Precise structural studies of nano-crystalline minerals using diffraction techniques have been hindered by the broad diffraction peaks found in their diffraction patterns. In this thesis, I have applied molecular scale techniques such as High-Energy X-ray Diffraction and Molecular Dynamics simulations to study the structure and reactivity of two nano-minerals of important environmental signific...

This study investigates the nano to core-scale geomechanical properties of a maturity series organic-rich, calcareous shales buried 100°C–180°C, with focus on: (a) mechanical organic matter; (b) elastic response and anisotropy shale composite at micro core scale; (c) creep response. Atomic force microscopy was used target kerogen nanoscale resolution, it found that stiffness increased thermal f...

Abstract Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer is used extensively in industry as a solid lubricant because of its lack reactivity with most industrial materials. However, PTFE has low abrasive resistance, limiting application. In this study, the mechanical and tribological characteristics PTFE-based composites addition clay nano-sheets (CNSs) were investigated. Clay nano-sheet-PTFE (CNSTCs) c...

The development of synthetic bone graft substitutes is an intense area of research due to the complications associated with the harvest of autogenous bone and concerns about the supply of allogenic bone. Porous resorbable polymers have been used extensively in hard tissue engineering applications, but currently lack load-bearing capacity. Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)) processing is use...

Compacted clays are considered as excellent candidates for barriers to radionuclide transport in future repositories for nuclear waste due to their very low hydraulic permeability. Diffusion is the dominant transport mechanism, controlled by a nano-scale pore system. Assessment of the clays' long-term containment function requires adequate modelling of such pore systems and their evolution. Exi...