Predictive models for the combustion of multi-component bio-fuels. This project will develop advanced, computationally efficient models for predicting pollutant emissions from the combustion of bio-fuels. The models will target practical engineering-scale applications with the aim of achieving improved energy conversion and improved urban air quality.
Cryo atom probe tomography: an atomic-scale view of life. This project aims to develop workflows that allow the microscopy technique of atom-probe tomography to be applied to specimens that have been cryogenically cooled during preparation. The project will open up this powerful method, which has made an enormous impact in materials science over the last few decades, to new disciplines such as chemistry and the life sciences. The new types of specimens that can be analysed include vitrified biol ....Cryo atom probe tomography: an atomic-scale view of life. This project aims to develop workflows that allow the microscopy technique of atom-probe tomography to be applied to specimens that have been cryogenically cooled during preparation. The project will open up this powerful method, which has made an enormous impact in materials science over the last few decades, to new disciplines such as chemistry and the life sciences. The new types of specimens that can be analysed include vitrified biological matter, liquids (solutions), surface molecules (ligands), and hydrogen. In the long term, this project has the potential to lead to radical new discoveries in fields such as health and medicine, chemical processing and agriculture.Read moreRead less
Combustion Modelling and Control for Biomass Fuelled Boilers . This Project aims to improve the operation of bio-fuelled boilers in the sugar industry by using novel approaches to modelling and control of the combustion process. In the sugar industry, sugarcane residue is used as biofuel for boilers. The steam from the boilers is used to crystallise sugar and generate electricity, which is used to power machinery and is also exported to the grid. However, due to poor fuel consistency and poor c ....Combustion Modelling and Control for Biomass Fuelled Boilers . This Project aims to improve the operation of bio-fuelled boilers in the sugar industry by using novel approaches to modelling and control of the combustion process. In the sugar industry, sugarcane residue is used as biofuel for boilers. The steam from the boilers is used to crystallise sugar and generate electricity, which is used to power machinery and is also exported to the grid. However, due to poor fuel consistency and poor combustion conditions, critical problems arise that hinder production. Expected outcomes include: improved sugar production, safer operation of boilers, reduced downtime, and better electricity co-generation.
This will provide significant benefits to sugar manufacturing and biofuel energy generation in AustraliaRead moreRead less
Control strategies for Bagasse-fuelled boiler units. This project aims to improve sugar production and electricity cogeneration capabilities in the sugar industry by utilising novel control ideas for boiler units. In the sugar industry, sugarcane residue is used as biofuel for boiler units. Boilers use steam to crystallise sugar and generate electricity. However, variable steam demand and poor fuel consistency severely hinder production. The project aims to improve safe operation of boilers, red ....Control strategies for Bagasse-fuelled boiler units. This project aims to improve sugar production and electricity cogeneration capabilities in the sugar industry by utilising novel control ideas for boiler units. In the sugar industry, sugarcane residue is used as biofuel for boiler units. Boilers use steam to crystallise sugar and generate electricity. However, variable steam demand and poor fuel consistency severely hinder production. The project aims to improve safe operation of boilers, reduce downtime, and maximise electricity generated to the grid. This will provide significant benefits to sugar manufacturing and, more broadly, biofuel energy generation in Australia.Read moreRead less
The role of Fld1p protein in lipid droplet formation and growth in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This project aims to characterize Fld1p/seipin, an important protein that controls lipid storage in the form of lipid droplets. Knowing the molecular function of Fld1p will provide important insights into how lipid droplets originate and grow. Such knowledge will help improve the quality and quantity of oil and biodiesel production.
Maximising Bioenergy Recovery from Sewage Sludge. Sewage treatment is producing large amounts of sewage sludge, which represents a substantial, but largely untapped, energy source. This project aims to develop and demonstrate an innovative, economically attractive and environmentally friendly technology, and the underpinning science, to maximize bioenergy recovery from sewage sludge. The technology is based on the treatment of sludge using free ammonia, a by-product of sewage treatment. This pro ....Maximising Bioenergy Recovery from Sewage Sludge. Sewage treatment is producing large amounts of sewage sludge, which represents a substantial, but largely untapped, energy source. This project aims to develop and demonstrate an innovative, economically attractive and environmentally friendly technology, and the underpinning science, to maximize bioenergy recovery from sewage sludge. The technology is based on the treatment of sludge using free ammonia, a by-product of sewage treatment. This project is expected to benefit Australia by substantially reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and accelerating a shift to affordable renewable energy. The outcomes of the project would provide significant energy, economic, environmental and social benefits for Australians. Read moreRead less
Characterisation of novel gene products that regulate phospholipid metabolism and lipid droplet formation in the yeast saccharomyces cerevisiae. This project aims to study gene products that control lipid storage in the form of lipid droplets. The biogenesis and composition of lipid droplets in plant seeds or algae determine the quantity and quality of oil/biodiesel production.
Selective photocatalytic lignin biomass conversion. If the prospective ‘hydrogen economy’ is to use hydrogen as a fuel and energy carrier to replace fossil sources, vast amounts of renewable cheap hydrogen must be available. A likely candidate is catalytic water splitting by sunlight. The hydrogen can be made affordable, by coupling hydrogen production to a higher value-added stream. The aim of this project is to produce a stable, hybrid heterogenous catalyst system able to oxidise organic subst ....Selective photocatalytic lignin biomass conversion. If the prospective ‘hydrogen economy’ is to use hydrogen as a fuel and energy carrier to replace fossil sources, vast amounts of renewable cheap hydrogen must be available. A likely candidate is catalytic water splitting by sunlight. The hydrogen can be made affordable, by coupling hydrogen production to a higher value-added stream. The aim of this project is to produce a stable, hybrid heterogenous catalyst system able to oxidise organic substrates derived from lignin biomass as an adjunct to visible light hydrogen generation from water. The significance will be to provide fuels and organic chemicals for industry from biomass, water and sunlight and catalytically remediate waste water with sunlight.Read moreRead less
Advanced biomass gasification process for distributed power generation with significant negative carbon emission in rural and regional Australia. The outcome of this project is fundamental knowledge essential to the development of advanced biomass gasification processes for distributed power generation with drastic reduction in carbon emissions and the recycling of inorganic nutrients to the land. It will contribute significantly to the future sustainability of rural and regional Australia.
Nanoengineered, Encapsulated Catalysts from Fly Ash Waste. This project aims to deliver advanced catalysts and novel catalyst synthesis methods from the use of iron-rich fly ash, an otherwise abundant valueless waste with projected steady growth across Australia and globally. The as-synthesised catalysts are expected to be applicable to and exhibit excellent activity in the production of green hydrogen and renewable bio-fuels from lignocellulosic waste. These efforts are significant and benefici ....Nanoengineered, Encapsulated Catalysts from Fly Ash Waste. This project aims to deliver advanced catalysts and novel catalyst synthesis methods from the use of iron-rich fly ash, an otherwise abundant valueless waste with projected steady growth across Australia and globally. The as-synthesised catalysts are expected to be applicable to and exhibit excellent activity in the production of green hydrogen and renewable bio-fuels from lignocellulosic waste. These efforts are significant and beneficial in restoring the manufacturing capability of Australian industry, driving Australian industry towards the development of a circular economy for the appropriate management of solid waste, as well as for a seamless introduction of renewable and clean energy sources to address the pressing climate change.Read moreRead less