Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100715
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,000.00
Summary
Tunable plasmonics in ultra-doped transition metal oxides and chalcogenides. The project is designed to explore new classes of plasmonic materials based on low-dimensional transition metal oxide and chalcogenide nanostructures. These crystals, with stratified structures and high surface affinities to charged particles, present a new frontier in plasmonics by allowing reversible stimuli induced doping and defect embedding. The project plans to focus on achieving tunable plasmonic properties acros ....Tunable plasmonics in ultra-doped transition metal oxides and chalcogenides. The project is designed to explore new classes of plasmonic materials based on low-dimensional transition metal oxide and chalcogenide nanostructures. These crystals, with stratified structures and high surface affinities to charged particles, present a new frontier in plasmonics by allowing reversible stimuli induced doping and defect embedding. The project plans to focus on achieving tunable plasmonic properties across a broad spectrum from ultraviolet to infrared light. Targets are systems with low propagation losses or ultra-sensitivity towards environmental changes. The anticipated outcomes will serve as a base to establish the next generation plasmonic communication and sensing systems with active on-chip controllability, which could be used as the base of future telecommunications, energy harvesting and sensing systems.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100427
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$446,000.00
Summary
Engineered multifunctional membranes for aqueous organic redox flow battery. This project aims to develop multifunctional membranes with high ion conductivity and selectivity and high energy density to address the key challenges in the development of aqueous organic redox flow battery for renewable energy storage. The project will develop novel methodologies for precisely tuning and functionalising microporous materials to achieve cost-effective and scalable fabrication of membranes with multi-f ....Engineered multifunctional membranes for aqueous organic redox flow battery. This project aims to develop multifunctional membranes with high ion conductivity and selectivity and high energy density to address the key challenges in the development of aqueous organic redox flow battery for renewable energy storage. The project will develop novel methodologies for precisely tuning and functionalising microporous materials to achieve cost-effective and scalable fabrication of membranes with multi-functions, thus improving the energy efficiency and retaining the cycling capacity of redox flow batteries. The advancement of multifunctional membranes will enhance the efficiency of storage of intermittent and fluctuating renewable resources, thereby contributing to the reduction of carbon footprint in Australia. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100746
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$433,000.00
Summary
Engineering ion specificity for water electrolysis. This project aims to understand how foreign ions in water can be manipulated to selectively control the activity and selectivity of electrocatalytic water splitting and explore the potential if seawater or low-grade-water can be used as water feed to mitigate the economical barrier for large-scale hydrogen production through electrolysis. The new knowledge gained will be helpful for future design of more cost-effective electrolyser systems to u ....Engineering ion specificity for water electrolysis. This project aims to understand how foreign ions in water can be manipulated to selectively control the activity and selectivity of electrocatalytic water splitting and explore the potential if seawater or low-grade-water can be used as water feed to mitigate the economical barrier for large-scale hydrogen production through electrolysis. The new knowledge gained will be helpful for future design of more cost-effective electrolyser systems to underpin Australia’s emerging hydrogen economy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170101249
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Polymers with controllable networks. This project aims to understand the mechanism and molecular level factors controlling the network flexibility, reversibility and rapid curing of cross-linked polymer structures. A highly formable, rapidly curing polymer network could improve manufacture of composites where a fibre material is embedded in a polymer matrix. The key challenges for these materials are achieving high rates of production (one part per minute) and end of life recyclability. Expected ....Polymers with controllable networks. This project aims to understand the mechanism and molecular level factors controlling the network flexibility, reversibility and rapid curing of cross-linked polymer structures. A highly formable, rapidly curing polymer network could improve manufacture of composites where a fibre material is embedded in a polymer matrix. The key challenges for these materials are achieving high rates of production (one part per minute) and end of life recyclability. Expected outcomes are polymer materials with tailorable properties and the uptake of lightweight composite materials into mass transport systems.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102588
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
A fundamental approach to generating new classes of light-weight amorphous alloys based on liquid-metal structures. An innovative alloy design method that harnesses the stable building blocks of the liquid structure will be used to develop new light-weight magnesium, aluminium, silicon and titanium amorphous metals. These new alloys will exhibit ultrahigh-strength, corrosion-resistance and functionality offering a new alternative to high performance materials.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101365
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$433,082.00
Summary
Multiscale Design of Electrocatalysts for On-Demand H2O2 Production. The aim of this project is to design advanced single-atom catalysts at multiscale for efficient and selective electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxides as clean chemicals and fuels. It is expected to generate new knowledge in materials science and electrochemistry, using interdisciplinary approaches of multiscale material engineering, in situ characterisation and theoretical calculations. Expected outcomes incl ....Multiscale Design of Electrocatalysts for On-Demand H2O2 Production. The aim of this project is to design advanced single-atom catalysts at multiscale for efficient and selective electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxides as clean chemicals and fuels. It is expected to generate new knowledge in materials science and electrochemistry, using interdisciplinary approaches of multiscale material engineering, in situ characterisation and theoretical calculations. Expected outcomes include generalised design principles, innovative synthesis strategies, refined reaction mechanism understanding, and commercially relevant electrolysis technologies. Benefits include a sustainable future for Australia with advanced manufacturing, decreased emissions and resilient chemicals supply.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180101030
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$368,446.00
Summary
Monoatomic metal doping of carbon-based nanomaterials for hydrogen storage. This project aims to present a new concept of monoatomic metal doped carbon-based nanomaterials as advanced solid-state hydrogen storage materials (S-HSMs) for hydrogen fuel cells. The key feature for this synthesis is the use of the unique “defect” structures in carbon lattice as the efficient anchoring sites to immobilise the metal species at atomic level. This project is expected to create new knowledge of atomic inte ....Monoatomic metal doping of carbon-based nanomaterials for hydrogen storage. This project aims to present a new concept of monoatomic metal doped carbon-based nanomaterials as advanced solid-state hydrogen storage materials (S-HSMs) for hydrogen fuel cells. The key feature for this synthesis is the use of the unique “defect” structures in carbon lattice as the efficient anchoring sites to immobilise the metal species at atomic level. This project is expected to create new knowledge of atomic interface catalysis and develop practical applications of S-HSMs in storage tanks for fuel cells, leading to reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and alleviation of air pollution. The success of this project will greatly enhance the Australian clean energy industries.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100930
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,948.00
Summary
Defect Engineering Enabling Efficient Solar Hydrogen Production. The project aims to achieve efficient renewable hydrogen production through solar driven photoelectrochemical water splitting. As a carbon-emission free process, photoelectrochemical water splitting is significant in solar hydrogen supply. The key idea is to design innovative photoelectrode materials using defect engineering strategy which allows more efficient conversion of solar energy to hydrogen. The expected outcomes include h ....Defect Engineering Enabling Efficient Solar Hydrogen Production. The project aims to achieve efficient renewable hydrogen production through solar driven photoelectrochemical water splitting. As a carbon-emission free process, photoelectrochemical water splitting is significant in solar hydrogen supply. The key idea is to design innovative photoelectrode materials using defect engineering strategy which allows more efficient conversion of solar energy to hydrogen. The expected outcomes include high Solar-to-Hydrogen conversion efficiency on the new materials and cutting-edge knowledge in advanced material design. The success of this project will contribute to the implementation of the Australia's National Hydrogen Strategy and position the nation at the frontier of renewable hydrogen supply technologies.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101190
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,292.00
Summary
Designing low-toxicity and stable perovskites for solar energy conversion. Efficient solar energy conversion systems can significantly promote sustainable and low carbon-emission economy. This project aims to rationally design low-toxic and stable metal halide perovskites for efficient solar hydrogen conversion. The key concept is to design stable lead-free metal halide perovskite semiconductors with superior photophysical properties for solar-driven valuable chemical production. Expected outcom ....Designing low-toxicity and stable perovskites for solar energy conversion. Efficient solar energy conversion systems can significantly promote sustainable and low carbon-emission economy. This project aims to rationally design low-toxic and stable metal halide perovskites for efficient solar hydrogen conversion. The key concept is to design stable lead-free metal halide perovskite semiconductors with superior photophysical properties for solar-driven valuable chemical production. Expected outcomes include new generation advanced materials and proof-of-concept technologies for efficient solar hydrogen generation. The successful completion of this project will benefit Australia by positioning the nation at the frontier of advanced functional materials and renewable energy supply technologies.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100090
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Novel anodic coating of magnesium alloy components for corrosion protection. This research aims to protect magnesium alloys from corrosion, paving a path for them to be used as auto and aircraft components. It will establish novel protective anodic coatings upon magnesium and thereby pioneer implementation of magnesium alloys more generally, as galvanising did for steels.