ARC Centre of Excellence for Design in Light Metals

The Centre’s efforts to establish a strong international collaboration with the Aluminium Corporation of China Ltd (CHALCO) received a major boost in 2007 with a visit to Melbourne by the President and CEO, Dr Yaqing Xiao on 26 March, 2007.

Professor Richard Larkins (Vice-Chancellor, Monash University), Mr. John Brumby (Premier of Victoria) and Dr. Yaqing Xiao (President of CHALCO) at the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony.

Monash Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins at the signing ceremony for the Australia-China International Centre for Light Alloy Research.

CHALCO head office in Beijing, China

Professor Yi-Bing Cheng, Senior Advisor – China International Relations

Dr Xiao visited Monash University, CSIRO and the Australian Synchrotron Facility, before meeting with the then Victorian State Treasurer and Minister for Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Mr John Brumby. Minister Brumby was witness to the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding, signed by Dr Xiao and Monash Vice Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins, committing CHALCO and Monash University (on behalf of the ARC Centre) to strengthening long-term cooperation in research and development of light metals, and joint efforts to establish the Australia-China International Centre for Light Alloy Research.

As a result of subsequent negotiations, on the 29th of September 2007 Professor Larkins signed an agreement with Dr Yaqing Xiao to establish the Australia-China International Centre for Light Alloy Research (ICLAR). This agreement was strongly endorsed by the then Australian Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop and the then newly appointed Premier of Victoria, John Brumby.

The signing was a very high-profile event at the Diaoyutai State Guest House, attended by Vice Ministers from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and Technology, and State Council, and various other senior officials from China. Australia was well-represented by senior officials of the Australian Embassy and the State Government of Victoria., as well as the Director of the ARC Centre, Professor Barry Muddle, and Monash University’s DVC International, Professor Stephanie Fahey.

Under the terms of this agreement, Monash University and CHALCO are the lead institutions, but the agreement makes provision for member institutions within the ARC Centre and for CSIRO to be engaged as founding partners.

In 2008, Monash University and CHALCO signed project agreements for the first two projects within the International Centre for Light Alloy Research. These projects constitute foundation projects within ICLAR and will provide an ideal platform for linking research efforts currently supported by CHALCO with the capabilities and facilities offered by partner institutions within the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Design in Light Metals.

They will expose the emerging research system within CHALCO to internationally competitive benchmarks and assist in enhancing CHALCO research strategies. The joint international Centre ICLAR will provide crucial international training activities for future research leaders within CHALCO.

Development of Advanced Al-Mg-Si(-Cu) Alloy Technology for Automotive Body Panels

High strength 7xxx Series Aluminium Alloys with Improved Damage Tolerance

To further develop this collaboration, the CoE has offered an Honorary Appointment as ‘Senior Advisor – China International Relations’ to Professor Yi-Bing Cheng from Monash University. Professor Cheng has been instrumental in fostering this initiative to date and will continue to provide invaluable assistance in developing the Centre’s engagement with China.