RMIT wins $4.9 million in ARC research funding

Research funded through grants announced include projects to improve query processing over dynamic social networks, structural reliability of nanocomposite structures and the development of a predictive tool that determines nanoparticle exposure risk and its health consequences caused by nanoparticle inhalation.

Seven early career researchers were awarded Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) grants, totalling more than $2.3 million, while more than $1.9 million was awarded to six research projects in Discovery Project grants.

Two teams of RMIT researchers attracted ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) grants in collaboration with other institutions such as Deakin University, The Australian National University, Macquarie University, The University of Queensland and partner organisation Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC).

One of the facilities is led by Professor Yongxiang Li from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering which supports cutting-edge research into multilayer ceramic microsystems such as micro electromechanical systems, wireless sensors and actuators, radio frequency and microwave devices and microfluidic packaging.

It is anticipated this facility will provide a resource for Australian researchers to create novel electronic materials and devices that will be the key to achieving breakthroughs in micro/nano-technologies and telecommunications.

The ARC Discovery Projects Grants Scheme allows researchers to take an idea and investigate a research topic which may lead to future opportunities for development and collaboration.

One standout research grant includes Professor Mark Easton from the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Engineering who received $480,000 for a project on Design of tuneable microstructures for additive manufacturing.

The research focuses on using additive manufacturing to revolutionise the way things are made, leading to mass customisation and reduction of waste in applications such as biomedical implants and aerospace parts.

Tuning the internal structure of additively manufactured metal will improve the quality and reliability of components and improving productivity.

The project has attracted researchers from The University Queensland, The Ohio State University (USA) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

Other successful projects included:

• Professor Timos Sellis from the School of Computer Science and Information Technology received $270,000 for a project on Effective and efficient query processing over dynamic social network
  
• Professor Athman Bouguettaya from the School of Computer Science and Information Technology received $339,000 for a project on Long-term cloud service composition
• Associate Professor Jie Yang from the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering received $310,000 for a project on Buckling of functionally graded multilayer graphene nanocomposites
• Professor Jiuyan Tu from the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering received $270,000 for a project on A multiscale modelling platform for nanoparticle inhalation risk assessment
• Professor Mike Xie from the School of Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering received $305,000 for a project on Design of novel metamaterials considering large deformation and plasticity.

Story: Petra van Nieuwenhoven