Deakin Institute for Frontier Materials is home to some of Australia’s leading researchers in carbon fibre and composite materials, who work closely with industry to research and develop cost-effective and innovative solutions to carbon fibre and composite-related challenges.
Materials research in response to industry needs
Our Carbon Fibre and Composite Materials researchers have the expert knowledge in organic and polymer chemistry, and materials science and engineering required to produce the next breakthroughs in carbon fibre and composite materials.
Backed with many years of experience working with industry partners, the group has a proven track record of helping industry realise carbon fibre targets.
Our research capabilities
Precursor fibre:
- Pilot-scale wet-spinning
- Bio-based alternative precursors
- Low-cost precursors
- Optimising processing parameter-structure-property relationships
- Novel fibre geometries
Carbon fibre:
- Low-cost processing/rapid oxidation
- Tailored carbon fibre for specific applications
- Decarbonisation of carbon fibre manufacturing process
- Advanced characterisation of micro/nano-structure
- Surface modification, chemical grafting and novel sizing agents
Resins and Composites:
- Ageing and lifetime prediction of resins and composites
- Thermoplastic composites
- Tailored resins / vitrimers/ bio-resins
- Resin kinetics and cure modelling
- Recycling of carbon fibre composites
What makes us different
Commitment to a sustainable future
Industries are facing a call to evolve manufacturing beyond traditional methods and materials, with enhanced sustainability and resource efficiency forming the new global expectations of businesses. Prized for its exceptional lightweight and high-strength properties, carbon fibre is in high demand, and our researchers are partnering with innovative industries to harness its opportunities and build the future of manufacturing.
Australian Research Council Mid-Career Industry Fellowship
Professor Luke Henderson is currently an ARC Mid-Career Industry Fellow, focused on developing a recyclable carbon fibre composite capability for Australia. He will work with industry partners, Gen 2 Carbon, a carbon fibre recovery and recycled nonwoven technologies company, and Solvay, a polymer and carbon fibre manufacturing company, on the project which will use innovative surface modification techniques on reclaimed and virgin carbon fibres to improve recyclability.
Solving Plastic Waste Cooperative Research Centre
Professor Minoo Naebe is a Research Program Lead for the Solving Plastic Waste Cooperative Research Centre (CRC). The CRC aims to reduce plastic waste and help Australia create a circular and carbon neutral economy for plastics. Professor Minoo Naebe’s program is “Maximising the recovery and value of end-of-life plastics”.
The centre, led by Griffin University, involves 11 Australian universities, including Deakin as a foundational partner, CSIRO and plus industry and government partners and will also grow skills in advanced manufacturing through an education and training program that includes, scholarship support for 40 PhD graduates, professional development for its cohort of postdoctoral fellows, plus micro-credential courses to industry and community sectors.
From Research to Industry
See how we work
Professor Minoo Naebe leads a research team in the field of high-performance materials, focusing on functional and sustainable polymer-based materials for various applications in automotive, construction, oil and gas.
Related
Surface and Interface Chemistry
Carbon Nexus
