27 April 2012
Platform Technologies News – Issue 2, April 2012
Platform Technologies News is the quarterly newsletter of the Platform Technologies Research Institute (PTRI).
The Institute aims to sustain an open, inclusive and supportive research culture that nurtures careers, celebrates achievements and promotes industry-oriented research and innovation. Platform Technologies News has been developed to celebrate achievements of researchers within the Institute.
Regulars
From the Director’s desk
Director,
Professor Xinghuo Yu
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to the second edition of Platform Technologies for 2012, hope you enjoy reading about the activities of all our members during the first part of 2012.
Over the last four months we have seen many changes being implemented; over the Easter long weekend the Student Administration Management System (SAMS) and upgrade of Enrolment Online was rolled out and I know we have all been busy “Getting ready for Google” and saying goodbye to Groupwise!
In addition, I am sure we have all been challenged by the launch of the new on line work planning system and I hope you all managed to complete the first stage of the work planning process. Another change within the work planning process is that Institute Directors are to be invited to be part of work planning discussions for Core Members. This will strengthen the communication between Heads of School and Institute Directors and is a step towards ensuring researchers are well-supported and receive constructive feedback, as well as providing managers with a better understanding of the workload of researchers in their area. Unfortunately due to the late notification of this change, I was unable to arrange my participation during the first stage, but I look forward to discussing the next stage of the workplanning process with you during June 2012.
On another note, the new Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Research Program (ITRP) has generated much interest both here at RMIT and across Australian universities, as many research offices attempt to develop strategy around the single press release and one factsheet available about this new funding program.
In early 2012 the Research Collaborations and Partnerships team formed the ITRP Steering Committee with representation from Design and Social Context, Science, Engineering & Health, Business, Research & Innovation, and Global Business and Engagement. This Steering Committee has promoted the program internally and discussed and developed strategy to ensure that RMIT is well prepared for the guidelines to be released. Information sessions were held by RC&P and R&I also engaged Professor Alan Johnson AM for additional information sessions and individual team meetings to discuss ideas.
As a result of this internal process nine Expressions of Interest have been submitted to the Steering Committee for a combination of Research Hubs and Training Centres with a number of additional great ideas still under development.
This is a terrific result that demonstrates internal capability in the research focus areas and expertise in applied research that will solve critical global problems affecting the Australian economy and community.
It should be noted that within three years ITRP funding will be 1/2 of total ARC Linkage Program funding, with a roll out of 1/6 per year for 3 years - with the Industry funding component expected to be more than for current linkage grants. The funding guidelines are expected to be released end of April but you are encouraged to participate in the submissions currently under development – please contact the R&I Research Collaborations and Partnerships team (Fiona Madden) for further information.
The recent announcement of the 7 successful recipients of the 2012 RMIT University Research Fellowships – of which 4 were placed in PTRI - demonstrates RMIT’s support for the development of new initiatives in 2012. I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Ian Griffiths as PTRI Manager, Commercialisation and Industry Linkage - his role will be to conduct investigations, prepare submissions and reports on program and project issues and provide expert advice on technology issues and emerging trends. As part of this vital aspect of the development of new initiatives within PTRI, Ian will be happy to meet with you to discuss your initiative and any issues you may have.
The PTRI Distinguished Lecture and Seminar Series is also continuing and I do hope to see you at those sessions that are of interest to you. If you would like to contribute to the seminar series or would just like to discuss new ideas, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Warm regards,
Professor Xinghuo Yu
Director
Awards and honours
Dr Craig Smith, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and technical director of EOS Space Systems Pty Ltd has been awarded an Adjunct Professorship with RMIT University and the SPACE Research Centre. Dr Smith is highly experienced in astronomical research, engineering, project leadership and project management and has been an integral part of EOS’s financial success and continued growth in Australia over the past ten years. His research influence in Australia is felt through his presence on several prestigious governing committees including; the Giant Magellan Telescope Project Committee, the Australian Telescope National Facility Users Group, the Australian Gemini Science Advisory Committee and the Executive Council of the Astronomical Society of Australia. He is also a member of numerous national and international Astronomical, Engineering and Physical societies with strong collaborative links in the US. Dr Smith and EOS have a strong collaborative history with the RMIT SPACE Research Centre and have worked on a number of joint research projects including ARC-Linkage and the Australian Space Research Program.
Comings and goings
We welcomed the following new staff and members to RMIT and PTRI during the first few months of 2012:
Staff appointments
PTRI extend a warm welcome to Dr Ian Griffiths who joined us as PTRI Industry Linkage and Commercialisation Manager in April 2012. Ian’s previous role was as Business Development Director at Aortech Biomaterials Pty Ld where he project managed numerous medical device developments in collaboration with major medical device companies and negotiated technology licence and supply agreements. As Chief Executive Officer at Polynovo Pty Ltd he raised over $13 million for the establishment and commercialisation of the CSIRO technology - NovoSorb - a biodegradable polymer for use in medical devices. Ian obtained a PhD from the University of Manchester, Institute of Science and Technology with his thesis entitled “Chemo-rheological modelling of network forming systems (instrumentation physics)”.
Within PTRI Ian will be initiating, maintaining and managing PTRI’s relationship with critical internal and external stakeholders by working in close partnership with key industry stakeholders and businesses to engage them in PTRI programs and projects.
Importantly, as PTRI will be moving in a new direction from 2012 onwards, Ian will conduct investigations, prepare submissions and reports on program and project issues and provide expert advice to the Director and Research Group Leaders on technology issues and emerging trends.
We also welcome Professor Geoffrey Stokes as the new Deputy PVC, Business Research in the College of Business who will be replacing Professor Brian Corbitt on the PTRI Steering Committee - we look forward to working with him.
Dr Wenwu Yu commenced in February 2012 as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Electrical & Computer Engineering. Dr Yu’s extensive international expertise in the areas of networked control systems, flocking control, stability and bifurcation analysis, and multi-agent systems will enhance the complex systems team’s capacity for collaborative and cross disciplinary research. His international collaborations with researchers at Southeast University (Nanjing, China), University of Groningen (The Netherlands), University of Naples Federico II (Naples, Italy), Columbia University (New York, USA), City University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China), Universitat Gottingen (Gottingen, Germany), Chinese Academy of Sciences (Beijing, China) and more recently RMIT University and the University of Western Sydney, Australia, provides him with an unique background to contribute to RMIT’s research in this field.
Research Fellows 2012
Dr Sasan Adibi’s research focus is the development and optimisation of wireless-based technologies in the context of security and Quality of Service in Health Informatics. As a member of the Advanced Technology department at Research In Motion (RIM), which is the global provider of Blackberry, he has been working in the field of Mobile Health and interacting with a number of companies in the area of advanced biomedical systems, with promising global impact and influences. Dr Adibi has an extensive history of publications and awards. He will be based in the Platform Technologies Research Institute and the School of Business Information Technology and Logistics.
Dr Everson Kandare’s research interests include the evaluation of the use of polymer matrices to improve fire reaction properties, and the structural performance of aluminium and steel structures in fire. He has undertaken extensive research in the performance of composite materials and fibres when exposed to heat, and also for marine, aerospace and automotive applications. Dr Kandare previously worked with the University of Bolton and Marquette University. He will be based in the Platform Technologies Research Institute and the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.
Dr Kai (Alex) Qin has most recently worked as postdoctoral researcher at the French National Institute for Research in Computer Science in Grenoble, France. An expert in electrical and electronic engineering, Dr Qin’s key research interests include global optimisation, evolutionary computation, pattern recognition and computer vision. He has an extensive record of publications and awards, and solid experience in applying academic research to industrial applications. Dr Qin will be based in the Platform Technologies Research Institute and the School of Computer Science and Information Technology.
Dr Francisco Tovar Lopez is a founding member of the ‘Lab on a Chip’ team within the Micro-Platform Research Group at RMIT and has recently completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering. His doctoral project involved the development of a micro device for blood testing. Dr Tovar Lopez specialises in computational simulation, mechanical design, microfabrication, fluid experimental techniques and programming languages. In addition to his academic achievements, he has experience working internationally as a mechanical engineer in the biomedical industry. Dr Tovar-Lopez will continue to be based at the Platform Technologies Research Institute and the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
New PTRI Members
Welcome to the following new members:
- Dr Reza Hoseinnezhad, School of Aerospace Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering
- Dr Peggy Chan, School of Applied Sciences
- Dr John Q. Fang, School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Dr Shamas Bajwa, School of Civil, Environmental & Chemical Engineering
- Dr Khashayar Khoshmanesh, School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Visiting Professors
Professor Gottfried Kirchengast from the Wegener Center for Global and Climate Change at the University of Graz, Austria is currently visiting the SPACE Research Centre on a three month research exchange. Professor Kirchengast is working closely with SPACE research staff and HDR students on GPS/ Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Radio Occultation (RO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) – LEO Microwave and Infrared-laser Occultation (LMIO) research. Professor Kirchengast is a highly respected researcher and an international leader in the field of satellite climatology. His visit is part of a strong collaborative link between the RMIT SPACE Research Centre and the Wegener Center for Global and Climate Change. Professor Kirchengast will be at RMIT until 18 May 2012.
Farewell
Professor Brian Corbitt has taken a six month sabbatical from RMIT and PTRI thanks Brian for his contributions in his capacity as a member of the PTRI Steering Committee and more recently as Program Leader of the Applied Logistics program.
Brian’s leadership of the Logistics research group and enthusiasm and commitment to establish new initiatives within the Institute for 2012 has provided a pathway for the group to get involved in CRC bids in the field of transportation and logistics.
Dr Chuang-Sheng (Carl) Wang has left the SPACE Research Centre. Dr Wang has worked at the Centre since 2009 conducting research into GPS/ Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Radio Occultation, ground-based satellite positioning, remote sensing, data assimilation and modelling and atmospheric sciences. The SPACE Research Centre wishes him all the very best in his future endeavours.
Conferences/Invited Talks
Participation in conferences is an important aspect of research at RMIT. PTRI would like to acknowledge the contributions of the following members:
4th International Conference on Sustainable Automotive Technologies - From the Present to the Future
About 100 delegates from 15 countries attended this three-day conference at RMIT University chaired by Professor Aleksandar Subic, Head of the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.
The conference discussed issues such as the future of green cars, including electric powered and alternative fuel vehicles, lightweight vehicle technologies and intelligent vehicle systems.
The conference was opened by Professor Margaret Gardner AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of RMIT, and Richard Dalla-Riva, Victorian Ministerfor Manufacturing, Exports and Trade.
Keynote speakers at the conference included: Dr Matthew Cuthbertson, CEO, AutoCRC, Australia; Professor Dr Gernot Spiegelberg, Head of Research Corporate Technology Division, Siemens AG, Germany; and Professor Keqiang LI, Chair of Automotive Engineering, Tsinghua University, China.
Professor Jinhu Lu was invited to deliver a Plenary Talk in the 2012 International Workshop on Network Synchronization and Control held at Shenzhen, China from 11-14 January 2012.
Professor Xinghuo Yu was an invited keynote speaker on “Finite-Time Sliding Mode Control in Continuous-Time and Discrete-Time” at the 12th International Workshop on Variable Structure Systems held at the Indian Institute of Technology in Bombay from 12-14 January 2012.
Professor Xinghuo Yu was also invited to present a lecture on 21st February 2012 on “Information and Control in Smart Grids” at the Polytechnic Institute of NYU in Brooklyn, New York. The talk was hosted by Professor Zhong-Ping Zhiang of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering who will be visiting RMIT in July 2012.
Professor Kefei Zhang gave an oral presentation entitled “Numerical Ray Tracing of GPS Radio Occultation Paths”, at the COSMIC International Radio Occultation Working Group (IROWG) in Estes Park, Colorado, USA.
Visiting Professor Gottfried Kirchengast presented a talk entitled “Progress with LEO-LEO Microwave and Infrared-laser Occultation: Performance Results and Canary Islands Greenhouse Gases Experiment”, at the COSMIC IROWG in Estes Park, Colorado, USA.
Visiting Professor Gottfried Kirchengast was invited to chair a session focused on the ionosphere at the COSMIC IROWG in Estes Park, Colorado, USA.
Ms Ying Li gave a poster presentation entitled “4D-dynamical high altitude initialization of GPS radio occultation bending angles”, at the same event.
External links and collaborations
There are many examples of external collaborations amongst the various research groups:
Australia-India Research Centre for Automation Software Engineering (AICAUSE)
In February 2012, a delegation which included Victorian State Premier Ted Baillieu, Vice-Chancellor and President of RMIT University, Professor Margaret Gardner and RMIT’s eResearch Director and Professor of Software Engineering, Professor Heinrich Schmidt met officials at the ABB Corporate Research Centre in Bangalore.
RMIT will collaborate with ABB Australia, ABB Corporate Research Centre (CRC) and Global Industries and Services in India to develop AICAUSE at the University, as well as a corporate research footprint at ABB’s facility in Notting Hill, Melbourne.
Research laboratories at RMIT City campus, ABB Notting Hill and ABB Bangalore, India, will be linked to form a virtual R&D laboratory supporting joint industry research collaboration - enabling the rotation of PhD students and researchers between industry and academia.
The ABB Group of companies operates in 100 countries and employs 130,000 people. AICAUSE is a Victorian and Indian bilateral research centre for real-world applications in the field of global software engineering for automation and heavy engineering.
The centre will support ABB Australia and other businesses in industry sectors including advanced manufacturing, energy generation and distribution, utilities, building automation and mining and natural resources.
When fully operational, the centre will develop engineering solutions by combining software engineering expertise with other multi-disciplinary research strengths at RMIT.
Initially facilitating collaborative research between Victoria and India on virtual software systems used to test equipment remotely, AICAUSE will also develop new pathways for students.
The focus of the collaboration will be on mining, manufacturing and renewable power generation.
The announcement came as part of a trade mission to India of more than 200 Victorian companies led by Mr Baillieu and received significant media coverage in Australia including Channel 9 TV News in Victoria and the Deccan Herald in India.
MIT - breakthrough research in energy storage and power generation
While on sabbatical from RMIT in 2009 and 2010, Associate Professor Kourosh Kalantar-zadeh, from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, joined MIT Associate Professor Michael Strano’s nanotechnology research group.
Before he arrived, Strano’s laboratory was working on measuring the acceleration of a chemical reaction along a nanotube when they discovered that the reaction generated power.
While at MIT, Dr Kalantar-zadeh joined the researchers and using their combined expertise in chemistry and nanomaterials they further explored a new phenomenon where the power generated relative to the energy source size is three to four times greater than what is currently possible with the best lithium-ion batteries.
Their work titled Nanodynamite: Fuel-coated nanotubes could provide bursts of power to the smallest systems is in the December IEEE Spectrum Magazine, the publication of the IEEE, the world’s largest professional technology association.
This experimental system involves coating a nanotube in nitrocellulose fuel and igniting one end, setting off a combustion wave along it and finding that a nanotube is an excellent conductor of heat from burning fuel. It is the first viable nanoscale approach to power generation that exploits the thermoelectric effect by overcoming the feasibility issues associated with minimising dimensions.
But the team will have to explore multiple angles when it comes to taming these exotic waves and, ultimately, finding out if they’re the wave of the future.
RMIT and Mizuno work on the perfect running shoe
Researchers at the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, led by Professor Aleksandar Subic, are two years into a three-year project - a joint venture with the giant Japanese Mizuno Corporation, which will finish at the end of this year at a cost of $500,000.
Using a user-centred design approach known as “Kansei engineering”, runners’ own emotions are now being used to develop the next-generation personalised running shoe. Biomechanical requirements vary from athlete to athlete, so to make the best shoes for the individual manufacturers have to understand the individual’s mental state and translate it into product properties.
The research aims to develop a technology platform for the design and manufacture of next-generation running shoes, quantifying and relating performance attributes such as shock absorption, stiffness and durability to the particular feel experienced by the runner.
The digital design of the individual product will be available for immediate transfer to rapid additive manufacture of the personalised running shoe.
RMIT SPACE Research Centre and Wroclaw University Poland
The RMIT SPACE Research Centre has established a Software Licence Agreement with the Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences’ (WUELS) Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics. This agreement grants SPACE Centre staff and HDR students, access to 3D tropospheric modelling software utilising Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) phase signal delay measurements. This agreement will enhance the research capabilities and scope of SPACE Research Centre staff and students and function to increase RMIT’s international connectivity with WUELS.
The SPACE Research Centre has been exploring ways to expand its collaborative relationship with Wuhan University and connect with international next generation GNSS research initiatives. In March the RMIT SPACE Research Centre and the GNSS Research Center (GRC) at Wuhan University signed a Data Collection and Equipment Licence Agreement. Under this agreement the GRC will provide a geodetic GPS/ COMPASS dual-system receiver to the SPACE Research Centre. In return the SPACE Research Centre will contribute to initial research and testing of the Chinese Beidou/ COMPASS satellite constellation due for completion in early 2020. This agreement will provide SPACE Centre staff and students access to a new data source which will enhance the quality of research being done at the Centre and ensure that RMIT is positioned at the forefront of Australian space science research.
SPACE and JAXA (Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency)
The SPACE Research Centre is also currently working with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to formalise a collaborative agreement which will see two next generation GNSS receivers loaned to RMIT University. These receivers will be used to link in with preliminary experiments on JAXA’s Quasi Zenith Satellite System (QZSS).
Satellite Positioning for Atmosphere, Climate and Environment Centre (SPACE)
Professor Kefei Zhang is a member of the following international conference organisation committees;
- COSMIC international expert committee
- iGNSS 2011 scientific programme committee
- http://www.ignss.org/Committees/ScientificCommittee/tabid/61/Default.aspx
- IPIN 2011 programme committee http://ipin2011.dsi.uminho.pt/programmeCommittee.php
- APSG 2001 advisory committee http://202.127.29.4/APSG2011/first.html
- Australian Space Science Conference (ASSC) Program Committee, http://www.nssa.com.au/ocs/index.php?cf=13
- AOGS 2013 Australian Bid Steering Committee. The AOGS 2013 bid has been successful and it is expected that 1,500 – 2,000 delegates will visit Australia
- A member of Australian steering committee for the successful bid of hosting IPIN 2013 conference and it is expected over 300 delegates will visit Australia.
Research seminars
PTRI is committed to collaborations between researchers across RMIT, from national and international institutions and industry. The following seminars were held during the past quarter:
3 February 2012
A Distinguished Lecture on Intelligent systems: an assesment of the past and the prospects for the future was presented by Professor Okyay Kaynak, Director of the Mechatronics Research and Application Centre and Professor at Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey.
22 February 2012
A Distinguished Lecture on Synthesis and applications of conducting polymer nanofibers presented by Professor Richard Kaner, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Materials Science and Engineering and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Adjunct Professor, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
23 March 2012
A public seminar entitled A next-generation of gnss radio occultation: greenhouse gases and climate change for microwave and IR-Laser Occultation was presented by Visiting Professor Gottfried Kirchengast.
27 March 2012
A Research Seminar on The Use of Colour to reposition Olympic Sports: from surface design and marketing to major games event experience presented by Dr Martin Schlegel, Managing Director of Advanced Polymer Technology Australasia Pty Ltd.
Unable to attend? Don’t worry. All past seminar presentation material is available from the PTRI events website.
News on grants
To recognise the efforts and contributions of researchers who submitted quality grant applications which were not successful, the College of Science, Engineering and Health awarded the following “Near Miss Grants.”
Tu, Professor Jiyuan ”Developing a mechanistic heat partition model for nucleateboiling in nanofluids” DP120103686
Wu, Professor Henry, “Perceptual Coding and Processing of 3-D (Three-Dimensional) Digital Video”, DP120101158
Platform in the media!!
During the last quarter, the following researchers were called upon to express their expert views on current topics:
Associate Professor John Andrews, School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Topic: Building a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy
Outlet: Environmental News Network, Monday, 16 January
Dr Madhu Bhaskaran, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Topic: Piezzoelectrics research (PDF 601 KB)
Outlet: Stories of Australian Science 2011, Monday, 9 January
Dr Stephen Davis, School of Mathematical and Geospatial Sciences
Topic: Grant for research funding into child
Outlet: SciDev, Wednesday, 21 December
Dr Mark Gregory, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Topic: Online Security Plans
Outlet: Power Retail, Tuesday, 10 January
Topic: Domain name changes
Outlet: The Conversation, Thursday, 12 January
Topic: Cyber crime and internet security
Outlet: ABC North Coast NSW (Lismore), Friday, 2 March
Topic: Solving problems with file-sharing applications
Outlet: The Conversation, Tuesday, 6 March
Topic: Arrest of hacker activists
Outlet: The Conversation, Wednesday, 7 March
Also: PhysOrg.com
Topic: Invention of wi-fi
Outlet: SBS World News Australia, Monday, 2 April
Topic: Securing wi-fi
Outlet: The Conversation, Wednesday, 4 April
Associate Professor Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Topic: RMIT findings on power generation using nanotechnology
Outlet: IEEE Spectrum, December 2011
Plus Earthmover and Civil Contractor, Science Alert
Topic: RMIT findings on power generation using nanotechnology
Outlet: Noodls, Thursday, 9 February
Plus: Hindu Business Line, Zeenews, Pakistan Science Club Blog, Amudu, Slyck, The Financial Express, ABC, Memsnet, Deskarati, Nanotechno, Geekation, Universitam, Gamrconnect, Experientia Docet, Magufos, Payvand, Fars News Agency, International Business Times, Iranian Students News Agency, Nanotechnology, Now, Alef, i4U, The Tech Journal, Afkar News, Clean, Technica, KO, Hypertext Blog, Scientific American, OilPrice.com, GeekPro, Bullfax.com, Cosmos Magazine, Neoteo, ABC.es, Finanzes.com, Press TV, Trend News, Agency (Azerbaijan), En.trend.az, Madrimasd, Electronics News, Mena Report
Topic: Research into power generation using nanotechnology
Outlet: Globedia, Monday, 20 February
Plus: Campus Daily, Industry Search
Topic: DNA nanobots and drug delivery
Outlet: Cosmos Magazine, Wednesday, 22 February
Topic: Nano research
Outlet: Internet Haber (Turkey), Thursday, 23 February
Professor Kevin Massey, School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Topic: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles conference
Outlet: Campus Daily, Monday, 5 March
Dr Asha Rao, School of Mathematical and Geospatial Sciences
Topic: Ultrabooks and new trends in mobile devices
Outlet: Homepage Radio, Thursday, 2 February
Topic: Charging of Anonymous hackers
Outlet: Radio National (Canberra), Wednesday, 7 March
Professor Aleksandar Subic, Associate Professor John Andrews
Topic: Hydrogen powered trucks
Outlet: The Conversation, Monday, 23 January
Also Climate Spectator, Electric Light and Power
Topic: RMIT research into footwear
Outlet: Safety Solutions, Wednesday, 7 March
Also: Asian Scientist.com
Topic: RMIT research into footwear
Outlet: Ansalatina, Tuesday, 13 March
Dr Olga Troynikov, School of Fashion and Textiles
Topic: Research grants
Outlet: Ragtrader, Monday, 19 March
Also Fashion Source
Professor Jiyuan Tu, School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Topic: Nasal drug delivery research project
Outlet: Medical XPress, Friday, 17 February
Plus: Net India 123, Cyber Media, ZeeNews, Med India
Want to know what PTRI are working on? Here are some project updates:
Hydrogen Energy
Two papers by Associate Professor John Andrews, from the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering were published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy in January 2012. In the papers, Professor Andrews suggests that the time of an exclusive Hydrogen Economy (HE) has passed and given the mergence of battery vehicles and other tangential technologies, the objective should be a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy (SHE), with hydrogen still playing a crucial role. In the more recent of the two articles, “Re-envisioning the role of hydrogen in a sustainable economy” in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Andrews and his co-author Bahman Shabani suggest that a “diverse range” of renewable energies should be the world’s sole energy source.
Andrews and Shabani quote with evident approval a 2011 study by M.Z. Jacobson and M.A. Delucchi that “barriers to a 100% conversion to WWS (wind, water and sunlight) power worldwide are primarily social and political, not technological or even economic.”
Smart cricket and AFL balls
Within the Smart Sports Equipment Initiative (under SportzEdge, PTRI), a team of SAMME students and staff, led by Professor Franz Konstantin Fuss has developed an intelligent cricket ball as well as an intelligent AFL ball. Both balls house MEMS sensors, a data logger and a battery.
The smart cricket ball, weighing 160 g and being fully balanced, records the angular velocities, which in turn enable the calculation and visualisation (4D, directly on the ball) of the spin axis vectors and their magnitude, the precession and torque vectors, and the centres of pressure (fingers and impact). The centres of pressure indicate whether a ball hits the pitch on the seam or off the seam, and whether the finger torque, imparted to the ball, is evenly distributed on either side of he seam (in fast bowling). The smart cricket ball including mathematical and graphically visualised performance analysis is the first of its kind and gives the bowler and the coach insight in performance parameters, which were not measurable hitherto, or only obtainable with tedious video analysis.
The smart footy ball is fully inflatable and provides the same output as the smart cricket ball, however with focus on flight kinematics. Thereby, the location of the spin axes and their precession reveal how accurate a drop punt or torpedo punt is executed, and how stable the ball’s position is during the flight. Furthermore, the ball returns the pressure centres of aerodynamic forces acting on the ball during the flight. Considering the inflatability and the advanced performance analysis, the smart oval ball is the first of its kind and will be developed into a training tool for improvement of kicking, which has been identified as the most critical factor in playing and being drafted to the highest level in the AFL.
Wooden power pole research
Research by Dr Sachin Pathak, a research student under supervision of Associate Professor Wong and Professor Xinghuo Yu in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering - who also works for Energex, a power distribution company in South-east Queensland - proves conclusively that wooden power poles used for electricity distribution deteriorate with age and that leakage current (electrical) performance in these poles worsens over time.
Fires caused by leakage current in wooden poles used for electricity distribution are a major problem for power distribution companies in Australia and globally. The research investigated the behaviour of leakage current on wooden structures of various ages. The study proved conclusively that leakage current performance of wooden structures deteriorates with age. Given that 70 per cent of the 8.5 million wooden poles in service as part of the electricity distribution infrastructure in Australia are over 35 years old, these findings are significant.
Leakage current flow happens where current leaks through the insulator, due to deposits of salt spray, sand or chemical pollution on the insulator surface, under extended dry weather conditions with light rain and high humidity. Excessive activity of leakage current generates enough heat to ignite ageing wooden structures, particularly where there is contact between the wood and metal surfaces of the power pole.
The research also suggests the need for power utilities to consider shorter inspection cycles, particularly for wooden structures located near the coast, where tailor-made inspection programs would prove more effective for maintenance.
In the wake of recent catastrophic bushfires in Victoria and Western Australia, the findings will assist the assessment of the electrical performance of wooden structures used for power distribution in greater depth. They will also give power utilities a far greater understanding of the role of ageing wooden structures and will assist in developing cost effective asset maintenance and replacement programs. Ultimately, this will lead to less power pole fires.
This ongoing problem is a major worry for power distribution companies, especially during Australia’s hot, dry summers and it is hoped that the findings not only reduce the numb ber of wooden pole fires, but also help to save lives and millions of dollars in the process.
Dr Pathak’s findings were published in the ENERGY Source & Distribution magazine, March/April 2012 edition and also attracted media attenion from The Age, Herald Sun and radio interviews with ABC, 6PR.
Student feature….focus on….
Taher Alzahrani, PhD Student
Platform Technologies News recently talked to Taher Alzahrani PhD student with Professor Kathy Horadam as Senior Supervisor and Associate Professor Serdar Boztas as Secondary Supervisor.
Position: PhD candidate as well as network administrator within the Ministry of Finance (an organisation with more than 2000 employees)
Tell us about your project, title and an outline of your research:
The title of my project is “Complex information networks-clustering, inference and knowledge discovery”.
Many phenomena in nature surrounding us can be classified as networks. For instance, technological networks, social networks, the Internet, World Wide Web and information systems can be described in terms of complex networks. All such networks can be represented in terms of nodes and edges, which indicate connections between nodes. These networks have a topology of interconnected nodes, which in some cases contain millions or even billions of nodes, incorporating different organizations and randomness. Collection of these nodes and edges under various criteria results in establishing or creating the communities and clusters. Therefore, one of the key properties of complex networks which play a crucial role in their topology and function is their community structure, also known as clustering.
We all have seen the increase of popularity of social networks and how they affect in various aspects of our life starting from political up to socialization. Uncovering and managing these kinds of networks result in more understanding of the features and functions that can carry out behind the huge unreadable structure by human eye. Thus, enhancing the performance of networks, predict the behaviour/actions and controlling/observing the illegal operations can be aims of studying the complex networks.
What have been your proudest achievements so far?
My proudest achievement is the Master of Applied Science (Information Security and Assurance) from RMIT in 2011.
Tell us about your educational background
- Master of Applied Science (Information Security and Assurance), RMIT 2011.
- Network Specialist for E-Government, JAPAN 2007
- Computers supervisor, Athens, 2002
- Bachelor Degree in Computer Science, 2001
What made you choose RMIT as a place to study?
First of all, the excellent reputation that RMIT holds among other Universities in Australia especially in science field. Secondly, the procedures of teaching as well as the independence in the studying contribute in reaching the students to the desired level of quality from industry platform perspective. Finally, the convenient location plays important criterion for me.
Tell us about any career plans you may have?
I would like to become a consultant in network science
What are the top three things you like/dislike about living in Melbourne?
The three things I like about Melbourne are the friendly people, the fact that the city is not so crowded and that there are so many public holidays!
There are only two things I dislike about Melbourne and that is the rapid change in weather and how difficult it is to look for a new home!
The best advice you have ever received would be…?
“ Impossible is a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they have been given than explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an option. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is NOTHING”
Your advice to any student entering your field of study would be…..?
Planning your goals very clearly, and don't forget NOTHING goes according to the plan. Therefore, be flexible and adjust yourself to changes around you. “Study smart and don’t study hard”.
Staff focus….focus on….
Dr Kandeepan Sithamparanathan
Platform Technologies News recently talked to Dr Kandeepan Sithamparanathan, Senior Lecturer, School of Electrical and Computer, Engineering at the City Campus (Location 12.08.19).
How long have you been with RMIT?
I have been with RMIT almost for a year now.
What is your current position at RMIT?
I am currently a Senior Lecturer in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Tell us a bit about your research and what attracted you to this field?
My general area of research is on ‘communications engineering and statistical signal processing’ applied to many fields in practice. I have a sincere passion towards my field of research ever since I’ve started my tertiary education and am fascinated by the advancements in this field over the past hundred years and especially in the last ten years.
In the recent years I have been focusing primarily on next generation (xG) wireless communications, including mobile and satellite communications. Especially in the new trends a) on cognitive radio networks by bringing cognition into radios and networks with embedded intelligence, and b) on green communications for harvesting energy in modern communication systems reducing the global carbon footprint as well as the operating cost for the users, operators and service providers. In these areas I work on algorithms, strategies, techniques and policies to achieve the specified objectives strongly supported by fundamental performance analysis.
Some of the applications where my research is used are - for improving the public safety/emergency services communications, improving energy efficiency in cellular mobile networks, enabling ad-hoc vehicular communication networks for intelligent transport systems, and for human performance improvement and monitoring using body are networks.
Have you ever considered embarking on a different direction – if yes, which direction and if no, why not?
I’ve had interest in becoming a professional soccer player for which I share equal passion as to my current work - opportunistically however I chose to be a researcher.
What is important to you in your work?
Sincerity, quality and teamwork.
What is your favourite place in the world and why?
A small town in the Alpines region of northern Italy, known as Trento, with a ‘heavenly nature’.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Help others in need without any expectations!
What is something about yourself that most of your colleagues wouldn’t know?
I had a bit of international exposure to the game of soccer during my school days!
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Publications
The following is only a small representation of the achievements of members of PTRI in terms of journal articles, conference papers, book chapters and citations. Congratulations to all of you, in particular the following researchers who submitted their achievements for publication in PlatformTechnologies News.
Book chapters
Karunasena K and Deng H (2012), “Developments of e-Government in Sri Lanka: opportunitites and challenges”, Handbook of Research on e-government in emerging economies:Adoption, e-participation and legal frameworks -Journal and magazine articles.
Kandeepan S, Jayaweera S, and Fedrizzi R, (2012), “Power-Trading in Wireless Communications: A cooperative Networking Business Model”, IEEE Transactions of Wireless Communications, 99, 1-9
Narimissa E, Gupta R, Bhaskaran S, Sriram S, "Influence of nano-graphite platelet concentration on onset of crystalline degradation in polylactide composites", Polymer Degradation and Stability 97 (2012) 829-832.
Wibowow S and Deng H, (2012), “A decision support systems approach for determining criteria weighting in ship evaluation and selection”, IAENG Transactions on Engineering Technologies, American Institute of Physics.
Journal articles
Duan X, Deng H, and Corbitt B, (2012), “Evaluating the critical determinants for adopting e-market in Australian small-and-medium sized enterprises”, Management Research Review, 4 (3): 289-308.
Ifinedi P. and Singh M, (2012),”Determinants of e-government maturity in the transition economies of Central and Eastern Europe”, Electronic Journal of E-Government, Volume 9, Issue 2, pp 166 - 182.
Karunasena K and Deng H, (2012), “A citizen-oriented approach for evaluating the performance of e-government in Sri Lanka”, International Journal of E-government Research, 8 (1):44-63.
Karunasena K and Deng H, (2012), “Critical factors for evaluating the public value of e-government in Sri Lanka”, Government Information Quarterly 29: 76-84.
Norman RJ, Dyson PL, Yizengaw E, Le Marshall J, Wang C, Carter B, Wen D and Zhang K, (2012), “Radio Occultation measurements from the Australian Micro Satellite FedSat”, Submitted to IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing (accepted 23/02/2012).
Sang J, Smith C and Zhang K, (2012), “Towards accurate atmospheric mass density determination using precise positional information of space objects”, Advances in Space Research, Vol.49, 6, pp 1088 – 1096.
Singh M, Hackney R, Dwivedi Y and Peszynski K, (2012), “Innovation in communication: an actor network analysis of social websites”, International Journal of Actor Network Theory and Technological Innovation, (forthcoming).
Wibowow S and Deng H, (2012), “Intelligent decision support for effectively evaluating and selecting ships under uncertainty in marine transportation. expert systems with applications”, 39: 6911-6920.
Yeh Ta-Kang, Chung Yi-Da, Wu Chien-Ting, Wang Chuan-Sheng, Zhang Kefei and Chen Chieh-Hung, (2012), “Identifying the relationship between GPS data quality and positioning precision: a case study on IGS tracking stations”, Journal of Surveying Engineering.Zhang K, Liou YA, Pavelyev AG, Wang CS, Wickert J, Schmidt T, Pavelyev AA, and Kuleshov Y, (2012), “Innovative Radio occultation techniques for locating atmospheric layers”, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing (accepted 24/02/2012).
Article on exfoliated MoS2 layers was published in the Nanoscale journal and was also featured on the inside cover of the journal issue.
Balendhran S, Ou JZ, Bhaskaran M, Sriram S, Ippolito S, Vasic Z, Kats E, Bhargava S, Zhuiykov S, and Kalantar-zadeh K, (2012), “Atomically thin layers of MoS2 via a two step thermal evaporation–exfoliation method”, Nanoscale, 4 461.
Article on flexible terahertz fishnet metamaterials published in the journal Applied Physics Letters and also appeared on the cover of the journal issue. This article was also selected to appear in the 'Virtual Journal of Nanoscale Science & Technology'. It was also one of the most downloaded articles for the journal in February 2012.
Khodasevych IE, Shah CM, Sriram S, Bhaskaran M, Withayachumnankul W, Ung BSY, Lin H, Rowe WST, Abbott D, and Mitchell M, (2012), “Elastomeric silicone substrates for terahertz fishnet metamaterials”,Appl. Phys. Lett. 100 061101.
Refereed Conference publications:
Fedrizzi R, Gomez K, Kandeepan S, Racheed T and Saradhi CV, (June 2012), "Adaptive energy efficient communications for Hybrid Aerial-Terrestrial Systems", Proceedings of of IEEE International Conference on Communications, Ottawa.
Mukherjee T, Kao N, Gupta RK, Quazi AN, and Bhattacharya SN, (2012), "Reinforcing function of surface acetylated cellulose on Polylactic Acid (PLA) based biopolymer", 36th Annual Condensed Matter and Materials Meetings, 31 Jan-3rd Feb 2012, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
Renauld L, Kandeepan S, Rasheed T and Gomez K, (10 – 15 June 2012), "Adaptive energy efficient communications for hybrid aerial-terrestrial systems", Proceedings of IEEE International Conference on Communications, Ottawa.
Singh M, Hackney R, Dwivedi Y. and Peszynski K, (2012), “Determining dimensions of social websites: insights through genre theory, Hawaii International Conference on Systems Science, IEEE Computer Society, pp 1728 - 1736.
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