Materials Australia Magazine | October 2025 | Volume 58 | No 3
buckyballs
MOFs
nanogels
MOCVD
AuNPs
EuFOD YBCO
InAs wafers
palladium catalysts nickel foam
europium phosphors
alternative energy
thin lm
tungsten carbide glassy carbon isotopes
III-IV semiconductors
diamond micropowder
additive manufacturing
organometallics
surface functionalized nanoparticles
ultralight aerospace alloys nanodispersions
3D graphene foam
quantum dots
transparent ceramics
sputtering targets
endohedral fullerenes
gold nanocubes
photovoltaics
Nd:YAG NMC
perovskite crystals CIGS
metamaterials
osmium
silver nanoparticles
ITO
mischmetal
scandium powder
biosynthetics
graphene oxide exible electronics
chalcogenides laser crystals OLED lighting
CVD precursors
deposition slugs
platinum ink
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From the President - Professor Nikki Stanford
Dear Members, As we approach the end of another busy and productive year, I’m pleased to reflect on some important recent developments and share a forward-looking vision for Materials Australia.
Annual General Meeting –15 October 2025
We welcomed members to our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 15 October, where we provided updates on our performance, activities, and future directions. The AGM remains a vital forum for member engagement and transparency, and I thank all members who participated in this important event.
National Council Meeting –September 2025
Our National Council convened in September, bringing together representatives from across the country to discuss the strategic direction of our organisation. I’m pleased to report that the Council ratified a key decision to develop a new strategic plan for Materials Australia. This is a significant step that will ensure we continue to maximise
our charter in serving the Australian materials science and engineering community.
As part of this strategic planning process, we will be re-evaluating our core pillars:
• Membership Strategy: Ensuring that our membership model continues to deliver value and supports the diverse professionals, academics, and students within our community.
• Education Strategy: Enhancing opportunities for lifelong learning, professional development, and outreach to future generations of materials scientists and engineers.
• Conference Strategy: Strengthening our conference offerings to better reflect emerging trends, foster collaboration, and spotlight Australian innovation on the global stage.
PRICM Conference – August 2026
Looking ahead, we are excited to be welcoming members and international delegates to the PRICM (Pacific Rim International Conference on Advanced Materials and Processing) on the Gold Coast from 9 to 13 August 2026.
PRICM is a series of triennial international academic conferences that focus on advanced materials and processing. For more than 30 years, PRICM has served as an international
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stage for dissemination of current and emerging materials and processing, jointly organised by the Chinese Society for Metals (CSM), The Japan Institute of Metals and Materials (JIMM), The Korean Institute of Metals and Materials (KIMM), Materials Australia (MA), and The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS).
PRICM has made a concentrated effort over the past 30 years to share the academic exchange of materials and processing to the worldwide arena, fast becoming one of the leading academic forums for academics, researchers and engineers in the industry. This prestigious event will be a major opportunity to showcase Australian research, connect with global peers, and highlight the strength of our materials science and engineering sector.
I encourage all members to register via https://www.pricm12.org
I would like to thank all our volunteers, members, and partners for their continued support and commitment. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected community of materials professionals across Australia and beyond.
Best Regards
Nikki Stanford National President Materials Australia
This magazine is the official journal of Materials Australia and is distributed to members and interested parties throughout Australia and internationally.
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Join the Global Materials Community at PRICM12
The 12th Pacific Rim International Conference on Advance Materials and Processing will be held on the Gold Coast from 9 to 13 August 2026. PRICM is a series of triennial international academic conferences that focus on advanced materials and processing.
For more than 30 years, PRICM has served as an international stage for dissemination of current and emerging materials and processing, jointly organised by the Chinese Society for Metals (CSM), The Japan Institute of Metals and Materials (JIMM), The Korean Institute of Metals and Materials (KIMM), Materials Australia (MA), and The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS).
The first PRICM was held in 1992 in Hangzhou, China, and hosted by CSM. After the first conference, PRICM was hosted with great success in 1995 (Kyongju, Korea), 1998 (Hawaii, USA), 2004 (Beijing, China), 2007 (Jeju, Korea), 2010 (Cairns, Australia), 2013 (Hawaii, USA), 2016 (Kyoto, Japan).
PRICM has made a concentrated effort over the past 30 years to share the academic exchange of materials and processing to the worldwide arena, fast becoming one of leading academic forums for academics, researchers and engineers in the industry.
PRICM12 is set to take place at the cutting-edge Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. This dynamic venue will buzz with the exchange of ideas, industry insights, and provide an exciting opportunity for professionals to network and connect within the field.
Submit Your Abstract
PRICM12 aims to bring together leading scientists, technologists and engineers
from the Asia-Pacific region and around the world to discuss contemporary discoveries and innovations in the rapidly evolving field of materials and their processing. This event is also intended to foster stronger and closer interactions between materials practitioners and their international counterparts. This conference will cover most aspects of advanced materials and their manufacturing processes.
Symposium themes include:
• Advanced Steels and Properties
• Advanced Processing of Materials
• Structural Materials for High Temperature
• Light Metals and Alloys
• Additive Manufacturing
• Interfaces and Surface Engineering
• Materials for Energy Conversion, Generation and Storage
• Electronic and Magnetic Materials
• Biomaterials and their Applications
• Advanced Characterization and Evaluation of Materials
• High-Entropy Materials and Amorphous Materials
• Composites, Hetero-Materials, and Functionally Graded Materials
• Nano Materials and Nano Severe Plastic Deformation
• Modelling and Simulation of Materials and Processes and Artificial Intelligence
• Materials for Sustainability (Corrosion, Coating, Green Steel, Recycling)
Closing date for abstract submissions is 15 December 2025. Visit the website for more details.
Registrations for PRICM12 are now open. Take advantage of the early bird rates and book now via the website: https://www.pricm12.org
Joint Sponsors
The
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC)
The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) is Queensland's premier event venue, located in the heart of Broadbeach on the Gold Coast. Renowned for its ultramodern facilities, the GCCEC offers over 10,000 square metres of flexible event space, making it the ideal destination for conferences, exhibitions, and corporate events.
The GCCEC is conveniently located only 500 metres from golden beaches and is surrounded by multiple accommodation,
dining and entertainment options, providing industry professionals with the perfect blend of business and leisure.
About the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations, welcoming over 12 million visitors each year. It offers a unique mix of culinary, cultural, and outdoor experiences, perfect for food lovers and adventure seekers.
Attendees are spoilt for choice with a selection of fine dining establishments and casual beachside cafes to dine from.
The region's diverse dining scene is complemented by nearby shopping and entertainment hubs such as Pacific Fair Shopping Centre and Broadbeach Mall.
Make the most of the pristine outdoor adventures like surfing at the nearby beaches or taking a hike through the breathtaking World Heritage Rainforest.
With over 300 days of sunshine each year, the Gold Coast’s favourable climate makes it an ideal destination for year round enjoyment, promising a unique and memorable experience for every visitor.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Maximise your visibility for your target markets by becoming a conference partner. Our marketing will ensure that your support and profile is raised with the over 1400 attendees coming to the PRICM12 Conference.
You can choose one of our partnership opportunities or talk to us about a tailored package to suit your needs. An early commitment will mean a greater exposure and a greater return on your investment.
For tailored packages contact: Organising Society
Organising Chair
PROFESSOR JIAN -FENG NIE MONASH UNIVERSITY
TANYA SMITH MATERIALS
AUSTRALIA
M +61 429 150 702
Email: tanya@materialsaustralia.com.au
Jian-Feng Nie is a professor of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Monash University. His research interests cover magnesium alloys, aluminium alloys, biodegradable metals, solidsolid phase transformations, applications of scanning transmission electron microscopy in materials characterization, and processingmicrostructure-property relationships in metallic materials. His publications include the 5th Edition of book “Light Alloys”, a chapter on light alloys in the 5th Edition of “Physical Metallurgy”, and over 200 papers in journals like Science, Nature, and Acta Materialia. He is editor of Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, member of the Board of Governors, Acta Materialia Inc, and TMS Fellow.
ROD KELLOWAY
M +61 418 114 624
Email: rod@materialsaustralia.com.au
MATERIALS AUSTRALIA
WA Branch Technical Meeting - 11 August 2025 Finite Element Analysis as a Tool in Materials and Failure Investigation
Source: Iman Maroef, Wood
Dr Iman Maroef’s presentation showed how finite element thermal and or stress computation can provide an additional view on finding the cause of a component’s failure and become a powerful complement to investigations traditionally based on fractography and microstructural observations.
Iman graduated in mechanical engineering and then gained his doctoral degree in materials and metallurgical engineering, at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM). Subsequently he further developed his industrial research expertise, with a strong focus on metallography, in CSM and in the Netherland Institute of Metal Research. He then moved to the electric power generation industry, joining Power Pacific International in New South Wales. In 2008, he joined SVT Engineering Consultants, and has remained in the same organisation, following its acquisition by Wood Group.
Iman’s presentation used four examples to show how finite element analysis (FEA) can be used to reconstruct the most likely loading condition and the corresponding failure initiation. In some cases this may reveal or confirm sequences of primary damage that leads to the more obvious consequential failure. Furthermore, it can be used to complement metallurgical analysis of materials failures by communicating the likely causes and mechanisms of materials failures. This can be especially useful for explaining these mechanisms to people who might not fully comprehend microstructures and their interpretation, and can help convince some who might have preferred other explanations.
Iman’s first example concerned the overload failure of the threads on an aluminium nozzle of a firefighting monitor. Metallurgically, this was a clear case of overload. The FEA showed that the stresses that resulted in failure were not the result of static weight or steady water pressure. This implicated water hammer from sudden valve opening with the nozzle set at ninety degrees as the root cause. The resultant forces had not been adequately designed for,
considering the relatively low strength of the metal, leading to thread failure, while the relatively low elastic modulus contributed to subsequent buckling.
His second example concerned fractures in bolt heads, occurring in random locations on a ring feeder. The metallurgical analysis showed no evidence of compositional or environmental issues. The microstructure showed intergranular fracture within the heads, with localised segregation, while the shanks were uniform tempered martensite. This was diagnosed as being caused by faulty manufacture. The FEA results were expressed as the ratio of principle stresses to the equivalent stress, essentially the ratio of crackopening stress to yielding stress. The relatively low values showed that the bolt heads should have been able to withstand the loading and confirmed the conclusion that the bolts were faulty.
The third example that Iman described perforation of boiler tubes after only eight months in operation, while under warranty. The failures resulted in cracking of tubes close to baffle plates, and of the baffle plates. Iman’s metallurgical investigation showed that the perforation and cracking started from inside of the tubes, initiated by pitting under areas of thick scale, the composition of which was consistent with mill scale that had not been fully removed by acid cleaning during manufacture. Opposing this conclusion, the vendor’s investigation had its focus on the cracked plates and pointed to the cause as thermal fatigue from the operator’s cycling of the boiler. Iman then undertook finite element transient heat transfer analysis, and this showed that the temperature fluctuations in operation were much less than the supplier had estimated. This could only have led to crack initiation after more than twenty times the number of actual operating cycles, and cracking would have started inside the pipes, not on the outside, as would have been the case in the supplier’s analysis. Ultimately the defective boilers were replaced under warranty.
The final example was based on separate but related failures in a high-temperature heater manifold. One failure was plastic deformation of the manifold, and this was accompanied by cracking of a welded joint. The other was cracking of the flanges. The flanges and manifold were made from nickel-based Alloy 601 with Alloy 718 bolts, and the heater contained oxygen at around 900 °C.
In this case the analysis involved use of computer fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling to determine temperature distributions in the manifold. These were used as input to Caesar II piping analysis software (essentially 1-dimensional FEA) to examine pipe support and constraint, with full 3-D FEA used for stress determination. The conclusion was that the manifold supports were incorrectly located, preventing movement and hence leading to bending, with high potential for cracking. The consequent cracking in the welded areas was due to lack of heat treatment. This analysis resulted in redesign of the supports and also of the weld and welding procedure.
The cracking in the flanges was associated with the issues in the manifold but took a different form. In this case the analysis had its focus on the gaskets, where the combination of stress from the over-constrained manifold and nonuniform flange temperature due to the proximity of the two hot pipes led to creep and variations in compression of the gaskets. In turn, this led to leakage of hot oxygen and consequent stressassisted oxidation and cracking of the flanges at a temperature of around 450°C.
In general discussion, the point was made that fully featured FEA packages are still relatively expensive and effective utilisation requires specific skills and ongoing training. When available they can be a powerful tool for communicating failure causes, and as Iman demonstrated, even when they don’t provide an answer, FEA can be very productive in pointing to the right questions to be resolved.
•Inorganic Nanomaterials
•Graphene and Carbon Nanotubes
•Perovskite Materials
•Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Materials
•Organic Photovoltaic (OPV) Donors and Acceptors
•Lithium Ion Battery Materials
•Quantum Dots
WA Branch Technical Meeting - 8 September 2025 Behind the numbers: Why Damage Mechanism Reviews are the backbone of Risk-Based Inspection
Source: Mike Dehghan, MechInteg
Mike Dehghan is the Operations Director of Mechanical Integrity Engineering Services (MechInteg). He has around two decades of handson experience in asset management across Oil & Gas, petrochemical, and refining industries, specialising in Risk-Based Inspection (RBI), damage mechanism analysis, and pressure equipment integrity. Mike is a Chartered and Registered Engineer with Masters degrees in Metallurgy and in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wollongong and multiple API certifications, aligned with API 580/581.
The first part of Mike’s presentation dealt with the applicability of RBI in situations where loss of function occurs through progressive material deterioration, and timely inspection can allow remedial action to avoid potentially dangerous consequences from loss of mechanical integrity and containment. Common examples are with pressure vessels, piping, storage tanks and heat exchangers in the hydrocarbon and chemical process industries.
The basic principle of RBI is separating the probability of failure (POF) from the consequence of failure (COF). Together, these represent the risk associated with failure, commonly expressed through a risk matrix. This gives a rational basis for allocating inspection resources in accordance with the risk. The principles of RBI are detailed in the American Petroleum Institute (API) code API 580, which is also used outside the Oil & Gas industry. The associated code API 581 covers RBI Methodology, which is concerned with detailed quantitative models for POF and COF, and integrates with other API Inspection codes. Other codes are published by ASME, DNV and ISO.
Key points from API 580 are that an RBI methodology must be systematic, documented, and consistently applied, and that its value depends on the quality and validity of the risk assessment.
Applying these principles means that adopting and applying RBI involves both significant capital investment and organisational commitment. It requires high-quality data, input from subject matter experts (SME) and ongoing updating of risk assessments. It can be mis-applied and is not a substitute of codes and fitness for service; RBI does not mean no inspection!
Mike summarised the process steps involved in developing an RBI methodology, and the essential need for a multi-disciplinary team approach. In addition to the technical specialists (team lead, corrosion SME, risk analyst and inspectors), the team must include representatives from operations, maintenance, environment, legal and general management. Training, qualification and associated documentation must also be planned.
The RBI analysis provides opportunities for risk management. For example, the POF might be reducible by increased inspection, or materials upgrades. The consequences of failure might be reducible by adding protection, lowering inventory of contained hydrocarbons, or changing process conditions.
While RBI is often regarded as a datadriven strategy for optimising inspection resources, Mike stressed that what lies beneath the numbers is just as critical. Thus, a well-structured Damage Mechanism Review (DMR) is needed to provide the technical backbone that ensures RBI outputs are not just risk models, but meaningful decisionmaking tools. Incomplete or generic assessments of degradation modes can undermine entire risk models, and metallurgical accuracy is the key to safe and cost-effective inspection. The DMR must determine the relevant mode of deterioration, e.g., by thinning, pitting, cracking, etc., in relation to process conditions and materials. The DMR supports the determination of the POF and should be updated as new information becomes available.
An updated DMR has implications for the whole RBI process. Accordingly, a formal documented Management of Change process should be invoked when a DMR is updated, so that all involved in the RBI process are advised, and the potential changes in POF, risk, and consequent changes to inspection are implemented. Data quality and validation is essential. Historical data must be reviewed in the light of the methodology and interpretation that applied at the time it was generated. When uncertainty is high, assumptions must be conservative. Data quality is dependent on inspection effectiveness, including past and future effectiveness. This depends in turn on method, coverage, frequency and on being appropriate for the relevant damage mechanism.
Mike concluded his talk by listing some of the pitfalls associated with RBI. These include failure to update damage mechanisms, poor or outdated data, over-estimating inspection effectiveness, treating RBI as a one-off operation, lack of documentation, lack of SME input, and lack of stakeholder involvement.
Mike had taken questions from the audience during his presentation. Several more at the end dealt with the applicability of RBI to late-life assets and the significant issue of This also raises the issue of whose budget will be used to fund the work of developing an RBI process!
L to R: Ehsan Kraji, Mike Deghan
Vale – Patrick Manning Kelly, 1935 to 2025
It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Professor Pat Kelly, a distinguished scholar, mentor, and colleague, whose contributions to materials science and engineering have left a legacy in both academia and industry.
Pat was born in Panama in 1935 and attended an American elementary school there until the late 1940s. He then moved to Barbados, where his grandparents lived, to receive a British high school education. Although not particularly skilled in most sports such as running, cricket, or football, he distinguished himself by winning a shooting prize in the compulsory cadet corps. During his time at the Lodge School, Barbados, Pat excelled academically and was awarded the prestigious Barbados government scholarship, which provided full tuition and a generous living allowance to study at any university worldwide. At the age of 19, in 1954, he entered the Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge, graduating in 1957 with first-class honours in natural sciences. He then pursued doctoral research on steels at Cambridge, earning his PhD in 1960, and in 1978 was further recognized with the degree of Doctor of Science from the same university.
After completing his PhD, Pat was appointed to a lectureship at Leeds University and was promoted to Reader (Associate Professor) in 1969. In 1970, he moved to Australia, where he worked at Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) (formerly Australian Atomic Energy Commission, or AAEC) for 20 years, serving as Leader and later Chief of the Materials Division, Deputy Director (Research) of AAEC, and General Manager (Research) at ANSTO. In 1990, he joined the University of Queensland to continue his academic career as Associate Professor and served as Head for Department of Mining, Minerals and Materials Engineering from 1993 to 1996. He retired from UQ in 2000 but remained active as an Honorary Professor until his passing in August 2025.
Pat was well known for his work on the crystallography of martensitic transformations. His early work in steels [1] provided the first experimental validation of the phenomenological theory of the crystallography of martensitic transformations, while his innovative research in ceramics opened new pathways for understanding transformation toughening, leading to the development of tougher ceramics [2, 3]. He also made outstanding contributions to transmission electron microscopy (TEM), devising a novel method for indexing and manipulating convergent-beam Kikuchi line diffraction patterns. This approach enabled precise measurements of local thickness of TEM thinfoil specimens [4], as well as accurate determination of orientation relationships and habit planes in solid–solid phase transformations [1, 5]. Internationally recognized as a leading crystallographer, he was the co-inventor of the edge-to-edge matching crystallographic model [6], which accurately predicts crystallographic features of diffusional phase transformations and underpins the crystallography of grain refinement in cast metals [7].
Beyond his scholarly achievements, Pat was a dedicated mentor and role model. He guided generations of students
and early-career researchers with wisdom, generosity, patience, and integrity. Many of his mentees now hold prominent positions worldwide, a testament to his enduring influence as an educator. He will be remembered not only for his intellectual brilliance but also for his humility, kindness, and unwavering commitment to advancing science for the betterment of society.
We extend our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and former students. His influence lives on through the many he inspired, and he will be remembered with gratitude, respect, and affection. He will be deeply missed.
MAY HE REST IN PEACE!
References:
1. P. M. Kelly, Acta Metallurgica, 1965, vol. 13, p. 635.
2. P. M. Kelly, L. R. Francis Rose, Progress in Materials Science, 2002, vol. 47, p. 436.
3. R. H. J. Hannink, P. M. Kelly, B. C. Muddle, Journal of American Ceramic Society, 2000, vol. 83, p. 461.
4. P. M. Kelly, A. Jostsons, R. G. Blake, and J. G. Napier, Physica Status Solidi A, 1975, vol. 31, p. 771.
5. M.-X. Zhang, P. M. Kelly, Acta Materialia, 1998, vol. 46, p. 4081.
6. P. M. Kelly, M.-X. Zhang, Materials Forum, 1999, vol. 23, p. 41.
7. M.-X. Zhang, P. M. Kelly, M. A. Easton, J. A. Taylor, Acta Materialia, 2005, vol.
WA Branch Technical Meeting - 13 October 2025 Not Paint! EonCoat: Extending the Life of Corroded Structural Steel
Source: Mark O’Sullivan, Director, EonCoat Australia
Mark O’Sullivan subtitled his presentation a proven alterative to abrasive blasting and the use of toxic chemicals. This summarises the advantages of the product and also explains his motivation in establishing the Australian EonCoat franchise.
EonCoat is the commercial name of a technology licensed from the US Argonne National Laboratory in 2007 for use outside the nuclear industry, for which it was developed. When tested at the beach-side corrosion test site at Kennedy Space Centre, EonCoat was the first product to gain a 10 out of 10 rating. It was awarded the 2015 NACE Product of the Year. The original tagline for the product was “EonCoat –protection that lasts an eon.”
EonCoat is not a polymer film; it is a chemically bonded phosphate ceramic. It prevents corrosion of iron by forming an amorphous passive oxide film (Misawite) on the ferrous surface. Mark likened this to the mechanism that has allowed the Iron Pillar of Delhi to remain uncorroded for more than 1600 years. The difference is that whereas the protective passive film on the Delhi Pillar arises from the high phosphorus content of the ancient iron, EonCoat provides the essential phosphorus. This diffuses from the coating to form an iron-phosphorusmagnesium surface alloy on the steel, leading to a passive oxide film around 2 μm thick, maintained indefinitely by elements in the coating.
The EonCoat is supplied as two liquid components that are mixed within a spray gun, forming a coating that sets chemically within seconds, even in the presence of water. The minimum thickness is 0.5 mm, but on a typical corroded surface with pits up to 2 mm deep, a total coating thickness of around 2.5 mm is common, though in principle there is no upper limit to the thickness.
Before proceeding, Mark explained that his role with EonCoat follows from his long career in the industrial coating industry, in which he had started as an apprentice industrial spray painter. This was back in the days when lead-based paints were still common, as was their removal by abrasive blasting. Over the course of his career, Mark has seen the phasing out of lead, and later of carcinogenic tar-epoxy coating, health issues from blasting, and the deaths of several friends from exposure to such hazards.
He rapidly moved on from painting to inspection, gaining a number of NACE and ICorr inspection qualifications. His transition to management came when he worked in a very large petroleum line pipe painting facility in Thailand. There his focus was drawn to occupational health and safety, leading to his bachelor’s degree in OH&S and then to other employment.
The next stage in his career was when the successful use of EonCoat in the
USA led to a request to investigate the feasibility of bringing the product to Australia. With his OH&S background, he was particularly attracted to its potential to largely eliminate abrasive blasting and toxic volatile organic compounds. As a result of this investigation Mark was encouraged to take on the local EonCoat franchise. Subsequently, the company has been exploring applications in in the Oil & Gas, mining and maritime industries. This has resulted in several joint conference presentations with multinational resources industry clients describing the outcomes of large-scale application in the field.
Mark’s initial focus on protection of steel structures in these industries reflects his personal background. However, other major fields of application are for protection against corrosion under insultation and in protection of steel reinforced concrete. Since the product bonds both to concrete and exposed and corroded steel, it is also used in remediation of concrete cancer.
Mark went on to summarise some of the technical characteristics of EonCoat As well as acting as a barrier against electrochemical corrosion, polarisation curves show its ability to prevent initiation of pitting and to minimise pit growth if initiated. The coating is chemically bonded so that that it does not flake off and is self-healing, with protection maintained when the coating is scribed through to the steel surface.
Mark O’Sullivan (centre) with some of his appreciative audience.
MATERIALS AUSTRALIA
Prior to application of EonCoat, the steel surfaces are water-blasted to remove loose rust. However, light surface rust can be an advantage, as it is converted to the passive protective form. EonCoat can be applied in damp conditions up to 90% relative humidity. Application works best on lightly corroded steel and with a 100μm roughness profile; lasercut surfaces require preparation. The critical requirements are that there can be no oil or dust on the surface during application. Of course, EonCoat only works on ferrous surfaces, and it will not work on stainless steel because the passive layer already present prevents alloying with the phosphorus in the coating.
Mark’s original business plan had been to supply product to the coating industry. However, to demonstrate the coating, it proved necessary to offer an application service directly to end-user clients. This was because resourcing,
planning and scheduling for EonCoat application is significantly different from that for conventional painting. For example, encapsulation and abrasive recovery are not normally needed. As light surface rust is an advantage, waterblasting can be scheduled weeks in advance. Similarly, since the coating sets in seconds, inspection can take place immediately after application, though specific training for quality control is needed.
Mark spoke of a situations that had occurred during field trials where untrained inspectors had wrongly condemned and stripped off EonCoat coatings leading to expensive and unnecessary re-work to re-establish the demonstrations.
A critical consideration is that EonCoat coating cannot withstand acidic environments (pH lower than 4.5). It can be painted with permeable coatings (e.g., with epoxy coatings), but not with
impermeable films (like siloxanes), as access to moisture from the surrounding atmosphere helps maintain the protection. Over-painting can be appropriate in maritime surroundings as marine organisms are attracted to the phosphorus in the product.
Other points that arose during mark’s interactive presentation were that EonCoat is safe for use with potable water storage, X-ray images can be made through the coating and that the set coating can be saturated with oil. The coating is self-levelling during application and it can be repaired or recoated without feathering, but must be moistened first; the spray guns are designed to include water with the spray mix as required.
Some large-scale applications of EonCoat are imminent and this presentation left the audience anticipating the outcomes with great interest.
Safe Hydrogen Research
Our Certified Materials Professionals (CMatPs)
The following members of Materials Australia have been certified by the Certification Panel of Materials Australia as Certified Materials Professionals.
They can now use the post nominal ‘CMatP‘ after their name. These individuals have demonstrated the required level of qualification and experience to obtain this status. They are also required to regularly maintain their professional standing through ongoing education and commitment to the materials community.
We now have nearly 200 Certified Materials Professionals, who are being called upon to lead activities within Materials Australia. These activities include heading special interest group networks, representation on Standards Australia Committees, and representing Materials Australia at international conferences and society meetings.
Dr Ivan Cole ACT
Dr Syed Islam ACT
Prof Yun Liu ACT
Dr Avik Sarker ACT
Dr Olga Zinovieva ACT
Prof Mohammad Asaduzzaman Chowdhury Bangladesh
Dr Rajib Nandee Bangladesh
Mr Debdutta Mallik EGYPT
Prof. Jamie Quinton NEW ZEALAND
Dr Amir Abdolazizi
NSW
Dr Xianghai An NSW
Dr Edohamen Awannegbe
Prof Julie Cairney
Prof John Canning
Dr Phillip Carter
Dr Li Chang
A/Prof Igor Chaves
Mr Peter Crick
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Mr Seigmund Jacob Dollolasa NSW
Prof Madeleine Du Toit
Dr Ehsan Farabi
Prof Michael Ferry
Dr Yixiang Gan
Mr Michele Gimona
Dr Bernd Gludovatz
Dr Andrew Gregory
Mr Buluc Guner
Dr Ali Hadigheh
Dr David Harrison
Dr Alan Hellier
Mr Brook Hinckley
Mr Simon Krismer
Prof Jamie Kruzic
Prof Huijun Li
Dr Yanan Li
A/Prof Xiaopeng Li
Prof Xiaozhou Liao
Dr Hong Lu
Dr Tim Lucey
Mr Rodney Mackay-Sim
Dr Warren McKenzie
Mr Edgar Mendez
Dr Ranming Niu
Dr Keita Nomoto
Dr Anna Paradowska
Prof Garth Pearce
Prof Elena Pereloma
A/Prof Sophie Primig
Dr Gwenaelle Proust
Miss Zhijun Qiu
Dr Blake Regan
Mr Ehsan Rahafrouz
Dr Mark Reid
Prof Simon Ringer
Dr Richard Roest
Dr Bernd Schulz
Mr Arya Sharifian
Dr Luming Shen
Mr Sasanka Sinha
Mr Robert Small
Mr Frank Soto
Mr Michael Stefulj
Mr Carl Strautins
Mr Alan Todhunter
Ms Judy Turnbull
Mr Jeremy Unsworth
Dr Philip Walls
Dr Alan Whittle
Dr Richard Wuhrer
Dr Vladislav Yakubov
Mr Deniz Yalniz
Prof Richard Yang
Mr Andre Van Zyl
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Dr Michael Bermingham QLD
Mr Michael Chan QLD
Prof Richard Clegg QLD
Mr Oscar Duyvestyn QLD
Mr John Edgley QLD
Dr Jayantha Epaarachchi QLD
Dr Jeff Gates QLD
Mr Payam Ghafoori QLD
Mr Mo Golbahar QLD
Mr David Haynes QLD
Mr Nikolas Hildebrand QLD
A/Prof Mainul Islam QLD
Dr Janitha Jeewantha QLD
Dr Damon Kent QLD
Mr Jeezreel Malacad QLD
Mr Michael Mansfield QLD
Mr Sadiq Nawaz QLD
Dr Saeed Nemati QLD
Mr Bhavin Panchal QLD
Mr Bob Samuels QLD
Mr Ashley Bell SA
Ms Ingrid Brundin SA
Mr Neville Cornish SA
Prof Colin Hall SA
Mr Brendan Dunstall SA
Mr Mikael Johansson SA
Mr Rahim Kurji SA
Mr Ali Rafieeye SA
Mr Andrew Sales SA
Dr Thomas Schläfer SA
Dr Christiane Schulz SA
Prof Nikki Stanford SA
Prof Youhong Tang SA
Mr Kok Toong Leong SINGAPORE
Prof Klaus-Dieter Liss USA
Dr Muhammad Awais Javed VIC
Mr Michael Bourchier VIC
Dr Christian Brandl VIC
Dr John Cookson VIC
Mr Nasser Cura VIC
Dr Minh Nhat Dang VIC
Miss Ana Celine Del Rosario VIC
Dr Yvonne Durandet VIC
Dr Mark Easton VIC
Dr Reza Emdad VIC
Dr Peter Ford VIC
Mr Bruce Ham VIC
Dr Shervin Eslami Harandi VIC
Dr Shu Huang VIC
Mr Long Huynh VIC
Dr Jithin Joseph VIC
Mr. Akesh Babu Kakarla VIC
Mr Russell Kennedy VIC
Dr Poom Kettalard VIC
Mr Trevor Layzell VIC
Mr Daniel Lim VIC
Dr Amita Iyer VIC
Mr Robert Le Hunt VIC
Dr Thomas Ludwig VIC
Dr Roger Lumley VIC
Dr Gary Martin VIC
Dr Srikanth Mateti VIC
Dr Siao Ming (Andrew) Ang VIC
Mr Glen Morrissey VIC
Dr Khurram Munir VIC
Prof Jian-Feng Nie VIC
Dr Mostafa Nikzad VIC
Dr Chrysoula Pandelidi VIC
Dr Eustathios Petinakis VIC
Mr Vishnu Vijayan Pillai VIC
Dr Leon Prentice VIC
Prof Muhammad Mehran Qadir VIC
Dr Dong Qiu VIC
Mr John Rea VIC
Miss Reyhaneh Sahraeian VIC
Dr Christine Scala VIC
Mr Khan Sharp VIC
Mr Mark Stephens VIC
Dr Graham Sussex VIC
Mr Pranay Wadyalkar VIC
Dr Wei Xu VIC
Dr Ramdayal Yadav VIC
Dr Matthew Young VIC
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Dr Yuman Zhu VIC
Mr Mohsen Sabbagh Alvani WA
Dr Murugesan Annasamy WA
Mr Graeme Brown WA
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Why You Should Become a Certified Materials Professional
Source: Materials Australia
Accreditation as a Certified Materials Professional (CMatP) gives you recognition, not only amongst your peers, but within the materials engineering industry at large. You will be recognised as a materials scientist who maintains professional integrity, keeps up to date with developments in technology, and strives for continued personal development.
The CMatP, like a Certified Practicing Accountant or CPA, is promoted globally as the recognised standard for professionals working in the field of materials science.
There are now well over one hundred CMatPs who lead activities within Materials Australia. These activities include heading special interest group networks, representation on Standards Australia Committees, and representing Materials Australia at international conferences and society meetings.
Benefits of Becoming a CMatP
• A Certificate of Membership, often presented by the State Chapter, together with a unique Materials Australia badge.
• Access to exclusive CMatP resources and website content.
• The opportunity to attend CMatP only networking meetings.
• Promotion through Materials Australia magazine, website, social media and other public channels.
• A Certified Materials Professional can use the post nominal CMatP.
• Materials Australia will actively promote the CMatP status to the community and employers and internationally, through our partner organisations.
• A CMatP may be requested to represent Materials Australia throughout Australia and overseas, with Government, media and other important activities.
• A CMatP may be offered an opportunity as a mentor for student members.
• Networking directly with other CMatPs who have recognised levels of qualifications and experience.
• The opportunity to assume leadership roles in Special Interest Networks, to assist in the facilitation of new knowledge amongst peers and members.
What is a Certified Materials Professional?
A Certified Materials Professional is a person to whom Materials Australia has issued a certificate declaring they have attained all required professional standards. They are recognised as demonstrating excellence, and
possessing special knowledge in the practice of materials science and engineering, through their profession or workplace. A CMatP is prepared to share their knowledge and skills in the interest of others, and promote excellence and innovation in all their professional endeavours.
The Criteria
The criteria for recognition as a CMatP are structured around the applicant demonstrating substantial and sustained practice in a field of materials science and engineering. The criteria are measured by qualifications, years of employment and relevant experience, as evidenced by the applicant’s CV or submitted documentation.
Certification will be retained as long as there is evidence of continuing professional development and adherence to the Code of Ethics and Professional behaviour.
Further Information
Contact Materials Australia today: on +61 3 9326 7266 or imea@materialsaustralia.com.au or visit our website: www.materialsaustralia.com.au
Cardboard And Earth Reshape Sustainable Construction
Engineers in Australia have developed a new building material with about one quarter of concrete’s carbon footprint, while reducing waste going to landfill.
This innovative material, called cardboard-confined rammed earth, is composed entirely of cardboard, water and soil, making it reusable and recyclable.
In Australia alone, more than 2.2 million tons of cardboard and paper are sent to landfill each year. Meanwhile, cement and concrete production account for about 8% of annual global emissions.
Cardboard has previously been used in temporary structures and disaster shelters, such as Shigeru Ban’s iconic Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Inspired by such designs, the RMIT University team has, for the first time, combined the durability of rammed earth with the versatility of cardboard.
Why It Matters
Lead author Dr Jiaming Ma from RMIT said the development of cardboard-confined rammed earth marked a significant advancement toward a more sustainable construction industry.
“Modern rammed earth construction compacts soil with added cement for strength. Cement use is excessive given the natural thickness of rammed earth walls,” he said.
But cardboard-confined rammed earth, developed at RMIT University, eliminates the need for cement and boasts one quarter of the carbon footprint at under one third of the cost, compared to concrete.
“By simply using cardboard, soil and water, we can make walls robust enough to support low-rise buildings,” Ma said.
“This innovation could revolutionise building design and construction, using locally sourced materials that are easier to recycle.
“It also reflects the global revival of earth-based construction fuelled by net zero goals and interest in local sustainable materials.”
Practical Benefits
The cardboard-confined rammed earth can be made on the construction site by compacting the soil and water mixture inside the cardboard formwork, either manually or with machines.
Study corresponding author and leading expert in the field of structural optimisation, Emeritus Professor Yi Min ‘Mike’ Xie, said this advancement can spearhead a leaner, greener approach to construction.
“Instead of hauling in tonnes of bricks, steel and concrete, builders would only need to bring lightweight cardboard, as nearly all material can be obtained on site,” Xie said.
“This would significantly cut transport costs, simplify logistics and reduce upfront material demands.”
Ma said cardboard-confined rammed earth could be an effective solution for construction in remote areas, such as regional Australia, where red soils – ideal for rammed earth construction – are plentiful.
“Rammed earth buildings are ideal in hot climates because their high thermal mass naturally regulates indoor temperatures and humidity, reducing the need for mechanical cooling and cutting carbon emissions,” he said.
The mechanical strength of the novel material varies based on the thickness of the cardboard tubes.
Ma said the team has developed the formula for this strength design.
"We've created a way to figure out how the thickness of the cardboard affects the strength of the rammed earth, allowing us to measure strength based on cardboard thickness,” Ma said.
In a separate study lead by Ma, carbon fibre was combined with rammed earth, proving it had a comparable strength to high-performance concrete.
Ma and the team are ready to partner with various industries to further develop this new material so it can be used widely. Companies looking to partner with RMIT researchers can contact research.partnerships@rmit.edu.au.
The RMIT-based research team. L to R: Hongru Zhang, Jiaming Ma, Dilan Robert and Ngoc San Ha. Image credit: RMIT University.
A first-of-its-kind method that’s cheap, portable and powerful in detecting harmful nanoplastics particles has been developed by an international consortium of researchers, with far-reaching implications for global health and environmental science.
While the dangers of microplastics are widely recognised, smaller nanoplastics are more insidious, infiltrating food, water, and even human organs, and detecting them has been difficult and expensive.
Described in a paper published recently in Nature Photonics, researchers at the University of Melbourne and the University of Stuttgart in Germany have developed a novel “optical sieve” to cost-effectively detect, classify and count nanoplastic particles in real-world environments.
Dr Lukas Wesemann, who led the Australian arm of the research at the University of Melbourne, said the innovation is able to expose the extent of nanoplastics pollution that can persist for centuries, and provides hope for scalable monitoring of this global environmental and health crisis.
“Until now, detecting and sizing plastic particles with diameters below a micrometre – one millionth of a metre – has relied on costly tools such as scanning electron microscopes, and been nearly impossible outside advanced laboratories, leaving us blind to their true impact,” Dr Wesemann said.
“Our novel optical sieve is an array of tiny cavities of varying sizes in a gallium arsenide microchip.”
When a liquid containing nanoplastics is poured over the sieve, each plastic particle is captured in a void of matching size, sorting them into categories down to a diameter of 200 nanometres.
“Crucially, it requires only an optical microscope and a basic camera to observe distinct colour changes to light reflecting off the sieve, which allows us to detect and count the sorted particles,” Dr Wesemann said.
University of Melbourne Associate Professor Brad Clarke and co-author said the invention could make pollution monitoring far more affordable, accessible and mobile.
“Understanding the numbers and size distribution of nanoplastics is crucial to assess their impact on global health, and aquatic and soil ecosystems,” he said.
Nanoplastic particles under scanning electron microscope. Image credit: Dr Lukas Wesemann, University of Melbourne, and Mario Hentschel, University of Stuttgart.
“Unlike microplastics, smaller nanoplastics can cross biological barriers – including the blood-brain barrier –and accumulate in body tissues, raising profound health concerns of toxic exposure.”
The researchers validated the technique using lake water mixed with nanoplastics, with future testing potentially including identifying nanoplastics in blood samples.
“In contrast to existing methods like dynamic light scattering, our new method does not require separating the plastics from biological matter,” Dr Wesemann said.
The researchers are exploring scaling the innovation into a commercially available environmental testing solution.
The team included scientists from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Transformative MetaOptical Systems and Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants in the School of Chemistry.
The research was supported by funding, including from the Australian Research Council, European Research Council, the Australia–Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme (Universities Australia-DAAD), the University of Stuttgart and the University of Melbourne.
Lightning-Fast Power: Breakthrough Powers Supercapacitors That Rival Batteries
Engineers have made a major leap forward in the global race to build energy storage devices that are both fast and powerful – paving the way for next-generation applications in electrified transport, grid stabilisation and consumer electronics.
In a study published recently in Nature Communications, the team reveals a new kind of carbon-based material that allows supercapacitors to store as much energy as traditional lead-acid batteries, while delivering power far faster than conventional batteries can manage.
Supercapacitors are an emerging class of energy storage devices that store charge electrostatically, rather than through chemical reactions like batteries. Until now, a major barrier has been that only a small fraction of the carbon material’s surface area – essential for storing energy – was accessible for use.
Professor Mainak Majumder, Director of the ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing with 2D Materials (AM2D), based in Monash’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, was a member of the research team.
“Our team has shown how to unlock much more of that surface area by simply changing the way the material is heat-treated,” said Professor Majumder.
“This discovery could allow us to build fast-charging supercapacitors that store enough energy to replace batteries in many applications, and deliver it far more quickly.”
The secret lies in a new material architecture developed by the team, called multiscale reduced graphene oxide (M-rGO), which is synthesised from natural graphite – an abundant Australian resource.
Using a rapid thermal annealing process, the researchers created a highly curved graphene structure with precise pathways for ions to move quickly and efficiently. The result is a material that offers both high energy density and high power density – a combination rarely achieved in a single device.
Engineers have made a major leap forward in the global race to build energy storage devices that are both fast and powerful. Image credit: Monash University.
Dr Petar Jovanović, a research fellow in the ARC AM2D Hub and co-author of the study, said when assembled into pouch cell devices, the Monash supercapacitors delivered:
• Volumetric energy densities of up to 99.5 Wh/L (in ionic liquid electrolytes)
• Power densities as high as 69.2 kW/L
• Rapid charging capabilities with excellent cycle stability.
“These performance metrics are among the best ever reported for carbon-based supercapacitors, and crucially, the process is scalable and compatible with Australian raw materials,” Dr Jovanović said.
Dr Phillip Aitchison, CTO of Monash University spinout Ionic Industries, and a co-author of the study, said the technology is now being commercialised.
“Ionic Industries was established to commercialise innovations such as these and we are now making commercial quantities of these graphene materials,” said Dr Aitchison.
“We’re working with energy storage partners to bring this breakthrough to market-led applications – where both high energy and fast power delivery are essential.”
The research was supported by the Australian Research Council and the US Air Force Office of Sponsored Research and is part of Monash’s broader commitment to developing advanced materials for a low-carbon energy future.
'Rosetta Stone' Of Code Allows Scientists To Run Core Quantum Operation
To build a large-scale quantum computer that works, scientists and engineers need to overcome the spontaneous errors that quantum bits, or qubits, create as they operate.
Scientists encode these building blocks of quantum information to suppress errors in other qubits so that a minority can operate in a way that produces useful outcomes.
As the number of useful (or logical) qubits grows, the number of physical qubits required grows even further. As this scales up, the sheer number of qubits needed to create a useful quantum machine becomes an engineering nightmare.
Now, for the first time, quantum scientists at the Quantum Control Laboratory at the University of Sydney Nano Institute have demonstrated a type of quantum logic gate that drastically reduces the number physical qubits needed for its operation.
To do this, they built an entangling logic gate on a single atom using an error-correcting code nicknamed the ‘Rosetta stone’ of quantum computing. It earns that name because it translates smooth, continuous quantum oscillations into clean, digital-like discrete states, making errors easier to spot and fix, and importantly, allowing a highly compact way to encode logical qubits.
GKP Codes: A Rosetta Stone For Quantum Computing
This curiously named Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) code has for many years offered a theoretical possibility for significantly reducing the physical number of qubits needed to produce a functioning ‘logical qubit’. Albeit by trading efficiency for complexity, making the codes very difficult to control.
Research published today in Nature Physics demonstrates this as a physical reality, tapping into the natural oscillations of a trapped ion (a charged atom of ytterbium) to store GKP codes and, for the first time, realising quantum entangling gates between them.
Led by Sydney Horizon Fellow Dr Tingrei Tan at the University of Sydney Nano Institute, scientists have used their exquisite control over the harmonic motion of a trapped ion to bridge the coding complexity of GKP qubits, allowing a demonstration of their entanglement.
“Our experiments have shown the first realisation of a universal logical gate set for GKP qubits,” Dr Tan said. “We did this by precisely controlling the natural vibrations, or harmonic oscillations, of a trapped ion in such a way that we can manipulate individual GKP qubits or entangle them as a pair.”
Quantum Logic Gate
A logic gate is an information switch that allows computers – quantum and classical – to be programmable to perform logical operations. Quantum logic gates use the
entanglement of qubits to produce a completely different sort of operational system to that used in classical computing, underpinning the great promise of quantum computers.
First author Vassili Matsos is a PhD student in the School of Physics and Sydney Nano. He said: “Effectively, we store two error-correctable logical qubits in a single trapped ion and demonstrate entanglement between them.
“We did this using quantum control software developed by Q-CTRL, a spin-off start-up company from the Quantum Control Laboratory, with a physics-based model to design quantum gates that minimise the distortion of GKP logical qubits, so they maintain the delicate structure of the GKP code while processing quantum information.”
Milestone In Quantum Tech
What Mr Matsos did is entangle two ‘quantum vibrations’ of a single atom. The trapped atom vibrates in three dimensions. Movement in each dimension is described by quantum mechanics and each is considered a ‘quantum state’. By entangling two of these quantum states realised as qubits, Mr Matsos created a logic gate using just a single atom, a milestone in quantum technology.
This result massively reduces the quantum hardware required to create these logic gates, which allow quantum machines to be programmed.
Dr Tan said: “GKP error correction codes have long promised a reduction in hardware demands to address the resource overhead challenge for scaling quantum computers. Our experiments achieved a key milestone, demonstrating that these high-quality quantum controls provide a key tool to manipulate more than just one logical qubit.
“By demonstrating universal quantum gates using these qubits, we have a foundation to work towards large-scale quantum-information processing in a highly hardwareefficient fashion.”
Dr Tingrei Tan (left) with his PhD student and lead author Vassili Matsos with the Paul trap used in this experiment in the Quantum Control Laboratory. Image credit: Fiona Wolf and The University of Sydney.
Shielding Titanium: The Quest for High - Temperature Resilience
How advanced SEM technology is transforming titanium alloy coatings
Source: ATA Scientific
The Problem
Known for their strength and lightweight properties, titanium alloys are ideally suited to aerospace applications. However, they are prone to failure at temperatures above 500°C. This significantly limits their industrial use, especially in aerospace engines.
While titanium alloys can form a dense oxide layer on their surface to prevent further oxidation at temperatures below 500°C, this protective layer becomes porous as the temperature rises. The porosity allows oxygen to diffuse into the titanium alloy, which causes oxides to form over time and eventually leads to failure.
The Impact
The failure of titanium alloys at high temperatures can have several consequences. As the alloys are used for key components in expensive aerospace equipment, repairs are costly and typically come with extended downtime. The components are checked regularly for signs of weakening and becoming brittle, which results in cracks and fractures. This process is highly temperature dependent, so it’s difficult to predict and a safety risk in itself.
The Challenge
To mitigate these risks, it’s essential to use protective coatings on titanium alloys. These coatings act as a barrier between the alloy and the environment, reducing
corrosion and oxidation. However, developing structurally dense, highly oxidation resistant MoSi₂ coatings on titanium alloy surfaces is a significant challenge, as even minor coating defects can have a big impact on the alloy substrate.
The Solution
To address this challenge, the Thermo Scientific™ Phenom Pharos™ Desktop Scanning Electron Microscope with EDS can be used to analyse the performance of MoSi₂ coatings on titanium alloys. The instrument provides the necessary capabilities for this analysis, including a field emission source, resolution better than 2 nm, and an integrated highperformance EDS detector.
The Results
In one sample, the MoSi₂ coating layer was approximately 800 nm thick and cracks in the coating were less than 100 nm wide. The diffusion and distribution of elements near these defects needed to be analysed to fully understand the coating’s performance.
The Phenom Pharos Desktop SEM’s high-performance EDS made it possible to map individual elements present in the sample. The silicon and molybdenum maps confirmed the presence of the MoSi₂ layer on most of the alloy’s surface. However, both elements were absent from the defect. The oxygen map proved the coating’s effectiveness, showing that, in the coated areas, no oxygen
diffused into the substrate of Ti₆Al₄V. Elemental mapping of the defect showed the presence of oxygen, titanium, and vanadium, confirming that oxygen diffused into and oxidised the substrate within the crack. The results help to illustrate that the oxide layer of silicon is crucial in enabling the MoSi₂ coating to act as an effective barrier.
Conclusion
The Phenom Pharos Desktop SEM with EDS plays a pivotal role in studying and developing titanium alloy coatings. By providing detailed insights into the thickness, density, and uniformity of the MoSi₂ coatings, as well as identifying and analysing defects, this advanced SEM technology delivers data that can help you ensure that titanium alloys can withstand high-temperature environments.
Advanced SEM technology is key in developing next-generation coatings that enhance the resilience and reliability of titanium alloys in extreme conditions. By shielding titanium from the perils of high temperatures, we pave the way for safer and more efficient aerospace applications.
About ATA Scientific
ATA Scientific’s commitment to providing access to the most advanced analytical technologies and ongoing support offers a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, training, and collaborative problemsolving.
The Phenom Pharos Desktop FEG SEM is currently available for demonstration - Limited time onlyTo book contact ATA Scientific via phone, 02 9541 3500, email enquiries@atascientific.com.au or visit www.atascientific.com.au.
References:
1. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc (2025). Shielding titanium: The quest for high-temperature resilience. [CS0045-EN-09-2025] https:// thermofisher.com/phenom-pharos
Ease of use is what the Phenom Pharos name has come to mean. All the capabilities of a floor-standing FEG-SEM have been housed in a tabletop model with the simplicity that Phenom desktop SEMs are known for.
2. Unsurpassed user experience
Easy to use without extensive training or SEM experience means the Phenom is accessible to everyone.
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Fully integrated EDS and SE detector together with a low -kV beam (1 kV) allows thin contamination layers on the surface can be observed (Phenom Pharos).
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Simply click and go to work or use automated recipes with elemental mapping and line scan functionality.
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Provides rapid, multi -scale information in-house for process monitoring and improvement.
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Gold microparticles taken using Phenom Pharos
AXT Appointed An Official Stratasys 3D Printing Reseller
By Dr. Cameron Chai
This new partnership marks a significant expansion of AXT’s advanced manufacturing portfolio, enabling them to offer Stratasys’ industry-leading 3D printing technologies to customers across sectors including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, education, manufacturing and research.
“We are excited to partner with Stratasys, a name synonymous with quality, versatility, and performance in additive manufacturing,” said Richard Trett, Managing Director of AXT. “This appointment aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver the best technologies to drive innovation and productivity. Stratasys’ comprehensive range of 3D printers will empower Australian manufacturing with unmatched precision and reliability.”
Stratasys is known for its robust and versatile 3D printing systems, including FDM®, PolyJet™, SAF™, and stereolithography technologies. These solutions support rapid prototyping,
tooling and end-use part production, offering unprecedented speed, accuracy and material versatility.
As a Stratasys distributor, AXT will provide:
• Sales and application support for the Stratasys FDM, PolyJet and P3-DLP full product range
• Consultation for optimal additive manufacturing solutions
• Installation and technical servicing by factory-certified engineers
• Delivery of operator basic and advanced certification / training
• Product demonstrations and sample part production
“We are thrilled to welcome AXT as a partner in the region,” said Fred Fischer, General Manager Australia / New Zealand at Stratasys. “Their proven expertise, customer focus, and technical capability make them an ideal partner to drive customer understanding, adoption, and success in Australia.”
AXT will kick off the new relationship with an open day at AXT’s Sydney office in the near future. This event will showcase five of Stratasys’ high-end 3D printing systems spanning, PolyJet, Programmable PhotoPolymerization (P3-DLP) and Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) which are ideal for rapid prototyping, full-colour model printing, production tooling, and lowvolume / high-mix production. Experts will be on hand to provide advice and insights.
This strategic partnership reinforces AXT’s position as a trusted supplier of advanced technologies, while offering local customers greater access to world-class additive manufacturing solutions. Furthermore, it reinforced AXT’s position as Australia’s most diverse supplier of 3D printing solutions, catering for everything from custom 3D printing materials, through to printing system all the way to quality control. For more details, please visit axt.com.au
Aconity3D Release Innovative Wire-Based DED 3D Printer
By Dr. Cameron Chai
Aconity3D has unveiled its latest breakthrough in additive manufacturing: the AconityWIRE. This new system leverages advanced wire-based technology to deliver unparalleled flexibility, precision, and efficiency for industrial 3D printing applications using Direct Energy Deposition (DED) technology.
Designed to meet the evolving needs of manufacturers, researchers, and engineers, the AconityWIRE offers high-speed deposition with exceptional material utilisation. Despite its compact size, it offers an impressive build volume of 400mm dia. X 780mm H. The system supports a wide range of metal wires, making it ideal for custom prototyping, repair work and smallbatch production with wire being protected by inert gas shielding.
Key features of the AconityWIRE include:
• Versatile wire-feed additive manufacturing for diverse metals
• Enhanced build rates and reduced material waste
• Intuitive user interface and automation options
• Compact footprint for easy integration into existing workflows
Aconity3D continues to set new standards in the additive manufacturing industry. With the launch of AconityWIRE, customers gain access to a robust and cost-effective solution for advanced metal component fabrication.
The AconityWIRE is available now through AXT. For more information, visit www.axt.com.au/aconitywire/
Curtin University: Shaping the Future of Materials Science and Engineering
Source: Sally Wood
A Legacy of Innovation and Impact
Founded in 1966 as the Western Australian Institute of Technology, Curtin University has grown into a global leader in education and research. Granted university status in 1986 and named in honour of former Prime Minister John Curtin, the institution has always embodied his vision of innovation, fairness, and forward thinking. Today, Curtin is Western Australia’s largest university, with more than 58,000 students across campuses in Perth, Kalgoorlie, Dubai, Malaysia, Mauritius, and Singapore. Curtin has developed a reputation for fostering research that is not only academically rigorous but also deeply relevant to industry and society. Ranked in the world’s top 200 universities, Curtin is particularly recognised for its strengths in engineering and technology, geosciences, energy, and health. Its strong industry partnerships, commitment to practical learning, and emphasis on solving real-world problems position it as a powerhouse of research translation and innovation. Materials science and engineering sit at the very heart of this reputation. Through cutting-edge research, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and global partnerships, Curtin is shaping materials and technologies that will define the next era of sustainable development, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy.
A Stronghold in Materials Science
At Curtin, materials science is approached as both a fundamental and applied discipline. The university’s researchers address some of the most pressing global challenges: how to develop lighter, stronger, and more sustainable building materials; how to design metals and composites that perform under extreme conditions; and how to engineer advanced
materials for renewable energy and storage systems.
Curtin’s School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering is central to this effort. It combines expertise in structural engineering, mechanics, and materials to deliver research that underpins safer, more sustainable infrastructure and technologies. The work is strengthened by the university’s world-class facilities, including laboratories for advanced materials testing, geomechanics, and structural health monitoring.
Researchers explore the full lifecycle of materials, from discovery and characterisation to application and performance in service. This holistic approach ensures that innovations are not only scientifically sound but also commercially viable and environmentally responsible.
Structural Engineering: Building for the Future
Curtin has a proud tradition of excellence in structural engineering, an area that draws heavily on materials research. The university’s structural engineering researchers are pioneering approaches to designing buildings, bridges, and critical infrastructure that are
resilient, resource-efficient, and environmentally sustainable . Their work investigates how traditional materials such as concrete and steel can be enhanced with novel additives, composites, and design methods. Current projects include developing high-performance concretes with reduced carbon footprints, fibrereinforced polymers that increase durability, and hybrid materials capable of withstanding the harsh Australian climate.
Equally important is research into structural health monitoring—using sensors, digital twins, and predictive modelling to track the performance of materials in real time. These technologies enable engineers to anticipate and address potential failures before they occur, reducing maintenance costs and improving safety.
Through partnerships with government agencies, construction companies, and infrastructure operators, Curtin ensures its structural engineering research has direct impact. Its work helps build the foundations of modern society (both literally and figuratively) while advancing the science of materials at every step.
Energy Transition: Materials for a Sustainable Future
Curtin is also at the forefront of research supporting the global energy transition . With the world striving to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, materials science plays a pivotal role in enabling renewable energy technologies and storage systems.
The university’s energy transition research focuses on three critical areas: renewable generation, energy storage, and decarbonisation of industry. Across all three, materials are the linchpin.
• Renewable Generation: Curtin researchers are working on advanced photovoltaic materials and processes to improve the efficiency and scalability of solar power. They are also exploring materials for wind and tidal energy systems that can withstand the rigours of longterm deployment in challenging environments.
• Energy Storage: The university is driving innovation in batteries and hydrogen storage, developing nextgeneration electrodes, catalysts, and membranes. These materials are crucial for overcoming current limitations in capacity, durability, and cost.
• Decarbonisation of Industry: Materials are also being engineered
to support cleaner industrial processes. Research into low-carbon cements, lightweight composites, and recycling of critical minerals is helping heavy industries transition to a more sustainable future.
Curtin’s role in the energy transition is amplified by its strong partnerships with industry leaders and its location in Western Australia, a region central to the global supply of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. By combining local advantage with global vision, Curtin is making a tangible contribution to the clean energy revolution.
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
Materials science at Curtin thrives on collaboration across disciplines. The university’s researchers work at the intersections of engineering, chemistry, physics, and environmental science. For example, projects on sustainable concrete draw on expertise in chemical admixtures, structural design, and lifecycle analysis. Similarly, research into battery materials involves chemists, engineers, and environmental scientists working side by side.
Curtin is also deeply engaged in collaborative research centres and industry consortia. Its involvement in the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre (FBICRC), for instance, highlights its
leadership in developing Australia’s sovereign capability in energy storage technologies.
These collaborations ensure that Curtin’s research is not only innovative but also grounded in the needs of industry and society. They create pathways for new materials and technologies to move rapidly from the lab bench to real-world application.
Training the Next Generation
Curtin recognises that the future of materials science depends on educating and inspiring the next generation of researchers, engineers, and innovators. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering and science, all underpinned by research-led teaching and strong industry connections.
Students benefit from hands-on experience in advanced laboratories, internships with industry partners, and opportunities to contribute to real research projects.
Graduates of Curtin’s materials science and engineering programs are highly sought after, both in Australia and internationally. They bring to the workforce not only technical expertise but also the problem-solving mindset and global perspective needed to address complex challenges.
Looking Ahead: Materials That Shape Tomorrow
Curtin University’s vision for the future is ambitious yet grounded in its strengths. Its researchers are tackling some of the most critical challenges of our time: reducing the carbon footprint of construction, securing reliable energy storage, and creating materials that support healthier, more sustainable societies.
By uniting expertise in structural engineering, energy transition, and advanced materials, Curtin is forging a path towards innovations that will have lasting global impact. Its combination of academic excellence, industry engagement, and societal focus ensures that Curtin is not only shaping the future of materials science but also shaping the future itself.
BREAKING NEWS
Quantum Computing Engineers Get Atoms
Chatting Long Distance
UNSW quantum engineers have created quantum entanglement between two distant atoms in silicon using electrons as a bridge.
UNSW engineers have made a significant advance in quantum computing: they created ‘quantum entangled states’ – where two separate particles become so deeply linked they no longer behave independently – using the spins of two atomic nuclei. Such states of entanglement are the key resource that gives quantum computers their edge over conventional ones.
The research was published in the journal Science, and is an important step towards building large-scale quantum computers – one of the most exciting scientific and technological challenges of the 21st century.
Lead author Dr Holly Stemp said the achievement unlocks the potential to build the future microchips needed for quantum computing using existing technology and manufacturing processes.
“We succeeded in making the cleanest, most isolated quantum objects talk to each other, at the scale at which standard silicon electronic devices are currently fabricated,” she said.
The challenge facing quantum computer engineers has been to balance two opposing needs: shielding the computing elements from external interference and noise, while still enabling them to interact to perform meaningful computations.
This is why there are so many different types of hardware still in the race to be the first operating quantum computer: some are very good for performing fast operations, but suffer from noise; others are well shielded from noise, but difficult to operate and scale up. Until now, the only way to operate multiple atomic nuclei was for them to be placed very close together inside a solid, and to be surrounded by one and the same electron.
Crucial battery breakthrough headlines
Curtinnovation Awards winners list
A game-changing technology delivering greener and faster production of a critical battery material has taken out the 2025 Curtinnovation Awards’ highest honour to be named the Griffith Hack Overall Winner.
The Curtin Carbon Group’s Dr Jason Fogg, Dr Jacob Martin and Associate Professor Nigel Marks won the annual event’s major prize for RapidGraphite, which uses a new method to create synthetic graphite – a key component of lithium-ion batteries which will play a major role in the global transition to cleaner energy.
RapidGraphite uses catalytic processing and renewable waste carbon such as woodchips, agricultural waste or even plastics to sustainably produce high-performance graphite without the need for conventional mining or energy-intensive refining.
Curtin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research John Curtin Distinguished Professor Melinda Fitzgerald said the innovation stood out for its potential to dramatically reduce the environmental footprint of battery production at a time of surging global demand.
“RapidGraphite addresses one of the most urgent challenges in clean energy supply chains: how to source critical minerals in a sustainable, ethical, and scalable way,” Professor Fitzgerald said.
“This breakthrough not only reflects Curtin’s commitment to research excellence but also our impact on real-world challenges such as decarbonisation and electrification.”
The annual Curtinnovation Awards recognise Curtin’s commitment to transforming exceptional research into new products and services that benefit the community.
Professor Fitzgerald said the Curtinnovation Awards celebrate outstanding research-driven innovations with commercial and community impact. “This year’s winners and field of finalists were incredibly impressive and I want to congratulate all of them for their outstanding work in tackling some of the world’s most difficult challenges,” Professor Fitzgerald said.
L to R: Dr Mark van Blankenstein, Dr Holly Stemp and Professor Andrea Morello. Image credit: UNSW.
A game-changing technology delivering greener and faster production of a critical battery material has taken out the 2025 Curtinnovation Awards’ highest honour to be named the Griffith Hack Overall Winner.
BREAKING NEWS
University Of Sydney Partners With Siemens Healthineers On $9 million MRI Research Capability
The University of Sydney has unveiled a $9 million partnership with Siemens Healthineers centred on the opening of the state’s most advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner.
Developed through a strategic research partnership between the University and Siemens Healthineers, the Cima.X 3T MRI Clinical Research Facility delivers imaging capabilities not previously available in NSW, strengthening the state’s capacity for advanced medical research and clinical translation.
Chancellor David Thodey AO said the MRI scanner in the new Sydney Imaging facility is the most powerful clinically approved whole-body MRI scanner in the world.
“Access to cutting-edge platforms like the Siemens Healthineers Cima.X 3T MRI Scanner enables our researchers and clinicians to make discoveries that benefit patients, strengthen our health system, and build Australia’s position in global research,” he said.
The new Cima.X MRI scanner forms part of an integrated imaging suite located alongside the University’s Hybrid Theatre, a research-dedicated surgical operating theatre equipped with advanced imaging technologies at the Charles Perkins Centre. This arrangement allows MRI and surgical procedures to take place in the same space, reducing risk and complexity, and accelerating translational research.
It creates opportunities for interventional research, such as MRI-guided biopsies and brain stimulation techniques to treat neurological conditions, and supports medical device development and refining surgical procedures – including cardiac valve surgery – that would not be possible in separate facilities.
The opening ceremony was followed by a research symposium featuring international keynote Professor Derek Jones MBE from Cardiff University, highlighting the new opportunities this facility creates for collaboration in imaging science.
Big Plans To Conserve Tiny Organisms Globally
A new global body will promote the conservation of microbes, which it argues are as important to the Earth’s biodiversity as plants, animals and people.
Microbes include bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae and archaea (single-celled microorganisms with a bacterialike structure). They are invisible to the human eye, but play a huge role, shaping ecosystems, producing food and regulating disease.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Microbial Conservation Specialist Group will unite the environmental expertise of researchers globally to assess and prioritise microbes for conservation.
The group’s Vice Chair - Climate Action, Professor Chris Greening from Monash University’s Biomedicine Discovery Institute, said despite its importance, microbial life had been largely absent from global conservation efforts until now.
“Most people have a purely negative view of microbes primarily as pathogens, but most of them are good for us and we depend on them for almost every aspect of our lives,” said Professor Greening.
“They were the first life forms and our extreme distantly ancestors. They're also why our planet is habitable. They form our soils, break down our waste, underlie food production and make our medicines.”
“This is the first group set up to conserve microbes,” he said. “Despite microbes being so foundational and vulnerable, they haven't ever been properly considered until now.
“Microbes are invisible, but they're not invincible and we're disrupting them at colossal scales, much to our detriment. Microbes will determine our future, whether we like it or not, but through better protecting and harnessing them we can safeguard our future.”
The ribbon cutting of the new 3T MR imaging facility at the University of Sydney. L to R: Kieran O’Brien, Alison Curren, Fernando Calamente, Shawna Farquharson, David Thodey, Julie Cairney and Simon Ringer. Image credit: University of Sydney.
Professor Chris Greening in the field. Image credit: Monash University.
How To Make Metals From Martian Dirt
The idea of building settlements on Mars is a popular goal of billionaires, space agencies and interplanetary enthusiasts. But construction demands materials, and we can't ship it all from Earth: it cost US$243 million just to send NASA's one tonne Perseverance Rover to the Red Planet.
Unless we're building a settlement for ants, we'll need much, much more stuff. So how do we get it there?
CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellow and Swinburne alum Dr Deddy Nababan has been pondering this question for years. His answer lies in the Martian dirt, known as regolith.
"Sending metals to Mars from Earth might be feasible, but it's not economical. Can you imagine bringing tonnes of metals to Mars? It's just not practical," Dr Nababan said. "Instead, we can use what's available on Mars. It's called in-situ resource utilisation, or ISRU."
More specifically, Dr Nababan is looking at astrometallurgy — making metals in space. As it turns out, Mars has all the ingredients needed to make native metals. This includes ironrich oxides in regolith and carbon from its thin atmosphere, which acts as a reducing agent.
Swinburne University of Technology astrometallurgist, Professor Akbar Rhamdhani, is working with Dr Nababan to test this process with regolith simulant - an artificial recreation of the stuff found of Mars.
"We picked a simulant with very similar properties to that found at Gale Crater on Mars and processed them on Earth with simulated Mars conditions. This gives us a good idea of how the process would perform off-world," he said.
Scientist Engineering A Brighter Future Wins Prestigious Award
A scientist at The University of Western Australia advancing research in nanotechnology to reprogram cells and revolutionise medicine has been recognised with a prestigious science Fellowship.
Forrest Fellow Dr Jessica Kretzmann, from UWA’s School of Molecular Sciences, has been awarded a L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship, a program that celebrates exceptional female scientists from Australia and New Zealand.
"I’m honoured to be one of four women to be recognised with a Fellowship for their research and leadership,” Dr Kretzmann said.
“I am deeply passionate about mentoring younger women in STEMM and currently lead a team of two PhD students and five Masters’ students.
“Seeing science spark curiosity, especially in young minds from rural and underrepresented communities, inspired me to regularly lead outreach programs.”
Dr Kretzmann engineers DNA origami – folded DNA structures that enable the precise design and creation of nanoparticles of any size and shape with unprecedented control.
Her research harnesses nanoscale tools to reprogram cells to enable transformative applications ranging from improved regenerative medicine to personalised therapies.
“We aim to understand how we can use the nanoparticle structure to affect its activity and behaviour in cells, and advance bio-nanotechnology and cell biology to engineer functional nanomaterials,” Dr Kretzmann said.
“By mapping how DNA origami behaves inside cells, we can help engineer smarter medical treatments.”
Dr Kretzmann is a National Health and Medical Research Council Emerging Leader, an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award winner, a Humboldt Fellowship recipient and a Fulbright Scholar.
Swinburne and CSIRO researchers have successfully made iron under Mars-like conditions, opening to door to off-world metal production. Image credit: Swinburne University.
Dr Jessica Kretzmann, from UWA’s School of Molecular Sciences. Image credit: University of Western Australia.
BREAKING NEWS
Turning Shopping Bags Into Streets: ECU Research Tackles Plastic Waste
Discarded shopping bags and spent milk bottles could be given a second life by becoming part of critical infrastructure, new research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has found, Incorporating Waste Plastics into Pavement Materials: A Review of Opportunities, Risks, Environmental Implications, and Monitoring Strategies.
PhD student Mr Ali Ghodrati has noted that the integration of waste plastics into pavement material could offer a dual benefit of enhancing road performance and mitigating the environmental burden of plastic waste.
"Plastic waste has become a very concerning and dangerous problem all around the world. By repurposing these common household plastics, which would otherwise end up in landfills or oceans, recycling these plastics into pavement not only offers a practical solution to plastic pollution but also enhances the strength and longevity of our roads."
Global plastic production reached approximately 460 million tonnes in 2019. However, only around 9% of plastic waste has been recycled globally; the other 12% has been incinerated, and almost 79% has ended up in landfills or the natural environment.
The research has estimated that plastic waste production is expected to exceed one billion tons a year by 2050.
While plastics have been used in pavements since the 1990s to improve a range of performance characteristics such as rutting resistance, stiffness, and durability, Mr Ghodrati said that incorporating waste plastics into this process could decrease dependency on virgin materials and could contribute to climate change mitigation through lowering the embodied carbon of road works.
When sprayed onto cotton, the coating adds a layer of protection to the material slowing down the rate it burns.
The spray coating was developed by Dr Cheng Wang (left), Dr Bo Lin (middle) and Professor Guan Yeoh (right). Image credit: Richard Freeman and UNSW.
Engineers Develop Spray To Make Clothes More Fire-Resistant
Researchers at UNSW have developed a novel fireresistant spray that could slow the rate at which cotton materials catch fir, and reduce risk of burning.
Designed with everyday materials in mind, like shirts or bedding that most people have at home, this new formula could offer vital protection to those living in bushfire-prone areas, or in emergency situations.
The water-based spray coats fabric with a virtually invisible layer of protection without altering the fabric’s softness or breathability, a common challenge when applying coating on textiles.
Professor Guan Yeoh and his team of researchers from UNSW Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering have spent the last two years working on the formula. opens in a new window. Professor Yeoh and his team are experts at creating fire-resistant products - in 2023 they created FSA Firecoat, a fireretardant paint which was the first in Australia to pass the BAL-40 test and now sold at Bunnings.
“We chose cotton because it’s one of the most common materials used in the clothing and textile industry,” he said. “What we’ve achieved is a solution that doesn’t smell and doesn’t change the softness of the cotton once it’s sprayed on. So, the item of clothing still feels the same as before.”
The formula uses non-toxic ingredients consisting of phosphorous and nitrogen elements, which act as the binder, and a water-soluble cellulose extract– a plant-derived organic compound rich in carbon that can be found in cotton, wood pulp, or other plant biomass.
When combined, they form a thin protective coating that binds firmly to natural fibres like cotton. The phosphorus tightens the carbon layer which repels the heat.
Discarded shopping bags and spent milk bottles could be given a second life by becoming part of critical infrastructure. Image credit: Edith Cowan University.
Tiny Manganese Tweak Results In Material With Record-High Thermoelectric Performance
QUT researchers have developed a new material that achieves record-high thermoelectric performance, paving the way for more efficient conversion of waste heat into clean electricity.
The study, published in Energy & Environmental Science, found that adding manganese to silver copper telluride made it the most efficient material of its kind.
The research team, led by Professor Zhi-Gang Chen and Dr. Xiao-Lei Shi from QUT's School of Chemistry and Physics, the ARC Research Hub in Zero-emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality, and the QUT Centre for Materials Science, built a prototype device which was used to convert electricity.
First author Nan-Hai Li, also from the School of Chemistry and Physics and the ARC Research Hub, said the tiny change to the material resulted in a product far better at converting heat into electricity.
"We showed it could reach record efficiency levels for its class, and when tested in a prototype device it delivered more than 13% conversion efficiency, putting it alongside the best current technologies," Dr. Li said.
Professor Chen said that 13% conversion efficiency, in simple terms, meant that with the prototype, for every 100 units of heat energy that go into the device, about 13 units were turned into electricity.
"That might not sound like much, but it is a very high number for thermoelectric materials, with most of them only managing a conversion efficiency of a few percent. Every day, huge amounts of heat from cars, factories and power stations simply vanish into the air. This material gives us a way to capture some of that lost energy and turn it into clean power."
Stamp-sized hard drives capable of storing 100 times more data than current tech closer to fruition
Chemists from The University of Manchester and The Australian National University (ANU) have engineered a new type of molecule that can store information at temperatures as cold as the dark side of the moon at night, with major implications for the future of data storage.
The findings could pave the way for nextgeneration hardware about the size of a postage stamp that can store 100 times more digital data than current technologies.
“The new single-molecule magnet developed by the research team can retain its magnetic memory up to 100 Kelvin, which is about minus 173 degrees Celsius, or as cold as an evening on the moon,” co-lead author Professor Nicholas Chilton, from the ANU Research School of Chemistry, said.
“This is a significant advancement from the previous record of 80 Kelvin, which is around minus 193 degrees Celsius. If perfected, these molecules could pack large amounts of information into tiny spaces. Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon was released in 1973. Technology has come a long way since then and nowadays we listen to music through new digital mediums such as Spotify and even TikTok.”
“This new molecule could lead to new technologies that could store about three terabytes of data per square centimetre. That’s equivalent to around 40,000 CD copies of The Dark Side of the Moon album squeezed into a hard drive the size of a postage stamp, or around half a million TikTok videos.”
Professor Nicholas Chilton. Image credit: Jamie Kidston and ANU.
QUT researchers have developed a new material that achieves record-high thermoelectric performance. Image credit: QUT.
Scientists Discover Revolutionary New Class of Materials: “Intercrystals”
Scientists at Rutgers University in the US have identified a new type of material known as intercrystals, which display unusual electronic behaviours that may help shape future technologies.
According to the research team, intercrystals demonstrate electronic characteristics not previously observed, opening the door to progress in areas such as advanced electronic devices, quantum computing, and sustainable materials.
The findings, published in Nature Materials, describe how the researchers created intercrystals by layering two sheets of graphene—each just one atom thick and arranged in a honeycomb-like grid—on top of a crystal of hexagonal boron nitride (a compound made of boron and nitrogen). By slightly twisting the graphene layers, they produced moiré patterns (similar to the visual ripples that appear when two fine mesh screens overlap). This small structural shift dramatically influenced the way electrons traveled through the material.
“Our discovery opens a new path for material design,” said Eva Andrei, Board of Governors Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences and lead author of the study. “Intercrystals give us a new handle to control electronic behaviour using geometry alone, without having to change the material’s chemical composition.”
By understanding and controlling the unique properties of electrons in intercrystals, scientists can use them to develop technologies such as more efficient transistors and sensors that previously required a more complex mix of materials and processing, the researchers said.
Researchers Are First To Image Directional Atomic Vibrations
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, together with international collaborators, have developed a new electron microscopy method that has enabled the first-ever imaging of vibrations, or phonons, in specific directions at the atomic scale.
In many crystallised materials, atoms vibrate differently along varying directions, a property known as vibrational anisotropy, which strongly influences their dielectric, thermal and even superconducting behaviour. Gaining a deeper understanding of this anisotropy allows engineers to tailor materials for use in electronics, semiconductors, optics and quantum computing.
In a paper published in Nature, the UC Irvine-led team details the workings of its momentum-selective electron energyloss spectroscopy technique and its power to unveil the fundamental lattice dynamics of functional materials.
The researchers used their EELS microscope system to study strontium titanate and barium titanate, two perovskite oxides that differ in their thermoelectric, optical, piezoelectric and ferroelectric functionalities. By collecting atom-by-atom vibrational signals along selected directions, they observed contrasts in the anisotropic behaviour of acoustic and optical phonons for the two materials.
"The altered anisotropic vibrations offer measurements totally different from those obtained from the whole crystals and integrated across full energy ranges," said co-author Xiaoqing Pan, Henry Samueli Endowed Chair in Engineering and Distinguished Professor of materials science and engineering as well as physics and astronomy at UC Irvine and director of the campus's Materials Research Institute.
"Our results also clearly demonstrated that the collective atomic vibrations in crystals undergo atomic-level fluctuations depending on the elements and atomic sites, challenging the traditional model that assumes a uniform distribution of phonon wave functions."
An intercrystal formed by overlaying twisted graphene on hexagonal boron nitride. Image credit: Andrei Lab and Rutgers University.
Schematic of a q-selective EELS set-up. Image credit: Nature.
AI for Materials Engineering: Accelerating Discovery and Innovation
The relationship between humans and materials has always been a story of progress. From the Bronze Age to the Silicon Age, breakthroughs in materials have transformed societies, industries, and entire economies.
Today, a new chapter is unfolding—one defined by the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and materials engineering.
Where once materials discovery depended on painstaking trial and error, AI now offers unprecedented speed, accuracy, and predictive capability. By leveraging big data, machine learning, and advanced simulations, researchers are uncovering novel materials, optimising known ones, and accelerating pathways to commercialisation. The result is a field undergoing a profound transformation: the dawn of AIenabled materials engineering.
A Short History: From Intuition to Algorithms
For centuries, materials science relied on the intuition of scientists and the slow grind of experimentation. The discovery of alloys, polymers, and semiconductors was often serendipitous, followed by decades of refinement. Even in the late 20th century, computational modelling was limited by processing power, restricting researchers to simplified simulations.
The rise of high-performance computing in the 1990s began to change this. Density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics simulations provided new tools for predicting material properties at the atomic level. Still, the process remained resourceintensive, requiring significant time and computational capacity.
AI began to emerge as a genuine disruptor in the early 2000s, when machine learning techniques were applied to materials databases. Projects such as the Materials Genome Initiative (MGI) in the United States, launched in 2011, aimed to halve the time and cost
of discovering new materials by integrating computation, experimentation, and digital data. This was a turning point: materials science was no longer limited to incremental progress—it could now harness the predictive power of AI.
AI in Action: The Modern Landscape
Today, AI is embedded across the materials engineering lifecycle. Its applications fall into several key domains:
1. Accelerated Discovery
Machine learning algorithms can screen millions of chemical compositions and structures to identify candidates with desired properties. For example, AI has been used to predict perovskite structures for solar cells, superhard materials for industrial applications, and novel catalysts for hydrogen production.
2. Process Optimisation
AI enables engineers to fine-tune manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing, alloy casting, or polymer curing. By learning from real-time data, AI models can optimise parameters like temperature, pressure, and cooling rates to reduce defects and maximise performance.
3. Performance Prediction
Instead of relying solely on experimental validation, AI models can predict how materials will behave under different conditions like stress, heat, corrosion, or fatigue. This reduces the number of costly prototypes and accelerates certification.
4. Design of Smart Materials
AI is helping create self-healing materials, adaptive polymers, and nanostructures that respond to external stimuli. By combining computational design with experimental validation, researchers are pushing beyond traditional materials into a new era of functionality.
Developments in Australia: Research at the Frontier
Australia has embraced AI in materials engineering, leveraging its world-class research infrastructure and strong links between academia, government, and industry. From energy storage to defence, Australian projects demonstrate the transformative potential of AI in shaping advanced materials.
Curtin University: Data-Driven Materials Design
Curtin University is integrating AI into structural and energy-transition research. Its engineers are applying machine learning models to predict the behaviour of concrete composites, enabling low-carbon alternatives with improved durability. Curtin researchers are also exploring AI-driven optimisation for battery electrode materials, focusing on lithium, nickel, and cobalt—critical minerals where Western Australia is a global supplier.
CSIRO’s Data61 and the Materials Informatics
Frontier
As the national science agency, CSIRO has been instrumental in advancing
materials informatics. Its Data61 division develops machine learning models to analyse vast datasets of chemical and physical properties, helping accelerate the design of advanced alloys, polymers, and catalysts. CSIRO’s work has direct applications in energy storage, lightweight transport materials, and sustainable manufacturing.
University of New South Wales (UNSW): Solar and Beyond
UNSW researchers, long leaders in photovoltaics, are applying AI to optimise perovskite and tandem solar cells. Machine learning accelerates the search for stable compositions that can deliver high efficiency without rapid degradation. UNSW teams are also using AI for atomic-scale imaging, enabling the identification of defects in semiconductor materials.
Monash University: AI and Additive Manufacturing
Monash has established itself as a global hub for additive manufacturing. Its researchers apply AI to monitor 3D printing processes in real time, predicting and preventing defects
before they occur. By combining computer vision with machine learning, Monash is driving advances in aerospace-grade titanium and nickel superalloys, crucial for defence and space applications.
University of Queensland: Nanomaterials and Catalysis
At UQ, AI is accelerating the development of catalysts for green hydrogen production and carbon capture. Machine learning helps identify nanoparticle compositions that maximise efficiency while minimising rare or expensive elements. This work is critical to Australia’s ambitions as a renewable energy superpower.
Australian National University (ANU): Quantum and Smart Materials
ANU researchers are applying AI to quantum materials and novel coatings. One area of focus is designing nanostructured materials that can withstand extreme environments, from space exploration to advanced electronics. AI tools are being used to guide experimentation, significantly shortening the innovation cycle.
Case Study: AI for Energy Storage
Energy storage exemplifies the power of AI in materials engineering. Traditional battery research involves synthesising new electrode or electrolyte materials, testing them experimentally, and iterating over months or years. AI accelerates this by predicting promising candidates before they are made.
Australian researchers in the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre (FBICRC) are combining experimental expertise with AI-driven design to explore new lithiumion chemistries, solid-state electrolytes, and recycling pathways. AI helps pinpoint which combinations are worth pursuing, saving time and resources.
These innovations are not only academic. With Australia supplying over half the world’s lithium, the ability to move up the value chain—from raw minerals to advanced battery materials—is strategically significant. AI provides the competitive edge needed to turn resources into global leadership.
Challenges and Considerations
While the promise of AI in materials engineering is immense, challenges remain.
• Data Quality and Availability: AI models are only as good as the datasets they learn from. Many materials datasets are small, inconsistent, or proprietary, limiting generalisability.
• Interpretability: AI can predict outcomes but often functions as a “black box”. Scientists must develop ways to interpret and trust these models.
• Integration with Experimentation: AI is not a replacement for laboratory work. Its predictions must be validated, and researchers must ensure that experimental feedback loops remain strong.
• Skills Gap: The convergence of materials science and data science requires new skillsets. Training researchers to work fluently across disciplines is a priority for universities and industry alike.
• Ethics and Sovereignty: As AI tools become more central to national industries like energy, defence and healthcare, questions of data sovereignty, cybersecurity, and equitable access become critical.
The Future of AI-Enabled Materials Engineering
The next decade promises extraordinary developments. AI is likely to:
• Enable autonomous laboratories, where robotic systems guided by AI design, run, and analyse experiments with minimal human intervention.
• Drive materials acceleration platforms (MAPs) that integrate computation, synthesis, characterisation, and feedback into seamless cycles.
• Support the design of climateresilient materials, from carbonneutral cements to polymers that degrade harmlessly in the environment.
• Facilitate quantum-informed AI, where next-generation computing enables unprecedented precision in modelling atomic and electronic structures.
• Transform industry through digital twins of materials systems, allowing engineers to simulate performance and predict degradation in real time.
Australia, with its rich mineral resources, strong research institutions, and emerging tech sector, is well positioned to lead this transformation. By investing in AI-enabled materials research and fostering cross-
disciplinary expertise, the nation can secure its role in shaping the materials that will underpin the global economy of tomorrow.
Conclusion
AI is more than a tool for materials engineering. By accelerating discovery, optimising processes, and enabling smarter designs, AI is helping unlock materials that were once beyond imagination.
Australia’s research community is playing a central role in this revolution, applying AI to everything from energy storage and catalysis to structural composites and quantum materials. These efforts not only advance science but also position Australia as a leader in industries critical to the global future: renewable energy, defence, advanced manufacturing, and digital technologies.
Just as the steam engine powered the Industrial Revolution and silicon chips drove the Information Age, AI promises to fuel the Materials Age. For engineers, scientists, and policymakers alike, the challenge is clear: harness AI’s potential responsibly and ambitiously to create materials that will shape a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable world.
The Materials Informatics Frontier CSIRO’s Data61 Turns Data into Discovery
By Sally Wood
Data61 is CSIRO’s dedicated data and digital arm. It is one of the largest AI and data-science research groups globally. It operates cutting-edge facilities, including a mixed reality lab, Robotics Innovation Centre and the AI4Cyber Enclave, partnering widely across government and industry.
For materials and manufacturing, Data61’s value is in materials informatics: the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, modelling and analytics to accelerate discovery, optimise processing and enable trustworthy, data-driven decisions at scale.
CSIRO also boasts the Molecular and Materials Modelling laboratory, which is home to an elite team of physicists, chemists, materials scientists, data scientists and computer scientists. Together, the team poses a range of capabilities in theoretical, computational, and datadriven research; programming and visualisation. Their expertise spans molecular, biomolecular, materials and nanoscience domains.
“AI is no longer just the domain of computer scientists or mathematicians; it is now a significant enabling force across all fields of science, which is something we live every day at CSIRO where digital technologies are accelerating the pace and scale of our research in fields ranging from agriculture to energy to manufacturing and beyond,” said CSIRO Chief Scientist, Professor Bronwyn Fox.
What Materials Informatics Brings
Traditional materials R&D cycles are long, including multiple steps: design, build, test and learn. Materials informatics compresses this by learning from heterogeneous data (experimental, computational, literature, sensor streams) to predict properties, prioritise candidates and identify causal features.
Data61’s broad portfolio across AI, modelling and analytics positions it to build the data pipelines, models
and decision tools needed for this acceleration, from materials selection to process optimisation and predictive maintenance.
Platforms, Data and Tools
CSIRO’s Data Access Portal (DAP) provides discoverable datasets, software and digital assets across disciplines, supporting reproducibility and re-use — vital for training ML models and benchmarking materials performance at scale. For industry partners, curated data assets and secure pipelines are often the difference between a promising model and a production-ready decision system. Data61’s project portfolio spans datacentric R&D with practical outputs: ready-to-deploy tools, analytics engines and collaborative projects that connect domain scientists, data scientists and engineers. While not every tool is materials-specific, the same building blocks (feature stores, model orchestration, uncertainty quantification, responsible-AI frameworks) underpin materials informatics programs with partners across manufacturing, energy and resources.
Use Cases in Materials and Manufacturing
• Alloy and polymer informatics: Surrogate models trained on computed/experimental property datasets to propose new compositions or rank candidates for targeted properties (strength, corrosion resistance, thermal stability).
• Process analytics: ML on sensor data from casting, heat treatment or AM lines to predict microstructure and defects; prescriptive control for yield and consistency.
• Battery and catalysis pipelines: Ranking electrode and catalyst formulations by predicted activity and stability; integrating lab feedback to continuously refine models.
• Reliability and maintenance: Predictive analytics on materials degradation in service, enabling risk-based inspection and reduced downtime.
These align with international directions in the field. Recent reviews emphasise AI/ML’s central role in materials science and the growing emphasis on robust data management and model interpretability, areas where Data61’s core strengths (data engineering, responsible AI) are decisive.
Turning science into software takes a team. Dr Deidre Cleland and alumnus Dr Nandun Thellamurege discuss recent tests of CMQMC.
Responsible, Secure, and Scalable
Because materials decisions can be safety-critical, trust is paramount. Data61’s focus on cybersecurity and responsible AI provides the governance scaffolding (privacy, security, explainability, bias checks) that lets industry adopt ML-driven decisions
in regulated environments, from aerospace materials to medical-device polymers.
Few groups combine AI depth, national-lab partnerships and open data infrastructure the way CSIRO does. Data61 brings production-grade data and ML engineering to materials
Materials Informatics and Data-driven Discovery
The analysis of high-throughput (HT) computational data involves encoding structural features, data analytics and machine learning to extract information, identify correlation patterns and the rapid detection of “high-performing” candidates.
In this project, CSIRO is exploring the use of complex network analysis tools, self-organised maps (SOMs) representations of data sets, and deep learning neural networks technologies to describe complicated mixtures and distributions of nanostructures.
CSIRO is also studying the general applicability of methods used in other fields, such as clustering and Archetypal Analysis (AA), to reduce nanoparticle ensembles to the structures that really matter, and finding inventive ways that machine learning can improve how research is conducted (as well as what is researched).
For example, machine learning techniques can identify when higher level QM methods are required to calculate molecular properties, and when computationally cheaper methods will be sufficient. CSIRO is investigating different structural fingerprints including atom fragments, topology and the Coulomb matrix to calibrate machine learning models for intelligent screening strategies that will help researchers to avoid unnecessary quantum mechanical simulations when less expensive methods can provide comparable accuracy in a fraction of the time.
problems; the difference between interesting models and tangible performance gains on the factory floor. With DAP and a portfolio of deployable tools, it helps partners move from prototypes to scalable, secure solutions that shorten materials and manufacturing cycles, and it does so in a way that’s auditable and trustworthy.
Big Data Challenges for the Science of Small Things
Comprehensive sampling of large, detailed and heterogeneous structural configurations spaces is a daunting task; even for small data sets containing hundreds of possible structures.
When confronted with millions of possible structures technical challenges accompany the scientific ones, but so do new insights that cannot be extracted if one structure is pre-selected and assumed “representative”.
In this project, CSIRO is exploring and describing these complicated configuration spaces using highthroughput computational simulations, and examining the global correlation of structure and properties using a range of simple and sophisticated statistical methods. Depending on the specific problem, data sets can range from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of unique configurations, the importance of which can be assigned using probability distribution functions.
This data/computation intensive workflow demands a hybrid HPC/Big Data platform that is robust, resilient and flexible. To meet this challenge, CSIRO is developing an in-house high-throughput simulation engine, for realising an interactive and intelligent pipeline of defective nanostructure generation, characterisation, large-scale computation, big data processing, analysis and mining with machine learning algorithms.
Combining HPC infrastructure with the Apache HBase™/ Spark™ ecosystem, CSIRO can support a range of popular simulation packages, simultaneously reducing unnecessary repetition and focusing more simulations in regions of interest.
Machine learning predictions of the accuracy gap between DFT and QMC calculations.
By simulating all unique configurations detailed 3D maps can be created and compared.
AI and Additive Manufacturing at Monash University Intelligent Metal, Digital Twins,
and First-Time-Right Printing
By Sally Wood
Monash University is a global leader in additive manufacturing (AM), coupling metallurgy, alloy design and process science with AI-enabled monitoring and optimisation. The Monash Centre for Additive Manufacturing (MCAM) brings together disciplines from materials science to surface engineering and corrosion, translating fundamental insights into manufacturable parts for aerospace, energy and medical sectors. Materials-Centric Additive Manufacturing
MCAM’s research spans aluminium, titanium and nickel-based alloys, with landmark contributions such as a new aluminium alloy for AM that achieves record-high strength at room and elevated temperatures — protected under a critical international patent. This speaks to a core Monash capability: designing alloys specifically for AM’s thermal histories, not merely adapting cast/wrought chemistries.
Within the Faculty of Engineering, AM is a defined research theme, covering feedstock, laser and powder interactions, melt-pool dynamics, microstructure control and postprocessing; all levers that determine porosity, residual stress and service performance.
AI in the AM Toolchain
Monash research teams apply AI and computer vision to monitor print processes in real time (through layerwise imaging and thermal signatures),
linking data streams to defect prediction and closed-loop control.
The Intelligent Digital Manufacturing & Design (I-DMD) Lab spotlights work on AI-aided product and materials design, smart manufacturing and design methods tailored for advanced AM; the scaffolding for digital twins that couple material behaviour with process parameters.
This data-centric approach aims for “first-time-right” printing: predicting lack-of-fusion, keyholing or spatterinduced defects before they arise, adapting scan strategies in situ, and prescribing post-process heat treatments based on predicted microstructures. In aerospace-grade alloys, that means higher buy-to-fly ratios, shorter qualification cycles and reproducible properties.
From Surface to Structure MCAM’s portfolio doesn’t stop at bulk builds. It includes surface engineering (coatings, cladding), corrosion and hybrid materials, recognising that many failures initiate at interfaces. By integrating materials characterisation (EBSD, XCT, atom probe) with mechanical testing and environmental exposure, Monash maps how process signatures propagate to microstructure and long-term performance — an essential feedback loop for AI models to remain physically grounded.
Technology Pathways
• Alloy design for AM: Chemistries optimised for rapid solidification and cyclic reheating; precipitationstrengthened systems with stable phases under AM thermal gradients.
• Real-time quality assurance: Vision/ thermal data fused with ML to detect anomalies on the fly; foundations for certifiable, autonomous printing.
• Application focus: Lightweight, fatigue-resistant structures for mobility and defence; hightemperature components; customised medical devices.
Monash unites metallurgical innovation (new AM-ready alloys) with AIaugmented manufacturing (monitor–predict–control). That combination shortens the path from powder to qualified part — crucial where cost, safety and performance leave no room for rework.
Advanced AI Technology Enhances Material Imaging For Scientific Breakthroughs
Researchers at Monash University have developed a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) model that significantly improves the accuracy of fourdimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D STEM) images. Called "unsupervised deep denoising", this model could be a game-changer for studying materials that are easily damaged during imaging, like those used in batteries and solar cells.
The research from Monash University’s School of Physics and Astronomy, and the Monash Centre of Electron Microscopy, presents a novel machine learning method for denoising large electron microscopy datasets. The study was published recently in Computational Materials.
4D STEM is a powerful tool that allows scientists to observe the atomic structure of materials in unprecedented detail.
However, a challenge arises when dealing with delicate materials that can be damaged by the electron beam used in the process.
To avoid this, researchers use lower electron doses, which unfortunately leads to noisy and unclear images. This makes it difficult to study the structure of these materials.
The team at Monash has developed a solution: a deep learning model that "denoises" the 4D STEM images.
“Our new AI model dramatically improves the clarity of 4D STEM images, allowing us to study delicate materials that were previously too sensitive for detailed analysis,” said lead study author Dr Alireza Sadri, a postdoctoral fellow at the Monash School of Physics and Astronomy.
“By reducing noise in low-dose imaging, we’re expanding the range of materials that can be studied, which could lead to breakthroughs in fields like nanotechnology and electronics,” he said.
The new AI model uses the relationship between the position of the electron beam and the scattering patterns it generates on passing through the material. By limiting the complexity of the network, the model can focus on the regularities in the signal while ignoring the random noise.
Essentially, the model removes the unwanted noise from the data, leaving behind clearer and more accurate images. By not relying on pre-labelled data, the model can work without any prior information about the material being studied.
This development is expected to enhance the effectiveness of 4D STEM, particularly in fields where characterising beam-sensitive materials is critical.
Reconstruction error of individual CBED patterns with varying convergence semiangle. For each convergence semiangle, sample patterns of synthetic noise-free datasets, their denoised version and the absolute difference between these two is shown in the first, second and third rows respectively. Since the reconstruction error was already quantified in Fig. 3b, in order to visualise the structure in the patterns here we scale each row to have maximum value equal to one. This includes the last row, which thus shows the reconstruction error to be noticeably less for lower convergence semiangles.
Is Construction Material Science Lagging Other Industries in AI Transformation?
Source: Matt Stevens PhD, Alan Todhunter MS, Anthony Butera PhD, & Laura Almeida PhD of Western Sydney University
Construction material researchers have largely ignored the world’s largest publicly accessible molecular database, The Materials Project, for over a decade. Today, Artificial Intelligence (AI) coupled with material databases is the new starting point for innovation. Coupled with Machine Learning, the possibility of rapid construction product improvement is realistic, given several verified breakthroughs in other fields. This is an efficacious way to approach advancement. Highly accurate data provides AI with the needed information to connect molecular dynamics with decisionmaking rules set by researchers. Given that the construction industry is approximately USD 12 trillion in revenue and a major factor in improving quality of life, this is a significant “blind spot”
Introduction
The Materials Project is a core program of the Materials Genome Initiative established in 2011 by U.S. President Obama’s Executive Order. It targets advanced computing to discover possible novel combinations or isolations of researched inorganic materials. This open dataset assists in data mining and machine learning. Additionally, this aids ‘‘rapid prototyping’’ of new materials employing computer simulation and provides researchers with a new tool for material invention. The initiative aims to significantly shorten the time needed to innovate material performance by capturing the results of costly and time-consuming experiments on the most promising compounds.
A more rapid and sustainable approach is critical to meeting construction industry challenges such as net zero, waste recycling, rapid urban transformation and decarbonisation. The discovery of new materials is essential to technological advancement. Today, computational materials science can predict many properties of materials before they
are ever synthesised in the lab (Jain et al. 2013). Given several verified breakthroughs in other fields, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data are core requirements. Significantly populated databases with verified information are required to discover answers to construction problems rapidly (Delgado et al. 2021). Material scientists have never been as wellequipped.
2.1 The Materials Project
The authors have studied a significant research database, The Materials Project, as of December 2024, contains 221,598 molecules and 153,235 materials. This virtual indexed catalogue is a multi-institutional, international tool that has catalogued the characteristics of all inorganic materials and provides data for every materials researcher free of charge. The creators include associated analysis algorithms.
The Materials Project follows FAIR principles:
• Findable - the data can be easily searched using metadata and unique identifiers.
• Accessible - can be reached using standard communication protocols
• Interoperable - the data can be readily combined with other data or used with a wide range of tools,
• Reusable - the data contain many useful attributes relevant to the domain of interest, have provenance allowing for verification of their accuracy, and are licensed in such a way as to allow others to employ the information in their work.
The Materials Project aims to remove guesswork from materials design in various applications by computing the properties of formally researched materials. Studies can target the most promising compounds from computational data sets. Researchers will be able to data-mine scientific trends in materials properties. By providing the information they need to design better products, the
Materials Project aims to accelerate innovation.
The two most promising query apps
• Material Explorer – materials by chemistry, composition or property. Filters include composition, thermodynamics, structural properties, symmetry, calculated properties, electronic structure, magnetism, elasticity, surfaces, dielectric and piezoelectric,
• Molecule Explorer – molecules by formula, composition or property. Filters include composition and basic properties.
2.2 Artificial Intelligence
The advancement of digital technology has driven innovation across all industries. This has increased scientific workflow and enhanced computing capabilities to generate large datasets (Spotti-Smith et al. 2023). Artificial intelligence (AI) is a form of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) that generates novel solutions when applied to construction challenges.
Big datasets provide many benefits to the construction sector. They are necessary for deep learning because the performance of the algorithms improves as the dataset size increases. Gaussian Processes (GPs) provide a robust learning methodology for kernel machines to distil the answers. Over the past decade, the machine-learning community has given GPs increased attention. processes (GPs) provide a principled, pragmatic, probabilistic approach to learning in kernel machines. Over the past decade, the machinelearning community has given GPs increased attention. Song et al. (2023) implemented Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) analysis into their cement study, and they found several advantages: a) self-awareness of the uncertainty of its predictions, b) high expressivity for complex relationships, and c) the possibility to leverage existing knowledge into the modelling through kernel selection.
Research Articles were identified through a keyword search for building construction, material and research. (n=20,682)
Records identified containing “The Materials Project” (n=263)
Records contain search terms “The Materials Project and Artificial and Intelligence” (n=5)
Is the Materials Project Database a Blind Spot?
We utilised a rapid review which analysed existing scientific literature quality, direction, effect, and quantity using systematised methods. The three significant inputs of our research were a) The Materials Project database b) AI-centric software and c) the SCOPUS database of research literature.
Our beginning search generated 20,682 responses using the term ”building and construction and material and research” in the title, abstract, and keyword fields. See Figure 1.
Distilling further, we found 490 articles returned from the query “Artificial and Intelligence” from the initial 20,682 records. Our analysis shows widespread use by many disciplines, except for Material Science. Notably, SCOPUS cited 10,764 patents in its
Records containing “artificial and intelligence” (n-=490)
database under these search terms. Searching more, returned records numbered 5 when additionally inputting “The Materials Project and Artificial and Intelligence” from the original sort. Figure 1 and Table 1.
Findings and Discussion
Construction industry scientists focusing on material innovation appear to be unaware of the value and utility of the Materials Project database in a machine learning environment. This resistance to change is ironic since some academics and researchers have uttered this kind of criticism about contractors. Additionally, inventing is an intense and time-sensitive activity, but those potential innovators seem stagnant in their thinking. Given the results above, we ask, “What other gaps might there be?”.
Currently, machine learning presents a
Title Author(s)
Database Construction of Two-Dimensional Charged Building Blocks for Functional-Oriented Material Design
New Halide-Based Sodium-Ion Conductors Na3Y2Cl9 Inversely Designed by Building Block Construction
Database Architecture Design of Precious Metal Materials for Material Genetic Engineering
High-throughput informed machine learning models for ultrastrong B-N solids
Ji, X., Jiang, D., & Wang, J.
Deng, J., Pan, J., Zhang, Y.-F. & Du, S.
Xu, J., Wang, Y., Wu, S., Xiao, R., & Li, H.
Zhang, A., Wang, Z., Liu, Y., Chong, X. & Chen, L.
Zheng, Z., Xu, T., Legut, D., & Zhang, R.
significant opportunity for construction organisations of all types, including material researchers. Machine Learning is well-publicised and readily available. Interestingly, this new reality puts increased pressure on the basics of data collection, cataloguing and a modest mastery of computing.
Conclusions and Summary
The lack of research literature by construction material scientists using existing tools and emerging processes is telling. Our professionals may be following traditional methods emphasised by an aging leadership.
Advanced materials are essential for many critical outcomes, such as improving the human condition, forming the cornerstone for emerging industries, and contributing to the solution of climate change. The transition from an existing to a new approach has not been championed by construction material researchers. The emergence of extensive data sets and user-friendly AI is a gift. However, construction material researchers seem to have slowly advanced their laboratory practice. This is our wakeup call.
Reference list will be furnished upon request. Stevens, Todhunter, Butera and Almeida continue to develop research directions in Materials Science at Western Sydney University. This article is based on a 10-page paper published in the 2025 World Building Congress proceedings. Mr Todhunter presented the group’s findings. Thanks to Ms Linda Thornely for her helpful contribution to this research.
Comment
Compared and contract four machine learning approaches in creating better metallic glass
Solids are constructed from charged 2DBBs. A database for them is still missing; however, The Materials Project Was cited as a valuable resource in this discipline. Using this resource, the researchers’ beginning search resulted in over 1,000 2DBBs located
A series of halide-based conductors are investigated, aiming to find new solid electrolytes for sodium-ion batteries using The Materials Project
Analyses AI and significant databases, including The Materials Project to transform the traditional "trial and error" mode to assist the rapid development of the new materials industry
Investigates high-throughput (HT) computations and machine learning (ML) algorithms efficiency in data creation and model construction
Table 1. Articles Remaining (n=5) that contain search terms “The Materials Project and Artificial and Intelligence” from original 20,682 record search. See Figure 1.
Figure 1. Search Words Entered and Results Received Using SCOPUS in 2024
Machine learning in designing amorphous alloys
Hu, J., Xu, X.,
Matt Stevens PhD MBA is a Senior Lecturer at Western Sydney University, New South Wales. He instructs undergraduate and graduate students in the construction management program. He is the author of four industry books. He was the Faculty Sponsor of WSU's winning Constructathon Team. His industry seminar topics include AI's optimisation for the construction industry and Australia's innovation dynamics.
Anthony Butera PhD
Anthony Butera PhD is a Lecturer and Academic Program Advisor at Western Sydney University, specialising in sustainable construction materials, particularly concrete. His research supports global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, collaborating with international concrete companies to develop eco-friendly alternatives. Passionate about teaching, Anthony delivers a range of undergraduate subjects and mentors future Construction Managers. He continues to explore innovative solutions for a rapidly evolving built environment.
Alan Todhunter is a Materials Scientist with over 40 years of experience in construction materials. He is an academic in the Construction Management program at Western Sydney University. Alan holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) and a Master of Science in Materials Science. He is a Fellow (FHEA) of the Higher Education Academy, the NSW Chapter Secretary of the Australian Institute of Building (MAIB), and a Certified Materials Professional (CMatP) as well as the NSW President of Materials Australia. Alan has extensive academic and industry experience in materials science, durability, and sustainable materials, with expertise in failure analysis, microstructural design, recycling processes, and advanced material development.
Laura Almeida PhD is a Lecturer at Western Sydney University. She is a researcher-practitioner with more than 20 years of experience in sustainability and energy efficiency. She has a PhD in Engineering, an MSc in Mechanical Engineering and a BE in Chemical Engineering. Dr Almeida published several research papers. Her teaching and research focus on occupant behaviour, energy performance in buildings, building simulation and environmentally sustainable design. She assessed the certification of over 100 buildings, aligned with several rating systems, and was responsible for ESD consulting services. Dr Almeida is interested in facilitating sustainable solutions within the built environment and understanding behavioural patterns that can positively impact the mitigation of climate change.
The Pacific Rim International Conference on Advanced Materials and Processing is held every three years, jointly sponsored by the Chinese Society for Metals (CSM), The Japan Institute of Metals and Materials (JIMM), The Korean Institute of Metals and Materials (KIMM), Materials Australia (MA), and The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS).
The purpose of PRICM is to provide an attractive forum for the exchange of scientific and technological information on materials and processing. PRICM-12 will be held in Gold Coast on August 9-13, 2026, hosted by Materials Australia.
PRICM-12 aims to bring together leading scientists, technologists and engineers from the Asia-Pacific region and around the world to discuss contemporary discoveries and innovations in the rapidly evolving field of materials and processing. This event is also intended to foster stronger and closer interactions between materials practitioners and their international counterparts.
9-13 AUGUST 2026
Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre
ORGANIZING SOCIETY
Materials Australia
Tanya Smith +61 3 9326 7266
events@materialsaustralia.com.au
This conference will cover most aspects of advanced materials and their manufacturing processes. It has 15 symposia:
Symposium A: Advanced Steels and Properties
Symposium B: Advanced Processing of Materials
Symposium C: Structural Materials for High Temperature
Symposium D: Light Metals and Alloys
Symposium E: Additive Manufacturing
Symposium F: Interfaces and Surface Engineering
Symposium G: Materials for Energy Conversion, Generation and Storage
Symposium H: Electronic and Magnetic Materials
Symposium I: Biomaterials and their Applications
Symposium J: Advanced Characterization and Evaluation of Materials
Symposium K: High-Entropy Materials and Amorphous Materials
Symposium L: Composites, Hetero-Materials, and Functionally Graded Materials
Symposium M: Nano Materials and Nano Severe Plastic Deformation
Symposium N: Modelling and Simulation of Materials and Processes and Artificial Intelligence
Symposium O: Materials for Sustainability (Corrosion, Coating, Green Steel, Recycling)
On behalf of the organising committee, it is our great pleasure to cordially invite you to PRICM-12.
Professor Jianfeng Nie
Organizing Chair of PRICM-12
The Next Giant Leap is Seriously Small The University of Sydney Nano Institute
By Sally Wood
Revolutionary changes in science and technology have opened access to the nanoscale, enabling research into some of the most challenging problems faced by humanity.
With combined expertise from across the University's disciplines and access to purpose-built facilities, The University of Sydney’s Nano Institute is taking the field of nanoscience to new levels.
In a sleek glass-and-steel building on the University of Sydney’s Camperdown campus, researchers are peering into worlds invisible to the human eye. This is the Sydney Nano Institute — better known as Sydney Nano — a multidisciplinary hub where physics, chemistry, engineering, biology and design converge at the nanoscale.
Launched in 2015 as the Australian Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology and renamed two years later, Sydney Nano represents a bold experiment in cross-disciplinary research. Its flagship home, the Sydney Nanoscience Hub, is purpose-built for extraordinary precision: laboratories that float on vibration-isolated slabs, rooms shielded against stray electromagnetic fields, and ultra-stable environments that allow scientists to
manipulate atoms, molecules and light with exquisite control.
This isn’t just about pushing the boundaries of physics. It’s about creating technologies that will transform how we live, from quantum devices and ultra-efficient solar coatings, to nanostructured biomedical tools and smart sensors that can safeguard infrastructure.
Strategy with Scale
Sydney Nano’s philosophy is to think big by working small. Its current 2024–2028 Strategy talks about aiming for “10×, not 10%” breakthroughs that can reframe entire industries. To do this, the Institute invests in four pillars:
• Research Excellence: Fundamental discovery across molecular nanoscience, quantum science, nanophotonics and nanoscale materials.
• Researcher Development: Building career pathways for early-career scientists in an environment designed to break down disciplinary silos.
• Translation and Partnerships: Moving discoveries into devices and applications through industry collaboration.
• Infrastructure: Maintaining worldclass facilities that enable experiments few labs globally could attempt.
Computational Materials Discovery
Accurate computer simulations underpin mature technologies: airplanes, bridges, and smartphones are designed using precise computational models of the real world. By contrast, much materials discovery is driven by trial and error.
=The Nano Institute envisions a world where it is possible to accurately simulate any material, from single atoms to functioning devices. That ability would revolutionise materials discovery both by better explaining properties of existing materials and by proposing new materials for particular applications, from catalysts and photovoltaics, to batteries and superconductors.
Nano Solutions for Grand Challenges
The Sydney Nano Grand Challenges are aimed at discovering ground-breaking solutions to the world’s greatest challenges that are of social, economic and scientific significance. Bringing together researchers from across the University, the multidisciplinary Grand Challenge initiative will be enabled by advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology.
The Grand Challenge in Computational Materials Discovery contains three themes, each addressing a major challenge in computational materials science:
Theme 1:
Quantum Computing
To Model Tricky Quantum Effects Matter is fundamentally quantum mechanical, and accurately capturing quantum effects—which play functional roles in many materials—can be exponentially difficult on ordinary computers. Materials science will be the killer app for quantum computation because of the ease of simulating quantum effects on quantum
FEATURE – AI for Materials Engineering
Revolutionary changes in science and technology have opened access to the nanoscale, enabling research into some of the most challenging problems faced by humanity.
With combined expertise from across the University's disciplines and access to purpose-built facilities, The University of Sydney’s Nano Institute is taking the field of nanoscience to new levels.
In a sleek glass-and-steel building on the University of Sydney’s Camperdown campus, researchers are peering into worlds invisible to the human eye. This is the Sydney Nano Institute — better known as Sydney Nano — a multidisciplinary hub where physics, chemistry, engineering, biology and design converge at the nanoscale.
Launched in 2015 as the Australian Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology and renamed two years later, Sydney Nano represents a bold experiment in cross-disciplinary research. Its flagship home, the Sydney Nanoscience Hub, is purpose-built for extraordinary precision: laboratories that float on vibration-isolated slabs, rooms shielded against stray electromagnetic fields, and ultra-stable environments that allow scientists to manipulate atoms, molecules and light with exquisite control.
This isn’t just about pushing the boundaries of physics. It’s about creating technologies that will transform how we live, from quantum devices and ultra-efficient solar coatings, to nanostructured biomedical tools and smart sensors that can safeguard infrastructure.
Strategy with Scale
Sydney Nano’s philosophy is to think big by working small. Its current 2024–2028 Strategy talks about aiming for “10×, not 10%” breakthroughs that can reframe entire industries. To do this, the Institute invests in four pillars:
• Research Excellence: Fundamental discovery across molecular nanoscience, quantum science, nanophotonics and nanoscale materials.
• Researcher Development: Building career pathways for early-career scientists in an environment designed to break down disciplinary silos.
• Translation and Partnerships:
AX
Heating and Electrical Characterisation System
Automatic sample stabilisation
TEM, camera, in situ metadata embedment
Offline data processing software included
Friction-free tilting for zone axis at high temperature
Ceramic heater for maximum uniformity
FIB-optimised E-chips and workflows
AI for Materials Engineering: Accelerating Discovery and Innovation
Personalised Medical Implant Manufacturing: The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
By Yuan Wang, Gareth Keen, and Matthew Dargusch
As the global population ages, the demand for medical implants has surged over the past decade. Compared with noninterventional therapies, interventional treatments based on medical implants offer unique advantages, such as direct access to target tissues and precise therapeutic delivery. Personalised medical implants, in particular, are designed to conform to a patient’s anatomy, offering customised solutions that significantly enhance treatment outcomes. Figure 1 shows the projected growth of the personalised medicine market, which is expected to reach USD 1,264 billion by 2034 [1]. The rapidly growing market has posed unique challenges to industrial manufacturers, as the steadily increasing order volume raises concerns about long delivery times, high operational costs, and potential compromises in product quality that could result in serious medical complications.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has seen considerable development in recent years, driven by advances in computational power, the availability of large datasets, algorithmic innovations, and interdisciplinary research. Its implementation can be found across manufacturing sectors such as automotive, aerospace, construction, and electronics, leading to production innovations that significantly improve efficiency while maintaining high product quality. The implementation of AI in personalised medical device manufacturing is highly promising, which can enable smart and automated processes to support the reliable production of custom features and create new research and development capabilities. However, the use of AI in this highly regulated industry is still in its early stages. How can AI add benefits to this promising field, and what are the concerns? This article aims to provide a perspective on these questions, illustrated with case studies.
What Could Be the Right Perspectives
Quality control for hard-to-inspect features
Medical implants exhibit minimal tolerance for manufacturing deviations. For example, in custom-made endovascular grafts, the relative location of side branches on the surface needs to be strictly controlled to avoid medical complications during graft placement. Product inspection is the safeguard to ensure that manufactured grafts are reliable and safe for patients. In collaboration with Cook Medical and funded by the Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship, a smart inspection system has been developed to automate quality control of the hard-to-inspect surface features of the company’s endovascular grafts.
Cook Medical is a global medical device company that develops minimally invasive products, including custom-made endovascular stent grafts for the treatment of aortic aneurysms. Due to the flexible nature of grafts, manual inspection of
Figure 1. Personalised medicine market size from 2023 to 2034 [1].
side branches on curved surfaces is labour-intensive and challenging. This system uses an innovative 3D to 2D transformation process, Turn2Stack, to transform rotational 3D information into a compact 2D representation, through a frame-stacking unwrapping technique. As shown in Figure 2, this approach can transform hard-to-inspect 3D flexible surfaces into 2D flattened planes and use efficient machine learning algorithms to detect side branches for quality control purposes. This method has demonstrated accuracy comparable to human inspectors and highly consistent results across products. The developed system is based on a custom 3D-printed imaging system, without the need for expensive camera systems and complex 3D computer vision algorithms. It is also transferable as an affordable and portable framework for inspecting other critical 3D surface features to ensure anatomical compliance.
Defect mitigation in 3D printed implants
Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is a revolutionary computer-aided technique that enables the fabrication of personalised medical implants with anatomical features unattainable through conventional subtractive methods. Among 3D printing techniques, ultraviolet light-based methods such as Stereolithography (SLA) and Digital Light Processing (DLP) are particularly suitable for fabricating delicate, highresolution polymer implants, while laser-based methods like Selective Laser Melting (SLM) are widely used for producing strong, load-bearing custom metallic implants. However, defect formation, such as porosity and voids, is a common concern during layer-by-layer
Figure 2. AI-based vision system to inspect customised features of endovascular grafts for the treatment of aortic aneurysms, in collaboration with Cook Medical.
Figure 3. AI-based workflow for porosity investigation and mitigation towards reliable 3D printed components [3].
3D printing, due to improper energy density input, contamination or gas trapped in feedstock, and rapid or uneven solidification. Porosity is difficult to detect and predict, yet it can serve as an initiation site for cracks, significantly compromising implant reliability.
AI can help address this issue by analysing porosity formation and distribution mechanisms and therefore guide 3D printing optimisation. For example, a machine learning-based in-situ porosity detection technique coupled with high-speed synchrotron x-ray imaging, thermal imaging, and simulations can understand porosity formation mechanisms and predict their occurrence in real time [2]. We developed a Mask RCNN-based instance segmentation framework to quantitatively investigate the spatial distribution and morphological characteristics of porosity (Figure 3). This approach demonstrated superior accuracy to existing methods and offered new capabilities for revealing porosity distribution trends [3]. Assisted by synchrotron micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), this strategy was further applied to facilitate process parameter optimisation for porosity mitigation [4]. Empirical models were established using the extracted porosity data, and a critical travel speed threshold was identified where the relationship between material feed rate and porosity shifts.
Implant customisation
The robustness of generative AI enables efficient iteration of structural designs to meet patient needs. By combining patientspecific data, material constraints, and functional requirements, it can generate numerous prototypes much faster than conventional modelling methods, significantly shortening the development cycle of medical devices. Compared with geometrical customisation, functional customisation is more challenging, as it involves complex correlations connecting the mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of materials. AI can help develop medical implants with tailored functions.
Biodegradable bone implants are promising alternatives to conventional permanent implants for bone regeneration, as they significantly enhance patient experience by preventing stress shielding and eliminating secondary removal surgeries. However, their clinical applications suffer from excessive hydrogen generation, as shown in Figure 4. We applied machine learning-based image analysis to investigate post-implantation gas evolution in vivo [5]. Female and male rats were found to exhibit distinct degradation rates and gas generation trends for magnesium-based implants, due to differences in metabolic and epidermal characteristics. A latent relationship between gas volume and degradation rates was observed. These findings inform the design of implants to deliver tailored clinical outcomes.
AI also accelerates material development and 3D printing to achieve the desired mechanical properties for biomedical applications. For instance, machine learning-based systems can efficiently recommend titanium alloys with a low Young’s modulus and acceptable cost for bone implant applications [6], and predict the mechanical properties of 3D printed metals by considering materials, process parameters, and machines [7].
Concerns for Personalised Implant Manufacturing
Despite its full potential, AI implementation in personalised implant manufacturing progresses with challenges. For machine learning-based AI techniques, the model output is essentially a statistical prediction based on the training data. This results in two main concerns: (1) biased or inaccurate predictions (e.g., overfitting or underfitting) caused by limited data quality, including incompleteness, small data volume, and data sparsity, or by algorithm limitations; and (2) risk management challenges caused by poor error predictability due to limited model interpretability. Even for non-machine learning-based AI techniques with better interpretability, the ability to capture customised features mathematically is limited and sensitive to external factors such as lighting conditions, resolution, and background.
Another main concern comes from the underdeveloped regulatory controls for AI implementation in medical device manufacturing. Current regulations from Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) are primarily for AI as a diagnosis, monitoring, or treatment software, rather than for manufacturing operations. However, the gap has been recognised by the TGA, and its latest announcement in 2025 stated that medical device manufacturers can anticipate the release of further practical guidance on technical requirements for AI and standards for using and validating data sets of unknown sources.
Lastly, AI implementation may raise ethical concerns. The mainstream approach for deploying machine learning models relies on cloud-based platforms provided by technology companies, as they offer scalable computing, easy integration, and reduced
Figure 4. AI-based in vivo analysis to advance biodegradable metallic implants with tailored gas generation for patients [5].
FEATURE – Advances in Implantable Devices
local infrastructure costs. This model introduces additional cybersecurity challenges, and strategies should be in place to prevent data leakage, including sensitive patient identifiers, medical records, biometric data, and customised device designs. Furthermore, because customised manufacturing still depends heavily on human operators, implementation strategies should aim to minimise job displacement and position AI as a production enabler rather than a threat.
Conclusion
AI demonstrated strong potential to transform the manufacturing of personalised medical devices, from reliable production to improved quality control. It also serves as a powerful tool in research and development, enabling customisation through new mechanism discovery and accelerated design iterations. However, the limited interpretability of machine learning models poses challenges to medical device manufacturers in risk management and regulatory control, given the sensitivity of medical devices to deviations. In this highly regulated sector, AI may be best positioned as an advisor to reduce trial-and-error cycles, but experimental validations remain essential. It might also be treated as a secondary inspector to support the quality control of hard-to-inspect custom features, working with human inspectors to confidently deliver high-quality, lifesaving medical implants.
Author Biography – All Authors
Professor Matthew Dargusch is currently the Associate Dean (Research) of UQ's Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology Faculty, and a Professor in the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering. He was the Director and lead CI of the ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing of Medical Devices, which involved extensive industrial collaborations with partners such as COOK Medical. Professor Dargusch has over 20 years of research leadership and is recognised as an international expert in advanced manufacturing for defence, medical device, and energy applications. He is currently an Editor of Progress in Materials Science. His research has been cited more than 32,000 times. Most of his work has been published in leading journals such as Science, Nat. Commun., Adv. Mater., Adv. Energy Mater., Energy Environ. Sci., Progress in Materials Science, Acta Mater., Int. J. Mach. Tools Manuf., Addit. Manuf., Adv. Funct. Mater., Biomaterials, and Acta Biomater. His work has been recognised with the Thatcher Brothers Prize (IMechE), Anders Gustaf Ekberg Prize (2019), and TMS Technology Award (2017). He received a 2020 Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning at the Australian Awards for University Teaching.
[2] Z. Ren, L. Gao, S.J. Clark, K. Fezzaa, P. Shevchenko, A. Choi, W. Everhart, A.D. Rollett, L. Chen, T. Sun, Machine learning–aided real-time detection of keyhole pore generation in laser powder bed fusion, Science 379(6627) (2023) 89-94.
[3] Y. Wang, C.-H. Ng, M. Bermingham, M. Dargusch, Machine learning driven instance segmentation providing new porosity insights into wire arc directed energy deposited Ti-22V-4Al, Additive Manufacturing 90 (2024) 104323.
[4] Y. Lu, Y. Wang, C.-H. Ng, M. Bermingham, M. Dargusch, Quantitative analysis of the correlation between dual-deposition parameters and porosity in wire arc additive manufactured Ti-22V-4Al alloys, Smart Materials in Manufacturing 3 (2025) 100090.
[5] M. Dargusch, Y. Wang, C. Sha, N. Yang, X. Chen, J. Venezuela, J. Otte, S. Johnston, C. Lau, R. Allavena, K. Mardon, I. McCaroll, J. Cairney, Insights into heat treatments of biodegradable Mg-Y-Nd-Zr alloys in clinical settings: Unveiling roles of β' and β1 nanophases and latent in vivo hydrogen evolution, Acta Biomaterialia 190 (2024) 605-622.
[6] C.-T. Wu, H.-T. Chang, C.-Y. Wu, S.-W. Chen, S.-Y. Huang, M. Huang, Y.-T. Pan, P. Bradbury, J. Chou, H.-W. Yen, Machine learning recommends affordable new Ti alloy with bone-like modulus, Materials Today 34 (2020) 41-50.
[7] P. Akbari, M. Zamani, A. Mostafaei, Machine learning prediction of mechanical properties in metal additive manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing 91 (2024) 104320.
Dr Yuan Wang is currently an Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellow in the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, UQ, in partnership with COOK Medical. His research focuses on advanced manufacturing of functional materials and devices for biomedical and energy applications. From 2020 to 2023, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing of Medical Devices at UQ, supervised by Prof Matthew Dargusch. He obtained his PhD in 2020 from the University of Southern Queensland supervised by Prof Zhigang Chen, working on fabricating high-performance thermoelectric materials and devices for wearable applications. He received his bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering from Northeastern University (China) in 2016. Dr Wang’s research has received more than 3600 peer citations, including 8 ESI Highly Cited Papers (4 as the first author). 97% of his publications were in Q1 journals such as Adv. Mater., Adv. Energy Mater., Adv. Funct. Mater., Biomaterials, Bioact. Mater., Acta Biomater., J. Am. Chem. Soc., Chem. Eng. J., and Addit. Manuf. In 2024, he received UQ Award for Excellence in Leadership.
Mr Gareth Keen is a Mechanical Engineer holding a degree with Honours, bringing a proven record of success in both engineering and operations management across several demanding sectors. His experience portfolio is uniquely diverse, encompassing heavy industrial operations in mining, high-volume and regulatory compliance within food manufacturing, and precision process control in medical device manufacturing. This multi-industry background has given him a robust skill set in translating complex engineering principles into streamlined, efficient, and compliant operational practices, ensuring excellence from equipment design to final product delivery.
Implantable Medical Device Innovation: Materials, Manufacturing and Beyond
By Alireza Y. Bavil1,2, David G. Lloyd1,3 and Stefanie Feih1,2
1Australian Centre for Precision Health and Technology (PRECISE), Griffith University, Australia
2School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Australia
3School of Allied Health, Sport and Social Work, Griffith University, Australia
Abstract:
Orthopaedic implants are at the forefront of device innovation. There is major potential for improving clinical outcomes through patient-optimal implant design and positioning, especially for high-demand patient cohorts. The integration of novel material formulations and advanced manufacturing processes, coupled with patient-specific digital twin simulations for device design and surgeries, is driving and validating innovation in the field. We suggest that such interdisciplinary closed-loop design processes must consider all contributing factors needed to inform best clinical practice, in order to reduce revision rates and improve patient outcomes.
1. Introduction
The implantable medical device market is growing rapidly and is commonly grouped into four categories: cardiovascular, orthopaedic, dental, and specialty implants. This growth is driven by demographic shifts (an ageing population, younger candidates for surgery, a rise of chronic disease and wider global access) alongside advances in medical and surgical practice [1]. This rising demand not only calls for more efficient production processes and new designs but also underscores the need for clear regulatory pathways to ensure legal market entry. New medical devices are approved through well-established regulatory bodies, such as the US Food and Drug
Figure 1: (a) Common practice implant selection workflow covering medical imaging evaluation, anatomy-based implant selection, intraoperative placement and postoperative evaluation. (b) Proposed patient-specific treatment workflow with added steps of virtual surgical planning and validation for optimised implant selection or subject-specific design, inclusive of appropriate sizing and placement.
Administration (FDA), European Medical Devices Regulation, or the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) [2,3]. To provide context, the FDA approves approximately 3000 new medical devices annually via the 510(k) pathway [3].
Medical device diversity varies across the clinical sectors and is greatest in dental and orthopaedics, where anatomical and biomechanical variability, unpredictable injury patterns, and surgeon preference are driving factors. Collectively, these factors foster a more fragmented and innovative manufacturing landscape compared to other specialty implant domains.
Orthopaedic medical devices are driving innovation across multiple fronts, with leading companies like Stryker, Zimmer Biomet, DePuy Synthes, Medtronic, and Materialise investing in advanced manufacturing, robotics, AI surgical planning, and smart implants [2]. National registries, such as the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR), the UK National Joint Registry (NJR), and the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR) create evidence bases to measure the impact of these innovations, closely tracking revision surgeries and implant failure rates [4,5].
There is major potential for improving patient outcomes via patient-specific implant design and surgical placement in orthopaedic surgery. State-of-theart surgical planning and execution workflows, as per Figure 1(a), begin with the review and measurement of patient anatomy from medical images, the selection of implant positioning, implant manufacturer, and type and size, followed by the execution of the surgical procedure and finally implant placement and positioning review. The decisionmaking process for implant selection in this scenario is mainly driven by
FEATURE – Advances in Implantable Devices
this scenario is mainly driven by surgeon preference, which may result in sub-optimal outcomes, such as implant failure, additional surgical revisions or reduced implant lifespan, especially for high-demand cohorts (young, obese) [6,7]. There is early clinical evidence [8] that biomechanical models of patient-specific anatomy and loads can help determine the optimum implant geometry or identify a custom component, along with best placement, to improve patient outcomes (see Figure 1(b)).
From a materials engineering viewpoint, novel material formulations and advanced manufacturing processes, coupled with patient-specific digital twin simulations, are driving and validating innovation. In the following, opportunities for these advancements, and current challenges to meet the strict regulatory requirements are discussed.
2. Advances in Implantable Materials
Implantable materials, or structural biomaterials, and medical device products made from them, require accreditation in accordance with the ISO 10993 series and its relevant subclasses. These standards screen materials for a wide spectrum of biological factors arising from interaction with the human body [9]. As per ISO 10993’s principles, no material is classified as inherently biocompatible but instead defined as biocompatible for a given application, contact duration, and contact type. Accordingly, regulatory approvals are contingent on the intended clinical use and the implant’s assumed mechanical loading environment.
In addition, biocompatibility accreditation must account for the manufacturing process, especially if material formulations are proprietary, as in the case of Additive Manufacturing
Wrought / Machining
Titanium Alloys (Ti-6Al-4V ELI)
Cobalt-Chromium (Co-28Cr-6Mo)
ASTM F136
Additive Manufacturing (Powder bed fusion)
Casting
Wrought / Machining
Additive Manufacturing (Powder bed fusion)
Stainless steel (316L) Wrought / Machining
UHMWPE
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)
Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK)
Powder / Compression Moulding / Machining
Moulded, extruded, machined finished parts
Moulded, extruded, machined finished parts
Alumina (Al2O3) Sintering / HIP
Zirconia (Y-TZP)
Sintering / HIP
(AM) material and equipment providers.. Table 1 provides a listing (non-exhaustive and continuously evolving) of critical standardised implantable materials, dependent on manufacturing processes [10]. Where implant materials are covered by ASTM or ISO specifications, manufacturers can cite these standards to demonstrate conformity with recognized chemical, physical, and mechanical requirements. By contrast, emerging material solutions that lack standard specifications require case-by-case evaluation. Regulatory submissions are typically evaluated by ISO 10993 biocompatibility testing and general device-level performance standards. This case-by-case nature creates both opportunities and challenges. It enables innovation, as novel materials are not constrained by existing specifications; however, it also requires a more rigorous regulatory
Hip stems, trauma plates, dental implants, screws
ASTM F3001 Acetabular cups, spinal cages
ASTM F75 Knee femoral components, hip femoral heads
ISO 13356 (no ASTM) Hip femoral heads, dental implants
Table 1: Summary of ASTM F (medical) standards (ISO equivalents generally exist) for biocompatible and implantable material formulations and associated medical device examples.
FEATURE – Advances in Implantable Devices
pathway with extensive validation and supporting evidence.
Screening recent FDA submissions highlights several trends for novel and emerging material solutions in clinical orthopaedics that are entering the market:
• Bioabsorbable metals and polymers: Current bioabsorbable metals (mainly Magnesium-based) and polymers (mainly Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA)and Polyglycolic Acid (PGA)-based) eliminate the need for secondary invasive surgery to remove the implant and have been found to result in similar complication rates to traditional implant materials. Recent polymer formulations are found to minimise foreign-body reactions by controlling degradation kinetics and by-product release [11];
• Hydroxyapatite composite materials: Inorganic and organic hybrids can match bone strength and demonstrate degradation rates synchronised with the natural bone remodelling processes. Current limitations require further research focussed on batch-to-batch manufacturing consistency and potential cytotoxicity of material formulation additives [12]; and
• Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) materials: PEKK-based implants have lower inflammatory responses and better antibacterial properties than PEEK-based structures. Recent manufacturing advances enable additive processing of PEKK powders for spinal and craniofacial implants, hence enhancing design freedom [13].
In general, device certification pathways that rely on in-vitro testing are limited by biological and physiological oversimplifications. Mechanical and biological responses are coupled, for example, wear-induced particulates can provoke tissue reactions across all biomaterials [14], and metallic implants may release metal ions over time [9].
An in-vitro “pass” does not guarantee performance across the widely heterogenous human population, hence biocompatibility studies are generally complemented with in-vivo testing on animals and human clinical trials, along with long-term follow-up studies, to assess whole-body outcomes. Deserving greater attention are the now well-known interactions between biomechanical and biochemical effects on biology (mechanobiology) of the recipient tissues.
(a)
3. Advances in Manufacturing Processes
Implants are manufactured in predefined types and size ranges, and selection typically involves choosing the closest fit to the patient’s anatomy. For critical load-bearing implants, the dominant manufacturing route remains CNC machining of metal stock, combined with polishing, anodizing, and porous coatings. These various production processes support the wide use of established materials while achieving tight tolerances and appropriate surface finishing (Table 1). Complementary, traditional polymer processing methods, such as injection or compression moulding, are used for wear-resistant liners made from softer polymers. Taken together, these methods are optimised for highvolume manufacture of standardised designs, which are verified and validated by lengthy mechanical and biocompatibility physical testing, and are therefore not cost-effective for subject-specific implant production. In contrast, AM enables patientspecific tailoring of the implants through control of lattice architectures, porosity, and associated workflows. The flexibility and cost-efficiency positions AM for on-demand manufacture of highly personalised implants. AM technologies have been in active industrial use for over 20 years, yielding standardised materials and firmly established core processes across a wide range of sectors. The first AM-printed implantable medical device was cleared by the FDA in 2010 [15], and the decade of 2010 – 2020 saw a total of 357 FDA-approved submissions using various AM manufacturing methods and materials with exponential growth [16].
FDA-approved AM-printed implants are generally manufactured by powder-bed fusion processes for either metallic alloys or polymers (implant examples in Figure 2, AMspecific material standards in Table 1) [16]. Stereolithography (SLA) or digital light projection (DLP)-based printing for ceramic implants are emerging as an active R&D field. 3D-printed orthopaedic implants commonly incorporate patient-specific geometry derived from imaging data and often employ porous surface features to promote osseointegration. To translate
Figure 2: Successful cases of approved AM implantable medical devices, showing common features of complex AM designs (porous surfaces, graded stiffness zones, etc).
Titanium-printed ATTUNETM AFFIXIUM cementless knee by DePuy Synthes to promote bone ingrowth [17], (b) Titanium-printed Tritanium® TL curved posterior lumbar cage by Stryker [18], (c) Co-Cr-printed patient-specific talus spacer by Additive Orthopaedics, LLC [19], (d) patient-matched One2OneTM HTR-PEKK cranial implant by Zimmer Biomet [20]
FEATURE – Advances in Implantable Devices
respect to each criterion are highlighted and respective (not exhaustive) standardisation gaps are identified as per [21]. Process
Customised design variables for on-demand designs
Complex design features (internal and external)
• Geometries with varying design details are derived for implantable devices based on patient-specific imaging to ensure anatomical matching; complexity of manufactured part can improve on CNC machining limitations
• Complex internal architectures can be designed to match bone stiffness variations to avoid stress shielding
• Porous surface architectures can be tailored for osseointegration requirements
• Clinical expert framework required for best practice and key validation metrics for imaging segmentation and transformation into a 3D-printed object
• No standard method to describe, measure and verify AM-unique surface and geometry features, especially when designed to meet critical performance requirements
• Standard lacking design and test coupons for porous and lattice structures
Biocompatibility requirements
Assembly and integration
Quality assurance
• Limited publication of medical ASTM F material standards compared to traditional manufacturing processes creates additional costs for device manufacturers
• Post-processing and sterilisation schedules are less established
• Additive manufacturing can print integrated designs and consider integrated functional features, reducing the number of assembly parts and potential failure points
• Lack of standard to reproducibly measure, evaluate and remove residual AM feedstock (powder or uncured monomer) within complex design features
• Lack of standards for post-processing qualification and validation of AM-printed structures
• Lack of non-contact measurement and inspection methods for as-built assemblies with relative motion capabilities
• No standard for metal powder specifications for procurement and re-use, sampling of liquid feedstock
• Process control and reproducibility
• Possibility (emerging) for in-situ process monitoring in terms of thermal distributions, printed geometry distortions and flaw detection/characterisation
these capabilities into routine clinical practice, a viable business case is needed to justify the operational shift. A successful business case for ondemand manufacturing requires consideration of several criteria to justify the additional costs and complexities involved in AM. However, given the relative newness of this patient-specific approach, high priority gaps are identified from a standardisation and regulatory viewpoint (see Table 2). These gaps are being addressed through a cross-sector coordinated work with standards-setting bodies, led by the America Makes & ANSI Manufacturing
• No standard for identification, quantification and limits of (1) the spatial variability of microstructure features and (2) processing defects due to inherent structural heterogeneity
• No standard to assess the (1) predictive accuracy of process simulation tools or (2) in-process monitoring capabilities for flaw detection
Standardization Collaborative (AMSC). At present, standardisation gaps span multiple process-critical features, which slow down adoption in the medical device market by increasing certification costs. Since AM implants are in essence digitally manufactured for the individual patient, the process now prioritises digital design and process qualification, as high-volume physical testing is impractical.
4. The Patient-Specific Simulation Framework
Many of today’s implant designs and associated test protocols still rely on generic assumptions about anatomy
and loading exposure. Implants are validated by applying standardised forces (see for example ISO 18192 for spine, ISO 14242 for hip simulator, ISO 14243 knee simulator loading) – instead of the complex, patient specific loading and stresses experienced in vivo – with the result that fatigue life and failure modes may be misjudged for highdemand cases.
Addressing this problem is possible with validated high fidelity personalised digital twin simulation approaches. Such a workflow, based on current work conducted in joint collaboration with surgical support [22,23], was developed by our group as per Figure 3.
Table 2: Overview of process features related to medical device innovation, design and manufacturing. AM process advantages and disadvantages with
FEATURE – Advances in Implantable Devices
These pipelines are partially translated into clinical use by designing optimal surgeries that select the best implants for specific bone deformations and designing and printing surgical guides to assist surgeons to perform planned corrections.
Patient-specific implants must encourage the repair and remodelling of the recipient tissues and must therefore consider tissue mechanobiology. The local biomechanical and biochemical cellular scale can create inflammatory responses that negatively affect tissue repair and remodelling, making surgical failure highly possible. Subsequently, the patient-specific digital twin design process must be multiscale - down to the tissue’s extracellular matrices, cell, and within cell sizes, requiring expertise
from disciplines considered outside the normal engineering practice.
Current progress toward patientspecific digital twin technologies, executable within short timeframes and hence suitable for surgical planning, promises to truly optimise and validate implant designs. By running full lifetime cycle analyses under physiologically accurate loads incorporating the selected implant, we can forecast how an implant will behave over its lifespan [24-26]. This approach opens the door for individual implant optimisation based on patient-specific characteristics, creating a pathway for high fidelity on-demand manufacturing, especially for high-demand patient cohorts.
Figure 3: Workflow diagram showing the digital twin features: medical image processing for 3D bone models, virtual surgical planning to simulate specific scenarios for the particular surgery (proximal femoral osteotomy is shown here as an example), neuromusculoskeletal modelling pipeline with subject-specific anatomical geometry and physiology, to estimate the in vivo physiological loads for the patient, finite element model development and loading to simulate the mechanical environment of the tissues (e.g., bones) and implants supposedly experienced for the specific surgical scenario. This process can be efficiently automated and iteratively performed for various surgeries and diverse patient cohorts.
The integration of high-fidelity, subject-specific simulations into treatment planning requires robust and continuously evolving simulation frameworks to establish best practices and ensure thorough verification and validation (V+V). This simulation pipeline can be tailored to meet specific clinical needs, considering the variability in human anatomy and the resulting loading outcomes. Once clinicians prioritise subject-specific treatments, surgery planning and execution should be supported by an integrated multidisciplinary team. As per the earlier challenges, this team must include biomechanists (to characterise patient-specific anatomy and loading), biologists and physiologists (to integrate tissue, ECM and cellular responses), software engineers (to build, verify, and maintain the planning platform), process engineers (to standardise and optimise clinical workflows and perform quality assurance), and mechanical and materials engineers (to streamline design and manufacturing), enabling the development and validation of software and hardware packages for independent clinical use.
5. Outlook and Call to Action Analogous to other engineering disciplines, high fidelity, validated simulation frameworks are becoming essential in medical device innovation. Patient-specific simulations within realistic time frames have the potential to close the gaps between materials/ manufacturing advances and clinical success by enabling optimum device design / selection, especially for high-demand patients. The challenge now lies not the lack of tools, but in their validated implementation and certification supported by regulatory frameworks.
Over the next decade, the winning strategies will not be those that advance materials or manufacturing in isolation, but those that integrate them through patient-specific, validated simulations. This requires investment in collaborative infrastructure with shared datasets, accredited laboratory environments and an interdisciplinary workforce with common terminology training. Only then can we fully realise the promise of safer, longer lasting, and truly personalised implantable devices.
Implantable Devices
References
1. Implantable Medical Devices Market (2024 – 2030), Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Product (Cardiovascular, Orthopedic, Aesthetic, Dental, Ophthalmology, Neurology, By Biomaterial, By End Use, By Region, and Segment Forecasts. Market Analysis Report, Grand View Research
2. C. Huxmann, FDA regulatory considerations for innovative orthopedic devices: A review, Injury, 56(4), 112291, 2025.
3. B.J. Miller, W. Blanks, and B. Yagi, The 510(k) Third Party Review Program: Promise and Potential, Journal of Medical Systems, 47(1):93, 1 – 10, 2023
4. Y. Zhou, C.J. Wall, J. Stevens, A. Fraval, P.L. Lewis, M.J. McAuliffe, C.J. Vertullo, D.R.J. Gill, J.D. Stoney, D. Bastiras, S. Corfield, B. Harvey, M. F. Lorimer, K. Hill and P. N. Smith, Data Resource Profile: The Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR), International Journal of Epidemiology, 54(4), 1-6, 2025
5. S.P. Ryan, J.B. Stambough, J.I. Huddleston III and B.R. Levine, Highlights of the 2023 American Joint Replacement Registry Annual Report, Arthroplasty Today, 26, 101325, 2024
6. S. Shanmugasundaram, A. Bandi, S. Saseendar and D. Kumar. (2023). Impact of Increased Body Mass Index on Orthopaedic Trauma Implantology. In: A. Banerjee, P. Biberthaler, S. Shanmugasundaram (eds) Handbook of Orthopaedic Trauma Implantology. Springer, Singapore
7. L.E. Bayliss, D. Culliford, A.P. Monk, S. Glyn-Jones, D. Prieto-Alhambra, A. Judge, C. Cooper, A.J. Carr, N.K Arden, D.J. Beard and A.J. Price, The effect of patient age at intervention on risk of implant revision after total replacement of the hip or knee: a population-based cohort study, Lancet, 389, 1424-1430, 2017
8. M. Moralidou, A. Di Laura, J. Henckel, H. Hothi and A.J. Hart, Threedimensional pre-operative planning of primary hip arthroplasty: a systematic literature review, EFORT Open Reviews EOR, 5, 845-855, 2020
9. Biological responses to metal implants, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Centre for Devices and Radiological Health, September 2019
11. B. Blackman, S. Okunbor, A.M. Sowa, J.M. McDonnell, T.D. Ross, B. Rigney, S. Darwish and J.S. Butler, Bioabsorbable implants are a viable alternative to traditional metallic implants in orthopaedic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Journal of Orhopaedics, 65, 257-269, 2025
12. W. Liu, N. Cheong, Z. He and T. Zhang, Application of Hydroxyapatite Composites in Bone Tissue Engineering: A Review, Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 16, 127, 2025
13. A. Maandi, J. Porteus and B. Roberts, OsteoFab® Technology, Oxford Materials Performance Inc., 2020
14. L. Zhang, E.M. Haddouti, K. Welle, C. Burger, D.C. Wirtz, F.A. Schildberg and K. Kabir, The Effects of Biomaterial Implant Wear Debris on Osteoblasts, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 8, 352, 2020
15. K. Rafi, A.Z. Liu, M. Di Prima, P. Bates and M. Seifi, Regulatory and standards development in medical additive manufacturing, MRS Bulletin Review, 47, 98-105, 2022
16. M. Fogarasi, K.L. Snodderly and M.A. Di Prima, A survey of additive manufacturing trends for FDA-cleared medical devices, Nature Reviews Bioengineering, 1, 687-689, 2023.
21. AMSC Standardisation Roadmap for Additive Manufacturing, Version 3.0, Update report September 2024. https://www.ansi.org/standardscoordination/collaboratives-activities/additive-manufacturingcollaborative
22. A.Y. Bavil, E. Eghan-Acquah, A.K. Dastgerdi, L. Diamond, R. Barrett, H.P. Walsh, M. Barzan, D.J. Saxby, S. Feih and C.P. Carty, Simulated effects of surgical corrections on bone-implant micromotion and implant stresses in paediatric proximal femoral osteotomy, Computers in Biology and Medicine, 185, 190544, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. compbiomed.2024.109544.
23. A.Y. Bavil, E. Eghan-Acquah, L. Diamond, R. Barrett, C.P. Carty, M. Barzan, D.G. Lloyd, D.J. Saxby and S. Feih, Effect of different constraining boundary conditions on simulated femoral stresses and strains during gait, Scientific Reports, 14, 10808, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598024-61305-x
24. E. Eghan-Acquah, A.Y. Bavil, D. Bade, M. Barzan, A. Nasseri, D.J. Saxby, S. Feih, C.P. Carty, Enhancing biomechanical outcomes in proximal femoral osteotomy through optimised blade plate sizing: A neuromusculoskeletal-informed finite element analysis, Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine, 257, 108480, 2024. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.cmpb.2024.108480
25. A.Y. Bavil, E. Eghan-Acquah, L. Diamond, R. Barrett, D. Bade, C.P. Carty, S. Feih, D.J. Saxby, Effect of Postoperative Neck-Shaft and Anteversion Angles on Biomechanical Outcomes in Proximal Femoral Osteotomy: An In Silico Study, Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 43, 842-852, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.26043
26. E. Eghan-Acquah, A.Y. Bavil, L. Diamond, R. Barrett, C.P. Carty, M. Barzan, D. Bade, A. Nasseri, D.G. Lloyd, D.J. Saxby and S. Feih, Evaluation of boundary conditions for predicting femoral bone-implant mechanics during gait in the absence of comprehensive medical imaging, Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 164, 106908, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.106908
Biographies
Dr Alireza Y Bavil is a Research Fellow in the School of Engineering and Built Environment at Griffith University, Australia. His research focuses on orthopaedic biomechanics, patient-specific digital twins, neuromusculoskeletal modelling, and finite element analysis to improve patient care. He develops automated pipelines that translate biomechanical insight into clinical tools for procedures such as femoral osteotomies and bone-anchored prostheses. His work has produced high-impact publications and received awards, including Excellence in a Research Thesis, and contributes to development of next-generation socket design, osseointegration assessment, and surgical workflows.
Professor David Lloyd is an internationally recognised Professor of Biomechanical Engineering at Griffith University, Australia, ranking among the top 0.3% of published scientists worldwide. David's research focuses on biomechanics, biophysics, and sports medicine, with a strong track record of publications, PhD supervisions, and attracting major research funding. Collaborating with hospitals and industry partners, his work leverages cutting-edge technology like AI and digital twins to develop innovative medical diagnostics, devices, and personalised treatments.
Professor Stefanie Feih is the Director of the Advanced Design and Prototyping Technologies (ADaPT) Institute and a Professor in Mechanical Engineering at Griffith University, Australia. With 30 years of global research experience, she has been ranked among the top 2% of published scientists worldwide in the field of Materials since 2020. Her research focusses on the analysis, design, manufacturing and optimization of lightweight structures, emphasising the link between material characteristics, structural performance, and manufacturing processes and constraints.
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The Pacific Rim International Conference on Advanced Materials and Processing is held every three years, jointly sponsored by the Chinese Society for Metals (CSM), The Japan Institute of Metals and Materials (JIMM), The Korean Institute of Metals and Materials (KIMM), Materials Australia (MA), and The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS).
The purpose of PRICM is to provide an attractive forum for the exchange of scientific and technological information on materials and processing. PRICM-12 will be held in Gold Coast on August 9-13, 2026, hosted by Materials Australia.
PRICM-12 aims to bring together leading scientists, technologists and engineers from the Asia-Pacific region and around the world to discuss contemporary discoveries and innovations in the rapidly evolving field of materials and processing. This event is also intended to foster stronger and closer interactions between materials practitioners and their international counterparts.
9-13 AUGUST 2026
Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre
ORGANIZING SOCIETY
Materials Australia
Tanya Smith +61 3 9326 7266
events@materialsaustralia.com.au
This conference will cover most aspects of advanced materials and their manufacturing processes. It has 15 symposia:
Symposium A: Advanced Steels and Properties
Symposium B: Advanced Processing of Materials
Symposium C: Structural Materials for High Temperature
Symposium D: Light Metals and Alloys
Symposium E: Additive Manufacturing
Symposium F: Interfaces and Surface Engineering
Symposium G: Materials for Energy Conversion, Generation and Storage
Symposium H: Electronic and Magnetic Materials
Symposium I: Biomaterials and their Applications
Symposium J: Advanced Characterization and Evaluation of Materials
Symposium K: High-Entropy Materials and Amorphous Materials
Symposium L: Composites, Hetero-Materials, and Functionally Graded Materials
Symposium M: Nano Materials and Nano Severe Plastic Deformation
Symposium N: Modelling and Simulation of Materials and Processes and Artificial Intelligence
Symposium O: Materials for Sustainability (Corrosion, Coating, Green Steel, Recycling)
On behalf of the organising committee, it is our great pleasure to cordially invite you to PRICM-12.
Professor Jianfeng Nie
Organizing Chair of PRICM-12
JOIN NOW!
Our Members
Materials Australia members are involved in all aspects of materials science, technology and engineering. Members include manufacturing technical officers, professional engineers, academics, research scientists, technical staff and students.
Our members are experts in polymers, nano and biomaterials, ceramics, metals, composites and all of their engineering applications.
There are two types of Materials Australia membership available: Individual and Corporate.
Individual members can join Materials Australia as a Student Member, Graduate Member, Standard Member, Retired Member or a Certified Materials Professional (CMatP).
Corporate members can opt for a Standard, Premium, or Premium Plus membership package.
Individual Membership Benefits
• Accreditation as a Certified Materials Professional (CMatP) if eligible.
• Discounts on all Materials Australia conferences and training courses, including the CAMS and APICAM Conferences.
• Digital subscription to Materials Australia Magazine, our quarterly publication that is jam-packed with industry, product, technical and research news.
• Discounts on advertising in Materials Australia Magazine.
• Conferences, training courses, workshops and regular branch meetings, designed to facilitate continued professional development.
• Outstanding networking opportunities through regular branch meetings, conferences and training courses.
• Regular branch newsletters full of information on local activities.
Corporate Membership Benefits
• Discounts on advertising in Materials Australia Magazine.
• Editorial support for articles in Materials Australia Magazine.
• Digital subscription to Materials Australia Magazine.
• Free employment listings on the Materials Australia website.
• Free company listing on the Materials Australia website.
• Free company listing in the Materials Australia Magazine.
