Staff Profile
Career Summary
Biography
Since my appointment as Research Associate in the Discipline of Civil, Surveying and Environmental Engineering, working in conjunction with Professor Adrian Page, several key milestones have been set in the fields of masonry bond and thermal performance of masonry. The research in these areas has been experimental in nature, requiring the development of specialised techniques and strategies. The resultant work has proved unique, attracting the attention of overseas and local academics.
This success has been instrumental in receiving several industry and ARC funded grants as detailed in the next section. My major achievements are outlined as follows:
- Invited paper RILEM Workshop, Mantova, Italy
As recognition of the work being carried out in the field of masonry bond strength, I was invited by the RILEM technical Committee for Site Control and Non-Destructive Evaluation of Masonry Structures and Materials to present the research findings at the Mantova, Workshop in 2001.
- Establishment of a Guarded Hot-Box Facility (GHB)
This is a laboratory test facility used to measure the thermal properties of full-scale building assemblies. The facility has been designed and constructed completely in-house and, at this time, is the only facility in Australia. The GHB apparatus complies with relevant ASTM specifications.
- Building Modules for Evaluating the Thermal Performance of Masonry
Four purpose built modules have been constructed at the Callaghan campus to measure the thermal performance of masonry walling systems and other building envelope components. The modules are fully instrumented and monitored continuously. The data from these building has been crucial for the masonry industry and has now been used by the AGO for the validation of the second generation energy simulation software developed by CSIRO. A protocol for monitoring buildings has been adopted by the AGO based on the Newcastle University test modules.
- Establishment of a Roof Testing Facility
This test facility is under construction. It will be used to directly compare the thermal performance of six roofing materials under actual weather conditions. Measurements will include UV-VIS & IR reflectance, surface and air temperatures of roof membranes and attic spaces and, resultant through-ceiling heat flux. This facility is similar to that developed at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories in the USA.
- Australian Greenhouse Office
The research into the thermal performance of masonry has attracted the attention of the AGO and resulted in a large consulting project between TUNRA and the AGO.
In addition, the AGO convened a meeting of all interested researchers in the building energy field, at a national level, to showcase the work being carried out at the University of Newcastle.
The above achivements have all been attained through setting up small and large scale experments (small sized buildings). This has been an extremely time consuming excercise. This large workload together with the need to produce frequent industry reports has impacted on my available time to dedicate to journal papers. However. these circumstances have recenlty changed by additional industry funding for employment of technical support staff.
Qualifications
- PhD, University of Newcastle, 30/03/2001
- Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Laws, NSW Institute of Technology
- Master of Science, University of Technology Sydney
Research
Research keywords
- Materials
- Thermal Performance
Research expertise
I have etensive expertise in materials characterization techniques, XRD, SEM and DTA/TGA. Also over the last 5 years I have set up an experimental facility to assess the thermal performance of building systems. This is both laboratory based, via the construction and commissioning a Guarded Hot Box apparatus and, full-scale with the construction of 4 full-scale test modules which are exposed to external conditions. As a result of receiving further industry support, a test facility is also being commissioned, to evaluate the thermal performance of roofs. The success of this research has been recognised by several industry and government authorities
Languages
- Spanish
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 091500 | Interdisciplinary Engineering | 40 |
| 120299 | Building Not Elsewhere Classified | 30 |
| 090400 | Chemical Engineering | 30 |
Memberships
Committee/Associations (relevant to research).
- Invited Guest - Think Brick Australia Technical Committee
Invitations
| RILEM Technical Committe 177MDT RILEM, Italy (Conference Presentation - non published.) | 2001 |
Teaching
Teaching keywords
- Engineering Materials
Teaching expertise
Whilst at UTS I have lectured engineering materials and advanced ceramics courses. In my current position at U of N, I have supervised over 15 final year project students, 1 MSc student and assisted several Ph. D candidates.
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 18 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $2,007,440 |
For project grants received where the lead institution is other than the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics.
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
2012 (4 grants)
2011 Emerging Research Leaders Program$15,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Heber Sugo | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Emerging Research Leaders Program | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $15,000 | 2012 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1201059 | ||
Field emission properties of Mn+1AXn phases$10,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Erich Kisi, Doctor Heber Sugo | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Pilot Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $10,000 | 2012 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1200355 | ||
Energy harvesting using ferroic and multi-ferroic materials$7,000
Funding Body: CSIRO - Energy Technology
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Erich Kisi, Doctor Heber Sugo | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $7,000 | 2012 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1200006 | ||
Multiple AINSE Awards for 2012$2,678
Funding Body: AINSE (Australian Institute of Nuclear Science & Engineering)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Erich Kisi, Doctor Chris Wensrich, Doctor Heber Sugo | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| AINSE Award | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,678 | 2012 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1201002 | ||
2010 (1 grants)
Fabrication of Thermionic Devices Using Directional Solidification/Sintering Processes for High Temperature CST Applications$515,359
Funding Body: Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Erich Kisi, Doctor Heber Sugo | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| R & D Project (Basic) (ASI) | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $515,359 | 2010 | 2013 |
| GNo:G0900086 | ||
2009 (3 grants)
Electron Microscopes for Nanometer-scale Imaging/Microanalysis in the Materials, Biological, Physical, Engineering and Chemical Sciences$650,000
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Erich Kisi, Professor Scott Donne, Doctor Vicki Keast, Associate Professor Alan Brichta, Professor Robert Melchers, Conjoint Professor Christina Offler, Professor John O'Connor, Professor Reza Moheimani, Emeritus Professor John Patrick, Professor Dirk Van Helden, Professor Bruce King, Professor Geoffrey Evans, Professor Hugh Dunstan, Doctor Geoffrey MacFarlane, Associate Professor Yong-Ling Ruan, Doctor Severine Roselli, Doctor Minjie Lin, Professor Christopher Grof, Doctor Silvia Frisia, Doctor Rebecca Lim, Doctor Heber Sugo, Doctor Jennifer Forrester, Doctor Olivier Buzzi, Doctor Andrew Fleming, Professor Erica Wanless, Doctor Clovia Holdsworth, Doctor Russell Drysdale, Professor Stephen Fityus, Associate Professor David McCurdy, Doctor De Zhu | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Linkage Infrastructure Equipment & Facilities (LIEF) | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $650,000 | 2009 | 2009 |
| GNo:G0189120 | ||
Electron Microscopes for Nanometer-scale Imaging/Microanalysis in the Materials, Biological, Physical, Engineering and Chemical Sciences$70,000
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Erich Kisi, Professor Scott Donne, Doctor Vicki Keast, Associate Professor Alan Brichta, Professor Robert Melchers, Conjoint Professor Christina Offler, Professor John O'Connor, Professor Reza Moheimani, Emeritus Professor John Patrick, Professor Dirk Van Helden, Professor Bruce King, Professor Geoffrey Evans, Professor Hugh Dunstan, Doctor Geoffrey MacFarlane, Associate Professor Yong-Ling Ruan, Doctor Severine Roselli, Doctor Minjie Lin, Professor Christopher Grof, Doctor Silvia Frisia, Doctor Rebecca Lim, Doctor Heber Sugo, Doctor Jennifer Forrester, Doctor Olivier Buzzi, Doctor Andrew Fleming, Professor Erica Wanless, Doctor Clovia Holdsworth, Doctor Russell Drysdale, Professor Stephen Fityus, Associate Professor David McCurdy, Doctor De Zhu | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Linkage Infrastructure Equipment & Facilities (LIEF) Partner funding | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $70,000 | 2009 | 2009 |
| GNo:G0190441 | ||
Thermal Performance of Tiles and Steel Roofing Materials$55,000
Funding Body: Roofing Tile Association of Australia Inc
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Heber Sugo | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $55,000 | 2009 | 2010 |
| GNo:G0190610 | ||
2006 (1 grants)
Thermal Performance of Housing - Assessment of the Thermal Characteristics of Roofing Materials$153,500
Funding Body: Roofing Tile Association of Australia Inc
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Emeritus Professor Adrian Page, Doctor Heber Sugo | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $153,500 | 2006 | 2007 |
| GNo:G0186996 | ||
2005 (1 grants)
10th Canadian Masonry Symposium, 8-12 June 2005$2,315
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Heber Sugo | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,315 | 2005 | 2005 |
| GNo:G0185550 | ||
2004 (4 grants)
Experimental Modelling of Masonry buildings Thermal Performance$70,668
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Behdad Moghtaderi, Emeritus Professor Adrian Page, Doctor Heber Sugo, Ms C Inglis | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Linkage Projects | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $70,668 | 2004 | 2006 |
| GNo:G0184245 | ||
Experimental Modelling of Masonry buildings Thermal Performance$15,000
Funding Body: Clay Brick and Paver Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Behdad Moghtaderi, Emeritus Professor Adrian Page, Doctor Heber Sugo | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Linkage Projects Partner funding | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $15,000 | 2004 | 2006 |
| GNo:G0184895 | ||
13th International Brick/Block Masonry Conference, 4 - 7 July 2004, Holland$2,400
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Heber Sugo | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,400 | 2004 | 2004 |
| GNo:G0184295 | ||
The influence of exposure environment on brick-to-mortar bond strength - A preliminary study using impedance spectroscopy.$1,120
Funding Body: AINSE (Australian Institute of Nuclear Science & Engineering)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Heber Sugo | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Use of Facilities Only | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,120 | 2004 | 2004 |
| GNo:G0183638 | ||
2003 (3 grants)
The development of a hybrid energy simulation model for masonry enclosures$240,000
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Emeritus Professor Adrian Page, Professor Behdad Moghtaderi, Doctor Heber Sugo, Ms C Inglis | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Linkage Projects | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $240,000 | 2003 | 2006 |
| GNo:G0182783 | ||
The development of a hybrid energy simulation model for masonry enclosures$75,000
Funding Body: Clay Brick and Paver Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Emeritus Professor Adrian Page, Professor Behdad Moghtaderi, Doctor Heber Sugo | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Linkage Projects Partner funding | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $75,000 | 2003 | 2005 |
| GNo:G0182784 | ||
9th North American Masonry Conference, Clemson, South Carolina 1-4 June, 2003.$2,400
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Heber Sugo | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,400 | 2003 | 2003 |
| GNo:G0183082 | ||
2002 (1 grants)
Investigation of factors affecting durability of masonry mortar.$120,000
Funding Body: Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Emeritus Professor Adrian Page, Doctor Heber Sugo | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $120,000 | 2002 | 2005 |
| GNo:G0182527 | ||
Research Supervision
| Number of current supervisions | 3 |
|---|---|
| Total current UoN PhD EFTSL | 1.2 |
For supervisions undertaken at an institution other that the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics, and the institution name is listed below the program name.
Current Supervision
| Commenced | Proposed Completion | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2017 | PhD (Mechanical Engineering) | Co-Supervisor | Modelling and Application of Advanced Thermal Storage Materials |
| 2012 | 2016 | PhD (Mechanical Engineering) | Co-Supervisor | Thermionic Emission from MAX Phase |
| 2011 | 2014 | PhD (Mechanical Engineering) | Principal Supervisor | Synthesis and Thermionic Properties of Oxide-Tungsten Composites and Boride Materials for Solar Thermionic Energy Converter |
Past Supervision
| Year | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | PhD (Chemical Engineering) | Co-Supervisor | Smart Utilisation of Thermal Mass in Masonry Buildings |
| 2006 | M Eng (Civil Surv & Env) [R] | Co-Supervisor | The Influence of Material and Site Factors on Mortar Durability |
Dr Heber Sugo
| Work Phone | (02) 4921 7048 |
|---|---|
| Fax | (02) 4921 6946 |
| Heber.Sugo@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Position | Research Associate Discipline of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics. School of Engineering School of Engineering Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment |
| Office | ES, Callaghan University Drive Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia |
| URL: | www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/heber-sugo |
