A collaborative effort between the Australian Maritime College at the University of Tasmania, the University of Wollongong and Flinders University has secured $3.8 million in funding to establish a new naval training centre that will enable the naval manufacturing industry to more rapidly innovate.
The total sum is made up of nearly $2.4 million in federal funds and more than $1.4 million in industry cash and in-kind contributions administered under the Australian Research Council’s Industrial Transformation Training Centres scheme.
The project is a collaboration between the University of Tasmania, University of Wollongong, Flinders University, ASC Pty Ltd, INCAT Tasmania Pty Ltd, Babcock International Group, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Defence Materials Technology Centre, Thales Australia Ltd and PMB Defence Engineering Pty Ltd.
Project investigator and spokesperson Dr Jonathan Binns said the project provides an opportunity for 10 higher degree by research students and three postdoctoral fellows to undertake a combination of research and professional training in an industrial environment.
“These researchers will focus on developing advanced techniques to efficiently design, construct and sustain the naval platforms; providing significant economic benefits to the nation,” Dr Binns said.
DMTC is pleased to be able to support this initiative which will enhance naval manufacturing capability in Australia and foster the development of highly skilled engineers.
The ARC’s Industrial Transformation Training Centres scheme aims to foster close partnerships between university researchers and other research end-users to provide innovative higher degree and postdoctoral training in industries vital to Australia’s future.
Posted by DMTC on February 28th, 2014 DMTC sponsored PhD Candidate, Cameron Barr of the University of Melbourne, has won the Maritime Australia – Innovation Award 2013 “Young Innovator Scholarship for Defence Industry Innovation”. This award was presented at the Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney and recognises individuals who are leaders in naval technologies and innovation.
Cameron was presented the award as a result of his outstanding research that forms part of DMTC’s project in extending the service life of nickel aluminium bronze components. These components form an integral part of naval systems owing to their high strength, high corrosion resistance and resistance to bio-fouling. This project focuses on: developing a new weld repair technique to return damaged NAB components back to service, eliminating the costly regime of replacing corroded components; developing a new surfacing regime to eliminate the selectively corroding lamellar phase, thereby enhancing corrosion resistance and maximising intervals between servicing, and; investigating new processing methods to capitalise on recent developments in ultra-fine grained materials which have been shown to enhance both strength and corrosion resistance.
Cameron’s work has also saw him receive the “Borland Forum Award’ as part of the Borland Forum run by Materials Australia. Cameron’s presentation was on ultra-fine grain aluminium bronze alloys.
Posted by DMTC on October 8th, 2013 The DMTC Armour Applications Program has been awarded the 2013 Defence Science and Technology Organisation Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia.
The team working in the Armour Applications Program includes representatives from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Thales Australia, Bluescope Steel, Bisalloy Steels, University of Wollongong, The University of Melbourne, Defence Science and Technology Organisation and Swinburne University of Technology.
The Armour Applications Program has won the 2013 Australian Museum Defence Science and Technology Organisation Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia for their contributions to safety and performance through advancing material and manufacturing techniques.
“These new materials and manufacturing techniques are already protecting Australian troops in Afghanistan,” the Director of the Australian Museum, Frank Howarth said. “They will lead to a safer environment for all of us.”
A big congratulations goes to all who have participated in the Armour Applications Program and contributed to DMTC winning this prestigious award.
To watch the video announcing the DMTC Armour Applications Program as the winners of this award please click here.
To watch the youtube video describing the DMTC Armour Applications Program please click here.
To see all the finalists and winners of the 2013 Eureka Prizes, click here.
Posted by DMTC on September 5th, 2013 The DMTC with support from the Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIICCSRTE), conducted a series of workshops to discuss research, opportunities, challenges and barriers in the Australia titanium sector. The objective of the workshops was to identify what the future direction of the titanium industry is in Australia.
This study has presented a sector which, although highly capable in key areas, continues to face considerable challenges in terms of matching technology supply and demand driven by global market trends. These factors frame the discussion on future investment in titanium technologies for government, industry and research sector organisations, and provide a key starting point for future discussions with the Australian industry sector.
The full report can be found here.
Posted by DMTC on August 6th, 2013