Dr Peter Richardson
Research Associate
School of Engineering
- Email:peter.j.richardson@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:(02) 4985 4495
Career Summary
Biography
After completing Bachelor degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Physics at the University of Newcastle, Dr Richardson pursued his PhD project combining the two fields, focusing largely on materials science. This work investigated the synthesis behaviour and characterisation of high-performance ceramic materials, intended for use in extreme environments and future energy applications. Following this, in 2021, he began a post-doc research role with the Centre for Infrastructure Performance and Reliability (CIPAR) investigating corrosion, primarily of metals. In this work, particular attention is paid to the characterisation of marine corrosion products under various conditions, as well as elucidating environmental mechanisms which gradually cause significant damage to metal and concrete components over time. Ultimately, this research provides crucial information to industry in relation to predicting the lifetime of components as limited by failure due to corrosion.
Qualifications
- PhD (Mechanical Engineering), University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Science, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours), University of Newcastle
Keywords
- Ceramics
- Corrosion
- Materials Science
- Metals and Alloys
- Rietveld Refinement
- Scanning Electron Microscopy
- X-ray Diffraction
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 401601 | Ceramics | 30 |
| 401607 | Metals and alloy materials | 30 |
| 340305 | Physical properties of materials | 40 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
| Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|
| Research Associate | University of Newcastle School of Engineering Australia |
Awards
Award
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2020 |
Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment Postgraduate Research Prize in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering The University of Newcastle |
| 2020 |
Faculty of Science Best HDR Publication (Co-first author) The University of Newcastle |
| 2017 |
Daniel Clark Award The University of Newcastle |
Teaching
| Code | Course | Role | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| MECH2450 |
Engineering Computations 2 The University of Newcastle |
Lab demonstrator | 16/7/2018 - 29/10/2018 |
| MECH3400 |
Materials Science and Engineering 2 The University of Newcastle |
Tutor | 28/2/2019 - 15/6/2020 |
| MECH2250 |
Materials Science and Engineering 1 The University of Newcastle |
Tutor, Lecturer | 16/7/2018 - 28/10/2019 |
| MECH3750 |
Applied Engineering Thermodynamics The University of Newcastle |
Tutor | 28/2/2018 - 14/6/2018 |
| MECH3720 |
Thermodynamics The University of Newcastle Demonstration of a real-world refrigeration/heat-pump cycle (air conditioner laboratory) and gas/Brayton power cycle (jet turbine laboratory). |
Laboratory Demonstrator | 11/9/2023 - 23/10/2023 |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Journal article (16 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |
Merz J, Cuskelly D, Richardson P, 'MAB phase-alumina composite formation via aluminothermic exchange reactions', Materials Letters, 360 135869-135869 (2024) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2024 |
Richardson PJ, Melchers RE, 'Short- to medium-term corrosion of mild steel in highly calcareous seawaters: effects of calcium carbonate concentration, coupon orientation and nutrient addition', Corrosion, 80 259-272 (2024) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2023 |
Melchers RE, Richardson PJ, 'Carbonation, Neutralization, and Reinforcement Corrosion for Concrete in Long-Term Atmospheric Exposures', Corrosion, 79 395-404 (2023) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2023 |
Zhang D, Richardson P, Wang M, He LP, Shi L, Gao J, 'Experimental and theoretical investigation of the damage evolution of irradiated MoAlB and WAlB MAB phases', Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 942 (2023) [C1] The MAB phases are an advanced set of ceramic materials, some of which have been recently found to theoretically possess good shielding capacity against both gamma-rays and neutro... [more] The MAB phases are an advanced set of ceramic materials, some of which have been recently found to theoretically possess good shielding capacity against both gamma-rays and neutrons with different energies. The radiation tolerance and thermal recovery processes of WAlB were investigated and compared with MoAlB (both type-222 MAB phases) in this work using a combination of experimentation and DFT calculations for the first time. GIXRD and Raman spectroscopy of damaged and annealed specimens for bulk MoAlB and WAlB revealed that they have similar tolerance to radiation-induced amorphization and display similar recrystallization at high temperatures. Defect behavior was assessed and discussed relating to the type of atomic interactions within the crystal structure, as well as defect kinetics. This study suggests that type-222 MAB phase materials are promising radiation shielding materials which should be considered in future nuclear fusion reactor designs.
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2023 |
Merz J, Cuskelly D, Gregg A, Studer A, Richardson P, 'On the complex synthesis reaction mechanisms of the MAB phases: High-speed in-situ neutron diffraction and ex-situ X-ray diffraction studies of MoAlB', Ceramics International, 49 38789-38802 (2023) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2022 |
Zhang D, Richardson P, Tu H, O'Connor J, Kisi E, Zhang H, Shi L, 'Radiation damage of MoAlB at elevated temperatures: Investigating MAB phases as potential neutron shielding materials', Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 42 1311-1321 (2022) [C1] A new family of ternary nano-laminated compounds, MAB phases, are studied as a promising class of neutron shielding materials for applications within fusion reactors. The shieldin... [more] A new family of ternary nano-laminated compounds, MAB phases, are studied as a promising class of neutron shielding materials for applications within fusion reactors. The shielding capacity against high-energy neutrons was evaluated, and the damage tolerance of MoAlB against Si+ irradiation was investigated over the temperature range of RT- 600 °C. The linear attenuation coefficients of these materials over wide neutron-energy ranges imply that Mo(W)AlB have a high neutron shielding capacity. MoAlB shows a strong resistance to crack formation and excellent tolerance to amorphization under higher temperatures. The detailed thermal dynamic behaviors (reaction barrier and migration barrier) associated with the defects in MoAlB were studied through DFT calculations. Also, the lattice parameter changes are related to the formation of various point defects and the defect evolution evidenced by Rietveld refinement of the GIXRD and DFT calculations. MoAlB is confirmed to be a great candidate as a neutron shielding material.
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2022 |
Zhang D, Richardson P, Wang M, Tu H, li C, He L, et al., 'Synthesis, microstructure, and formation mechanism of a potential neutron shielding material: WAlB', Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 126 127-131 (2022) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2022 |
Kim JY, Zhang H, Su R, Xi J, Wei S, Richardson P, et al., 'Defect recovery processes in Cr-B binary and Cr-Al-B MAB phases: structure-dependent radiation tolerance', Acta Materialia, 235 118099-118099 (2022) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2021 |
Merz J, Richardson P, Cuskelly D, 'Formation of Mn Rapid formation of the MAB phase ceramic, Mn2AlB2, by the method of induction furnace-assisted self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) was investigated in this work. The... [more] Rapid formation of the MAB phase ceramic, Mn2AlB2, by the method of induction furnace-assisted self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) was investigated in this work. The effects of Al content, high-energy ball-milling and cold pressing load on phase purity and reaction behaviour were also examined. An Al content of 140% allowed the highest conversion of reactants to Mn2AlB2. Increasing ball-milling time was shown to increase phase purity and reduce SHS ignition and peak temperatures. Unpressed powder samples exhibited higher phase purities and significantly lower SHS ignition temperatures than pressed samples. It was revealed that Mn2AlB2 forms by a two-stage reaction in this process, as evidenced by the presence of two exothermic peaks in the temperature-time data. The short synthesis times and equipment scalability available using this method offer a unique solution for the large-scale fabrication of MAB phase powders.
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2021 |
Richardson PJ, Keast VJ, Cuskelly DT, Kisi EH, 'Theoretical and experimental investigation of the W-Al-B and Mo-Al-B systems to approach bulk WAlB synthesis', JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, 41 1859-1868 (2021) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2021 |
Richardson P, Cuskelly D, Brandt M, Kisi E, 'Effects of furnace annealing on in situ reacted Ti2AlC MAX phase composite coatings deposited by laser cladding', SURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY, 405 (2021) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2021 |
Tegg L, Cuskelly D, Studer AJ, Richardson P, Kisi E, Keast VJ, 'Intermediate Phases and Reaction Kinetics of the Furnace-Assisted Synthesis of Sodium Tungsten Bronze Nanoparticles', The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 125 8185-8194 (2021) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2020 |
Fu Y, Richardson P, Li K, Yu H, Yu B, Donne S, et al., 'Transition Metal Aluminum Boride as a New Candidate for Ambient-Condition Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis', Nano-Micro Letters, 12 (2020) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2020 |
Zhang H, Kim JY, Su R, Richardson P, Xi J, Kisi E, et al., 'Defect behavior and radiation tolerance of MAB phases (MoAlB and Fe2AlB2) with comparison to MAX phases', Acta Materialia, 196 505-515 (2020) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2020 |
Richardson P, Cuskelly D, Brandt M, Kisi E, 'Microstructural analysis of in-situ reacted Ti2AlC MAX phase composite coating by laser cladding', Surface and Coatings Technology, 385 (2020) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2019 |
Reed S, Sugo H, Kisi E, Richardson P, 'Extended thermal cycling of miscibility gap alloy high temperature thermal storage materials', Solar Energy, 185 333-340 (2019) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| Show 13 more journal articles | |||||||||||
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 6 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $538,545 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20242 grants / $141,325
Organic Hydrogen Electrolyser Cell (OHEC) Characterisation$100,000
Funding body: EM Energy Holdings Pty Ltd / Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) | Australia
| Funding body | EM Energy Holdings Pty Ltd / Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) | Australia |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Dr Peter Richardson, Professor Eric Kennedy, Professor Michael Stockenhuber |
| Scheme | TRaCE SME Innovations Vouchers |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2024 |
| Funding Finish | 2024 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | C3100 – Aust For Profit |
| Category | 3100 |
| UON | N |
In-situ study of reaction mechanisms of MAB phase ceramics by induction assisted self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) and pressureless sintering$41,325
Funding body: ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)
| Funding body | ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Jessica Merz, Peter Richardson, Alexander Gregg, Dylan Cuskelly, Andrew Studer |
| Scheme | ACNS Beamtime Proposal: Wombat |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2024 |
| Funding Finish | 2024 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Not Known |
| Category | UNKN |
| UON | N |
20222 grants / $354,860
School of Engineering CAPEX Equipment Funding$315,000
Funding body: School of Engineering, The University of Newcastle
| Funding body | School of Engineering, The University of Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Dr Dylan Cuskelly, Dr Peter Richardson, A/Prof Igor Chaves, Dr Jessica Allen, Prof Michael Stockenhuber, Prof Scott Donne |
| Scheme | CAPEX (2022) |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2022 |
| Funding Finish | 2022 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | N |
In-situ study of the reaction mechanisms of MAB phase ceramics formed by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS)$39,860
Funding body: ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)
| Funding body | ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Jessica Merz, Dylan Cuskelly, Alexander Gregg, Peter Richardson, Andrew Studer |
| Scheme | ACNS Beamtime Proposal: Wombat |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2022 |
| Funding Finish | 2022 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Not Known |
| Category | UNKN |
| UON | N |
20211 grants / $15,000
Ambient Catalytic Activity of MAB Phases and Binary Metal Composites$15,000
Funding body: MGA Thermal Pty Ltd
| Funding body | MGA Thermal Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Doctor Peter Richardson, Professor Eric Kennedy, Professor Erich Kisi, Mr Anthony Rawson, Professor Michael Stockenhuber |
| Scheme | Research Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2021 |
| Funding Finish | 2021 |
| GNo | G2101023 |
| Type Of Funding | C3100 – Aust For Profit |
| Category | 3100 |
| UON | Y |
20191 grants / $27,360
In-situ study into high-temperature synthesis of plasmonic sodium tungsten bronze nanoparticles$27,360
Funding body: ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)
| Funding body | ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Levi Tegg, Dylan Cuskelly, Andrew Studer, Peter Richardson, Erich Kisi, Vicki Keast |
| Scheme | ACNS Beamtime Proposal: Wombat |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2019 |
| Funding Finish | 2019 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Not Known |
| Category | UNKN |
| UON | N |
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Current Supervision
| Commenced | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | PhD | Synthesis and Characterisation of the MAB Phases by Induction Heating | PhD (Mechanical Engineering), College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
Dr Peter Richardson
Position
Research Associate
Centre for Infrastructure Performance and Reliability
School of Engineering
College of Engineering, Science and Environment
Contact Details
| peter.j.richardson@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Phone | (02) 4985 4495 |
Office
| Room | EA124 |
|---|---|
| Building | EA |
| Location | Callaghan University Drive Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia |
Connect with me
