Major Research Areas
AEROSPACE AND STRUCTURAL
DESIGN
NA Ahmed
Drag Reduction using Moving Surface
Boundary Layer Control Techniques; Lift
Augmentation using Coanda Effect; Lift
Enhancement using Acoustic Excitation
NA Ahmed
A Highly Loaded Theory for the Design of
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Rotors;
Multi-Hole Non-Nulling Pressure Probe
Technique for Highly Three Dimensional
Flows; Novel Aerodynamic Techniques for
a Cost Effective Rotating Roof Top
Ventilator; Reynolds Stress Measurements
from Mean Pressure Probe
Measurements;Three Dimensional Laser
Doppler Anemometer System using a
Single Laser Light Source
TJ Barber
The Development of a Stabilisation
System for the BLUEsat Satellite
TJ Barber, RT Casey
The Simulation of Solid Rocket Plumes in
a Rarefied Gas Environment
DW Kelly
Error Estimates, Mesh Generation and
Real Time Processing in Finite Element
Analysis; Optimal Design and Failure
Modes for Structures Designed using
Advanced Composites; Structural
Optimisation using Finite Elements
DW Kelly, H Kaebernick, K Zarrabi
Efficient and Reliable Fusion and
Interpretation of NDI Data for Composite
Structures
JR Page
Development of design techniques using
high level design package; Investigation of
light aircraft design including the use of
modern materials and tools along with
crash investigation
JR Page, DW Kelly
Development of design criteria and data
for the use of modern composites in aerospace
applications; Knowledge based
engineering used as a design tool
Z Vulovic
Determination of an Aircraft's Attitude
and Wing Flexure using GPS
K Zarrabi
Creep Analysis of Axisymmetric Pressure
Components using Finite Volume Method;
Creep Life Assessment using Artificial
Neural Network; Development of a
Machine Vision System for High
Temperature Strain/Displacement
Measurements; Integrity Assessment of
High Temperature Tubes Subjected to
Localised Erosion/Corrosion;Theoretical
and Experimental Investigation of Stress
Distribution and Remodelling of a Femur
Implanted with a MARGON Hip
Prosthesis
DESIGN
N Feng
Non-Linear Dynamics; Rotor Bearing
Foundation Dynamics of Turbo Machinery;
Theoretical and Experimental Evaluation
of Vibration Behaviour of Rotordynamic
System with Non-Linear Elements 1:
Squeeze Film Dampers and Hydrodynamic
Bearings;Theoretical and Experimental
Evaluation of Vibration Behaviour of
Rotordynamic System with Non-Linear
Elements 2: Rolling Element Bearings;
Theoretical and Experimental
Identification of Rotating Machinery
Foundations;Theoretical and
Experimental Identification of System
Configuration State;Theoretical and
Experimental Identification of Unbalance
in Rotating Machinery; Vibration Analysis
Software Developments
SD Hall
Investigation of geometry, kinematics and
stress in the human knee joint; Mechanical
design and investigation of high performance
pneumatic tyres
RB Randall, DW Kelly
Adaptive Design and Adjustment of Low-
Noise Gearboxes
CA Reidsema, DW Kelly
Intelligent Design Advisor for
Manufacturing Process Knowledge within
Concurrent Engineering in the Aerospace
Industry
HL Stark
Fatigue Fracture resulting from Multiaxial
Stressing with particular reference to
Welded Structures such as Pressure
Vessels
FLUID DYNAMICS AND HEAT
TRANSFER
NA Ahmed, BE Milton
Tip Leakage Studies in Axial Compressors
T J Barber
The Synthesis of CFD and PIV for Error
Minimisation of Measured Flow-Fields
TJ Barber, LJ Doctors, E Leonardi
Combining CFD, FEA and CAD to Study
the Use of Ground Effect to Reduce Very-
High-Speed Ferry Drag
TJ Barber, E Leonardi
Investigation of Ground Effect
Aerodynamics for Racing Applications
TJ Barber, E Leonardi
Using Computational Fluid Dynamics to
Predict the Performance of Large Diesel
Engine Mufflers
TJ Barber, E Leonardi, SS Leong
Development of Low Noise Ship
Airconditioners
TJ Barber, SD Hall, E Leonardi
Investigation of Smoke Control within
Large Spaces
YC Chen
Effect of turbulence on lean premixed
combustion in a confined bluff-body burner;
Investigation of the stabilisation mechanisms
in laminar jet flames; Role of
differential diffusion in scalar dissipation
of non-premixed combustion systems
G de Vahl Davis, E Leonardi,
V Timchenko
Computational Study of the Submerged
Heater Method of Crystal Growth;
Influence of the Soret Effect during
Directional Solidification of a Binary
Alloy; Solidification and Melting of Metal
Alloys
G de Vahl Davis, E Leonardi, SS Leong,
TJ Barber
Numerical and Experimental Study of
Marangoni Convection on Earth and in
Space
G de Vahl Davis, E Leonardi, SS Leong,
V Timchenko
Effect of Anisotropy during Solidification;
Effects of G-Jitter on Directional
Solidification
E Leonardi, JA Reizes
Enhancement of Heat Transfer in
Microchannels by Microelectomechanical
Devices
E Leonardi, C Menictas, GL Morrison
Design Optimisation of Commercial
Refrigeration Equipment; Evaluation of
Air Conditioner Performance Test Methods
SS Leong
Experimental and numerical study of
thermo-acoustic refrigeration; Numerical
Study of Natural Convection in Three-
Dimensional Cylinders
SS Leong, E Leonardi
Experimental and Numerical Study of
Thermo-Acoustic Refrigeration
IL Maclaine-cross
Light Transmission of Eliminators;
Refrigerant Evaporation and Condensation
in Tubes;Water as Refrigerant for Chillers
IL Maclaine-cross, E Leonardi
Car Air Conditioner Performance Tests;
Performance of Centrifugal Chillers using
Hydrocarbons
IL Maclaine-cross, SS Leong
Reduction of Legionnaires' Disease from
Cooling Towers
CV Madhusudana
Enhancement of Thermal Conductance of
Joints by Load Cycling; Evaluation of
Transient and Steady-State Methods of
Contact Heat Transfer Measurement;
Improving the Heat Transfer Performance
of Compact Heat Exchangers
CV Madhusudana, E Leonardi, BE Milton
Computational and Experimental Study of
Heat Transfer in Disc Brakes
GL Morrison
Air Conditioning System Performance
Modelling; Cooling of Electronic
Components; Heat Transfer; Heat
Pumps/Design; Solar Thermal Energy;
Solar Thermal Power Systems
GL Morrison, E Leonardi
Experimental Assessment of Thermal
Product Performance
JF Olsen
Development of a variable compression
ratio engine; Jet column modes in both a
plane jet and in a passively modified plane
jet subject to acoustic excitation; Passive
mechanism of turbulence control in jets
INTELLIGENT MACHINES
T Furukawa
Human-Like Design using Multi-Objective
Optimisation Method; Inelastic Finite
Element analysis of a Large Structure
using Computational Material Modelling;
Seamless Finite Element Method: A
Mesh-Free Method for Large-Scale
Analysis
T Furukawa
Continuous Path Control of an Industrial
Robot; Multiple Robot Vehicle
Cooperation in an Unknown Environment;
Navigation of an Autonomous Vehicle for
Simultaneous Localisation and Map-
Building; Optimal Motion Planning of a
Sports Player
T Furukawa, J Katupitiya
Optimal Control of an Autonomous Indoor
Vehicle; RoboCup Small-Size League
T Furukawa, MJ Tordon
Automatic Water Spraying in Greenhouses
J Katupitiya
Electric Steering and Traction Control
with Differential Action; Man-Machine
Interfaces for the Disabled: Visually
Recognised Wheelchair Controls
J Katupitiya, MJ Tordon
Identification of Drastic Changes of
System Non-Linearities to Reduce their
Effects; Mechanical Fabrication of Micro-
Lenses on Optical Fibres; Visual Servoing
and Force Control of Metal Spinning
Machines
BE Milton, MJ Tordon
Control Systems Design for Internal
Combustion Engines to Improve Fuel
Efficiency
MJ Tordon, HL Stark, J Katupitiya
Data Acquisition and Drive-Train Design
in Cars to Improve Drive-Train Efficiency
RA Willgoss
Autonomous Manufacture of Large Scale
Components for the Aerospace Industry,
using High Precision Mobile Robots and
Indoor Factory GPS; Methods of
Embodying Intelligence into Machines that
will Enable them to Operate Autonomously
and Build Experience by Use of Learning
Algorithms
RA Willgoss
Application of Speech Commands and
Speech Response to Controlling a Mobile
Robot
RA Willgoss, Z Vulovic
Use of Navigational Aids such as GPS for
Autonomous Agriculture, Harvesting of
Crops, Spraying, Planting
RA Willgoss, MJ Tordon, J Katupitiya,
T Furukawa
Agricultural Mechatronics: Development
of an Outdoor Mobile Manipulator for
Fruit Picking and Pruning
LIFE CYCLE ENGINEERING
H Kaebernick, S Kara
Costing of Life Cycle Impacts of
Industrial Products; Design for
Environment Analysis and Assessment of
Household Appliances; Integrating
Environmental Requirements into
Manufacturing Strategy; Re-Use and
Recycling of Industrial Products:
Economic Modelling of End-of-Life
Options Re-Use, Recycling and Disposal;
Re-Use and Recycling of Industrial
Products: Logistics Network for Collection
of Used Household Appliances
H Kaebernick, S Kara, A Ahmed
Re-Use and Recycling of Industrial
Products: Life-Time Monitoring and Life-
Time Prediction of Components
MANUFACTURING PROCESSES AND
OPERATIONS
M Hasan
ISO 9000 and its Effect in Implementing
TQM; Quality Management in Service
Organisations
M Hasan, RM Kerr
Effect of Total Quality
Management(TQM) on Performance of
Companies; Operationalising
Manufacturing Strategy and Development
of a Generic Reference Model
H Kaebernick
Direct Production of Components from
CAD through Rapid Prototyping and
Investment Casting;Taxonomy Approach
to Life Cycle Assessment of Industrial
Products; Environmentally Conscious
Quality Function Deployment in Product
Development
S Kara, P Mathew
EdTech Project: Using WebCT in
Engineering Education
J Katupitiya, P Mathew
Ductile Mode Grinding of Silica Glass:
Speeds, Feed Rates and Surface Finish
B Kayis, H Kaebernick
Manufacturing Modelling for Joint
Optimisation of Managerial and Technical
Subsystems
B Kayis, H Kaebernick, CA Reidsema
Risk Management and Modelling
B Kayis, S Kara
Agile Manufacturing; Value Stream
Management Implementations in the
Manufacturing Industry
B Kayis, C A Reidsema, A Ahmed
Knowledge Based Management
Implementations in Manufacturing
P Mathew
A Theoretical and Experimental
Investigation into Machining Processes;
Chip Breaker Design and Analysis;
Investigation of Friction and Wear at the
Tool/Chip Interface; Optimisation of the
Machining Process; Precision Machining
P Mathew
Investigation of CMM Capabilities and
Artefacts for Measurements of Features;
Investigation of Shape, Size and Form of
Objects and Features; Laser Processing of
Materials
SHIP DESIGN
M Chowdhury
Preliminary Design of Monohull High-
Speed Ferries: A Multiple Objective
Optimisation Approach; Preliminary
Structural Design of Extra Large Hatch
Coverless Container Ships; Preliminary
Structural Design of High-Speed
Monohull Ferries
M Chowdhury, DW Kelly
Benefits of using High Strength Thermo-
Mechanically Controlled Processed Steel
in Future Large Fast Ferries - Part 2:
Design Philosophy
LJ Doctors
Application of Hydrofoils to Improve the
Performance of High-Speed Catamarans;
Steady-State Hydrodynamics of Monohull
and Catamaran Vessels with a Transom
Stern
LJ Doctor, PJ Helmore
Environmental Study of the Wavemaking
Characteristics of High-Speed Ferries
PJ Helmore
A numerical Study of Foil-Section
Passive-Fin Stabilisers
DW Kelly, M Chowdhury
Fatigue Analysis of Ship Structures using
Fracture Mechanics
VIBRATION AND ACOUSTICS
RAJ Ford
Devising and Evaluating Novel Designs of
Vibration Isolators made of Rubber;
Fundamental Study of Wheel Rail Squeal
Noise; Using Periodic Structure Theory to
Study Rail Vibrations; Vibration
Characteristics of Railway Sleepers
S Kanapathipillai
Acoustics and Noise Control
RB Randall
Application of Blind Source Separation
Techniques to Mechanical Problems such
as Structural Dynamic Modelling and
Machine Diagnostics; Development of the
Applications of Signal Processing to
Mechanical Problems and Machine
Diagnostics; Diesel Engine Fault
Simulation and Automated Diagnostics;
Helicopter Gearbox Diagnostics;
Helicopter Structural Dynamics
RB Randall, N Feng
Gear and Rolling Element Bearing Fault
Diagnosis;Theoretical and Experimental
Evaluation of Vibration Behaviour of
Rotordynamic System with Non-Linear
Elements 3: Fault Diagnosis Modelling in
Rolling Element Bearings and Gears
RB Randall, RAJ Ford
Evaluating the Vibration Characteristics of
Rail Vehicles; Updating Dynamic
Properties of Rail Vehicle Structures
Based on Response Measurements
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Description of Laboratory Facilities
Mechanical and Manufacturing
Engineering
The School of Mechanical and
Manufacturing Engineering has extensive
laboratory and workshop facilities located
in a separate building adjacent to the
School's main building. The laboratory
building, which has a floor area of about
2000 m2, was completed in 1962 and has
recently undergone major refurbishment.
Currently, a total of 24 professional and
technical staff are employed in the
laboratories and workshops. The
computing facilities in the main building
are linked via the Campus network to each
laboratory, enabling close
cooperation between theoretical analysis
and experimentation as well as facilitating
the School's computer aided
manufacturing.
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Further Information
Postgraduate Research Coordinator
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Dr Jayantha Katupitiya
Phone: +61 2 9385 4096
Fax: +61 2 9663 1222
Email: pgrcoord.mech@unsw.edu.au
Website: http://www.mech.unsw.edu.au
