The aim of this project is to reduce automotive CO2 emissions, as a part of the ATLAS Research Centre, a consortium of Australian universities and industry partners. Multifunctional energy storage composites that integrate lithium-ion batteries have been developed and characterised. The work has benefited from collaborations with CSIRO Australia and the Ford Motor Company.
Key publications
Schematic of a lithium-ion battery embedded within a carbon fibre composite laminate
Various studies on 3D printed polymer composites made using fused deposition modelling (FDM 3D printing).
Key publications
Voids in the microstructure of a 3D-printed carbon fibre composite detected using computer vision
Studies on various methods of processing polymer composites and the effect of process-induced defects on resultant properties. The work has benefited from collaboration with GKN Aerospace.
Key publications
In-plane wave defect in composite test coupon
Various studies on the design, processing and performance of composite sandwich structures. This work has benefited from collaboration with Cambridge University and Ansys Materials.
Key publications
Balsa wood in sandwich panel design
The aim of this project is to investigate the development of crumb rubber-integrated syntactic foam composites by incorporating recycled crumb rubber with hollow glass microspheres (HGMs) in a polymer matrix. The effects of the recycled rubber particles on the mechanical and vibration-damping properties of the syntactic foam composites are determined. The work has benefited from collaboration with Tyre Stewardship Australia.
Key publications
Microstructure of syntactic foam incorporating recycled crumb rubber
The aim of this project is to reduce truck CO2 emissions, as part of the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight, a consortium made up of the Universities of Cambridge, Westminster University and Heriot-Watt University, as well as a number of industrial partners. Options for lightweighting have been explored, including an improved chassis design and lightweight deck design. The work has benefited from collaborations with SDC Trailers, Tesco PLC, Hargreaves Transport Ltd., John Lewis Partnership PLC, Heriot-Watt University, the University of Nottingham and Wayne State University.
Key publications
Material selection chart used in selecting materials for lightweight truck trailer decking
The aim of this project is to investigate non-destructive alternatives for destructive testing in the quality assessment of laser beam welded aluminium joints for automotive applications. The project is a part of the ATLAS Research Centre, a consortium of Australian universities and industry partners. A novel non-destructive technique for detecting the weld fusion zone using a filler wire of high x-ray contrast has been developed and characterised. The work has benefited from collaborations with the Ford Motor Company, Michigan Technological University and the University of British Columbia.
Key publications
X-ray CT images of welded aluminium joints made with (a) regular wire (b) novel high contrast wires
Various studies on the development of novel approaches to engage and challenge students in the Materials Engineering classroom. This work has benefited from collaborations with Granta Design, Citrine Informatics, the University of Southern California (USC), the Ohio State University, and the University of Kansas (KU).
Key publications/talks
Approaches to AI and ML teaching in the context of materials engineering