1. Experimental Studies on Soft Sensors for Horizontal Rotating Drums
Horizontal rotating drums are common units used across a range of industries for mixing, coating, agglomeration and milling purposes. Effective automatic control of such processes requires continuous online monitoring of the key operating conditions, such as the particle (ore) flow patterns inside the mill (drum). Particle flow in a rotating drum can be roughly categorised into six patterns: slipping, slumping, rolling, cascading, cataracting and centrifuging. Rolling, cascading and cataracting are widely used, particularly in the pigment, detergent and mining industries.
Direct monitoring of the above processes is not feasible due to the hostile environment inside the drum. Therefore indirect measurement approaches, such as soft sensors, can play a significant role in online monitoring. The soft sensor technique infers unmeasurable process variables from available measurements based on mathematical models.
A soft sensor model for estimating flow patterns based on the particle-wall collision measurements was recently developed based on Discrete Element Modelling technique and multivariate analysis, by the Process Control Group, School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, in collaboration with Centre for Simulation and Modelling of Particulate Systems, School of Materials Science and Engineering. In this project, you will join the above research groups to conduct experimental research work to validate the soft sensor model using a transparent rotating drum with force sensors installed on the wall of the drum. Experiments will be conducted with different flow patterns. The sensor outputs will be recorded and analysed. Flow patterns produced by the soft sensor model will be compared with actual flow patterns. This work will provide useful information that helps improving soft sensor techniques for milling, mixing and coating processes.
In this project, you w be supervised by Drs. Jie Bao and Runyu Yang and working with postgraduate students in the Process Control Group and Centre for Simulation and Modelling of Particulate Systems. You will gain:
(1) the basic skills for developing data acquisition and data analysis software using LabView
(2) some laboratory experience, including instrumentation and data analysis
(3) some skills of multivariate analysis
(4) the excitement of new findings of soft sensor techniques
Contact: Dr. Jie Bao, School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering,
Email: j.bao@unsw.edu.au Tel: 93856755
2. Visible Light Active Ag-TiO2 for Anti-bacterial and Anti-viral Applications.
Supervisor: Dr May Lim, Dr Ken Chiang, Professor Rose Amal
Objective: To deposit silver nanoparticles onto visible light active TiO2 semiconductor photocatalyst for anti-bacterial applications.
Project Description
The bacterial killing effect of silver has been noted for centuries. The subject has received renewed interest in recent years with the advent of silver nanoparticles which showed powerful anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, even at low concentrations (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Nanoparticles). Another recent development in this area is titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin film coatings which have photo-sterilisation effect. It has been well documented that the photo-excitation of TiO2 by UV irradiation can lead to generation of highly reactive radicals which can destroy organic pollutants and micro-organism.
With the onset of multi-drug resistance in many bacterial strains, new bacteria-killing methodologies are increasingly being sought. The research team at the ARC Centre for Functional Nanomaterials has made a significant progress in developing a novel low energy technique for preparing metal on metal oxide nanostructures with well-controlled size dependent properties. They have also successfully prepared TiO2 nanoparticles and coatings that are active under both UV and visible light by doping the semiconductor with nitrogen atom.
This project seeks to enhance the bacterial killing effect of nitrogen doped TiO2 under visible light by depositing ultrafine silver nanoparticles onto its surface. The careful coupling of a metal (silver) and a carrier oxide (TiO2) created using this technique, with the pertinent combination of visible light activity, is expected to give rise to an improved bactericidal activity. The commercial possibility of such hybrid technology is limitless, with potential application in air and water purification, anti-bacterial coating, wound dressings, biomedical device and implants, hospitals, textile and many more.
Student undertaking this project will be working at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials under the guidance of postdoctoral research staff. The project would allow student to gain a multitude of experience in nano-composite synthesis, advance surface and particle characterisation techniques, and microbiology. For more details, please contact Professor Rose Amal at r.amal@unsw.edu.au.
3. Formulation of stable sols of nanoparticles agglomerates. A multibillion dollars worth of solution?
Supervisor: Prof. Rose Amal
Objective: To design stable sols of nanoparticles with implications to thin film coatings and bioapplications
A while back ago, much effort was devoted in the laboratory of Particle and Catalysts Technologies to destabilize fine particles to form larger aggregates in order to enhance their sedimentation properties. Then, it was driven by the ultra-large scale minerals industry where the slow sedimentation process was of concerned. With the booming interests in Nanotechnology in the last half a decade, design of high performance primary nanoparticles has been bigger than ever. Nevertheless, an important criteria has been overlooked: Due to their small sizes, nanoparticles have very high surface energy that resulted in the heavy aggregation and hence settles out from its liquid medium. Such can be a problem where formulation of stable sol (particles stays suspended) is required for the purpose high quality thin film coatings and bioapplications (e.g. targeted drug and gene delivery), a multibillion dollars worth of combined industries. Hence, the project aims to revert its previous expertise to now focus on the deaggregation and stabilizing of nanoparticles agglomerates. The work revisits the fundamental but yet interesting study of shear breakage of agglomerates and further stabilization either by electrostatic repulsion or surface chemistry effect. Successful formulation of such sols is expected to pave way for the implementation of nanoparticles in almost all corners applications.
4. The role of organic functional groups during catalytic degradation by platinum and other metal nano-deposits on TiO2
The deposition of noble and platinum group metals onto titanium dioxide (TiO2) can be used to improve its catalytic properties. Recently, it was observed the presence of ~2nm diameter platinum deposits on TiO2 (Pt/TiO2) can degrade oxalic acid (HOOC-COOH) without the need for UV-irradiation. It is thought the carboxylic acid groups at each end of the molecule weaken the C-C bond such that it can be cleaved by the platinum deposits. This implies the functional groups in the organic may be a contributing factor towards the activity of the Pt deposits. This project seeks to understand the role functional groups (carboxylic, aldehyde, alcohol) on simple organic molecules play in governing the catalytic ability of Pt/TiO2. Furthermore, the potential of other metal deposits (Ag, Au, Pd, Rh) on TiO2 for catalytically degrading oxalic acid will be studied. The student will become familiar with novel particle preparation and characterisation techniques as well as catalytic reaction processes. They will gain experience in working in a laboratory environment and knowledge on the research process - from designing experiments, undertaking advanced particle characterisation to evaluation and publication of their findings.
The candidate will be working in the Centre for Particle and Catalyst Technology Group. For further information, please contact Prof Rose Amal on r.amal@unsw.edu.au
5. In applying self-cleaning material onto polymeric substrates
Supervisors: Dr Sai Wei Lam, Prof. Rose Amal
Objective: To develop a cost-effective method for coating TiO2 onto polymeric substrates
Background
Self-cleaning material has becoming increasingly attractive since it can save a lot of time and cost for maintenance. While coating self-cleaning material on polymeric substrates has several advantages over inorganic glasses, polymeric substrates are a challenge to the coating formulator. These substrates are thermo-sensitive, and often, the hydrophobic nature of these substrates induces a problem with respect to adhesion. Furthermore, a direct application of photoactive self-cleaning material such as titania on polymeric substrates can lead to a degradation of the coatings.
Methods such as plasma spraying techniques, RF-magnetron sputtering deposition, buffer-layer deposition etc have been used to improve the adhesion. However, these technologies are either energy intensive or involve a tedious operation. Hence, this urges for the development of simple and cost-effective technique.
Work involve
The student will be appointed as research assistant in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials to work with a vibrant team of researchers. As a research assistant, his/her duties will involve (1) to investigate and to develop the most cost-effective method to coat TiO2 onto polymeric substrate and (2) to study the chemical and mechanical stability of the coating produced. He/she will be trained to use advance instrumentations which included Scanning Electron Microscope, Microindetation, UV-Vis Spectrophotometer and Atomic Force Microscopy.
About us
The Particles and Catalysis Research Group is a team of researchers in the School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering with a common interest in the design of nanostructured materials for water, energy and bio-applications.
The Research Group grew out of what used to be the Centre for Particle and Catalyst Technologies, established in the School in 1990. In recent years extensive work was undertaken within that Centre on the design of particles, which was formally recognised with the establishment of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials in 2004.
The mission of the PartCat Research Group is to develop new knowledge and technologies that can improve the environmental and economic performance of industry, particularly with respect to today's growing concerns over water and energy supplies.
For more information, please visit http://www.pcrg.unsw.edu.au/ or contact Prof Rose Amal on r.amal@unsw.edu.au
6. Photocatalysis of gas-phase organics by titanium dioxide
Photocatalysis is a useful means for improving air quality by removing undesirable gas-phase organics such as airborne molecular contaminants during computer chip manufacture or volatile organic carbons, many of which are suspected carcinogens. Photocatalysis involves activating a photocatalyst powder, such as titanium dioxide, by illuminating its surface with UV-light in the presence of contaminated air. In the gas phase, UV-illumination generates highly active oxygen species which oxidise target organic compounds to carbon dioxide and water. This project will study the gas-phase photocatalytic oxidation of three simple organic molecules – ethane, ethylene and trichloroethylene - to assess the influence differences in these compounds have on photoreaction kinetics and the degradation pathway. The successful applicant will gain greater insight into the importance of reaction kinetics in catalytic processes as well as experience in designing and performing experiments in a laboratory environment. Furthermore they will receive training in advanced particle characterisation techniques such as TEM, XRD and specific surface area.
The candidate will be working in the Centre for Particle and Catalyst Technology Group. For further information, please contact Prof Rose Amal on r.amal@unsw.edu.au
7. Designing functional magnetic nanoparticles for protein digestion
Designing functional magnetic nanoparticles stands at the frontier of today’s ever growing nanotechnology. The unique properties of magnetic nanoparticles coupled with surface functionalisation find widespread applications in biosensors, bioseparation, cancer therapy, and drug delivery. This project aims to prepare multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles to effectively immobilize trypsin, an enzyme used extensively in diagnostic applications such as protein digestion.
The project involves the investigation of a range of surface modification routes (silanisation, hetero- cross-linking etc.), compared for optimal trypsin activity and conformation preservation. The student will acquire hands-on experience on nanoparticle functionalisation, be exposed to analytical techniques such as nanoparticle characterization, enzyme assay, and advanced protein digestion techniques. The student will work closely with a PhD student in a vibrant research environment.
For more details about this project, please contact Prof Rose Amal on r.amal@unsw.edu.au
8. MOLECULAR GASTRONOMY MEETS POLYMER ENGINEERING
Supervisors: Professor Robert Burford and Dr Janet Paterson
We are what we eat, and over the past 3 decades an increasing number of polymeric additives have been allowed into our food. Many of the foods we love have polymeric thickeners including hydrogels. Some of these are alginates from seaweed and gelatin from animal sources: they are used in icecream, sauces and a multitude of other products.
The cooking of food, whether at home or in restaurants has been based on traditions passed on through the generations. However, there has been an increasing interest in examining the conventional practices and looking at the food preparation process from first principles, using essentially reaction engineering methodology. The most famous innovator is based at el bulli in Spain (see links below): restaurants around the world including Sydney are looking at these innovations.
An example is the preparation of artificial caviar (in fact this was done 30 years ago in Russia0, where alginate solution is syringed droplet by droplet into calcium chloride solution. The divalent ion ‘crosslinks’ the alginate by binding to polyguluronic acid residues. Its possible to add various items to the alginate feed to color or make the ‘caviar’ sparkle. A video showing this is on the link below.
This type of hydrogel synthesis is similar to studies at UNSW where we have been making synthetic polymer beads of about the same size. We can again feed via droplets (sedimentation mode) or stir a suspension (suspension polymerisation). We have mainly made polar polymer beads around 0.5mm in diameter.
The aims of this project are first to have fun. We are well equipped to make a variety of foods either like caviar or in larger formats. We have precisely controlled water baths and the other apparatus to make new foods. Initially we would begin using a similar mode to the caviar: using divalent ions including Ca and Mg to cross-link water soluble polymers. The properties of these can be testing using a texture analyser. We may wish to look at the effect of adding sparkle (gold foil etc). Other dispersed flavourings and particulate foods can augment the gel forming polymers.
In addition to alginates, polymers such as chitins derived from prawn shell will also be assessed, both alone and in combination with the alginate. According to Dr Spingler-Bath at the university of Ulm, Chitin is the second most abundant polysaccharide in nature (after cellulose). At least 10 gigatons of chitin are synthesised and degraded each year in the biosphere. Chitin is present in nature usually complexed with other polysaccharides and with proteins. Chitin is a renewable resource and is isolated from crab and shrimp waste. It is used for waste water clearing, for cosmetics and for medical and verterinary applications.
We expect to also consult with a Sydney based restaurateur so that perhaps a new item on the menu can be developed.
Some resources on molecular gastronomy http://www.foodite.com/foodite/molecular_gastronomy.html http://hungryinhogtown.typepad.com/ (click the el bulli link and the molecular gastronomy one to see his attempts at the recipes) http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=86839&hl= (experiments with liquid ravioli) Here are the actual el bulli recipes- http://www.texturaselbulli.com/ENG/recetasferific_01.html.
Contacts
Professor Rob Burford
r.burford@unsw.edu.au
9385 4308
Dr Janet Paterson
j.paterson@unsw.edu.au
9385 5355
9. Hybrid Photocatalytic-Membrane Process for Surface Water Treatment
Photocatalysis has recently been reported as a possible alternative treatment for removing
natural organic matters from potable water. The feasibility of coupling photocatalysis degradation with membrane separation for the treatment of local surface water has already been assessed in our Centre. However, in order to optimize this hybrid process, the use of alternative membrane configurations is still required. The focus of this study is the effect of membrane separation on photocatalysis performances for removal of low-concentrations of natural organic matter from surface waters.
This project will allow the student to experience working in a professionally organized team of researchers. The participant will run a series of experiments, analyze the data, write reports, attend regular meetings and exchange idea with fellow researchers. This opportunity will allow the accepted student to have a taste being a researcher.
Contact information:
Dr Pierre Le-Clech
p.le-clech@unsw.edu.au
UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology,
School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering
University of New South Wales
10 Adsorption and removal of trace organic compounds by membrane processes used in water treatment and wastewater recycling
Trace organic compounds adsorb to polymeric membranes which are used in water treatment and wastewater recycling. The mechanisms of retention, adsorption and desorption as well as the interaction with fouling layers are poorly understood. The ability to describe and quantify these retention mechanisms will be crucial in predicting and understanding performance. The accumulation and sudden release of hazardous compounds may pose a significant risk in water treatment and recycling applications. This project will identify the role of different types of fouling on organic retention. Virgin membranes will be intentionally fouled by continuous operation with suitable dissolved constituents. Fouling layers will be formed and characterised as predominantly inorganic, organic, ‘inert particulate/colloidal’ and biological. Some of the fouling layers will significantly affect the zetapotential value compared to virgin membranes, thus affecting rejection of charged solutes.
This project will allow the student to experience working in a professionally organized team of researchers. The participant will run a series of experiments, analyze the data, write reports, attend regular meetings and exchange idea with fellow researchers. This opportunity will allow the accepted student to have a taste being a researcher. This project is conducted under collaboration between UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology and the Centre for Water and Waste Technology (Civil and Environmental Engineering).
Contact information:
Dr Pierre Le-Clech
p.le-clech@unsw.edu.au
UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology,
School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering
University of New South Wales
11. The use of draft tubes in submerged hollow fibre membrane bioreactor systems.
The membrane bioreactor (MBR) process is a hybrid of activated sludge and membrane technology for wastewater treatment. Over the past decade, MBR technology has become a more attractive option for wastewater treatment because of its many advantages over conventional activated sludge processes. The trend currently seems to favour a submerged hollow fibre configuration in MBR systems. However, characterisation of fluid hydrodynamics (i.e. two-phase bubbly-flow) is problematic in submerged hollow fibres because there are no well-defined channels for fluid flow as compared to tubular and to some extent, flat sheet membranes. Hence, a chemical engineering student is sought to join a research team to investigate the use of draft tubes in submerged hollow fibre MBR systems to obtain better understanding of the hydraulic performances of submerged membrane systems. The selected student will be conducting a series of bench-scale experiments to evaluate fluid hydrodynamics in the draft tubes and monitor and hydraulic performances of the baffled submerged hollow fibre modules. Work could include observation of fluid flow via lapse photography, operation of experimental rig, participation in regular progress meetings, report writing and a poster presentation at the end of the program. This study, conducted in the UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology on a laboratory-scale, is parallel and complementary with a pilot-scale study at a local sewage treatment plant. This project will allow the student to build a practical work experience on environmental management, wastewater treatment and separations techniques and will qualify for industrial training for the degree .
Contact information:
A/Prof Vicki Chen (supervisor)
v.chen@unsw.edu.au
Tel: 02 9385 4813
Dr Pierre Le-Clech (co-supervisor)
p.le-clech@unsw.edu.au
Tel: 02 9385 5762
John Tang (PhD student)
z3075195@student.unsw.edu.au
Tel: 02 9385 4339
UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology
School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering
The University of New South Wales
Fax: 02 9385 5966
12. Optimization of Chemical Cleaning in Membrane Bioreactor
Membrane bioreactor (MBR) is an important emerging technology in wastewater treatment. It combines activated sludge process and membrane technology and results in a compact and more efficient process. However, fouling as a common problem in membrane is also inevitable in MBR. Therefore, regular chemical cleaning is required to extend membrane lifetime. This study aims to optimize the cleaning process without damaging the membrane and minimizing chemical substance usage. A chemical engineer student is sought to join a research team to further study the optimum operating conditions of the chemical cleaning and its aging effect. The selected student will be in charge of conducting a series of bench-scale experiments to evaluate the cleaning efficiency of a series of chemicals. Work could include collection of wastewater on site, operation of experimental rig and analytical equipment, writing of reports and participation to regular progress meetings. This study, conducted in the UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology, will allow the student to build a practical work experience on membrane technology and its maintenance and will qualify for industrial training for the degree.
Contact information:
A/Prof Vicki Chen (supervisor)
v.chen@unsw.edu.au
Tel: 02 9385 4813
Dr Pierre Le-Clech (co-supervisor)
p.le-clech@unsw.edu.au
Tel: 02 9385 5762
Vera Puspitasari (MSc student)
v.puspitasari@unsw.edu.au
Tel: 02 9385 4339
UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology
School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry
The University of New South Wales
Fax: 02 9385 5966
13. High Resolution Mass Spectrometry on Complex Polymer Systems
Imagine you could make individual molecules visible and see each component in a complex reaction mixture directly. High resolution mass spectrometry based on soft ionization principles such as electrospray ionization – a technology that was awarded the 2002 Nobel Prize for chemistry – can indeed provide such information.
In the proposed project, you will investigate (via imaging the polymer directly via high resolution mass spectrometry) living free radical (RAFT) polymerizations of an exciting class of polymers that feature a series of rings along the polymer backbone which form during the polymerization process. Such polymerizations are termed ring-closing polymerizations and we know very little about their behavior in living radical polymerizations, where well-defined molecular weights and structures (such as star polymers) can be synthesized. Due to the rings in the polymer backbone, these polymers have unusual properties making them interesting materials for applications in fields ranging from biotechnology to opto-electronics. In the image above, a typical ring closing reaction sequence is depicted alongside two RAFT agents that have already been used in its polymerization.1
In this project you will learn – while being engaged in cutting edge polymer science – about: (i) The applications of advanced mass spectrometry techniques in polymer science, (ii) The latest advances in living free radical polymerization – a technique that has revolutionized polymer science, (iii) A range of additional experimental techniques (such as size exclusion chromatography) to characterize polymers. You will work closely with a post-doctoral researcher in one of Australia’s premier polymer laboratories, i.e. the Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD, www.camd.unsw.edu.au). If you like polymer science, advanced instrumentation and chemistry, this project is for you.
Contact: Prof. Christopher Barner-Kowollik, Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design, School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, P 9385 4311, F 9385 6250, E c.barner-kowollik@unsw.edu.au, Dr. Thomas Junkers, Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design, School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, P 9385 4333, F 9385 6250, E thomas.junkers@unsw.edu.au
1 "Controlled/Living Ring-Closing Cyclopolymerization of Diallyldimethylammonium Chloride via the RAFT Process" Assem, Y.; Chaffey-Millar, H.; Barner-Kowollik, C.; Wegner,G.; Agarwal, S. Macromolecules 2007, 40, 3907-3913.
[Top of Page]
