Design Of Practical Passive Cooling Radiators Utilising Spectrally Selective Covers And Surfaces. Radiative cooling offers a means to cool buildings sustainably without complex and costly heat pumps or air conditioners. Units similar to solar panels can be designed with surfaces which radiate mostly into the 8 - 12 micron atmospheric window, which has a radiance much less than for other wavelengths. Commercial development has been limited by problems associated with the degradation, performance ....Design Of Practical Passive Cooling Radiators Utilising Spectrally Selective Covers And Surfaces. Radiative cooling offers a means to cool buildings sustainably without complex and costly heat pumps or air conditioners. Units similar to solar panels can be designed with surfaces which radiate mostly into the 8 - 12 micron atmospheric window, which has a radiance much less than for other wavelengths. Commercial development has been limited by problems associated with the degradation, performance or cost of radiator surfaces. This project seeks to improve both performance and durability with innovative use of alternative materials and sputtered coatings suitable for mass manufacture, and to test the outdoor performance of laboratory produced radiative plates.Read moreRead less
Development of an Automated Control System for Selection of Optimal Process Parameters in Welding Using Solar Energy Concentration. The objective of this proposed research is to develop an intelligent control system for selection of optimal process parameters in welding using solar energy concentration. This investigation endeavours to address the complex interaction between welding process parameters and quality of weld. The results of the work will lead to signicant advancement of knowledge ....Development of an Automated Control System for Selection of Optimal Process Parameters in Welding Using Solar Energy Concentration. The objective of this proposed research is to develop an intelligent control system for selection of optimal process parameters in welding using solar energy concentration. This investigation endeavours to address the complex interaction between welding process parameters and quality of weld. The results of the work will lead to signicant advancement of knowledge in automation of the welding process and will generate global interest due to its innovation and applications in automotive manufacturing and steel fabrication industries. The research activity proposed in this application is expected to further strengthen the links between QUT and Mokpo National University and will enhance the capabilities of both universities in attracting funding from local manufacturing industries.Read moreRead less
Heat transfer processes in evacuated tubular solar absorbers. The aim of this project is to improve the understanding of the complex heat transfer processes in evacuated tubular solar water heaters. This project will develop thermal and hydrodynamic models for advanced solar water heaters incorporating evacuated tubular absorbers and will assess the accuracy of the models through a series of outdoor experiments on prototype evacuated tubular solar water heaters. The outcomes will lead to the d ....Heat transfer processes in evacuated tubular solar absorbers. The aim of this project is to improve the understanding of the complex heat transfer processes in evacuated tubular solar water heaters. This project will develop thermal and hydrodynamic models for advanced solar water heaters incorporating evacuated tubular absorbers and will assess the accuracy of the models through a series of outdoor experiments on prototype evacuated tubular solar water heaters. The outcomes will lead to the design and manufacturing of more efficient solar collectors, which can greatly benefit both Australian domestic and export markets.Read moreRead less
Dehumidification and cooling driven by solar/waste heat using liquid desiccants. The provision of comfort cooling is responsible for a considerable and increasing portion of the world energy demand and electricity peak demand. To substitute electrically driven vapour compression machines with their high electrical energy consumption and especially high peak loads, the use of solar energy or waste heat for a cooling and dehumidification system driven by liquid desiccants is a promising opportunit ....Dehumidification and cooling driven by solar/waste heat using liquid desiccants. The provision of comfort cooling is responsible for a considerable and increasing portion of the world energy demand and electricity peak demand. To substitute electrically driven vapour compression machines with their high electrical energy consumption and especially high peak loads, the use of solar energy or waste heat for a cooling and dehumidification system driven by liquid desiccants is a promising opportunity. The project utilises the complementary strengths in the research groups to develop practical and economically feasible cooling/dehumidification systems for different types of buildings with different moisture removal and cooling requirements at different locations (Australia, Southern Europe).Read moreRead less
Development of novel roofing panels integrating solar heat collection and phase change storage. The provision of comfort heating for domestic and commercial buildings contributes significantly to Australia's energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The project aims to develop a new roofing product which will collect and store solar energy for heating. The product integrates conventional roofing products into a solar collector and a heat store. Materials that melt/freeze at suitable temperatures ....Development of novel roofing panels integrating solar heat collection and phase change storage. The provision of comfort heating for domestic and commercial buildings contributes significantly to Australia's energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The project aims to develop a new roofing product which will collect and store solar energy for heating. The product integrates conventional roofing products into a solar collector and a heat store. Materials that melt/freeze at suitable temperatures will be used for heat storage. The project involves developing a mathematical model and a prototype design. In addition to fulfilling the conventional function of roofing products including thermal and sound insulation, the prototype is intended to be aesthetically acceptable and easily compatible with current building practices.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354551
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Network for Renewable Energy. The proposed Research Network will integrate and coordinate the entire research field of renewable energy in Australia. This Network covers a diverse range of technologies, and includes all prominent researchers in the area of renewable energy in Australia. The Network is strengthened by the inclusion of key people from government agencies, industry, industry associations and international research organisations.
Australia is a leading player in the ....ARC Research Network for Renewable Energy. The proposed Research Network will integrate and coordinate the entire research field of renewable energy in Australia. This Network covers a diverse range of technologies, and includes all prominent researchers in the area of renewable energy in Australia. The Network is strengthened by the inclusion of key people from government agencies, industry, industry associations and international research organisations.
Australia is a leading player in the world's renewable energy industry. An effective structure for networking and for the exchange of people, information and research results will maintain and improve Australia's position in this rapidly growing industry.Read moreRead less
Multi Tower Solar Array (MTSA) for combined heat and power applications in urban areas. The MTSA is a highly compact, middle-scale (0.5 - 10 MW) solar power concept designed for urban areas. It comprises an array of small towers with high mounted receivers which collect sunlight from a very densely packed reflector field below. Reflectors can be aimed at different towers during the day to minimise blocking and shading losses. A prototype MTSA system to be constructed will test new reflector modu ....Multi Tower Solar Array (MTSA) for combined heat and power applications in urban areas. The MTSA is a highly compact, middle-scale (0.5 - 10 MW) solar power concept designed for urban areas. It comprises an array of small towers with high mounted receivers which collect sunlight from a very densely packed reflector field below. Reflectors can be aimed at different towers during the day to minimise blocking and shading losses. A prototype MTSA system to be constructed will test new reflector modules developed in conjunction with Solahart Industries (Perth). Innovative receivers incorporating spectral control, and both photovoltaic and thermal electricity generation paths will also be developed.Read moreRead less
Design of high performance heat sink composites. Heat sink composites are advanced materials that have the very substantial but widely untapped potential to reduce Society's energy consumption by means of utilizing waste energy or through energy-efficient temperature control. This Project uses computational analysis and parallel experimentation to design optimum heat-sink composites for highly energy-efficient temperature control of chemical batteries or electronic components as well as the mean ....Design of high performance heat sink composites. Heat sink composites are advanced materials that have the very substantial but widely untapped potential to reduce Society's energy consumption by means of utilizing waste energy or through energy-efficient temperature control. This Project uses computational analysis and parallel experimentation to design optimum heat-sink composites for highly energy-efficient temperature control of chemical batteries or electronic components as well as the means for the efficient heating/cooling of buildings. The outcomes of the project will lay the scientific foundation for the industrial scale development of advanced heat sinks that will lower energy costs and decrease climate changing emissions. This represents a new market for Australian industry.Read moreRead less
Probing the Interface Between Polymeric Photonic Materials and Biology. This application provides a basis for Professor A. B. Holmes to develop a collaboration between the University of Melbourne (within the Bio21 Institute initiative) and CSIRO Division of Molecular Science to prepare novel plastics for electronics applications (lap top displays, transistors and solar cells) and to make specialised macromolecules for studying the way in which biological molecules may be made to recognise other ....Probing the Interface Between Polymeric Photonic Materials and Biology. This application provides a basis for Professor A. B. Holmes to develop a collaboration between the University of Melbourne (within the Bio21 Institute initiative) and CSIRO Division of Molecular Science to prepare novel plastics for electronics applications (lap top displays, transistors and solar cells) and to make specialised macromolecules for studying the way in which biological molecules may be made to recognise other molecules and thus change their function. It is envisaged that the multidisciplinary research collaboration will lead to commercial opportunities in "plastic electronics" and in human health such as the control of cancer and infectious diseases.Read moreRead less
Efficient PV-Thermal Micro-concentrator. Australia must reduce its dependence on carbon sources for electricity, heating, and cooling. The PV-thermal hybrid micro-concentrator development will deliver a light-weight, low-profile, cost-effective system that can be installed in almost any situation, with versatile output that can deliver electricity at grid parity as well as providing water heating, space heating, industrial process heat, and solar cooling capabilities. The nation will benefit thr ....Efficient PV-Thermal Micro-concentrator. Australia must reduce its dependence on carbon sources for electricity, heating, and cooling. The PV-thermal hybrid micro-concentrator development will deliver a light-weight, low-profile, cost-effective system that can be installed in almost any situation, with versatile output that can deliver electricity at grid parity as well as providing water heating, space heating, industrial process heat, and solar cooling capabilities. The nation will benefit through enhanced energy independence, international research recognition, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Further, successful commercialisation of this technology will enhance Australia's research standing and provide a good royalty income that will fund future research and development.Read moreRead less