Federal support for Deakin researchers to revolutionise alloys production

Deakin Commercial Research Executive Director Ben Spincer today welcomed the $250,000 in support for four new translational research projects, announced by Member for Corangamite the Hon. Sarah Henderson MP at the University's Waurn Ponds campus.

The research projects, to be jointly funded by Deakin, are being developed by the University's Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute (A²I²) and the Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM).

Dr Spincer said the projects would be developed using the new Deakin-created Rapid Alloy Process Innovation and Design (RAPID) – a design platform which uses complex algorithms and artificial intelligence combined with material science insight to predict and optimise sophisticated, high performance alloy compositions.

He said the Government funding is expected to also support a new spin-out company to fully commercialise the RAPID process.

"The platform means we can develop and optimise purpose-specific alloys in timeframes not achievable using traditional design methods," Dr Spincer said.

"We are delighted the Federal Government understands the potential these projects have to dramatically improve the way alloys are produced across so many vital industries. Commercialising the process will enable the alloys to make a real difference within industries and beyond.

"IFM is a globally recognised research institute and the work A²I² is doing has the power to take its innovations in materials science to the next level."

The RAPID platform is able to assess the materials and suggest alloy compositions, heat treatment and other conditions, reducing the number of times these processes have to be run using traditional methods. It is based at Deakin's ManuFutures at the Waurn Ponds campus.

"Using RAPID, we could develop the ideal alloy for specific purposes in as few as five iterations, which is a small fraction of what can currently be hundreds of times and man hours," Dr Spincer said.

"Deakin is thrilled that two of our world-class institutes have been able to collaborate to develop this exciting platform, which demonstrates the potential our advanced manufacturing capabilities have right here in Geelong.

"Deakin is home to the some of the best advanced manufacturing, design, design engineering and AI technologies in the world and we are excited to see what our latest innovation in RAPID can produce."