Nanocomm Hub Newsletter - February 2020

From the Director

Hub to host 7th NICOM (and Australia's 1st)

As the largest institution in Australia to be geared towards nanotechnology research in construction, it is fitting that the Nanocomm Hub should be the primary host of the 7th International Symposium of Nanotechnology in Construction (NICOM7) when it comes to Melbourne. 

Since NICOM's inception in 2003, this triennial symposium has been held in Paisley, Bilbao, Prague, Crete, Chicago and Hong Kong. Assoc Prof Lihai Zhang of the University of Melbourne and I now proudly bring this exciting event to the world's most liveable city on 31 January - 3 February 2021. Emeritus Prof Surendra Shah of Northwestern University in the US will be the symposium's Honorary Chair. 

Along the theme of "Nanotechnology in Construction for Circular Economy", we hope to encourage an exchange of innovative ideas, creating a bridge between research advances and industrial and commercial opportunities within the construction sector. NICOM7 will showcase the latest developments across the entire supply chain, which links researchers, academics, manufacturers, suppliers and end users.

Symposium topics will cover all aspects of nanotechnology in construction. Modelling and simulation of the nanostructures of construction materials. Green structures enabled by nanoscience. Nanostructured self-repairing and smart materials. Waste recycling facilitated by nanotechnology. To name a few. We expect up to 250 stakeholders, researchers in particular, from around the world to come together and explore this emerging area, advancing the future of the construction industry. 

NICOM7 will no doubt be strongly supported by all Hub universities, as well as our industry partners. Other local industrial sponsors and exhibitors will also provide support.

We cordially invite you to come along and share your latest research, enjoy the sights of Melbourne and beyond, do some networking and make new friends.

Wenhui Duan, Director, ARC Nanocomm Hub

Nanocomm News

Hub steals spotlight at 1st National Workshop on Infrastructural Monitoring and Protection

Several Hub members were featured as keynote speakers at the 1st National Workshop on Infrastructural Monitoring and Protection, held on 17 February in Perth at Curtin University's Centre for Infrastructural Monitoring and Protection (CIMP). Celebrating CIMP's fifth anniversary, the workshop focussed on the advanced research and development of sustainable, intelligent and resilient infrastructure with novel structural monitoring technologies, green materials and structural forms.

Among the nine national leading researchers to deliver keynote talks were Hub members Prof Wenhui Duan of Monash University, Prof Sritawat Kitipornchai of the University of Queensland, Prof Zhong Tao of Western Sydney University, and Prof Yan Zhuge of the University of South Australia. Their talks attracted a good turnout -- 50 delegates from various universities, industry and government agencies. All attendees came away from the workshop informed and inspired.

Upcoming Events

Shear and Torsion Design of Concrete Structures  

Two-Day Continuing Professional Development Course

This two-day workshop will convey the essentials of the current shear and torsion design and evaluation procedures for both reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete structures. We have three world renowned experts on shear and torsion – Michael P. Collins, Denis Mitchell and Evan Bentz– visiting Melbourne and Brisbane in April 2020 to present the shear and torsion design workshop.

For registration and details at Monash University on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th April 2020: shop.monash.edu/shear-and-torsion-workshop-2020.html

For registration and details at the University of Queensland Monday 20 April 2020 - Tuesday 21 April 2020: bit.ly/sheartorsiondesign

Featured Project

Geopolymer concretes for sustainable structures

Despite its widespread use in concrete, Portland cement has some serious drawbacks. For starters, its manufacture contributes to nearly seven percent of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. Further, demand for it will ultimately outstrip supply as our cities expand, creating a need for more and more infrastructure. The time has now come to consider higher-performing, cost-effective options to replace Portland cement.

Prof Bijan Samali and Dr Bob Abtahi of the Centre for Infrastructure Engineering (CIE) at Western Sydney University have dedicated themselves to exploring geopolymers for next-generation concretes. By blending geopolymer binders (recycled from waste) with aggregates, they have produced sustainable concretes that can be cast in the same way as those based on Portland cement, but with less ion penetration, greater resistance to sulfate and acid attack, reduced shrinkage and heat of hydration, and improved durability. Their formulations comply with Australian Concrete Structures Code and similar international standards.

Last year the structural fire that devastated Notre-Dame in Paris underscored the need for fire-resistant products in the building industry. Even building materials generally accepted as fireproof can contain flammable connections, joints and some ingredients that make a building vulnerable to fire. To address this issue, CIE partnered with CSR, a building products company, to produce a non-combustible geopolymer coating for an AFS permanent formwork system. As an environment-friendly paint or mastic, this product can protect load-bearing formwork for external and internal concrete walls against fire.

Prof Samali and Dr Abtahi recognise many potential benefits of geopolymers in construction. As they continue to channel their energy into this area, they're bound to uncover even more possibilities.

Featured People

In late 2019, Dr Saeed Miramini was promoted to lecturer at the department of Infrastructure Engineering of the University of Melbourne (UoM). Prior to that he was a research fellow and teaching specialist at UoM. Dr Miramini serves as the Nanocomm Hub node manager at UoM and currently coordinating the upcoming Hub conference, 7th International Symposium on Nanotechnology in Construction (NICOM7). 

Dr Miramini’s research focuses on Infrastructure Asset Management using Engineering Reliability and Non-Destructive Evaluation. He also applies the Theory of Porous Media from civil engineering to study the mechanobiology of bone and cartilage tissues. This innovative approach helps address global challenges associated with osteoporosis and osteoarthritis conditions. By conducting research in biomedical engineering, he also learns from nature and biology to propose innovative solutions to civil engineering problems, such as the development of self-healing concretes.

Find out more about Dr Miramini’s research.