USQ researchers awarded grants to commercialise new composites, fertilisers

Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) Seed Grants have been awarded to two projects led by University of Southern Queensland researchers, aiming to commercialise construction and fertiliser products.

The projects are led by Dr Omar Alajarmeh and Associate Professor Lei Ge (pictured.)

Dr Alajarmeh, a Senior Research Fellow (Civil Composites) from the Centre for Future Materials, is focussing on bendable thermoplastic glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites, described as “a greener and cheaper manufacturing option”.

The work is in collaboration with Professor Allan Manalo and industry partner Beyond Materials Group.

“These high-performing and low-cost composites are made by pultruding glass fibres and infusing with waste thermoplastics,” Alajarmeh said in a statement on Friday.

“These composites will offer a sustainable solution for the construction and resource sectors by increasing the service life of critical infrastructures, as well as having lower C02 emission and less energy consumption compared to traditional manufacturing methods.”

School of Engineering Associate Professor (Nano Materials) Lei Ge’s research will utilise brown coal (lignite) in slow-release fertilisers (SRFs).

The research team also includes Professor Hao Wang and Professor Bernadette McCabe, with industry partners Omnia Specialities (Australia), Sustainable Solutions Global, APIED and Australian Engineering.

“The proposed lignite-based products not only have the potential to overcome the cost barrier of market-ready polymer-embedded SRFs but can also remove the use of polymer coating plus the release of micro-plastics from the fertiliser industry,” Ge said.

“It will help ease greenhouse gas emissions, improve fertiliser effectiveness and greatly reduce nutrient run-off to the waterways.”

Picture: supplied