New Techniques for Structural Biology and Directed Molecular Evolution. This PhD program will equip an Australian graduate with advanced training in techniques in molecular genetics and protein chemistry that are currently in high demand by the biotechnology industry, and also provide him/her with direct experience of an industrial R&D laboratory environment. Moreover, it will establish a basis for further collaboration between a leading University-based research laboratory and an established R& ....New Techniques for Structural Biology and Directed Molecular Evolution. This PhD program will equip an Australian graduate with advanced training in techniques in molecular genetics and protein chemistry that are currently in high demand by the biotechnology industry, and also provide him/her with direct experience of an industrial R&D laboratory environment. Moreover, it will establish a basis for further collaboration between a leading University-based research laboratory and an established R&D company that will lead to development of new techniques for use in biotechnology in Australia and overseas.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured Carbon Electrodes. The development of higher capacity energy storage devices is critical to the efficient use of energy. The fundamental knowledge gained in this project will enable the production of the next generation advanced electrode materials for this purpose and hence provide many new commercial opportunities for Australian industry. The project brings together world leaders in their own fields to address a highly multidisciplinary area of research and will provide an excel ....Nanostructured Carbon Electrodes. The development of higher capacity energy storage devices is critical to the efficient use of energy. The fundamental knowledge gained in this project will enable the production of the next generation advanced electrode materials for this purpose and hence provide many new commercial opportunities for Australian industry. The project brings together world leaders in their own fields to address a highly multidisciplinary area of research and will provide an excellent training for PhD students and post doctoral Research Fellows, enabling them to work in and contribute to the development of new nanotechnology industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
Numerical and experimental studies of the gas-particle flow and dust collection in electrostatic precipitation systems. This project will generate an integrated computer model to describe the gas-solid flow and dust collection in an ElectroStatic Precipitator (ESP). The model can be used to aid the design and control of ESP systems which are widely used for dust collection, leading to more competitive energy and related industries.
Development of a fuel control system for small two-stroke engines. The two-stroke engine is well known not only for its mechanical simplicity and power-to-weight advantages, but also for its high hydrocarbon emission caused by fuel short-circuiting. Driven by new regulations, developing new technologies for small two-stroke engines to meet pollutant emission standards has become urgent. This project aims to develop a fuel control system for reducing hydrocarbon and other emissions of a two-strok ....Development of a fuel control system for small two-stroke engines. The two-stroke engine is well known not only for its mechanical simplicity and power-to-weight advantages, but also for its high hydrocarbon emission caused by fuel short-circuiting. Driven by new regulations, developing new technologies for small two-stroke engines to meet pollutant emission standards has become urgent. This project aims to develop a fuel control system for reducing hydrocarbon and other emissions of a two-stroke engine designed and produced by Australia's leading lawnmower manufacturer. The knowledge and technology developed will be broadly applicable. By reducing engine pollutant emissions and improving fuel energy efficiency, this research addresses environmental and energy efficiency imperatives.Read moreRead less
Solar solutions to improve energy affordability for low-income renters. This Project aims to develop solutions for low-income renters to access solar energy. Low-income households spend higher proportions of income on electricity costs. Solar energy is a key way to reduce electricity costs and thus improve energy affordability. Renters are largely excluded from this opportunity. Intended Project outcomes are solutions to access solar energy suitable for widespread application to low-income priva ....Solar solutions to improve energy affordability for low-income renters. This Project aims to develop solutions for low-income renters to access solar energy. Low-income households spend higher proportions of income on electricity costs. Solar energy is a key way to reduce electricity costs and thus improve energy affordability. Renters are largely excluded from this opportunity. Intended Project outcomes are solutions to access solar energy suitable for widespread application to low-income private, public and community rental housing. Adoption of the Project’s outcomes are expected to benefit low-income renters, assist electricity retailers to maintain and extend their customer base, and provide commercial incentives for the many stakeholders providing rental housing and residential solar and battery systems.Read moreRead less
Integration of large capacity Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage with Active Power Filter switching technology to achieve a complete power quality device. The aim of this project is to integrate large capacity SMES with Active Power Filter (APF) switching technology to achieve a complete power quality control device.
The expected outcomes of the research are 1) An SMES design suitable for APF integration, 2) Development and implementation of lossless energy switching technologies, 3) D ....Integration of large capacity Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage with Active Power Filter switching technology to achieve a complete power quality device. The aim of this project is to integrate large capacity SMES with Active Power Filter (APF) switching technology to achieve a complete power quality control device.
The expected outcomes of the research are 1) An SMES design suitable for APF integration, 2) Development and implementation of lossless energy switching technologies, 3) Development of suitable APF switching algorithms, 4) An integrated design with competitive commercial analysis, and 5) A fully characterised prototype.
This project is innovative as the marriage of large capacity SMES with APF switching technology is essentially absent from the literature, and so there are high expectations for innovative applications and methodologies of fabrication.
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Novel lithium iron based olivine phosphates as cathode materials for the development of new generation power batteries. Global warming and climate change are a serious threat to our society today. We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable energy for sustainable development. Battery technology is regarded as one of the green technologies that can be widely used to power vehicles and store energy. This project will develop new generation lithium-ion power batteries using novel lit ....Novel lithium iron based olivine phosphates as cathode materials for the development of new generation power batteries. Global warming and climate change are a serious threat to our society today. We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable energy for sustainable development. Battery technology is regarded as one of the green technologies that can be widely used to power vehicles and store energy. This project will develop new generation lithium-ion power batteries using novel lithium iron based phosphate cathode materials. The success of the research will provide advanced rechargeable batteries for electric bicycles, electric motorcycles and hybrid electric vehicles, contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions. Read moreRead less
Specific gene inhibition through functional genomics and high through-put small molecule screening. This project will utilise functional genomic technologies in an attempt to identify genes in childhood neuroblastoma as potential candidates for the future development of molecular-targeted gene therapy. By screening large 'libraries' of chemical compounds, we aim to identify compounds with the ability to specifically inhibit these gene targets. This project will therefore define novel molecular t ....Specific gene inhibition through functional genomics and high through-put small molecule screening. This project will utilise functional genomic technologies in an attempt to identify genes in childhood neuroblastoma as potential candidates for the future development of molecular-targeted gene therapy. By screening large 'libraries' of chemical compounds, we aim to identify compounds with the ability to specifically inhibit these gene targets. This project will therefore define novel molecular targets and possibly facilitate the future development of new therapeutic approaches to treating neuroblastoma. In addition, the project will develop know-how that can be utilised by both the industry partner and the broader research community and will introduce to Australian science novel techniques and skills. Read moreRead less
Supercritical Highly-Integrated and Modular, Continuous Solid-Catalysed Biodiesel Production from Plant and Animal Feedstocks. We propose to revolutionise biodiesel production by creating a new reactor type and associated process that allows the production of 160,000 tonnes of biodiesel a year in a supercritical reactor volume of one cubic metre after scale-up. In this project, we propose to design the appropriate catalysts and pilot plant to study our ideas which should lead to a highly effici ....Supercritical Highly-Integrated and Modular, Continuous Solid-Catalysed Biodiesel Production from Plant and Animal Feedstocks. We propose to revolutionise biodiesel production by creating a new reactor type and associated process that allows the production of 160,000 tonnes of biodiesel a year in a supercritical reactor volume of one cubic metre after scale-up. In this project, we propose to design the appropriate catalysts and pilot plant to study our ideas which should lead to a highly efficient and sustainable system that offers a real alternative to current mineral oil-based technologies.Read moreRead less
A Fundamental Investigation into the Behaviour of Mineral Matter in Coal during Coke Formation and in Blast Furnace. Minerals in coal are present in various forms and sizes resulting in vastly different thermal behaviour. Thermal transformation of minerals in coal influences the coke properties and subsequent performance of coke in blast furnace. Earlier investigations have been based on bulk ash analysis of coals. In the current project, Computer Controlled Scanning Electron Microscopy will be ....A Fundamental Investigation into the Behaviour of Mineral Matter in Coal during Coke Formation and in Blast Furnace. Minerals in coal are present in various forms and sizes resulting in vastly different thermal behaviour. Thermal transformation of minerals in coal influences the coke properties and subsequent performance of coke in blast furnace. Earlier investigations have been based on bulk ash analysis of coals. In the current project, Computer Controlled Scanning Electron Microscopy will be used in place of bulk ash analysis for coal, coke and thermally treated coke in blast furnace simulated conditions to investigate and model the effects of minerals in coal on coke structure during coke-making and its subsequent effect on its performance in blast furnace.Read moreRead less