Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101183
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$361,880.00
Summary
Next-generation expanders for renewable power applications: dealing with variability and uncertainty. This project will develop new strategies to design optimum expanders capable of maintaining good performance under uncontrollable working conditions. If these innovative design methods can be applied to engineering applications they will assist Australia to meet the Renewable Energy Target and to become an international leader in the field.
Solar-driven thermochemical dissociation of carbon dioxide and water to produce carbon-neutral fuels. The biggest challenge to humanity of the century is to develop enabling clean energy resources to encounter rapidly diminished fossil fuel and accelerated global warming conditions. This project will offer a solution by developing a unique solar-driven thermochemical system capable of cleaving carbon dioxide and water to produce artificial syngas.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100127
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Controlled radiation facility to investigate turbulence-radiation-chemistry interactions in high-flux solar reactors. This project's facility will support the transition of Australia’s energy intensive industries, including minerals and resources, to a much lower carbon intensity. It will also underpin collaborations with internationally leading partners to develop novel solar-combustion hybrid reactors for the production of solar fuels and for minerals processing.
Investigation of the coupled dependence of concentrated solar radiation and combustion in a novel solar hybrid technology. The project will develop the models necessary for the optimisation of a novel solar-combustion hybrid technology and a novel heat exchanger component. It will deliver a solar thermal technology that lowers the cost of solar energy with immediate potential in off-grid sites, such as in remote mines, in Australia and throughout the world.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100220
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$760,000.00
Summary
Adaptive Electrical Capacitance Volume Tomography for Multiphase Flows. This project aims to establish a cutting edge adaptive electrical capacitance volume tomography facility for real-time metering / imaging of multi-phase flows. Optimisation of these flows which are encountered in many industries, is paramount in today's carbon-constrained global economy. This project expects to generate the new knowledge necessary for such optimisations. Expected outcomes include enhanced national capability ....Adaptive Electrical Capacitance Volume Tomography for Multiphase Flows. This project aims to establish a cutting edge adaptive electrical capacitance volume tomography facility for real-time metering / imaging of multi-phase flows. Optimisation of these flows which are encountered in many industries, is paramount in today's carbon-constrained global economy. This project expects to generate the new knowledge necessary for such optimisations. Expected outcomes include enhanced national capability for characterisation of multi-phase flows in real-time under both ambient and high temperatures. This should benefit and greatly facilitate the commercial rollout of novel technologies in industrial sectors as diverse as mineral processing, clean energy, fuels/chemicals, oil/gas, food and environmental remediation. Read moreRead less
Membrane distillation development for concentrated solar thermal systems. Membrane distillation development for concentrated solar thermal systems. This project aims to develop a new membrane distillation module that works with a high efficiency solar thermal tower system. Fresh water and energy are inextricably linked and form the basis for all human activity. Remote locations in Australia and the Middle East and North Africa are blessed with abundant solar resources and increasing levels of de ....Membrane distillation development for concentrated solar thermal systems. Membrane distillation development for concentrated solar thermal systems. This project aims to develop a new membrane distillation module that works with a high efficiency solar thermal tower system. Fresh water and energy are inextricably linked and form the basis for all human activity. Remote locations in Australia and the Middle East and North Africa are blessed with abundant solar resources and increasing levels of development, but burdened by access to reliable water treatment and electricity generation facilities. This project will use recently developed materials and design tools to overcome technical challenges that limited membrane distillation technology. This is expected to open up an innovative method for co-production of water and electricity which can handle transient solar and water quality inputs.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100131
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Multifunctional micro/nano-engineered solar thermal receivers. This project is designed to develop a new class of thermal receivers that overcome key challenges in today's concentrating solar thermal systems. The development of accurate micro/nanofabrication and characterisation techniques in recent years has made it possible to achieve thermofluid devices that are engineered from the bottom up to achieve high performance at relatively low cost. This project aims to develop a new class of solar ....Multifunctional micro/nano-engineered solar thermal receivers. This project is designed to develop a new class of thermal receivers that overcome key challenges in today's concentrating solar thermal systems. The development of accurate micro/nanofabrication and characterisation techniques in recent years has made it possible to achieve thermofluid devices that are engineered from the bottom up to achieve high performance at relatively low cost. This project aims to develop a new class of solar thermal receivers which use micro/nanotechnology to directly absorb concentrated solar energy with very little pumping power and minimal radiative heat loss. By tailoring the geometry and materials inside the receiver, the project expects to achieve a unique level of integrated optical, heat transfer and fluid flow control.Read moreRead less
Driving Chemical Reactions by Visible and Ultraviolet Light on Supported Noble Metal Nanoparticles. This project will develop advanced materials of noble metal nanoparticles on a support, which can absorb visible and ultraviolet light and catalyse chemical reactions. Such photocatalysts provide the potential to use sunlight, an abundant, green energy source, to drive reactions at ambient temperatures for chemical synthesis and environmental protection.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100523
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,446.00
Summary
Tailoring efficient photo-thermal catalysts for carbon dioxide reduction. This project aims to develop a highly solar-efficient and environmentally-friendly approach to reducing greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable fuels that will be beneficial for relieving energy shortage and improving global sustainability. New multifunctional catalysts will be constructed by combining various catalytic active centres and optical promoters, for optimising energy efficiency and reaction activity. ....Tailoring efficient photo-thermal catalysts for carbon dioxide reduction. This project aims to develop a highly solar-efficient and environmentally-friendly approach to reducing greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable fuels that will be beneficial for relieving energy shortage and improving global sustainability. New multifunctional catalysts will be constructed by combining various catalytic active centres and optical promoters, for optimising energy efficiency and reaction activity. Such knowledge gained is essential for the success of the low-carbon industry and a more environmentally-friendly energy economy in Australia.Read moreRead less
The dynamics of convection - insights for ocean and climate physics and for solar thermal energy system design. This project will inform our understanding of, and response to, climate change by improving knowledge of ocean circulation and technology for renewable energy generation. The results will lead to better climate prediction models and understanding of ocean CO2 uptake, acidification and sea-level rise, and will help to reduce energy sector emissions.