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
Sliding diodes: harvesting triboelectricity with surface chemistry. This project aims to create new methods for the conversion of friction at vibrating metal–semiconductor contacts into a continuous source of electricity; an autonomous technology to power miniature electronics in applications spanning health management to environmental sensing. The expected outcomes of this project include the development of new surface chemistry and miniature semiconductor technologies, with benefits for the de ....Sliding diodes: harvesting triboelectricity with surface chemistry. This project aims to create new methods for the conversion of friction at vibrating metal–semiconductor contacts into a continuous source of electricity; an autonomous technology to power miniature electronics in applications spanning health management to environmental sensing. The expected outcomes of this project include the development of new surface chemistry and miniature semiconductor technologies, with benefits for the design and function of silicon-based devices such as life-critical pacemakers, and self-powered monitors in remote/dangerous places.Read moreRead less
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.
Miniaturised Ionic Liquid Systems: Design, Electrochemistry and Application. The project aims to develop a new generation of miniature electrochemical devices based on ionic liquids, salts that are liquid at room temperature. In making these devices the project will study the fundamental physicochemical and electrochemical behaviour of the ionic liquid microinterfaces formed, and this will allow optimisation and enhancement of their properties. A gas sensor made of a micro-pattern of ionic liqui ....Miniaturised Ionic Liquid Systems: Design, Electrochemistry and Application. The project aims to develop a new generation of miniature electrochemical devices based on ionic liquids, salts that are liquid at room temperature. In making these devices the project will study the fundamental physicochemical and electrochemical behaviour of the ionic liquid microinterfaces formed, and this will allow optimisation and enhancement of their properties. A gas sensor made of a micro-pattern of ionic liquid drops will be designed to detect gaseous toxic amines, which are released from numerous anthropogenic sources including waste water, sewage treatment, farms and industry. These sensors will be small, specific to the target gas, sensitive, fast in response and portable.Read moreRead less
Medium temperature electrolysis for low-cost carbon dioxide utilization. Carbon dioxide is a notorious greenhouse gas. Its capture, and subsequent storage or utilization, is a major focus not only for researchers, but also for governments trying to meet their obligations of the Paris Agreement on climate change and for industries managing their legal and social responsibilities. This project aims to develop commercially viable medium temperature electrolysers to convert carbon dioxide into value ....Medium temperature electrolysis for low-cost carbon dioxide utilization. Carbon dioxide is a notorious greenhouse gas. Its capture, and subsequent storage or utilization, is a major focus not only for researchers, but also for governments trying to meet their obligations of the Paris Agreement on climate change and for industries managing their legal and social responsibilities. This project aims to develop commercially viable medium temperature electrolysers to convert carbon dioxide into value added chemicals using electricity from renewable sources. New design principles will be developed to generate highly active and selective catalysts with long-term stability. These electrolyzers will be integrated with carbon capture technologies to directly utilize captured carbon dioxide with high energy efficiency.Read moreRead less
Pioneering stable copper carbanions for new C-C bond forming paradigms. The stabilisation of highly reactive carbanions underpins advances in chemical synthesis of new compounds including polymers, agrichemicals and pharmaceuticals. This project aims to deliver an innovative chemical reactivity platform, underpinned by copper carbanion complexes accessed via synthetic electrochemistry. Carbanions are essential components of carbon-carbon bond forming reactions but their high reactivity can be pr ....Pioneering stable copper carbanions for new C-C bond forming paradigms. The stabilisation of highly reactive carbanions underpins advances in chemical synthesis of new compounds including polymers, agrichemicals and pharmaceuticals. This project aims to deliver an innovative chemical reactivity platform, underpinned by copper carbanion complexes accessed via synthetic electrochemistry. Carbanions are essential components of carbon-carbon bond forming reactions but their high reactivity can be problematic. Expected outcomes of this project are an understanding of why these novel copper compounds are stable and how they can be utilised as synthetic reagents. This should provide significant benefits in unlocking the synthetic potential of a new class of chemical compound that has until now remained unexplored.Read moreRead less
In situ bioremediation solutions for Australia's organochlorine contaminated aquifers. This project will develop biological technologies to accelerate chlorinated solvent degradation in contaminated groundwater. Bacterial cultures developed in Australia will be injected into groundwater to enhance solvent degradation resulting in environmentally friendly and cost effective environmental restoration.
Novel concepts for bioelectrochemical generation of renewable fuels and chemicals from wastewater. Global warming and the diminishing fossil fuel resources are posing an ever increasing threat to our societies and economies. This project aims to develop novel and highly innovative bioelectrochemical processes for the production of valuable fuels and chemicals from wastewater, which is a largely untapped renewable resource.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101168
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$364,900.00
Summary
Enhancement of light-driven electricity generation by cyanobacteria: en route to biosolar panels. Some species of naturally occurring cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) exhibit a special metabolic feature, which enables them to convert sunlight into electricity. This project will unveil the chemical and biological secrets behind this process and will lead to the creation of the first entirely biological solar panel.
Nanoporous nanorods with improved electrochemical properties. This project applies the latest nanotechnology to produce new nanomaterials for energy storage applications. The aim is to significantly improve supercapacitor performance for use in the storage of clean energy and harvesting of wasted energy which will contribute to a clean energy economy.