Four projects to improve STEM learning in schools, design foundations for fine-grained soil, develop uncooled infrared detectors and make the lithium refining process greener have received Federal Government funding.
The University of Western Australia projects received more than $3.7 million in funding in round two of the Australian Research Council’s linkage project scheme.
Emeritus Professor David Blair and his team, from UWA’s School of Physics, Mathematics and Computing, will evaluate the benefits of teacher training in Einsteinian science.
The Einstein-First school science education program aims to revitalise physics education for students in years three to 10.
“Micro-credential courses and other training vehicles have seen teachers develop confidence and enthusiasm for the materials,” Professor Blair said.
“We will evaluate and optimise the teacher training programs and measure the outcomes in terms of encouraging more students, especially girls, to choose STEM options with view to future careers.”
Professor Barry Lehane, UWA’s School of Engineering, will lead a project to quantify the effect of time on deep foundations in fine-grained soils.
“Despite increased demand for foundations in wind and solar farms, transportation and mining infrastructure, as well as coastal and offshore developments, current methods of assessing their axial capacity in fine-grained soil are flawed and outdated,” Professor Lehane said.
“We aim to address an urgent need for improved reliability and reduced costs and develop a long-awaited design method for displacement foundations that incorporates the critical effect of time in its formulation.”
Professor Wen Lei and a team from UWA’s School of Engineering will develop uncooled infrared detectors.
“Uncooled infrared detectors are core in civilian and defence applications such as night vision, surveillance, automated driving and firefighting,” Professor Lei said.
“We aim to develop low-cost, high performance uncooled infrared detectors with high fabrication scalability that will enable controlled electrical flow and enhance light absorption."
Professor Hongqi Sun, from UWA’s School of Molecular Sciences, and his team of researchers aim to make the lithium refining process greener through effective decarbonisation and waste management.
“We expect to generate new knowledge in the area of decarbonising the refining processes of critical minerals,” Professor Sun said.
“Expected outcomes include a new technology for locking carbon dioxide into lithium products, and a novel approach for managing refinery waste.”