Sensational Materials
 

The art and science of a quick sell

How long does it take to pitch a great idea for producing lighter and cheaper magnesium alloys? Dr Dong Qiu from the University of Queensland demonstrated it could be done effectively in less time than it takes to pour a Guinness.

Dong Qiu in action

 

That was the challenge anyway at an event called Technology on Tap, part of the 4th International Light Metals Technology Conference held on the Gold Coast at the end of June. The event challenged scientists to explain their research in less time than it takes to pour a Guinness, or 2.5 minutes.

Dr Qiu, from UQ’s School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, played the part of a butcher at a meat market, and the idea he was ‘selling’ was a way of producing stronger, lighter and cheaper magnesium alloys that can be used in the production of cars, laptops and other modern technologies.

According to Dr Qiu, these alloys can be produced if you use his secret ingredient - a grain refiner - which makes metals strong. And his style won over an international panel of judges who judged Dr Qiu to be the best presenter (winning him $2000).

"It was a great experience,” Dr Qiu said after the event. “I might become an entertainer yet,"

The Light Metals Technology Conference is an international event that showcases metals and alloy technologies from across the world.
More info: Sue Keay, CAST CRC (0408 778 667).

From ashes to fire proof concrete
A Curtin University of Technology PhD student has devised a fireproof concrete using a waste by-product of coal fired power stations.

William Rickard is PhD student in Curtin’s Centre for Materials Research. He has developed a geopolymer cement using fly ash produced by coal fired power stations. According to Mr Rickard, this material is a safer building material for fire prone areas, and it also reduces carbon emissions.

“Five to eight per cent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions come from the manufacturing of cement,” explains Mr Rickard. “Creating geopolymer cement from fly ash produced by coal fired power stations releases up to 80 per cent less carbon dioxide than standard cement.

“Not only can we reuse industrial waste and save it from being dumped into unsightly tailings dams, we can help to reduce our carbon emissions and the impact of global warming.”

About 13.5 million tonnes of fly ash is produced in Australia each year and over 600 million tonnes globally.

“Fly ash is a waste material with great potential as a resource for cement production,” says Mr Rickard. “While also being as strong as regular cement, geopolymer cement has exceptional fire resistance, making it superior to conventional building materials.

“Geopolymer cements will maintain their strength and integrity during a fire while traditional cements will break down and fail. It can be used to insulate wall panels and build fire proof bunkers in rural areas, potentially reducing the damage caused by bush fires.

“Although we are in the early days of developing this new form of geopolymer concrete, I am optimistic that we will have a commercially ready product in the next few years.”

The Centre for Materials Research at Curtin is working with the Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Resource Processing (CSRP) in developing new and improved materials from industrial by-products.

In an effort to promote geopolymers, CSRP has created the Geopolymer Alliance that aims to enhance the sustainability of the mining and power industries by promoting the uptake of geopolymer technology within existing industries such as the building and construction industry.
More info: william.rickard@student.curtin.edu.au