Postgraduates: Completed Projects in 2006

2006
Balachandran, Sreeraj Ph.D.	Mass transfer enhancement of supercritical fluid extraction from a model herb	Sreeraj studied the extraction of gingerols from ginger using supercritical carbon dioxide. The effect of moisture level and the use of ultrasound to enhance the extraction were considered. This research has provided an in-depth understanding of extraction mechanisms. Results will form the basis for further scale-up studies that may allow the implementation of this technology at a commercial level.
Cooling, David Ph.D.	Improving the sustainability of bauxite residue management: evaluation of bauxite residue carbonation	David studied more sustainable practices in dealing with the red mud residue in the alumina industry. His studies have shown that residue carbonisation with carbon dioxide is an effective means of reducing the residue pH at operational levels. The work represents a major step towards more sustainable practice in this important Australian industry.
Croll, Tristan Ph.D.	Surface modifiction of biodegradable polymeric scaffolds for the purpose of soft tissue engineering	Tristan investigated methods of engineering the surface biochemistry of degradable polymeric scaffolds. His work has shown that these 'smart' surfaces not only invoke definite control of cell behaviour but more importantly arrest the development of a foreign-body response during wound healing, a true breakthrough for the field of tissue engineering.
Duxson, Peter Ph.D.	The structure and thermal evolution of metakaolin geopolymers	Peter used nuclear magnetic resonance methods to develop a new conceptual model for the relationship between the molecular structure and physical properties of geopolymers synthesised from calcined kaolinite. His innovative interpretation of the thermal evolution of fire-resistant geopolymers will facilitate their use as an environmentally friendly replacement of conventional cements.
Gladman, Brendan Ph.D.	The effect of shear on dewatering of flocculated suspensions	Brendan studied the role of polymeric flocculants in aiding the dewatering of fine particle waste suspensions in the minerals industry, both in the the laboratory and field. The work provided a novel, quantitative description of the role of shear processes in improving water recover. The resultant approach is being exploited world-wide.
Glasson, Sarah Ph.D.	Effect of modifiers on the kinetics of solvent extraction	Sarah investigated the influence of modifiers and surfactants on the rate of reaction of metal ions in commercial solvent extraction systems used in hydrometallurgy. She quantitatively explained the influence of modifiers resulting in a better understanding of their role and so enabling the development of more efficient and competitive processes for the Australian Minerals Industry.
Goodall, William R Ph.D.	New techniques in the characterization of low grade gold ores	Will studied the distribution of ultra-fine gold and other precious metals in ores from the Pilbara region of Western Australia. He developed a combined spectroscopic and laboratory based approach to ore analysis. This has led to an improved gold recovery process and new methodologies for the global gold industry.
Hulston, Janine Ph.D.	Effect of flocculation conditions on the dewaterability of hematite and red mud suspensions	Janine studied the role of flocculants in enhancing product recovery and improving the recycle of water in the alumina industry. Her work has established a novel and quantitative basis for the assessment of these additives. It has led to new approaches to flocculent utilisation.
Kenny, Stephen Ph.D.	The production of aluminium fluoride	Stephen investigated a possible new route, using Australian resources, to production of aluminium fluoride, currently imported for aluminium smelting. He studied reaction of silicon tetrafluoride, a by-product of local phosphate processing, with Australian alumina. He designed a range of experimental equipment of increasing complexity to determine the variables involved in scaling up to industrial level.
Leahy, Martin Ph.D.	Temperature and air flow effects in the modelling of bacteria in heap bioleaching of chalcocite	Martin developed computational mathematical models of the metallurgical process of heap bioleaching of copper sulfide ore. The study improved our understanding of the distribution of temperature, oxygen level, bacterial count and leaching rate inside heaps. The models can be used to improve the efficiency of copper extraction.
Lee, (Judy) Yu-Ting Ph.D.	The behaviour of ultrasound generated bubbles in the presence of surface active solutes	Judy studied the influence of surface active solutes on the dissolution, growth and coalescence of ultrasound generated bubbles, via various experimental techniques. Her findings provide important insights into a complicated system that can greatly improve future ultrasound applications in processes such as degassing, cleaning and degradation of pollutants.
Lubansky, Alex Ph.D.	The external properties of food emulsions	Alex studied the behaviour of complex fluids in extensional flows. This study showed that biopolymers present in typical food and cosmetic systems significantly increase extensional viscosities; enhancing droplet deformation and improving emulsification efficiency. The understanding gained from this investigation is directly applicable to formulation design in food and cosmetic industries.
Meiser, Felix Ph.D.	Fluorescent, rare-earth-doped nanoparticles as biolabels	Felix developed a novel biolabel by coupling inorganic, green fluorescent nanoparticles with biomolecules. He showed that specific proteins, which may have importance in the detection of cancer, can be detected at low levels. The study demonstrates the potential of nanomaterials for diagnostics and nanomedicine.
Mensforth, Kathryn Ph.D.	Performance and scale-up of Karr reciprocating plate extraction columns	Kathryn studied the equipment used for extraction of alkaloids from opium poppies. Her work on the performance of the Karr Extraction Column has lead to significant advances in the efficiency of exisiting equipment and ideas for the next generation of equipment.
Muthukumaran, Shobha Ph.D.	Ultrasonic enhancement of dairy ultrafiltration membrane processes	Shobha studied the application of ultrasound to dairy ultrafiltration membrane processes. Her findings on this innovative approach provide a useful contribution to the dairy industry and will facilitate the practical application of ultrasound to large scale industrial membrane processes for both membrane cleaning and flux enhancement.
Patnaikuni, Sridevi M.Eng.Sc.	Temperature dependence in the rheological behaviour of synovial fluid and hyaluronan
Provis, John Ph.D.	Mathematical modelling of geopolymer reactions in alkaline solution	John has developed the first mathematical models describing both the structure and the rate of formation of geopolymeric cements. This will have a substantial impact on the adoption of these materials as a replacement for traditional cements and as a means of converting industrial waste to construction materials.
Rodd, Lucy Ph.D.	Planar entry flow of low viscosity elastic fluids in micro-fabricated contraction geometries	Lucy studied the behaviour of polymeric liquids within microfluidic devices. For the first time, the complex flow regimes produced by the intrinsic elasticity of such solutions were isolated and characterized. The outcomes of this investigation will find direct application in biotechnology, food and personal care industries.
Sindhunata Ph.D.	A conceptual model of geopolymerisation	Sindhu developed a conceptual model for geopolymers, an environmentally-friendly aluminosilicate polymer which can be used as construction products, toxic waste immobilisers, and in ceramic applications. The study provided an improved and novel understanding of the pre structure of geopolymers, the competition of simultaneous reactions, and the reactivity of late geopolymerisation.
Tan, Chor Sing Ph.D.	Thermally responsive hydrogel for electrophoretic separation of protein	Tan studied a new type of thermally responsive gel that can be used for large scale protein separation. The study showed that the gel’s properties can be easily modified by changing temperature and salt concentration and this has important implications for large scale protein separation in pharmaceutical manufacture.
Wei, Yalin Ph.D.	Rheo-optical studies of polymer solutions	Yalin studied shear-induced deformation and orientation characteristics of polymer by UV-VIS absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Significant degree of chain alignment was found for rigid rod-like polymer during shear. A new physical interpretation of the flow behaviour of polymers above critical overlap concentration has been suggested by this study.
Woodberry, Penny M.Eng.Sc.	Assessment of an iminodiacetic acid ion-exchange resin for the treatment of contaminated waters in Antarctica
Yung, (Kelly) Ka Lai Ph.D.	Study of alternative solvents for extraction of alkaloids	Kelly examined the potential of room temperature ionic liquids to replace traditional solvents in the pharmaceutical industry. These liquids reduce environmental impact and product contamination. The study showed that these materials can be used as a direct replacement for existing solvents but also identified some important limitations which will guide further development.

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Melbourne School of Engineering Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Postgraduates: Completed Projects in 2006

2006

Melbourne School of Engineering
Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering