Faculty of Engineering 1

Doctor of Philosophy

ALSBUA, Reham Abdullah Sanad

Thesis Title

Minimisation of Fresh Produce Loss in the Fresh Food Supply Chain

Supervisors

• Associate Professor Michael Edward Cholette  (Associate Supervisor)
• Professor Azharul Karim  (Principal Supervisor)
• Dr Tony Petley  (External Supervisor)
• Adjunct Professor Prasad Kanaka Durga Yarlagadda  (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

This thesis aimed to develop an integrated framework to minimize food losses in the fresh food supply chain by identifying the key factors that contribute to the loss, determining quality losses during transportation and storage, developing a quality degradation model, and formulating an optimization model. The study revealed that losses mostly occurred at the farm level due to picking practices and preharvest conditions, emphasizing the need for proper training and education for workers on harvesting and handling fresh produce. Developed quality prediction and optimization models showed promising results and should help stakeholders towards sustainable and efficient fresh food supply chain.

ATHUKORALALAGE DON, Kasup Deshan

Thesis Title

Catalytic Conversion of Sugars Over Biomass-Derived Porous Carbon to 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural

Supervisors

• Dr Luqman Abiola Atanda  (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Lalehvash Laleh Moghaddam  (Associate Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Darryn Wallace Rackemann  (Principal Supervisor)

Citation

This PhD project investigated the catalytic conversion of sugars to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a platform chemical which leads to numerous value-added chemicals specially for a bio-plastic precursor 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). An optimised low cost cotton waste derived sulfonated catalyst was shown to be effective in converting sugars into HMF, significantly in high yields using concentrated sugars (up to 20 weight per cent) in a nonaqueous medium and with good catalyst recyclability

COMETTA CONDE, Silvia Catalina

Thesis Title

Immobilization of Antimicrobial Agents via Physical and Chemical Modifications on Medical-Grade Polycaprolactone for the Prevention of Biomaterial-Related Infections

Supervisors

• Dr Nathalie Bock  (Associate Supervisor)
• Professor Timothy Dargaville  (Associate Supervisor)
• Distinguished Professor Dietmar Hutmacher  (Principal Supervisor)

Citation

Biomaterial-associated infections are one of the major causes of implant failure. These infections result from persistent bacteria that rapidly attach, aggregate, and form abiofilm on the implant surface, a protective matrix that helps them evade the host defence system, and external agents such as antibiotics. In this thesis, two novel biomaterialstrategies for the prevention of bacterial infections were developed by the physicochemical immobilization of albumin/tannic acid, and the antimicrobial peptide melimine, onmedical-grade polycaprolactone surfaces. Both systems showed high stability and efficacy against bacteria colonization and biofilm formation, offering promising alternatives tothe use of prophylactic antibiotic treatment.

DELKASAR MAHER, Salar

Thesis Title

Compatibility of Supercritical CO2 with Structural Alloys for Concentrated Solar Power Applications

Supervisors

• Dr Madjid Sarvghad Moghaddam  (Associate Supervisor)
• Professor Theodore Steinberg  (Principal Supervisor)
• Adjunct Professor Geoffrey David Will  (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) is a renewable technology that can significantly solve present energy deficiency issues. In CSP, to achieve higher system efficiencies,advanced thermodynamic cycles, peak temperatures above 600 °C and higher-pressure ranges of 20-30 MPa are prerequisites. Under such conditions and the existence ofdegradation mechanisms, only a few material choices are available for long-term commercial use. This research will shed the light on material selection and their compatibilitywith supercritical CO2 in the power block section for the next generation of CSP.

EBRAHIMI, Majid

Thesis Title

Hydrothermal Treatment of Sludge for Dewaterability Improvement and Value-Adding Applications

Supervisors

• Dr Kameron Gary Dunn  (Associate Supervisor)
• Professor Ian Mark O'Hara  (Associate Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Zhanying Zhang  (Principal Supervisor)

Citation

High water content and pollutant levels in sludge not only have limited sludge application but also imposed significant additional costs on the industry sector in Australia. Dewatering of sludge is considered a challenging task due to the sludge floc structures and high molecular weight metabolites. Hydrothermal treatment (HTT) has been proven to be a powerful approach for improving sludge dewaterability. In this thesis, different lignocellulosic biomasses were blended with HTT of sludge to comprehensively study the effect of biomass type on dewatering performance, properties of HTT-solid fraction (hydrochar), soil application of hydrochars, and techno-economic of the HTT process.

EGODA KAPURALALAGE, Hiran Chathuranga

Thesis Title

Development of Bioinspired Multifunctional Nanocomposites

Supervisors

• Associate Professor Jennifer May MacLeod  (Associate Supervisor)
• Professor Cheng Yan  (Principal Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Zhanying Zhang  (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

This thesis presents the fabrication and characterization of multifunctional, bioinspired, graphene oxide-based nanocomposites. The nacre-inspired graphene oxide-based polymer and liquid metal nanocomposites were prepared via simple approaches, and these composite materials demonstrated enhanced mechanical, stimuli-responsive, and thermally conductive properties.

FROES SILVA, Guilherme

Thesis Title

Control Design Methods for L-infinity String Stable Nonlinear Interconnected Systems Subject to Disturbances

Supervisors

• Dr Alejandro Donaire  (External Supervisor)
• Professor Jason John Ford  (Principal Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Aaron Douglas McFadyen  (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

This thesis studies vehicle platooning and local electric networks (microgrids), examples of interconnected systems working together towards a shared goal. The objective of the thesis is to address "string instability", which is when disturbances get bigger as they move from one system to the next. The thesis looks at ways to design controllers that prevent string instability while providing insight into the design process and proposes methods that leverage the relationship between the energy of a system and that of its neighbours to ensure "string stability" of an interconnected system.

HAVILAND, Jesse Logan

Thesis Title

Control Strategies for Reactive Manipulation

Supervisors

• Distinguished Professor Peter Corke  (Principal Supervisor)
• Dr Feras Dayoub  (Associate Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Niko Suenderhauf  (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

For a robot to operate in the real world, which is dynamic, unstructured, and unknowable, it must be able to react and adapt to the ever-changing state of the robot,environment, and goal. This thesis develops novel reactive motion controllers, which, unlike prior approaches, can rapidly, robustly and safely operate in real-worldenvironments. The thesis also provides extensive software and educational materials to encourage the adoption and ongoing development of this new reactive robot motionparadigm.

HAWKINS, Philip Allan

Thesis Title

Spatial Relational Reasoning Using Graph Neural Networks: Learning Representation, Planning and Search Strategies

Supervisors

• Dr Mahsa Baktashmotlagh  (External Supervisor)
• Dr Simon Paul Denman  (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Frederic Dominique Maire  (Principal Supervisor)

Citation

Recent advances in computer vision techniques have greatly extended the capabilities of robots to perceive objects in their environment. Nonetheless, robots still cannot matchthe ability of humans to make decisions and act in unstructured physical environments. This is particularly so where these environments are subject to unplanned changes overtime. This thesis explores and proposes methods based on Graph Neural Networks, that an agent may use to act in an environment with dynamic spatial relationships that aresubject to unexpected changes.

KARUNATHILAKE RALAHAMILAGE, Roshani Dulmini Kumarihami Karunathilake

Thesis Title

Health Conscious Optimal Control of Lithium-ion Batteries

Supervisors

• Associate Professor Paul Gerard Corry  (Associate Supervisor)
• Professor Troy Wayne Farrell  (Associate Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Yateendra Mishra  (Associate Supervisor)
• Professor Don Mahinda Vilathgamuwa  (Principal Supervisor)

Citation

In this project, an advanced battery management system for battery energy storage systems is proposed that minimises cell degradation and energy losses in the converter, leading to a reduction in the rate of capacity loss in the battery pack and achieving maximum battery pack utilisation by taking cell inconsistencies and electrochemical parameter variations into account. As temperature is one of the key elements that affect the Li-ion battery's internal kinetics and characteristics, a computationally efficient electrochemical thermal model is proposed that can estimate surface and internal temperature distribution in the cell with a minimum of cell measurement.

LAVAILL, Maxence Cyprien Jules

Thesis Title

Assessment of Musculoskeletal Modelling Procedures in Healthy Shoulders Towards Use for Clinical Applications

Supervisors

• Adjunct Professor Ashish Gupta  (External Supervisor)
• Professor Graham Keith Kerr  (Associate Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Saulo Martelli  (Associate Supervisor)
• Professor Peter Pivonka  (Principal Supervisor)

Citation

Shoulder musculoskeletal modelling is a computational technique that can revolutionise orthopaedics, by allowing precise estimation of the muscle and joint forces impliedwhile moving. Nonetheless, musculoskeletal predictions are highly sensitive to modelling inputs and parameters, as well as their inherent errors. Consequently, confidencemust first be obtained before affirming clinical relevance. This thesis aimed to study how the computations are influenced by errors in the modelled shoulder anatomy and in theexperimental motion data. Based on the acquired confidence, the final aim of the thesis was to investigate how joint stability is regained after a clinical Latarjet surgery.

MARASINGHEGE, Chalani Nimesha Madushani Marasinghe

Thesis Title

Understanding the Chemistry of Juice Degradation During Evaporation in Raw Sugar Manufacture

Supervisors

• Professor Steven Eric Bottle  (Associate Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Darryn Wallace Rackemann  (Principal Supervisor)

Citation

Australian sugar factories designed to achieve high levels of energy efficiency experience substantial juice degradation in evaporator units (from high temperature and longresidence time) that results in low sugar yields and quality, corrosion of equipment and causes significant financial loss. This thesis provides an extensive study intounderstanding the chemistry aspects of sugarcane juice degradation during evaporation and defining practical strategies to reduce the subsequent impacts of thesedegradation processes. The major findings included identifying key operational and compositional parameters that increase sucrose degradation, and developing new juiceclarification process and pH control process to minimise sucrose degradation.

MIESZCZANEK, Pawel

Thesis Title

Design and Development of a Data-Driven Real-Time Process Control for Melt Electrowriting

Supervisors

• Distinguished Professor Peter Corke  (Associate Supervisor)
• Distinguished Professor Dietmar Hutmacher  (Principal Supervisor)
• Adjunct Associate Professor Maria Elena Juan Pardo  (External Supervisor)

Citation

This thesis presents the development of an AI-driven closed-loop control system for additive manufacturing technology, Melt Electrowriting (MEW). The project focused on an investigation of key system parameters using machine vision, design and development of a state-of-the-art MEW 3D printer with real-time process monitoring functionality, and AI-driven modeling and control for autonomous printing error correction in real-time. The technology aims to improve the reproducibility and reduce complexity of the process which will encourage the widespread use of MEW in industry and academia.

MU, Yuqing

Thesis Title

The Effect of Bone Inorganic Environment on Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells, Osteoimmunology, and in situ Bone Tissue

Supervisors

• Professor Ross William Crawford  (Associate Supervisor)
• Adjunct Professor Yin Xiao  (Principal Supervisor)

Citation

This project studied the effect of inorganic bone components on the differentiation of bone cells and immune regulation. The research findings have led to the development of acomposite material for tissue engineering. The material contains almost all essential elements from the bone, exhibiting good biocompatibility and bioactivities to promote bonetissue repair and regeneration. Compared to current bone grafts on the market, the material developed in this project shows better bioactivities for tissue regeneration.

RAHMAN, Quazi Marufur

Thesis Title

Performance Monitoring of Deep Learning Vision Systems During Deployment

Supervisors

• Distinguished Professor Peter Corke  (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Feras Dayoub  (Principal Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Niko Suenderhauf  (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

This thesis investigates how to monitor the performance of deep learning vision systems in mobile robots. It conducts state-of-the-art research to validate the real-timeperformance of mobile robots such as self-driving cars. This research is significant for deploying visual sensor-dependent autonomous vehicles in our daily lives. Thisknowledge will alert a mobile robot about its performance degradation to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of hazardous consequences for the robot, itssurroundings and any person involved.

RAYWARD, Lionel Douglas

Thesis Title

Engineering the Perfect Mattress: Computational Modelling of the Pelvis in Supine Lying

Supervisors

• Professor Graham Keith Kerr  (Associate Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Judith Paige Little  (Principal Supervisor)
• Emeritus Professor Mark John Pearcy  (External Supervisor)
• Professor Peter Pivonka  (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

In supine lying, there is a complex cascade of tissue pressure through the pelvis, resulting in pressure points in muscle at the interface of the pelvic bones, which can affectsleep comfort.  This thesis detailed the development of a 3D computer model of the pelvis and tested how different mattress types affect pressure on muscles around thesacral bones. Foam mattresses were more effective at reducing muscle pressures, but appropriate mattress stiffness varied depending on the person’s age and body size.Customized mattresses could enhance sleep comfort, and these methods can be applied to other regions of the body.

RUSAK, Filip

Thesis Title

Synthetic 3D Brain MRI Generation for Evaluation and Improvement of Cortical Thickness Estimation Methods

Supervisors

• Dr Pierrick Bourgeat  (External Supervisor)
• Adjunct Professor Andrew Peter Bradley  (Principal Supervisor)
• Professor Clinton Brian Fookes  (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Elliot Smith  (External Supervisor)

Citation

This thesis was a step forward in developing tools and methods for very accurate measurements of brain atrophy which is essential for studying neurodegenerative diseases.The proposed methods are based on generative artificial intelligence (AI) that utilises cortex meshes to introduce controlled and quantified changes in different brain regions.This thesis provided the world-first benchmark for methods measuring cortical thinning and enabled the research community to evaluate their cortical thickness estimationmethods against it.

SENEVIRATHNE, S W Mudiyanselage Amal Ishantha

Thesis Title

Effect of Fluid Flow on Bacterial Attachment, Detachment, and Viability on Nanostructured Surfaces

Supervisors

• Dr Asha Mathew  (Associate Supervisor)
• Professor Yi-Chin Toh  (Associate Supervisor)
• Adjunct Professor Prasad Kanaka Durga Yarlagadda  (Principal Supervisor)

Citation

This research is a giant leap forward in developing antibacterial nanostructured surfaces for medical and industrial applications. Impact of fluid flow on antibacterial property ofnanostructured surface has been investigated using microfluidics in this thesis. Nano-wire structures fabricated on titanium surfaces were tested under fluid shear for bacterialattachment, detachment, and viability. Epifluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to visualise bacterial cell coverage on surfaces. Twopathogenic and biofilm forming bacterial species were tested on the nanostructured surface under range of fluid wall shear using custom designed novel microfluidic device.

SHAHARIAR, G M Hasan

Thesis Title

Real-time Driving Emissions of On-road Diesel Vehicles

Supervisors

• Dr Timothy Alexis Bodisco  (External Supervisor)
• Professor Richard John Brown  (Principal Supervisor)
• Dr Thuy Chu Van  (Associate Supervisor)
• Professor Zoran Ristovski  (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

The impact of driver behaviour, traffic conditions, and route features on emissions and fuel consumption of diesel vehicles were investigated in Australian conditions. A diverserange of drivers took part in the study (sample size: 30) where no training was provided which enabled the capture of actual real-world driving behaviour and emissions. It wasfound that driving behaviour is significantly more influential on emissions than traffic conditions. A method of identifying emission hotspots due to certain route features wasdeveloped by analyzing high instantaneous emissions. Such hotspots may have an impact on air-quality degradation in surrounding areas.

SPARKS, David Steven

Thesis Title

Convergence of Scaffold-Guided Bone Regeneration Principles and Reconstructive Surgery: A Regenerative Matching Axial Vascularisation Approach to the Load-Bearing

Supervisors

• Distinguished Professor Dietmar Hutmacher  (Principal Supervisor)
• Dr Siamak Saifzadeh  (Associate Supervisor)
• Professor Michael Andreas Schuetz  (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Michael Wagels  (External Supervisor)

Citation

Functional reconstruction of large volume bone loss in the limbs is demanding. Reconstructive approaches available have variable success and novel approaches, such as those incorporating tissue engineering methods, are required. The thesis describes and evaluates the rare bench-to-bedside translation of a novel tissue engineering technique, termed Regenerative Matching Axial Vascularisation (RMAV), to reconstruct major bone loss in the load-bearing limb where contemporary surgical options are limited. The work described takes the marriage between scaffold-guided tissue regeneration and modern surgical practice to new heights.

WU, Xiaoxin

Thesis Title

An Integrative Approach Towards Understanding Metabolic Regulation in Osteoarthritis

Supervisors

• Professor Ross William Crawford  (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Indira Prasadam  (Principal Supervisor)
• Adjunct Professor Yin Xiao  (Mentoring Supervisor)

Citation

Currently, one in four Australians lives with osteoarthritis, which is estimated to cost our system more than four billion annually. This thesis represents the first comprehensivecomparative analysis of metabolism in osteoarthritis chondrocytes and lays the groundwork for therapeutic targeting of metabolism in osteoarthritis. This work explored a newmechanism for osteoarthritis pathogenesis via Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, PARP14 and glycogen metabolism and opened up new avenues for osteoarthritis therapy.

XU, Mingda

Thesis Title

Bridging the Divide Between Visual Place Recognition and SLAM

Supervisors

• Dr Tobias Fischer  (Associate Supervisor)
• Professor Michael John Milford  (Principal Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Niko Suenderhauf  (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

This thesis explores using filtering and optimisation methods from the simultaneous localisation and mapping literature to solve the visual place recognition problem. Theproposed methods address the problems of uncertainty quantification during localisation, topological map building and learning image representations for sequence alignment.The research contributions from this thesis advance visual place recognition techniques using image sequences and can be applicable for autonomous vehicles and mobilerobots operating in changing environments.

ZOHORA, Fatematuz

Thesis Title

Study of Pipe Leak Fluid Dynamic Characteristics and Their Influences on Acoustic Emission Generation

Supervisors

• Dr Pietro Borghesani  (External Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Michael Edward Cholette  (Associate Supervisor)
• Professor YuanTong Gu  (Associate Supervisor)
• Associate Professor David William Holmes  (Principal Supervisor)
• Dr Suvash Saha  (External Supervisor)

Citation

Developing a robust pipe leak monitoring tool is essential as it continuously monitors pipeline health without disrupting normal operation. It is critical to understand the physicalphenomena in the leakage area to develop a robust pipeline condition monitoring. This research project provides a better understanding of pipe leakage fluid dynamics andtheir influences on acoustic emission signal generation. The findings obtained from this project lay the groundwork for the development of a robust pipeline condition monitoringtechnique that could be implemented without disrupting normal operation. Such a monitoring tool would have significant financial, environmental, and social benefits.