Sustainable environmental technologies

ISI Researchers

We specialise in research focused on managing increasing and competing demands for resources, and the development of sustainable environmental technologies that have application in Australia and overseas.

Melbourne Water
GWM Water
City West Water
South East Water
Central Highlands Water
Yarra Valley Water
Western Water
Barwon Water
Water Quality Research Australia
CSIRO Cluster Program
Dairy Innovation Australia Ltd
Technion
UCLA
University of Melbourne
University of New South Wales
University of South Australia
University of Queensland
Queensland Waterway and Catchments
Arizona State University
Beijing University of Technology
Yellow River Conservancy Commission of China

We are also part of other research networks and partnerships with organisations committed to developing sustainable environmental technologies. If you would like to collaborate on research or work with us to deliver real benefits to your organisation and the broader community, please contact Associate Professor Mikel Duke or Professor Ian Thomas.

Postgraduate research

We welcome applications from prospective research students wanting to undertake a PhD or Masters by Research in the area of sustainable environmental technologies.

The following projects are available for PhD researchers in 2012:

Title: Architectural design for sustainability
There is an increasing pressure to design buildings that are environmentally sustainable. The proposed project will use advanced design software to explore archetypal building forms that make efficient use of land and that are environmentally benign. How best to integrate the buildings into urban settings will also be investigated.
Principal supervisor:Professor Graham Thorpe

Title: Desalination by pervaporation
This project will consider a low fouling, pervaporation membrane process, and the development of a scalable membrane fabrication process and the engineering aspects of desalination by pervaporation. The project will be conducted in collaboration with CSIRO, and an increase to the base scholarship via funding from CSIRO is possible.
Principal supervisor:Professor Stephen Gray

Title: Design of advanced nanostructured inorganic membranes for water treatment
The aim is to design novel inorganic membranes for water treatment. Zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF) membranes will be synthesised and characterised by sophisticated techniques in partnership CSIRO and collaborators in the USA and China. There is a strong possibility of scholarship top-up from the CSIRO ($7,000 pa) for outstanding students.
Principal supervisor:Associate Professor Mikel Duke

Title: Nutrient Recovery from desalination brines for facilitated brine disposal or reuse
Brine disposal from inland desalination processes is a major disposal issue. This project will investigate innovative approaches to producing fertilisers or recovering nutrients from wastewater desalination brines. The project will be conducted in collaboration with CSIRO, and an increase to the base scholarship via funding from CSIRO is possible.
Principal supervisor:Professor Stephen Gray

Title: Reducing the risk of fire damage at the rural-urban interface
Australian cities are encroaching on natural bushland, and this is resulting in communities on the urban fringe being at increased risk from fires. It is proposed to develop computer models to design the built environment at the rural-urban interface so that lives and properties can be better protected.
Principal supervisor: Dr Khalid Moinuddin

For further information about becoming a research student or guidance about possible project areas and supervisors, please contact Associate Professor Mikel Duke.