Scholarship for Postgraduate Research Students
Students who are going to undertake the degree of Master of Philosophy in Engineering or Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (PhD), please refer to the Faculty of Engineering website for more information about research scholarships.
Australian Postgraduate Research Award (Industry) on Biogenic and Chemical Corrosion of Inorganic Sacrificial Coatings in Sour Media
This scholarship is funded by an ARC Linkage-Project grant and will provide support for 3 years on a full-time basis for a research project leading to a PhD. This is part of a national research project designed to carry out a comprehensive and in-depth study of the protection mechanisms of sacrificial inorganic coatings against concrete corrosion. These coatings are normally used for temporary protection of sewer concrete against acid corrosion caused by microbiologically generated sulphuric acid.
ISSUE
Domestic wastewater is transported to wastewater treatment plants in concrete pipes. In many instances hydrogen sulphide is generated in the wastewater. The low solubility hydrogen sulphide is released to the headspace of the pipes where it is oxidized to sulphuric acid by sulphide oxidizing bacteria. In addition, the sewer wall on the headspace also have fungi that generate strong carboxylic acids that can chelate metals from the concrete structure. The combination of these factors leads to concrete corrosion.
This is a serious problem for the water industry. Thus, the cement piping infra-structure used by the Water Industry is valued at $60 billion and 1% of this sum is used in maintenance each year.
THIS PROJECT
Sacrificial coatings are normally used to protect corroded concrete by minimizing further corrosion prior to rehabilitation. These coatings are of inorganic nature with a wide range of chemical compositions, e.g. calcium aluminate cements, magnesium hydroxide alkaline gels, etc. Their protection mechanism seems to be mainly related to their ability to neutralize acid generated in the sewer atmosphere and also their ability to inhibit the proliferation of bacteria that convert hydrogen sulphide into sulphuric acid.
This project will carry out fundamental research to identify and establish relationships between the sewer factors that determine the durability of the various sacrificial coatings. The research will also study the impact of other metabolic products such as carboxylic acids (generated by fungal growth) on durability.
The scientific knowledge generated will result in recommendations on how to improve formulations in order to increase durability under various sewer conditions. This will support the Australian water industry in achieving efficient and cost-effective sewers management.
These projects will be conducted in collaboration with University of Queensland and Newcastle University, CH2Mhill, Department of Chemical Engineering and with the following water companies: Brisbane City Council, Gold Coast Water, SA Water, South East Water Limited, Sydney Water Corporation, United Water and Water Corporation.
Applicants should have an Honours 1 degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry or Chemical Engineering. Experience/background in waste water treatment would be an advantage.. The scholarship stipend is $27108 pa (tax exempt). A top-up can be negotiated for high achieving students.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The applicant is requested to submit the following documentation to A/Prof, Marjorie Valix (Phone: 9351 4995 Fax: 9351 2854 E-mail: mvalix@usyd.edu.au).
- Student Application Letter
Prepare a maximum 300 word statement explaining:
Applicant's career and educational objectives and why the applicant wants to work in the mineral processing field. - Student curriculum vitae
Educational background, work experience, prizes and extracurricular activities should be highlighted. - Official copy of an academic transcript
- Two referees letters
All Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation. The letters can be teachers and lecturers who are acquainted with the applicant’s academic performance. All letters of recommendation should be included in the application and should be sent to A/Prof. Marjorie Valix, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney NSW 2006.
Closing Date: 30th September 2009
Postgraduate Scholarship in Bioleaching of Mineral Oxides and Wastes
This scholarship is funded by the Material and Mineral Processing Research Unit to support for 3 years on a full-time basis a research project leading to a PhD. This is part of a research project designed to carry out comprehensive and in-depth study into mechanisms involved in the bioleaching of minerals and wastes.
THIS PROJECT
Our team is aiming to harness the potential to use microbiological approaches as a sustainable method for recovering base and precious metals from low-grade ores (e.g., Ni laterite ores) and for management of wastes. Besides its industrial application to raw material supply, microbial process has the potential for extracting metals from metal laden wastes (e.g., e-wastes), metal detoxification of sludge and for recovering chemical and energy resources from carbon based wastes. Biologically assisted metal extraction and degradation of wastes have tremendous potential as extracting and as recycling technologies. The technology is environmentally sound with a huge potential to lower operational cost and energy requirements.
We are inviting students who are interested in pursuing a PhD in mineral processing to join us in developing the fundamental science to create the technology for biologically assisted dissolution of the metallic fractions from mineral oxides and wastes.
Scholarship Criteria:
Applicants should have an Honours 1 or 2A degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry or Chemical Engineering. Applicants must be Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens; international students may apply but the scholarship does not cover tuition fee.
Scholarship
The scholarship stipend is $22,500p.a. (tax exempt). If you are an APA recipient or a holder of an equivalent scholarship, a top-up to give you a total of up to $39,300p.a. scholarship can be negotiated for high achieving and well motivated students.
- Student Application Letter
Prepare a maximum 300 word statement explaining:
Applicant's career and educational objectives and why the applicant wants to work in the mineral processing field. - Student curriculum vitae
Educational background, work experience, prizes and extracurricular activities should be highlighted. - Official copy of an academic transcript
- Two referees letters
All Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation. The letters can be teachers and lecturers who are acquainted with the applicant’s academic performance. All letters of recommendation should be included in the application and should be sent to A/Prof. Marjorie Valix, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney NSW 2006.
Closing Date: 5th January 2010
Postgraduate Scholarship in Selective Metal Recovery from Bioleach Solutions
This scholarship is funded by the Material and Mineral Processing Research Unit to support for 3 years on a full-time basis a research project leading to a PhD. This is part of a research project designed to carry out comprehensive and in-depth study into the recovery of metals from bioleach solutions.
THIS PROJECT
Our team is aiming to harness the potential to use microbiological approaches as a sustainable method for recovering base and precious metals from low-grade ores (e.g., Ni laterite ores) and for management of wastes. Besides its industrial application to raw material supply, microbial process has the potential for extracting metals from metal laden wastes (e.g., e-wastes), metal detoxification of sludge and for recovering chemical and energy resources from carbon based wastes. Biologically assisted metal extraction and degradation of wastes have tremendous potential as extracting and as recycling technologies. The technology is environmentally sound with a huge potential to lower operational cost and energy requirements.
We are inviting students who are interested in pursuing a PhD in mineral processing to join us in developing the fundamental science to create the technology to recover metals from solutions generated from the processing of minerals and wastes by bioleaching.
Scholarship Criteria:
Applicants should have an Honours 1 or 2A degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry or Chemical Engineering. Applicants must be Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens; international students may apply but the scholarship does not cover tuition fee.
Scholarship
The scholarship stipend is $22,500p.a. (tax exempt). If you are an APA recipient or a holder of an equivalent scholarship, a top-up to give you a total of up to $39,300p.a. scholarship can be negotiated for high achieving and well motivated students.
- Student Application Letter
Prepare a maximum 300 word statement explaining:
Applicant's career and educational objectives and why the applicant wants to work in the mineral processing field. - Student curriculum vitae
Educational background, work experience, prizes and extracurricular activities should be highlighted. - Official copy of an academic transcript
- Two referees letters
All Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation. The letters can be teachers and lecturers who are acquainted with the applicant’s academic performance. All letters of recommendation should be included in the application and should be sent to A/Prof. Marjorie Valix, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney NSW 2006.
Closing Date: 5th January 2010
Australian Postgraduate Research Award (Industry) on Optimal Management of Corrosion and Biodegradation of Polymer Coatings in Sour Media
This scholarship is funded by an ARC Linkage-Project grant and will provide support for 3 years on a full-time basis for a research project leading to a PhD. This is part of a national research project designed to carry out comprehensive and in-depth study of the chemical and microbiological stability of polymeric linings in the gas phase of sewer systems.
ISSUE
Domestic wastewater is transported to wastewater treatment plants in concrete pipes. In many instances hydrogen sulphide is generated in the wastewater. The low solubility hydrogen sulphide is released to the headspace of the pipes where it is oxidized to sulphuric acid by sulphide oxidizing bacteria. In addition, the sewer wall on the headspace also has fungi that generate strong carboxylic acids that can chelate metals from the concrete structure. The combination of these factors leads to concrete corrosion. This is a serious problem for the water industry. Thus, the cement piping infra-structure used by the Water Industry is valued at $60 billion and 1% of this sum is used in maintenance each year.
THIS PROJECT
To protect the infrastructure, polymer based permanent coatings, such as epoxies, polyurethanes, etc are used as environmental barriers for concrete pipes exposed to corrosive environments in sewer systems. Furthermore, some of the polymeric coatings are applied as thick layers (~20mm) at great expense. However, the scientific basis to determine the coating thickness is unclear. Currently the understanding of polymer coating degradation within these sour systems is largely empirical. The use of coatings is based more on experience than in science. Optimisation of the performance of sacrificial coatings operating in sour environments, require fundamental research to understand the critical physical and chemical properties of the materials and the effect of sour environments on these properties. The project will create advanced knowledge and innovative technologies to support the Australian water industry in achieving efficient and cost-effective water and waste water utility management.
These projects will be conducted in collaboration with University of Queensland and Newcastle University, CH2Mhill, Department of Chemical Engineering and with the following water companies: Brisbane City Council, Gold Coast Water, SA Water, South East Water Limited, Sydney Water Corporation, United Water and Water Corporation.
SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA:
Applicants should have an Honours 1 or 2A degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry or Chemical Engineering. Applicants must be Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens.
SCHOLARSHIP
The scholarship stipend is $ 26,140 pa (tax exempt). A top-up can be negotiated for high achieving students.
Closing Date: 5th January 2010
Postgraduate Scholarship on Biogenic and Chemical Corrosion of Inorganic Sacrificial Coatings in Sour Media
This scholarship is funded by an ARC Linkage-Project grant and will provide support for 3 years on a full-time basis for a research project leading to a PhD. This is part of a national research project designed to carry out a comprehensive and in-depth study of the protection mechanisms of sacrificial inorganic coatings against concrete corrosion.
ISSUE
Domestic wastewater is transported to wastewater treatment plants in concrete pipes. In many instances hydrogen sulphide is generated in the wastewater. The low solubility hydrogen sulphide is released to the headspace of the pipes where it is oxidized to sulphuric acid by sulphide oxidizing bacteria. In addition, the sewer wall on the headspace also have fungi that generate strong carboxylic acids that can chelate metals from the concrete structure. The combination of these factors leads to concrete corrosion. This is a serious problem for the water industry. Thus, the cement piping infra-structure used by the Water Industry is valued at $60 billion and 1% of this sum is used in maintenance each year.
THIS PROJECT
Sacrificial coatings are used to protect corroded concrete by minimizing further corrosion prior to rehabilitation. These coatings are of inorganic nature with a wide range of chemical compositions, e.g. calcium aluminate cements, magnesium hydroxide alkaline gels, etc. Their protection mechanism seems to be mainly related to their ability to neutralize acid generated in the sewer atmosphere and also their ability to inhibit the proliferation of bacteria that convert hydrogen sulphide into sulphuric acid. This project will carry out fundamental research to identify and establish relationships between the sewer factors that determine the durability of the various sacrificial coatings. The research will also study the impact of other metabolic products such as carboxylic acids (generated by fungal growth) on durability. The scientific knowledge generated will result in recommendations on how to improve formulations in order to increase durability under various sewer conditions. This will support the Australian water industry in achieving efficient and cost-effective sewers management.
These projects will be conducted in collaboration with University of Queensland and Newcastle University, CH2Mhill, Department of Chemical Engineering and with the following water companies: Brisbane City Council, Gold Coast Water, SA Water, South East Water Limited, Sydney Water Corporation, United Water and Water Corporation.
SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA:
Applicants should have an Honours 1 or 2A degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry or Chemical Engineering. Applicants must be Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens; international students may apply but the scholarship does not cover tuition fee.
SCHOLARSHIP
The scholarship stipend is $26,140 pa (tax exempt). If you are an APA recipient or a holder of an equivalent scholarship, a top-up to give you a total of up to $39,300 pa scholarship can be negotiated for high achieving and well motivated students.
Closing Date: 5th January 2010