Net Zero Initiative

Supervisors: Dr. Ali Hadigheh

Eligibility: WAM>75 and Undergraduate candidates must have already completed at least 96 credit points towards their undergraduate degree at the time of application.

Project Description: Carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are being increasingly used in lightweight structures due to their unique combination of high strength and low weight. These superior properties promoted high usage growth rates observed in aerospace, defence, construction, automotive and renewable energy. This research will aim to produce recycled composites for structural applications.

Requirement to be on campus: Yes *dependent on government’s health advice.

Supervisors: A.Prof. Nicholas Lawson & Deanna D’Alessandro

Eligibility: WAM>75 and Undergraduate candidates must have already completed at least 96 credit points towards their undergraduate degree at the time of application.

Project Description: Significant progress has been made with respect to direct air capture (DAC) technology, including the DAC Solar Array system developed at the University of Sydney with Southern Green Gas. However, little is known about the potential effects of the atmospheric boundary layer on the flow around DAC units in a DAC solar farm environment. This project will set up a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model of a generic DAC farm and investigate the flow field around generic shaped DAC units, based on the current unit shape and design. Recommendations will then be made from the CFD results about the potential effect of the farm layout and DAC unit shape on carbon capture efficiency.

Requirement to be on campus: Yes *dependent on government’s health advice.

Supervisors: Ali Hadigheh, Guy Roth, Tom O’Donoghue

Eligibility: WAM>75 and Undergraduate candidates must have already completed at least 96 credit points towards their undergraduate degree at the time of application.

Project Description:

Industrial hemp is an emerging industry, projected to reach $18.6b by 2027. The demand for hemp-based building materials is growing due to their highly insulating, fire-retardant and lightweight properties, while also being produced from predominantly renewable materials.

In farming systems hemp crops improve soil condition and sequester carbon. However, clear pathways to market for hemp products are yet to develop. A promising product, hemp bricks; produced form mulched hemp, lime, and water; presents as an eco-alternative to clay bricks.

This project looks to confirm, through comparison with Australian Standards, the performance of hemp bricks against clay brick standards to confirm its suitability as an eco-alternative. Confirmation will present a viable market for hemp producers and encourage further uptake of this environmentally beneficial crop.

Requirement to be on campus: Yes *dependent on government’s health advice.