Seminars

Asbtract: The mechanics of granular materials (sand food grains powders) has historically been studied in the limiting regimes of slow and rapid flow. In the former the grains are densely packed and stress is transmitted by sustained grain contacts. In the latter regime grains are in continuous fluctuational motion and stress is generated from the impulse transmitted during the brief grain collisions.

Abstract: Microwave (MW) rapid heating has received considerable attention as a new promising method for one-pot synthesis of metallic nanostructures in solutions. In this concept advantageous application of this method has been demonstrated for the green preparation of Pd Ru Au-Pd and Ru-Pd nanoparticles. By combining several characterizations such as UV–vis spectroscopy TEM XRD and DLS the product was proved to possess size in the order of nanoscale.

Abstract: Many petrochemical compounds that are candidates for microbial production are also solvent-like in nature. Examples of such compounds are fuels and other bulk chemicals such as precursors for polymers and plastics. For these compounds two aspects impede the efficiency of microbial production. One is their inherent solvent like nature that results in toxicity towards the microbe. Second is product inhibition due to intracellular accumulation.

Abstract: A computational scheme for rational solvent design based on the computer aided molecular design (CAMD) approach has been developed. The CAMD approach employs structure property correlations and generally an optimization technique to find a potential solvent for a physical separation process. The proposed computational scheme has been applied to design a solvent for the extraction of R-phenylacetylcarbinol (R-PAC) a pharmaceutical intermediate in the manufacture of pseudoephedrine (which finds extensive use in cold and influenza medication) from an aqueousphase.

Abstract: CSIRO the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is Australia's national science agency. It is one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world and plays a key role in Australia’s National Innovation System. To address these challenges CSIRO has created a new portfolio of 9 Flagships with a greater focus on national priorities to boost Australia’s competitiveness and productivity. CSIRO’s Manufacturing Flagship has an excellent track record of innovation and success in the design of novel materials for a broad range of commercial application.

Abstract: Nature is unparalleled in its structural and functional diversity. Living organisms make fantastic materials under myriad conditions with properties we cannot emulate today using conventional approaches. In many cases nature has provided us with a blueprint to design and assemble both natural and synthetic building blocks to create a new generation of functional organized and responsive materials.

Abstract: We will discuss a green and inexpensive technological alternative using biotechnology for harnessing the energy potential of coal. Communities of microorganisms can be injected below ground to feed on coal in a mine and convert it to methane gas. It is potentially a game-changing technology with immense commercial benefits. Energy in coal is usually extracted by burning it in capital-intensive power plants that throw toxic particulates and heavy metals into the atmosphere. Coal is justifiably considered to be a dirty fuel source.

Abstract : Nature has created a wide array of fascinating molecular machinery and their efficiency is unparalleled when compared to their man-made counterparts. Be it photosynthesis (conversion of light into chemical energy) or enzyme catalysis (speeding up difficult chemical reactions) or ion channels (filtration device with high degree of specificity) or self-assembly of small molecules into organized structures we have a lot to learn from biology!

Abstract: Dense active systems spontaneously generate turbulent-like flow states where the velocity field is highly disordered with a continually changing pattern of vortices. Examples include mixtures of microtubules and molecular motors (the machinery that acts as a cellular engine or cells themselves) bacteria vibrating granular rods flocks of birds and schools of fish.

Abstract: With increase in the computing power available optimization models used to make business and engineering decisions are becoming more and more complex.As the size of such models continues to increase analysing models giving erroneous results and correcting them becomes increasingly difficult. Identification of Irreducible Infeasible Sets (IIS) in a model can help speed up the process of correcting infeasible models. Identifying an IIS provides the modeller with a set of inconsistencies that need to be corrected.