Dr. M Akbar Rhamdhani   Senior Lecturer - Mechanical; Robert Simpson HTP Lab Manager

Qualifications

• PhD (McMaster)
• GCLT in Higher Ed (SUT)
• BEng (with Honor) (ITB)

Major Research Interests and Areas of Expertise

• New processes for metal production
• Thermodynamics and kinetics of high temperature chemical reactions and processes
• Materials characterisations and surface analyses
• Iron, nickel, aluminium and magnesium metals production
• Phase equilibria of oxides and slags
• Physical chemistry of interface of high temperature systems
• Engineering Education

Final Year Project Supervision – Current Students

• Phan Duy Anh Le and Wai Seong Chin – Effect of Ni on Al Microstructure and Mechanical Properties
• Samuel Ting Siang Eik and Ung Yii Hui – Stabilisation of Foams/Emulsions by Solid Particles
• Josh Francis – Design of Composite Heat Shield
• Jonathan Allard – Design of Exhaust Extracting System for a Chassis Dynamometer Cell

Supervision of higher degree by research (HDR) (Current students)

Name	Degree	Research Centre	Start year	Role	Institution
Reiza Mukhlis	Sidewalls Materials for Aluminium Smelter
	PhD	Faculty	2009	Primary Supervisor	Swinburne
Abdul Khaliq	Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Transition Metal Boride Formation in Al Melt
	PhD	Faculty	2009	Primary Supervisor	Swinburne
Stephen Bonner	Kinetics of Al-Dross Formation
	PhD		2010	Co-Supervisor	University of Queensland
Md Saiful Islam	Electrically Enhanced Slag Metal Reactions
	PhD	Faculty	2010	Primary Supervisor	Swinburne

Topics for Prospective Ph.D Students - View ALL topics for Dr. M Akbar Rhamdhani

Multistage Aluminium Production through Carbonitridation Route
This project will study an alternative Al production method, particularly multistage alumina/aluminous ores reduction through carbonitiridation route.

Production of Nanoporous Nickel
The current study will develop a process for nanoporous nickel production using thermal treatment through decomposition of basic nickel carbonate (BNC) and other nickel precursors (NiO, NiCO3).

Development of Novel Metal-Air Fuel Cell for Electric Vehicle Applications
The current study will investigate, establish the feasibility, and develop novel metal-air fuel cell systems for electric vehicle applications in Australia

High performance electrode materials for secondary batteries in electric vehicles
The present proposal is aimed to manufacture light metal-carbon (CNT, graphite) or carbide (SiC, B4C, TiC, FeC) composites billets as electrodes for Li-ion batteries and metal-air batteries.

Modelling of Oxygen Steelmaking
In this project(s), prior research will be extended by developing computer models for predicting slag generation, foaming of the slag in the vessel and end carbon.

High Purity Aluminium Production
This project aims to develop new techniques for producing high purity aluminium from less pure sources.

Teaching Area

• Thermodynamics
• Heat Transfer

Current Collaborators

• Professor Geoffrey Brooks, FEIS, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne Australia
• Professor Cuie Wen, FEIS, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne Australia
• Associate Professor Brian Monaghan, Materials Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong Australia
• Assistant Professor Mansoor Barati, University of Toronto, Toronto Canada
• Associate Professor John Taylor, CRC CAST, University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia
• Dr Baojun Zhao, Pyrometallurgy Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane
• Dr Jason Mitchell, CSIRO QCAT, Brisbane, Australia
• Dr Leon Prentice, CSIRO Process Science Engineering, Melbourne, Australia
• Dr Mark Pownceby, CSIRO PSE, Melbourne
• Dr Kathie McGregor, CSIRO PSE, Melbourne

Awards

• Swinburne Vice–Chancellor´s Early–Career Research Award (2009)
• Swinburne Vice–Chancellor´s Internationalisation Award (2009)

Publications

Journal Publications

1. Dogan, N., Brooks, G.A. and Rhamdhani, M.A., "Comprehensive Model of Oxygen Steelmaking. Part 1: Model Development and Validation", ISIJ International, Vol.51, No.7, 2011, pp.1086–92.
2. Dogan, N., Brooks, G.A. and Rhamdhani, M.A., "Comprehensive Model of Oxygen Steelmaking. Part 2: Application of Bloated Droplet Theory for Decarburization in Emulsion Zone", ISIJ International, Vol.51, No.7, 2011, pp.1093–1101.
3. Dogan, N., Brooks, G.A. and Rhamdhani, M.A., "Comprehensive Model of Oxygen Steelmaking. Part 3: Decarburization in Impact Zone", ISIJ International, Vol.51, No.7, 2011, pp.1102–9.
4. Dewan, M.A., Rhamdhani, M.A., Mitchell, J.B., Davidson, C.J., Brooks, G.A., Easton, M. and Grandfield, J.F., "Control and Removal of Impurities from Al Melts: A Review", Material Science Forum, 693, 2011, pp.149–60.
5. Dogan, N., Brooks, G.A., and Rhamdhani, M.A., "Kinetics of flux dissolution in oxygen steelmaking", ISIJ International, No.10, Vol.49, 2009, pp.1474–82.
6. Rhamdhani, M.A., Hayes, P.C. and Jak. E., "Nickel laterites. Part I. Microstructure and phase characterisation during reduction roast and leaching processes", Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy (Sec. C. Trans. IMM), Vol. 118 (3), Sept 2009, pp.129–45.
7. Rhamdhani, M.A., Hayes, P.C. and Jak. E., "Nickel laterites. Part II. Thermodynamic analysis of phase transformations occurring during reduction roasting", Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy (Sec. C. Trans. IMM), Vol. 118 (3), Sept 2009, pp.146–55.
8. Hidayat, T., Rhamdhani, M.A., Jak, E., and Hayes, P.C., "On the Relationships between the Kinetics and Mechanisms of the Gaseous Hydrogen Reduction of Solid Nickel Oxide", Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, Vol. 40B, Aug 2009, pp.474–89.
9. Hidayat, T., Rhamdhani, M.A., Jak, E., and Hayes, P.C., "The Investigation of Nickel Product Structures developed during the Gaseous Reduction of Solid Nickel Oxide", Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, Vol. 40B, Aug 2009, pp.462–73.
10. Brooks, G.A., Rhamdhani, M.A., Coley, K.S., Subagyo, and Pan. Y., "Transient Kinetics of Slag Metal Reactions", Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, Vol.40B (3), June 2009, pp. 353–62.
11. Dogan, N., Brooks, G.A., and Rhamdhani, M.A., "Analysis of droplet generation in oxygen steelmaking", ISIJ International, No.1, Vol. 49, 2009, pp.24–28.
12. Rhamdhani, M.A., Hidayat, T., Hayes, P.C., and Jak, E., "Sub–solidus Phase Equilibria of Fe–Ni–X–O (X=Mg, Al) Systems in Air", Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, Vol. 40B, Jan 2009, pp. 25–38.
13. Hidayat, T., Rhamdhani, M.A., Jak, E., and Hayes, P.C., "The kinetics of reduction of dense synthetic NiO in H2/N2 and H2/H2O atmospheres", Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, Vol. 40B, Jan 2009, pp.1–16.
14. Rhamdhani, M.A., Hayes, P.C., and Jak, E., "Sub–solidus phase equilibria of Fe–Ni–O system", Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, Vol.39B, October 2008, pp.690–701.
15. Rhamdhani, M.A., Jak. E., and Hayes, P.C., "Basic nickel carbonate. Part I. Microstructure and phase changes during oxidation and reduction processes", Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, Vol. 39B, April 2008, pp.218–33.
16. Rhamdhani, M.A., Jak. E., and Hayes, P.C., "Basic nickel carbonate. Part II. Microstructure evolution during industrial nickel production from basic nickel carbonate", Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, Vol. 39B, April 2008, pp.234–45.
17. Hidayat, T., Rhamdhani, M.A., Jak, E., and Hayes, P.C., "The characterization of nickel metal pore structures and the measurement of intrinsic reaction rate during reduction of nickel oxide in H2–N2 and H2–H2O atmospheres", Minerals Engineering, Vol.21, 2008, pp. 157–166.
18. Rhamdhani, M.A., Brooks, G.A. and Coley, K.S., "Analysis of interfacial area changes during spontaneous emulsification of metal droplets in slag", Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, Vol. 37B, December 2006, pp.1087–1091.
19. Rhamdhani, M.A., Soepriyanto, S., Ramelan, A. and Ariwahjoedi, B., "Determination of sintering mechanism and grain growth kinetics of MgO–doped Al2O3", Jurnal Teknologi Mineral, Vol. XII, No. 3, December, 2005, pp. 148–154.
20. Rhamdhani, M.A., Coley, K.S. and Brooks, G.A., "Analysis of the source of dynamic interfacial phenomena during reaction between metal droplets and slag", Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, Vol. 36B, October 2005, pp. 591–604.
21. Rhamdhani, M.A., Brooks, G.A. and Coley, K.S., "Kinetic of metal/slag reactions during spontaneous emulsification", Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, Vol. 36B, April 2005, pp. 219–227.
22. Ji, F–Z, Rhamdhani, M.A., Subagyo, Barati, M., Coley, K.S., Brooks, G.A., Irons, G.A. and Nightingale, S.A., "Treatment of transient phenomena in analysis of slag–metal–gas reaction kinetics", High Temperature Materials and Processes, Vol. 22, No. 5–6, 2003, pp. 359–367.
23. Rhamdhani, M.A. and Brooks, G.A., "The use of secondary ion mass spectrometry for investigating oxygen in pyrometallurgical reactions", Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, Vol. 34B, June 2003, pp. 355–358.

Conference Publications

1. Rhamdhani, M.A., Dewan, M.A., Mitchell, J., Davidson, C.J., Brooks G.A., Easton M., Grandfield, J.F., "Study of Ni-Impurity Removal from Al Melt", Proceedings of Light Metals 2012 (Ed. Suarez , C.E), 141st Annual TMS Meeting 2012, Mar 2012, Orlando, FL, pp.1091–7
2. Brooks, G.A., Dogan, N., Alam, M., Naser, J. and Rhamdhani, M.A., "Developments in the Modelling of Oxygen Steelmaking", Guthrie Honorary Symposium, 6–9 June 2011, Montreal, QC, Canada.
3. Dogan, N., Brooks, G.A. and Rhamdhani, M.A., "Analysis of bloated droplet theory using steelmaking process models", Chemeca 2011, Sydney, NSW, 18–21 Sept 2011.
4. Islam, M.S., Rhamdhani, M.A. and Brooks, G.A., "Solar–Grade Silicon: Current and Alternative Production Routes", Chemeca 2011, Sydney, NSW, 18–21 Sept 2011.
5. Mukhlis, R.Z., Rhamdhani, M.A., Brooks, G.A. and Yan, X.Y., "Fabrication of Spinel Composites for Sidewall of Al Smelter Application", Proceedings of EMC 2011–Volume 3, European Metallurgical Conference 2011, Dusseldorf, Germany, June 2011, pp.865–80.
6. Khaliq, A., Rhamdhani, M.A., Mitchell, J.B, Davidson, C.J., Brooks, G.A. and Grandfield, J.F., "Analysis of Transition Metal (V, Zr) Borides Formation in Aluminium Melt", Proceedings of EMC 2011–Volume 3, European Metallurgical Conference 2011, Dusseldorf, Germany, June 2011, pp. 825–38.
7. Yan, X.Y., Mukhlis, R.Z., Rhamdhani, M.A., and Brooks G.A., "Aluminate spinels as sidewall linings for aluminium smelters", Light Metals 2011, 140th Annual TMS Meeting 2011, San Diego, CA, USA, pp.1085–90.
8. Fateh, B., Brooks G.A., Rhamdhani, M.A., Taylor, J.A., Davis, J. and Lowe, M., "Study of early stage interaction of oxygen with Al; methods, challenges and difficulties", Light Metals 2011, 140th Annual TMS Meeting 2011, 27 Feb – 3 March 2011, San Diego, CA, USA, pp 725–30.
9. Khaliq, A., Rhamdhani, M.A., Brooks G.A., and Grandfield, J., "Thermodynamic analysis of Ti, Zr, V, and Cr impurities in aluminium melt", Light Metals 2011, 140th Annual TMS Meeting 2011, San Diego, CA, USA, pp.751–6.
10. Rhamdhani, M.A., Salehi, K., and Kapoor, A., "Improved culturally–mixed group–project to promote intercultural skills and engagemennt", Proceedings of the 21st Australasian Association for Engineering Education Conference, AAEE 2010, 5–8 Dec 2010, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney.
11. Salehi, K., Rhamdhani, M.A., and Kapoor, A., "Using the formal curriculum to build connections and confidence between engineering students from different cultural backgrounds", Proceedings of the 21st Australasian Association for Engineering Education Conference, AAEE 2010, 5–8 Dec 2010, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney.
12. Wulandari, W., Brooks, G.A., Rhamdhani, M.A., and Monaghan, B.J., "Magnesium: current and alternative production routes", Proceedings of Chemeca 2010 Conference, 26–29 Sept. 2010, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
13. Brooks, G.A., Dogan, N., Rhamdhani, M.A., Alam, M., and Naser J., "Development of dynamic models for oxygen steelmaking", 3rd Aust China Japan Joint Symposium on Iron and Steelmaking ACJ 2010, 25–28 July 2010, Sydney.
14. Dogan, N., Brooks, G.A., and Rhamdhani, M.A., "Development of comprehensive model for oxygen steelmaking", AISTech 2010 Proceedings, Vol. I, AISTech 2010, 3–6 May 2010, Pittsburgh, PA, pp.1091–1101.
15. Mukhlis, R., Rhamdhani, M.A., and Brooks G.A., "Sidewall materials for Hall–Heroult process", Proceedings of Light Metals 2010 (Ed. Johnson , J.A.), 139th Annual TMS Meeting 2010, 14–18 Feb 2010, Seattle, WA, pp.883–888.
16. Rhamdhani, M.A., Salehi, K., Wong, Y., Kapoor, A. and Vakhguelt, A., "How are engineering graduates prepared to work in a culturally changing world?", 20th Australasian Association for Engineering Education Conference, AaEe 2009, 6–9 Dec 2009, Adelaide.
17. Rhamdhani, M.A., Salehi, K., Wong, Y., and Kapoor, A., "Group work as a vehicle for engaging students into the process of broadening perspectives and building inter–cultural skills", 20th Australasian Association for Engineering Education Conference, AaEe 2009, 6–9 Dec 2009, Adelaide.
18. Wulandari, W., Brooks, G.A., Rhamdhani, M.A., and Monaghan, B.J., "Thermodynamic modelling of high temperature systems", Proceedings of Chemeca 2009 Conference, 27–30 Sept. 2009, Perth, WA, Australia.
19. Hidayat, T., Rhamdhani, M.A., Jak, E. and Hayes, P.C, "Mechanism and kinetics of nickel oxide reduction in hydrogen and implications for industrial practice", Proceedings of Conference of Metallurgist COM 2009, MetSoc–CIM, 23–26 Aug 2009, Sudbury, ON, Canada.
20. Wulandari, W., Rhamdhani, M.A., Brooks, G.A., and Monaghan, B., "Distribution of impurities in Magnesium production via Silicothermic Reductions", Proc. of 5th European Metallurgical Conference, EMC 2009, Vol.3. General Pyrometallurgy, 28 June – 1 July 2009, Innsbruck, Austria, GDMB, pp.899–914.
21. Rhamdhani, M.A., Hidayat, T., Chen, J., Jak, E., and Hayes, P.C., "Advances in Research on Nickel Production through the Caron Process", Proc. of 5th European Metallurgical Conference, EMC 2009, Vol.4. Light Metals, 28 June – 1 July 2009, Innsbruck, Austria, GDMB, pp.1401–17.
22. Rhamdhani, M.A. and Salehi, K., "Orchestrating an inter–cultural engagement experience by manufacturing a need in a student group work project", The Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australia (HERDSA) Conference 2009, 6–9 July 2009, Darwin (showcase).
23. Coley, K.S., Ji, F., Brooks, G.A., Rhamdhani, M.A., Pan, Y. and Subagyo, "The interface in slag reactions; a moving target", Proceedings of VIII Int. Conf. Molten Slags, Fluxes and Salts, MOLTEN2009, 18–21 Jan 2009, Santiago, Chile, pp. 727–35.
24. Rhamdhani, M.A. and Brooks, G.A., "Interfacial phenomena in metal–slag reactions: past, present and future", Proceedings of Indonesian Process Metallurgy 2008, 4–5 Dec 2008, ITB, Bandung, indonesia.
25. Hidayat, T. and Rhamdhani, M.A., "A review of nickel production through Caron process", Proceedings of SENAMM2: Material Development, Processing and Reliability, 20–21 August 2008, ITB, Bandung, Indonesia.
26. Dogan, N., Brooks, G.A., and Rhamdhani, M.A., "Modelling of metal droplet generation in oxygen steelmaking", Proceedings of Chemeca 2008 Conference, Chemeca 2008, 28 Sept. – 1 Oct. 2008, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, pp.766–75.
27. Hidayat, T., Rhamdhani, M.A., Jak, E., and Hayes, P.C., "The characterization of nickel metal pore structures and the measurement of intrinsic reaction rate during reduction of nickel oxide in H2–N2 and H2–H2O atmospheres", Proceedings of Pyrometallurgy 2007 Conference, 4–5 May 2007, Minerals Engineering International, Falmouth, UK, 2007.
28. Rhamdhani, M.A., "Recent advances in fundamental understanding of dynamic interfacial phenomena in high temperature systems", Proceedings of the 7th Field–wise Seminar AUN/SEED–Net on Materials Processing and Performance, 25–26 January 2006, AUN/SEED–Net, Bandung, Indonesia, 2006, pp. 76–100.
29. Rhamdhani, M.A., Brooks, G.A. and Coley, K.S., "Treatment of Kinetics of Heterogeneous Reactions in the Presence of Spontaneous Emulsification", 17th Canadian Materials Science Conference, UBC Vancouver, Canada, June 12–14, 2005.
30. Rhamdhani, M.A., Brooks, G.A. and Coley, K.S., "Treatment of Kinetics of Heterogeneous Reactions in the Presence of Spontaneous Emulsification", poster won 2nd prize at the ASM Ontario Chapter Education Night, March 2005.
31. Rhamdhani, M.A., Coley, K.S. and Brooks, G.A., "Role of oxygen in interfacial phenomena during high temperature reactions", Proc. of Int. Symp. on Oxygen in Steelmaking COM 2004, Aug 2004, MetSoc–CIM, Hamilton, Canada, August 2004, pp. 203–217.
32. Rhamdhani, M.A., Brooks, G.A. and Nightingale, S.A, "Characterization of interfacial phenomena in metal–slag reactions", Proc. of Int. Symp. on Metal Ceramics Interactions COM 2002, Aug 2002, MetSoc–CIM, Montreal, Canada, August 2002, pp. 303–313.
33. Rhamdhani, M.A. and Brooks, G.A., "The characterization of oxygen in metal–slag reactions", Proc. of 60th Electric Arc Furnace Conference, Iron and Steel Society, San Antonio, Texas, USA, 2002, pp. 787–796.
34. Ji, F–Z, Rhamdhani, M.A., Subagyo, Barati, M., Coley, K.S., Brooks, G.A., Irons, G.A. and Nightingale, S.A., "Treatment of transient phenomena in analysis of slag–metal–gas reaction kinetics", Proc. Mills Symp., Metals, Slags, Glasses: High Temperature Properties and Phenomena, IOM3, London, United Kingdom, August 2002, pp. 247–261.