Project and Thesis Topics 2015

8/9/2019 Project and Thesis Topics 2015

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AERONAUTICAL / AEROSPACESupervisor: Dr Doug Auld

Rm N310, Bldg J11, ph: 9351 2336 ; [email protected]

1. DSMC computations of gas flow (subsonic flow boundary conditions)

2. M

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ion for smoke visualisation tunnel.

3. Experimental or CFD development and design of wind turbines

4. Validation of stalled aerofoil data

All areas are wide ranging and hence allow the possibility of several students

working in complementary topics in one of these areas.



2015 Thesis Topics ‐ supervised by P. Gibbens

Aerodynamic modelling and simulation of the Jabiru J400 aircraft

This project aims to develop an aerodynamic and inertial characterisation of the Jabiru J400

aircraft, and to implement the model into the Variable Stability Flight Simulator (VSFS). It

will involve using Datcom and CFD methods to estimate the aerodynamic properties of the

aircraft and the development of code to estimate the inertial properties. The intended end

result will be to fly the model in the flight simulator and (possibly) to verify the flight

dynamics against flight data.

Skills: Matlab proficiency, good understanding of flight mechanics.

Level: Thesis (preferred) or project



JabLab Data Acquisition System calibration and flight test

This project involves calibration of sensors in the JabLab flight data acquisition system

(FDAS) and flight testing the aircraft for aerodynamic parameter estimation. This will

potentially involve flight in VH‐USY (JabLab) to perform flight test manoeuvres for analysis.

The project

is

intended

to

give

rise

to

a fully

verified

aerodynamic

model

of

the

aircraft

for

implementation and verification in the VSFS. The participant is likely to work closely with the

aerodynamic modelling project above. The overriding objective is to prepare the system for

future operation in support of AERO5500 Advanced Flight Mechanics, Test and Evaluation.

Skills: Matlab proficiency, excellent understanding of flight mechanics. Will require pre‐study

of AERO5500 material and procedures and preparation of analytical tools.

Level: Thesis only (good WAM)



VSFS1 Helicopter simulator hardware and simulation modelling

Current activity is implementing flight control hardware for helicopter control into the static

simulator in the Bennett Lab. This work involves developing a simulation of helicopter flight

in Simulink for real‐time implementation and testing, including rotor dynamics. The

overriding objective

is

to

prepare

the

system

for

future

operation

in

support

of

AERO4206

Rotary Wing Aircraft.

Skills: Matlab proficiency, excellent understanding of flight mechanics. Will require pre‐study

of AERO4206 material and procedures and preparation of analytical tools.


VSFS Aircraft

Simulation

and

Modelling

The VSFS simulation environment has undergone numerous developments in recent years

involving GUI’s, simulation modelling component developments and aircraft models. This

project aims to integrate these components together into a single definitive simulation

model for use across our teaching and research programmes. Components requiring

integration include the universal polynomial aircraft model, the ground model

(undercarriage/ground interaction for simulation of landings and take‐off), weather and

turbulence models. Also we have developed numerous aircraft models over the years. These

need to be integrated together so they can be selected easily from the GUI. This is a good

project for

someone

who

likes

software

and

simulation.

Skills: Proficiency in Matlab. Programming skills in C/C++ (possibly).


1 VSFS: Variable Stability Flight Simulator



Vision navigation and predictive control demonstrator UAV.

This project is a new initiative aimed at providing a test‐bed system for demonstration of

new approaches to control and navigation. The intention is to take a Parrot quad‐rotor

drone and implement communications and electronics to allow the vehicle to be controlled

from an

external

computer

via

wi

‐fi.

The

computer

will

acquire

motion

information

from

the

on‐board sensors and send control commands to the vehicle to achieve certain control and

navigation objectives. The system will provide a demonstration capability for control

strategies and visual navigation methods developed in in‐house research investigations.

Ideally this project will culminate with working demonstrations of AMPC (Algebraic Model

Predictive Control) and feature based visual navigation techniques.

Skills: Proficiency in Matlab. Programming skills in C/C++.

Level: Thesis only (high WAM). There is possibly room for 2 or 3 good students on this

project working

together

on

the

system

development

but

later

specialising

in

the

AMPC,

visual navigation and flight path optimisation elements.





Ground and Air Robots – Honours Thesis 2015

[email protected]

MX or MXSpace

Mawson is an all terrain rover that has been in operationover the last two years as part of a space robotics

program. It needs to be overhauled. We are looking for astudent who has an interest in advance computer

hardware and software. The objective of the thesis is togive Mawson a whole new lease on life. The thesis wouldcomprise of:

Selection of new computer hardware

Software to drive motors and read sensors

already on board.

Code for teleoperationYou will work closely with our engineers as part of thedesign and implementation process.

Aero, Aerospace, MX or MXSpace

Continuum now has an arm that will give this rover theability to look closely at objects and generate detailmodels of the object and of the terrain. Code is written inMatlab/Simulink. We are looking for 3 students for thefollowing thesis topics:

1) Use the laser scanner on the arm to build a 3Dmodel of a target rock given multiple viewpoints.Challenges include object segmentation from thelaser data and motion planning for the arm.

2) Use the laser scanner on the arm to create anelevation map of the environment and then use

this map to develop a path planner forContinuum.3) Develop a energy model for the arm. e.g for a

given trajectory calculate the energy used based

on joint torques, etc. As an extension perhaps plan energy-optimal collision free trajectories for

a given initial and final poses.You will work closely with our engineers as part of thedesign and implementation process.


Mammoth is w wheel-legged robot. Code is written in

Matlab/Simulink. We have a number of thesis topicsincluding:

1) A student looking at how to create a rapid map ofthe Mars Yard using onboard laser sensors andgenerating traversability maps for Mammoth.

2) A student working on novel User Interfaces fortele-operating Mammoth including low-levelcontrol to high-level planning.

3) A student working on the planning problem, in particular to look at clambering gaits.

4) A student to investigate building a more effective

force sensor unit to identify if Mammoth's wheels

are touching the ground reliably.You will work closely with our engineers as part of thedesign and implementation process.

mailto:[email protected]







Thesis/Projects – Ben Thornber ([email protected])

Interested students should first come to see me, and following the discussion if you are certain that

you are keen to do the project, then send an email outlining your interest in the project. For

students interested in learning the ‘nuts and bolts’ of CFD, there are also several possible projects

exploring the performance of state of the art numerical methods for fluid dynamics.

(1) Exploration of Using Method of Characteristics to Design a 10mN Attitude/Orbital Control

Thruster

Small cold gas thrusters are typically used as a cheap and reliable means of ensuring both

pointing accuracy and orbital position for satellites. The typical nozzle exit dimension is on

the order of milimeters, so despite their high Mach number, the typical Reynolds number is

low hence they are very viscous. Because of their size, most thrusters are conical, not

contoured like their much larger cousins. This project will explore the benefit (if any) of

designing a contoured nozzle through CFD simulations utilising Method of Characteristics

and/or ANSYS FLUENT.

(2) Investigation of the Flow around a Hemisphere

This project has been suggested by collaborators at DSTO who are interested in

understanding the impact of proturberances on aerodynamic performance and/or structural

vibration. Such hemispheres are very common on modern aircraft, to house cameras or

other optical devices for example. There are several interesting challenges, namely

unsteady vortex shedding from the back of the hemisphere, and the behaviour of flow

dependent on the thickness of the incoming boundary layer. We will investigate this using

CFD. The ideal student will have a background/affinity for CFD and will develop strong

analytical skills.



(3) Simulation of an Engine Precooler Matrix for a Mach 5 Vehicle

The precooled jet engine under development by Reaction Engines Ltd. relies on a very

compact heat exchanger to cool the incoming air. Perhaps surprisingly, the air passing

through the precooler is incompressible, and at a relatively low Reynolds number. We have

access to experimental data on a scaled up model of the precooler elements which shows

that the flow is unsteady, yet CFD to date implies that it should be steady. This thesis will

explore whether modern CFD methods can capture this unsteadiness, and elucidate the

source of the unsteadiness in the matrix. We will also aim to produce accurate predictions of

pressure drop, heat conduction and flow development length. The ideal student will have a

background/affinity for CFD and will develop strong analytical and programming skills.

(4) RANS models for transitional flows

A key engineering challenge is the development of aerofoils which can sustain laminar flow.

However, this makes the simulation (and thus the initial design) much more difficult as

modern turbulence models struggle to represent the transition between laminar and

transitional flows. This thesis can be either an exploration of methods of simulating

transitional flows in FLUENT comparing against experimental data, or the development and

validation of transitional models in an in-house code. The ideal student will have a

background/affinity for CFD for both projects, and an ability/willingness to learn Fortran to

use the in-house code.



(5) Ability of RANS models to capture vortex bursting

F1 teams are aiming to improve their ability to capture vortex bursting. The location of a

vortex burst, and it’s subsequent behaviour can influence the underbody Cp distributions

and performance of the rear end of the vehicle. This project will employ a simplified

configuration to explore the ability of ANSYS to capture this phenomenon. It is expected that

experimental data of this simplified configuration will be available. The ideal student willhave a background/affinity for CFD and will develop strong analytical skills.

(6) Investigation of Cavity Aeroacoustics

This project has been suggested by collaborators at DSTO who are interested in

understanding the aeroacoustic behaviour of cavities at transonic velocities. Cavity noise has

a major impact in several fields as a prime source of noise in aircraft wheel bays, weapons

bays, gaps between train carriages and open sunroofs/windows on cars. At high speeds the

noise levels are substantial (greater than 150dB) and can be severely damaging. This thesis

will explore the variation of acoustic noise in a generic cavity to give detailed insight into

experiments conducted at DSTO. We will investigate this using our in-house high orderaccurate Computational Fluid Dynamics.

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=F9ahx1JAwMMlkM&tbnid=P-RahGLt0mbU6M:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/planes/q0176.shtml&ei=ot17U62nHtKNuATfuYDwBA&bvm=bv.67229260,d.c2E&psig=AFQjCNHX6Qul8k7pEYmt7aO8RV-50iA5lA&ust=1400712968383719





(7) Drag Reduction Techniques for Automotive Bodies

This project will extend a previous thesis projects to investigate the use of smallaerodynamic strips on the rear of a vehicle body to reduce the overall vehicle drag. This has

the potential to reduce drag by several counts, however it’s applicability under practical

situations has yet to be demonstrated. This thesis will explore the physics of the problem

through RANS simulations, and optimise the current design. The ideal student will have a

background/affinity for CFD and will develop strong analytical skills.

(8) Rectangular-to-Elliptical Shape Transition Scramjet Intake

The Rectangular-to-Elliptic Shape Transition (REST) intake is a class of intake designed for

scramjet engines. The rectangular capture shape is used for ease of vehicle integrationwhilst the elliptic exit plane allows the use of an elliptic combustor section, which has been

found to be an efficient cross-sectional shape for scramjet combustors. These intakes have

been studied and tested over several years and are now being integrated into some of the

hypersonic vehicles being flight tested as part of the Australian/US collaborative program

HIFiRE. The aim of this project is to use CFD to study the flow physics of a Mach 8 REST

intake and to assess the capability of CFD to accurately predict these flowfields. The ideal

student will have a background/affinity for CFD and will develop strong analytical skills.



(9) Virtual environment for development and verification of Control Strategies in Urban

Environments

Here we aim to utilising CFD to develop a virtual environment with realistic wind profiles for

various generic urban configurations, which could include both internal and external air

flows. Here there would be several sub-thesis projects on (i) CFD of the environmental /

urban flow, (ii) Matlab setting up the environment/model (iii) simple aircraft model to test

within the environment and (iv) validation experiments.

(10) Stochastic modelling of rain radar data for near-term rainfall prediction

Rainfall prediction utilising numerical weather prediction is extremely complex. However, there

is great value in having a simplified heuristic model which can give accurate near-time (next few

hours) rain prediction. At the simplest level, this could be an extrapolation of the path of rain

from the BOM rain radar into the future. At the more advanced level, the thesis will develop a

multi-dimensional database of historical measurements to characterise how a particular rain

storm moving in a particular direction will grow or shrink in time. The overall aim is to produce a

simple but scientifically sound extrapolation of the BOM rain radar into the near future.



4th

YEAR THESIS TOPICSPrepared by L. Tong

[email protected]

1. Topology design optimization of a rib in aircraft wing box

An aircraft wing box typically consists of a number of ribs that are joined together by stringers and spars and

skin panels as shown in the Figure 1-1. While exterior configuration of an aircraft rib could be well determined

by the chosen airfoil, interior material distribution and structural topology could designed in a fashion to

achieve lightweight and performing structure. The thickness of an aircraft rib could be different at different

location and the cut-outs could take different shape. These selections could be determined by using topology

design optimization from initial design via finite element analysis to the final design as depicted in Fig 1-2.

Fig 1-1 Fig 1-2

This project aims to find optimum topological design for an aircraft rib panel that could be subjected to a range

of selected aerodynamic loads. For example, a particular airfoil section e.g. NACA-0012, could be selectedand several typical air dynamic load cases could be considered. The project involves the use of finite element

analysis software, interfacing with Matlab code developed and application to selected cases for topology design

of an aircraft rib structure. A prototype is expected to be manufactured and tested if sufficient progress is made

in the first semester.






2. Design and prototyping of pressure-actuated cellular structures for aircraft

morphing

Aircraft design is a multi-disciplinary, complex and challenging engineering task. Its general design cycle can

be broadly broken down into three technical phases, namely, the “Conceptual design”, “Preliminary structuraldesign”, and “Detailed structural design” as shown in Fig 2-1. There are a vast number of design requirements

for each phase.

The function of morphing may appear familiar as we all see the control surfaces on modern jets moves during

take-off, cruise and landing to achieve better flight performance. The challenging question is: Is it possible to

move other airframe components to drastically change aircraft configuration to perform specific requirements

during flight? How to define drastic configuration change, scope and extent? What are the limits? There are

numerous questions to be answered.

Fig 2-1

This project aims to extend the current hydraulic actuation technology to achieve drastic configuration changeand involves the use and design of pressurized cellular structures, which could be formed by an array of regular

hexagonal honeycomb cells or pouches or even skewed or irregular honeycomb cells (an example is shown in

Fig 2-2).

Fig 2-2

The project consists of design of cellular structural component in the form of leading or trailing edge in a

typical aircraft, or selected wing or fuselage sections. Finite element analysis of the designed cellular structure

will be conducted by considering different level of internal pressure applied. The deformation of the designed

structural will be analysed to understand the capability of morphing. A prototype of hardboard model with

pressure applied via balloons is expected to be used to demonstrate the proposed design.



3. Design and development of self-assembling mechanisms

Self-assembly is referred to as the spontaneous and reversible organization of units or

components into ordered structures via some sort of interactions. It can occur at different

length scales from nanometers to centimeters and is everywhere in nature. Some relevantconcepts drawn from natural contexts may have many applications in engineering. For

example, a modern civilian aircraft has movable parts e.g. control surfaces, a UAV may have

foldable wings. An aircraft can morph from one configuration to another via self-assembly.

One basic and useful form of self-assembly involves folding two dimensional materials into

three-dimensional (3D) structures and its reversal unfolding process. As in origami, folding

is capable of complex shapes and can be scaled to different sizes, and it can turn flat or

planar materials into 3D complex mechanisms. The figure below depicts: (a) an example of

compressing a 4 by 4 Miura-origami into a small part; and (b) a recent example of self-

folding a flat sheet of material into a complex 3D structures. Self folding requires

employment of one or more actuation methods to actuate the folding and unfolding processes. It can be applied in remote, autonomous assembly as well as automation of

certain aspects of manufacturing.

This topic aims to explore basic inexpensive self-folding and self-unfolding techniques for

transforming planar material sheets to 3D structural mechanisms or machines. For example,

a self-folding hinge that could be actuated by an external stimulus, such as heat, electricity,

is considered as one of the key element in achieving the target of self-assembling

mechanisms. An ideal self-folding hinge should have the shape-memory characteristics.



4. Design of shape adaptable rotor blade airfoil section using smart material based

actuatorsMorphing of rotor blade airfoil section is about actively changing the airfoil section

shape using compact actuators, such as PZT, SMA based actuators, to achieve active

airflow control for enhanced flight performance. This project aims to look into possiblesolution to design and analysis of shape adaptable NACA-0012 airfoil section with a

rigid spar using smart material based actuators. Finite element based numerical

simulations are to be performed for achieving desired airfoil shapes.

5. Digital image correlation for full field measurement

This project will offer an opportunity for a student who is keen in

developing/implementing and verifying Matlab based software that is capable of

performing digital image correlation between two images to extract relevant structural

movement. It is expected that DIC software will be used to facilitate measurement of

selected adhesive properties in bonded joints.

6. PZT based motion energy harvester

This project aims to review various designs and prototypes of energy harvesters based

on PZT and external motion. Typical design consists of a cantilever beam with a

concentrated mass at the free end and a PZT film attached close to the clamped end.

Motion of the clamped end will generate vibration of the beam, which in turn strains the

PZT material and generate electrical charges that could be collected if an appropriate

electric circuit system is chosen.



Airship Design Tool

This project aims to develop aninitial design and sizing tool forsmall airships to allow theeva lua t ion o f a range o fpropulsion technologies such asfuel cells and hybrid fuel-cellbased solutions

1 Honours thesis

Solar Powered Airship

What is the smallest possibleairship that can be propelled bysolar power? The aim of this workis to explore this question andwork out the main drivers for thesize of such an airship (latitude,longitude and altitude,…) 1

Honours thesis

UNMANNED AIRSHIP DESIGN

Static Performance

Performance data for smallpropellers is virtually non-existentand static thrust and power arehard to predict. This project

involves testing of variouspropellers on a static test rig.Testing with and without bodieswill be performed for a range ofpropellers and computational tools

will be used to analysethei r per formanceprediction capability.

1 Honours thesis

PROPELLER PERFORMANCE

Supervisor Details: Dries Verstraete [email protected], Rm N316, Aero Eng Bldg J11

Altitude performance

The so-called Coleman engine, asemi-closed recuperated engine,

is considered to be one of themajor alternative cycles for highaltitude long endurance UAVs.This project consists of ananalysis of a range of different gasturbine configurations at altitudewith the aim to quantify the impactof low Reynolds number operationon the different cycles.

1 Honours thesis

Pulsed Turbine Analysis

Replacing the conventionalcombust ion chamber wi th

pressure r ise combust ionsystems like pulse detonationengines can improve thethermal efficiency of the engineprovided that the effect of flowunsteadiness on the turbine issmall. This project will investigatethe impact of flow unsteadinesson the performance of small axialand radial turbines using 1D

approximate methods. If progresspermits unsteady CFD analysiscan be applied too.

1 Honours thesis

MICRO GAS TURBINES

HYPERSONIC AIRCRAFT AND SPACEPLANESGeneral Background

The technical and commercialfeasibility of both hypersonicaircraft and reusable space-planes is studied world-wide. Thehigh temperatures associated withei ther hypersonic flight oratmospheric reentry result insevere thermal stress for theaircraft structure. Innovativestructural designs are thereforerequired.

Specific projects

A multitude of projects areavailable in this domain. Possibleprojects include but are not limitedto:

• impact of low speed handlingqualities on waverider design andoptimisation

• design of a hydrogen fuelledsupersonic transport aircraft

• analysis of pre-cooled and

variable cycle engines across arange of flight conditions

Up to 2 honours thesis






Dr Gareth A. Vio Rm N306, Bldg J11,

ph: 9351 2394

[email protected]

2015 THESIS

TOPICS

The topics I offer cover a number of fields, namely:

Fluid-Structure Interaction (Aeroelasticity)

Non-Linear Structural Dynamics

Aerodynamics

If you have your own idea on a project on any of these fields comeand talk to me.

Vibration ProblemsHuman - Structure Interaction

Slender bridges, new stadium tiers suffer

from vibration problems due to the

interaction with humans. This topic will

investigate the modelling between such

structures subjected to repeated loading andlook at possible improvements in

performance with the introduction of

purpose tuned non-linearities.

Model Updating A FE model requires to be validated against

experiment for accuracy. Model updating

allows you to modify the FE model based on

experimental tests via the Model Assurance

Criterion. This topic will aim to developethese techniques in computational setting

and then apply it to the T-tail structure.

Design of Vibration Experiments






Vibration plays an important role in any

vehicle or machinery. Vibration can lead to

fatigue problems or in extreme cases to

catastrophic failure of the structure. This

topic will look at model the T-tail structure

via Modal Updating Technique in order todevelop an equivalent Finite Element Model.

Vibration Stability / Instability of Rotating MachineryVibration plays an important role in any

vehicle or machinery. Vibration can lead to

fatigue problems or in extreme cases to

catastrophic failure of the structure. This

topic will look at modelling thestability/instability of an engine.

The Sound of SilenceCan we engineer silence? By place a barrier

between a source and the receiver is it

possible to position a series of obstacles sothat overall no sound is propagated in one

direction, without the obstacle been solid.

This work can lead to the study of Random

Matrix Theory and will make use of

computational tools to model sound

propagation.

Fluid-Structure Interaction and Aeroelasticity

SU2 Force MappingThis topic will aim to investigate different

ways to map aerodynamic forces onto non

matching structural grids using the SU2 CFD

code.

Fluid - Structure Interaction



A number of commercial packages have

developed the capability for 2-way coupling

between the structure and the aerodynamics.

This topic will investigate the capabilities

against a number of default aeroelastic cases.

ELMA, OpenFoam, Adina

Active Aeroelastic Structures

To improve an aircraft performance, itsoptimum flight envelope needs to be

extended Active structure look at using the

aerodynamic forces to generate a

deformation in the structure, i.e. morphing it.

This topic aims at evaluate the effect on a

simple structure.

Active Gust AlleviationTo improve ride quality an aircraft must

remain stable under gust loads. This topicaims at evaluate the effect on a simple

structure.

Highly Flexible StructuresFlexible structures are becoming more and

more common in aeronautical as well as civil

applications. This topic aims at modelling

and identifying changes in stability

boundaries due to nonlinear geometric

effects.

Flapping Aeroelasticity



How do birds fly and use aeroelasticity in

their favour. This topic aims to investigate

the motion, lift and propulsion generated by

different birds. Effect of unsteady flow will

be essential in this study with wind tunnel

models tested to validate results.

Aeroelastic Tailoring – Symmetric, Anti-symmetric or

Asymmetric

Aeroelastic tailoring allows for thedirectional use of composite materials to gain

an advantage beyond simple weight savings.

This project aim to look at the effect of

asymmetry in the ply lay-up of an aeroelastic

wing under typical flight constraints.

Hypersonic Vehicles

Fatigue Issue for a Hypersonic VehicleFatigue is major issue in hypersonic vehicle

with large thermal loading. Using the new

MSC.Nastran software the fatigue life of the

MR-2 vehicle will be analysed.

Aerodynamic/Aeroelastically scaled Hypersonic VehicleAn aerodynamic and aeroelastic scaled

model will be design based on the MR-2

hypersonic vehicle. Ideally the models will be built and tested for ground vibration

testing and wind tunnel testing This topic is

part of a larger study into hypersonic

vehicles conducted by Vio & Verstraete.

General Engineering ProblemsUndercarriage Twisting in Flight



The front landing gear of a light aircraft twist

in flight under aerodynamic load. A solution

to this problem is sought. This research topic

is in collaboration with an industry partner

and KC.

Helicopter Stinger for UltraMagA stinger of non-magnetic properties needs

to be designed. It will need to support a

magnetic sensor weighing approximately

1kg. The stinger will need to clear thehelicopter by at least 6-9 meters at the front.

It will need to be extremely rigid in both

torsion and bending under all flight

conditions. This research topic is in

collaboration with an industry partner and

KC.



For Internal Use Only – Not for external distribution

Dr KC WongSchool of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic EngineeringEmail: [email protected]

2015 Honours/MPE Thesis (ver 1.0 – 3 Sep 2014)

Please come and discuss possible topics with me as soon as possible. Subject areas supervisedinclude Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Aircraft Design, Experimental Aerodynamics, Projects toenhance Experiential Learning, and Aeronautical Engineering Education.

A particular focus will be on the development of Extreme UAVs, ie. Flight platforms with particularlyextreme capabilities.

Any topics within the following or related areas can be discussed and potentially agreed to.

Possible Topic Areas include:

(1) Continuing development and testing of a modular Multi-DisciplinaryExperimental UAV Test Aircraft.

(2) Global Collaborative Design Project – Fuel Cell Powered Low- Altitude Long-Endurance UAV – ongoing development of a FlightResearch UAV airframe system jointly being developed with designteams in universities overseas.

(3) (multiple projects possible) mini UAV Airframe Systems:a. VTOL concepts;b. Aerodynamic Modelling, Stability and Control, Design Optimisation, Flight

Simulation and Testing of airframe concepts;c. Development and testing of tube-launched UAV concepts;d. Deployable and morphing structures for airframes;e. Development of UAVs deployed from underwater platforms;f. Development of thrust vectoring for VTOL and gust-tolerant mAV Flight Platforms for

urban operations;g. low Reynolds Number aerodynamics and bio-inspired concepts for indoor/outdoor

operation;h. Flight platform suitable for microgravity research.

(4) Multi-Role Multi-Mode (Aerial-Maritime-Terrestrial) UAV – need to see

me to discuss details..

(5) Tethered Hovering UAV on floating platforms (multiple projects – need to seeme to discuss details).

(6) (Multiple projects possible) High Performance BWB (blended wing body) UAV:a. Investigate the shifting in neutral point due to propwash;b. Investigate the use of Split ailerons on BWB aircraft;c. Composite airframe structural optimisation and Rapid Prototyping;d. Dynamic testing of model in the 7 X 5 wind tunnel

e. Improvement of the instrumentation and flight testingi. Alpha-beta-V sensorii. Control position sensors

iii. Interface with X-Plane Flight Simulationiv. Inertia measurement system



For Internal Use Only – Not for external distribution

f. Graphical AVL/Panair editor with expansion to CATIA (part of a fast preliminary aircraftdesign optimisation tool)

g. Parameter estimation from flight testingi. BWB UAVii. Cessna 182 (can be compared with full scale)iii. Jabiru J-400 (can be compared with full scale)

(7) Micro EDFs (Electric Ducted Fans) – effect of tailpipe design and thrust-vectoring mechanisms.

(8) Exploring Rapid Prototyping for new UAV designs, using 3D printing (additivemanufacturing) and other facilities.

(9) New mounting system for the 4x3 Wind Tunnel.

(10) Launcher for flight testing of small UAVs.

(11) Lighter-than-Air UAV flight systems.

(12) (priority continuing project) The Development of Experiential-Learning Laboratoryfacilities for Thin-wall and Aircraft Structures.

(13) (continuing project) Development and review of integrated Experiential-Learningcurriculum for Aeronautical Engineering education.

(14) Design and development of a low-cost self-launching two-seat sports glider (inpartnership with a gliding club).

(15) Design and development of a self-balancing flying personal transporter.

(16) …???...come and see me to discuss your ideas…



Dr Xiaofeng Wu, [email protected] ; Rm N314

1. QB50 CubeSat Mission (10 or more students required)

From 2013 to 2015, The University of Sydney is participating the international QB50 project,

which will launch 50 2U CubeSats in the middle of 2015. In this project, a group of

Thesis / project students are required to build an engineering model of a nanosatellite, which

includes structure, electrical power system (EPS), telemetry tracking and communication

(TT&C), attitude determination and control system (ADCS), on-board data handling (OBDH),

and thermal. In this thesis, the students will develop a complete satellite. It will go through

some environmental tests, like thermal vacuum, vibration and shock tests.

2. Vision based satellite formation flying control (Honour thesis only)

Spacecraft formation flying is an evolving technology with many possible applications, such

as long base-line interferometry, stereographic imaging, synthetic apertures, anddistinguishing spatial from temporal magnetospheric variations. A significant advantage of

distributed spacecraft platforms over a single multi-functional spacecraft is that single point







failures can be rectified through replacement of cheaper and smaller spacecraft to maintain

mission capability, thus providing a more reliable and robust system. Many missions (in

particular interferometry missions) rely on precise relative position and attitude knowledge in

order to maintain mission requirements.

The objective of this research is to develop a robust and efficient approach for relative

navigation and attitude estimation of spacecraft flying in formation. The approach developed

here uses information from an optical sensor that provides a line of sight vector from themaster spacecraft to the secondary satellite. The overall system provides a novel, reliable, and

autonomous relative navigation and attitude determination system, employing relatively

simple electronic circuits with modest digital signal processing requirements and is fully

independent of any external systems.

3. Development of a Helmholtz cage for magnetic actuated satellite hardware in loop

simulation

The attitude control system is a crucial subsystem for any satellite mission since precise

pointing is often required to meet mission objectives. The accuracy and precision

requirements are even more challenging for small satellites where limited volume, mass, and

power are available for the attitude control system hardware. The magnetic torquer is the

most efficient actuator for small satellite attitude control. Although the control system can be

designed and simulated using software, like Matlab, it is desired that the control system can

be verified in a real scenario. For magnet torquer, it is important to model the Earth magnetic

field in the orbit. In this project, we will build a Helmholtz cage working together with the air

bearing system for 3-axis control.



4. Nanothruster Design

The nanothruster project will investigate a novel charge exchange thruster (CXT) for

nanosatellites. Like most spacecraft propulsion methods, electric propulsion works by

ejecting mass in a specific direction, which imparts an equal and opposite momentum to the

spacecraft, thus providing thrust. The efficiency of spacecraft propulsion is determined by the

change in momentum (impulse) per unit weight of propellant, which is known as the specific

impulse. Greater propulsion efficiency is achieved by increasing the specific impulse.

Electric propulsion methods produce the highest specific impulse, which makes them suitablefor spacecraft propulsion because this enables the reduction of the amount of propellant the

spacecraft must carry.

Ion propulsion systems consist of three parts: gas ionization, ion acceleration and

neutralization. In the latter, electrons are injected into the ion plume so that the charge on the

spacecraft will remain neutral - otherwise there will be a build-up of negative charge on the

spacecraft that will eventually stop the exit of ions. Although there are several hundred

satellites that use ion thrusters, as well as deep space missions such as the DEEP-SPACE 1

mission to Comet Borelly and the SMART 1 mission to the Moon, it remains a challenge to

miniaturize these thrusters to make them applicable to nanosatellites. Limits to the available power in a nanosatellite are in the units of watts, and similarly, the total weight is of the order

of 1kg. The power requirements and weight of ion thrusters currently in use far exceed these

limitations.

5. Implementation of Computation-Intensive Navigation and Control Algorithms for

Small Satellites/UAVs (Honour Thesis only).

Navigation and control algorithms are computation intensive, which normally require a

powerful computer to process. For small satellites or UAVs, however, the on-board resources

are extremely limited in terms of volume, area and power. It becomes even more challenging

when the algorithms are targeting real-time processing, which normally runs at a high

sampling frequency. In this research, we will develop hardware IP cores for the algorithms.



The resulting IP cores will be integrated as a peripheral in a system-on-chip architecture,

which is currently under development at the Space Engineering research group.

6. High Altitude Balloon

The primary goal of the High Altitude Balloon Project is to build, design, test and operate a

satellite on a weather balloon, and be capable of carrying payloads – the student built satelliteand scientific instruments, to an altitude exceeding 20 km and successfully collect the data

from the payloads using real time down linked telemetry or retrieve stored data after flight. A

secondary objective of the High Altitude Balloon project is to operationally test the

University of Sydney's nanosatellites in a near space environment.

7. Satellite attitude control with a flexible structure and the FASTSAT (Honour thesis

only)

The attitude and orbital control system (AOCS) is one of the most essential systems on-boarda spacecraft. This thesis will develop a revolutionary new method of executing attitude

control for small spacecraft. Through the use smart materials such as Shape Memory Alloys

(SMAs) to provide active shape control, it is possible to use a flexible structure to change the

attitude of a small central spacecraft bus.

Together with this thesis, we will develop a concept satellite ‘flexible Australian Smart

Technologies Satellite (FASTSAT)’, which will demonstrate the feasibility of the satellites

based on flexible structures.

8. State Estimation via Parallel Unscented Kalman Filters (Honour thesis only)

Kalman Filters in their various forms have been the standard approach to solving many state

estimation problems. Indeed for non-linear estimation problems and in particular aerospace



applications, the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) has been a workhorse. More recently a

newer variant, the Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) has gained popularity due to superior

performance over the EKF in highly non-linear applications; this benefit of course comes at

an increased computing cost. The increased computing cost arises from large matrix

manipulations, the sizes of which are related to the size of the state vector. One possible way

to alleviate this issue is to segment the state variables and use multiple UKFs in parallel

though this raises many more issues. For example, consider a UAV following a pre-computed path in a given map (i.e. known landmarks):

Which variables should be segmented? (Position and velocity separate? Or only segment the

measurements of landmarks?)

Will segmentation affect the accuracy of the state estimates?

Will a recombination process (or global update) need to occur? If so, how should this be done?

What additional overhead will recombination bring and under what conditions (if any) will

the parallel implementation be superior?

How will control actions be incorporated?

This research will involve developing simulations (in Matlab) to answer some of these

questions with the possible extension of implementation on a multi-core FPGA system. Ideas

for other applications are also welcome.

9. Pointing, acquisition and tracking of laser beams (Honour thesis only)

The laser is a very promising tool used in various applications in all fields of science and industry. In

aerospace applications, examples include range finding, high speed communication and possibly

even wireless power transmission. All of these applications involve the propagation of the laser

beam through free space. Because the energy of lasers is very directional, the major challenge of

using lasers is in precise pointing and acquisition towards the point of interest in free space.

Optical beam steering defines the hardware that is used to achieve the beam steering. Examples of

such hardware include the simple mirror on a gimbal mount, the optical switch which is a

miniaturized version of the gimballed mirror, decentred lens and optical phased arrays. Pointing and

acquisition, however, refers to the software that is used to guide the optical beam steering

hardware system to point towards the desired target. Pointing generally refers to finding roughly the

direction of the desired target and acquisition refers to very fine adjustments of the pointing angle

so that the laser beam hits the target at its highest (central) intensity. Acquisition is very important

in aerospace applications where the transmitter and receiver are typically many kilometres apart

and as such, the laser beam must be typically pointed within micro-radian precision.

This project will involve the full development of a pointing, acquisition and tracking of a laser beam,

both in terms of hardware and software. As of the current status, the application of this particularly

developed system is in wireless power transmission in fractionated satellite architectures.



Biomedical

Honours Thesis A/B or Engineeri ng Project A/B

Supervisors: Associate Professor Mehrdad Behnia ([email protected]) and Professor

Masud Behnia ( [email protected])

The project offered below is suitable for a Biomedical or Mechanical student.

Echocardiographic and fl uid mechanic evaluation of pulmonary arter ial pressure inrowing athletes at rest and dur ing exercise

Introduction: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is defined as mean pulmonary arterial

pressure of greater than 25 mmHg measured by a pulmonary arterial catheter at rest. PAH

during exercise is a controversial subject that has not been defined clearly. There are studies

showing that pulmonary arterial pressure does increase during maximum voluntary exercise.

But a succinct cutoff pulmonary pressure for definition of exercise-induced PAH has not

been agreed upon by researchers of the field. However, it appears that exercise-induced PAH

is the cause of a large percentage of patients with unexplained shortness of breath.

Furthermore, it appears that blood flow turbulence increases during exercise as measured by

echocardiography. But correlation of blood turbulence and its relationship to pulmonary

arterial pressure has not been studied in detail, either.Objective: Our aim is to measure and compare the blood flow turbulence and velocity as

measured by echocardiography in rowing athletes at rest and also at peak exercise. We would

further assess and evaluate if right ventricular systolic pressure, which is a surrogate for

pulmonary artery pressure, is elevated at peak exercise and how it is correlated to peak

oxygen consumption and other variables measured during complex cardiopulmonary exercise

testing (CPET).

Methodology: The rowing athletes will undergo a CPET using the bicycle ergometer

protocol. Several physiological parameters such as maximum oxygen consumption (VO2

max) and maximum CO2 production (VCO2 max) will be measured during the test. A

baseline echocardiogram will be done on each athlete at rest before the exercise. Immediately

following cessation of CPET, another echocardiogram will be performed.Echocardiographic Doppler pressure waveforms will be analyzed to estimate pulmonary

arterial pressure. Fluid mechanic properties of blood flow including shear stress and right

ventricular pressure at peak exercise will be further studied and analyzed.

Both the exercise testing and echocardiography will be done at Doctors hospital in Augusta,

Georgia, USA. Exercise data analysis will be done in Augusta and to some extent by the

faculty of the Physiology department at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The

echocardiography and Doppler data will be sent to Sydney University for further evaluation

of fluid mechanic properties and for statistical analysis.

Conclusion: Exercise-induced PAH, although existent, is not a well-studied or well-defined

clinical entity. Fluid mechanics and physiological properties of this entity need further

investigation. By studying these parameters, exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension, itsdefinition and classification, and possible further therapeutic interventions will be better

comprehended and accomplished.







Bibliography

1. Bogren,HG, Klipstein, RH, Mohiaddin, RH, et al. Pulmonary artery distensibility and

blood flow patterns: A magnetic resonance study of normal subjects and of patients with

pulmonary arterial hypertension. Amer Heart Journal 1989; 118: 990-999.

2. Haworth, SG. Pulmonary hypertension in the young. Heart 2002; 88: 658-664.

3. Oudiz, RJ, Barst, RJ Hansen, JE, et al. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and Six-Minute

Walk correlations in pulmonary arterial hypertension Amer J Cardiology 2006; 97: 123-126.

4. Barst, RB, McGoon, M, Torbicki, A, et al. Diagnosis and differential assessment of

pulmonary arterial hypertension. J Amer Coll Cardiology 2004; 43: S40–S47.

5. Tolle, JJ, Waxman, AB, Van Horn,TL, et al. Exercise-Induced pulmonary arterial

hypertension. Circulation 2008; 118:2183-2189.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00028703


http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00028703/118/5

http://heart.bmj.com/search?author1=Sheila+G+Haworth&sortspec=date&submit=Submit


















Supervisors: Associate Professor Kurosh Parsi ( [email protected] ) and Professor

Masud Behnia ([email protected])

The two projects offered below are available for an individual or a group of students. Both

projects are suitable for Biomedical or Mechanical students. Part of the research will be

carried out at the Sydney Skin and Vein Clinic in Bondi Junction. Students are required totravel there and will be provided with office space and a computer at the clinic.

The standard treatment for varicose veins is the injection of the diseased vessel with a

detergent sclerosant, in order to close (sclerose) the vein. Sclerotherapy using modern

sclerosants has been practiced for at least 50 years. Over this time, a number of technical

innovations have been introduced (such as the introduction of sclerosant foam) that have

increased the efficiency of the procedure. There are a number of side effects of the treatment,

such as the passage of foam bubbles into the heart. Very little research has been performed to

understand the fluid mechanics of the injection, foam and blood.

Project 1In order to improve clinical success rates and minimise side effects, a model must be developed tocharacterise the system in terms of clinical variables. This requires both the use of physical andcomputational models to simulate the geometry of the vascular networks, such as the saphenofemoral junction (great saphenous vein and femoral vein). The complexity of such a model necessitatesexperimental investigation into basic physics/chemistry of both liquid and foam properties of

sclerosants. The flow also needs to be modelled using CFD and the experimental results will be usedfor validation of the computational predictions. We have already investigated the effects of foamconstituents such as air ratio, temperature, sclerosant type and concentration on foam spreading, andthis project will be an extension of this work. There is an existing experimental rig in the researchlaboratory of the Sydney Skin and Vein Clinic which will be used for this project. Some preliminaryCFD simulations have been performed and need to be extended.

Project 2The detergent sclerosant used for injection into the veins is usually prepared as foam right before theinjection. The foam preparation is quite cumbersome and there are numerous parameters which affectthe foam consistency and texture leading to a high degree of variability in the success of the treatment process. Therefore, it would be ideal to have a sclerosant foam with an optimum consistency whichcan be readily used for the purpose of injection. One possibility is to develop a canister with pre- packaging the foam in it. The project requires a detailed review of how the existing readily availableconsumer foam canisters (such as a shaving foam can) are designed, manufactured and function. Thedesign of such devices as well as other concepts for producing a ready made foam will be explored.We are currently in the process of developing a canister in order to produce a reproducible sclerosantfoam. A student is required to liaise with the biomedical engineers and assist in the development of a

prototype and in the assessment of the foam consistency. The project will be performed in laboratoryspace at the Sydney Skin and Vein Clinic in Bondi Junction.







1. Bioactive Glass Development (industry linked)

Supervisors: Dr Philip Boughton, Prof Andrew Ruys

Bioactive glasses are used in tissue engineering, bone putty, dental root therapy, implant coatings and bioabsorbable devices. This industry linked

project aims to develop new applications and improve existing glass manufacturing processes. Opportunity to investigate and develop novel glass

compositions and post-forming methods (microspheres/fibers/coatings) to address clinical needs will be provided. Bioglass science, process design,

and analytical testing within a commercial context will provide invaluable device design and manufacturing experience.

Contact: [email protected] | 0402890150 | Rm 242 J13

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2. Soft Tissue Scaffold Development (industry linked)

Supervisors: Dr Philip Boughton, A Prof Andrew Ruys, Prof Sue McLennan

Variotis™ is a versatile bioactive soft tissue scaffold that can be used with a range of cells and tissues. New methods, modifications and

applications will be investigated. Photo-activated capabilities and bioactive glass facilitated tissue adhesion are important areas for investigation.

The project will also include refinement objectives for existing production and post-process routes for various scaffold forms. The final phase of the

project will involve design customization of the scaffold form and type for a tissue engineering collaborator.


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3. Tissue Engineering Bioreactor Systems (industry linked)

Supervisors: Dr Philip Boughton, Dr Giang Tran, Prof Andrew Ruys

In vitro tissue engineering benefits from biomechanical stimulus. The novel iaxsys ™ system has been designed to complement existing cell biology

experimental methods and equipment constraints. This project aims to further develop and refine systems: actuation, sensors, feedback, interface,

mechanical couplings, perfusion, plate-bank and in-situ microscopy. User requirement analysis, design and development, manufacturing and

verification/validation aspects will be addressed. Ability and experience with design (CAD), cell testing, and software programming will be helpful.


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4. Spinal Implant Biomechanics (St George Hospital Linked).

Supervisors: Spine Chief Ashish Diwan, Dr Philip Boughton, Prof Andrew Ruys

A minimally invasive spinal implant has been developed to treat low back pain. The nucleus prosthesis is designed to restore physiologic stress to

the degenerate spinal disk joint. A posterior dynamic stabilization is being considered for complimentary use with the nucleus prosthesis.

Biomechanical characterization of the spinal devices will be undertaken using a state-of-the-art 6-axis BOSE spine simulator. This biomechanical

study will utilize synthetic and animal (ovine or kangaroo) models.


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5. Valve Biomaterials Optimization (Industry Linked) Supervisors: Dr Philip Boughton, Dr Giang Tran, Prof Andrew Ruys

Bovine pericardium is the outer membrane of the heart that is widely used in bioengineering of variety of cardiovascular applications including

heart valve leaflet, patches for pericardial for cardiovascular reconstructive procedure as well as in general surgery. Calcification of these tissuescan lead to structural dysfunction, tissue degeneration and catastrophic implant failure. The onset of calcification and its effects will be studied by

a range of techniques. Existing and novel methods to prevent calcification will be investigated. Other opportunities to further enhance heart valve

materials and valve configurations are also available.


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6. Optimization of Collagenous Implant Materials (Industry Linked).

Supervisors: Dr Philip Boughton, Dr Giang Tran, Prof Andrew Ruys

Collagenous tissue such as bovine pericardium and porcine aortic wall have been used successfully in bioprosthetics for the past 40 years. The

established route for collagenous tissue production utilizes glutaraldehyde crosslinking agent. A variety of processing conditions are employed by

manufacturers. Concentration of glutaraldehyde, thickness of tissues, and strain conditions during crosslinking can be varied to enhance the

mechanical performance of the bioprosthetic materials. This industry-sponsored study will provide opportunities to improve manufacturing

processes, develop new approaches, engage in mechanical verification and analytical methods. This project is focussed on delivering process

design, manufacturing and test recommendations.




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7. Fibro-Cartilage Tissue Engineering (StGeorge Hospital & Industry Linked).

Supervisors: Dr Philip Boughton, Dr Giang Tran, Dr Ashish Diwan, Prof Andrew Ruys

Fibrocartilage is an important complex hierarchical soft tissue that supports and constrains musculoskeletal joints. Sporting injuries, trauma and

degenerative pathologies lead to loss in fibrocartilage integrity. Functional gradients in modulus and collagen type are observed in this type of

tissue and should ideally be accounted for in scaffold design. A FGM (functionally graded material) biomimetic shape-matching tissue engineering

scaffold for treating fibrocartilage defects is under development. The project will involve design and manufacture and mechanical and biologic

verification of device prototypes. An existing FEA model will be further refined and validated against mechanical results. Design parameters to

mitigate against device migration is essential. Prototypes will need to be compatible and ideally visible with MRI, CT, fluoroscopy imaging.

Opportunity to employ an iaxsys™ bioreactor system for biologic verification of prototypes will be provided.


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8. Skin Tissue Engineering (RPA & Industry Linked).

Supervisors: Prof Sue McLennan, A Prof Karen Vickery, Dr Philip Boughton, Prof Andrew Ruys

Diabetes and diabetic ulcers is a growing problem in aging populations and among remote indigenous communities. A novel resorbable scaffold for

treating serious diabetic ulcers is currently being developed. Dermal chronic wounds are typically necrotic, apoxic, compromised by entrenchedinfection, and poor in mechanical integrity. An elastic highly interconnective porous scaffold laden with antibiotics and antibacterial agents is being

developed. This project will focus on further biologic verification testing and design improvement of this scaffold with particular focus on

resorption rate optimization. Exposure to production methods, invitro cell testing, analytical methods, mechanical testing will be provided.

Contact: [email protected] | 0402890150 | JO7 Rm S428

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9. Development of an App for Clinical Research, Rehabilitation Engineering, and Bioinformatics (industry linked)

Supervisors: Dr Philip Boughton, Dr Simon Poon, Tamer Sabet, Prof Andrew Ruys

Popular mobile devices contain a variety of sensors and integrated systems that can be applied to rehabilitation engineering, clinical research and

bioinformatics. A thorough review of published and patented methods will be conducted. Broad design opportunities will be mapped out. A new

app for use in conjunction with a treatment for frozen shoulder will be developed for mainstream mobile device platforms. The app will trackpatient joint biomechanics, have capacity to detect treatment abnormalities to allow immediate intervention if necessary, while remotely

transponding data for centralized bioinformatic analysis. The prototype app will be verified and validated to ensure mitigation of risks identified in

a design risk analysis and safety risk matrix. Candidates will need good software and hardware engineering experience.




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10. Height-Adjustable Pillow System for Optimal Cervical Support (The Sydney Spine Institute)

Supervisors: Specialist Physio Tamer Sabet, Dr Philip Boughton

The project will involve development of a pillow-augmenting system to provide cervical spine near-neutral zone positioning in varied positions. In

addition to biomechanical design – materials selection, fabrication, user-friendliness, aesthetics, life-cycle, and business case summary will be

important aspects to be addressed by this project.


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11. Supine Spine Manipulator (The Sydney Spine Institute)

Supervisors: Specialist Physio Tamer Sabet, Dr Philip Boughton

The aim is to develop a system to induce controlled amounts of displacement to select portions of the spine while supine. The system will

incorporate a pressure sensor array and act via a pressure transducer system. The system will effectively provide manipulation therapy similar to

that provided by a musculotskeletal physiotherapist, but in a quantified, repeatable, accessible manner. This system will also provide another

method by which to track back pain foci with time.


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12. Minimally-Invasive Trans-segmental Device for Treating Spondylolisthesis (The Sydney Spine Institute)

Supervisors: Dr James Van Gelder, Dr Philip Boughton

“Slipped disk” is a major cause of serious low back pain. Surgical approaches to treating this condition

A minimally invasive trans-segmental device design for treating spondylolisthesis is under development. Design process, prototype fabrication,

specimen testing, biomechanical validation will be the mainstay of this project. Experience with CAD, FEA, mechanical testing, is preferred.


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13. Intracranial Pressure Monitoring System (Concord Hospital, Iosys Pty Ltd)

Supervisors: Dr Philip Boughton, Dr Simon Poon, Dr James Van Gelder

Like ECG, Intercranial Pressure (ICP) is an important vital sign used in intensive care. It is often too costly to be employed outside of ICU.

Intracranial pressure monitoring systems provide a lower cost possibility to obtain important relative measurements (RAP) to assist with clinical

planning, particularly in geriatric medicine. A compact mobile intracranial pressure monitoring system concept is under development and if

transferable to a smartphone APP would also become an important M-health resource.


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14. Development of a Neural Engineering Conduit (Cochlear Pty Ltd)

Supervisors: Dr Philip Boughton, Prof Andrew Ruys, Prof Sri Bandyopadhyay, Dr Paul Carter

The development of electrospun nerve conduits for peripheral repair is a relatively new area. Prototype conduit specimens (of a variety of

conductivities) will be fabricated and cell tested. Cell culture will be conducted with and without electrical stimulation. Verification and validation

testing will be undertaken to confirm specification requirements. Medical science background and/or cell culture experience is preferred.


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18. Accessible Foot Injury Mitigating Solutions (Project ACESO, Royal Prince Alfred, Medicine)

Supervisors: Prof Stephen Twigg, Prof Sue McLennan, Dr Philip Boughton

Elderly commonly suffer from some peripheral neuropathy and metabolic dysfunction (diabetes). Toe and foot injuries can go unnoticed and lead

to chronic infections that may result in loss of limb and even loss of life. Custom footware is available to mitigate against injuries but they are costlyand inaccessible to most. The project will focus on conception, design iteration and delivery of one or more prototype solutions in consultation

with cross-disciplinary experts.


19. Role of YAP/TAZ in stem cell mechanotransduction, differentiation, and migration (Sydney Medical School, Kolling Institute)

Supervisors: Dr Yu Suk Choi, Dr Philip Boughton

The statement ‘biomechanical and biophysical cues regulate cell behavior’ does sound

familiar by now after recent emerging results from cell biology, biophysics, and

mechanobiology fields. Mechanotransduction seems to be the universal terminology

describing biological phenomenon; mechanical cues are transduced to biochemical signal.

Cells have ability to ‘feel’ or ‘sense’ stiffness (rigidity or hardness) of their surroundings

including extracellular matrix (ECM) such as fibronectin and collagen via integrin-mediatedfocal adhesion. Previously, I have shown that stem cells from human liposuction differentiated

into nerve, muscle, and bone-like cells on hydrogels mimicked stiffness of brain, skeletal

muscle, and bone tissue, respectively, by only mechanosensing without any other

biochemical inductions. Among three lineages, adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) expressed

very high myogenic capacity by fusing into myotubes. There are several pathways and key

signaling molecules suggested in mechanotransduction. Most of suggested pathways involve

focal adhesion with extracellular binding of integrin to ECM protein as a starting point and

intracellular interaction of beta unit of integrin to actin-myosin through focal adhesion kinase

(FAK), talin, and vinculin binding. Intracellular forces generated by different matrix stiffness

will decide localization (cytoplasmic vs. nucleic) of YAP/TAZ (transcriptional coactivator in

Hippo pathway), which will control transcriptional level as a final step. Bone marrow-derived

stem cells exhibited cytoplasmic localization of YAP/TAZ on soft hydrogel (fat-like stiffness)

but YAP/TAZ was localized in nuclei on stiffer hydrogel (bone-like stiffness). Differentiations

into fat and bone lineages were also observed and YAP/TAZ overexpression or knockdowncells altered mechanical induction (no bone differentiation on bone-like stiffness when

YAP/TAZ knock-downed). Some have suggested YAP/TAZ effect on stem cell myogenesis,

however, no conclusion has made yet due to lack of evidence. Moreover, most of studies with

YAP/TAZ assumed it as a downstream of mechanotransduction (feeling itself) but more

recent results (YAP/TAZ changes integrin expression profile in cancer research) suggest that

YAP/TAZ may have feedback effect to ‘feeling’ or YAP/TAZ act as upstream of ‘feeling’ as

well. In this project, I aim to investigate the effect of YAP/TAZ on mechanosensing (once

considered as upstream of YAP/TAZ) in the context of intracellular force generation (direct

response from extracellular stiffness), migration, and myogenic differentiation (where ASCs

showed great potential).

Contact Dr Yu Suk Choi

T +61 2 9926 4907 | F +61 2 9926 5050 | M +61 415 499 330

E [email protected]



N-cadherin-mediated cell-cell and integrin-mediated cell-ECM mechanotransduction in heart (Sydney Medical School, Kolling Institute)

Supervisors: Dr Yu Suk Choi & Dr Philip Boughton

The human heart, a mechanically dynamic tissue, pumps out ~5L of blood/ minute. At tissue

level, its mechanical function has been widely studied, but little is known at cellular level how

cardiac muscle cells mechanically coordinate their beating with neighboring cells or how

mechanical extracellular stimuli dictate cardiac muscle cell behavior. There is increasing

emphasis on the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) as a dynamic influence rather than a

simple repository for cells. This new field examines mechanotransduction, which deals with

the cellular mechanisms that transduce extracellular or intercellular mechanical stimuli to

intracellular biochemical signals. One cardiac muscle cell in vivo may make three principal

connections with its surroundings (i) cell-ECM adhesion via integrin-mediated focal adhesion,

(ii) cell-cell adhesion via N-cadherin, and (iii) cell-cell gap junction with ion channels including

the calcium channel. In disease models in particular, not only biochemical signaling changes

but also the mechanical environment alters the cell’s behaviour vi a these 3 main connections.

For example after myocardial infarction (MI), excessive deposition of collagen causes greater

ECM stiffness, which may alter focal adhesion complex / actinin (i.e. the Z-band - an

important structure bearing contractile forces) and disrupt cytoskeletal structure resulting in

loss of contraction and alteration of cell-cell interaction via N-cadherin.

This project aims to address how these 3 main connections (N-cadherin, focal adhesion,

and gap junction) control the cardiomyocyte’s function in development (e.g embryonic chicken

cardiomyocyte) and disease (rat cardiomyocyte following ischemia –reperfusion injury and

rabbit cardiomyocyte from MI). Three specific aims address 1) the effects of ECM stiffness on

cardiomyocyte function; cell-ECM mechanotransduction, 2) mechanosensitivity of

cardiomyocyte via N-cadherin; cell-cell mechanotransduction, and 3) ion handling capacity,

especially calcium which is the main driving force for cardiomyocyte contraction, examining

different cell-cell / cell-ECM situations

Contact Dr Yu Suk Choi | T +61 2 9926 4907 | F +61 2 9926 5050 | M +61 415 499 330 | E [email protected]

Mechanosensing-driven stem cell migration on stiffness gradient hydrogel (Sydney Medical School, Kolling Institute)

Supervisors: Dr Yu Suk Choi & Dr Philip Boughton

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) which could be isolated from patient by minimal invasive

procedure, liposuction, has known to be capable of rapid growth (regenerating large volume

of tissue) and skeletal muscle or fat differentiation. Previously, osteogenic (bone) and

adipogenic (fat) differentiation has been heavily relied on biochemical methods, however, theefficiency remains questionable for large volume regeneration. More recently, it has been

shown that surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) could also influence the fate of stem cells.

Particularly in respect to stiffness (one of the mechanical properties of ECM), my previous

studies showed that ASCs were able to ‘feel’ and/or ‘sense’ how stiff the underneath was

when cultured on hydrogels that mimicked stiffness of bone or adipose tissues without

biochemical induction and be differentiated into bone or fat cells, respectively. Others also

showed that ECM protein composition played significant role in stem cell differentiation as

well as geometry, which will decide cell shape and size. Their combinatorial (biochemical and

biomechanical) induction has yet to be examined. Here, I aim to develop a high-throughput

screening platform to examine the most synergistic combinations of biochemical and

biomechanical induction for bone or fat cell differentiation. For high-throughput screening,

stiffness gradient hydrogel (stiffness ranges from fat-like soft to bone-like hard) was fabricated

using two-layer hydrogel polymerization technique modified from my previous publication.

Micro-contact printing technique will be used to stamp different ECM proteins (e.g. collagen)with different shapes and sizes on the stiffness gradient gel to test best combination of

stiffness, ECM protein composition and shape/size. Fabricated high-throughput hydrogel

will be placed in 6-well plate for cell culture with ~ 1000 patterns for cell adhesion at single-cell

level and biochemical induction can be tested per well in cell culture media.

The best combination will be evaluated in multi-cell condition by fabricating

whole 6-well plate size hydrogel with known stiffness with known ECM protein coating and

known density (shape/size). To summarize, this platform will allow us to test stem cell

differentiation with 6 stiffness, 6 ECM proteins, 6 shape/size, and 6 biochemical induction

media by 6 repeats in one 6-well plate. This high-throughput screening platform will ‘speed up’

tissue engineering approach using stem cells to regenerate bone and fat tissues.

Contact: Dr Yu Suk Choi | T +61 2 9926 4907 | F +61 2 9926 5050 | M +61 415 499 330 | E [email protected]



ROAM Portable Pediatric Oxygen Supply System (Industry Linked)Supervisors: Marco Tallarida & Dr Philip Boughton

The global market for oxygen therapy, estimated at US$1.8b inclusive of oxygenconcentrators and regulators, is experiencing growth largely from the ageing populationand demand for easy to use mobile/home systems. Pediatrics also constitutes animportant sector of the market.

ROAM is a light weight portable ‘humanised’ oxygen cylinder with an intuitive controlinterface designed initially for the paediatric market. Key attributes include (i) extendedoxygen supply time compared to incumbent technology; (ii) 40% lighter than existingmetal tanks; (iii) nasal mask specifically designed for paediatric use; and (iv) a designaesthetic of appeal to young patients. This medical device is being developed in line withISO13485/IEC60601.

Design & development projects on offer include:1. Regulator control and safety systems2. Hardware – software systems integration with smarhphone control3. Chassis and composite storage system verification and validation


Intraoccular Lens Implant System (Sydney Eye Hospital & Save Sight Institute)Supervisors: Prof John Griff, Dr Philip Boughton, Prof Stepanie Watson

Prototype intraoccular lens prototype with clliary tethered haptics.

The World Health Organisation estimates there were 161 million visually impaired people worldwide in 2002, cataract accounting for 47.8%. Over

the next 20 years, there will be a doubling in the incidence of cataract, visual morbidity, and need for cataract surgery. The Global Intraocular Lens

(IOL) Market is forecast to reach $3.1 Billion by 2017;compounded annual growth rate of 4%; due to: increase of cataracts in the aging global

population; increase of risk factors such as diabetes and increase of new and available technologies.

Current IOL designs are not appropriate for pediatrics, require a significant surgical portal for delivery, can migrate and misalign due to lack of

appropriate fixation methods, and have significant chance of post capsule opacification. There may be opportunities to address some of these

issues and develop a biomimetic compliant IOL that can be coupled to the ciliary for improved restoration of sight.

In conjunction with opthamology specialists, this project seeks to identify priority IOL requirements and design risks to then lead to development of

an IOL prototype proof of concept.




Colin Dunstan

Honours thesis topics:

Evaluating implanted ceramic scaffolds in bone (1 possible in this area)

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 9351 7127

Evaluating cell responses to implanted ceramic scaffolds and polymer materials. Ceramicscaffolds of standard or novel materials have been inserted into defects in the bone of rat or

rabbit tibiae. For this project the student will develop techniques to fully evaluate the bone

inductive and conductive tissue responses to these scaffolds using microcomputerisedtomography and plastic embedded and quantitative histologic measurements. Surface treatment

of polymers will also be assessed for their ability to improve biocompatibility and bioactivity.

Outcomes to be assessed will be extent of cell invasion, numbers of osteoblasts and osteoclasts

and measurement of bone formation rates. Assessments will be histological usinghistomorphometry to determine the static and dynamic parameters of bone regeneration. Cell

culture techniques will also be applied to evaluate the way cells interact with the materials in a

defined environment.

Cancer therapies (1-2 possible in this area)Email: [email protected]

Tel: 9351 7127Cancer cells in cell culture or in mice implanted with cancer cells will be treated with novel anti-

cancer agents. Isolated cells from the cultures or tissues of these mice containing breast and

prostate cancer tumours will be assessed by micro-computerized tomography and histological

methods to determine the amount of bone destruction and new bone formation, and the growthrates and invasiveness of the tumours cells. Results will be analysed to determine the possible

benefit of these compounds in reducing cancer metastasis to bone. And on the the incidence and

progression rates of breast and prostate cancers.The student will be trained in some of the following techniques: tissue culture, molecular

biology methods, immunohistochemistry the measurement of bone lesions using microCT, andhistological techniques including hard tissue histology, histomorphometry, immunostaining and

TUNEL staining for assessing cancer cell apoptosis (programmed cell death).



Finite Element Modelling of Orthodontic Tooth Movement

Supervisors: Professor Qing Li (AMME) and Professor A. Darendeliler (Sydney Dental

Hospital and Faculty of Dentistry)

Rm S509, Bldg J07 Mechanical Engineering, ph: 9352 8607

[email protected]

The ratio of patients who request orthodontic therapy to the total population is surprisingly

high. Unofficial data reports that every year 60% of all adolescents in Australia undergo

orthodontic treatment to improve their healthy start to life. Orthodontic tooth movement

(OTM) within the dentoalveolar bone is based on the ability of surrounding bone and

periodontal ligament (PDL) to react to a mechanical stimulus (e.g. stress/damage/strain

energy) with remodelling processes. Orthodontic forces generate a complex set of mechanical

stimuli triggering biological reactions in dentoalveolar and PDL, thereby causing teeth to

move to ideal positions in the jaw. Although it is recognised that the change in biomechanicalenvironment leads to OTM, it is unclear which of the mechanical signals are dominating the

initiation of the bone remodelling and how to quantify a dynamic tooth movement process in

response to the orthodontic force.

This project aims to (1) develop a precise model of the orthodontic treatment based on CT

images (NewTom – Sydney Dental Hospital in USyd Faculty of Dentistry), which may

involve uses of Rhinoceros/ScanFE – Solidworks – Ansys or Strand7); (2) quantify the

biomechanical responses in several different stages of OTM; (3) correlate the mechanical

stimuli to the OTM rate measured in clinic. In this project, the student will use his/her

CAD/FEA skills to an interdisciplinary topic, and he/she is expected to closely work with

USyd dental specialists (Prof Darendeliler) at Department of Orthodontics.

ReferenceField C, Ichim I, Swain MV, Chan E, Darendeliler MA, Li W, Li Q (2009) “Mechanical

Responses to Orthodontic Loading: A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Multi-Tooth

Model”. American Journal of Orthodontics And Dentofacial Orthopedics 135:174-181.






Biomechanical Investigation into Orthodontic Root Resorption

Supervisors: Professor Qing Li (AMME) and Professor A. Darendeliler (Sydney Dental

Hospital and Faculty of Dentistry)


[email protected]

Orthodontic root resorption (ORR) is described as the loss of hard tissue especially of

cementum and dentine of tooth tissue which can be an irreversible sequel of orthodontic

treatment. It has been documented that the phenomenon of root resorption is a very common

disorder, affecting up to 100% of all treated cases, and after treatment, 41% of adult patients

had increased root resorption of over 2.5mm in one or more teeth. Under severe

circumstances root resorption may potentially jeopardise the longevity and functional capacity

of the treated teeth; and may result in ending the treatment and greatly compromising the

outcome of a successful orthodontic therapy.

This project aims to (1) elucidate the biomechanical pattern of orthodontic force distribution

along the tooth root and its surrounding tissues by creating 3D finite element model and to

develop a numerical prediction of ORR (by using micro-CT scanner SkyScan 1172 at

Electronic Microscopic Unit and uses of Rhinoceros/ScanFE – Solidworks – Ansys or

Strand7); (2) correlate the root stress/strain to the change in cementum properties; (3) To

validate the numerical prediction through a clinical trial where the occurrence of orthodontic

root resorption (ORR) is predicted and therefore may be prevented. In this project, the student

will is expected to closely work with USyd dental specialists (Prof Darendeliler) at

Department of Orthodontics.

Buccal

Root

resorption

Stress






Scaffold Design for Tissue Engineering

Supervisor: Professor Qing Li (AMME)


[email protected]

Each year an estimated millions of patients suffer from bone fracture, while hundreds of

thousands of patients have conditions where large segments of bone are destroyed or must be

removed. As such new clinical treatment schemes are necessary to augment the body‟s natural

healing process. As a fast emerging interdisciplinary technology, tissue engineering provides

alternative therapeutic strategies for repair of damaged tissue and organs, which shows

enormous potential to generate host-grown tissue in sufficient quantity and quality.

A milestone in the load-bearing tissue (e.g. bone/cartilage) engineering has been the

development of 3D scaffold technique that guides cells to generate desirable functional tissue

under appropriate mechanical and biological conditions. The success of tissue regeneration lies

heavily on the architecture design of the scaffold and its bio-reaction with the seeding cells.

Permeability has been recognised as one critical criterion for scaffold design in ensuring cell

migration and nutrient delivery. This project aims to (1) characterise the effective permeability

of different scaffold architecture; (2) develop finite element based homogenisation technique for

permeable problem; (3) design optimisation for tailored effective permeability. The student is

expected to closely work with the Research Fellow in the group and redevelop Matlab code for

finite element analysis and homogenisation for the permeable problem. The results will be

prototyped in commercial free-form solid fabrication facility.

ReferenceChen YH, Schellekens M, Zhou SW, Cadman J, Li W, Appleyard R, Li Q (2011) Design of

Tissue Scaffolds Using Wall Shear Stress Criterion for Flow Induced Erosion, ASME

Journal of Biomechanical Engineering - Transactions of the ASME, 133(8):081008.

Chen YH, Zhou SW, Li Q (2011) Microstructure Design of Biodegradable Scaffold and Its

Effect on Tissue Regeneration, Biomaterials 32: 5003-5014.

Chen YH, Zhou SW, Li Q (2011). Mathematical modeling of degradation for bulk-erosive

polymers: Applications in tissue engineering scaffolds and drug delivery systems. Acta

Biomaterialia 7:1140–1149。

Chen YH, Zhou SW, Cadman J, Li Q (2010) Design of Cellular Porous Biomaterials for Wall

Shear Stress Criterion, Biotechnology & Bioengineering 107(4):737-746.

Sturm S, Zhou SW, Mai YW, Li Q (2010) “On Stiffness of Scaffolds for Bone Tissue

Engineering – A Numerical Study”. Journal of Biomechanics 43:1738–1744.

Design of periodic scaffold

Base cell

FEA model

Scaffoldstructure






Design of safety systems for crashworthiness criteria

Supervisors: Professor Qing Li (AMME) and Dr Guangyong Sun (AMME)


[email protected]

Crashworthiness is one of the most important criteria in vehicle design, which often requires

large-scale design analysis for a full vehicle model consisting of many structural parts and

special safety elements. This project develops a two-stage procedure to cope with

crashworthiness design of structural frame and occupant restraint system.

In the first stage, a multiobjective optimization is carried out for structural parameters in the

frontal parts without considering the details of the occupant restraint device. The foam filled

thin-walled tube will be used as new energy absorber and a design optimisation will also be

performed in this stage.

In the second stage, the parameters of the occupant restraint system are optimized based on an

optimized structural system. Human dummy and restraint system will be modelled and

optimised in details.

In these two stages, explicit finite element program (Dyna3D) and multi-body dynamics

methods will be employed to respectively construct response surface and Kriging model with

various design of experiment (DOE) techniques. A full-scale vehicle model will be developed

to demonstrate the capability of the present two-stage design method.

ReferencesLiao X, Li Q, Zhang W, Yang X. (2008) Multiobjective Optimization for Crash Safety Design

of Vehicle Using Stepwise Regression Model. Structural and Multidisciplinary

Optimization 35:561–569.

Liao XT, Li Q, Yang XJ, Li W, Zhang WG (2008) Two-Stage Multiobjective Optimization of

Vehicle Crashworthiness under Frontal Impact. International Journal of Crashworthiness

13:279-288.

Sun GY, Li GY, Zhou SW, Li HZ, Hou SJ, Li Q (2011) Crashworthiness Design of Vehicle

by Using Multiobjective Robust Optimization. Structural and Multidisciplinary

Optimization 44:99–110.

t = 0ms t = 35ms t = 100ms






Design analysis and optimization for novel arterial stents

Supervisors: Professors Qing Li (AMME) and Harry Lowe (Sydney Concord Hospital and

Faculty of Medicine)


[email protected]

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the leading causes of death in western countries due

to lifestyle and an increasingly ageing population. In Australia, more than 176,000 patients are

hospitalised and 180,000 cardiovascular procedures are performed each year. Open-heart

bypass surgery is one of the most widely used procedures for CVD, and carries with it the

major problem of long waiting lists due to the large number of hospitalised patient-days (> 1.64

million totally in 2004–05) in the country. As a fast emerging interdisciplinary technology in

interventional cardiology, stenting treatment provides an alternative therapeutic strategy, which

uses a mechanical device (called a stent) to compress the plaque against the artery wall opening

the lumen of the obstructed artery for restoring blood flow. This technology demonstrates the

enormous potential to minimise surgical invasion/risk and shorten the hospital days.

This research aims at developing a computational framework for stent design analysis and

optimization. In this study, a newly designed cardiovascular stent with adapting the aorta stent

geometry will be modelled and evaluated by three-dimensional finite element analysis.

Compared with the existing conventional stents in the market, a series of novel designs will

be assessed to characterise the stiffness, damage to the arterial wall, fatigue life, and other

biomechanical behaviours. The geometry sharpness and increase the manufacturability.

a) Deliver crimped stentacross a narrowing artery

b) Deploy stent & pushplaque against arterialwall by inflating balloon.

c) Remove deflated balloonand leave stent on-site tosupport vessel wall.

Plastic

deformation

Cardio-vasculardiseases

Recoil??

PUCbeforedeploying

R

Z






Modelling of femoral fracture after hip replacement surgery

Supervisors: Professors Qing Li (AMME) and Richard Appleyard (Sydney North Shore

Hospital and Macquarie University)


[email protected]

Hip replacement surgery enables patients who once suffered from osteoarthritis to walk pain-

free. However, there is a high incidence of failure due to bone fracture, resulting in huge

additional public and private health costs, and a reduced quality of life for ageing Australians.

This project aims to develop the science for a computer-based technology that will enable

surgeons to optimise the match between a patient‟s individual needs and a standard implant

device.

The student is expected to work closely with the group in Murray Maxwell Biomechanics Lab

at Sydney Royal North Shore Hospital on both FEA modelling and experimental studies. S/he

will be trained to use Simpleware and ABAQUS for 3D modelling and fracture analysis in the

following steps: (1) CT/MRI scanning of femur and hip replacement implants, segmentation

of the images and modelling in Simpleware; (2) FE modelling of 3D femur and implants

immediately after surgery; (3) modelling of the osseointegration process; (4) fracture

modeling of the system in different time steps.

Experimental studies FE modelling of femur fracture






Design optimisation for metamaterials

Supervisor: Professor Qing Li (AMME)

Rm S509, Bldg J07 Mechanical Engineering, ph: 9352 8607, [email protected]

Metamaterials signify a new class of periodic materials and directly gain unusual properties

from their special wavelength-scale microstructures. These properties have great potential to

many electromagnetic applications and technological innovations such as super-lens and

invisible cloaks. This project aims to develop a systematic method by formulating

microstructural design in the topology optimisation framework. The evolutionary structural

optimisation will be used to determine the novel configurations of unit cells for desirable

physical properties.

The student is expected to conduct (1) modelling of unit-cell of periodic metamaterials; (2)

sensitivity analysis; (3) design optimisation for unit-cell configuration. S/he will closely work

with the research fellow in the AMME School and School of Physics.

ReferencesZhou SW; Li W; Sun GY; Li Q (2010) “A level-set procedure for the design of

electromagnetic metamaterials” Optics Express 18(7): 6693-6702.

Zhou SW, Li W, Li Q (2010) Level-Set Based Topology Optimization for Electromagnetic

Dipole Antenna Design, Journal of Computational Physics 229 (2010) 6915–6930.

Zhou SW, Li W, Chen YH, Sun GY, Li Q (2011) Topology Optimization for Negative

Permeability Metamaterials Using Level Set Algorithm, Acta Materialia 59:2624–2636.

Zhou SW, Li W, Li Q (2010) “Design of 3D Periodic Metamaterials for Electromagnetic

Properties”. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques 58(4):910-916.

Metamaterials unit-cells

Invisible cloak cloth






Modelling of cracking about dental composite restorations.

Supervisors: Professor Qing Li (AMME) and Prof Michael Swain (Sydney Dental Hospital

and Faculty of Dentistry)

Rm S509, Bldg J07 Mechanical Engineering, ph: 9352 8607 [email protected]

Composite or white fillings are very popular as dental clinical restorative materials. However

curing of these materials induces considerable shrinkage of the material resulting in tensile

stresses at the margin that may induce either interfacial or enamel fracture. The aim of this

project is to utilise ABAQUS software to quantify the residual stresses and predict the

conditions for the onset of failure and follow the extent of fracture.

The student is expected to (1) create 3D FE model of a tooth with caries and in-lay filling; (2)

model shrinkage of materials in different temperature; (3) simulate the crack initiation and

propagation around the filling region; and (4) optimise the filling shape to minimize potential

fracture failure. The student is also expected to work with PhD students in dental clinical and

experimental studies.

References:1. Ichim I, Li Q, Li W, Kieser J, Swain M (2007) “Modelling of Fracture Behaviour in

Biomaterials, A Leading Opinion Article”. Biomaterials, 28:1317-1326.

2.

Ichim I, Li Q, Loughran JG, Kieser J and Swain MV (2007) “Restoration of Non-Carious

Cervical Lesions: Part I - Modelling of Restorative Fracture”. Dental Materials 23 (12):

1562-1569.

3. Ichim I, Schmidlin PR, Li Q, Swain MV, Kieser J (2007) “Restoration of Non-Carious

Cervical Lesions: Part II - Restorative Material Selection to Minimise Fracture”. Dental

Materials 23 (12): 1553-1561.

Composite

filling

Fracture






Biomechanics of Jaw functions

Supervisors: Prof Greg Murray (Jaw Function & Orofacial Pain Research Unit, Westmead

Hospital), Assoc Prof John Gal (Jaw Function & Orofacial Pain Research Unit, Westmead

Hospital) and Professor Qing Li (AMME)

Greg Murray: [email protected]

John Gal: [email protected]

Qing Li: [email protected] Rm S509, Bldg J07 Mechanical Engineering, ph: 9352

8607

A new jaw motion tracking system has been implemented at JFOP consisting of three digital

cameras, a controller and LED markers attached to the upper and lower jaws to allow the 3D

motion of the mandible to be recorded. Student projects to improve the operation of this

system would involve both software and hardware aspects and require a proficiency in C++.

Jaw tracking system software modification.

Currently, the movements of the LED markers are displayed in real-time during the recording

session, but it is not possible to display in real-time the movement of a user defined point on

the mandible during the recording. Such a user-defined point can be displayed post-recording

using existing custom built programs, but is not included in the system program. The

proposed project would require this function to be added to the C++ source code of the

tracking system.

The project involves quite complex mathematical calculations as well as an ability to

understand the existing C++ source code and how to integrate new code. Other software thatwas used in the creation of the existing source code includes the (free) FLTK (Fast Light Tool

Kit) package.

Synchronization of jaw tracking system with jaw muscle activity data acquisition system.

Running in conjunction with the jaw tracking system is a separate EMG recording system.

Currently, the two recording systems are synchronised by a complicated process that involves

a lash-up of custom-built hardware and extensive post-recording data processing. There is a

need to implement a better method of synchronising the start and finishing of the two

recording systems perhaps by using free software such as Synergy.

The project requires first, the understanding of the operation of both recording systems andsecond, some familiarity with the process of interconnecting two different types of

software/hardware systems.















Industry Project: Optimized Ortho (http://www.optimizedortho.com/)

OpenSIM Musculoskeletal modeling of deep knee bend in Total Knee Replacement

patients.

Supervisors: Professor Qing Li (AMME) and Dr Brad Miles (Optimized Ortho)

Rm S509, Bldg J07 Mechanical Engineering, ph: 9352 8607, [email protected]

Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is one of the most common and fastest growing orthopaedic

surgeries in Australia, most commonly performed as a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee.

Most patients experience a dramatic improvement following recovery, but a significant

portion do not. Musculoskeletal modelling is a technique involving muscle-actuation driven

models of movement that may grant insight into why some patients fail to experience an

improvement in their postoperative outcomes. This project aims to identify characteristic

muscle actuation patterns in poor performing TKR patients throughout a deep knee bend

motion cycle.

The student will be provided with the motion outputs of a previously validated rigid body

model of the knee and simulated forces on ligaments across the knee throughout the motion

cycle. S/he will be expected to modify an existing musculoskeletal leg model such that it only

contains muscle groups relevant to boundary conditions of the input motion data in addition to

simulating the muscle behaviour using OpenSIM, an open source musculoskeletal modelling

platform with an extensive library of previously validated models.

An OpenSIM leg model Simulated implants in a rigid body model

http://www.optimizedortho.com/











Patellofemoral alignment impact on knee kinematics following total knee replacement in

a rigid body dynamics model.



[email protected]

Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is one of the most common and fastest growing orthopaedic

surgeries in Australia, most commonly performed as a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee.

Usually, the patella is resurfaced during this process, with a patellar button implanted into the

surface of the bony tissue to articulate with the femoral implant directly. The angle of this

resurfacing cut defines the positioning of the patella as the button articulated with the

trochlear groove during a flexion cycle, but the biomechanical impact of the patellofemoral

alignment so defined is poorly understood. This project will investigate the impact of the

patellofemoral alignment in a previously developed rigid body dynamics model of TKRacross a spectrum of patients.

The student will be provided with access to the rigid body dynamics model and will be

expected to segment and register the position in 3D space of the tibial, femoral and patellar

articulating implants in patients who have undergone TKR, as well as CAD positioning of

implants in patients who have not yet undergone their operation. In particular, any

correlations between clinically observable demographic details of the patient and sensitivity

of knee kinematics to patellofemoral alignment or insight into what an „ideal‟ alignment

might be for each patient are desirable outcomes of this project.

CT Scan of implanted femur 3D CAD model w/ resurfaced patella











Reconstruction of bony landmarks using statistical analysis of matched radiographs and

CT scans.


Rm S509, Bldg J07 Mechanical Engineering, ph: 9352 8607 [email protected]

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a valuable imaging tool allowing segmentation and

reconstruction of a patient‟s bone structures, providing the essential inputs for modelling a

specific patient‟s kinematics. There is a considerable cost to this process in the form of

radiation exposure, however. By comparison, plain film radiographs are a less costly and

considerably safer option for patients. This project aims to develop a methodology for taking

measurements from 2D radiographs and inferring the 3D coordinate space position of certain

distinct bony landmarks in the pelvis and upper femur of patients.

The student will be provided with coordinate landmarks of key bony landmarks extrapolatedfrom segmented CT scans of patients, in addition to access to the CT scans themselves and

radiographs of the same patients. Particular challenges include constructing a flexible

transformation process for reversing the impact of perspective in the radiograph and

developing an advanced model that can refine its placement of landmarks on the basis of

additional demographic details of patients (which will characterise the shape and structure of

their pelvis.)

Segmented CT scan of pelvis Radiograph w/ angular measurements











Design of a patient specific cutting guide for patella resection during Total Knee

Replacement.



[email protected]

Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is one of the most common treatment for osteoarthritis of the

knee. Usually, the patella is resurfaced during this process, with a patellar button implanted

into the surface of the bony tissue to articulate with the femoral implant directly. Current

surgical technique controls the depth of resection into the bony patella and implantation of the

button tightly, but the alignment of the patella is completely freehand. As further knowledge

about the impact of patella alignment is developed, targeting a specific orientation of insertion

will become increasingly relevant. This project aims to design a patient specific cutting guide

that allows for a targeted alignment and depth of resection during surgery.

The student will have access to a range of 3D models of segmented patella to aid in their

design task. A particular challenge of this method will be developing a way to control the

alignment of the patella resection with regards to the femur, to target a specific patellofemoral

alignment rather than defining the resection simply in relation to the patella‟s own bony

architecture. The student will also need to consider the limitations of soft tissue preserving

surgical technique in their design of the tool.

Patella, anterior surface (healthy) Current depth targeting patella cutting guide











Ligament sensitivity analysis in total knee replacement using FEA modeling.



[email protected]

Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is a commonly performed treatment for osteoarthritis of the

knee. In the healthy knee, The Anterior and Posterior Cruciate Ligaments and Medial and

Lateral Collateral Ligaments (ACL, PCL, MCL and LCL respectively) provide stability to the

knee joint. Typical TKR operations will require the removal of the Anterior Cruciate

Ligament (ACL) in order to access the joint space and resect the bony surfaces. In modelling

these ligaments postoperatively, certain assumptions must be made as to the laxity and

biomechanical properties of these ligaments for a given patient, as direct measurement is

unfeasible. This project aims to examine the sensitivity of modelling of knee kinematics with

regards to these assumptions.

The student will develop a FEA model of the knee from known literature norms and

segmentation of a subject‟s femur and tibia. An FEA platform optimised for non-linear use

such as ABAQUS would be preferred. Students will need to vary both modelling assumptions

from simple to very complex models and examine the impact on the model throughout a

predefined motion path.

Meshed model of knee w/ ligaments Posterior view of dissected knee, PCL visible











OpenSIM Musculoskeletal modeling of a sit to stand event in total hip replacement

patients



[email protected]

Total Hip Replacement (THR) is a common orthopaedic performed most commonly to treat

osteoarthritis of the joint. The ball and socket nature of the hip joint allows for great freedom

of movement, and THR seeks to preserve these degrees of freedom while minimising the risk

of dislocation. In order to assess THR on this basis, the hips movements are typically

modelled over a specific functional event replicating a real world activity by the THR patient.

Musculoskeletal modelling is a technique involving muscle-actuation driven models of

movement. This project aims to develop a simulation of the sit to stand event using OpenSIM

and solve for the muscle actuations required to drive the movement.

The student will be provided with the motion outputs of a previously validated rigid body

model of the hip. They will need to select an existing musculoskeletal leg model from

OpenSIM‟s extensive library of previously validated models and modify it to model the

specifics of a selected patient‟s Hip Replacement operation. As a further goal, the sensitivity

of these solved muscle actuations to an altered surgery (which has had a computational

change in offset or leg lengthening of the surgical limb) can be explored.

An OpenSIM model in motion CAD reconstruction of a hip implant










Mechanical Finite Element Modelling of Intracochlear Electrode Arrays

Cochlea Project 1: Finite element modelling of intracochlear electrode arrays to predict

static equilibrium position and contact pressures within the cochlea

Supervisors: Professor Qing Li (AMME) and Dr Nick Pawsey ([email protected])(Cochlear Pty Ltd)


[email protected]

Background

Cochlear implants provide the sensation of hearing to moderate to profoundly deaf recipients

with sensorinerual hearing loss. An array of electrodes is inserted into the scala tympani of

the cochlea in order to provide electrical stimulation to auditory neurons. Some arrays are pre-

curved to match the spiral shape of the cochlea, to be closer to the spiral ganglion cells within

the modiolus. The shape and mechanical properties of the array must be carefully selected toaccommodate a range of cochlea sizes. The desire for proximity to the modiolus must be

balanced with the need to limit chronic contact pressures, which may cause damage to cochlea

structures.

Aims

To develop a mechanical finite element model of a pre-curved electrode array within the

cochlea, in order to predict, for a range of cochlea sizes and electrode shapes:

Static equilibrium position of the electrode within the cochlea

Chronic contact pressures on cochlea structures

Develop design guidelines for pre-curved electrodes based on these results

Methods

The project would involve

A review of the literature to establish a picture of existing modelling work on cochlear

implant electrodes.

Development of a detailed 3D CAD model of an electrode array

Use of a commercial FEA software package to develop a model of the electrode using

realistic material properties

Prediction of equilibrium position and contact pressures within a simplified cochlea







Cochlea Project 2: Modelling of intracochlear electrode arrays to predict insertion and

removal dynamics

Supervisors: Professor Qing Li (AMME) and Dr Nick Pawsey ([email protected])

(Cochlear Pty Ltd)


[email protected]

Background



the cochlea in order to provide electrical stimulation to auditory neurons. Electrode arrays

must be designed to facilitate reliable insertion into the desired position in the cochlea,

minimising the risk of complications such as tip foldover or buckling. In addition, arrays

need to be flexible to minimise contact forces with cochlea structures to prevent damage that

may degrade hearing performance.

Arrays may be straight, or pre-curved to match the spiral of the cochlea. Different designs

have different insertion methods and risks. All must accommodate a range of cochlea sizes.

Aims

To develop a computational model of electrode arrays, in order to simulate insertion into the

cochlea and explore factors which lead to successful placement. Secondary aims are to

investigate the stability of the array within the cochlea, and the dynamics of electrode

removal.

MethodsThe project would involve

Development of a model of the electrode array with realistic mechanical properties.

This may take the form of a finite element model, or possibly a simplified model using

a physics engine.

Some level of validation of the model by measurement of mechanical properties of

physical electrode arrays

Simulation of various insertion scenarios to explore factors that contribute to

successful insertion







Cochlea Project 1: Modelling of intracochlear electrode arrays to predict mechanical

properties and robustness

Supervisors: Prof Qing Li (AMME) and Dr Nick Pawsey ([email protected])

(Cochlear Pty Ltd)


[email protected]

Background



the cochlea in order to provide electrical stimulation to auditory neurons. Arrays need to be

flexible to conform to the spiral shape of the cochlea, accommodate a range of individualcochlea sizes, and to minimise contact forces with cochlea structures to prevent damage that

may degrade hearing performance. The fine wires within the array need to accommodate

large deformations during the insertion or removal. The mechanical properties, dimensions

and position of the wires within the silicone carrier are critical to the robustness and flexibility

of the array.

Aims

To develop a mechanical finite element model of an intracochlear electrode array, in order to

predict overall flexibility of the array, as well as the stresses experienced by its components.

This model could be used to investigate the sensitivity of these to various design parameters,

such as wire sizes, mechanical properties, wire placement and silicone grades.

Methods

The project would involve

Development of a detailed 3D CAD model of an electrode array

Use of a commercial FEA software package to develop a model of the electrode using

realistic material properties

Recommendations for design guidelines for electrode flexibility and reliability






Design of Eye Drop Delivery Device

Supervisors: Prof Qing Li (AMME), Dr Kenneth Ooi [email protected], and Professor

Stephanie Watson ([email protected]) Sydney Eye Hospital, University of

Sydney

Rm S509, Bldg J07 Mechanical Engineering, ph: 9352 [email protected]

Introduction:Dry eye, the most common eye disorder, is frequently accompanied by blepharitis

(eyelid inflammation) which has an overall prevalence of nearly 40%. Patients with dry eye

and blepharitis have their daily activities disrupted and work productivity lowered due to

recurrent blurred vision and ocular discomfort. Moderate dry eye damages the ocular surface

and can lead to blindness following infection. The consequences of these common conditions

occur despite maximal use of lubricating drops and ointments which address only the

symptoms and not the underlying cause. We have developed the first patented statin-basedeye drop that safely and successfully treats the causes and symptoms of dry eye and

blepharitis.

Aims:We aim to develop new intellectual property by developing a novel delivery device that

will combine both statin eye drop and gel or ointment administration to increase patient

convenience of use. Medicine that is problematic to administer leads to poor compliance.

Currently, different forms of ocular medications (i.e. eye drops, gels, ointments) come in

separate delivery devices. Patients typically carry more than one form of medication at a time.

This is because eye drops do not tend to blur the vision and may be preferred if the patient is

reading or driving, whereas gels and ointments last longer, providing greater lubrication, but blur the vision. Current ocular therapeutics in drop/gel/ointment forms are in separate delivery

devices, which is inconvenient. Further, current delivery mechanisms can be difficult to use,

particularly for elderly patients with arthritis. At least 50% of patients have reported difficulty

with self-administration, frequently saying they have trouble squeezing the bottle. The goal of

this work is to manufacture a combination topical Atorvastatin eye drop and gel/ointment

device that allows tailored drop and gel/ointment use according to vision, cosmetic, and

duration of action needs.

Methods:Delivery device prototypes have already been conceptualised and will be designed

according to viscous and surface tension properties of the topical Atorvastatin formulationswhich will determine optimal tip length and opening(s), dose dispensing time, size and weight

to reduce overflow, drainage and incidence of any systemic side effects. Force requirements

will be factored according to known force generating capacities of the 3 most-used handgrips

and applicator plastic rigidity. Computer-simulated models will be run according to the above,

and also account for dispensing angles. 3-D printed prototypes will then be built according to

established protocols.

Expected outcomes:

A more convenient and novel combination topical Atorvastatin delivery system.

Incorporating modern ergonomics, it will be easier to use than existing delivery devices and

with improved aesthetics it will assist with product marketing.














Sydney Orthopaedic Research Institute –

Topics 2015

Sydney Orthopaedic Research Institute is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the study

and research of orthopaedic disorders, in particular those associated with the knee joint. The

Institute uses high quality research methods to investigate the causes and development of

common knee disorders, as well as treatments and rehabilitative procedures employed for

these disorders. In addition, the Institute also conducts research on arthritis, cartilage pathologies, ligament injuries, knee trauma, and methods for clinical assessment of these

conditions.

External Supervisor Details

Dr Corey Scholes, PhD

Director of Research

[email protected]

02 9904 7182

Suite 12, Level 1, 445 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, 2067

Prerequisites

Open to all disciplines

Curiosity in how the human body works

Interest in patient-centred research

Pride and confidence in their work

Willingness to learn new concepts and skills

Modelling, Matlab or general computer programming skills an advantage






Quantitative imaging of knee structures following multiple-ligament knee reconstruction

Internal Supervisor: Prof Qing Li Rm S509, Bldg J07 Mechanical Engineering, ph: 9352

8607 [email protected]

External Supervisor Dr Corey Scholes, Director of Research [email protected]

Background - Multiple ligament knee injuries are serious and complex injuries. They are

highly variable, and will nearly always require surgical reconstruction to restore the joint.

However, the high prevalence of joint degeneration and osteoarthritis in these patients

suggests that current surgical techniques do not fully restore knee structure and function. The

emergence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and quantitative image analysis technology

has begun to generate considerable information on the key structures of the knee. A number

of specific analyses are available now to examine the status of a participant‟s knee which

differs from the standard clinical MRI. To-date, the status of the articular cartilage, menisci

and reconstructed ligaments in multiple-ligament reconstructed knees remains relatively

unknown.

Goal – This project will perform quantitative analysis on a sample of reconstructed knees

using the latest MRI techniques and associate these findings to clinical patient outcomes.

Suitable for: Thesis/Project











Functional correlates of patient outcome during level walking following multiple-

ligament knee reconstruction




Background - The relationship between joint disease, joint forces and muscle control is well

illustrated. Abnormal forces acting in one part of the knee are related to degeneration of key

structures and the severity of symptoms, such as pain and stiffness. This can be caused by

traumatic injuries which cause a rupture of one or more knee ligaments. Patients alter muscle

control, at the affected joint and across the body, to relieve pain during functional activities

such as walking. However, functional recovery after surgery is dependent on the pattern of

muscle activity used by the patient during movement. The timing and magnitude of muscle

forces regulates the forces acting on the knee and an optimal balance of forces is crucial to

maintain long-term joint health.

Goal – This project will use the latest techniques in biomechanics to analyse joint function in

a clinical population to identify at-risk individuals for future knee degeneration.












FE analysis of the tibiofemoral joint following multiple-ligament knee reconstruction

during locomotion




Background - The relationship between joint disease, joint forces and muscle control is well

illustrated. Importantly, the pattern of loading is known to vary within and betweenindividuals. This is particularly apparent in patients suffering multiple-ligament knee injuries.

However, it remains unclear if reconstruction is able to restore normal loading, with emphasis

on the articular cartilage and menisci. These structures are vulnerable to overload during

locomotion and their dysfunction is thought to initiate joint degeneration leading

osteoarthritis. FEA has provided considerable insight into other clinical problems such as

joint replacement, but also has the potential to determine the efficacy of current surgical

reconstruction techniques in this context.

Goal – This project will use the latest techniques in FEA to analyse articular cartilage and

menisci loading in knee reconstructions to develop a method of identifying individuals at risk

of future knee degeneration.











Three-dimensional reconstruction of menisci during weight-bearing knee flexion




Background - Menisci are important cartilaginous structures within the knee that absorb

load, guide joint kinematics and stabilise the joint. Due to their function, the menisci are

vulnerable to traumatic tears and degeneration. Innovations in surgical repair have increased

the ability of surgeons to preserve the structure despite considerable damage, which

previously would have required removal to restore overall joint function. However, there is a

lack of objective evidence linking meniscal repair with reduced incidence of osteoarthritis.

Furthermore, there remains a lack of information regarding the ability of repaired menisci to

replicate the function of uninjured structures. This project will use the latest modellingtechniques to compare the loading response of uninjured and surgically repaired menisci.

Goal – This project will utilise Matlab and other image-processing platforms to generate 3-

dimensional surface models of the menisci and track their deformation and translation during

knee flexion.

Suitable for:Thesis/Project










The effect of acute knee injury and surgical reconstruction on tibiofemoral kinematics

during locomotion




Background – Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament is a common knee injury, which has

considerable impact on joint function. A key role of the ACL is to provide sensory

information such as limb position and movement velocity as well providing mechanical

restraint. However, there is limited information in the literature regarding the sensory

mechanisms that are affected by ACL rupture and whether individuals are able to compensate

following injury. Importantly, it is not known whether surgical reconstruction helps to restore

some sensory input during functional movements such as locomotion. Biomechanical analysis

of the knee during locomotion has revealed some information in this regard; however there

remains considerable potential for further research to examine this issue using emerging

analytical techniques.

Goal – This project will examine the effects of locomotion speed after ACL reconstruction

surgery on knee motion using the latest analytical techniques.











Passive mechanical properties of muscle in Parkinson’s disease and rigidity

External Supervisor: Dr Joanna Diong, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney,

( [email protected] )

External Supervisor: Associate Professor Kay Double.

Internal Supervisor: Prof Qing Li Rm S509, Bldg J07 Mechanical Engineering, ph: 93528607 [email protected]

People with Parkinson‟s disease often experience ankle rigidity or stiffness during walking.

Rigidity in Parkinson‟s disease makes normal movement difficult and prolonged rigidity may

lead to loss of joint flexibility over time by changing the length and stiffness of muscles. The

effects of rigidity on muscle length and stiffness in Parkinson‟s disease are not well

understood.

This study aims to determine how passive (relaxed) muscle length and stiffness are different

in people who have Parkinson‟s disease and rigidity compared to healthy people. Specifically,

passive ankle joint stiffness will be measured at different knee angles in people with

Parkinson‟s disease who have ankle rigidity and healthy people. A biomechanical model will

be used to calculate passive gastrocnemius muscle length and stiffness, and these data will be

compared between groups.

This study will be the first clinical application of this biomechanical method in people with

Parkinson‟s disease to identify how rigidity changes muscle length and stiffness. Findings

from this study may guide the clinical management of rigidity in rehabilitation for

Parkinson‟s disease.

Opportunity

Masters or Honours theses











Building the right mouth: determining the difference between two clinically used jaw

positions when restoring teeth

External supervisors: Professor Chris Peck: [email protected]

Internal supervisor: Qing Li: [email protected] Rm S509, Bldg J07 Mechanical

Engineering, ph: 9352 8607

Internship can be offered in Sydney Westmead Dental Hospital

Background: The relationship of the upper and lower jaws is critically important in just

about every part of clinical dentistry. It is important to determine the optimal jaw

relationships when placing a dental filling, inserting crowns or bridges or removabledentures.

Unfortunately the determination of clinical jaw positions is often an art rather than based on

science. Dentists will debate fiercely the correct jaw positions and the way to obtain it.

One common method to determine the jaw position is to electrically stimulate the jaw closing

muscles to determine the “neuromuscular jaw position”

Proponents of this method suggest it produces a “functional jaw position” because it is

determined by activation, albeit external stimulation, of the jaw muscles.

Opponents to this method suggest it does not produce the optimal jaw position because the

electrical stimulation is directed at the outer part of the jaw closing muscles, and not entire

muscle. These outer fibres, when activated, produce an anteriorly and superiorly directed

force vector which would consequently position the lower jaw in a position anterior to where

it should be.

Aim: In this study, you will aim to better understand the difference in jaw positions created

by normal jaw closing (asking the subject to bring the teeth together) and neuromuscular jaw

closing.

The hypothesis is that the neuromuscular jaw position is anterior to the normal/habitual jaw

position.

Methods: The jaw positions of 200 human subjects have been recorded in position (1) the

normal jaw closing position and in position (2) the neuromuscular position. For each subject,

these positions have been digitised. Using position (1) as the global reference, you will

determine the relative displacement of position (2). You will need to develop a way to

describe the rotational and translational difference to dentists and others who are not familiar

with transformation matrices, vectors or other descriptors of displacement.











Professor Andrew [email protected]

Projects can be negotiated on a case by case basis.

Anyone interested on doing a project with Andrew, please contact him directly.






Honours Thesis A/B (UOS:

AMME4111/4112) Projects –2015

ARRESTING THE SPREAD OF DEADLY GLIOBLASTOMA BRAIN

TUMOURS.

External Supervisor: A/Prof Geraldine O’NEILL.


Children's Cancer Research Unit, Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

Internal Supervisor: Professor Hala Zreiqat ,

NH&MRC Senior Research Fellow

Head: Tissue Engineering & Biomaterials Research Unit, School of AMME/Faculty

of Engineering and IT and Bosch Institute.


Our lab investigates the mechanisms underlying the invasion of glioblastoma

brain cancer cells. Unfortunately, there are currently no successful treatments

for this cancer and there have been no improvements for patient survival over

the last 20 years. One of the main difficulties in treating brain cancer is the rogue

cancer cells that have already escaped the primary tumour at diagnosis and

cannot be detected by current imaging technologies. These escaped cells

inevitably lead to recurrence of the tumour. Our goal is to understand how the

glioblastoma cells so readily invade the normal brain tissue. In particular we

focus on how the mechanical features of the normal brain tissue contribute to

the invasive journey taken by the brain cancer cells. To investigate thesequestions we use a range of cell biology approaches and cell culture models that

recapitulate the biophysical characteristics and composition of the brain.

Techniques employed include fluorescence microscopy, time-lapse microscopy

and cell tracking and molecular biology and biochemistry.

Further details can be found on the following web site:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NGwxyoEZlI&feature=youtube

Stem Cell Mechanotransduction in Osteochondral Tissue

EngineeringExternal Supervisor: Yu Suk Choi


Research Fellow, Sydney Medical School (Northern Clinical School) E25,

Kolling Institute Internal Supervisor: Professor Hala Zreiqat ,





The causes associated with osteochondral defects vary from natural wearing totrauma related injuries. With ageing, the natural degradation or wearing of the

cartilage often leads to osteoarthritis. Tissue engineering approaches have



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NGwxyoEZlI&feature=youtube










emerged in last two decades to regenerate damaged tissues using biomaterials,

stem cells, and supplementary biochemical. One of the challenges in

osteochondral tissue engineering was to fabricate or mimic bilayer structures at

the border of articular cartilage and bone, which can further divided into

superficial zone, middle zone, deep zone/calcified cartilage, and subchondral

bone. The focus has mainly been in how to mimic structure (mechanicalstrength) and composition (protein and mineral), however, more recently it has

been stressed that extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanosensing capacity of cells

should also be taken account as cells could be misled into undesired cell types in

different ECM stiffness (e.g. bone formation in stiffened heart after myocardial

infarction from stem cells). As ECM components per zone from cartilage to bone

vary, their compressive modulus (stiffness) show huge ranges in order of

magnitude from 79KPa, 2.1MPa, 320MPa, and 5.7GPa where cells mechanosense

very differently. Here, I aim to develop biomaterials (2D and 3D) that mimic

stiffness step gradient to examine how stem cell mechanotransduction

plays role in osteochondral tissue engineering.

2D stiffness step gradient hydrogel will be fabricated using two-layer hydrogelpolymerization technique modified from my previous research. For 3D

biomimicry scaffold, cutting-edge 3D printing technology will be available at

Prof. Hala Zreiqat ’s facility. Bone marrow-derived stem cells and adipose-derived

stem cells will be tested their chondro- and osteo-genic capacity on both 2D and

3D biomaterials and their mechanotransduction will also be studied. Once this

reductionist approach provide answers in mechanosensing of stem cells per

stiffness, biochemical component of ECM can be added up to investigate

synergistical effect of biomechanical (stiffness) and biochemical (ECM

components) in osteochondral tissue engineering.

To summarize, this study will enhance our understanding in mechanical

influence at cellular level in both chondro- and osteo-genic regeneration and also

provide deep insight for biomaterials fabrication in osteochondral tissue

engineering.

An Imaging-Derived Disease Model in the CloudExternal Supervisor: Dr. Jinman Kim


Director, Nepean Telehealth Technology Centre

Research Theme Leader, Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology

(BMET), Faculty of EngineeringInternal Supervisor: Professor Hala Zreiqat ,





As medical imaging datasets expand, opportunities have arisen to utilize the

accumulated knowledge in these datasets to produce various models that

represent how certain diseases occur within the human population. Individual

patients can be compared to such models to determine or predict how their

disease will evolve or change over time.



In this project, students will design an imaging-derived disease model. The major

focus of the project will be to use existing technologies to develop a cloud-based

method for building the model from massive amounts of imaging data and

implementing a service to query this model using a new patient. As part of this

project, students will worth with Microsoft’s Azure platform and will also have

the opportunity to work on a multidisciplinary team that includes clinical staff.

Search and Retrieval of Patient Case FilesExternal Supervisor: Dr. Jinman Kim




(BMET), Faculty of Engineering



NH&MRC Senior Research FellowHead: Tissue Engineering & Biomaterials Research Unit, School of AMME/Faculty


The ability to search increasingly large medical data repositories has important

implications for diagnosis, treatment planning, education, and the ongoing

management of patients. Akin to Google multimedia search, which uses

text/images/audio as inputs, the challenge in searching medical repositories is

using patient case files (a multimedia combination of demographics, limited

symptoms, audio reports, tests results, and imaging studies). The idea is that

diagnosis can be determined using multiple types of evidence from other, similarcases.

In this project, students will design a framework for case-based retrieval from

medical databases. The major focus of the project will be researching and

designing a method for comparing patient case files using a combination of

different inputs, including but not limited to, text keywords, semantic

annotations, and image features. As part of this project, students will have the

opportunity to work on a multidisciplinary team that includes clinical staff.

Optimal Image Feature Selection for Medical Image RetrievalExternal Supervisor: Dr. Jinman Kim



Research Theme Leader, Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology(BMET), Faculty of Engineering


Email:[email protected]






As imaging databases grow in volume, important applications such as evidence-

based diagnosis, physician education, and biomedical research stand to benefit

from image retrieval. The use of automatically extracted image features as searchcriteria instead of manually assigned text labels enables users to search these

databases without requiring extensive annotations by physicians. One major

challenge, especially for graph-based algorithms, is determining which features

are important for different structures (tumours, organs) within the images.

In this project, students will design a feature selection algorithm for a graph-

based medical image retrieval engine. The major focus of the project will be

researching and designing a methodology for feature selection in two parts:

selecting important substructures with the images and selecting the important

traditional image features (texture, shape, keypoints, etc.) within these

substructures.

Similarity Matching and Indexing for Graph-Based Medical

Image RetrievalExternal Supervisor: Dr. Jinman Kim




(BMET), Faculty of Engineering






Modern medical images contain complex information, such as the relationships

between anatomical structures and pathology bearing regions. The ability to

search medical image repositories based on these relationships is important for

clinical applications, education, and research. Graph structures are a natural way

of representing the attributes of anatomical and pathology regions as well as the

relationships between these regions. One major challenge in using graph for

search is in balancing the trade-off between matching accuracy and

computational efficiency especially in the case of large graphs.

In this project, students will design similarity matching and indexing algorithms

for graph representations of medical images. The major focus will be on adapting

existing heuristic graph matching algorithms by using domain knowledge to

optimize the matching accuracy. Students will also examine the use of indexing

techniques to enable efficient matching in a large database.

Graphene Reinforced Scaffolds for Tendon RepairExternal Supervisor: A/Prof Joselito M. Razal

ARC Future Fellow

Institute for Frontier Materials



Deakin University

Geelong, VIC Australia 3216



Email: [email protected] NH&MRC Senior Research Fellow



Biomimetic scaffolds can serve as effective templates for tissue regeneration

whilst providing the necessary structural support. Ideal biomimetic scaffolds are

those that mimic the anatomical features and mechanical properties of the target

tissue to be repaired. For tendon repair applications, the scaffold must be in the

form of hierarchically organised fibre bundles, with each fibre having surfaceproperties and mechanical behaviour that matches the tendons' properties. This

project will develop a conceptually new approach for the synthesis and

formulation of graphene-reinforced biopolymer composites that will be

processable by fibre spinning. This project will specifically use giant sheets of

graphene oxide specifically because of their liquid crystalline behaviour in

solutions, and their outstanding mechanical properties. The novel composite

fibres to be produced is anticipated to demonstrate remarkable improvements in

mechanical properties. This project will attempt to develop a fundamental

understanding of the various material compositions that are critical for

producing the appropriate fibre dimension, morphology, porosity andmechanical properties and for engineering the scaffold for tendon repair. Since

the fibre spinning process is anticipated to be amenable for large scale

production, the project will also investigate tubular architectures that best mimic

the structure of a tendon and evaluate the relevant mechanical and biological

properties. An example of a heirarchical tubular scaffold is one that encases

several bundles of nanofibres with a woven sheath of microfibers.

Activated protein C and Pancreatic cancer

External Supervisor: Meilang XueEmail: [email protected]

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Sutton Research Laboratories

Kolling Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital






Pancreatic cancer is one of most common cause of cancer related mortality, with

a 5year overall survival rate of only 4%. Advanced pancreatic cancer is strictlycorrelated with vessel leakage and inflammation. Activated protein C (APC) is

natural anticoagulant with strong anti-inflammatory and barrier protective











properties. APC has favourable effects on both the quiescent and angiogenic

endothelial phenotype, leading to the formation of a stable, intact vasculature. In

both quiescent and angiogenic vessels, excess vascular leakage can cause organ

dysfunction and is a common characteristic feature of many diseases, including

cancers. Our proposed research will determine whether the production of APC or

its precursor protein C, its specific receptor endothelial protein C receptor(EPCR) is altered in pancreatic cancer patients and whether and how APC affects

pancreatic cancer cell growth and metastasis in vitro and its mechanisms of

actions. The knowledge gained from this project may expand our understanding

of the mechanisms underlying pancreatic cancer and provide direction for new

strategies to treat this severe disease.

Activated protein C and skin epidermal barrier functionExternal Supervisor: Meilang Xue


Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Sutton Research Laboratories

Kolling Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital


NH&MRC Senior Research

Fellow




The skin forms an effective barrier between the human body and outside

environment and protects the body from dehydration and environmental insults.

Disruption of this barrier function is responsible for many skin disorders, such as

psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Activated protein C (APC), a naturalanticoagulant has been shown to promote the skin epidermal barrier function.

This project will investigate whether and if so how APC affects the expression

and distribution of tight juctional proteins, a group of proteins that are critical to

the proper function of the skin barrier, using epidermal keratinocytes.

Understanding the mechanism of APC in rheumatoid arthritisExternal Supervisor: Helena LiangEmail: [email protected]

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Sutton Arthritis Research Laboratory

Institute of Bone and Joint Research, Kolling Institute for Medical Research

Royal North Shore Hospital






Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic inflammatory disease that

ultimately leads to irreversible cartilage and bone destruction, and immobility in











patients. The precise etiology of this disease is still unknown. Activated protein C

(APC), an anticoagulant that has been well-documented to possess anti-

inflammatory and endothelial barrier stabilizing properties, is thought to be able

to exert protective effects in RA by suppressing inflammation and preventing

endothelial damage in the patients. This project investigates the cellular

mechanism of APC in RA patients, with the goal to identify the molecular targetsof APC and subsequently find biomarkers that may be used to predict patients’

responsiveness to APC therapy in RA and their disease outcome.

Mechanism by which novel biomaterials induce bone

formationExternal Supervisor: Prof Arthur Conigrave and Professor Rebecca MasonEmail: [email protected] School of Molecular Bioscience

Charles Perkins Centre (D17)

University of Sydney Internal Supervisor: Professor Hala Zreiqat ,




of Engineering and IT and Bosch Institute

Biomaterials in contact with cells trigger a chain of reactions that will determine

the ultimate fate f the cells and the tissues. The project involves testing the

molecules that sense changes in response to the biomaterial they are in contact

with. The student will be undertaking this research at the Charles Perkins Center

(http://sydney.edu.au/perkins/) with Professor Arthur Conigrave researchgroup.




http://sydney.edu.au/perkins/







Mechanical

Professor Steven Armfield, [email protected]

Research Thesis: Developing a fast accurate solver for the Navier-Stokes equations

Accurate solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations are required for the direct and large eddy simulation

of turbulent and transition flows.

In this project a novel Poisson solver will be developed and tested for use on parallel architectures. The

scheme will initially be applied to the heat equation, and subsequently will be included in a full Navier-

Stokes solver.

Research Thesis: Natural convection flows

A number of projects are available in the simulation and analysis of natural convection flows, such as the

flow that develops next to a heated plate. The fluid mechanics and heat transfer properties of such

flows are important in determining the efficiency of heat transfer devices; ventilation systems; crystal

growth and many other systems. The flow is analysed via direct numerical simulation using state of

the art computing techniques; stability analysis and scaling analysis.

Research and Project Thesis: Investigation of Surfboard Hydrodynamics

Investigate the effect of tail shapes on the hydrodynamic characteristics of surfboards. A numerical approach will

be used, with the long term aim of using verified numerical models to predict the performance of production

surfboards, and develop improved surfboard designs.

Research Thesis and Project: Fountain flows

Fountains are jet flows with a buoyancy force acting in the direction opposite to jet direction. Such a flow occurs,

for instance, in a room when a jet of heated air is directed downward from the ceiling as means of heating the

room. Similar flows occur in many other industrial and environmental settings. In this project computational

work will be undertaken to investigate the basic fountain structure, with particular regard to the stability and

transition of the flow.

Research Thesis and Project: General Fluid Mechanics

Any projects students may wish to pursue involving the development and testing of wings, paddles,

keels, hulls and other flow devices, flow measurement and visualisation and analysis and simulation.






Masud Behnia, Room S426, Building J07, [email protected] 0414-369-518 (all are

available for individual or group of students)

(A) Efficient cooling and thermal management of Data Centres

With the increasing reliance on computers and servers the computer centres where many

massive computers and servers are housed require substantial cooling capacities of the

order of several megawatts. The dense packing of racks and servers does not allow air to

be directed to the electronic components where heat is generated. Therefore, an

understanding of the flow and heat transfer and optimisation of the flow path is critical

for effective cooling. In this research CFD simulations will be undertaken to simulate the

flow and heat transfer. The results will be compared with measurements in a real data

centre. An industrial partner is also involved with this research. The research is divided

into 6 UG projects as follows. Individual students will become part of a research group

currently working on cooling of data centres.1. Thermodynamic modelling of data centre cooling systems:

This project is for developing and presenting physics based models to allow the

prediction of the energy consumption and heat transfer phenomenon in a datacentre.

2. Exergy analysis of data centre airspace:This project focuses on second law investigation of data centre environment. To

better understanding the irreversibilities regarding the mixing of hot air and cold

air in data centre airspace, exergy analysis is conducted. In this regard, thewasted useful work can be estimated, and some relevant performance metrics areintroduced.

3. Thermal management of data centres:In this project, the probable cooling issues in a typical data centre areinvestigated. To rectify the problem, a few practical design solutions to improve

the cooling effectiveness have been proposed and examined to ensure a reducedair-conditioning power requirement. Therefore, a better understanding of thecooling issues and the respective proposed solutions can lead to an improveddesign for future data centres.

4. Optimisation of data centre configuration:Optimisation techniques will be utilised to investigate the effect of data centreconfiguration on data centre cooling efficiency.

5.

Rack level analysis of data centres: This project analyses the thermal performance of a data centre on a rack(cabinets containing IT systems) level, by utilising a number of rack models withvarious server arrangements. Different rack models regarding server

arrangements with void spaces are presented and modelled. The objective is toinvestigate the interaction of the various servers inside a semi-populated rack.

6. Investigation of under-floor blockages on data centre performance:

In this project, the effect of position of the under-floor blockages and percentageopening of perforated tile are studied using computational fluid dynamics (CFD).The results can provide an understanding of the fundamental fluid mechanicalprocesses controlling the airflow distribution through the perforated tiles and helpthe facility designer to rearrange the blockages and improve the thermal

performance without altering the layout or cold air supply.







(B) Numerical analysis of blood flow1. Pulsatile blood flow patterns in anatomically realistic coronary vessels

Hemodynamics factors and biomechanical forces play key roles in plaquedevelopment in blood vessels and their final rupture. Many clinical studies

suggest that local blood flow patterns are involved in the location anddevelopment of atherosclerosis. In coronary diseases, this assumption should becorroborated by quantitative information on local hemodynamic parameters suchas pressure, velocity or wall shear stress. The flow field are very important and

need to be modeled accurately under different conditions. A simulation modelneeds to be developed to incorporate pulsatility and turbulence with realisticboundary conditions. CFD simulations will be carried out using a commercial flowsolver package (ANSYS CFX). A PhD student is working on this project in the

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and will be assisting this investigation.2. Fluid–structure interaction analysis of patient-specific arteries

Atherosclerotic disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the

developed and developing world, of which one of the outcomes is heart attack.Atherosclerosis shows a focal distribution, suggesting that mechanical factorsrelated to blood flow may contribute to its development. There is considerableevidence implicating mechanical forces resulting from intravascular pressure and

flow (e.g. circumferential tensile stress and wall shear stress (WSS)) in the

regulation of blood vessel structure under physiological or pathologicalcircumstances. Coupled fluid–structure interaction (FSI) analysis of a stenosedartery reconstructed based on multi slice computerized tomography (CT) imagesneeds to be carried out to investigate the effects of wall compliance on blood flowcharacteristics. A commercial flow solver package (ANSYS CFX) will be used forCFD simulations. A PhD student and a medical student are working on this projectin the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Medicine and will be assisting thisinvestigation.

3. Mass transport in an anatomically realistic human left coronary artery The coronary arteries are common sites of atherosclerotic plaque formation,

which has been putatively linked to hemodynamic and mass transport patterns.The purpose of this project is to study mass transport patterns in a human left

coronary artery model, focusing on the effects of local geometric features onmass transfer from blood to artery walls. Local variations in mass transferpatterns due to geometric features are significant and much larger in magnitudethan local variations in wall shear stress. In addition, it is well known that thecomplex secondary flows in a realistic arterial model can produce very substantiallocal variations in blood-wall mass transfer rates, and may be important inatherogenesis. Using a commercial flow solver package, mass transfercalculations need to be performed in a rigid, anatomically realistic model of a

human coronary artery. A PhD student is working on this project in the Faculty ofMechanical Engineering and will be assisting this investigation.

(C) Optimum sizing of prime movers in Trigeneration systems

Combined heat and power (CHP) system may be defined as a system whichsimultaneously generates electricity and heat using a single source of fuel. Thesesystems play a significant role in efficient usage of energy in industrial anddomestic applications. They also have less harmful effects on the environment. Aprime mover is the mechanical equipment which converts the energy of fuel to

electricity (e.g. gas turbine, gas engine, diesel engine). Adding an absorptionchiller to a CHP system, allows even more efficient fuel consumption. Thissystem, which generates electricity, cooling, and heating, is called Trigeneration.

Optimum sizing of Trigeneration systems is of great importance to maximize thebenefits of these systems. To select the optimum prime mover, performancecharacteristics of engine as well as economic parameters should be taken intoconsideration. The impact of carbon tax also needs to be considered. A thermo-

economic methodology has been developed for CHP systems, and some changesshould be made to allow its application to Trigeneration systems.



(D) CFD simulation of heat and mass transfer in Heat and MoistureExchangers (HME)During normal breathing the inspired gases get warm and humidified inside upperairways before entering to the trachea and lungs. When the upper airways are

bypassed in mechanically ventilated patients by oral or nasal endotrachealintubation or tracheotomy it is essential to seek an alternative way to heat andhumidify inspiratory gases since mechanical ventilation with dry cold gasesresults in drying of the mucosal membranes and heat loss. Heat and Moisture

Exchangers (HMEs) are widely used as a simple solution to the problem. HME isan artificial nose (passive humidifier) that traps expiratory heat and moisture in aporous medium and returns a portion of it at the next inspiration. It hasconsiderable advantages over traditional humidifier such as ease of use, low

weight and good price. To improve the efficiency and study design optimisation, itis vital to investigate the mechanisms of heat and moisture transfer in the HME. AComputational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model will be developed to simulate heat

and mass transfer. This is a collaborative project with Saint Vincent Hospital inMelbourne.

(E) Modelling of two-phase flowFlows of gas and liquid are observed in a number of engineering and industrialapplications such as oil pipelines, refrigeration equipment etc. For the calculationof the system parameters such as pressure drop the behaviour of the two phasesmust be known. This is done either through experimental measurements or

modelling which can be very complex. Computer programs have been developedfor this purpose and it is necessary to test them for a range of parameters and tocheck their accuracy.

(F) Simulation of jet impingement heat transfer

A jet impinging on a surface leads to a very high rate of heat transfer. This is oneof the most efficient heating/cooling techniques with numerous industrial andengineering applications. Numerical simulations for a single jet impingingnormally on a flat plate have been carried out successfully. This needs to be

extended to the more realistic cases of an oblique jet and multiple jets. Thesimulation results will be compared with available experimental data.


Supervisors: Associate Professor Mehrdad Behnia ([email protected]) and Professor

Masud Behnia ( [email protected])

The project offered below is suitable for a Biomedical or Mechanical student.

Echocardiographic and fl uid mechanic evaluation of pulmonary arter ial pressure in

rowing athletes at rest and dur ing exerciseIntroduction: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is defined as mean pulmonary arterial

pressure of greater than 25 mmHg measured by a pulmonary arterial catheter at rest. PAH

during exercise is a controversial subject that has not been defined clearly. There are studies

showing that pulmonary arterial pressure does increase during maximum voluntary exercise.

But a succinct cutoff pulmonary pressure for definition of exercise-induced PAH has not

been agreed upon by researchers of the field. However, it appears that exercise-induced PAH

is the cause of a large percentage of patients with unexplained shortness of breath.

Furthermore, it appears that blood flow turbulence increases during exercise as measured by

echocardiography. But correlation of blood turbulence and its relationship to pulmonary

arterial pressure has not been studied in detail, either.

Objective: Our aim is to measure and compare the blood flow turbulence and velocity as

measured by echocardiography in rowing athletes at rest and also at peak exercise. We would

further assess and evaluate if right ventricular systolic pressure, which is a surrogate for

pulmonary artery pressure, is elevated at peak exercise and how it is correlated to peak







oxygen consumption and other variables measured during complex cardiopulmonary exercise

testing (CPET).

Methodology: The rowing athletes will undergo a CPET using the bicycle ergometer

protocol. Several physiological parameters such as maximum oxygen consumption (VO2

max) and maximum CO2 production (VCO2 max) will be measured during the test. A

baseline echocardiogram will be done on each athlete at rest before the exercise. Immediately

following cessation of CPET, another echocardiogram will be performed.

Echocardiographic Doppler pressure waveforms will be analyzed to estimate pulmonary

arterial pressure. Fluid mechanic properties of blood flow including shear stress and right

ventricular pressure at peak exercise will be further studied and analyzed.

Both the exercise testing and echocardiography will be done at Doctors hospital in Augusta,

Georgia, USA. Exercise data analysis will be done in Augusta and to some extent by the

faculty of the Physiology department at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The

echocardiography and Doppler data will be sent to Sydney University for further evaluation

of fluid mechanic properties and for statistical analysis.

Conclusion: Exercise-induced PAH, although existent, is not a well-studied or well-defined

clinical entity. Fluid mechanics and physiological properties of this entity need further

investigation. By studying these parameters, exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension, itsdefinition and classification, and possible further therapeutic interventions will be better

comprehended and accomplished.

Bibliography

1. Bogren,HG, Klipstein, RH, Mohiaddin, RH, et al. Pulmonary artery distensibility and

blood flow patterns: A magnetic resonance study of normal subjects and of patients with

pulmonary arterial hypertension. Amer Heart Journal 1989; 118: 990-999.

2. Haworth, SG. Pulmonary hypertension in the young. Heart 2002; 88: 658-664.

3. Oudiz, RJ, Barst, RJ Hansen, JE, et al. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and Six-Minute

Walk correlations in pulmonary arterial hypertension Amer J Cardiology 2006; 97: 123-126.

4. Barst, RB, McGoon, M, Torbicki, A, et al. Diagnosis and differential assessment of

pulmonary arterial hypertension. J Amer Coll Cardiology 2004; 43: S40–S47.

5. Tolle, JJ, Waxman, AB, Van Horn,TL, et al. Exercise-Induced pulmonary arterial

hypertension. Circulation 2008; 118:2183-2189.





















Honours Thesis A/B or Engineer ing Project A/B

Supervisors: Associate Professor Kurosh Parsi ( [email protected] ) and Professor

Masud Behnia ([email protected])

The two projects offered below are available for an individual or a group of students. Both

projects are suitable for Biomedical or Mechanical students. Part of the research will be

carried out at the Sydney Skin and Vein Clinic in Bondi Junction. Students are required totravel there and will be provided with office space and a computer at the clinic.

The standard treatment for varicose veins is the injection of the diseased vessel with a

detergent sclerosant, in order to close (sclerose) the vein. Sclerotherapy using modern

sclerosants has been practiced for at least 50 years. Over this time, a number of technical

innovations have been introduced (such as the introduction of sclerosant foam) that have

increased the efficiency of the procedure. There are a number of side effects of the treatment,

such as the passage of foam bubbles into the heart. Very little research has been performed to

understand the fluid mechanics of the injection, foam and blood.

Project 1In order to improve clinical success rates and minimise side effects, a model must be developed tocharacterise the system in terms of clinical variables. This requires both the use of physical andcomputational models to simulate the geometry of the vascular networks, such as the saphenofemoral junction (great saphenous vein and femoral vein). The complexity of such a model necessitatesexperimental investigation into basic physics/chemistry of both liquid and foam properties of

sclerosants. The flow also needs to be modelled using CFD and the experimental results will be usedfor validation of the computational predictions. We have already investigated the effects of foamconstituents such as air ratio, temperature, sclerosant type and concentration on foam spreading, andthis project will be an extension of this work. There is an existing experimental rig in the researchlaboratory of the Sydney Skin and Vein Clinic which will be used for this project. Some preliminaryCFD simulations have been performed and need to be extended.

Project 2The detergent sclerosant used for injection into the veins is usually prepared as foam right before theinjection. The foam preparation is quite cumbersome and there are numerous parameters which affectthe foam consistency and texture leading to a high degree of variability in the success of the treatment process. Therefore, it would be ideal to have a sclerosant foam with an optimum consistency whichcan be readily used for the purpose of injection. One possibility is to develop a canister with pre- packaging the foam in it. The project requires a detailed review of how the existing readily availableconsumer foam canisters (such as a shaving foam can) are designed, manufactured and function. Thedesign of such devices as well as other concepts for producing a ready made foam will be explored.We are currently in the process of developing a canister in order to produce a reproducible sclerosantfoam. A student is required to liaise with the biomedical engineers and assist in the development of a

prototype and in the assessment of the foam consistency. The project will be performed in laboratoryspace at the Sydney Skin and Vein Clinic in Bondi Junction.







Development of a CAMWorks Postprocessor for use on Motoman

Robot – 4/5 Axis Mill Mechanical

(Project) (1 student) March 2015 Start

Supervisor: Paul Briozzo

(Room S318, Bldg J07)< [email protected]>

CAMWorks is a powerful and affordable CNC code generator which is used in conjunction

with SolidWorks. There is a requirement from a teaching and workshop perspective to

integrate CAMWorks with the School’s Motoman Robot and the School’s new 4/5 Axis

Desktop Mill.

This topic would initially involve a student learning to effectively use CAMWorks with an

initial goal to develop a post-processor for the MoriSeiki NV4000 3 Axis Mill. Further work

would involve the development of a Post Processor for Multi Axis Machines. Mechanical

Design Modifications of the Desktop Machine are initially required.

The chief requirements of the suitable candidate would be;

Completion of either MECH36605660 or AMME5902

1. A very high interest in CAD/CAM.

2. A very high interest in Manufacturing Engineering.

3. A very high interest in Industrial Robots.

Potential candidates must familiarise themselves with the topic before applying.





Rapid Engineering

(Project or Honours Thesis) (Various) March 2015


(Room S318, Bldg J07)

< [email protected]>

Across the last five years, various 3D Printing Thesis topics have been offered that have

generally been completed to a high standard. From 2015 on, pure 3D printing Honours Thesis

\ Projects will no longer be offered without a genuinely different theme. The technology has

evolved into devices that are productively used rather than devices that are researched at an

Undergraduate level. Consequently, students will be encouraged to use rather than research

the various 3D printers that will be available in room S319a from February onwards as part of

their Honours Thesis \ Engineering Project with supervisors throughout the School.





Clubman Kit Car 3D Scan



(Room S318, Bldg J07)

< [email protected]>

This Project’s primary goal is to successfully 3D scan the fiberglass panels of the Clubman

Kit car using a budget scanning system. Once scanned, the panels are to be imported into

SolidWorks to be incorporated into previously digitised orthogonal frame and ancillaries.

Recently revised Westfield Clubman SEiW with FW body (2009)Courtesy of PRB (NSW)

This topic would suit mechanical students that have a strong interest in measurement, CAD,

Mechanical Design. A high degree of computer literacy is assumed.





The use of LS-DYNA in the Analysis of High Energy Aircraft

Design for Impact of an Electronics Package – Mechanical

(Project or Honours Thesis) (2 students) March 2015 Start



Recent global events indicate that knowledge gained during the catastrophic failure of an

aircraft can yield valuable data related to the cause of the triggering incident.

The topic’s requirements would be to:

1. Convert an existing NURBS surface model of a Boeing 777 into a FEA model suitable for

analysis.

2. Analyse the interaction of a collision between a Boeing 777 FEA model with the surface ofan ocean using SPH methods. The aim being to generate an identifying a impulse of the

collision.

Alternatively,

3. Analyse the interaction between the skin and fuselage of a Boeing 777 and a destructive

high energy explosive velocity projectile.


1. A strong interest in CAD and FEA.

2. Completed AMME5912 or prepared to undertake the subject in Semester 1 2015.

3. A high skill level in the use of computers.





The Design of a Scalable, Collapsible Small Sided Football

(Soccer) Goal Post




Existing designs for Small Sided Football (Soccer) Goal Posts used by Soccer players from a

younger age group are generally designed with safety, light weight and cost as notable

criteria. There is a need for a design which not only includes the previous criteria but also

includes;

1. Easy Assembly by personnel who may or may not be familiar with the apparatus.

2. Fast Assembly and deployment.

3. Foldable storage in limited space and access.


1. An interest and knowledge of Soccer.2. An interest in Mechanical Design.

3. An interest in FEA.

Potential candidates must be available to visit a nominated soccer Club located in the North

West of Sydney (Dundas Valley) during various times of the year.

The “goal” of this project is to arrive at a prototype which would be evaluated by a working

party for feedback.





Research Projects for Honours Thesis A/B and Engineering

Project A/B for 2015 - Proposed list of Projects

Contact: Mr. Rhett Butler, AM Adjunct Senior Lecturer, AMME

[email protected]

It is proposed that there will be opportunities for research projects thesis work in

2015 that compliment existing active humanitarian projects and development work in

Africa, India and Latin America. The SkyJuice Foundation and its partners arekeen to support capable undergraduates on a variety of applied projects.

These thesis projects focus on affordable sustainable services such as low cost

potable water, decentralized water/energy hubs, off-grid lighting and power, as well

as low cost heating. Key objectives of the project include, sustainable design

principles and an imperative for maximizing local content and value adding.

These research topics have a high applied content and lend themselves to “market

ready’ deployment within a 12-18 month timeframe. Students should have a strong

desire to utilise sound multi disciplinary design skills and a desire to commit toproject implementation timelines. In most cases students will be offered travel

stipends to facilitate “in country” concept design and value engineering assessments.

The following organisations outlined below will be participating partners (direct and

indirect) in the projects. The thesis student will be the “approved project manger” and

collaborative assistance will be offered during the thesis and assistance with

introductions to target user groups ;

<> SkyJuice Foundation Inc. (SJ)

<> AquaSynergy Solutions Pty. Ltd. (AS)

<> Evoqua Water Technologies Pty Ltd. (EVT)

<> Siemens Foundation (Siemens Stiftung, SF)

<> Barefoot Power (BFP)

<> The National Centre of Excellence in Desalination, Australia (NCEDA)

Students are also encouraged to utilise the additional resources of existing AMME

faculty members and linkages on these thesis projects.






Thesis Topics

1) Low cost desalination for developing countries

This project will the develop the concept of “low cost” hybrid ultrafiltration (UF) and

nanofiltration (NF) unit (i.e., UF>NF coupled unit) to treat brackish water sources indeveloping countries suitable for potable purposes. It is envisaged that volume

production of the prototype will be say 5000-10,000 litres /day . Agricultural

applications may be feasible but this will depend on the initial design cost/benefit

review.

The objective will be to utilize known and proven gravity fed UF systems and couple

it with NF to achieve affordable potable water outcomes for communities in

developing countries. The design will critically address and target divalent species

present in brackish water sources (not seawater), to remove hardness and

essentially produce low TDS water suitable for drinking (or high value agriculture)

This is new, novel and innovative concept that has very real implications.

Collaboration with the NCEDA will be provided

SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS : SJ, NCEDA, SF

2) Improved low cost design for gravity fed membrane water filtration systems

Gravity ultrafiltration (UF) designs are now becoming benchmark technology for safe

potable options in developing countries. UF solutions now provide simple and

affordable treatment solutions that are below the “price point” for traditional water

filtration technology options. The project would explore the opportunity to further

drive down cost reductions in unit cost and manufacturing. It is envisaged that a

value-engineering program and prototype development phase will result in a “step

change” design for 50 -150 person village design. Existing 500 -2000-person units

are well established within the NGO sector

Initial work has resulted in a SkyBox design. This can be further enhanced to

investigate best design configurations and resulting performance benefits. It is

expected that the student will undertaking extensive testing and will criticallyexamine market potential of the unit. A requirement will be to prepare a realistic

“social” business plan based on the prototype.

SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS : SJ, AS, SF

3) Concept deign of a low cost Hybrid Energy Water kiosk

The development of decentralised utility hubs in the developing world is a recent and

growing trend. These hubs (kiosks) are filling a much needed void in the provision of

basic utilities and essential services. Water kiosks and energy charging kiosks,

particularly in Africa, are surging ahead. The project will look at engineering a

combined water/ energy hub (kiosk) as a stand-alone facility. The design will market



focussed and involve real “ design “ hurdles to achieve a cost effective solution that

is replicable throughout the developing world. Capital coat of production, operating

cost of the internal utility functions and local assimilation are key objectives.

Apart from the design component of the project, the student will need to assess

business models that can enable a sustainable business entity. A business plan will

be required that examines social entrepreneurship options

SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS: SJ, SF, BI

4) Recovery and recycle of used membrane modules for community potable

water devices in developing countries

This project will examine the harvesting of “used” or end of commercial life

ultrafiltration membrane modules. These membranes are currently discarded from

municipal water treatment plants in huge numbers and go into landfill. The objectiveis to “reconfigure” and rework them into usable smaller potable water filter to be

“offered” into developing countries via direct and established NGO partners. The

“reconfigured” mini filters will provide a powerful and effective potable water solution

to the world’s most needy people. There is an immediate market pull for such

devices. NGO Partners are ready field test prototypes. A student with interests in

polymer chemistry, materials science and mechanical design would be preferable.

An important perspective on this work will be elimination of what is currently a waste

disposal issue for the Australian and global water industry. So, in principle, there are

winners all round on this project. The problem is real, the need is tangible.Immediate market opportunities wait for prototype testing.

This project will require a strong skillset and commitment to innovative design

including lab testing /prototyping, as well strategic marketing/ business plan of the

prototype offerings. It is proposed that field-testing will be undertaken in several

countries within 6-12 months

SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS: SJ, NCEDA, AS, SF

5) Low cost energy harvesting for developing countries

Communities in developing countries spend significant time energy and resources on

basic energy requirements for their daily life. Essentially, energy is used for

rudimentary cooking lighting and heating. Quite often the energy harvesting and

usage (kerosene, charcoal etc.,) is used inefficiently for lighting, heating or sterilising

water. It also has serious ongoing health implications for the users

Recent developments have seen improvements in LED technology and battery

charging technologies. This has resulted in a dramatic growth in off-grid lighting and

battery related mini business ventures.



This project will target the investigation of thermodynamically efficient options for

harvesting, storage and utilise of energy on a decentralised / village level.

Renewable energy options will be assessed in conjunction with sensible synergistic

design concepts that could result in local/ decentralised co-generation and or energy

hubs.

The investigation would include the utilisation of all available waste resources and

methane production option (anaerobic digestion, direct solar irradiation etc.) A

concept design could see a multipurpose energy generation device that can store

and transfer energy efficiently/indirectly and satisfy basic village needs

SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS: SJ, SF



HONOURS PROJECTS

Contact: A/Prof. Julie Cairney, Associate Professor, AMMELocation: Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, Madsen Building F09,

LG

Email: [email protected] Phone: + 61 2 9351 4523

The role of impurities on the properties of nanocrystalline metals

This project will involve the development and application of innovative advanced

microscopy methods for the study of the stability of new, nanocrystalline Ni alloys. Grain

size stability is a critical issue for this important new class of engineering alloys, whichhas potential for mass commercialisation in Australia. The aim of this project is to

determine the influence of solutes on grain coarsening behaviour by using advanced

microscopy methods in the Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis,

providing information that may be used in future alloy design.

This project is suitable for Honours Thesis A/B

Figure: A reconstructed 3D atom map showing a triple point in a nanocrystalline Al alloy

with Ga atoms at the grain boundaries.







Reconstructing atom maps from amorphous materials

Atom probe is a powerful microscopy technique in which 3D maps are generatedshowing the precise positions of individual atoms within matter. It allows one to relate

the atomic scale structure to the macroscopic properties, helping design new and better

materials.

Calibration of these 3D maps, so that they are fully accurate, remains a challenge.

Significant developments have been made in the reconstruction of crystalline materials,

however calibrating the reconstruction of amorphous materials (non-crystalline materialslike glasses) is an issue that researchers are not able to solve at present. In this project,

you will develop the methods and techniques to analyse the spatial information within

amorphous atom probe datasets, with a view to developing reconstruction calibrationtechniques and potentially develop a new reconstruction algorithm specific to amorphous

materials. This approach will allow the technique of atom probe to be applied to the

design of a whole new class of materials.

The project will be supervised by A/Prof. Julie Cairney and Dr Anna Ceguerra and is

suitable for Honours Thesis A/B

Figure: Atom probe data from crystalline tungsten.



3D imaging of cells on scaffolds

The successful use of scaffolds for biomedical applications depends on how tissue growsinto structures on the macroscopic scale but also at the cell level. The University of

Sydney has recently acquired a state of the art ‘focused ion beam’ microscope that is

capable of generating 3D images of cells on surfaces, along with the ability to analyse thecomposition and anatomic features of the tissue at and below cell level. This project willinvolve the 3D imaging of cells on scaffolds, providing completely new information

about the morphology of the cells, the surface attachment preferences of the cell on

bioactive materials, and possible resulting changes in the anatomy of the cells throughoutattachment and proliferation phases. This will be useful in the design of future bioactive

scaffolds and implant interfaces. The project will be supervised by Julie Cairney and Phil

Boughton.


Figure: A 3D image of a cell (not a model, but a reconstructed microscopy image!) and

an image of an electron microscope similar to the focused ion beam.



High wear alloys for the mining industry (with Weir Minerals)

Weir Minerals are multinational company, with a research lab in Artarmon, who producemetal parts for the minerals processing industry. They have developed a new alloy that

has very high wear resistance and lasts up to three times as long than their previous

product, and can lead to longer-lasting parts. This is critical for the mining sector, asinstrument down time for replacement of parts can cost many millions of dollars per dayin lost production. The aim of this project is to understand how the microstructure of

these new alloys contributes to wear resistance, by using state of the art microscopy and

microanalysis techniques. This information can then be used for further alloyimprovements. The project will be carried out in collaboration with Weir Minerals


Figure: Scanning electron microscope / electron backscatter diffraction images showing

the orientation of grains and carbides in cast iron samples from Weir minerals



Atom probe tomography of titanium alloys

Grain boundaries are one of the most important factors that determine the properties ofengineering alloys. This project will provide new information about grain boundaries at

the atomic scale through new methods that allow both grain boundary structure and grain

boundary composition to be compared. This information will be used in the developmentof new advanced Ti-based engineering alloys with exceptional properties and potentialapplications in the aerospace, petrochemical, automotive and nuclear industries. If the

student is interested, there is also scope to participate in the development of the programs

for data analysis (written in MATLAB ®), using graphics processors.


Figure: An atom map of a grain boundary at which atoms segregate and images of theatom probe.



A new tool to map the orientation of grains in nanocrystalline alloys

Understanding how the grains are oriented in materials is often critical for the materialsdesign process. At the University of Sydney, we have been instrumental in the

development of a new microscopy technique, called ‘Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction

(TKD)’. This method can be used to map the orientation of grains with a very highresolution, and is now being used to better understand fine-grained materials, such asnanocrystalline alloys. Although we can use the technique, we still don’t fully understand

how it works. This project will involve the comparison of data from conventional

transmission electron microscopy techniques with images obtained through TKD, to better understand the contrast mechanisms and the potential future applications.


Figure: A nanocrystalline metal film imaged under different conditions using TKD



Assessment of new Nickel-based alloys as structural materials for future nuclear

reactors.

Nickel-based alloys are being studied to assess their suitability as structural materials for

future Generation IV thorium molten salt reactor systems operating at much higher

temperatures, corrosion environments and neutron radiation fluxes than currently usedfission reactor technologies. At present, researchers at the Australian Nuclear Scienceand Technology Organisation (ANTSO) at Lucas Heights, in collaboration with the

Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP) in China, are working on specific nickel-

based alloys identified for their potential to withstand the extreme environments in suchsystems. The project will explore the alloys’ microstructure and mechanical properties in

simulated molten salt reactor conditions, using microanalysis techniques and mechanical

testing. Information from this research can then be used to better understand themicrostructure-property issues that may lead to possible service failure of the Ni-based

alloys and to provide information about alloy in regards to safety and applicability.


Figures: Molten salt reactor schematic and an image of the microstructure of an Ni-based

alloy produced by Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD)



Ex-situ EBSD observation of martensitic transformation in an intergranular

corrosion area of austenitic stainless steel during thermal cycling

For high temperature applications, such as in new-generation energy technologies,

austenitic stainless steels offer an attractive combination of economy and mechanical /

corrosion properties. For example, concentrated solar power (CSP) is a growingrenewable energy technology, but its effective use requires cost-effective and corrosionresistant materials for tubing and piping that can operate for extended periods at high

temperatures and withstand thermal cycling between around 900oC in the day and room

temperature at night. Like many energy technologies, this application demands affordablealloys characterized by high strength and superior high temperature corrosion resistance.

Due to the high cost of Ni-based alloys, austenitic stainless steels (ASSs) are presently

the most suitable materials. However, an oxidation-assisted martensitic phasetransformation was observed in an austenitic stainless steel after thermal cycling up to

970 °C in air in a solar thermal steam reformer. The intergranular corrosion (IGC) areas

were investigated by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission Kikuchi

diffraction (TKD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The structural-and-chemical maps revealed that within IGC areas this martensitic transformation primarily

occurs in oxidation-induced chromium-depleted zones, rather than due to only

sensitization. This displacive transformation may also play a significant role in the rate at

which intergranular corrosion takes place. The project will explore the mechanism behindthis phase transformation within IGC areas in the ASS during thermal cycling. More

specifically, ex-situ EBSD observation will be performed to understand this new failure

mechanism. Samples from a commercial ASS (Sandvik 253MA) will be heat treated in a

tube furnace in air at several selected temperatures (from 200°C up to 970°C, then down

to 200°C). Information from this research can then be used to design new ASSs.


Figures: Concentrated Solar Tower, CSIRO Newcastle and an intergranular corrosion

crack with martensitic phase transformation highlighted in red

5 nm



Dr Li Chang

Field of Expertise: Precision Manufacturing and Nanotribology

Phone: +61-02-9351 5572

E-mail: [email protected]

Thesis Topics:

Title: Determination of fracture behaviour of soft materials (1-2 students)

(Honours thesis)

In modern materials science, how to accurately characterize the fracture behaviour of soft materials has been

a longstanding problem. The highly extensible behaviour of soft materials leads to both crack growth and

crack blunting which are difficult to separate. Consequently, the existing standard fracture tests may not

draw a clear distinction between fracture toughness (contributing to crack propagation) and strength

(contributing to crack blunting) of soft specimens. Owing to the lack of the reliable data of fracture

toughness, the design and use of soft matter in engineering applications are often limited.

Recently, the cutting methods (such as blade cutting, orthogonal cutting and wire cutting) have attracted

significant research interest, in which materials are removed and the separation work, i.e., the fracture

energy (GC ) can be determined. The methods seem elegantly simple and promising. However, there are

several issues still outstanding concerning the validity of the fracture analysis in cutting process. For

instance, it remains unclear how the sharpness of the cutting tools effects on the fracture measurement. This project aims to understand the role of fracture in material removal in cutting process. It will deliver the

necessary experimental data and the basic science in developing new standard methods for determining the

fracture toughness throughout material removal i.e., the cutting tests. The new methods will provide new

capabilities to characterise tough polymers, thin films, some biomaterials and more.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 1 Schematic representation of fracture tests by using the cutting methods a) blade cutting [1], b)orthogonal cutting [2] and c) wire cutting [3]

http://sydney.edu.au/camt/about/people/research_staff/li_chang.shtml


mailto:%[email protected]







Title: Shear-thickening and structure formation in suspensions (1-2 students)

(Honours Thesis)

Shear thickening fluids (STFs) are unique materials, displaying recoverable phase transitions between liquid

and "solid" phases due to significant changes in viscosity at a critical rate of shear. Normally, shear-

thickening is observed in highly concentrated dispersion systems. Such highly nonlinear behaviour is of

great practical and fundamental importance. One promising application of STFs is to develop adaptive,

energy-dissipation systems, in which STFs can divert or dissipate the energy via viscosity, friction,

"plasticity" or "fracture", depending on loading conditions. In fact, the use of STFs as adaptive energy-

dissipation materials has created significant industrial and commercial innovations, e.g. new polishingtechniques, smart damping and brake devices and "liquid armour".

However, fundamental knowledge of STFs at near to and after the shear thickening transition is lacking.

There is still no a satisfying mathematical treatment of the mechanics of shear-thickening in the literature.

This project aims to establish fundamental knowledge in developing STFs as adaptive energy dissipation

materials for practical applications, which will be achieved by a thorough study on both rheological and

"solid-like" behaviours of STFs before and after the shear thickening transition. The outcomes of the work

will not only advance the basic knowledge of STFs for the research community, but also bring significant

economic opportunities for the industries to develop new STFs-based energy-absorbing systems.

Fig. 2.2 Figure 2: SEM image of particles dispersed in the suspension shown in Figure 2.1

Figure 2.1: Photos of the experiment of removing a stick out of the STF at (a) low and (b) high speed.

(a) (b)

v BhighB v BlowB



3) Development of high performance wear-resistant polymeric nanocomposites (1-2 students)

(Honours Thesis)

Over the past decades, polymer composites have been increasingly applied as structural materials in the

aerospace, automotive, and chemical industries, providing lower weight alternatives to metallic materials. A

number of these applications are concentrated on tribological components, such as gears, cams, bearings and

seals, where the self-lubrication of polymers is of special advantage. It is a current trend in the development

of polymers to seek materials retaining reliable properties at high temperatures. One example for suchrequirement is the new generation of the bushings which is supposed to be used as camshaft bearings in high

pressure, diesel fuel injection pumps (Figure 3), or even in the engine of the cars. In this case, polymer

composites have to operate as tribo-elements at relatively high environmental temperature, e.g. 120 o C, and

the demand for high wear resistance becomes increasingly important. High temperature polymers such as

polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or polyetherimide (PEI) are particularly interesting candidates for these

tribological applications.

To meet the increasing industrial demands, various fillers were used to overcome the inhibited weakness of

polymers to achieve high wear resistance under extreme sliding conditions. In particular, with the booming

of nano-phased materials, nano-sized fillers such as nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes have also come

under consideration, and results have shown that such fillers are promising for improving the wear-

resistance of polymers even at very low filler content (about 1 ~ 4 vol.-%). However, the role of nano-sized

fillers in determining the hybrid polymeric composites is still unclear. This project aims to provide reliable

material data for characterise the wear properties of polymer composites filled with and without

nanoparticles. Further, the formation of transfer films with and without nanofillers will be particularly

investigated. It can be considered as a first step towards a new generation high performance wear resistance

polymeric nanocomposites.

Figure 3. Camshaft journal bearings in a diesel fuel injection pump (upper left: view into a real pump; upper

right schematic, three dimensional drawing of the bearings’ position); Courtesy of Robert Bosch GmbH,Stuttgart, Germany (modified)

Camshaft Journal Bearings

Enhancement of Injection Pressure and

therefore of Engine‘s Degree of Efficiency

Operating

http://www.manager-magazin.de/magazin/artikel/0,2828,342084-2,00.html



Dr Matthew ClearyRoom S513, ME Bldg , [email protected]

Title: Modelling of NOx emissions from the burning of coal and biomass

The cofiring of coal and biomass can reduce CO2 emissions from electricity generationand also our reliance on fossil fuels. However, due to composition differences between

coal and biomass, technical problems such variations in toxic gas emissions can arise

when the biomass fraction rises above just a few percent. But with careful analysis and

plant design, the addition of biomass can lead simultaneous reductions of global and

local pollutants. We will develop quality computational combustion models to address

this issue. The models will be accurate and affordable so as to provide valuable

fundamental tools to assist both engineering designers and operators of electricity

generating plant.

This project will focus on prediction of NOx from a single coal and/or biomass particle

undergoing combinations of evaporation, pyrolysis and char reactions. It will involve

implementation of the models into a numerical solver such as Matlab and validation of

the predictions against available experimental data.

Suitable for Honours Thesis or Engineering Project students.








Title: Computational fluid dynamics of swirl stabilised flames

Due to high mass throughput rates, modern gas turbine combustors operate very closeto the point of flame blowoff. Avoidance of blowoff is the critical concern in combustor

design as it can lead to complete loss of power. Swirl stabilisers are commonly used to

hold the flame in place and minimise flame length. Due to environmental concerns and

finite oil supplies, there is increasing use of exotic fuels with vastly different

combustion properties. Fuel flexible gas turbines are in demand but the stabilisation

mechanisms designed for conventional fuels are not always suitable and simple fuel

substitution can lead to catastrophic failure. Gas turbine designers such as General

Electric and Rolls Royce are increasingly using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to

improve their designs.

The aim of this thesis is to perform a CFD model of a swirl stabilised flame, make

comparison to experimental data and explore the sensitivity to changes in the fuel.

Suitable for Honours Thesis students only.










Title: Dispersion of pulmonary drugs in inhaler devices and the respiratory tract

Pulmonary drug delivery via inhaled powders is an efficient form of therapy for a rangeof diseases. Although inhalers are part of a multi-billion dollar industry, currently

available dry powder inhalers are unable to ensure consistent dose delivery to the lungs.

Improvements will rely on improved computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling to

gain a better understanding of the powder dispersion and de-agglomeration.

The project will involve the development of models for particle de-agglomeration via a

statistical population balance equation approach and comparison against idealised

laboratory data. Two projects are available: one will concentrate on turbulent dispersion

and deagglomeration and the other on deagglomeration by mechanical impaction.

Suitable for Honours Thesis students only.

Title: WhaleCam 1 – development of real-time infrared image processing tools

This final year research project is associated with ongoing research surrounding

minimisation of ship-strike during the annual migration of whales up the Sydney coast

by means of infrared detection and whale track predictions.

The aim of this particular project is to develop real-time software to recognise whale

spouts and breaches on infrared images and to distinguish whales from other objects

such as ships and lesser craft.








Figure: Which of the above infrared images shows a whale spout? See http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/gwhale/Thermography.html for the answer!

Title: WhaleCam 2 – development of real-time whale track prediction software

This final year research project is associated with ongoing research surrounding

minimisation of ship-strike during the annual migration of whales up the Sydney coast

by means of infrared detection and whale track predictions.

The aim of this particular project is to develop real-time software to predict whale

tracks using infrared images as initial and boundary conditions. The whale track

predictions could be used by shipping to avoid collisions and reduce whale injury and

death.


http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/gwhale/Thermography.html






The Australi an Centre for I nnovation and International

Competi tiveness, Facul ty of Engineeri ng & I T

Un ive rs i ty of Sydney 2006.

John Currie

Tel 02 9351 5672 Fax 02 9351 3974 Email: [email protected]

INNOVATION

Topics will be finalised in consultation with the student and can be

selected from the following areas:

*leadership and the development of engineering managers - the

development of managers as leaders to enhance organizational

effectiveness is crucial in times of change. This topic will involve

students understanding the theory of leadership and its practical

application in engineering management.

*management of organisational change - the need to maintain

competitiveness means that change is the organisational norm. This

topic will investigate the factors and conditions that impact on change

in strategy, operations or projects that allow managers to make more

effective choices.

*organisational learning and knowledge management - this topic will

examine the readiness of engineer managers to undertake the

management of learning and knowledge in organisations, leading to abetter understanding of the factors necessary to generate effective

organisational outcomes.

*human resource development - career development for C21

professionals will mean inevitable job and career changes. This topic

will investigate the development of engineering careers,






organisational career planning and the personal and skill

development necessary for the development of successful careers.

*management of industrial research, innovation and technology

development - Competitiveness through new technology and productdevelopment is a cornerstone of business success. This topic will

examine the factors that lead to success (and failure) in the

technology/product development process.

*gender equity/women in engineering - A previous legal decision has

focused attention on the inequality of working conditions for women in

engineering. This topic will examine the factors necessary for women

to enjoy successful careers in engineering, the factors that inhibit this,

and the implications for organisational competitiveness.

*Engineering Education#1 - the promotion of Mechanical,

Mechatronic and Aeronautical Engineering in schools - This topic will

involve investigating the relevance of the HSCʼs “Engineering

Studies” curriculum as a precursor to Engineering at University, and

whether the Aeromech degree program successfully builds on this

prior learning. It will also include how Aeromech can support

Engineering Studies in an attempt to encourage more students to

consider future careers in engineering.

*Engineering Education#2 – 2011 was the EA Year of Humanitarian

Engineering. This topic will seek to examine the extent to which

ideas of humanitarian engineering and social justice are utilised in

Aeromech curriculum and teaching , and how these ideas are, or

could be, utilised to enhance student learning and development of

graduate attributes.

* Attitudes to professional engineering - This topic will examine the

origins and the development of perceptions and understandings as to

what comprises professional engineering practice and its

appropriateness to both individuals and society. It is aimed at both

existing professionals and student engineers.



Supervisor: Dr. Matthew Dunn ([email protected] ),

Rm S 505 (Mech. Eng.)

I am offering a number of topics in energy related areas including, but not limited

to: combustion, fluid mechanics and heat transfer, solar reactors, heating ventilation

and air conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration. Some samples of the topics I am

offering are detailed below. Please book an appointment with me to discuss furtherand to find out about additional topics not outlined below. Most projects can be

tailored to take advantage of particular skills and interests in areas such as

mechanical design, practical experiments, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics,

computational fluid dynamics (CFD), programming, chemistry, lasers, spectroscopy, physics and signal

processing. All topics are available for honours thesis students. Engineering project students are advised

to meet and discuss the suitability of a particular topic for an engineering project.

Oxy-fuel combustion as route towards carbon neutral power generation

Oxy-fuel combustion is a mode of combustion that

utilizes an oxidiser of oxygen and a diluent such ascarbon dioxide. Significant further developments

in the understanding and prediction of oxy-fuel

combustion are necessary for the development of

next generation combustion cycles that allow

carbon capture processes such as clean coal and

natural gas power generation technologies. This

project will seek to build upon recently obtained

experimental results to further understand the

flame stability, flame extinction and radiant

emissions in oxyfuel flames. Both experiments

utilising advanced laser diagnostic techniques and

numerical modelling streams for this project are

available. Chemiluminescence image of a typical laboratory

scale oxy-fuel flame.

Stratified combustion

Stratified combustion is a hybrid combustion

mode that attempts to capture the favourable

stability characteristics of non-premixed

combustion whilst still possessing the low

pollutant emission characteristics of lean premixed combustion. Previous measurements

in stratified bluff body flames have indicated a

complex flame stabilisation mechanism in the

recirculation region that is still not completely

understood. Both numerical modelling and

experimental based streams are being offered.






Utilising high speed CMOS cameras for measurements in combustion

The use of high speed cameras in many popular

TV shows (MythBusters) and YouTube channels

(The Slow Mo Guys) is testament to insights

that can be obtained from viewing events at highspeed. Recent applications of high speed CMOS

cameras to combustion applications have

revealed many new insights into transient

combustion phenomena. This project will focus

on the application of high speed CMOS cameras

to combustion applications where quantitative

measurements are desired. A particular emphasis

of this project will be to extend the use of high

speed imaging to go beyond feature tracking to

the analysis of temporally varying quantities

such as temperature and fuel concentration.

Flame thermometry using SiC wires and ceramic phosphors

The measurement of flame temperature in high

pressure and high temperature environments is a

challenging task. Any viable measurement

technique needs to be able to measure the flame

temperature with both high spatial and temporal

accuracy and precision. This project will explorethe use of silicon carbide wire to measure gas

phase temperature and laser induced

phosphorescence from rare earth doped ceramics

to measurement the wall temperature in optically

harsh environments.

High voltage assisted lean premixed combustion

Lean premixed combustion has been shown to be a promising method to obtain low pollutant levels andincreased fuel efficiency in many combustion applications such as gas turbines and internal combustion

engines. However obtaining a stable and reliable lean premixed flame is challenging and such flames are

often subject to undesirable oscillations that can prove to be catastrophic for the combustion device. This

project aims to experimentally explore and understand the effects of applying high voltages to extend the

stability limits and dampen the flame transfer function in both laminar and turbulent lean premixed

flames. Laser diagnostic imaging of selected species will also be applied to understand the changes in the

flame structure when high voltages are applied.



Active heat transfer technology

The ability to adequately cool high power

density devices such as CPUs is becoming a

major limitation to further advances in many

applications. By utilizing active heat transfertechnology whereby the heat transfer component

is a non-stationary rotating component, the need

for an external fan is eliminated and

significantly increased heat transfer rates can be

achieved compared to standard fan and passive

heat sink methods. The aim of this project is to

develop a detailed description of active heat

transfer technology realised through the

combination of heat pipe technology and a

multiple disk Tesla type pump. The success of

and optimisation of such a device relies on

developing an adequate understanding of the

heat transfer and fluid mechanics between

narrowly spaced rotating disks.

Solar fuels and solar reactors

Solar energy is an abundant energy source that is being investigated as a source to drive industrial energy

intensive processes such as the formation of hydrocarbon fuels (such as Diesel and jet A fuel) from water,

CO2 and air. Whilst this may initially seem ridiculous from a thermodynamic perspective, in that the

formation of fuel from combustion products is highly endothermic process, they key point to understand

here is that all of the energy to drive the reaction is delivered from the sun and is essentially free. This

project will leverage high powered lasers to allow the simulation of very high irradiances similar to thosefound in large solar heliostats (10 000 suns) in the laboratory. The influence of irradiance levels relevant

to solar reactors will be examined using laser diagnostics with a particular emphasis on soot, particle,

aerosol and droplet behaviour under these very high irradiance levels.

The role of LED’s in fluid mechanics and combustion diagnostics

In the past 40 years lasers have made an enormous impact in advancing the experimental fields of fluid

mechanics and combustion. Given the recent rapid developments in high power light emitting diode

(LEDs) technology, LEDs are poised to deliver a new wave of advances in experimental fluid mechanicsand combustion. Whilst LEDs will never replace lasers in many experiments, there are many new

applications that can capitalise on the desirable properties of LEDs such as their wide ranges of spectral

bandwidths, variable temporal pulse width, high repetition rates and their ability to be employed in a

clusters due to their cost being potentially 4-5 orders of magnitude cheaper than an equivalent laser. This

project will employ and evaluate experimental techniques based on LEDs to explore and understand fluid

mechanic and combustion related phenomena. This topic is best suited to a student with a keen interest

and skills in electronics.



Second generation biofuels as alternative transportation fuels

Second generation biofuels such as dimethyl

ether (DME), are a promising renewable

alternative transportation fuel for the future as

they do not require the use of food crops fortheir production. Measurements in biofuel

flames have indicated significantly lower

emissions of pollutants such as soot compared to

conventional fuels. However biofuels such as

DME are far more complex in terms of their

chemical mechanisms, flame behaviour and the

application of laser diagnostic measurements

when compared to more standard fuels such as

methane. This project will utilize both laminar

and turbulent flames to investigate the flame

structure in terms of the established chemical

mechanisms, transport properties and the

behaviour of these fuels in turbulent flames.

Both experimental and numerical streams are

offered in this project.

Formation of nanoparticles in conventional and Biodiesel flames

Nanoparticles are renowned for featuring an extreme bio-reactivity, this bio-reactivity has recently been

exploited in cancer drug delivery using nanoparticle encapsulated cancer drug delivery. The extreme bio-

reactivity of nanoparticles can also be an extreme health hazard if the nanoparticles are formed in flames

or other chemical processes resulting in particles with an extreme toxicity and carcinogenic properties.

Combustion formed nanoparticles from Diesel engines are becoming an increasing concern and

correspondingly modern emission regulations such as in Euro 5 and Euro 6 attempt to regulate their

emission. Biodiesels are a promising alternative to fossil fuel derived Diesel in terms of sustainability and

carbon cycle neutrality, however there is significant debate and conflicting experimental evidence as to if

Biodiesels enhance or inhibit nanoparticle production when combusted. This project will the investigate

the nanoparticle formation and sooting properties of different fuels including biodiesels to determine the

presence, size and quantity of nanoparticles and soot using advanced laser diagnostic techniques.

Application of CFD in comfort air-conditioning

The application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to comfort air conditioning is relatively new

and little experimental data is available to back up the model results. The recent development of the

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) laboratory at the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning at the

University of Sydney provides an ideal platform to validate and explore computational modelling of

comfort with a sound experimental database. This project will work in collaboration with current projects

and experiments being run in the IEQ lab to form CFD models of these experiments and explore the

capability of current CFD models to faithfully explore the parameter space necessary to analyse,

understand and design air-conditioning systems to optimise occupant comfort and minimise energy usage.



MECHANICAL DESIGN/SUSTAINABILITY BASED THESES

Supervisor: Dr Rod Fiford – [email protected]

1. THESIS – Engineers Without Borders Research Projects

I am willing to supervise students undertaking Engineers Without Borders research projects

(http://www.ewb.org.au/explore/initiatives/ugradresearch/researchprojects). Interested

students need to come and talk with me about the projects, then register and apply via the

Engineers Without Borders webpage.

2.

THESIS – Mechanical Design – FEA & Optimisation of roller skate plate design

This thesis project involves the use of FEA (ANSYS) to optimise the design of roller skate plates

(minimize weight, explore new concepts) and to investigate the relationship between cushion

hardness, kingpin pre-load and kingpin angle on the dynamic behavior of the skates.

Roll-Line DB-12 Plate

3.

THESIS or PROJECT – History & Philosophy of Engineering – Focus on Ethics

This topic involves investigating the current views and attitudes of Australian engineering students

towards engineering ethics and how this relates to past and current expectations of Australian

society. It is expected that this study will draw heavily on published research, case studies and

surveys/interviews with current engineering students.

http://www.ewb.org.au/explore/initiatives/ugradresearch/researchprojects






4. THESIS – Biomimetics

Biomimetics involves the study of naturally occurring biological structures and application of these

structures to engineering designs. This thesis aims to investigate unique biomechanical

macroscopic structures and morphology from plants that may be of use in engineering; analyze

these structures with FEA and then construct and mechanically test 3D printed models based on

these biological structures.

Plant seed “bur” inspiration for Velcro

(http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bur_Macro_BlackBg.jpg)

5. THESIS OR PROJECT– Sustainable Engineering – Choose your own topic

I am willing to supervise students that have a genuine interest in sustainability, as applied to

Engineering technologies. Please come and see me if you have an innovative idea you think might

be worth investigating, these projects require self-motivated students.

6.

THESIS or PROJECT–

Mechanical Design–

Choose your own topic

I am willing to supervise students that have a unique idea requiring mechanical design. Please come

and see me if you have an innovative idea you think might be worth investigating, these projects

require self-motivated students.



Supervisor: Dr. Ahmad Jabbarzadeh

Room S311, Bldg J07, ph: 9351 2344

[email protected] These following research projects are available for Thesis A/B (AMME 4111/4112)

1- Tribology (experiments)(3 student)Tribology is the science that deals with friction, lubrication and wear. The objective of

this project is to measure the tribological properties of soft materials used in biomedical

applications. You will use tribometers and rheometers to characterize the materials andfind the relationship between the frictional/mechanical properties of the material and its

chemical/physical composition.

2 Polymer crystallization (experiments)(1 student)

Understanding polymer crystallization is essential for polymer processing industry. Due

to complex nature of polymers their mechanical properties are dependant on theirmorphology and degree of crystallinity. In semi-crystalline polymer materials, crystalline

patches of molecules are imbedded within amorphous (non-crystalline) matrix.

Understanding the degree of crystallinity of the end product and its dependence on

cooling rate, additives, flow conditions and molecular structure is very important todesign efficient processing techniques. You will use rheometers and microscopy to

investigate some of these interesting problems.

3 Effect of nucleating agents in crystallization kinetics-Simulations(1 student) The microstructure of crystallized polymers can be significantly affected by presence of

additives of various shape and size used for various purposes. In this project simulationsof low molecular weight hydrocarbons will be conducted to study the effect of shape and

size of particles in nucleation process during crystallization. The microstructure

(morphology) of such systems and the rate of crystallization are believed to be affected by characteristic of the solid particles in the polymer melt. Polymer processing and nano-

composites are areas that would benefit from the results of this project. Two research

projects are available in this area to use molecular dynamics simulations to study thesechallenging problems. Programming is not required; you will use an existing computer

program to run the simulations.

4 Flow Induced Crystallization of nano-particles (1 student)

Simulations will be conducted to understand the crystallization of polymeric nano-

particle subjected to flow. The aim is to understand the effect of nano-particle size, flowconditions and cooling rate on the crystallization kinetics and morphology of the

polymers and comparison with the bulk crystallization. We will also explore the

possibility to study this phenomenon using experimental means.






5-Computational nano-fluidics(2 students)

Nano-fluidics is the science of flow at the nano-scale. There is considerable interest inthis area due to advances made in nano science and engineering. The behaviour of flow at

nano-scale where the size of pores and channels are comparable to the size of molecules

could be very different from that of macroscopic flows. For example carbon nanotubescan be manufactured with sizes ranging from a fraction of nanometer to a few hundrednanometers. They can be used for transportation of particles and liquids in nano-scale

applications. Experimental measurements and understanding the flow behaviour at such

small scales is a daunting task.

In computational nano-fluidics molecular dynamics simulations are used as one of the

tools for analysing the nanoscopic local properties and flow conditions in such situations.There are two projects available in this area for two interested students. Students working

on these projects will need to use an existing computer program to simulate the flow in

nano-channels and nano-pores. They should have a basic understanding of fundamental

physics, fluid mechanics and Newtonian dynamics. Some basic understandings arerequired about molecular structures such as atomic lattice structure and inter-atomic force

potentials such as van der Waals forces. The research projects are computational so

interest in working with computers is essential. You will be using existing software and

computer programming will not be necessarily required.

5) Molecular dynamics simulation of flow over cylindrical and spherical particles in

nano-scale. In this project the student will simulate the flow of a Newtonian fluid in a rectangular

nano-channel over a cylindrical obstacle. The boundary conditions, pressure, stresses and

velocity field will be calculated using molecular dynamics simulations. A few scenarios

will be investigated and effect of molecular size and ratio of particle to channel size onthe flow conditions will be analyzed.

5B) Simulation of flow through carbon nano-tubesThis project requires some algorithmic development for molecular dynamics simulation

of flow through carbon nano-tubes. Only flow simulations of simple fluids made of soft

Lennard-Jones spheres will be conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of thealgorithm. You should have knowledge and passion in computer programming in

FORTRAN or C languages and working with computers.

6- Effect of surface topology on diffusion and spreading of liquids

(1 student)

Physical properties of surfaces including their topology play an important role in

spreading and diffusion of liquids that come into contact with them. Spreading of a liquid

drop and its diffusion on the surface are of significant importance in many processes suchas lubrication, surface induced diffusion, cell growth, and micro/nano fluidics. The

project will use simulations at the molecular level to investigate such a process. The

research projects are computational so interest in working with computers is essential.



You will be using existing software and computer programming will not be necessarily

required.

(a) (b)

Figure 1. Surfaces can be made liquid repelling (a) or liquid loving (b) by controllingtheir nano-scale topology.



Supervisor: A/Prof Michael Kirkpatrick

Room S422, Mechanical Engineering Building

phone: 9351 2675email: [email protected]

Application process I have a limited number of places for students and accept applications on a first come first

served basis. If you are interested in a project, drop by and have a chat. Once you are sureyou wish to apply, send me an email stating the project you are interested in. Do not send

me this email until you are sure you want to do the project .

Topics

Environmental Fluid Mechanics Laboratory Experiments (max 3 projects)(You will gain skills in: Fluid Mechanics / Environmental Engineering / Experimental Methods / Data Analysis and Processing)

I have three topics this year involving fluid mechanics based laboratory experiments.

1) An investigation of the destabilizing effects of river bends on density stratifiedriverine flow. This is part of an ongoing research project that aims to develop a better

scientific understanding of stratified river flows.2) An investigation of mixing and freshing in a strongly saline estuary due to inflow from

an upstream freshwater weir pond – this relates to a real situation in the Newcastle

area.

3) Development of a non-laser based particle image velocimetry flow visualization rig tobe used as an undergraduate laboratory experiment.

Topics 1) and 2) relate to my own primary research focus at the moment, namely turbulentmixing processes in rivers and estuaries with saline and/or thermal stratification. Stable

stratification inhibits vertical transport of oxygen and other compounds through the water

column in rivers, estuaries and other water bodies such as lakes and reservoirs. As a result,persistent stratification leads to poor water quality, resulting in fish-kills, disruption ofaquatic ecosystems, and eruptions of toxic cyanobacterial algal blooms. Water management

authorities are keen for more research to be done on the processes that lead to the

generation and breakdown of stable stratification in rivers. This will allow them to developriver management practices to ensure that the health of Australia’s rivers and their

associated ecosystems are sustained into the future.

Requirements: These projects involve using existing experimental rigs, however almost allprojects will require that you extend or modify the rigs. You will be expected to design and

build most of the modifications yourself, as well as designing and undertaking the

experiments yourself. There will also be some Matlab programming and image processingrequired.

Renewable Energy Projects(You will gain skills in: Renewable Energy / Mechanical Engineering / Design / Modelling / Construction / Experimental Methods / Data Analysis and Processing)

If you have a renewable energy related project in mind, come and see me and we candiscuss whether or not it will be feasible. These projects typically involve designing, buildingand testing a renewable energy device. For this type of project, it is important that you have

the skills and facilities to build the device yourself (eg your backyard shed, lounge room or

the student workshop). The design process will usually involve some modelling of the device.You will then compare the model predictions with the actual performance of the device.







Computational Fluid Dynamics Projects(You will gain skills in: Computational Fluid Dynamics / Fluid Mechanics / Numerical Methods / Data Analysis and Processing)

If you have a project in mind that primarily involves modelling of an interesting fluid flow,

come and see me and we can discuss whether or not it will be feasible. My expertise lies

mainly in incompressible engineering flows including flow over vehicles and wings, air-conditioning simulations and environmental flows.

Engineers Without Borders Projects(You will gain skills in: Development Engineering / Design / Modelling / Energy / Water)

The University of Sydney is an official partner of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Australia.As part of this partnership, EWB will offer at least two thesis projects for University ofSydney engineering students across all engineering disciplines. EWB projects typically

involve working to find solutions to real problems facing people living in remote or poorcommunities either in Australia or overseas. There is an emphasis on the use of appropriate

technology and sustainable development. Current EWB project topics are listed at

http://www.ewb.org.au/explore/initiatives/ugradresearch/researchprojects.






Figure 1 –

Hierarchical Al alloys with improved strength andelongation

Enabling next generation high-strength and light-weight Al alloys:

Discovering new mechanisms for strength Honours Thesis A/B project

$4500 summer scholarship also available, 12 weeks (Dec-Feb)

Project description:

In 2010 we produced bulk nanostructured

and hierarchical aluminium alloys exhibiting

record mechanical properties for strength –

Figure 1 and 2, Liddicoat et al., Nature

Communications, 2010, Volume 1, Issue 6, p.

63-69A.

As part of an ongoing project to develop new

alloys and study the origins of strength, one

summer scholarship and one honours project

is being offered on the following topic:

High-resolution mapping of

nanoscale grain boundary formation

To understand the grain-boundary to

strength relationship, students will be trainedto use state of the art research instruments.

Includes CAD / CAM work. May include using

and/or developing feature-recognition

algorithms. Projects scope will be managed

to produce journal publication at conclusion

of research.

Would suit Honours Thesis A/B students.

Project relevant to commercial/industrial

employers.

Upon successful completion, Ph.D. projects /

scholarships possible.

Contact to find out more:

Dr Peter Liddicoat

(02) 90366414

[email protected]

Office 328, Madsen Building Figure 2 – Nanoscale resolution mapping of grains an

structures within hierarchical 7075 Al alloy



Thesis Topics (2015)

Dr. H-Y Liu, S519, JO7,[email protected], PH: 93517148

Dr. Jiefeng Gao, S514, JO7,

[email protected], PH: 93517145Dr. Weifu Sun, S521, JO7,[email protected], PH: 93517146

Experimental and Numerical Studies on Mechanical Properties of Nanofiller

Modified Polymers and Polymer Matrix Fibre Composites

Polymer and polymer composites have been widely used in many engineeringapplications, such as aircraft. However, some undesirable properties in these materials

and their composites have limited their more extensive applications. The proposed

research aims to experimentally and numerically study the mechanical behavious of

Nanofiller Modified Polymers and Polymer Matrix Fibre Composites.

The project can accommodate 3-4 students working as a group or individually on

different types of fillers. This research project is suitable for Honours Thesis only. Basic

knowledge of solid mechanics and Finite Element Analysis (ABAQUS or ANSYS orother FEA software) are preferred.

Additional requirement: The students, who are interested in this topic, should be able tostart the research before March 2015.

Tasks:

1. Composites sample preparation (Nanocomposites, JO7)2.

Mechanical property measurement/data analysis (Testing Lab, JO7)

3. FE analyses of the stress field.

Applications of polymers as adhesive and bulk materials.












FSAE Thesis Topics 2015

THESIS & PROJECT IN FSAE

Supervisor: Dr Andrei Lozzi,

room S317, [email protected]

2014 Team leaders

Harley Boskovic ([email protected]), Michael Turton

([email protected]) , FSAE workshop S116.

You are invited to apply to join the FSAE team for 2015 as a Thesis or Project student. What is

presented here are 14 topics which we are aiming to make improvements in next year.

A FSAE team is essentially a small company that has to design, manufacture and market a small

competition car, all in one year. This task provides real-world engineering challenges and

experiences. It requires a good deal of work, but it will begin to make you into a competent

engineer, and provide you with excellent credentials when you apply for professional engineering

positions.

Our students learn how to actually work towards a consensus and how to deal with errors and

oversights. They discover that although some designs may be better than others, none are perfect,

and usually what is required is the resolution of many almost trivial problems.

The team invents, designs and analyses concepts, then manufactures parts in a well-planned and

regulated workshop, under very similar conditions that they will encounter when working as a

design engineer, together with technicians and machinists.
















At the annual FSAE competition, unlike what one encounters in the industrial world, competitors are

happy to discuss their designs and results. We can learn a huge amount by examining otherstudent’s concepts and executions. We take the view that what others do are experiments we need

not to repeat, but from which we must learn.

If you are interested and would like to know more, you may contact me, and or the current team

leaders at the locations mentioned above. Furthermore, if you are not planning to do a thesis next

year, but are interested in any of these projects, and would like to get involved, please get in touch

all the same. We are always on the look out for enthusiastic junior members to contribute to the

team.




THESIS TOPICS FOR FSAE 2015:

The following topics are current areas for improvement, where development is necessary. These

have been identified as a result of sub standard performance- at either competitions or track days,

or in terms of system integration. The 2014 car has not been fully tested at track days and the

competition, and so all of the weaknesses have not yet fully been exposed. However, these are the

areas which we know we definitely need to focus on.

ESSENTIALS:

- Steering

- Ergonomics

- Chassis

- Suspension

- Tyres

- Pedal Box

- Bodywork/ Aero

- Wiring Loom

- CAN Bus

- PE3 Engine Control Unit

- Dynamometer development

DESIRABLES:

- Tyre temperature sensors

- Force model verification through strain gauges

- Powered Gearshifter

- Lap and points simulator

These topics all align with our overall goals for 2015, which are to improve on the areas which we

have struggled with in the past: ergonomics and engine. Many other areas of the car will need re-

designing as a result.

In each section we have listed a few details of why we are developing the area, what we want to

achieve, and who you would be working with.

In general we determine topics for development based on team goals for the future and

shortcomings from the past. These are selected by team leaders, senior members and academic

supervisor. If there is a topic that you are interested in that does not appear on the list, please

approach us and we will discuss it.




Steering System:

Over the years, we have seen several designs for the steering system being trialled and implemented. Our

current system consists of an input shaft to a 90 degree bevel gear box, an output shaft to a rack and pinion.

Currently, our steering system suffers from a significant amount of slop and is relatively difficult to assemble

and adjust. The cause of both of these is mainly due to misalignment between the input and output shafts and

the rack and pinion (welding the mounts on the chassis distorts with sub standard jigging).

Task outline:

-

Work with chassis and ergonomics people to determine a comfortable steering wheel position

-

Investigate and implement a design with reduced slop

-

Ensure steering design complies with the chassis leg room template and satisfies all SAE scrutineering

rules

You will be working closely with the design members working on the: chassis, ergo, suspension, wheel

package.

Current steering system Steering mount jig in position

Ergonomics:

Ergonomics is an important part of any design, but is particularly vital to the design of a racecar. The primary

motivation is that a comfortable driver who has good visibility is a fast and consistent driver. 2/3 of the pointsat the competition are allocated to the dynamic events where the car competes in acceleration, skid pad,

autocross and endurance, and it is vital that we have driver who can perform well and consistently.

Task outline:

Utilise/modify existing ergonomics rig to develop a comfortable environment for the driver:

-

Driver position (comfort and visibility). This involves many variables such as recline angle, and leg and

arm positioning

-

Steering, shifter, pedal box and headrest positioning

-

Shifter design

-

Seat design




You will be working closely with the following design members: chassis, steering, pedal box, composites.

Prototype ergonomics rig currently in construction

Chassis:

The current chassis has system integration problems, particularly with with regards to steering and the leg

room template. Driver visibility is also one area that we would like to improve.

Task outline:

-

Redesign the front of the chassis (main roll hoop forwards- side impact structure, cockpit, front roll

hoop, frh bracing, front bulkhead)

-

Must fit steering system, pedal box, electronics, with suitable strong points to accept loads from

suspension points

-

Critical to comply to all fsae regulations (cockpit template, legroom template, minimum strength, etc.)

-

Design chassis jigging system for accurate manufacture

-

Investigate alternate tube notching methods (eg laser cutting)

There are not many system designers that the chassis designer will not have to work with. The main ones

would be: suspension, steering, ergonomics, pedal box, powertrain, bodywork.

2014 Chassis showing tube profiles




Suspension:

Currently the team uses independent suspension- non-parallel, non-equal wishbones. This system is used

primarily for flexibility of kinematic design, and packaging. Wheels are sprung by coil springs, actuated by

pushrods and bellcranks on all 4 wheels. U-type anti roll bars (ARBs) are on each axle.

With a redesign of the front chassis, we will need to ensure that suspension geometry is designed desirable

wheel movement in mind (working with the TTC data), and that suspension points are mounted at strong node

points of the chassis.

A feasibility study should also be conducted in to direct acting springs (ie no pushrods or bellcranks). This

would reduce the number of components, overall system complexity and mass, but at the cost of less

favourable wheel motion ratios.

Task outline:

-

In conjunction with tyre analyst and chassis designer, design suspension points for the new chassis

-

Investigate feasibility of direct acting springs

Suspension kinematic design using Optimum K software

Tyres:

Tyres are the most important part of the car in terms of performance. You can have the best suspension,

engine, or brakes in the world but without tyres to transmit forces to the road they are useless. Currently the

team runs 13" Hoosier slick tyres with 7.5” width.

The Tyre Testing Consortium (TTC) in the USA conducts tests on a range of tyres commonly used FSAE racing

tyres, and makes the experimental results available to FSAE teams. This data (including lateral/ longitudinal

forces generated by the tyre for a range of slip angles, slip ratios, camber angles, normal loads, etc.) is an

invaluable resource as it allows suspension geometries to be designed to suit the particular tyre without the

need for very extensive amount of track testing. This is a very rare situation in all forms of motorsport-

typically tyre data is not made available.

At FSAE competitions, 3 of the 4 dynamics events (skid pad, acceleration, autocross), are undertaken without

much time for the tyres to warm up. Thus an area of research and experimentation for an enthusiastic thesis

member would be in smaller tyres (6” width or 10” diameter), and determining whether the faster warm up

rates would be of an overall advantage in these events, at the expense of reduced absolute grip.




Task outline:

- Acquire and interpret latest TTC data

- Work with suspension and steering designers to obtain wheel movements to best utilise the tyre

- Design and implement tyre temperature sensor brackets

- Experiment on track with smaller tyres

-

Research in to feasibility of 10” tyres

Hoosier R25B 20.0 x 7.5-13 Raw TTC data used in tyre selection and suspension design

Pedal Box:

The pedal box is a key part of the driver controls, and ensuring comfort for a range of different sized drivers,

and proper functionality is key. The current pedal box design is a fabricated and welded sheet metal frame,which causes numerous problems with distortion, and difficulty in adjusting along the slide rails. For the next

design, either a better jigging system or a machined design should be developed.

In an aim to improve cockpit ergonomics and driver visibility, the positioning of the pedal box and all of its

components will need to be re-evaluated.

Task outline:

-

Investigate machined design for pedal box frame

-

Develop ergonomic pedal box position

- Reduce mass of system compared to current and reduce component count

You will be working primarily with the brakes and chassis designers.

Pedal box assembled and installed




Body Work:

A redesign of the frame will necessitate a bodywork redesign. Currently our bodywork is comprised of a

nosecone (in two halves), side panels (cover side of cockpit) and a sidepod (radiator duct). Current nosecone

design is essentially a bluff body, and we require a profile with lower drag. This would suit a student with an

interest in aerodynamics.

Construction of the nosecone is done by composite lay up into a female mould. Female mould is created by lay

up on a prepared machined male plug. All but the machining is done by students in house. Investigation of

alternate methods (eg sheet metal), and simplification of this process would be an important part of this study.

Task outline:

- Investigate faster method of nosecone manufacture

-

Design of nosecone (CFD if interested), in collaboration with chassis design, ensuring compliance with

fsae rules

-

Manufacture of nosecone

You will be working with chassis designer.

Nosecone design used 2011, 2012, 2013

Wiring Loom:

A wiring loom is essential for the running of our car, in terms of engine operation, engine health monitoring,

and vehicle data acquisition. Seeing as the loom must be carried around on the car during driving, minimising

the mass is important.

Required skills/ interests: electronics, DAQ

Fuse box and ECU installed under seat




CAN Bus:

The use of a CAN bus system would reduce the overall mass of the wiring loom, through using a twisted pair

running to each corner of the car. Typically the wheel package of the car contains numerous sensors (wheel

speed, brake temperature, tyre temperature x 3) and so there is potential to simplify the wiring in this area

greatly. Currently the FSAE team has a prototype CAN bus system designed and built. Software for this systemneeds to be developed further, and the whole system needs to be implemented and tested.

Required skills/ interests: electronics, DAQ

CAN node PCBs V1 Prototype CAN node

PE3 Engine Control Unit:

For many years the FSAE team has been using an OEM Walbro ECU to control our Aprilia RXV 550 V Twin

engine. Due to FSAE rules mandating the use of a 20mm inlet restrictor (ie all air into the engine must pass

through this single throat), air flow is significantly impeded, and stock ignition and fuel maps (as tuned by

Aprilia) do not work. In addition air flow through the engine is affected by different sizing and routing of intake

and exhaust systems on our FSAE car as compared to the bike. Thus tuning of ignition timing and fuelling is

needed to achieve engine operation with acceptable power and fuel economy.

Tuning the engine has proven difficult due to the high level of user ‘unfriendliness’ of the Walbro ECU, and the

difficulty of finding a dynamometer to use. An in house dynamometer is being developed as a solution to the

latter issue, and a Performance Electronics ECU has been purchased as a potential solution to the former. The

main advantage of such a unit would be the ability to ‘live’ tune, whereas the Walbro required an engine shut

down, map change, and reflash to change any settings. The current issue is the pulse to sync function not

operating correctly, meaning the ECU does not know where the engine is in its operating cycle.

The scope of this thesis would be to solve this problem by either programming the pulse to sync function, or

through the implementation of a cam position sensor. Beginning to tune the current engine package would be

the next step, with a strong emphasis on improving the fuel economy. The suitable candidate would work withat least one other person to help with engine servicing and installation.

Required skills/ interests: Electronics, sensors, engines.

New PE3 ECU (left) and OEM Walbro unit (right)




Dynamometer development:

Dynamometers are machines used to load an engine, and tune for different operating conditions, in one

indoor, convenient, location with repeatable conditions. Our prototype chassis dynamometer has had a frame

built and the rollers acquired. A purchase of various hardware and software has been made, and this

equipment will need to be implemented and developed in order to advance our engine development.

This project would suit someone with an interest in engines, mechanical design, and software.

Again somebody working in this area will be in close collaboration with the team members working on the ECU

and engine.

Current chassis dynamometer frame and rollers

Tyre Temperature Sensors:

Being able to obtain tyre temperature data would be useful for vehicle dynamics tuning and design. Out of the

4 dynamic events at the competition, 3 (skid pad, acceleration, autocross) are very short in duration and as

such there is minimal time for the tyres to reach operating temperature. Being able to measure how long the

tyres take to reach their operating temperature, and experiment with different driving styles, suspension set

ups, and different tyres, would give us an advantage. In addition to this, having multiple sensors per tyre would

enable us to visualise the tyre’s footprint in cornering, and tune to improve as a result.

Currently we require a tough design (to withstand rocks, gravel, etc), and new sensors and boards.

Required skills/ interests: sensors, DAQ

2012 front left tyre temperature sensors installed




Force model verification through strain gauges:

During the design of the car, solid mechanics principles are based off force models, which in turn use peak and

average acceleration data. Being able to verify these force models, through the use of strain gauges on various

components of the car, would serve as a very useful tool to developing the models. Any over designed parts

can also be revealed, with weight savings to be had through a redesign for more accurate loads.

To start with, simple load cases (tension/ compression- such as on suspension links) would be examined, and if

successful, later utilised for more complex load cases (bending/ torsion/ combined loads- eg rear bulkhead).

There is room here for a 2 person thesis, with one focussing on strain gauge and DAQ, and the other on the

solid mechanics and mechanical design.

Required skills/ interests: strain gauges, DAQ, solid mechanics.

Powered Gearshifter:

The use of either a pneumatic or electronic shifter would reduce times to shift gears dramatically, allow the

driver to keep hands on the steering wheel (in the case of paddles), and improve cockpit ergonomics.

Additional gains could also be had in reducing driver mental workload through incorporating an ignition cut

feature to allow full throttle upshifts. This would require collaboration with people working on the ECU.

Required skills/ interests: mechanical/ mechatronic/ electrical design.

Lap and points simulator:

At the moment, all higher level design decisions in the team (ie what systems and components are chosen for

further development) are based mainly off a process of improving the weak areas. Whilst this process is logical

and progressive, we do not really know if the areas we are chasing are the ones that will give us the most

return possible. Developing a lap and points simulator gives us the ability to quantify the effects that changing

different systems has, and gives us direction to follow for our designs.

Developing a lap simulator would be the first step, whereby basic laws of physics are used to determine lap

times based off an imaginary, simplified vehicle on a simplified track. Different vehicle parameters are then

varied and the results analysed. Developing a points simulator would then link take this information and

estimate point score for a particular event.

Usyd already has one such simulator, so there is not a need to start completely from scratch. Many

assumptions and simplifications would need to be made, and whilst this simulator only predicts performance

in dynamic events (600 out of the 1000 points for the whole event), it would be an invaluable resource for

engineering design decisions.

Required skills/ interests: programming (Matlab or C)



UG Thesis topics for 2015

A R Masri, [email protected]

Thesis only

Project 1: Micro-combustion (up to two students) Micro-combustion is arelatively new field of

research that is fast

evolving due to interest inmicro-power generation

systems. Hydrocarbon

fuels are particularlyuseful here due to their

huge specific energy

which is about two orders

of magnitude higher thanthe best battery available.

The most difficult

problem is loss of flame

stability due to thermaland radical quenching.

This project studies the

interaction betweensurface and gas

chemistries using

configuration shown here.

Measurements are made for a variety of fuels and catalysts. Parallel calculations are alsoconducted using detailed chemical kinetics for the surface as well gaseous reactions.

These will be validated against measurements performed using gas sampling and

analysis.

Thesis only

Project 2a: Turbulent Propagating Flames (one student)This project is relevant for industrial safety, explosion risk

and internal combustion engines. The burning rate of

turbulent propagating flames is strongly affected by

turbulence which changes the structure of the flame front.The combustion chamber shown here is built to study flames

propagating from rest past baffle plates that generate

significant turbulence. Fast video images, velocity

measurements and laser induced fluorescence of hydroxylradicals (LIF-OH) will be made at various stages of flame

propagation. Processing the images to obtain an estimate of

dimensionless numbers and turbulence levels will be a focusof the project.







Project 2b: Turbulent Propagating Flames with stratification (one student)

This is a modified version of the combustion chamber sown here which is extended toinclude a secondary downstream chamber containing air. The mixture from the primary

chamber stratifies the flow into the secondary chamber while combustion is occurring.

The presence of obstacles will lead to further turbulence generation. The project involvesthe construction of the chamber along with initial testing and high-speed imaging of the propagating flames (using LIF-OH) at varying degrees of stratification.

Thesis only

Project 3: Transition from auto-ignition to premixed

flame propagation.This project is aimed at studying the temperature regime

over which fluid mixtures undergo a transition from auto-

ignition to premixed flame propagation. Auto-ignition is acritical process in diesel and homogeneous charge

compression ignition (HCCI) engines while premixed

flame propagation dominates processes in standard sparkignition engines. Both processes may exist in modern

engines. The model burner involves a fluid mixture

issuing in a co-flow of varying temperature as shown inthe opposite image. Measurements of temperature and

species concentration will be performed at various

experimental conditions.

Thesis only

Project 3a: Swirl stabilised flames (one

student) This mode of flame stabilisation is common in

industrial burners but the resulting turbulent flow

is very complex and difficult to calculate even in

the absence heat release. Large eddy simulation(LES) techniques are making significant

advances in this area but the preliminary finding

point to significant sensitivity of the calculationsto the condition in the boundary layers at the

burner’s surface. This project aims at studying

experimentally the effects of boundary layers on

flames stabilised on swirl burners similar to that

shown here. Measurements of the velocity andturbulence fields in the boundary layers of this

burner will be made.

Project 3b: Swirl stabilised spray jets and flames (one student) These complex flows are highly relevant in industrial applications such as boilers andfurnaces and may involve significant instabilities which affect the combustor’s



performance. A spray injector will be positioned in the central part of the burner and

swirl is applied to the surrounding air. High swirl numbers can be generated. The flow

and droplet fields will be measured for various levels of spray loadings. Flame stabilitycharacteristics will also be determined for the selection of flames for further

investigations.

Thesis only

Project 4: Biofuel sprays (one student)

Combustion of biofuels (or biofuel blends) in the form of sprayswill be more common in the future of many industrial applications

such as diesel engines, direct injection spark ignition engines, jet

propulsion units, furnaces and incinerators. The opposite burner isdesigned to study spray flows in a controlled environment in order

to resolve controlling physical processes such the interaction

between droplets and turbulence. The atomization, evaporation,

mixing, and combustion characteristics of spray jets and flames areimportant stages which remain only vaguely understood. Laser

diagnostic tools will be used to measure the velocity and

composition fields as well as the droplet number density and size

distribution in controlled spray flows.

Thesis only

Project 5: Stratified Combustion (one student) This is a new project aimed at studying the characteristics of stratified combustion under

conditions of high shear rates. This mode of

combustion is highly relevant in modern engines butremain vaguely understood particularly at high

turbulence levels. A new burner, consisting of two

concentric tubes feeding premixed fuel-air mixtures atdifferent equivalence ratios has been developed. Both

tubes are centred in a hot co-flowing stream of

combustion products. A schematic of this burner isshown here. The project will study the stability

features of this burner under different levels of

stratification.

Thesis onlyProject 6: Droplets/Particles in flows with temperature gradients (one student) This is a new project aimed at studying the dynamics of droplets and particles in

turbulent flows where a temperature gradient is imposed. It is envisaged that the localfluctuations in temperature will affect the local dissipation as well as evaporation rate of

particles. A simple rig will be constructed for this experiment where measurements of

velocity and temperature fields will be performed.



Simulating the Action of Sporting Equipment for MaximumPerformance

(Several potential honors projects)

Professor Grant Steven [email protected] [email protected]

e-mail for more information

Long before Finite Element Analysis was developed, people were participating in sports and as

competition intensified is became clear that for many sports, the equipment used played as

important a part in performance as did the athlete. With the use of modern materials and

manufacturing processes there is always scope for maximizing the performance of sporting

equipment. Traditionally improvements were incremental, as athletes fed-back suggestions to

manufacturers and new prototypes were built and tested. Given the cost of tooling for many of the

current manufacturing methods, carbon fibre with resin infusion to mention one, it is clear that such

build and test iterations are not as preferable given the potential of limited success and high cost.

Modern simulation techniques are capable of examining a “day–in –the-life” of an object and froman examination of the envelope of response the most sensitive regions can be detected. Iteration

on the design variables, provided they remain within any constraints, physical or otherwise, can be

incorporated to investigate their effect on performance. Methods such as Design of Experiments

(DOE) and Response Surface Analysis (RSA), genetic algorithms (GA) and Monte-Carlo Methods are

being increasingly applied to achieve optimisation goals

For many sports the outcome depends in the interaction between the sportsperson and the

equipment; boot with ball; bat with ball; bow and arrow, and so on. Previous research by my

students has looked at tennis, cricket, and soccer. Although interesting results were obtained and

valuable learning took place there are still many unanswered questions.

Pictures of ball impact in centre of tennis racquet and off-centre strike of cricket ball on bat.

Selecting this area for a project will involve selection of a sport, identification of desired

improvements, leaning non-linear transient Finite Element Analysis with contact and other

simulation skills.

-----------------------------------------

An innovative and exciting new product is about to be launched onto the global

market. There are challenges on how the technology of this product is described as well as

devising a marketing strategy. This research would suit a student who is doing a double

degree in Engineering and Commerce. Contact Professor Grant Steven([email protected] ) for more information.













Supervisor: Nicholas Williamson

Room S414, Mechanical Engineering Building

phone: 9351 3098

email: [email protected]

Thesis Projects in Thermodynamics or Fluid dynamics

1) Laboratory Investigation of the Natural Ventilation Heating and Cooling of the AMME Building.

The heating ventilation and cooling of a building can be modelled in a laboratory setting using

sources/sinks of fresh and saline water as a proxy for thermal heat flux. The aim of this project is to

produce a simple experimental rig representing the AMME building (J07) in the fluids laboratory using this

approach. The student would then be able to use dye visualisation and image capturing techniques to

obtain estimates of the temperature distribution in the building and suggest remedial measures to improve

airflow in our building.

(You will gain skills in: Fluid Mechanics / HVAC / Design and Commissioning of Experimental Rigs/

Experimental Methods / Data Analysis and Processing)

2) Laboratory Investigation of Mixing in Displacement Air-Conditioning- Fountain Flow/Negatively Buoyant

Jets

In displacement air-conditioning a situation can arise where a hot air jet is directed vertically upwards into

a cool room or a cool jet downwards into a warm room. In these situations buoyancy forces oppose the

inflow forming a kind of fountain like flow. If we understand the mixing between the fountain and theambient environment we can estimate the temperature distribution in the room and the turnover time for

ventilation. At present these attributes are poorly understood. This project will use an existing laboratory

rig to investigate these types of flows and aim to provide fundamental understanding of the flow regimes.

These flows are also important in other contexts. Erupting volcanoes also behave like a fountain flow

initially, and the mixing between the rising plume and the ambient determines whether the eruption

collapses as a pyroclastic flow. The rejection of hyper saline water from desalination plants often takes

place in ocean outfalls. These outfalls have the characteristics of a fountain flow. Designers must ensure

there is sufficient mixing at the source to provide dilution of the saline flow.

(You will gain skills in: Fluid Mechanics / Experimental Methods / Data Analysis and Processing)







Professor Lin Ye, [email protected]

1)

Characterisation of fracture energy of tough adhesives using thick adherendsThe work includes experimental characterisation and FEA simulation aiming to find the

correction factor for the current formulae for the very thick DCB (double cantilever beam)

specimens

2) Characterisation of damage growth in carbon fibre composites using electrical resistance

measurements

The work includes experimental characterisation and FEA simulation aiming to find the

relationship between the indentation damage state and the change in electrical resistance.

3) Fabrication of fibre composites using filament winding with in-situ impregnation

4) Determination of crack growth in composites using acoustic sensors







4th

Year Mechatronics, Sensing & Biomechatronics

Thesis Topics 2015

Tracker and ShooterSupervisor: Graham Brooker, ACFR [email protected]

Javier Martinez, ACFR [email protected]

A fire control radar system needs to track fast moving enemy aircraft and accurately

estimate their future position (based on the existing vehicle states) so that it can fire a

canon shell to intercept them.

Our take on the problem is to develop a 2D differential time of flight beacon tracker

and a device to lob small marbles at a fast moving RC car carrying a beacon.

Research Proposal (Thesis Only)

Develop a 2D differential time of flight based tracker mounted on a pan tiltunit

Build a device suitable for indoor operation that can lob a marble with an

adjustable elevation and azimuth angle, but with a constant (and repeatable)

launch velocity

Build a beacon that simultaneously transmits an acoustic and an IR pulse that

can be attached to the RC car

Using a Raspberry Pi, or similar processor, develop the interface hardware and

software to control the tracker, measure the target states and solve the ballistic

trajectory calculations to determine the elevation and azimuth angle required

by the gun

Develop a method to determine the miss distance under different conditions,

and determine the circular error probability (CEP) for your fire control system

Required SkillsExcellent mechatronics skills including electronics, software development,

networking, mechanical design etc.











1st Person Driver

Supervisor: Graham Brooker, ACFR [email protected] Javier Martinez, ACFR [email protected]

This is a fun project with a serious side. It involves the integration of an Oculus Rift

VR display with integrated head tracker to a stereo camera mounted on a PTU which

is in turn mounted on an off-road RC car.

The serious side of this development is that such devices can be used to control roversexploring the moon and near-earth objects such as passing asteroids (where the

latency isn’t too long)


Build the PTU and integrate a pair of good quality web cameras

Using a Raspberry Pi, or similar processor link the cameras wirelessly to a PC

talking to the Oculus

Wirelessly link the head tracker to the PTU on the RC car

Optimise code to minimise latency

Required SkillsExcellent mechatronics skills including electronics, software development,

networking, mechanical design etc.











Electromagnetic Gun (revisited)Supervisor: Graham Brooker, ACFR [email protected]


There are a number of different electrical techniques that can be used to accelerate a

small projectile up to a high velocity. A multi stage reluctance gun of the kind shown

in the figure is one. Linear induction motors and rail guns are others.

Research Proposal (Thesis Only) Design and build the electronics for a multi stage reluctance gun that can

accelerate a 1g projectile to a velocity of 50m/s

Develop a safe method to operate the gun, including charging and discharging

Measure the kinetic energy of the projectile and compare it to the electricalenergy provided, to determine the overall conversion efficiency

Compare that to the efficiency of air rifles that fire projectiles with a similar

mass and velocity.

Required SkillsAnalog and Digital Electronics

Microcontroller programmingAn appropriate respect for high voltage, high energy systems











Contrast Enhancement Phantom for Remotely Operated CT

ScannerSupervisor: Graham Brooker, ACFR [email protected]

Elaine Ryan, Health Sciences [email protected]


We have been working for a number of years on the robotic aspects of remote

operation of a CT scanner. It uses a sophisticated plastic phantom (humanoid model

containing realistic bones and soft tissue) seen in the figure.

Our current requirement is to provide organs that can simulate the operation of

contrast agents that are often injected into patients to provide improved images.

Research Proposal (Thesis Only) Develop a realistic organ (liver or kidneys etc) containing a simple vascular

system using a 3D printer

Develop some means to circulate different concentrations of contrast medium

through the organ to simulate the introduction and subsequent dissolution of

the liquid

This will be a world first, so could make a real difference!

Required SkillsGood SolidWorks skills

An affinity for pumps

Interest in chemistry (if possible)















Artefact Localisation in ArchaeologySupervisor: Graham Brooker, ACFR [email protected]

The accurate position and orientation of every artefact removed from a dig must be

logged. This is a time consuming activity and is prone to error.

There must be a better way!

Research Proposal (Thesis Only) Develop an acoustic system based on triangulation, time of flight or phase to

automate this localisation process

The accuracy should be better than 5mm in x,y,z over ranges in excess of 3m

The device must be really easy to use, extremely robust and should interface to

existing archaeological databases

Required SkillsElectronics

Acoustics

Signal Processing

Microcontroller programming

Networking







Outdoor Golf for the BlindSupervisor: Graham Brooker, ACFR [email protected]

As golfers age, many start to suffer from Age Related Macular Degeneration. Thiskeeps them at home where they irritate their partners.

We would like to develop a system that allows previously competent golfers to

continue to play the game even once they have difficulty in seeing the ball on the tee.


Consider a number of methods that can be used to help the golfer align hisclub with the ball, and align in the correct direction for his shot, prior to

commencing the swing

Build a prototype of the device

Patent the idea and make your fortune

Required Skills

Interest (and skill) as a golfer

Sensors and transducers

Analog and digital electronics

Microcontroller programming skills

Signal Processing







Outdoor Golf for the BlindSupervisor: Graham Brooker, ACFR [email protected]

Electronic devices to detect bat calls are fairly commonly available but generally quiteexpensive. Two different principles can be applied; the first is to down convert the

ultrasonic signal to the audio range, and the second is to digitise and stretch the signal.


Investigate the different techniques used, and try to determine why thesedevices are so expensive

Develop the electronics and the software to perform the function in a low cost

manner

Build into a robust battery powered device

Travel around and record the calls of as many bats as you can

Required Skills

Interest in bats

Interest in analog electronics

Microcontroller programming skills

Signal Processing







Speed Related Changes in the Radar Cross Section of

Bullets at 77GHzSupervisors: Graham Brooker, ACFR [email protected]

David Johnson, ACFR [email protected]

Outdoor measurements have shown that the radar cross sections (RCS) of high-velocity bullets is up to 5dB higher than those obtained from static measurements of

the same object. The mechanism that results in this increase is unknown.

This has implications for the RCS of the new generation of stealth aircraft when

travelling at high speed

This project aims at investigating the phenomenon by measuring the RCS of a number

of different shapes under more controlled conditions using a supersonic nozzle.


Complete the integration of a 77GHz radar and a data acquisition system

Because of the size of the bullets, it is possible to generate the appropriate

supersonic airflows using a supersonic nozzle driven by a low pressure

reservoir

Assemble the compressor and reservoir coupled to the supersonic nozzle

Confirm that the flow from the nozzle reaches the required speeds over a cross

section that is sufficiently large to encompass the bullet

Measure RCS of a number of different types of bullets at a number of differentspeeds and from different perspectives

Try to determine what causes this increase in RCS

Write a journal paper

Required Skills

Some understanding of microwave and millimetre wave radar

Aerodynamics etc

Mechanical Design ( SolidWorks etc)

Electronics

Signal Processing

MATLAB Programming











Micro-Doppler Gait Evaluation to Infer Fatigue Levels in

Long-Distance Runners (Continuing project)Supervisor: Graham Brooker, ACFR [email protected]

Recent research has shown that changes in gait could be indicative of concussion, so

we have speculated that similar changes could also be indicative of fatigue levels in

long distance runners

This project aims at determine whether these changes in gait are consistent with

fatigue levels and whether they can be measured using a Doppler radar.


Acquire or build a suitable data acquisition and processor that could beinterfaced to one of our existing Doppler radars.

Develop the signal processing to extract Doppler characteristics of a runner

from another moving platform (probably a bicycle) Develop qualitative means to determine the fatigue level of the runner

(distance travelled, effort, verbal feedback etc)

Develop methods (can be classical or machine learning based) to correlate

features of the micro-Doppler signature of the runner with their fatigue level

If possible, redo on treadmill with appropriate instrumentation to produce aquantitative measure of runner fatigue

Required Skills

Some understanding of microwave radar and the Doppler principle

Low power & portable electronicsSignal Processing

MATLAB Programming

Keen athlete







Navigation Using Ubiquitous Diffuse Fields (Continuing

project)Supervisor: Graham Brooker, ACFR [email protected]

A typical indoor environment is filled with useful information that may help with

reliable navigation. This information is in the form of diffuse fields such as acoustic,

magnetic, electric, RF, temperature, light intensity, air flow and even odour.

Most of these fields can be measured using very low cost sensors and therefore it

should be possible to develop a cheap method to facilitate indoor navigation.


Use instrumented glasses (developed previously) to log the fields around an

indoor environment for a long time

Determine whether there is sufficient information to uniquely identify the position of the vehicle to within a few metres

Develop machine learning algorithms to automate the learning and

subsequently the navigation process

Required Skills

Some Mechanical Design

Electronics

Signal Processing

Interest in Machine Learning

C or C++ and MATLAB Programming







Integration and Testing of an Orthopaedic Measurement

Device (Continuing project)Supervisors: Graham Brooker, ACFR [email protected]

Joe Lynch and Corey Scholes, SORI [email protected]

http://medgadget.com/2011/03/fraunhofers_monitoring_system_keeps_track_of_your_joints_while_they_heal.html

If you are looking for a patient-centred project with long-term benefits for research

and clinical assessment of patients suffering knee disorders, are keen to deepen your

knowledge and understanding of human biomechanics and functional anatomy and

would like to work directly with the “end users”, both patients and clinicians, then

read on…

Students have developed a wireless accelerometer, gyro and a separate goniometer to

monitor the effectiveness of orthopaedic knee surgery. These devices need to be

integrated into a single product that can be easily fitted and tested at home, while still

retaining sufficient accuracy to provide essential feedback on knee joint performance

including shock absorbing and knee angle.

Research Proposal (Thesis only for 1 or 2 students)

Examine existing hardware (Arduino based)

Select new processor with additional channels to accommodate all of thesensors (2 x 3axis accelerometers, 2 x gyros, 2 x goniometers)

Examine sensor mounting methods and update as required for ease of use,

repeatability and reliability

Redevelop monitor from simple MATLAB display to enable local storage and

analysis

Integrate with telemedicine network to enable remote monitoring and analysis

of measured data.

Required Skills

Mechanical Design (SolidWorks etc)

Electronics

Signal Processing


Some biology











Energy Scavenging from Flying Pigeons (Continuing

Project)Supervisor: Graham Brooker [email protected]

It has become practical to harvest sufficient power from biological processes,movement, vibration or heat gradients etc to generate sufficient power to run modern

low-power electronic systems.

Initial work has been conducted to obtain the acceleration profiles from a flying

pigeon, and these will have been implemented on a vibration table (1 axis) to test

energy scavenging options.

Research Proposal (Thesis Only) Investigate existing energy scavenging systems and select one that would be

suitable to power a typical radio beacon and data logger attached to a bird

Develop such a system and demonstrate on a vibration table that it could

supply sufficient power

Ethical approval has been obtained to test a data logger on a pigeon, and it is

possible that this approval could be extended for tests of the scavenger

Required SkillsElectronics

Mechanical design (SolidWorks etc)

Affinity for animals







Low Cost Hand Orthotic (Continuing project)Supervisor: Graham Brooker, ACFR [email protected]

A low cost hand orthotic driven by pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) that may

have applications in rehabilitation and in astronaut’s gloves has been under

development for some time. The initial technique (shown in the figure) relied on the

flexibility of a composite material (carbon or glass fibre). However these were not

sufficiently strong and flexible. Subsequent attempts to use torsion springs are under

consideration but are too bulky and too complex to be effective.


Perform a comprehensive review of the existing methods that could be used todrive this orthotic (passive closing and active opening)

Using the PAMs to open the orthotic, investigate alternative passive methodsof closing that will be compliant and can accommodate different sized hands

Develop a working prototype of the orthotic

Required SkillsMechanical Design & SolidWorks

Materials

Electronics

Signal Processing








Scanning Millimetre-Wave Radar Foliage Penetration StudySupervisors: Graham Brooker [email protected]

James Underwood [email protected]

David Johnson [email protected]

We have a 3D millimetre wave radar system that would be ideal to produce improved

images of wooded terrain with the objective of measuring foliage penetration

Figure: New 3D radar, existing 2D radar hardware mounted on a Segbot and a radar

image showing some foliage penetration


A 3D millimetre wave radar system has been built

This radar system needs to be commissioned

A mounting to allow the radar to be attached to a moving platform needs to be built

This will initially be a trolley, but ultimately it will be on one of the Segbots

Software to produce 3D images for analysis needs to be developed

Images in various environments and their subsequent analysis needs to beundertaken

Required Skills

Communications and Interfaces

Some understanding of RF

Mechanical Design & SolidWorksElectronics

Signal Processing
















Scanning Millimetre-Wave RadiometerSupervisor: Graham Brooker [email protected]

Radiometry at 94GHz offers an excellent option for ground imaging during adverse

weather or at dusk and dawn when visible and IR sensors suffer from poor performance.

(a) (b)

Figure: Existing radiometer hardware and radiometric images


A prototype scanner and radiometer has been built that operates at 94GHz

A new mirror must be made using the 3D printer as the old one has drooped

Both the scanner and the millimetre wave receiver hardware need to be

hardened for installation in a UAV

Interfaces to a microcontroller to read the radiometric signal, and the mirror position as well as any aircraft INS data that is available must be developed so

that images can be produced

Software to produce strip-map radiometric images from a moving aircraft

must be written

Required Skills

Communications and Interfaces

Some understanding of RF

Mechanical Design & SolidWorks

Electronics

Signal Processing








Quantification of the forces exerted during operative vaginal

delivery

Supervisors: Graham Brooker, ACFR [email protected]

Dr Jon Hyett, RPAH [email protected]

A significant (10-15%) proportion of babies require assistance during the process of

vaginal delivery. This involves application of either forceps or ventouse (vacuum),

allowing the acoucher (the person who assists at a birth) to guide the presenting part

through the birth canal, onto the perineum and through to delivery.

Women and babies who have an operative vaginal delivery have higher risks of

traumatic injury related to the delivery process. The forces involved in delivery are

poorly understood. We hypothesize that injury would be more likely in circumstances

where higher forces are developed during the delivery process. Real timemeasurement of these forces would provide the acoucher with information about the

risks associated with delivery

Research Proposal (Thesis Only)This project involves the development of an instrument to quantify the forces exerted

during operative vaginal delivery. The point of contact between the instrument and

the acoucher (i.e. handle of instrument to gloves) is sterile, and this device needs to be

able to be applied in this environment. The device should be able to quantify the

amount of force and record the direction of force during the delivery process. The

device will first be used in simulations of the birthing process, as proof of concept,

prior to being applied to clinical studies.

Required SkillsSome biology (or an interest in the subject)

Electronics & sensing

Mechanical design (SolidWorks)

Signal processing











Effect of Visual Stimulation on Standing and Walking

Balance (continuing project)


Dr Miriam Welgampola, RPAH [email protected]

http://www.geoffsnyder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/WalkThePlank.jpg

Quiet stance is supported by 3 sensory inputs: proprioception, vision and vestibular

sensation. These 3 sources of information overlap considerably allowing subjects with

the loss of one or two modalities to stand and walk safely. Here we propose to

examine the effect of visual stimulation on the stability and trajectory of gait and on

the stability of stance.

We hope to artificially manipulate the visual surrounds to create an illusion of

movement in the pitch, yaw or roll planes.

Research Proposal (Thesis Only) Integrate a head mounted display (VR goggles) with a head tracker capable of

measuring position and acceleration in 3D

Use this display to create of a normal visual surround which can then be

manipulated

record the subject’s standing balance using the inertial measurement unit

attached to the display.

The subjects will be tested whilst standing still and walking a straight line, and

during normal visual stimulation vs abnormal visual stimulation is recorded Specifically, during stance, anteroposterior and mediolateral deviation during

a 10 second period will be recorded.

Whilst walking, change of trajectory produced by apparent rotation in yaw and

roll planes will be explored.

Required SkillsSome biology

Electronics

Image Processing

MATLAB Programming











A Portable Test of Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV)



The SVV is a useful measure of human perception of verticality. It is abnormal ininner ear balance disorders as well as brainstem stroke. During acute inner ear balance

disorders, the eyes tort towards the affected ear. Since the visual meridian is also

similarly torted, horizontal objects are perceived as tilted to the unaffected side. To

correct this apparent tilt, the subject will bias it towards the affected side. Conversely,

in upper brainstem strokes, the SVV is offset to the unaffected side. This non-

invasive test conveys useful diagnostic information in subjects with acute of vertigo

and is used in specialized balance clinics. We propose to develop a portable electronic

test of SVV that can be used at the bedside. This will enable the test to be used by

non-specialized centres and even in the patient’s own home.

Research Proposal (Thesis Only) Assemble the following hardware:

o

A pair of VR goggles capable of projecting a linear beam upon a

circular screen at a viewing distance of 40 cm.

o User controlled joystick.

o A head mounted attitude heading reference system (AHRS).

Develop the following software using LabVIEW:

o Monitor the AHRS to ensure the head is held vertical with less than

one degree error. Deviations outside this range will result in rejection

of the patients SVV setting.

o

Deliver 10 consecutive presentations of the beam at random anglesfrom -45 -+45 degrees.

o

Read the joystick as the subject returns the beam to his/her perceived

vertical

o The final position for each presentation will be logged, and averaged to

produce the mean and SD for SVV.


Electronics

Signal and Image Processing

LabVIEW Programming (or learn on the job)











A Handheld Hearing Test



Dr Craig Jin, EIE [email protected]

@ homeSome balance disorders like Menieres Disease and Autoimmune inner ear diseases

cause sudden unexpected hearing loss, which needs to be captured and acted upon.

Patients with such diseases rely upon the availability of an audiology service. For

those living in remote locations, such services are not available at short notice. An

inexpensive method of testing hearing thresholds would make an immense impact on

their management and hearing preservation.

Research Proposal (Thesis Only) Develop a calibrated sound source, capable of delivering pure tones of 125-

8000 Hz at octave frequencies at intensities of 5-100 decibels normal Hearing

Level (nHL) using LabVIEW software, a microprocessor with a sound card

and calibrated headphones.

Develop the GUI to allow the entry and storage hearing thresholds and patient

demographics in textfiles.

Develop an operational procedure to perform the following:

o Reject recordings conducted in an environment where ambient noise

exceeds 20 dB nHL.

o

Generate tones at random amplitudes and in a random order will

enable the subject to self-test their hearing using a simple push-button

o A hearing test thus completed would be dumped into a conventional

audiogram format that can be electronically shared with an audiologist

or physician at a distant location.


Electronics

Signal Processing
















Robust Method to Measure Eye Torsion



http://www.arringtonresearch.com/torsion.html

Eye torsion, or rotation of the eye around the z-axis, is an important measurement

made by neurologists investigating vestibular abnormalities.

Video provided by eye trackers and rotational correlation algorithms are generally

used to do this. However, gaze displacement, eyelid droop, and poor contrast of the

iris make this process difficult to achieve.

No really robust method as yet available to do this

Research Proposal (Thesis Only) Look at all of the algorithms which have been used to perform this function

and try to determine their effectiveness, strengths and weaknesses

Consider spectral based (using hyperspectral imager or IR filters) methods to

enhance iris contrast

Look at methods of modelling and accounting for gaze displacement and

eyelid droop to improve algorithm effectiveness Develop an effective torsion algorithm

Become involved in trials of the new algorithm to determine its robustness


Electronics

Image Processing

MATLAB Programming











A Micro-mechanical Testing System for Biological Tissues


Elizabeth Clarke, RNSH [email protected]

Engineering studies of biological tissues often involve controlled loading of very small orvery soft tissues. This thesis involves expansion and optimisation of a micro-mechanicaltesting apparatus that is currently used for biomechanics studies of soft tissues. Some

examples of the potential applications of this apparatus include 3-point-bending of mouse bones, tensile strength of a human hair or mouse tendon, and cyclic loading of joint cartilage.

Note: the apparatus is located at RNS Hospital at St Leonards, and the student will beexpected to perform the integration and testing at the Murray Maxwell BiomechanicsLaboratory there.

Research Proposal (Thesis Only) Develop a custom LabVIEW program for precision control of a linear motor to

provide maximum flexibility in a range of testing regimes:o cyclic loadingo threshold conditions

o force control

Develop data acquisition system to acquire and log data from displacement and forcesensors

There is scope within this thesis project to include optional mechanical design andmanufacture:

o miniature 3-point-bending apparatus o mechanical testing of synthetic or biological tissues (e.g. Silicone gels, mouse

bones or soft biological tissues)


Control


SolidWorks (for phase 2)











Ultrasound Phased Array Imaging (Continuing project)Supervisor: Graham Brooker [email protected]

The object of this thesis is the extended development of an ultrasound phased array

imaging system. Previous work has provided core signal processing electronics and

software algorithms for imaging. Advanced topics in signal processing and end

applications are now possible.

Potential Research Areas (Thesis Only)Signal Processing:

High fidelity coherent signal processing techniques:

synthetic aperture

coherent motion detection

multiple-pulse integration & fusion.

Applications:

Incorporation onto a mobile platform

3D Volumetic visualisation methods

3D Object analysis

Ground texture analysis

Required SkillsCommunications and Interfaces

Electronics

Signal Processing








Tactile Feedback for a Prosthetic HandSupervisor: Graham Brooker, ACFR [email protected]

In 2014 Mahdi Elsayed made a low cost prosthetic hand and arm. This year we would

like to fit the finder tips with pressure sensors to drive vibro or electro tactile

transducers to provide an amputee with feedback

Research Proposal (Thesis Only) Consider various ways of integrating pressure sensors into the existing (or

modified) fingertips of the prosthesis

Ensure that any electrical connections do not interfere with the tendons Develop interfaces to vibro or electro tactile transducers that can be attached

to the amputee

Integrate the complete system onto a harness that can be attached to a non-amputee

Test the capability of the feedback system

Required SkillsGood SolidWorks skills

Interest in sensors

Good electronics and microcontroller ability







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Robotic electronic warfare and countermeasures

Supervisor: Dr David Johnson, ACFR [email protected]

Research Proposal (Thesis only, 1 or more students)

We have built many robots and sensors over the years and have learnt one important lesson:

There are many more ways for a robot not to work than for it to work correctly!

Even the robots that do work may fail under certain known conditions. It is likely that there are

many unknown conditions under which they may also fail, particularly if someone, i.e. you, is goingout of their way to find that ‘unknown’ failure mode and exploit it. The most interesting case is when

the failure mode goes undetected and is then used for nefarious purposes.

In a world where autonomy is increasing along with the accessibility of cheap, almost throw-away

systems, which could be turned to doing naughty things, we need to know where the weak points

are so that we can do something about it.

Required Skills

Electronics

Signal Processing


You should have done (or be planning to do) the Sensors and Signals course.

An interest in pursuing this topic at postgraduate level would also be a benefit.



Radar hardware design for 3D printing


Research Proposal (Thesis only)At high frequencies, radar hardware design becomes a lot like plumbing, except with rather tighter

tolerance constraints. The shape and structure of the cavity can make these devices difficult to

machine, but may present an excellent opportunity for 3D printing techniques. One drawback is the

low electrical conductivity of the majority of additive-printing or SLS materials, however this may be

overcome by novel electro (less) plating methods. I am keen to pursue this idea further, as it has

great possibilities, particularly for airborne millimetre-wave radar systems for UAVs, but I need

someone to do the time-consuming mechanical design and electromagnetic simulation.

Required Skills

Mechanical design (Solidworks)

Electronic design


Some prior knowledge of electro-magnetic wave theory would be a distinct benefit.



Cognitive radar development



At the ACFR, we have recently completed development of a 94GHz millimetre-wave radar testbed

with extremely high resolution and the ability to be reprogrammed on the fly. One of the interesting

applications of this technology involves changing the transmitted waveform dynamically to maximise

information about the environment. This may be to balance the requirements for range/angular

resolution vs maximum range or available communications bandwidth. It might also be to mitigate

(or employ) multipath or other interference sources.

There are a number of possible approaches to tackling this problem, including, but not limited to:

Developing a closed-loop control algorithm that adapts to existing data in order to improve

signal-to-noise in subsequent scans, by changing register values through the xml datalink.

Looking at non-linear-phase waveforms (of which the simplest is a chirp) to provide

multipath target discrimination at the FPGA-fabric level.

Required Skills

Electronics

Signal Processing

C, C++, MATLAB and/or Python Programming

Unix skills

A willingness to learn FPGA (VHDL) design





Acoustic localisation, control and interaction of a robot



For robots to operate in a human-centric environment, they need to be able to communicate

efficiently with us. One obvious way of doing this is through speech. Voice-recognition algorithms

(such as Siri or Utter) have significantly improved in recent years, so it may be time to revisit this

problem and all the research pathways it may lead too. For instance:

Can a robot infer operator intent or other additional information from what is said to it?

Can a network of robots share acoustic information to localise themselves and theoperators, either through speech or other noises?

Does a mechanically actuated pinna (that’s earlobe) aid localisation accuracy?

What 2-way interactions lead to more efficient dialogue?

There are many more directions this topic could take and I am open to ideas.

Required Skills

Electronics

Signal Processing


An interest in human psychology



Collaborative projects with the ARC Centre for Excellence in

Engineered Quantum Systems (Quantum Nanoscience Laboratory)



The eQus group is rapidly expanding within the Physics department and a number of interesting

projects requiring an engineering perspective are up for grabs under the general theme of “Custom

electronics for control of quantum systems”. These projects represent a great opportunity for

solving the real-world engineering problems that will extend the science of quantum computing.

While an interest in the underlying physics would be beneficial, it is not a pre-requisite. There are a

number of topics that may be of interest, including:

Multi-frequency readout of quantum systems

Real-time optimisation of quantum control circuits

Simulation of 2D arrays of quantum dots

Mixed signal analysis of high power RF devices

Nano-fabrication for quantum computation

These topics would particularly suit students studying for a combined science/engineering degree.

Required Skills

Mechanical design (Solidworks)

Electronics

Signal Processing


A willingness to learn FPGA (VHDL) design




Dr Ian Manchester, [email protected]

Modelling of spiking dynamics of live neurons

(Honours Thesis)

Vertical nanowire arrays are a new technology for electrical probing and biomolecular

delivery to individual live neurons in a slice of a rat’s brain (liberated from the rat’s body and

kept alive in a bath of bovine serum). This thesis project is based on collaboration with MIT

and Harvard University exploring the possibilities of this new technology for rapid-

throughput neuroscience.

A neuron’s electrical dynamics are highly nonlinear and difficult to understand, but are

extremely important as the key to understanding intelligence. Our role is to rapidly create ahigh-fidelity computational model of the neuron from the signals recorded via nanowires, so

that an accurate simulation can be built of the entire neuronal network, i.e. “reverse

engineering the brain” – one of the grand challenges of science in the 21st century.

Above: a live neuron from a rat’s hippocampus being probed with a patch clamp.

This thesis topic would be suitable for Biomedical and Mechatronic students. Advanced

topics are available for those doing a double degree with Mathematics or Computer Science,

including the use of graphics processing units (GPUs) for rapid neuron modelling.

Interested students should contact Dr Ian Manchester via email ASAP:

[email protected]










Design and control of dynamic walking robots

(Honours Thesis or Engineering Project)

As robots move out of the factories and into the wider world, many creative methods of

locomotion are being proposed. Legged robots in particular are suitable for traversing terrain

too rough or irregular for wheels to be useful. Recently, a new type of biped robot called

“dynamic walkers” has been invented. These robots are based on co-design of the physical

mechanism and the feedback control to generate highly efficient motions, much like a human.

They are far more efficient than well-known robots such as Asimo or Big Dog. Some are so

efficient they can walk down a shallow slope without any powered actuation at all!

At the Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR) we are designing new experimental

biped systems which will be able to walk over rough terrain in a highly naturalistic andefficient manner. There are several options available for thesis or project work, covering

mechanical design and construction, physical modelling and simulation, implementation of

real-time feedback control, and computational analysis.

Above: one of our biped experiments at ACFR.

These thesis and project topics would particularly suit Mechanical and Mechatronic

students with an interest in dynamics and control, state of the art robotics, or design of

energy-efficient mechanisms.

Interested students should contact Dr Ian Manchester via email ASAP:

[email protected]






Advanced nonlinear control and optimization

(Honours Thesis)

Engineered systems are getting more and more complex, and increasingly the design process

relies on advanced mathematical and computational methods. A particular focus recently has

been using methods from semialgebriac geometry and semidefinite optimization to design

and guarantee performance of highly nonlinear dynamical systems.

Above left: a rotary inverted pendulum (“Furuta pendulum”): a nonlinear, underactuated mechanical system and

a popular test-bed for advanced nonlinear control theory.

Above right: a graphical representation of a three-dimensional spectrahedron, an important object for proving

stability of nonlinear dynamical systems.

There are many challenging opportunities available in this area, both with experimental andtheoretical focus. This project would suit ambitious and creative students from any stream,

with extra possibilities for those doing a combined degree with mathematics or computer

science.

Interested students should contact Dr Ian Manchester via email ASAP to discuss concrete

project proposals:

[email protected]






Control and Motion Planning for an Underwater Manipulation Robot

(Honours Thesis)

Underwater robots are already being used extensively for biological surveys, archaeology,

and inspection of communications, oil and gas infrastructure. The next step is to develop

robots that are capable of intervention. That is, interacting with the environment rather than

just observing it. Typical examples include biological or geological sample collection, and

repair of underwater infrastructure (e.g. a leaking oil pipe).

At the Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR) we have recently purchased a remotely-

operated vehicle with a manipulation arm (pictured below) which we are modifying for

autonomous operation. There are many challenges to developing autonomous manipulation

systems: object detection and localisation, vehicle motion modelling and control, precision

force control, etc. Any of these would make a good thesis topic.

Interested students should contact Dr Ian Manchester or A/Prof Stefan Williams via email

ASAP: [email protected], [email protected]







Dextrous Robot Manipulation

(Honours Thesis or Project)

The Baxter robot (pictured below) is a low-cost robot platform designed to work alongside

humans in small to medium sized businesses. We have a Baxter at the Mechatronics

Teaching Laboratory. This thesis project involves designing the “brain” of this robot, i.e. its

perception, motion planning, and control systems.

Some potential topics include:

Using vision to analysing object shape to plan grasping motions

Control of arms to cooperate with a human partner

Learning precise control by demonstration and experience

This project would particularly suit Mechatronics students, especially those doing a combined

degree with computer science. Interested students should contact Dr Ian Manchester via

email ASAP to discuss concrete project proposals:

[email protected]






Intelligent Vehicles and Safety Systems Group

its.acfr.usyd.edu.au

Research Leader: Eduardo Nebot [[email protected]]

Researchers: Stewart Worrall [[email protected]]

James Ward [[email protected]]

Asher Bender [[email protected]]

The Intelligent Vehicles and Safety Systems Group (IVSSG: its.acfr.usyd.edu.au ) is part of the

Australian Center for Field Robotics (ACFR). Our research is related to improving the safety and

performance of vehicles with a range of projects related to sensing, perception, user interfaces

and automation. This is a very important area of research with the potential of improving safety,

minimizing environmental impact and increasing performance for the transportation of people

and goods. We are offering positions for undergraduate theses in a range of topics related to

intelligent vehicles including (but not limited to):

Determining Position

Most projects involving vehicles require a good estimate of position. The most common way to

do this is using a GPS sensor, though these have well understood limitations. In vehicles,

problems arise when driving near tall buildings (urban canyon effect) as well as in tunnels and

covered areas.

We are currently looking into new methods of using sensors such as gyroscopes, accelerometersand odometry incorporated with GPS and GLONASS to improve the estimation of position. There

is an opportunity for several undergraduate theses in this area, with great potential in exploring

both the experimental and theory behind estimating position.

Dead Reckoning (red dots) uses sensors to estimate position without GPS



Mobile Phone Positioning

Mobile phones are ubiquitous in today’s society, in particular phones with a spectacular range of

on-board sensors. Most phones (even low end models) have gyroscopes, accelerometers, GPS,

cameras, magnetometers and other sensors. With appropriate algorithms, these sensors have

the potential to provide a high quality estimate of position for people, bicycles as well as

vehicles. At the same time we can use this information to estimate pedestrian intention,

activities etc. We have already developed basic software that currently run in Android and IOS

platform.

There is an opportunity for one or more students to work in this area for the undergraduate

thesis. There is a broad scope for working with this platform, including estimating activities,

intention, position and broadcasting this information to vehicles for safety applications. The

student are required to have a good background in programming.

Thermal Imaging – Working with InfraredThermal imaging from infrared cameras can be used for a range of applications, particularly the

detection of vehicles, people and animals during the day or night. Even more, the infrared

camera is less sensitive to light conditions such as shadows and can operate to some extent

through dust and fog.

We have a commercial infrared camera which can be mounted on a vehicle and can be used in a

variety of applications. There is scope for undergraduate thesis work in processing the

information from the camera and investigating the use in the detection of obstacles.

A typical image from an infrared camera



Monocular Vision

Embedded microcontrollers such as the raspberry pi have the capability of capturing video and

performing complex image processing on board. For vehicle applications, this can be used to

track the position of the vehicle in the lane, perform visual odometry, detect people or bicycles,

detect road signs and a host of other applications. A project in this area would focus on usingopen source tools such as scikit-image.org or opencv.org to process images in an embedded

system to solve problems in the area of intelligent transportation systems.



Human-Robot Interaction

David RyeACFR, Rose Street Building

[email protected]

We are working on projects that aim to investigate and understand the conditions that are necessary for

a human to be comfortable in the close presence of a robot, and to provide an environment foreffective, intuitive human-robot interaction. There are many opportunities for highly motivated and

capable students to work on key areas of robotics and human-robot interaction. Areas of interestinclude but are not limited to

Detection and tracking of people using vision or RGB-D sensors, including recognition andinterpretation of human features and gestures;

Interpretation of prosody and frequency content in human speech;

Haptics, including sensing and interpretation of surface- and joint-based force/torque sensing;

Robot navigation and path planning in the presence of moving objects (people), including planning and execution of paths coordinated with human movement;

Design and implementation of robot behavior, including whole-body and coordinated armmotion.

Students will need strong programming skills (Matlab or C/C++) for topics in most of these areas.Specific project areas could include (but are not limited to)

1. Accurate detection, tracking, identification and re-identification of people

A multi-camera, multi-person tracker has been implemented. There is broad scope for investigationand improvement of the tracker, including new algorithms for improving tracking accuracy; how people can be distinguished and identified; how best to deal with “merging” and “splitting” of peopletracks as they cross; identification of the person‟s facing direction and/or eye gaze direction; methodsfor automatic or rapid camera calibration; methods for determining the best placement and sequencingof sensors for covering larger areas; and investigation of various sensor configurations for data

acquisition and information processing. It will also be important to re-identify people who previouslyhave interacted with the robot.

2. Estimation of human intent and/or human affect (emotion)

There is great potential to improve human-robot (or human-computer) interaction if the intent of the person can be identified. Social human-robot interaction and some classes of human-computerinteraction can be improved if the person‟s affective (emotional) state can correctly be identified.Topics could involve using computer vision for face location and tracking; to identify facial cues; body-part detection and tracking; to identify body movements and tactile interactions; or identifyingintent and emotional content in speech.

3. How to choose a person

How should a robot choose a person to interact with if there are several people to choose from? Byassessing points of interest in an area and the locations and movement of people, the robot could perhaps use this information to interact with „free‟ people, or with „busy‟ people. By identifyinggroups of people, the robot could choose to interact with people who are not part of a group.

4. How to approach a person

How should a robot approach a person? What factors, such as position and orientation of the personand the robot in a room, should be taken into account? The project area could include topics in poseestimation; path planning, including the “freezing robot” problem; and selection of a suitable person tointeract with.




[email protected]

MX or MXSpace

Mawson is an all terrain rover that has been in operationover the last two years as part of a space robotics

program. It needs to be overhauled. We are looking for astudent who has an interest in advance computer

hardware and software. The objective of the thesis is togive Mawson a whole new lease on life. The thesis wouldcomprise of:

Selection of new computer hardware

Software to drive motors and read sensors

already on board.

Code for teleoperationYou will work closely with our engineers as part of thedesign and implementation process.


Continuum now has an arm that will give this rover theability to look closely at objects and generate detailmodels of the object and of the terrain. Code is written inMatlab/Simulink. We are looking for 3 students for thefollowing thesis topics:

1) Use the laser scanner on the arm to build a 3Dmodel of a target rock given multiple viewpoints.Challenges include object segmentation from thelaser data and motion planning for the arm.

2) Use the laser scanner on the arm to create anelevation map of the environment and then use

this map to develop a path planner forContinuum.3) Develop a energy model for the arm. e.g for a

given trajectory calculate the energy used based

on joint torques, etc. As an extension perhaps plan energy-optimal collision free trajectories for

a given initial and final poses.You will work closely with our engineers as part of thedesign and implementation process.


Mammoth is w wheel-legged robot. Code is written in

Matlab/Simulink. We have a number of thesis topicsincluding:

1) A student looking at how to create a rapid map ofthe Mars Yard using onboard laser sensors andgenerating traversability maps for Mammoth.

2) A student working on novel User Interfaces fortele-operating Mammoth including low-levelcontrol to high-level planning.

3) A student working on the planning problem, in particular to look at clambering gaits.

4) A student to investigate building a more effective

force sensor unit to identify if Mammoth's wheels

are touching the ground reliably.You will work closely with our engineers as part of thedesign and implementation process.







[email protected]

MX or MXSpace

Ladybird is an electric powered robot designed forvegetable industry. We are looking for students to

advance Ladybird with the following thesis topics:1) To estimate and map the yield and vigour of leafy

vegetable crops during the growing cycle, usinggeometry from lidar and stereo vision.

2) To develop and demonstrate fast (<500ms)

planning for precision weeding using theUniversal Robots UR5 arm mounted underLadybird’s skirt.

You will work closely with our engineers as part of thedesign and implementation process.

MX or MXSpace

Shrimp has been used in a number of trials for the tree-crop industry. We are looking for student to work on the

following thesis topics:1) To investigate the use of machine learning to

model the geometric characteristics of anorchard, for the purpose of automatic treedetection and segmentation in three dimensionallidar data.

2) To use monocular vision to estimate the presenceof obstacles in the path using normal visual

appearance of a farm and detecting deviationsfrom this model and by using image classification

techniques to characterise obstacles detected withlidar.

3)

To improve camera based yield estimationalgorithms by using images of trees taken frommultiple view-points.

You will work closely with our engineers as part of thedesign and implementation process.


We have an Astec Falcon 8 that will be used inagriculture. We are looking for students interested in

thesis topics on:

Developing novel systems and sensors that cancatch bugs.

Optimal path planning given terraincharacteristics and energy constraints.

Search algorithms and path planning for detectingmoving invasive pests.

You will work closely with our engineers as part of the

design and implementation process.








Telepresence Robot and Mobile Apps

1 Development of a Telepresence Robot

2 Mobile App Development for Robotic Platforms

Microrobotics

1 Path Planning and Control of a Microrobot Team

2 Vision Based Closed-Loop Control of Microrobots

3 Moving Microrobots in 3D Workspace Using Multiple Electromagnetic Coils

4



3

Aeronautical, Mechatronics and Space

CONTACT

Dr. Ali Haydar GÖKTOĞAN

[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Autonomous Target Tracking Using Pan-Tilt Mechanism

The Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR) has developed a number of Experimental

Mars Rover (EMR) platforms to be used in space robotics research. These rovers reside in

the “Mars Yard” at the Powerhouse Museum and they are being actively used by our

postgraduate and undergraduate research students.

For this project, you will develop a target tracking algorithm to continuously keep a feature of

interest (FoI) in view of the rover’s vision sensor. As illustrated in the figure, the rover will

control the pan-tilt mechanism such a way that, it can “see” the FoI at all times regardless of

the position and orientation of the rover.

Required Skills: Matlab/Simulink experience is essential

Linux

C/C++ or Python

PHP

OpenCV

Math



4


CONTACT


[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Real-Time 3D Localisation and Tracking of

Mars Rover Using Multiple Cameras

Multi-camera, vision based object localisation and tracking is an interesting area with many

practical applications in a variety of domains including space robotics.

For this project, you will develop a software program using OpenCV. Your software will

capture live video frames from multiple cameras, processes each frame and track the 3D

position and orientation of the Experimental Mars Rover (EMR) in real-time. This system will

be demonstrated in the Mars Yard at the Powerhouse Museum.


Linux

C/C++ or Python

PHP

OpenCV

Math



5


CONTACT


[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Self-Localisation Using an Omnidirectional Camera

An omnidirectional camera is one that can capture with 360 degree horizontal field of view.

For this project you will be given an omnidirectional camera to be positioned on the pan-tilt

mechanism of the Experimental Mars Rover (EMR). You will develop image acquisition and

localization software. The system will be able to capture omnidirectional images of the

environment while the rover moves on the surface of the Mars Yard. These images than will

be used to localize the EMR within the Mars Yard.

There is a large volume of literature on omnidirectional vision based object tracking. This

system will be developed and demonstrated in the Mars Yard at the Powerhouse Museum.


Linux,

C/C++ or Python

PHP

OpenCV

Math

Omnidirectional

Camera



6


CONTACT


[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Visual Odometry Using Ground Faced Camera

Pose (position and orientation) estimation of a robotic platform is essential in many robotics

applications. The pose estimation is a challenging task on rough, uneven terrain. In these

environments, approaches such as wheel encoder-based odometry or GPS-based localization

and orientation estimation methods may be unsuitable or even inapplicable. To overcome

these limitations, various odometry methods based on visual information have been

introduced in literature. This thesis will focus on the development of a visual odometry method

for an Experimental Mars Rover (EMR) platform using a single ground-facing camera.


Linux

C/C++ or Python

PHP

OpenCV

Math

Ground Faced

Camera



7


CONTACT


[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Vision Based Obstacle Detection and Control

The Experimental Mars Rover (EMR)-Mawson platform developed by the Australian Centre

for Field Robotics (ACFR) is equipped with a pair of cameras for stereo vision. Using these

cameras, 3D terrain representation can be derived from stereo image pairs.

In this thesis, student will construct 3D representation of rover’s surroundings. Once the

obstacles are detected, a feasible path will be selected and the EMR will be controlled to

follow the selected path. This system will be demonstrated in the Mars Yard at the

Powerhouse Museum.


Linux

C/C++ or Python

PHP

OpenCV

Math

Detected

Obstacles



8


CONTACT


[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Autonomous Docking and Recharging System

The Experimental Mars Rover (EMR)-Mawson platform developed by the Australian Centre

for Field Robotics (ACFR) runs untethered using internal batteries. Depending on the type of

experiments being performed, the batteries can provide energy for approx 4-6 hours non-stop

operation. Once the batteries are low, operators drive the rover back to the station base and

manually attach a charging cable to recharge its batteries. We want to make this process

autonomous; i.e. rover will be able to drive to a charging bay, dock with a charging unit and

recharge its batteries autonomously. In order to achieve this, the rover has been equipped

with a pair of reverse pointed high-definition cameras. These cameras can provide stereo

images for vision based servoing.

For this thesis, student will develop a docking station for the rover and develop visual servoing

algorithms to achieve autonomous docking and recharging of the rovers’ batteries. This

system will be developed and demonstrated in the Mars Yard at the Powerhouse Museum.


Linux

C/C++ or Python

PHP

OpenCV

Math

Docking

Station

Charging

Connector



9


CONTACT


[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Terramechanics: Modeling Wheel-Soil Interaction

Understanding and modelling the interaction between a wheel and soil is fundamentally

important in rover motion control. This interaction is influenced by many factors including the

soil particle size distribution and compactness, wheel design, and tyre material etc. The

performance of the rover’s wheel generally is characterised by the pull/push forces, and

sinkage and slip relative to the normal load.

In this project, student will construct a test rig in which a number of different wheels and tires

will be tested on different types of soil and rock. The experimental data collected from these

tests will be used to develop wheel-soil interaction models. These models will later be

validated on the surface of the Mars Yard at the Powerhouse Museum.


Linux

C/C++ or Python

PHP

OpenCV

Math



10


CONTACT


[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Guidance Navigation and Control of a Lunabot

NASA Lunabotics Mining Competition is one of the most prestigious, university level space-

robotics competitions. It aims to engage and retain students in Science, Engineering,

Technology and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Students design and build a robot capable of

mining min 10kg of regolith simulant in 10 minutes. In 2013, 50 teams competed from all over

the world. Sydney Lunabotics team very successfully represented the University of Sydney

and Australia in NASA Lunabotics Competition-2013. We were the first and the only team

from Australia.

In this project, you will work on the lunabot developed by the Sydney Lunabotic team. This

lunabot is called “Space Wombat”. Your role is to develop and demonstrate a Guidance,

Navigation and Control (GNC) system for the Space Wombat. See also:

http://sydneylunabotics.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SydneyLunabotics

Required Skills:

Matlab/Simulink experience is essential

Linux

C/C++ or Python

PHP

OpenCV

Math Electronics









11


CONTACT


[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Motion Planning Using Parallel Computing

for the Reconfigurable Robot MAMMOTH

Mars Analogue Multi-MOde Traverse Hybrid (MAMMOTH) is a complex, reconfigurable,

wheel-on-leg rover designed and developed at the Australian Centre for Field Robotics(ACFR). MAMMOTH is a robot with high degree of freedom. Effective motion planning for

MAMMOTH is a challenging task and requires considerable amount of computing power. In

order to accelerate the motion planning we would like to use parallel computing.

In this project, you will use Jetson TK1 from NVIDIA. It is a powerful platform for Tegra K1

embedded applications with 192 CUDA cores. Jetson TK1 is a small and low-cost board to

develop high performance solutions in computer vision, robotics, security, and aerospace.

Using Jetson TK1 and parallel computing techniques you will develop and test sampling

based motion planning algorithms for MAMMOTH.

This is an exciting and challenging topic and suitable for talented students with strong SWprogramming experience.

Required Skills:

Strong SW programming experience

Linux experience is essential

Matlab/Simulink

C/C++ or Python

Math



12


CONTACTDr. Ali Haydar GÖKTOĞAN

[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Development an Unmanned Autonomous Paramotor

Paramotors are motorised paragliders. They offer one of the easiest forms of flying. In this

thesis, you will be given an airfoil, a motor, remote control equipment and a set of sensors

and a small embedded microcontroller board to construct an Unmanned Autonomous

Paramotor (UAP).

There is a significant body of knowledge and many open projects on the internet about low-

cost small flight controllers and UAP systems. For this project, initially you will fly the UAP in

manual remote control mode. After that, you will acquire flight data for system identification.

The characterisation of the UAP will help you to develop a set of flight control algorithms.

You will demonstrate autonomous way point navigation, precision landing, and optimal path

planning for unpowered precision-drop operations.

Required Skills:

Linux

Matlab/Simulink

C/C++

Math

Electronics



13



[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Development of a Novel Multirotor UAV

A multi-rotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is a type of vertical take-off and landing

(VTOL) vehicle with independently controlled propellers. Its simplistic airframe design

makes them attractive for demonstration of control applications. They can be operated in

both an indoor and outdoor environments. There is a significant body of knowledge and

open source projects on the internet about multi-rotor airframe design, as well as low-cost

small flight controller projects for autonomous flight.

This project requires student to design and build the mechanical structure and then develop

flight control algorithms on an existing flight control computer (i.e. autopilot). If you are

looking for an interesting, technically challenging project with significant outdoor time, and if

you want to acquire some RC (Radio Control), flight experience and basic flight controltheory, then this project is for you.

Required Skills:

Linux

Matlab/Simulink

C/C++

Math

Electronics

Hands-on-mechanical building skills



14



[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Visual Servoing of a VTOL UAV

Visual servoing process utilises feedback from vision sensor(s) to control the motion of a

robot. In this project student will build a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned

Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and develop control algorithms utilising IR tracker or fiducial based

visual servoing to demonstrate autonomous take-off and landing maneuvers.

If you are looking for an interesting, technically challenging project and if you want to acquire

some RC (Radio Control), flight experience basic flight control theory, visual servoing and

pose estimation then this project is for you.

Required Skills:

Linux

Matlab/Simulink

C/C++

Math

Electronics


IR Tracker

IR Markers

Fiducial



15



[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Flight Characterisation of a Returning Boomerang

`

A returning boomerang is a spinning aerial device that displays interesting flight behaviour

once it is launched. Despite its simple physical construction and shape, its flight

characteristic is complex.

In this thesis project you will build an instrumented boomerang and launch it using our

robotic boomerang launcher apparatus. During its short flight, the instrumented boomerang

will collect flight data. You will use this data for flight characterisation of the boomerang.

This is a unique project requires extensive electronics, programming and math skills.

Required Skills:

Physics

Linux

Matlab/Simulink

C/C++

Math

Electronics



16



[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

High-Speed Tracking System for

Ground-to-Air Video Recording

Video recording of a fast moving UAV manually from the ground is a challenging task even if

the camera is mounted on a fluid head tripod. Tracking the UAV to keep it at a desired point

in the video frame is particularly difficult when high zoom lens is used. Furthermore pointing

the camera to UAV when the UAV flies straight over the camera (i.e. 90 degree elevation

angle) may not be possible even for many high-end a fluid head tripods.

This project is about designing, building and testing of a high-speed tracking system to be

mounted on a tripod. The tracking system will be capable of carrying a DLSR (or similar)

video camera with a zoom lens. The system will receive the GPS data from the UAV and be

able to control the pan-tilt angle to keep the UAV in a desired spot in the video frame.

Required Skills:

Linux

Matlab/Simulink

C/C++

Math

Electronics


Pan-Tilt Gimbal

Camera





18

Mechatronics


[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Intelligent Collar for Farm Animals

`

This thesis project will focus on developing an “Intelligent Collar” for farming animals. The

collar will be equipped with an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), a GPS receiver, a data

logger, and radio transceiver. The collected data will be analysed to better understand the

animal behaviours. Intelligent Collars will be able to communicate with each other as well as

with farmer’s hand-held terminals. They will provide opportunities for new ways for farmers

to track their animals.

If you are looking for an interesting, technically challenging, environmental and agricultural

related project with significant outdoor time, and if you want to increase your experience in

electronics then this project is for you.

Required Skills:

Linux

Matlab/Simulink

C/C++

Math

Electronics

IMU + GPS +

Data Logger +

Radio Transceiver

Energy

Harvesters



19

Mechatronics


[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Radio Tracking of Farm Animals Using UAV

`

It is envisaged that using autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can provide new

opportunities to biologists, environmentalists, ecologists etc to search and track terrestrial

animals.

This thesis project will focus on a UAV based autonomous system to search and track radio

tagged terrestrial animals. In classical search and tracking of wildlife using radio tagging,

small radio transmitters are attached to animals which are located using directional antennas

and analog receiver systems providing audio output. The location of the transmitter is

determined by manually adjusting the receiver gain, listening to the signal and scanning the

area while homing in. However, in this system a student will utilise a radio tracking payload

with an autonomous signal processing unit and particle filter based guidance subsystem foranimal tracking.

This is challenging work suitable for those who have strong electronics and math skills. This

thesis project can accommodate multiple students.

Required Skills:

Linux

Matlab/Simulink

C/C++

Math Electronics



20

Mechatronics


[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Autonomous Boat for Environmental Monitoring

`

Robots and other autonomous mobile platforms can be used in many environmental

monitoring applications. These platforms need to be able operate in real, unstructured

environment. Performing data gathering missions in real, outdoor environment brings its own

exciting challenges.

This thesis topic is for you; if you feel that you want need to do something positive about the

environment. This thesis project will focus on the development and operation of an

autonomous boat on lakes and irrigation channels. You will design and build the boat and

develop guidance, navigation and control codes for it.

Required Skills:

Linux

Matlab/Simulink

C/C++

Math

Electronics

CAD



21

Mechatronics


[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) for Robotic Platforms

`

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) aims to establish link between human neural system and

external entities using signals generated in the brain. Recently we have successfully

controlled a robotic arm using P300 waves acquired by an electroencephalography (EEG)

device. EEG is the process of measuring electrical brain activity non-invasively on the scalp

of a patient/user, and was first developed by Hans Berger in 1924. P300 waves are event-

related potentials (ERP) generated approximately 300ms after an external sitimulus

recognised by the person.

This project aims to further develop the P300 based BCI to teleoperate an autonomous

robotic platform.

Required Skills:

Linux

Matlab/Simulink

C/C++

Math

Mini-Robot ArmEEG Electrodes



22

Mechatronics


[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Functional Near-Infrared (fNIR) Spectroscopy

Based Brain Computer Interface (BCI) for Robotic Platforms

Functional near-infrared (fNIR) spectroscopy is a non-invasive, optical neuroimaging

technique to monitor changes in oxygenation and deoxygenating of hemoglobin

concentrations at cortex using scattered response of light in NIR wavelengths. Variations in

relative oxygenation of specific brain regions can be observed using fNIR instrument. These

regional hemodynamic changes can be correlated to cognitive state of the user. Relationship

between neural activities and vascular response is known as neurovascular coupling.

This project aims to design, develop and test an fNIR instrument to utilise neurovascular

coupling in a neurofeedback system. The developed system will constitute the Brain

Computer Interface (BCI) to control an autonomous robotic platform using brain activities.

Required Skills:

Matlab/Simulink

Math

Electronics

Linux

C/C++

Teleoperated

Robot Arm

Functional Near-

Infrared (fNIR)

Spectroscopy

Sensor Suit





24

Mechatronics


[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Mobile App Development for Robotic Platforms

Ever increasing popularity of mobile devices has created an unprecedented market for

innovative mobile apps. Although the overwhelming majority of mobile apps are using only

the hardware of the mobile device and some web services, there is an increasing interest indirectly linking mobile devices with external physical platforms. AR-Drone mobile app is an

example in which an external physical platform (an AR-Drone multicopter) is controlled by a

mobile device (such as iPhone or iPad, etc.).

This thesis is focused on mobile app development for robotics platforms in which students

will design, develop and demonstrate a teleoperated robotic platform using a mobile device

(such as iPhone, iPad or an Android device). This project requires strong, hands-on

electronics and software design and development skills and experience. Furthermore,

experience in IOS and/or Android along with their app development environments

(Objective-C, Swift and Java respectively) as well as experience in web-technologies (PHP,

HTML5, CSS3, JQuery on embedded Linux platforms) is essential.

Required Skills:

Math

Electronics

IOS, Objective-C, Swift

Android, Java

Linux, PHP, HTML5, CSS3, JQuery, C/C++



25

Mechatronics


[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Path Planning and Control of a Microrobot Team

Microrobotics is a rapidly developing field deals with robots smaller than 1mm. Applications

of microrobotics range from in-vivo medical operations, to micro-fabrication, to micro-scale

particle manipulation. Recently we have developed an experimental setup in which multiplemicrorobots have been operated on a 2D test arena using combination of magnetic field and

mechanical surface waves. The size of these microrobots varies between 200-2000 microns.

This thesis is focused on developing a path planning and control system for a team of

microrobots on a 2D test arena. This project requires knowledge and interest in physics,

particularly in the fields of electricity and magnetism, oscillations and waves. Furthermore

hands-on experience in electronics circuit design, programming in Simulink, C/C++ and

Python are essential.

Required Skills:

Physics

Math

Matlab/Simulink

Electronics

Linux

OpenCV

C/C++, Python



26

Mechatronics


[email protected]

Tel: +61 (02) 9351 8144

Vision Based Closed-Loop Control of Microrobots

Microrobotics is a rapidly developing field deals with robots smaller than 1mm. Applications

of microrobotics range from in-vivo medical operations, to micro-fabrication, to micro-scale

particle manipulation. Recently we have developed an experimental setup in which multiplemicrorobots have been operated on a 2D test arena using combination of magnetic field and

mechanical surface waves. Size of these microrobots varies between 200-2000 microns.

This thesis is focused on the development of a vision-based closed loop control system for

the microrobots. This project requires knowledge and interest in physics, particularly in the

fields of electricity and magnetism, oscillations and waves. Furthermore hands-on

experience in electronics circuit design, programming in Simulink, C/C++ and Python are

essential. As the microrobots moves very fast on the 2D test arena, the vision system has

tpo be fast to track the microrobots. Therefore hands-on experience on OpenCV would be

helpful.

Required Skills:

Physics

Math

Matlab/Simulink

Electronics

Linux

OpenCV

C/C++, Python

Microrobot

High-speed

Camera

Controller

Microrobot

Test Arena



Mechatronics

Moving Microrobots in 3D Workspace Using

Multiple Electromagnetic Coils

Microrobot

WorkspaceTop Camera

Side Camera Electromagnetic

Coils

Project and Thesis Topics 2015

Documents