Carbon dreams ‘near reality’

GEELONG’S unique Carbon Nexus research centre this week listed numerous achievements after its first 12 months in operation.
Based at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus, the centre aims to tap into global demand for high-tech carbon fibre materials while supporting development of new-age manufacturing industries in Geelong.
The centre says it has so far attracted industrial partners from nine countries, produced 75 batches of carbon fibre for research trials and received nine local and national research excellence awards.
The birthday celebrations began early with the announcement in May of a $4.7 million ARC grant for a new Future Fibres Industrial Transformation Research Hub (ITRH) to develop advanced carbon fibres and nanofibres to support more-sustainable and advanced manufacturing.
The latest funding builds on a recent announcement of a $1.76 million Geelong Region Innovation and Investment Fund grant for Carbon Nexus and Quickstep to establish a dedicated automotive division at Deakin.
Carbon Nexus director Derek Buckmaster explained that the year of achievements was just the beginning for Carbon Nexus.
“The Australian Research Council (ARC) funding for the ITRH is one example of how government and industry are confident in Carbon Nexus’ capacity to lead the way on the path to creating the world’s best carbon fibre and to driving the jobs of the future,” he said.
Mr Buckmaster, who recently returned from a visit to the United States where he participated in an inaugural meeting of an Institute of Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), said the global manufacturing industry was growing increasingly excited about the future capabilities of carbon fibre and that Carbon Nexus was playing a key role in its advancement.
“There are so many reasons to be excited about the future of advanced manufacturing through the development of better, lighter, stronger and more cost-effective carbon fibre.
“Carbon Nexus is well on the way to developing the most cost-effective PAN (polyacrylonitrile)-based carbon fibre targeted for specific applications. This brings us one step closer to one of our main aims – reducing the cost of industrial-grade carbon fibre materials.
“Our carbon fibre production line is embedded within Deakin University, enabling innovative research outcomes and already working with industry on projects that are helping to drive the jobs of the future.
“Building a new industry takes commitment, an unwavering focus on innovation and strong partnerships between academia and industry and that is what goes to the heart of Carbon Nexus.”
Research director Professor Bronwyn Fox noted that the first year of activities for Carbon Nexus represented the culmination of a vision seeded at Deakin in 2008.
“Seven years ago we imagined Carbon Nexus to be a world-leading carbon fibre research institute, attracting future industries to research and invest in Geelong and now this vision is becoming a reality,” she said.