Phosphonium ionic liquids for advanced lithium energy storage systems. This project will develop, along with a leading manufacturer in the world, high performance electrolytes for lithium batteries. The technologies and expertise generated will be of importance to many niche industries in Australia in their shift towards lower carbon operations.
Surface modification of semiconducting organic charge transfer complexes with metal nanoparticles to create a new class of multifunctional materials. This project aims to deliver a facile and cheap method to produce a class of nanostructured composite materials to be used in applications which will have environmental and social benefits such as photocatalyst development for water purification, biosensing and the creation of antibacterial fabrics to prevent the spread of infection.
A highly sensitive and selective nano-engineered sensor for the online monitoring of mercury vapour emissions from harsh industrial processes. The Australian alumina and aluminium industries contribute over $11 billion export income annually. All refineries, except one, operate in rural areas and are the main economic drivers in these regions. In order to maintain the industry's commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its processes and remain economically sustainable, innovative technol ....A highly sensitive and selective nano-engineered sensor for the online monitoring of mercury vapour emissions from harsh industrial processes. The Australian alumina and aluminium industries contribute over $11 billion export income annually. All refineries, except one, operate in rural areas and are the main economic drivers in these regions. In order to maintain the industry's commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its processes and remain economically sustainable, innovative technologies are required to monitor mercury emissions. The aim of this project is to develop robust sensors, for online monitoring of mercury vapours, that operate under challenging industrial environments. This project will also provide excellent training for young researchers in established international industrial research groups, thereby meeting skill shortages in the Australian resource sector.Read moreRead less
Ionic Liquids and Solids - New Designs, Insights and Applications. Ionic Materials in the form of liquid salts and plastic crystals are of interest in a wide range of applications including environmentally benign synthesis of chemicals and high stability electrolytes for batteries, capacitors and other devices. These materials represent some of the most stable chemicals known, making them attractive for any application where complete stability and recycling are issues. Building on our recent wor ....Ionic Liquids and Solids - New Designs, Insights and Applications. Ionic Materials in the form of liquid salts and plastic crystals are of interest in a wide range of applications including environmentally benign synthesis of chemicals and high stability electrolytes for batteries, capacitors and other devices. These materials represent some of the most stable chemicals known, making them attractive for any application where complete stability and recycling are issues. Building on our recent work, this project will design, prepare and characterize novel materials of this type for a number of target applications. Collaborators in Europe and USA will be involved in the analysis and testing of the materials.Read moreRead less
Novel Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy applications in molecular, supramolecular electrochemistry and biological systems. Improved understanding of chemical reactivity in natural and artificial molecular systems and acquisition of a wider perspective of electron transfer processes are two important challenges in chemistry and biology. Through this well defined research project, the CI, jointly with the host facility, has the skills to achieve valuable new insights. This project will expand Au ....Novel Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy applications in molecular, supramolecular electrochemistry and biological systems. Improved understanding of chemical reactivity in natural and artificial molecular systems and acquisition of a wider perspective of electron transfer processes are two important challenges in chemistry and biology. Through this well defined research project, the CI, jointly with the host facility, has the skills to achieve valuable new insights. This project will expand Australia's knowledge base and research capability and open new scenarios for frontier technologies and advanced materials. This project will introduce the SECM methods into Australia. The foreseen benefits include technology exchange and contribution to fundamental and applied science.Read moreRead less
Electrochemical sensors as early alert screening tools for water quality assessment. This project will impact on water safety assessment and provide better management tools for water pollutant control. It will address a real need to develop on-line detection technologies for application in the water industry and will demonstrate the potential broad applicability of this technology to a wide range of analytes of concern.
Redox processes in Bayer liquors. Alumina, and the aluminium produced from it, are amongst Australia's most important mineral commodities, earning about $8 billion p.a. in exports. However, ongoing technological improvements are needed for Australian producers to remain globally competitive. This project addresses a key problem in alumina production - the behaviour of organic impurities - which will help to increase industrial productivity and reduce energy consumption. Insights gained from this ....Redox processes in Bayer liquors. Alumina, and the aluminium produced from it, are amongst Australia's most important mineral commodities, earning about $8 billion p.a. in exports. However, ongoing technological improvements are needed for Australian producers to remain globally competitive. This project addresses a key problem in alumina production - the behaviour of organic impurities - which will help to increase industrial productivity and reduce energy consumption. Insights gained from this research will also minimize the environmental and occupational health impacts of various process emissions, making the industry more sustainable.Read moreRead less
Nano-engineered multi-functional materials for catalysis and sensing by an integrated chemical and electrochemical approach. This project aims to deliver a facile and cheap method to produce a class of nanostructured materials to be used in applications which will have environmental and social benefits such as: green synthesis of fine chemicals, catalyst development for clean energy fuel cells and sensor technology for the detection of potent biotoxins.
Future sodium based electrochemical energy storage technologies. New rechargeable batteries will be developed through the use of breakthrough electrolytes based on liquid salts. These batteries are vital for the widespread use of renewables in Australia's electricity grid. They will also enable new generations of environmental sensor technology.
Electrochemically, photochemically and magnetically tuneable organic semi-conducting electrodes for probing biologically important redox chemistry and catalysis. Newly developed tuneable, semi-conductor electrode materials will facilitate substantial advances in electrochemistry. The almost unprecedented levels of flexibility with respect to metal and organic constituents will facilitate insights into biologically important electron transfer and coupled catalytic processes and promote commercia ....Electrochemically, photochemically and magnetically tuneable organic semi-conducting electrodes for probing biologically important redox chemistry and catalysis. Newly developed tuneable, semi-conductor electrode materials will facilitate substantial advances in electrochemistry. The almost unprecedented levels of flexibility with respect to metal and organic constituents will facilitate insights into biologically important electron transfer and coupled catalytic processes and promote commercial opportunities for sensor development. Electrochemistry represents an enabling discipline in science. The project offers the opportunity for high quality multi-disciplinary doctoral training, integration of skills of scientists from different backgrounds and opportunities to work in world-class national and international infrastructure in the areas of chemistry, biological chemistry and materials science.Read moreRead less