POTENTIAL RHD TOPICS

FOREST INDUSTRIES RESEARCH GROUP

1. Utilization of Plantation Grown Timbers for Various Products and Applications. This broad topic consists of several research studies, such as: Determination of properties of solid wood and composite products. Technologies for processing of young plantation timbers (sawing, drying and treatment) for solid wood. Manufacturing methods: machining, jointing, gluing, forming, finishing, veneering. The use of solid and composite plantation timber resources for various wood products (structural and appearance). 2. Production of High Value Products from Plantation Grown Hardwoods Originally Established and Managed for Pulp Production The purpose of this research is to develop various options for new products and new design concepts which will increase value and improve recovery of low value pulpwood plantation timber resources. The outcomes of this study will be a portfolio of prototypes of final wood components and products developed for various markets. 3. Utilization of Small Dimensions Components for High Value Products. Development of new materials options through laminating, various fixing and jointing methods, as well as the development of new materials options through combining small sizes solid wood components with composites and veneers. Options for parquetry, furniture and other appearance components will be investigated (e.g. application of coating systems to improve the appearance of low quality timber components and products). 4. Designing of wood products for reuse, recycling and reassembly. The study will aim to develop product designs and assembly approaches that enable efficient and effective refurbishment, reuse or reprocessing of commercial products (e.g. office furniture and office fit-outs) used in commercial buildings; as well products used in domestic applications (e.g. kitchen and bathroom cabinets). 5. Timber Drying Methods to Improve Timber Quality and Stability The study will investigate various drying methods and technologies suitable for plantation timbers with the aim to decrease the drying time, decrease greenhouse gas emission and improve the drying quality. Examples: solar energy, cyclic drying, pre treatment methods. 6. The Investigation into the Use of Post-Consumer Timber Products The National Timber Stewardship Group (NTSG) announced the strategy which commits the timber industry to reductions of post-consumer timber by setting a national target of doubling recovery rates to one million tonnes annually by 2017. This represents approximately 65 per cent of all post-consumer timber sent to landfill throughout Australia.

An opportunity exists to undertake a postgraduate study which will investigate potential uses of post-consumer timber products, in particular treated timber products. 7. Asia-Pacific timber/wood products industry development & international co-operation: research projects focusing on the development of sustainable wood products industries in AsiaPacific. Examples: improving the efficiency use of timber plantation resources and other certified forests; development of sustainable/environmental friendly forest supply chain; understanding/evaluating physical and mechanical properties of lesser know timber species in Asia-Pacific countries; forest products - waste management techniques and solutions, market research for timbers and wood products from the region, quality improvement. 8. Timber Durability and the Sustainable Buildings. Timber durability is a very important aspect of sustainable reviewable buildings. Several studies are available in the research area which aims to develop sustainable building materials with the focus on timber durability through a detailed investigation into: Non-destructive testing of timber/wood products. Timber for sustainable carbon mitigation benefits. Termite/decay protection and remedial treatment. Wood preservation and durability study. 9. Biomimicry of termite design and adaptability to increase sustainable use of resources: Our objective is to develop biotechnologies and products for managing pest and beneficial insects and pesticide residues, and to use Australian insects to develop novel pharmaceuticals; ecologically and architectural design systems. creating new medicinal and nutritional products; improving architecture design of building and construction; efficient energy generation from biomass; and Termite efficient use of water and drought adaptability.

10. Biotechnology and Bioremediation pesticide Our main objective is to develop microbial and enzymes as bioremediation agents for insecticides contaminating the environment or commodities. To provide a scientific evidence about the relationship between pesticides and the green house potential. To develop new bioinsecticides to target pests and provide methods and resources required for managing looming problems with resistance of insects to pesticide. To study the danger of using pesticides in maintaining ecological balance and sustainability. 11. Climate change and termite pest status A sound understanding of termite nutritional physiology, ecology, biology, behaviour, microbial symbiosis and its relationship to ecosystems will help in the development of ecologically sustainable systems, with view to: Role of termite in food security and climate change. Termite as environmental indicators Global warming and challenge of whole of house protection

Symbiosis of hindgut microbial community Termite division of labor and social harmony

12. Carbon Footprint of Wood Products The full life cycle assessment (LCA) of the energy use and greenhouse gas emissions associated with wood processing chain and the amount of carbon stored in products covers all factors contributing to the carbon footprint of wood products. Several research studies are available which can address the whole life cycle from raw material acquisition through production, use and disposal or just one of the elements contributing to the carbon footprint in wood products: increasing production efficiency, reducing energy use, extending product life, reusing and recycling wood materials and products, promoting wood energy that is clean and efficient. These studies would be undertaken jointly with the Faculty of Architecture and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. 13. Improving the Energy Rating of Timber Houses The study will aim to create low cost energy efficiency features in timber houses in Australia. The objectives will be to: identify the thermal performance of current residential houses; develop a computer simulation model suitable for evaluating innovative design features for houses; identify low cost energy efficiency features, simulate benefits and compare the effects of most beneficial feature with current building construction practices by experiments; and produce appropriate guidelines for the identified design features. This study would be undertaken jointly with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. 14. Green Buildings Green building is becoming a mainstream market phenomenon in Australia. Although energy costs have been increasing significantly since 2006, it is more the awareness of our carbon footprint that is driving the trend to green building The building sector accounts for 33 percent of the world's carbon emissions and 30 to 40 percent of the global energy consumption. Green building development opens endless opportunities for multidisciplinary studies on sustainable design, durability, thermal efficiency, acoustic performance, end of life disposal and more. These studies would be undertaken jointly with the Faculty of Architecture and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

15. Innovative Use of Thermal Mass in Lightweight Timber Framed Residential Buildings. This project will investigate the beneficial use of thermal mass in lightweight timber houses in

Australia. Climate zone effects, passive design strategies, innovative lightweight and thermal mass integration will be investigated. To identify the energy saving potential of thermal mass in Australia To identify passive design options To identify and quantify innovative performance improvement options for lightweight timber houses This project would be undertaken in cooperation with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

PLANT PATHOLOGY
1. Plantsassensorsforsustainablewaterpracticesinfarmingsystems Futurewaterresourceconstraintsarelikelytogreatlyimpactagriculturalproductivity.Since muchwateriscurrentlywasted,optimizationofwaterusewithinthefarmingsystemisamajor wayofmaintainingproductivity.Onemethodistousetheplantitselfasasensorfor determiningoptimalwaterapplication.Theprojectwillinvolvecarefulmonitoringofplant health,pathogenpopulationandimpactofdiseaseunderwatersufficientanddeficient conditionstoinformbestmanagementpracticeforwaterapplication.Thiswillbeachieved usingimagecapture(IR),molecularpathologyandphysiologymethods.Thisisacollaborative projectbetweenMSLE,Engineering,IBESandvicDPI. Supervisor:Assoc.Prof.RebeccaFord rebeccaf@unimelb.edu.au 2. Securingfoodfromtemperatelegume(pulse)speciesunderchangedclimates Currently,littleisknownaboutpotentialchangesinresponsesamonghostplantandfoliar bornepathogensundertheelevatedCO2andtemperaturespredictedinthecomingdecades. Changesinfoliarphysiologyarelikelytoleadtochangesincanopymicroclimate,whichmay directlyimpactontheabilityforfoliarassociatedfungaldiseasessuchasthosecommonto severalpulsespeciesinAustralia.Knowledgeofimpactsofchangesinfoliarmicroclimateon riskofdiseaseepidemicisurgentlyrequiredtoformulatepreparednessintocurrent managementpracticesandtoprovidebiologicalevidencetoinformpolicymakersonthe impactofclimatechangesonfoodandfeedsecurityinpulse,cerealandoilseedsystemsin Australia.ThisisacollaborativeprojectbetweenMSLE,I&INSW,theFACEprojectandvicDPI. Supervisor:Assoc.Prof.RebeccaFord rebeccaf@unimelb.edu.au