ARC Complex Open Systems Research Network

Dr Robert Niven

 

Senior Lecturer, The University of New South Wales, School of Aerospace, Civil and Mechanical Engineering, UNSW@ADFA Address: Dr Robert Niven School of Aerospace, Civil and Mechanical Engineering The University of New South Wales @ ADFA Canberra ACT 2600 Phone: +61-2-6268-8330 Fax: +61-2-6268-8337 Email: r.niven@adfa.edu.au Webpage: http://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/acme/staffpages/niven.html Research Node: Central/CCS

 

Role in Network

Academic - Researcher

COSNet Research Themes

1. Irreversibility and Emergence in Nonequilibrium Systems
2. Turbulence and Coherent Structures, Control and Computation
3. Dynamics and Statistics of Multi-Scale Systems
4. Network Theory
5. Cellular Automata, Agent-Based Modelling and Simulation

COSNet Application Areas

1. Complex Physical Systems
2. Complex Biological Systems
3. Complex Computational Systems
4. Complex Socio-Economic Systems

 

Research Topics

Statistical mechanics, information theory and maximum entropy theory, with application to: thermodynamics, material and energy systems (exergy analysis, life cycle assessment), environmental systems, social systems. Maximum entropy analysis in fluid mechanics / boundary layer theory, solid mechanics, quantum theory. Contaminant entrapment in natural porous media: non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs), radioactive contaminants. Multiphase systems.  

Publications

1. Niven, R.K. (in press), Exact Maxwell-Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics, Physics Letters A, accepted 13 May 2005, cond-mat/0412460.
2. Niven, R.K. (in press), Force stability of pore-scale fluid bridges and ganglia in axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric configurations, Journal of Petroleum Science & Engineering, accepted 10 Feb 2005.
3. Niven, R.K. (2005), Exact statistical mechanics, 3rd Int. Conf.: News, Expectations and Trends in Statistical Physics, 3-18 August 2005, Kolymbari, Crete, Greece, abstract accepted 22 April 2005.
4. Niven, R.K. (2005), Maximum-entropy velocity profiles and boundary layer theory in turbulent flow, 3rd Int. Conf.: News, Expectations and Trends in Statistical Physics, 3-18 August 2005, Kolymbari, Crete, Greece, abstract accepted 22 April 2005.
5. Niven, R.K. and Fox, J. (2005), Environmental impact of the “zero waste” policy of recycling, 6th Asia Pacific Roundtable for Sustainable Consumption & Production, 10-12 October 2005, abstract accepted 19 April 2005.
6. Niven, R.K. (2005), Towards the Information-Theoretic Paradigm of Contaminant Transport Modelling, monograph, School of Aerospace, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW@ADFA, Canberra, Australia, ISBN 0-9757753-0-8 (bound), 26pp.
7. Niven, R.K. (2005), Ethanol in gasoline: environmental impacts and sustainability, review article, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 9(6): 535-555.
8. Niven, R.K. (2002), Physical insight into the Ergun and Wen & Yu equations for fluid flow in packed and fluidised beds, Chemical Engineering Science, 57, 527-534.
9. Niven, R.K., Khalili, N. and Hibbert, D.B. (2000), Mixed solid / dispersed phase particles in multiphase fluidised beds. I: Free energy of stability due to interfacial tension, Chemical Engineering Science, 55, 3013-3032.
10. Niven, R.K., Khalili, N. and Hibbert, D.B. (2000), Mixed solid / dispersed phase particles in multiphase fluidised beds. II: Stability at laminar to turbulent flow scales, Chemical Engineering Science, 55, 3033-3051.  

End-User Applications

Development of new theory to understand physical, environmental and social phenomena. Application to analysis of complex systems, e.g. contaminant transport; material and energy efficiency.  

Grants

2005 UNSW RIBG Acquisition of a Surface/Interfacial Tensiometer A$47,580
2005 UNSW FRG Radioactive Contaminants A$20,000
2003 UNSW FRG Microstructure of Oil-Contaminated Soils Subject to Freeze-Thaw A$7,500
2003 UNSW@ADFA SRG In Situ Remediation of Chlorinated Solvents A$5,000
2003-2006 UNSW@ADFA RTS Grant Dynamics of Oil-Contaminated Soils Subject to Freeze-Thaw A$54,000
2003 Fulbright Professional Fellowship Scale-up of Microscopic Interfacial Tension Effects in Oil-Contaminated Soils A$20,000  

Membership/Fellowship of Key Organisations

Member and Chartered Chemist, Royal Australian Chemical Institute.
Member, American Geophysical Union.
Member, (U.S.) National Ground Water Association.
Member, International Association for Hydraulic Research.  

Awards and Distinctions

2003 Fulbright Professional Fellowship
1998 Churchill Fellowship

Research Supervision and Mentoring
Total 8 Honours, 1 Masters and 1 PhD students.