Our people
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Postdoctoral Fellows
PhD Students
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Education: ʹڲƱ SYDNEY
PhD candidate - PhD Title: “Simulation Methods for Damage Prediction in Thermoplastic Composite Marine Propellers”; University of Wollongong, Australia - Bachelor Engineering (Honours) (Scholars), Materials Engineering with Honours title: “Mechanical Property Characterisation of Keyhole-TIG welded High Hardness Armour (HHA) steel plate”
Research interests: My research interests include the manufacture and performance prediction of durability-enhanced thermoplastic composites for marine, transport, and sporting goods applications. The virtually unlimited potential for design tailoring and unexplored processing, repair and recycling opportunities make thermoplastic laminates an exciting area of research. More computing power, new materials and novel requirements have seen performance prediction adoption in new markets, opening up new challenges for researchers to develop advanced explicit dynamics (time-dependant) simulations with continuum damage and user-material models to investigate the impact durability of thick laminates and coupled finite element analysis-computational fluid dynamics to explore underwater impacts. Designing experiments that help verify these predictions has been one of my most rewarding practical challenges to date.
Additional skills: Marine composites, composite hydrofoils, composite impact damage and durability, numerical simulation, finite element analysis, fluid-structure interaction, thermoplastic laminates, composites manufacturing, engineering, metallurgy, heat treatment, and failure analysis. -
Education: ʹڲƱ SYDNEY
PhD candidate - PhD Title: “Improving impact resistance of Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) manufactured AS4/APC-2 laminates for marine propellers”; Master of Material Engineering, 2013 and Bachelor of Metallurgical Engineering, 2018, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan.
Research interests: I am particularly drawn to challenges that not only present significant theoretical gaps in our understanding but also offer the potential for practical applications that can lead to significant improvements in Advanced composite manufacturing. My focus is on developing a comprehensive understanding of these issues through thorough analysis and innovative methodologies, targeted to advance the state of knowledge in the field. I am deeply involved in the exploration and innovation within the field of advanced composite material manufacturing, with a special emphasis on utilising Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) technologies. My primary research interest lies in the development and characterisation of novel composite materials that can deliver superior performance in high demanding applications. Using my advanced knowledge of composite materials, processing techniques, and applications, I aim to develop methods that significantly improve mechanical performance and durability while preserving the environment. My specific areas of focus include: Process Optimisation in AFP, Material Characterisation and Testing, Advanced Manufacturing Techniques and Data-Driven Material Science.
Additional skills: Advanced expertise in composite material properties, manufacturing processes, and applications; Skilled in mechanical testing and characterisation of composite materials (analytical techniques like tensile, short ban shear, interlaminar fracture, compression and flexural, impact testing, microscopic analysis (SEM, AFM) thermal analysis (TGA, DSC) x-ray analysis (micro-CT scan, WAXS, XRD); Hands-on experience with laboratory equipment and techniques relevant to composite material manufacturing; Demonstrated ability to optimise manufacturing processes for efficiency and quality improvement; Proficient in Minitab and Python for data and statistical analysis and predictive modelling in materials science; Ability to produce high-quality research papers, and reports; Strong project management skills, with a track record of leading multidisciplinary research projects to successful completion; Effective communicator, with experience presenting at international conferences and publishing in peer-reviewed journals; Leadership experience in supervising research teams and mentoring graduate students. -
ܳپDz:ʹڲƱ SYDNEY
PhD candidate - PhD Title: Automated Design of Hierarchical Composites; Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (IIT Bombay, India) - Thesis title: Analysis of mechanical strength, fracture and crack-speeds for monolayer and bilayer graphene
Research interests: Research interests: Research Interests: Saral's research area is about developing an inverse material design framework for designing tailored composite materials. This is achieved by an intersection of state-of-the-art composites additive manufacturing methods, data-efficient Neural Network models, and Nature-inspired hierarchical design philosophy. His work also includes multi-scale modelling of complex architecture composites by replicating the observed micro-features in the as-produced material. The proposed framework is aimed at optimising the manufacturing process and design to produce parts with desired physical properties for applications in the Aerospace, Automotive and Hydrogen Storage industries.
Additional skills: Model-Based System Engineering, Molecular Dynamics modelling and simulation, continuous damage modelling, Automated Fibre Placement -
Education: PhD Student - Current 3rd year PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering). Completed in 2021 with Honours Class 1 and the University Medal.
Research interests: Automated fibre placement of curved and complex structures, composite pressure vessels, automated composites manufacturing and finite element methods for composites simulation.
Additional skills: Automotive engineering including chassis design, vehicle dynamics, electric drive trains and fuel cell electric vehicles. -
Education: PhD Student - I completed a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at ʹڲƱ in 2021, with a thesis investigating fault detection in gearboxes using rotary encoders. During my time as an undergraduate, I worked extensively with the solar racing team, Sunswift, where I worked on the design and fabrication of Sunswift 7’s carbon fibre chassis.
Research interests: Now researching mould free composite manufacturing techniques. My research interests broadly encompass composite processing, hybrid, and natural fibre composites.
Additional skills: Hands-on composite manufacturing and testing, alongside a bit of data processing and optimisation both in MATLAB and ANSYS Mechanical. -
Education: PhD Student - DDS degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) in 2020. After graduation, I worked as a clinician and collaborated as a researcher with the prosthodontic department of TUMS on optical and mechanical properties of CAD/CAM composite and ceramic blocks. Currently I am a member of Australian Dental Association and PhD student at ʹڲƱ.
Research interests: My research interests mostly lie in CADCAM technology, advanced dental composite materials and biomimetic approaches for rehabilitation of oral function. Our research with AMAC focuses on developing biomimetic dental composites with improved mechanical properties and self-healing capabilities
Additional skills: Dental Composite manufacturing; Mechanical tests: compression strength, flexural strength and fracture toughness test, Micro-hardness Vickers test; Spectrophotometry and colorimetry; Microscopy: optical microscopy, SEM, confocal laser microscopy; FTIR spectroscopy; Microbiological techniques; Culture and sensitivity testing; Gram staining, Serological test (ElISA). -
Education: Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours, RMIT University), Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Shandong University).
Research interests: Bio-composites, Short glass fibre reinforced PEEK composites, Orthopaedic materials, Chemical modifications, 3D printing, Molecular Dynamics, advanced microscopy
Additional skills: Data Processing, Engineering Design, Visualization. -
ܳپDz:PhD Student (ʹڲƱ Sydney, NSW, Australia) – PhD Thesis Title: Development of machine-learning-based process optimisation tool for automated composite manufacturing
Master of Engineering (Research) in Mechanical Engineering (ʹڲƱ Canberra at ADFA, ACT, Australia) – ME Thesis Title: Investigation of test problems and algorithmic strategies for multi-objective multi-concept optimisation
Research Interest: Rounak’s research interest lies at the intersection of automated manufacturing and machine learning. His focus is on developing advanced optimisation tools for the Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) process in composite manufacturing. By leveraging machine learning techniques, Rounak aims to address critical challenges such as complex parameter tuning, data scarcity, and defect mitigation.
Additional Skills: Multi-objective optimisation, multi-concept optimisation, CFD
Visiting Researchers
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Project Title: CT inspection of bonded composite repairs
Abstract: Florian is an exchange research student from the Polymer Competence Center Leoben located in Leoben, Austria. His main area of research is repair of composites by adhesive bonding, which is of high interest for the aircraft industry. This interest is related to the fact that an increasing amount of structural components used in modern civil aircraft are constructed using composite materials. The scope of the research activities performed during the exchange is the investigation of damage mechanisms in repaired composite specimens that were subjected to impact loads with well-defined energy levels. For this purpose, damaged as well as pristine specimens will be inspected using high resolution computed tomography.
University: Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH, Leoben, Austria
Supervisor: Professor Paul Compston
Duration of stay: 19/08/2019 - 03/10/2019 -
Project Title: Performance monitor and prediction of a biaxially loaded thin composite tube
Abstract: The objective of this project was to study the behaviour of composite drive shaft. Therefore, I have concentrated on cylindrical specimens, manufactured using the automated fibre placement technique (AFP), under combined loading. During this internship, I was involved in a range of analytical and experimental activities related to biaxial testing of composite cylindrical specimens with cut out. A FEA has been carried out for the prepared specimens to predict strain and failure under combined loading. Besides, some analytical calculation have been made, including dimensioning calculations of a conventional drive shaft in order to compare with the performance of a composite drive shaft. After the analytical step, the experimental investigation has been carried out using an Instron biaxial testing machine. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and Distributed Fibre Optic Sensing (DFOS) has been used to acquire strain fields on cylindrical specimens.
Scholarship: Sigma Clermont foundation, affiliated school Institut Mines Telecom (IMT) - University of Clermont Auvergne (UCA)
Supervisor: Professor Gangadhara Prusty
Duration of stay: 25/02/2019 - 04/08/2019 -
Project Title: Optimisation of Advanced Grid Structure Based on Automated Fibre Placement
Abstract: Advanced grid structure (AGS) has been regarded as one of the most common composite structures. This project aims at the optimisation design and automated manufacture of a novel grid structure with significantly improved structural efficiency. The deformation mechanism of fibres around intersection region of crossed grids will be analysed considering compaction of fibre bed and flowing of resin. Moreover, the relationship between fibre distribution and the mechanical properties of composite structure will be studied in theoretical and experimental method. A universal criterion will be proposed to reduce processing defects and optimise the intersection region of AGS, based on automated fibre placement process. The success of this research will provide theoretical foundation and technical reference for the design and manufacture of high performance advanced composite grid structures, to meet requirements of lightweight and extreme service conditions.
University: Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China
Supervisor: Professor Gangadhara Prusty
Duration of stay: 13/05/2019 - 12/05/2020 -
Project Title: Automated Manufacture of a Shape-Adaptive Large Hydrofoils
Abstract: In this work was presented the design and manufacture of a shape-adaptive large hydrofoil of 1.5 m long using the automated fibre placement technique (AFP). To determine the optimum layup of the laminate, a coupled FEM code with a Genetic Algorithm was used. With this method, the goal was to obtain the different ply orientation to achieve the required bend/twist capability of the large hydrofoil. Once the optimization phase was completed, the resulting layup orientation was used in the development of the G-code and proceeded with the manufacturing of the laminate using the AFP technique. During the automated lamination, it was implanted an embedded optic fibre as a monitor control system. After the curing process, the laminate will be submitted to fatigue loads and measure the mechanical response. The results obtained will be compared to experiments made on laminates with similar characteristics built with classic manufacturing process (RTM).
University: University of Liege, Belgium
Scholarship: Erasmus Mundus Masters Course in Integrated Advanced Design and Offshore Structures (EMship)
Supervisor: Professor Gangadhara Prusty
Duration of stay: 02/07/2018 - 09/11/2018 -
Project Title: Development of computational system for MMC coatings.
Abstract: this research assumes development of system that would be useful in design and development of metal-matrix composite coatings. During study, finite element model for composite coatings concerning contact loads and thermal stresses will be developed and validated. What is more, independent computer software together with GUI will be developed for output data visualization and processing. Whole study is interdisciplinary, as it incorporates areas of computational mechanics and software development.
University: Poznan University of Technology (Poznań, Poland)
Scholarship: PANTHER - Pacific Atlantic Network for Technical Higher Education and Research
ܱǰ:Professor Gangadhara Prusty
Duration of stay: 13/11/2017 - 12/05/2018 -
Project Title: Evaluation of the influence of hoop fiber to axial fiber ratio (H / A) on the amount of absorbed energy in the process of the axisymmetric tube compression in dynamic conditions.
Abstract: Recently, there has been considerable interest to incorporate composite crashworthy structures in the aerospace and automotive industries. Crashworthiness is typically defined as the ability of a structure to absorb energy in a collision or an impact, and survive; in the case of a passenger vehicle, this would be the ability to ensure the survivability of the occupants. Well-designed composite crush structures can absorb significantly more energy per unit mass than metals. The crushing tests of samples with use of various hoop fiber to axial fiber ratio in dynamic conditions are planned in this work. Unidirectional prepreg and plain carbon prepregs of various weights will be used in the study. Made research may allow for significantly increasing in transport safety.
University: Rzeszow University of Technology, Poland
ҰԳ:Endeavour Scholarship and Fellowship, Australia Awards
Supervisor: Professor Gangadhara Prusty
Duration of stay: 1/2/2018 – 30/6/2018 -
Project Title: Research on verification and validation of FEM modelling development of delamination resulted by low-speed impact for AFP fabricated C/PEEK composite shell.
Abstract: An initiation-propagation FEM model of the delamination with progressive damage phenomenon inclusion in a flat and curved laminate shells of carbon reinforced thermoset and thermoplastic polymer composites are under consideration in the research. Interlaminar and intralaminar, adhesive and cohesive bondings are included. The smart diagnostic technology based on AE&FBG-SHM system is used for an assessment of the progressive damage phenomenon.
University: Warsaw University of Technology (Warsaw, Poland)
ҰԳ:Erasmus Mundus - Pacific Atlantic Network for Technical Higher Education and Research – PANTHER – programme
Supervisor: Professor Gangadhara Prusty
Duration of stay: 26/12/2017 – 16/07/2018 -
Project Title: Characterization of the influence of placement rate on the mechanical properties of laser-assisted AFP composite laminates by means of in-situ mircoCT compression tests.
Abstract: Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) of composite materials has great potential to become an manufacturing technology for components of high volume applications. Parts of thermoplastic composites can be fully processed with this technology by in-situ consolidation of the material via laser heating. This ability to manufacture composite parts without an out-of-autoclave (OOA) process potentially saves high running and capital costs that are associated with autoclaves. However, to obtain autoclave-level mechanical properties via AFP is still challenging. In this study unidirectional carbon-fiber-reinforced PEEK laminates, manufactured by laser-assisted AFP with different placement rates, are compared. The mechanical behavior of the composite laminates are analyzed by means of in-situ microCT compression tests. The focus of these measurements is especially on the distribution and geometry of the voids within the material and the failure initiation under compression.
University: Technical University of Munich
DZǰ:TUM Graduate School and Faculty Graduate Center Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Munich (TUM)
ܱǰ:Professor Paul Compston
Duration of stay: 12/02/2018 – 06/04/2018 -
Bio: Dr. Rajan is a Senior Fellow/Lecturer at the University of Wollongong, Australia. He obtained a PhD degree in Engineering from Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), Ireland in 2009. He was a Project Manager at the Photonics Research Centre of DIT during 2009-2012 and a VC Research Fellow at ʹڲƱ during 2012-2015. He has published over 135 articles in journals, conferences and as book chapters and two patents are also filed. He is also the editor of the books “Optical Fiber Sensors:- Advanced Techniques and Applications” and "Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures using Fiber Optic Methods", both published by CRC Press. He serves as a technical program committee chair and member of conferences in the area of optical fiber sensors and smart composite materials, editorial board member and reviewer of several journals, and reviewer for funding applications of several organizations. His research and teaching interests includes optical fibre sensing and its applications in a number of engineering areas. At AMAC he is leading the fibre optic structural health monitoring research and its applications in composite structures.
University: University of Wollongong, Australia
ܱǰ:Professor Gangadhara Prusty
Duration of stay: 2018 – 2021 -
Project Title: Heating characteristics of laser assisted Thermoplastic-Automated Fiber Placement of 3D paths
Abstract: Thermoplastic Automated Fiber Placement (TP AFP) is a fully automated process to manufacture high performance composite parts. The thermoplastic matrix offers unique properties to the composite part, but also requires special manufacturing process knowledge. The ultimate goal of TP AFP process development is reaching sound in situ consolidation, as this reduces manufacturing steps and costs. However, today the TP AFP process is limited to flat parts or geometries with either constant or a very soft curvature. The work focuses on characterizing the laser heating characteristics of convex 3D geometries with a small corner radius. A thermal model of the process is accompanied by lay up trials with a state-of-the-art TP AFP machine on 3D geometry.
University: Technical University of Munich
DZǰ:TUM Graduate School and Faculty Graduate Center Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Supervisor: Professor Paul Compston
Duration of stay: 27/04/2018 – 04/06/2018