Optimising Fouling Control in Membrane Bioreactors. Membrane bioreactors (MBR) are growing in importance for wastewater treatment because they offer an alternative for producing higher effluent quality wastewater within a more compact space compared to conventional processes. However, due to the pumping and bubbling used to keep the membranes clear of foulants resulting from the biological processes in MBR's, controlling fouling incurs significant energy usage and costs. The proposal aims to red ....Optimising Fouling Control in Membrane Bioreactors. Membrane bioreactors (MBR) are growing in importance for wastewater treatment because they offer an alternative for producing higher effluent quality wastewater within a more compact space compared to conventional processes. However, due to the pumping and bubbling used to keep the membranes clear of foulants resulting from the biological processes in MBR's, controlling fouling incurs significant energy usage and costs. The proposal aims to reduce the costs of fouling control by understanding the optimal conditions to remove these depositions and improve the design of MBR modules, operating conditions and shear delivery in the membrane system.Read moreRead less
Analysis, simulation, fabrication and characterization of reliable, robust and scalable compact cooling elements based on semiconductor nanostructures. Modern electronic, microelectronic and optoelectronic devices generally work better when they are cooler. We aim to develop a semiconductor nanostructure cooling element which directly integrates into existing devices. The solid-state cooling element will be reliable, robust, scalable and operate in any orientation. The basis of operation is ....Analysis, simulation, fabrication and characterization of reliable, robust and scalable compact cooling elements based on semiconductor nanostructures. Modern electronic, microelectronic and optoelectronic devices generally work better when they are cooler. We aim to develop a semiconductor nanostructure cooling element which directly integrates into existing devices. The solid-state cooling element will be reliable, robust, scalable and operate in any orientation. The basis of operation is thermionic emission - electrons are the working fluid. Our project combines (1) analysis and simulation, (2) fabrication of nanostructures and (3) experimental test-benching using optical and electrical methods. The outcome of this research has the potential to revolutionize cooling of modern electronic and photonic systems, from computer motherboards to mobile phones.Read moreRead less
Giant Magnetocaloric Materials and Room Temperature Refrigeration. The objectives of this project are to develop new magnetocaloric materials, study their properties and their potential as components of advanced magnetic refrigeration systems. The outcomes of this project will provide an opportunity for Australian industry to produce magnetocaloric materials and magnetic refrigeration systems with higher quality, to embark on this novel innovation technology in an effective way, and to access th ....Giant Magnetocaloric Materials and Room Temperature Refrigeration. The objectives of this project are to develop new magnetocaloric materials, study their properties and their potential as components of advanced magnetic refrigeration systems. The outcomes of this project will provide an opportunity for Australian industry to produce magnetocaloric materials and magnetic refrigeration systems with higher quality, to embark on this novel innovation technology in an effective way, and to access the international magnetic refrigeration market. In the longer term, the successful outcome of this research could lead to energy savings and an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as contributing to the associated economic and social goals.Read moreRead less
Macromolecular Fouling in Membrane Bioreactors. As the demands for domestic and industrial water increasing in Australia and overseas, membrane bioreactors (MBR) offer an alternative for producing higher effluent quality wastewater compared to conventional processes. However, aeration costs used to remove fouling deposits (which reduce the operating performance) need to be further minimised. The proposal aims to study fundamental mechanisms involve in the deposition of foulant components by usin ....Macromolecular Fouling in Membrane Bioreactors. As the demands for domestic and industrial water increasing in Australia and overseas, membrane bioreactors (MBR) offer an alternative for producing higher effluent quality wastewater compared to conventional processes. However, aeration costs used to remove fouling deposits (which reduce the operating performance) need to be further minimised. The proposal aims to study fundamental mechanisms involve in the deposition of foulant components by using model systems of polysaccharides, proteins and microbial cells and comparing these with real MBR systems. The effect of bubbling varied gas compositions (air/H2S ratios) a novel approach in this study will be investigated to prevent or remove foulants in MBR systems. Read moreRead less
An Innovative Powertrain Architecture and Optimal Energy Management for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technologies will significantly reduce the dependence of vehicles on fossil fuels, thereby reducing their emissions of carbon and other pollutants. The project will produce new knowledge in automotive engineering, software tools for vehicle design and a novel powertrain architecture with key components almost ready for commercial application. The research will ....An Innovative Powertrain Architecture and Optimal Energy Management for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technologies will significantly reduce the dependence of vehicles on fossil fuels, thereby reducing their emissions of carbon and other pollutants. The project will produce new knowledge in automotive engineering, software tools for vehicle design and a novel powertrain architecture with key components almost ready for commercial application. The research will directly contribute to the use of green energy and the reduction of vehicles' harmful environmental impacts. The nation will benefit from new economic activity, such as increased exports of automotive parts and components, and from strengthening its position as a world leader in reducing carbon emissions.Read moreRead less
Nano-scale tuning: a path to functional materials for hydrogen storage. If the nano-stores discovered can be taken from bench to markets, the way energy is produced and used will be revolutionised. New markets based on clean energy technologies will appear. The emergence of miniaturised hydrogen stores would create unforeseen markets. By utilising Australia's abundant resources in lithium (Li), magnesium (Mg) and aluminium (Al) to store hydrogen, the beneficiaries would be the Australian industr ....Nano-scale tuning: a path to functional materials for hydrogen storage. If the nano-stores discovered can be taken from bench to markets, the way energy is produced and used will be revolutionised. New markets based on clean energy technologies will appear. The emergence of miniaturised hydrogen stores would create unforeseen markets. By utilising Australia's abundant resources in lithium (Li), magnesium (Mg) and aluminium (Al) to store hydrogen, the beneficiaries would be the Australian industry and academia interested in the knowledge gained and the application of the unique features of nano-hydride materials. By reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases, society would also benefit from a cleaner environment and better health.Read moreRead less
Radiative Cooling Tuned to the Spectral and Directional Infra-red Properties of the Atmosphere. Growth in the demand for cooling in Australia is a main driver for new power stations while global warming adds to cooling and refrigeration needs. This project extends Australia's leading expertise in solar control using nanoparticles into the area of active and passive cooling, enabling cooling at night to temperatures well below ambient, with little or no power and low cost. 'Cool' will be stored ....Radiative Cooling Tuned to the Spectral and Directional Infra-red Properties of the Atmosphere. Growth in the demand for cooling in Australia is a main driver for new power stations while global warming adds to cooling and refrigeration needs. This project extends Australia's leading expertise in solar control using nanoparticles into the area of active and passive cooling, enabling cooling at night to temperatures well below ambient, with little or no power and low cost. 'Cool' will be stored simply for use the next day. Our systems also allow efficient and low cost water condensation from the atmosphere. They will be of major benefit to developing countries in warm climate zones. High value products will follow, from paints to low cost cooling technology with energy savings around 50% or more.Read moreRead less
An Integrated Starter Alternator for Automobiles using a New Wide Speed Range Interior Permanent Magnet Motor and a Matrix Z-Source Converter. The projected growth of power demand and efficiency of future automobiles calls for a suitable integrated starter-alternator (ISA) to be developed. While interim solutions have been offered, a true ISA is still considered to be more than five years away. Considering the huge worldwide market, an ISA developed in Australia is expected to benefit the large ....An Integrated Starter Alternator for Automobiles using a New Wide Speed Range Interior Permanent Magnet Motor and a Matrix Z-Source Converter. The projected growth of power demand and efficiency of future automobiles calls for a suitable integrated starter-alternator (ISA) to be developed. While interim solutions have been offered, a true ISA is still considered to be more than five years away. Considering the huge worldwide market, an ISA developed in Australia is expected to benefit the large Australian automobile industry significantly. The CIs has strong links with local developers and suppliers of power semiconductors and motors, who have participated in the recent developments already carried out. A proven ISA developed locally should be a boon for these industries.Read moreRead less
Silicon All-Optical Nanophotonic Devices for 160Gb/s Systems. With the exponential growth in global bandwidth demand, the speed, cost, size, and energy requirements of telecommunications equipment are reaching a crisis point. This project will pioneer ultra-high speed silicon integrated all-optical signal processing devices that will provide faster, cheaper and more energy efficient solutions than current electronic based approaches. In doing so, this will also directly benefit the Australian ph ....Silicon All-Optical Nanophotonic Devices for 160Gb/s Systems. With the exponential growth in global bandwidth demand, the speed, cost, size, and energy requirements of telecommunications equipment are reaching a crisis point. This project will pioneer ultra-high speed silicon integrated all-optical signal processing devices that will provide faster, cheaper and more energy efficient solutions than current electronic based approaches. In doing so, this will also directly benefit the Australian photonics, telecommunications, and defence industries. It will use novel structures such as nanowire waveguides and micro-ring resonators to demonstrate all-optical signal regeneration, wavelength conversion, demultiplexing and other functions at speeds up to 160Gb/s.Read moreRead less
High efficiency thermoelectric nanomaterials. High efficiency thermoelectric power generators and refrigerators will have a wealth of applications in the automotive, semiconductor and power generation industries, among many others. Such technology could be used to recycle a significant fraction of the waste heat produced in industrial processes or in car engines, reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, or to produce high efficiency domestic refrigerators with no moving parts. Thi ....High efficiency thermoelectric nanomaterials. High efficiency thermoelectric power generators and refrigerators will have a wealth of applications in the automotive, semiconductor and power generation industries, among many others. Such technology could be used to recycle a significant fraction of the waste heat produced in industrial processes or in car engines, reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, or to produce high efficiency domestic refrigerators with no moving parts. This project will improve our theoretical understanding of the fundamental physics which underlies the operation of thermoelectric power generators and refrigerators, and will assist the design and optimisation of the next generation of high efficiency thermoelectric nanomaterials.Read moreRead less