incidence (λ) to the distance between atomic layers (d) in a crystal, enabling them to solve the first crystal structure. XRD is now a universally used analytical technique in materials science for identifying the phases present in crystalline materials and can be used to determine the composition of unknown materials ranging from advanced materials to minerals and pharmaceuticals with every compound having unique crystal size. XRDs can be found in any university as well as many commercial testing labs. Systems range in size from small benchtop units to large floor standing systems. Despite their size, benchtop systems like the MiniFlex are still more than capable of producing publication quality data and are starting to be used more for teaching. Systems range in size from portable and benchtop through to high throughput floor standing systems with X-ray fluxes up to 9kW. 9kW X-ray sources produce more than 6 times more X-ray flux than more conventional sealed beam sources, which, while rated to 3kW, but normally operate at 1.6kW (40kV and 40mA). Benchtop and floors taking systems can be configured to perform a range of different experiments e.g. monitoring crystallographic changes at low or elevated temperatures, thin film analysis, analysis of battery materials, concurrently with DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) and even residual stress measurements. One of the most significant developments

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X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) XRF analysis is based on Charles Barkla’s discovery that each element emits a characteristic spectrum of X-rays. This resulted in him being awarded a Nobel Prize in Physics 1917. Within XRF there are two variants, Energy Dispersive (EDXRF) and Wavelength Dispersive (WDXRF). The principle difference lies in WDXRF’s higher achievable spectral or energy resolution, making it the technique of choice where higher levels of accuracy are required. This does however come at the expense of speed, where EDXRF scans elements simultaneously and WDXRF sequentially (generally). Most WDXRF spectrometers are designed for high throughput with large sample loading trays to queue many samples. The main differences between systems from different manufacturers are tube below and tube above optical configurations, with the latter being beneficial for any application where dust or particles might fall off the sample and onto the detector (e.g. pressed powder samples) and the crystals used to disperse the fluorescence spectrum into individual wavelengths. XRF spectrometers come in a range of sizes. Small benchtop (EDXRF) systems are available, typically for quality control, while larger, high throughput floor standing (WDXRF) systems with large sample loading trays are also commonly found in university and commercial testing labs. The most notable development in recent

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times has been the miniaturisation of EDXRF’s resulting in portable or handheld XRFs, the first of which became available in 1994. Since this time many different companies have introduced systems. They have evolved over time, with advances in detectors, electronics and battery technologies, with systems now weighing less than 1.4kg and able to accurately identify materials in just a few seconds including aluminium alloys, matching them to large-onboard databases. The area where pXRFs have made the greatest impact is in PMI (Positive Materials Identification) where technicians can quickly identify alloys in the field, typically able to measure hundreds of samples in a shift if required, without the timeconsuming task of having to take a sample back to the lab. Furthermore, with the addition of a stand, portable XRFs can be used as an alternative to small benchtop systems. While mainly used for bulk analysis, some WDXRF systems do cater for XRF mapping or spot analysis which can be useful for analysis of inclusions or other inhomogenities. These systems generally only boast a resolution of the order of 0.5mm. There have emerged some dedicated micro-XRF systems. At the top end in terms of performance is the Sigray AttoMap which combines a high brightness X-ray source with a sub-12μm spot size,

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sub-femtogram sensitivity, high-speed scanning (as fast as 5ms/pt), the ability to cater for a range of sample sizes with additional X-ray microscopy capabilities. XRD and XRF are also highly complimentary techniques, with data from XRF able to be used to more accurately determine phase assemblage from XRD.

X-Ray Microanalysis X-ray microanalysis differs from other techniques described in the article in that it does not involve irradiation by X-rays. Rather, it involves electron interactions with a sample within an electron microscope (EM) which themselves generate X-rays. Also, as the name suggest, analysis takes place at the micro level, enabling analysis of individual grains or features, while XRD and XRF are typically bulk analytical techniques. With X-ray emissions being unique to each element, techniques like Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS, also known as EDX, Energy-Dispersive X-ray analysis) and Wavelength-Dispersive Spectroscopy (WDS) are able to determine the chemical composition of materials, similar to XRF, with chemical data able to be correlated with images from the electron microscope. Similarly, EBSD (Electron Backscatter

Electron Diffraction) produces data similar to XRD that can be related back to specific sites, as opposed to XRD which is also a bulk characterisation technique. EBSD data can also be correlated with EM images providing researchers with valuable microstructural information.

X-Ray Photoelectric Spectroscopy While some of the groundwork may have been laid beforehand (Heinrich Hertz 1887, Wilhem Rontgen 1895 and even Albert Einstein 1905), the Swedish physicist, Kai Siegbahn, has been credited for his work in developing the technique Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA), now known as XPS. His contributions were recognised in 1981 with a Nobel Prize in Physics. With the increasing popularity of surface modification technologies and the need to know more about the areas that actually interact with their surroundings, i.e. the outermost surface of materials, surface science has grown in popularity. Aided by more user-friendly instruments, XPS has been the real winner, and it is the most broadly used surface characterisation technique today. Based on the photoelectric effect, XPS is a highly surface sensitive, powerful technique, able to determine elemental composition and chemical state. This enables the chemical structure to be deduced, while surface mapping is also possible, revealing changes in composition and concentration. Depth profiling is also possible. Using an ion source to etch away the surface, thin layers of material can be removed and XPS

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scans taken of the newly revealed surface. By repeating this process many times over, a 3D chemical analysis can be created. XPS data can be complemented by other techniques such as Ion Scattering Spectroscopy (ISS), Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS), Reflected Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (REELS) and Raman to provide a more comprehensive surface analysis.

X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) probes how x-rays are absorbed from core electrons of atoms. As such it can reveal critical information on oxidation states, bond lengths and interatomic distances, electron symmetry and more. It incorporates X-ray Absorption NearEdge Spectroscopy (XANES) and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) Spectroscopy and had traditionally been restricted to the synchrotron. Recent developments in X-ray sources have seen laboratory systems materialise, with the Sigray QuantumLeap being the first system in the world capable if both XANES and EXAFS.

Radiography Radiography is a Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) technique. While the first use of radiography in materials science is not clear, the technique has been in use for around 100 years. It works on exactly the same principal as medical X-rays, exposing the sample to an X-ray source and using X-ray film WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

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or a digital detector on the other side to capture an image. In doing so, the technician can see features beneath the surface that would otherwise be invisible. The primary differences to medical systems are the need for higher power sources and portability for in situ measurements. Higher power is required as X-ray attenuation is a function of density and depth, with most radiography being performed on steels and alloys. The main differences between radiographic generator sets, often called tube heads are the way in which they delivery X-rays and their area of effect. Some systems deliver X-rays in a series of pulses (pulse-powered), while others offer continuous bursts (constant potential). The latter results in shorter exposure times, but this usually comes at a higher initial cost. Tube heads are also directional (fire X-rays in only one direction from a point source) or panoramic (X-rays fired radially in a circle). Directional systems are the most commonly used for examining specific sites of interest, while panoramic systems are used to test pipelines with the tube head driven along the inside. The main applications of radiography in materials science are, weld assessment, quality control and asset management in industries such as oil and gas and aerospace where structures and components are checked for flaws, cracks, pores and other defects that could lead to failure.

Computed Tomography Computed Tomography (CT) is like the 3-dimensional extension of radiography and depending on its spatial resolution, can also be referred to as micro-CT or even nano-CT. Either way, this technique is analogous to medical CT. Also known as a CAT scan, CT

was first introduced in 1972 for medical applications. The evolution of CT in the materials field initially used medical systems. Now, several companies manufacture CT systems for materials and NDT inspection applications. Aided by powerful software, it also has the ability to provide quantitative analysis of the microstructure based on density e.g. per cent porosity. X-ray microscopy (XRM) is a very similar technique that combines microscope technology that results in higher spatial resolution. The process involves taking many 2D scans from several angles and using complex algorithms to stitch them together to produce a 3D reconstruction. Sophisticated software packages allow users to rotate, disassemble and examine the reconstructions enabling them to see non-destructively deep beneath the surface. Examining structures in this way can reveal pores, cracks, voids and other defects, making CT an excellent technique for process refinement and quality control. The 3D non-destructive nature of the technique, with its ability to accurately visualise internal structures makes it suitable not just for quality control, but also metrology applications and even reverse engineering components. Driven by developments such as more powerful computers, faster detectors and better ways to quality check components, especially critical components produced by additive manufacturing, CT is becoming more and more widespread in the materials industry. Systems now range in size from small benchtop units, through to much larger systems suited for inspection of industrial-scale components. CT is possibly the most rapidly evolving technology in materials at the current time. Some very recent developments include: •4 D Tomography - Systems that combine high spatial and temporal resolutions capable of performing truly dynamic CT experiments with continuous scanning

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•M ultimodal imaging - The ability to simultaneously acquire darkfield, quantitative phase and absorption imaging images that can be correlated if required, revealing defects and features that might otherwise remain invisible to traditional CT imaging approaches •U ltra-High Flux & Contrast - X-ray Microscopy ideal for low contrast materials using dual target rotating anode sources and ultra-sensitive X-ray optics deliver stunning results for biological samples in practical timeframes •H ighly Automated High kV CT - Systems operating up to 600kV, capable of imaging almost anything, while still providing micron-scale resolution for samples in the 1m range

Summary The discovery of X-rays by Röntgen 125 years ago has most notably benefitted the field of medicine. However, stemming from his work, numerous significant discoveries have paved the way for X-ray-based analytical and imaging techniques that have had a significant and lasting effect on the materials industry. Even though many of these X-ray-based techniques have been around for many years, they still remain extremely relevant and new innovations and technologies see them continuing to evolve with some systems now being available in very small configurations, and in some cases, synchrotron-like performance is now available in the laboratory environment.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

BREAKING NEWS UNISA’s New Space Age Technologies to Boost the Power of Small Satellites The University of South Australia (UniSA) secured two out of six grants in the latest round of South Australian Defence Innovation Partnership Cooperative Research Grants. Dr Kamil Zuber, a Research Fellow at UniSA’s Future Industries Institute (FII), said the development of freeform optics for small satellites will expand intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capacity and capability for space satellites. “The emerging technology of freeform optics, where mirrors can be designed and manufactured to take on complex shapes, allows us to produce large fields of view in smaller packages – which is a powerful adaptation for the new generation of small satellites that are in rapid development,” Dr Zuber said. Researchers will also collaborate with DST Group, Amaero, SMR and the University of Adelaide to prototype and validate durable coatings for freeform optical components used for small space satellites. “Achieving a stable, durable coating in the harsh low earth orbit environment that is impervious to radiation and atomic oxygen is one of the challenges that this project aims to address,” Dr Zuber said. In addition, another project is being led by FII Research Fellow, Associate Professor Craig Priest to address concerns in the space capabilities to develop satellite systems that can withstand and respond to adverse events.

The burning of rice husks is a major contributor of pollution and landfill in India.

Thermal Energy Storage the Key to Reducing Agricultural Food Pollution Thermal energy researcher at the University of South Australia (UniSA), Professor Frank Bruno has been awarded nearly $1 million by the Federal Government to find a solution to agricultural pollution in Australia and India.

“With several hundred small satellites launched every year, space is becoming crowded and hostile,” Associate Professor Priest said.

Professor Bruno, will lead a project with India’s biggest private university to develop a renewable energy-driven food processing and drying system to reduce pollution and landfill issues across both countries.

“Satellites need to be smaller, more agile, and more energy efficient, with on-board thrust mechanisms that also have minimal hardware.

The three-year $977,585 project is being funded by the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund – Australia’s largest fund dedicated to bilateral science collaboration.

“Our research will be focussed on nanofluidic thrusters which can offer a solution to those challenges,” he concluded.

India is the largest global producer of food, while Australia is one of the world’s largest food exporters. Together, there is scope for greater collaboration between the two countries to help curve agricultural pollution. India also has nine of the top ten cities with the highest air pollution in the world, partially due to agricultural waste burnt by farmers in the field. Professor Bruno’s research will use technology that cuts air pollution and agricultural waste landfill, and also reduces food manufacturers’ costs. “Shifting towards this solution will undoubtedly result in significant amounts of biomass which can then be converted into high-value renewable biofuels,” Professor Bruno said. Professor Bruno’s research will focus on developing high temperature, electrically charged thermal energy storage (ECTES), which can provide heated air for drying, replacing fossil fuels.

The development of freeform optics for small satellites will expand intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capacity and capability for space satellites. Image credit: UniSA.

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This research project will also build on existing research on high temperature ECTES being undertaken by Professor Bruno and his team at UniSA’s Mawson Lakes Campus, in addition to another project to improve the shelf life of milk. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

INDUSTRY NEWS

BREAKING NEWS Scientists Defy Nature to Make Insta-Bling at Room Temperature An international research team has made diamonds in minutes at room temperature – a process that normally takes billions of years, huge amounts of pressure and super-hot temperatures. The team was led by RMIT University and the Australian National University (ANU), who worked with the University of Sydney and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the United States. Together, they made two types of diamonds: the kind found on an engagement ring and another type of diamond called Lonsdaleite, which is found in nature at the site of meteorite impacts. Professor Dougal McCulloch from RMIT used advanced electron microscopy techniques to capture solid and intact slices from the experimental samples to create snapshots of how the two types of diamond formed. “Our pictures showed that the regular diamonds only form in the middle of these Lonsdaleite veins under this new method developed by our cross-institutional team.

Australia has an opportunity to create thousands of high-tech jobs in quantum technologies.

Sydney Poised to Be a Global Hub for Quantum Technology The Sydney Quantum Academy was launched in December by UNSW and other partner universities. The Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, the Hon Stuart Ayres joined representatives from academia and industry to discuss plans to grow the city’s quantum economy, create new jobs and attract investment.

Abobe: PhD candidate Brenton Cook and Professor Dougal McCulloch in the RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility. Image credit: RMIT University. Left: RMIT researchers captured ‘rivers’ of Lonsdaleite and regular diamond. Image credit: RMIT University.

“Seeing these little ‘rivers’ of Lonsdaleite and regular diamond for the first time was just amazing and really helps us understand how they might form,” Professor McCulloch explained. Lonsdaleite has a different crystal structure to regular diamonds, it is predicted to be 58 per cent harder. Professor Jodie Bradby from ANU described the research as a breakthrough. “Natural diamonds are usually formed over billions of years, about 150km deep in the Earth where there are high pressures and temperatures above 1,000 degrees Celsius,” she said. This new and unexpected discovery shows both Lonsdaleite and regular diamonds can form at normal room temperatures by applying high pressures – similar to 640 African elephants on the tip of a ballet shoe. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

The new venture is a partnership between four universities for quantum research: UNSW Sydney, Macquarie University, the University of Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney. It has been tasked with supercharging the sector’s growth. “The Academy will keep us at the forefront of quantum technology by developing the future employers, entrepreneurs and the workforce required to sustain the industry’s growth. “This includes investing in support networks for emerging technologies where we have credible expertise,” Minister Ayres said. Professor Peter Turner is the CEO of the Academy, who said the talent pipeline will be developed through education and training programs, industry partnerships and internships. “The potential for quantum is enormous, which is why we are seeing significant increases in effort and investment around the world. “Quantum technologies will fundamentally change areas like computation and sensing. They will help us to solve problems that we simply can’t solve with classical information technology,” he said. Quantum is an industry that is expected to catalyse a broader capability, which will be transformational for all industries, similar to the effect of the digital revolution. Professor Turner said the Academy is very fortunate to have global technology industry and government leaders involved. “It demonstrates the significance of what’s happening in the quantum space in Sydney,” he said.

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APRIL 2021 | 35

INDUSTRY NEWS

BREAKING NEWS Tiny Bubbles on Electrodes Key to Speeding up Chemical Processes New Curtin University-led research has shown the formation of bubbles on electrodes – typically thought to be a hindrance – can be beneficial. The research found that deliberately added bubbles, or oil droplets, are able to accelerate processes like the removal of pollutants, like hydrocarbons, from contaminated water and the production of chlorine. Dr Simone Ciampi, from Curtin’s School of Molecular Life Sciences, explained that many industrial processes are electrochemical – meaning the desired chemical reaction to create an end product is assisted by the flow of electrical currents. “Electrodes assist chemists to achieve required electrochemical reactions, such as in the purification of alumina, and the technology used to produce chlorine for swimming pools,” Dr Ciampi said. Using fluorescence microscopy, electrochemistry and multi-scale modelling, the research team showed that in the vicinity of bubbles that stick to an electrode surface, valuable chemical reactions occur under conditions where normally such reactions would be considered impossible. Dr Yan Vogel is a co-researcher who is also from Curtin’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences. He said it was these reactions occurring in the corona of bubbles that led to the team’s interest, and warranted further exploration. “We revealed for the first time that the surrounding surface of an electrode bubble accumulates hydroxide anions, to surprisingly large concentrations. “This population of negatively charged ions surrounding bubbles is unbalanced by ions of the opposite sign, which was quite unexpected. Usually charged chemical species in solution are generally balanced, so this finding showed us more about the chemical reactivity of bubbles,” Dr Vogel said.

Lead researcher, Curtin University PhD candidate Liam Scarlett. Image credit: Curtin University.

Curtin Collision Models Impact the Future of Energy A new database of electron-molecule reactions, from Curtin University will make nuclear fusion power a reality. The database allows researchers to accurately model plasmas containing molecular hydrogen, and is supplying data to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) – one of the largest scientific projects in the world. Lead researcher and PhD candidate, Liam Scarlett from the Theoretical Physics Group at Curtin’s School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences said his calculations will play a crucial role in the development of fusion technology. “Fusion is the nuclear reaction which occurs when atoms collide and fuse together, releasing huge amounts of energy. “This process is what powers the Sun, and recreating it on Earth requires detailed knowledge of the different types of collisions which take place in the fusion plasma – that’s where my research comes in,” Mr Scarlett said. The study was published in the Atomic Data and Nuclear Data Tables journal, in a collaboration with researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the United States. “Until now the available data was incomplete, however our molecular collision modelling has produced an accurate and comprehensive database of more than 60,000 electronmolecule reaction probabilities which, for the first time, has allowed a team in Germany to create an accurate model for molecular hydrogen in the ITER plasma,” Mr Scarlett said.

The formation of bubbles on electrodes can be beneficial, accelerating processes such as the removal of pollutants (like hydrocarbons) from contaminated water. Image credit: Curtin University.

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The research project was funded by the United States Air Force Office of Scientific Research as part of an international research endeavour to harness fusion power as a future energy source. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

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INDUSTRY NEWS

BREAKING NEWS Meet 3DREDI: The Latest in 3D Bioprinting Innovation The team from TRICEP, at the University of Wollongong have launched a new 3D bioprinting system on the global stage. The 3D bioprinting system, also known as 3DREDI, is designed to equip users with the essential hardware and skills to embark on projects in the rapidly emerging bioprinting industry. The system was designed and manufactured in Wollongong, and the online launch attracted interest from India, Indonesia, Finland, Dubai, and the United States. TRICEP Director, Distinguished Professor Gordon Wallace said the realisation of the 3DREDI system is an exciting advancement in establishing a new, innovative and sustainable 3D bioprinting industry. “Our team is at the forefront of building new approaches to 3D printing, and the success of this project draws on the significant developments we have achieved in this space in recent years and our focus on building our local capabilities in this area,” Professor Wallace said. 3DREDI features an intuitive bioprinting platform, and performs as a research and education tool. The system is also complete with interactive printing and characterisation tutorials to allow educators and students to familiarise themselves with the capabilities of multi-material bioprinting. Users also receive example cases to get started on their own research. “The 3DREDI system is an exciting advance in 3D bioprinting, and the intuitive and flexible platform has been developed with the input of world-leading clinicians. “3DREDI aims to educate the next generation of biofabricators by equipping them with the skills and tools to tackle big medical challenges, as well as serving as a biomaterials research tool,” Professor Wallace explained. Below: The team from TRICEP has launched its new 3D bioprinting system on the global stage. Image credit: University of Wollongong.

Co-author Dr Dan Sando preparing materials for study at UNSW. Image credit: FLEET.

Reviewing Multiferroics for Future, Low-Energy Data Storage A new study from UNSW has comprehensively reviewed the magnetic structure of the multiferroic material bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3 – BFO). The study reviewed the magnetic structure of bismuth ferrite, focusing on when it is grown as a thin single crystal layer on a substrate. The review advances FLEET’s search for low-energy electronics, bringing together current knowledge on the magnetic order in BFO films, and giving researchers a platform to further develop this material in low-energy magnetoelectric memories. BFO displays both magnetic and electronic ordering at room temperature, which allows for low-energy switching in data storage devices. An example is a magnetic material that displays magnetic order, which is typically made up of lots of neatly ordered, tiny magnets. In a ferroelectric material, some atoms are positively charged, while others are negatively charged, and the method of arranging these atoms gives a specific order to the charge in the material. The coupling between magnetic and ferroelectric order in a multiferroic material opens the way for applications in energyefficient electronics, like non-volatile memory devices. Dr Stuart Burns co-wrote the review, who said new researchers to the field of multiferroics will benefit from their work. “We structured the review as a build-your-own-experiment starter pack: readers will be taken through the chronology of BFO, a selection of techniques to utilise and various interesting ways to modify the physics at play. “With these pieces in place, experimentalists will know what to expect, and can focus on engineering new low-energy devices and memory architectures,” he said.

Spin (magnetic order) in the multi-ferroic material bismuth-ferrite ‘cycles’ through the crystal, offering potential application in emerging electronics fields such as magnonics. Image credit: FLEET.

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APRIL 2021 | 37

INDUSTRY NEWS

BREAKING NEWS Evaluating the Impact of Nanomaterials on Health and the Environment ANSTO Human Health has embarked on a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the impacts of wide range use of nanomaterials in products, including foods and food packaging. Nanomaterials in the whole lifecycle of materials – in particular, in terms of human health and environmental impact – is an area of concern researchers. The ANSTO project team are continuing to investigate a common food additive, E171 titanium dioxide, which is used as a colouring agent in everyday foods. Dr Paul Callaghan leads the work, which brings toxicology, materials science, radiochemistry and ion beam analysis together to explore the food additives, where some will naturally contain nano-sized particles. The ‘nano’ size means they have a significantly higher surface area for interaction with biological molecules, which may lead to a different fate for the nanomaterials in the body compared to its bulk form. This could present opportunities, like more targeted delivery of drugs, but in some cases, it could be detrimental.

A colour map illustrates the inherent colours of 466 types of carbon nanotubes with unique (n,m) designations based their chiral angle and diameter. Image credit: Kauppinen Group and Aalto University.

Sheets of Carbon Nanotubes Come In a Rainbow of Colours Nanomaterials researchers in Finland, the United States and China have created a colour atlas for 466 unique varieties of single-walled carbon nanotubes. The nanotube colour atlas research was conducted by researchers from Aalto University in Finland, Rice University and Peking University in China.

Titanium is present within the body in trace amounts, including natural titanium from food ingredients and, potentially, from titanium dioxide macroparticles and nanomaterials, such as in food colouring.

The corresponding author of the study, and Aalto physicist Esko Kauppinen explained the benefits of the research.

“Titanium dioxide is highly insoluble and very poorly absorbed in the gut.

“The sheet appears black if light is completely absorbed by carbon nanotubes in the sheet. If less than about half of the light is absorbed in the nanotubes, the sheet looks transparent,” he explained.

“To link exposure and potentially beneficial or detrimental impacts, we need much better sensitivity in assessing where dietary additives go in the body, and how long they stay there,” said Dr Callaghan. In designing their study, the group selected an exotic radioisotope, vanadium-48 (48V), with the appropriate halflife and appropriate emission to radiolabel the titanium for bioimaging and quantification studies.

“Carbon, which we see as black, can appear transparent or take on any colour of the rainbow.

Carbon nanotubes are long, hollow carbon molecules, similar in shape to a garden hose but with sides around one atom thick and diameters about 50,000 times smaller than a human hair. The outer walls of nanotubes are made of rolled graphen, and the wrapping angle of the graphene can vary, much like the angle of a roll of gift wrap paper. If the gift wrap is rolled carefully, at zero angle, the ends of the paper will align with each side of the gift wrap tube. If the paper is wound carelessly, at an angle, the paper will overhang on one end of the tube. “When the atomic structure of the nanotubes causes only certain colours of light, or wavelengths, to be absorbed, the wavelengths that are not absorbed are reflected as visible colours,” Mr Kauppinen said.

Back row (L to R): Attila Stopic, Herni Wong, Inna Karatchevtseva, Me, Frederic Sierro, Charmaine Day. Front row (L to R): Grant Griffiths, Vu Nguyen, Katie Sizeland. Image credit: ANSTO.

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Junichiro Kono. Image credit: Jeff Fitlow and Rice University.

Esko Kauppinen. Image credit: Aalto University.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

BREAKING NEWS ‘Magic’ Angle Graphene and the Creation of Unexpected Topological Quantum States A new finding, which was recently published in Nature journal, holds the potential to revolutionise electrical engineering, materials science and especially computer science. Physicists have discovered that under certain conditions, interacting electrons can create topological quantum states. “The last decade has seen quite a lot of excitement about new topological quantum states of electrons,” said Professor Ali Yazdani from Princeton University. “Most of what we have uncovered in the last decade has been focused on how electrons get these topological properties, without thinking about them interacting with one another,” he explained. Professor Yazdani and his team used a material known as magicangle twisted bilayer graphene, which allowed them to explore how interacting electrons can give rise to surprising phases of matter. “This was a wonderful detour that came out of nowhere,” said Kevin Nuckolls, who is the lead author of the research paper. “It was totally unexpected, and something we noticed that was going to be important.” The researchers generated extremely low temperatures and created a slight magnetic field. By directing a scanning tunnelling microscope’s conductive metal tip on the surface of the magic-angle twisted graphene, they were able to detect the energy levels of the electrons.

A Princeton-led team of physicists have discovered that, under certain conditions, interacting electrons can create what are called ‘topological quantum states’. This diagram shows a scanning tunnelling microscope imaging the magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene. Image credit: Kevin Nuckolls.

They found that the magic-angle graphene changed how electrons moved on the graphene sheet. “It creates a condition which forces the electrons to be at the same energy,” said Professor Yazdani. They discovered that the interaction between electrons creates topological insulators, which unique devices are serving as insulators in their interiors. This restricts electrons on the inside, and therefore does not conduct electricity.

This diagram depicts the different insulating states of the magic-angle graphene, each characterised by an integer called its ‘Chern number’, which distinguishes between different topological phases. Image credit: Kevin Nuckolls.

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APRIL 2021 | 39

FEATURE – Technical Innovations in Steels

Sustainable Materials Now and Into the Future

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FEATURE – Technical Innovations in Steels

Materials are essential for daily life. The global community relies on a broad range of materials to develop critical infrastructure and devices like shelter, communication, education and nourishment. However, traditional materials manufacturing and its practices are growing old. This has prompted scientists, researchers and industry alike to begin shifting to a more sustainable manufacturing and production future, which is led by innovation and a desire to protect the global environment, economy and health. There are a range of benefits for advancing towards a more sustainable future. Today, the world’s population growth sits at around 1.4 per cent. But in some parts of the world, like Africa, the population growth rate is even higher, at three per cent. A rapid global population increase leads to greater overall production and energy usage. Higher energy consumption – catalysed by inefficient processes – equates to the production of greenhouse gases, which have a damaging impact on the climate and environment. High energy usage during materials production also impacts biodiversity, land-use change and biogeochemical flows, which refers to how chemicals and elements flow between living organisms and the environment. The United Nations have concluded that resource extraction for manufacturing purposes has more than tripled since 1970, including a 45 per cent increase in fossil fuel use. Secondly, the economic impacts of eliminating waste and inefficient processes are an important part of protecting the environment. Improving resource productivity – commonly referred to as a ‘circular economy’ allows materials and products to be recovered from waste and transformed into a new material. This makes waste a ‘raw material’, and value-adds new and improved green materials back into the market. While the notion stems from the concepts of reusing and recycling at a community level, it also extends to manufacturing, which ensures the waste becomes a feedstock for new materials. Materials recycling also creates jobs, with around 12 million people employed in the sector in Brazil, China and the United States. While Australia has a National Waste Policy, introduced in 2018, the nation has room for improvement. Across the 2018-2019 financial year, Australia produced 76 million tonnes of waste, a ten per cent increase on 2016-2017, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The manufacturing (12.8 tonnes) and construction sectors (12.7 tonnes) produced the most amount of waste. Masonry materials, like concrete and bricks; organics; and ash from coal fired power stations were the three highest pieces waste of generated. In all, over half of all waste was sent for recycling, while 27 per cent was sent to landfill. However, history shows that there are always new innovations in technology that drive change towards a more sustainable and better future. Finding new practices that minimise cost, and damage to the environment is a forever changing narrative. Australian research institutions are taking the lead when it comes to building a safer, greener and more sustainable materials market. Together, the vast research expertise, and real-world outcomes are generating materials that address the environmental, economic and health factors for a better world. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

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APRIL 2021 | 41

FEATURE – Technical Innovations in Steels

ANSTO The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), brings thousands of researchers and scientists together under the same roof to transform leading research to life. Together, ANSTO is crucial to driving Australia’s health, nuclear and environment innovation towards a safer and sustainable future. ANSTO contributed to a large international collaboration on advanced sodium ion batteries led by French researchers, which provides a direction for the design of high-performing sodium ion electrodes. Advanced sodium ion batteries could be used for large scale energy storage. A new type of electrode material with a high energy density that is also moisture stable was synthesised and characterised by the researchers using a range of techniques. The material, O3NaLi1/3Mn 2/3O2, is a sodium-rich layered oxide that did not show voltage fading on cycling. Researchers collected neutron diffraction data using the Echidna high-resolution diffractometer operated at ANSTO’s Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering to elucidate the distribution of metals in the structure. The data, which reveals the position of the metal atoms during cycling, was combined with other experimental and computational techniques. Similarly, researchers at ANSTO conducted an analysis that could extend the service life of welded structure in steels, hence providing durable and sustainable options for the future. This innovation identifies the core material requirements to predict 42 | APRIL 2021

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ANSTO’s Echidna high-resolution powder diffractometer. Image credit: ANSTO.

solid-state phase transformation kinetics during the welding of ferritic steels, which are chromium-rich and nickel-free. Researchers found that further tests can be carried out to understand the residual stress profiles predicted in a coupled thermo-mechanical weld model. Then, additional research can be undertaken to understand the risk that welds face in relation to ongoing cracking or damage. This innovation will strengthen the industry’s capacity with long-term solutions, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and company input costs. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

FEATURE – Technical Innovations in Steels

CSIRO

CSIRO Researcher with metal organic frameworks (MOFs). Image credit: CSIRO.

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, seeks to imagine, collaborate and innovate towards the greatest challenges in the disciplines of science and technology. CSIRO have created a new material-based solution to help reduce carbon emissions and efficiently store and separate gases. The metal organic frameworks (MOF) are sponge-like materials that have the capacity to capture carbon dioxide and remove harmful contaminants from the living environment. “There’s so much surface that there’s actually a football field worth of surface area in about a teaspoon worth of material. What we do is use all of that surface to soak up a target molecule,” said Associate Professor Matthew Hill, who leads a team of researchers that work on porous materials. The innovation has a vast suite of applications across the energy, manufacturing, water treatment, agriculture and pharmaceutical sectors. CSIRO are already working with the gas industry to understand if the MOFs can be used to replace processing plants with smaller, truck-sized systems. In addition, CSIRO is developing a sustainable coating and surface adhesive technology that can assist the aerospace, construction, energy and mining industries. The specialised coatings and smart polymers protect a variety of surfaces from contaminants like insects, dirt or ice. The surface coatings are also cost-effective in the long-term, as they reduce ongoing maintenance and labour costs, and decrease hazardous and unsustainable waste that meet industry requirements.

Researchers have also worked with counterparts at the Beijing MCC Equipment Research & Design Corporation to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions in steel manufacturing. A dry slag granulation mechanism is retrofitted into blast furnaces, which separates the waste matter into droplets. Air is used to solidify these droplets before a cleaner granulated slag product is extracted, which may be used in products like cement. CSIRO’s Director of Mineral Resources, Jonathan Law said the research was a breakthrough for planet-friendly steel production. “Our collaboration is an exciting step towards the uptake of an innovation with real prospects of transforming the productivity and environmental performance of global iron smelting.

The dry slag granulation rig is fitted to blast furnaces to produce granulated slag and heated air. Image credit: CSIRO.

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FEATURE – Technical Innovations in Steels

Deakin University Deakin University’s Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) generates more than 30 PhD students each year, and trains around 80 post doctorial researchers at any one time. As such, IFM is well equipped to lead Deakin’s charge in the sustainable materials space through cutting edge research.

The Institute for Frontier Materials at Deakin University. Image credit: Deakin University.

The centre has six areas of research:

manufacturing industry that has global reach through process innovation.”

• Advanced alloys • Electromaterials • Carbon fibres and composites • Infrastructure materials • Fibres and textiles • Micro/nano materials.

The research project secured $3 million from the Federal Government’s Cooperative Research Centre program, which links industry with academia to produce results for better technologies, products and services.

In another project, Dr Maryam Naebe developed a new woolbased insulation Dr Maryam Naebe developed a new wool-based insulation textile for car textile for car interiors. Image credit: Deakin University. interiors. This innovation seeks to address the automotive industry’s need for sustainable alternatives to synthetic and petroleum-based plastics. It is also cost effective, and opens a potential new market for wasted wool.

Professor Maria Forsyth, who leads the IFM team, said the challenge with energy storage was to develop manufacturing capability in Australia.

“Our aim was always to do something that has an impact for industry and for people – we really want to see an improvement in people’s lives and the environment,” said Dr Naebe.

“There is a global search for safe, low cost, high capacity, high performing batteries given the demand for high performance energy storage and electric vehicles,” she said.

The new wool felt is an environmentally-friendly insulating material that is made from a range of available natural resources. It also has increased benefits than the current synthetic textile options, like being flame resistant.

In 2019, IFM gained $16.5 million from external research income, through its strong collaborations with other research-intensive institutions. The IFM team have worked with industry partners like Calix Pty Ltd and Boron Molecular to create a new type of battery material that intends to substantially reduce the cost and environmental impacts of other high performance batteries.

“The challenge for Australia is to develop a sustainable battery

Deakin University’s Hycel Hydrogen Hub As one of Australia’s first facilities for safely testing, manufacturing, optimising and training in new hydrogen technologies, Hycel is focused on technologies that use hydrogen rather than processes that produce it. Hycel will be a ‘living laboratory’ that translates lab results into real-world solutions. Hycel’s Establishment phase is supported by $2 million in Commonwealth Government funding. At a global level, the hydrogen market is predicted to reduce carbon emissions by 6 billion tonnes annually, employ up to 30 million people and be worth around $US2.5 trillion by 2050. With a focus on hydrogen usage in transport and gas industries, Hycel’s technological innovations aim to deliver clean, affordable energy solutions that meet Australian and Victorian emissions reduction targets and develop Australia’s hydrogen economy. Hycel leverages Deakin University’s expertise in advanced materials, energy systems, IT and social sciences.

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FEATURE – Technical Innovations in Steels

Monash University

A range of companies hire the materials science and engineering graduates from Monash – like Qantas, Telstra, CSIRO, Toyota and BHP Billiton – which is where they put their sustainable materials knowledge to the test.

Monash University’s metallurgy research is ranked number one in Australia, and in the top ten around the world. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering drives Monash’s high standards and sustainable approaches to steelmaking. Researchers work across six research themes in the materials science and engineering space: • Additive manufacturing • Biomaterials • Functional and energy materials • Metals and alloys • Polymers • Materials theory, modelling and characterisation. Professor Christopher Hutchinson, an expert in materials science, leads the Department, where he specialises in physical and mechanical metallurgy, and 3D metal printing. Professor Hutchinson and his team recently improved the fatigue life of high strength aluminium by 25 times – a new development in the area of sustainable materials. The development is a game changer, as aluminium alloys are the second most popular engineering alloy used in the industry. Professor Hutchinson said when aluminium alloys are used for transport, the design must compensate for the fatigue limitations of aluminium alloys. Hence, more material is used than manufacturers would prefer, leading to heavier structures. “Eighty per cent of all engineering alloy failures are due to fatigue. Fatigue is failure due to an alternating stress and is a big deal in the manufacturing and engineering industry,” he said. Students are also crucial to driving Monash’s sustainability and advance materials agenda, which is evident through program’s like ‘Monash Forge’. This is student-run materials engineering project’s core vision is to inspire a new generation of manufacturers for a sustainable world. Together, the student group develop fundamental, practical and soft skills with an industry focus. The practical opportunities delivered through Monash Forge align research with manufacturing good practice to increase quality, but with minimal environmental impacts. Key areas of research include building a circular product life cycle into all stages of design, and reducing the impact of high-energy needs across industry.

Monash University researchers recently improved the fatigue life of high strength aluminium by 25 times – a new development in the area of sustainable materials.

Monash Forge is a student-run materials engineering project designed to inspire a new generation of manufacturers for a sustainable world.

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FEATURE – Technical Additive Manufacturing Innovations in Steels

University of Queensland The University of Queensland is committed to generating research outcomes for wider use across industry, and improving the environmental performance of their own campuses and operations. The University’s Sustainable Materials Institute (SMI) – made up of six key research areas and the technology company JKTech – drives sustainable resource development and training for a new generation of materials. SMI develops solutions to global challenges facing the environment, economy, and population towards a path of sustainability. Students are leading the charge at SMI, like the Mine-R initiative, which was developed by Roger Tang and Imam Purwadi at SMI’s Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation. Tang and Purwadi’s Mine-R product improves satellite imaging technology to readapt and rethink how data on mine rehabilitation is collected and analysed. “Mine-R is really about supporting the mining industry by offering a product that encourages sustainable practices but which is also financially viable.

“We are not trying to replace the traditional approach to rehabilitation monitoring – it is more accurate to use drone imaging or, better yet, a team of environmental scientists – but we are focusing on rapid reporting of the bigger picture to make strategic decisions faster,” Tang said. The start-up received $10,000 worth of equity-free funding through the University’s Ventures ilab Accelerator program. In addition, the University’s sustainability office conducts an end-of-year review on campus waste, and examines the campuses waste-to-landfill bins. It found that over 75 per cent of landfill waste on campus for the academic and administrative buildings is made up of organic and recyclable items. But the University’s commitment to zero waste seeks to reduce the items from landfill waste, and find more sustainable alternatives. In 2020 alone, researchers, students and other occupants of the Sir James Foots and McElwain Buildings reduced their landfill but more than half. The Towards Zero Waste program also increased composting from zero to 38 per cent after the program’s implementation.

University of NSW The University of New South Wales’ (UNSW) Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology, or SMaRT, is a leader in the sustainable materials space. The Centre draws on UNSW’s expansive research capabilities and facilities, and combines them with end-user research for high quality delivery. The Centre was founded in 2008 by Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow, Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla. Today, it works with industry, global research partners, not-for-profits, local, state and federal governments to develop innovative environmental solutions for some of the world’s biggest waste challenges. As an internationally recognised centre, it brings enhanced technology to traditional processes like steel manufacturing, recycling and waste management. SMaRT recently collaborated with Spark Furniture in South Australia and the ACT Government’s City Renewal Authority, to turn wasted coffee cups into new rubbish bins in the City of Canberra. The ‘green ceramic tiles’ were engineered during the national COVID-19 lockdown, where single use coffee cups were transformed into tiles that formed the outer layer of Spark Furniture’s newly-designed bin enclosure. Similarly, SMaRT found a new method to sustainably recycle polymer-laminated aluminium packaging materials, like postconsumer food and coffee packaging, into high-quality aluminium, and other high-energy hydrocarbon products. The innovation is based on the microrecylcing science pioneered by Professor Sahajwalla, and builds on other SMaRT innovations like green steel and microfactory technologies. “We developed green steel technology where we extract hydrogen and carbon from old rubber tyres and plastic as an innovative and green pathway in steelmaking, and we now can develop new 46 | APRIL 2021

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Professor Sahajwalla from the University of New South Wales’ (UNSW) Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology, or SMaRT. Image credit: UNSW.

‘green aluminium’ with our novel technique called Thermal Disengagement Technology.” “Recycling using new technologies can be a foundation for the manufacturing of high-quality materials from our waste resources, as we seek to develop greater sovereign capability along with economic prosperity,” Professor Sahajwalla said. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

FEATURE – Technical Innovations in Steels

RMIT University RMIT University incorporates sustainability principles and practices into the learning and teaching of over 84,000 students. Scientists at the School of Engineering recently discovered a method of turning back the emissions clock to transform CO2 back into solid particles of carbon. The process uses liquid metals to make the transformation, which could be a game changer for carbon capture and storage. Dr Dorna Esrafilzadeh, a Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellow in RMIT’s School of Engineering, led this research. Dr Esrafilzadeh developed the electrochemical technique to capture and convert atmospheric CO2 to storable solid carbon.

Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow Dr Torben Daeneke and Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellow Dr Dorna Esrafilzadeh. Image credit: RMIT University.

After designing a liquid metal catalyst with specific surface properties, the carbon dioxide was dissolved in a beaker filled with an electrolyte liquid and a small amount of the liquid metal, which was charged with an electrical current. The CO2 then converts into solid flakes of carbon, which are naturally detached from the liquid metal surface.

masks could be recycled to make roads, in a circular economy solution to pandemic-generated waste. Using the recycled face mask material to make just one kilometre of a two-lane road would use up about 3 million masks, preventing 93 tonnes of waste from going to landfill.

Dr Esrafilzadeh said the result could be used for a variety of purposes, like electrodes. “A side benefit of the process is that the carbon can hold electrical charge, becoming a supercapacitor, so it could potentially be used as a component in future vehicles. The process also produces synthetic fuel as a by-product, which could also have industrial applications.”

The new road-making material developed by RMIT University researchers - a mix of shredded single-use face masks and processed building rubble - meets civil engineering safety standards. Analysis shows the face masks help to add stiffness and strength to the final product, designed to be used for base layers of roads and pavements.

Researchers at RMIT have also shown recently how disposable face

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) has increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an estimated 6.8 billion disposable face masks being used across the globe each day.

A sample of the recycled road-making material, which blends shredded single-use face masks with processed building rubble. Image credit: RMIT University.

First author Dr Mohammad Saberian said multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches were now needed to tackle the environmental impact of COVID-19, particularly the risks associated with the disposal of used PPE. “This initial study looked at the feasibility of recycling single-use face masks into roads and we were thrilled to find it not only works, but also delivers real engineering benefits,” Dr Saberian said. “We hope this opens the door for further research, to work through ways of managing health and safety risks at scale and investigate whether other types of PPE would also be suitable for recycling.”

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FEATURE – Technical Additive Manufacturing Innovations in Steels

SBRC Director Senior Professor Paul Cooper. Image credit: Paul Jones and University of Wollongong.

University of Wollongong The Sustainable Buildings Research Centre at the University of Wollongong seeks to address the challenges of modernising buildings and the built environment into clean, sustainable, and resilient structures where people choose to live and work. The Centre’s mission is to assist in the rapid decarbonisation of the built environment. It has a range of facilities that drive this mission and the University’s commitment towards a resilient future. The Building Insights Facility focuses on larger building elements, where it tests capabilities including their thermodynamic, environmental and hygroscopic performance. Similarly, the University’s micro-grid and energy laboratory allows researchers to test electrical loads and generators, and make grid calculations based on their performance. Researchers work together to source renewable energy systems including solar PV, solar thermal, geothermal and wind for a brighter and more sustainable future. Senior Professor Paul Cooper is the Director of the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, who set a target for his design team to create a building that went beyond the existing benchmarks for sustainable buildings. “Sustainable means effectively you’re not doing any net harm overall – but restorative means you’re doing something that’s addressing some of the environmental damage that has been done in the past,” he said. 48 | APRIL 2021

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The Sustainable Buildings Research Centre itself is a net-zero energy building, with access to a working micro-grid and a range of photovoltaic systems. “The building has been carefully designed to generate positive health and wellbeing through a restorative and healthy coexistence with nature, including the use of green walls and native plants, creating a strong connection between the building occupants and the landscape,” Professor Cooper said. Above: University of Wollongong’s Sustainable Buildings Research Centre. Image credit: University of Wollongong.

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FEATURE – Technical Innovations in Steels

UNSW to Lead New Government Research Hub on Waste Source: Sally Wood

Professor Veena Sahajwalla at UNSW will spearhead a new national research centre investigating technology for waste reduction and materials processing. UNSW will take a lead role in research into sustainable communities and waste, as part of the second phase of the Federal Government’s $149 million National Environmental Science Program (NESP). Professor Sahajwalla will lead the Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub, which has previously pioneered microfactories for turning plastic waste into 3D printing material, green-steel technology that recycles tyres and plastics, and transforming textile waste into tiles and benchtops. Professor Sahajwalla is an Australian Research Council Laureate Scientia, a materials scientist, engineer, inventor and the founder and director of UNSW’s Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology. She said she was delighted with the announcement of four mega science hubs, with waste being a key priority. “Waste and recycling have been made a national agenda item by government and through this new Hub we will create actionable knowledge, methods, tools and data for transformation towards circular economies in our cities and regions. “Our capabilities, proposed research activities and transition pathways will deliver the environmental, social and economic outcomes and impacts that are sought by the NESP which funds the Hub,” Professor Sahajwalla said. The Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub consortium is comprised of six research institutions led by UNSW Sydney – working in partnership with CSIRO, Monash University, Swinburne University of Technology, Curtin University and the University of Tasmania. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

Australian Research Council Laureate Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla at UNSW will lead the Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub. Image credit: Anna Kucera.

It will coordinate research on reducing the impact of plastics and enhancing sustainable people-environment interactions. It will also develop ways to minimise the impacts of hazardous substances and pollutants, and deliver cutting-edge technical capabilities, particularly in the fields of waste and materials processing. “Australia is world-leading in economic performance, health and liveable cities, but this comes at significant environmental cost with per capita material, carbon and water footprints that are among the highest in the world. “Every Australian generates 2.7 tonnes of waste a year, with only 58 per cent of that recovered from landfill, which is low by international standards,” Professor Sahajwalla explained. Around 87 per cent of plastic ends up in landfill. Experts believe an estimated 99 per cent of all seabird species will have ingested plastic from the marine environment by 2050. These losses equate to lost value in materials from the supply chain, which are replaced with virgin materials, placing additional burden on natural, human and economic resources. Even a 5 per cent improvement in the efficiency of Australia’s material use could benefit the national GDP by up to $24 BACK TO CONTENTS

billion per annum. Professor Sahajwalla said value needs to be placed on the materials in which a product is made, and it needs to be recognised that these materials can be recycled or reformed. “At present, there is a focus on waste management at one end of the supply chain, with an emerging recycling and manufacturing industry at the other. “Protecting the environment and our health from hazardous waste, substances and pollutants is an ongoing challenge and we are all excited to be helping to address this challenge through this new Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub consortium,” she said. NESP has delivered practical environment outcomes through almost 400 successful science projects, and helped to shape the nation’s environmental science agenda over the past six years. Research will be prioritised to meet the most pressing environmental management and policy needs, with an emphasis on climate adaptation, threatened species, protected places and waste impacts. The new hubs are expected to come into effect early this year, with the existing hubs running until mid-2021. This will ensure NSEP continues to deliver valuable research throughout the transition process. APRIL 2021 | 49

FEATURE – Technical Additive Manufacturing Innovations in Steels

New Aluminium Recycling Can Drive Manufacturing Prosperity Source: Sally Wood

A recycling breakthrough at UNSW Sydney will offer new possibilities for the repurposing of polymerlaminated aluminium products, like food and coffee packaging. Research undertaken at the Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre has found a way that could start a new ‘green aluminium’ manufacturing revolution. It may also aid the Federal Government’s 2020-2021 Budget, and industry efforts to advance Australian manufacturing –increasing sustainability and creating jobs. The new technique to recover aluminium from complex, multilayered packaging is based on the microrecycling science pioneered by the SMaRT Centre under the leadership of its director, Professor Veena Sahajwalla. It builds on the Centre’s waste material innovations including green steel and microfactory technologies. The research shows a new way to sustainably recycle polymer-laminated aluminium packaging materials – like postconsumer food and coffee packaging – into high-quality aluminium, and be a potential source of high-energy hydrocarbon products. Professor Sahajwalla said the technology draws on local innovation. “We developed green steel technology where we extract hydrogen and carbon from old rubber tyres and plastic as an innovative and green pathway in steelmaking, and we now can develop new ‘green aluminium’ with our novel technique called thermal disengagement technology,” she said. The new thermal disengagement technology offers an innovative, efficient and sustainable microrecycling technique to separate the materials in complex polymer-laminated metal packaging waste. It can also transform aluminium into a clean and green metal, which can be extracted to be used as a high-quality material for manufacturing, while minimising residual waste. “Recycling using new technologies can be a foundation for the manufacturing of high50 | APRIL 2021

A researcher works on the rapid transformation process of food packaging waste into value-added aluminium alloy by using a lab-scale Arc furnace at the SMaRT Centre at UNSW Sydney. Image credit: UNSW Sydney. A pallet of compressed coffee pods used in the research by the UNSW Sustainable Materials Research and Technology Centre. Image credit: UNSW Sydney.

quality materials from our waste resources, as we seek to develop greater sovereign capability along with economic prosperity,” Professor Sahajwalla explained. In addition, green steel and green manufacturing are capabilities that have been pioneered for over a decade. “The jobs and sustainability revolution our government wants to create as announced in its 2020 Budget can get a boost from some of these sort of existing innovations where industry and researchers are already successfully partnering,” Professor Sahajwalla said. A shift to renewable sources would also have wide international trade impacts, as Australia’s biggest trading partner, China, bought $10 billion worth of Australia’s metallurgical coal exports in 2019. China still relies on old-fashioned blast furnaces that are heavily dependent on fossil fuels. While most of the world’s current steel production involves heating coal in a blast furnace, green steel technology focuses on phasing this out and replacing it with a new method of liquid steel production. In many countries, waste polymer laminated metal packaging materials, and other municipal solid waste, ends up in landfill or incineration. Some of the materials are recycled in metallic forms from the bottom ash components by industrial separation. In all, waste-reforming technology can create new supply chains and jobs, especially in regional locations, as it does not have to be large scale or expensive. BACK TO CONTENTS

Common consumer packaging such as coffee pods is a target of the new ‘green aluminium’ breakthrough at UNSW Sydney.

“I see a future where recycling and manufacturing are aligned, where waste and recycling become part of the manufacturing supply chain, and that is important in this new COVID era where we now highly value ‘sovereign capability’,” Professor Sahajwalla said. In one demonstration of how SMaRT is helping to create these new supply chains and aligning these sectors, it has connected an e-waste recycler directly with a steel maker. This enables undervalued metals and plastics which are destined for overseas, landfill or incineration, to be used as feedstock. SMaRT was founded in 2008 by Professor Sahajwalla. Today, the Centre brings researchers in fields of science, engineering, and the built environment together to deliver innovation and technology for rapid implementation. It features 30 personnel, state-of-theart furnaces and laboratories, and sophisticated analytical and processing equipment. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

FEATURE –

Can We Safely Burn Waste To Make Fuel Like They Do In Denmark? Well, It’s Complicated. Source: Sally Wood

Waste-to-energy incinerators could help Australia deal with its mounting waste crisis, but experts have warned that burning rubbish may come with risks to public health.

Amager Bakke power plant in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Australia’s two options in relation to the waste crisis typically involve exporting waste or burying it. But to achieve current national targets, policymakers are increasingly asking if waste can be safely burnt as fuel. Proposals for waste incinerators are being considered in the Greater Sydney region, but they have received criticism from the Greens and independent members of the NSW Parliament, who are concerned about the public health impacts. The ACT Government has also recently put a blanket ban on these facilities. But a systematic review of the scientific literature was recently conducted at UNSW, where researchers identified only 19 papers among 269 relevant studies — less than ten per cent — that could help address whether waste-to-energy incinerators could harm the population’s health. The review was conducted by Research Fellow at the Queensland University of Technology, Thomas Cole-Hunter; Knowledge and Translation Broker at the University of Sydney, Ana Porta Cubas; Senior Natural Hazards Risk Scientist at GNS Science, Christina Magill; and Christine Cowie, who is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney. Together, the research team discovered that there must be a cautious approach to waste-to-energy technology. ‘Waste-to-energy’ incineration is when solid waste is sorted and burned as ‘refuse-derived’ fuel to generate electricity. This can replace fossil fuel such as coal. Australia produces around 500kg of municipal (residential and commercial) waste each year, which is consistent with the average for OECD countries. In comparison, New Zealand is among the worst offenders for producing waste in any OECD country. It produces almost 800kg per person each year. WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

The waste crisis has led to most recyclable or reusable waste in Australia ending up in landfill. This poses a potential risk to both climate and health with the emission of potent greenhouse gases like methane, and the leaching of heavy metals like lead into the groundwater. The research team have encouraged local governments to seek alternative options and turn their attention to global leaders in the space – like Denmark or Japan. These countries heavily rely on wasteto-energy incineration to reduce their dependency on landfills and reach carbon neutrality. Denmark’s waste-to-energy incinerator, Amager Bakke, has even become a tourist attraction, and is celebrated as one of the world’s cleanest waste-to-energy incinerators. Around 300 trucks filled with non-recyclable municipal solid waste are sent to Amager Bakke each day. This fuels a furnace that runs at 1,000 degrees Celsius, and turns water into steam. This steam provides electricity and heat to around 100,000 households. In Australia, a big concern is burning waste that may release chemicals that can harm public health, like nitrogen oxide and dioxin. Exposure to high levels of dioxin can even lead to skin lesions, an impaired immune system and reproductive issues. BACK TO CONTENTS

Burning waste may release substances that can harm our health, such as nitrogen oxide and dioxin.

But Amager Bakke uses control measures, like technologically advanced filters that can bring the amount of dioxin released to near zero. An additional concern is that implementing waste-to-energy incineration may go against recycling schemes, because of the potential for an increased demand for non-recyclable plastics as fuel. Supply of this plastic may come from the waning fossil fuel industry. This would work against the goal of establishing a circular economy that reuses and recycles where possible. The researcher’s review found a lack of evidence to fully reject well-designed and operated facilities. However, based on the limited number of health studies discovered through the research, the team endorsed a precautionary planning approach to waste-to-energy proposals. APRIL 2021 | 51

FEATURE –

AIBN Nanotechnologist Turning Sugarcane Waste Into Sustainable Packaging Source: Sally Wood

Sugarcane waste could be a key ingredient in tackling plastic pollution, with a researcher at the University of Queensland’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) recently receiving funding to turn the green waste into sustainable packaging. Dr Nasim Amiralian was awarded $45,000 from the AMP Tomorrow Fund to further her research producing 100 per cent bio-based single-use packaging materials using waste from the sugar production process. Dr Amiralian said there was an urgent need for sustainable packaging to tackle the problem of single-use plastics, which are the most significant contributor to plastic pollution. “Cane-based materials are biodegradable, compostable, thermally stable and grease- and moisture-resistant, making them suitable for packaging hot or cold food and also for use in automotive, aerospace and healthcare industries,” Dr Amiralian said. “However, stronger and lighter materials are needed to make sugarcane packaging an economical alternative to plastic.” “My research has found that adding a small amount of nanofibres to sugarcane pulp leads to a significant improvement to its mechanical properties as well as increasing the shelf-life of food due to the high oxygen and moisture barrier properties.” Dr Amiralian is working on a composite that can be safely disposed of in domestic compost bins and collected as kerbside rubbish, with the AMP Tomorrow Fund grant helping her produce a proof of concept. The grants are designed to help talented Australians take their passion projects to the next level, and Dr Amiralian is one of 40

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Dr Nasim Amiralian. Image credit: University of Queensland.

outstanding individuals who are sharing in $1 million this year. Head of the AMP Foundation, Helen Liondos, said the beauty of the fund is that it is open to any Australian with an unrelenting commitment to what they’re trying to achieve and contribute to the community. “Despite the disruption of this year, so many Australians remain committed to making a positive impact on their communities,” Ms Liondos said. “These individuals, who continue to train hard, create new art, search for scientific or social solutions, are not only inspirations but also confirmation that Australia has a wealth of exceptional individuals to take us into better days.”

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FEATURE –

Sticking It To Weeds With A Biodegradable Mat year. According to environmental consulting group AgEconPlus, a partner in CSIRO research programs, these mats never fully decompose after their use. Additionally, these mats have other environmental implications. For instance, they prevent rainfall to the soils beneath causing unnecessary runoff and evaporation. Dr Malcolm Miao demonstrating the linseed matting created from high pressure water jets. Image credit: CSIRO.

Using high pressure water jets, CSIRO developed a new process for making biodegradable weed mats. It stops the need to use binding agents, paving the way for an eco-friendly solution. The Challenge Sixty million square metres of polyethylene mats are used in horticulture, gardens and parks, and homes across Australia each

The Response Using linseed straw and high pressure water jets, CSIRO developed a new type of matting. This unique technique enables linseed fibres to be linked together to form a compact fabric. The materials were developed as part of the Australian Government’s National Weeds and Productivity Research Program, managed by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC). The RIRDC invested A$12.4 million in research aimed at improving the knowledge and understanding of weeds, as well as providing land managers with new tools to

control weeds and reduce their impact on agriculture and biodiversity. Researchers believe it could also be made using other agricultural waste materials, such as hemp or banana fibre. These materials, unlike their plastic counterparts, are organic and will disintegrate at the end of their lifecycle. Testing indicates the materials retain moisture, encouraging healthy soils beneath and reducing unnecessary runoff and evaporation. The Results This technology has the potential to benefit growers involved with organic and biodynamic production across the horticultural sector as well as manufacturers and suppliers of agricultural and garden products. The linseed mat process has exciting implications beyond outdoor matting. For example, the fabrics could be used to create eco shopping bags, minimising the synthetic materials currently being used.

Victoria University Research Turns Recycled Waste Into Valuable Resource Victoria University engineers are conducting a world-first study that could keep tonnes of plastic, glass and tyres out of landfills. Dr Ehsan Yaghoubi and Professor Sam Fragomeni are exploring whether blends of recycled materials with self-compacting properties could be an alternative backfill for sewer pipeline trenches. The current practice is to use precious natural aggregates that need to be excavated, crushed and often trucked in from great distances. The project – which includes a geotechnical team from the University of Melbourne, and the geotechnical firm Ground Science, along with City West Water as industry partners – was recently granted funding from Sustainability Victoria’s $37 million Recycling Industry Strategic Plan. Dr Yaghoubi said that while other projects have used backfill mixes with a limited percentage of recycled materials, this WWW.MATERIALSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

project, which uses 100 per cent recycled content for the purpose, is likely a worldfirst. The researchers are trialling blends of recycled tyre, plastic and glass, with glass comprising between 70 per cent and 80 per cent of the final formulation. “Together with our collaborators, we came up with the idea of using a blend of recycled materials because we can control their compaction and density,” Dr Yaghoubi said. Dr Yaghoubi said there is a growing imperative to find new applications for recycled materials since Australia is scheduled to end its glass waste exports from next year, and its plastic, paper and tyres waste by 2024. In addition, China has recently clamped down on accepting Australian waste imports. “Civil engineering projects require more materials than most people realise, whether it is a road, or backfilling kilometres and kilometres of sewer BACK TO CONTENTS

trenches,” Dr Yaghoubi said. “Turning waste into a resource is more important than ever.” City West Water has provided two site locations so the researchers can evaluate the recycled material under real-world conditions. Ground Science will assist with field and laboratory testing and expert advice. While still in its early stages, the researchers have run geotechnical and environmental testing on various recycled blends. They will measure and monitor the performance of two short-listed blends during rain or dry spells over 12 months using a sophisticated fibre-optic sensor to monitor ground movement and settlement. APRIL 2021 | 53

MATERIALS FEATURE – AUSTRALIA – Short Courses

Short Courses - Study at Home

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

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

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

HOW TO ORGANIZE AND RUN A FAILURE INVESTIGATION Have you ever been handed a failure investigation and have not been quite sure of all the steps required to complete the investigation? Or perhaps you had to review a failure investigation and wondered if all the aspects had been properly covered? Or perhaps you read a failure investigation and wondered what to do next? Here is a chance to learn the steps to organize a failure investigation. Read More

MEDICAL DEVICE DESIGN VALIDATION AND FAILURE ANALYSIS

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

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

NEW - INTRODUCTION TO COMPOSITES

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

METALLURGY FOR THE NON-METALLURGIST™

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

PRACTICAL INDUCTION HEAT TREATING

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

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

PRINCIPLES OF FAILURE ANALYSIS

TITANIUM AND ITS ALLOYS

METALLURGY OF STEEL FOR THE NON-METALLURGIST

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

54 | APRIL 2021

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

Materials Australia Magazine | April 2021 | Volume 54 | No1

Articles inside

Feature

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Local Research Collaboration Cuts the Wear And Tear on Mineral Processing Equipment

Why You Should Become a CMatP

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