The research undertaken by the group is aimed at increasing the overall effectiveness of protective packaging, reducing the environmental impact of packaging and minimising packaging waste. 

Our mission is to provide a local, national and international focus for scientific research aimed at developing environmentally sound and optimised solutions to support the distribution of products and produce.

In particular, our focus is on:

  • food security
  • food packaging
  • sustainable packaging
  • optimised and engineered protective packaging
  • packaging waste reduction
  • post-harvest technologies
  • biodegradable and antimicrobial packaging
  • environmental and distribution hazards.

View the Engineered packaging & distribution capabilities statement for a brief overview of our research focus, expertise, facilities and resources, track record, profile and contact information.

Research expertise

The Engineered Packaging & Distribution Research Group has strong links with water research, the Advanced Food Systems research programs, and the College of Engineering & Science with expertise in:

  • environmental shock and vibration
  • distribution dynamics
  • material characterisation
  • protective packaging
  • polymer chemistry
  • analytical chemistry
  • active food packaging (modified atmosphere, antimicrobials)
  • biodegradable polymers
  • post-harvest technologies.

Postgraduate research opportunities

Opportunities exist for undertaking postgraduate research (Masters or PhD) within the Engineered Packaging & Distribution research group. A diverse range of projects is available, including the following:

  • Development of statistical models for the characterisation of distribution vibrations
  • Development of sophisticated techniques for the analysis and simulation of transport vibrations
  • Development of inexpensive and effective packaging materials
  • Development of techniques for the performance characterisation of environmentally friendly materials
  • Development of novel methods for determining the progression of damage in packaging elements during distribution
  • Use of strain mapping (using high-speed digital image correlation) to optimise cushioning systems for impact absorption
  • Development of testing facilities to measure biodegradability of packaging materials
  • Development of methods of quality assessment of fresh and processed produce
  • Development of active and antimicrobial packaging systems
  • Study of migration chemicals and nanoparticles from packaging
  • Development of biodegradable biocomposite materials for packaging
  • Development of sophisticated post-harvest technologies such as new engineering procedures to design hydrocoolers
  • Design and implementation of a novel solar powered grain cooling system
  • Exploiting the principles of multiphysics and omniscience to improve the storage, packaging and transportation of foodstuffs
  • Development of information technology systems to enable groups of people to contribute to joint decision making in the distribution and handling industries

Find out about scholarships for research students.

Research facilities

The research group has a number of laboratories with specialised equipment to facilitate research collaborations and industry testing. The laboratories are located at these campuses:

The environmental and distribution dynamics laboratory houses a range of experimental facilities for distribution simulation and testing including:

  • large vibration table for transportation simulation
  • programmable shock generator
  • large compression testing machine
  • free-fall drop tester
  • cushion tester
  • environmental chambers
  • environmental data recorders.

The dynamics research laboratory is equipped with:

  • vibrations shakers
  • universal testing machines
  • signal analysers
  • data recorders
  • high-speed camera
  • thermal imaging camera
  • a wide range of sensors and transducers.

The material engineering laboratory houses specialised equipment including:

  • universal testing machines with specialised high-strain non-contact extensometer for polymers
  • hardness testing machines
  • dynamic mechanical analyser
  • a variety of ovens and incubators.

Our polymer research laboratory is furnished with equipment for:

  • thermal analysis of materials
  • polymer molecular weight
  • compression moulding press
  • programmable ovens.

The analytical instrument laboratory provides a range of equipment for materials characterisation and testing including:

  • infrared and fluorescence spectrophotometers
  • gas and liquid chromatographs
  • elemental analysis
  • scanning electron microscope.

The food research laboratory is equipped with instrumentation including:

  • rheometer
  • zetasizer
  • texture analyser
  • universal testing machine.

Researchers

Read about our research student projects, and find contact details for our research staff.

Name Phone and email Research interests
Professor Vincent Rouillard
Group Leader		 +61 3 9919 4602
[email protected]		 Analysis and synthesis of random processes with applications in environmental shock and vibrations, pavement topography, transport dynamics and protective packaging.
Dr Marlene Cran
Deputy Leader		 +61 3 9919 7642
[email protected]		 Polymer systems including the development of antimicrobial systems for food packaging. Marlene is also involved with the development of biodegradability tests for polymer packaging.
Professor Stephen Bigger +61 3 9919 2959
[email protected]		 Polymer degradation and stabilisation with numerous commissioned research and consultancy assignments for both government and industry.
Dr Matthew Lamb +61 3 9919 5591
[email protected]		 Mechanical Vibrations, Packaging Dynamics and Structural Integrity Assessment.

Research projects by current and recent postgraduate students include the following.

Postgraduate research students

Name Thesis topic
Julien Lepine (PhD) Decomposition of mixed-mode random signals for improved simulation of vibration produced by wheeled vehicles.
Michael Long (M.Eng.) Investigation of pitch, roll and heave motion of transport vehicles.
Daniel Ainalis (PhD) Estimating vehicle dynamic characteristics from in-service response data.
Nyamjav Terbish (Masters) Improving the life of air filters operating in dusty environments.
Mohammad Aqeel Nazzal Saraireh (PhD) Heat transfer and condensation from humid air in a compact heat exchanger.
Kuorwel Kuorwel (PhD, completed 2012) Incorporation of natural antimicrobial agents into starch-based material for food packaging.
Intan Syafinaz Mohamed Amin Tawakkal (PhD, 2012) Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of PLA and PLA/Kenaf Fiber Films with Natural Agents
Matthew Lamb (PhD, 2011) Monitoring the structural integrity of packaging materials subjected top sustained random loads
Hussein Mahanny Shehab (M.Eng. 2011) A study of creep characteristics of multi-layered corrugated fibreboard protective cushions.
J. B. Lasich (PhD 2010) The design and optimisation of a reflective concentrator photovoltaic generation system.
L. A. S. Rupika, (PhD 2009) Development and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Food Packaging Films Containing Natural Agents.
Anthony Parker (PhD, 2008) A method for the characterisation of the nonlinear vibration transmissibility of cushioning materials.
Chanun Rardniyom, (PhD, 2008) Multi-Coated Films Containing Natural Antimicrobial Agents.
Christopher Collins (PhD, 2008) Development of methods to access key sultana parameters at the processing line.
Murad Yusuf (PhD, 2007) Development of technology for the early detection of cold damage in oranges.
Archana Kolasani (PhD, 2006) Metal analyses of Chinese herbs related to kidney function.

Undergraduate honours students

Name Thesis topic
Richard Miller (2014) Evaluation of the performance of distribution shock detectors.
Ghofran Al-Nasiri (2013) Minimizing the Loss of Natural Antimicrobial Agents during the Thermal Processing of Food Packaging Films.
Courtney Bright (2013) Investigating the use of genetic algorithm for optimising cushion design.
Justin Milverton (2013) Evaluating the dynamic characteristics on biodegradable protective packaging.
Laurent Le Page (2012) Calibration of a single-wheel pavement profilometer.
Zoltan Kozak (2012) Evaluation of damage progression in protective packaging systems.
Daniel Ainalis (2011) Evaluation of signal analysis techniques for monitoring loss of structural integrity in engineering materials under random loads.

Contact us

Professor Vincent Rouillard
Leader, Engineered Packaging & Distribution Research Group
Phone: +61 3 9919 4602
Email: [email protected].

Dr Marlene Cran
Deputy Leader, Engineered Packaging & Distribution Research Group
Phone: +61 3 9919 7642
Email: [email protected].