Advanced Particles and Systems for Photoinduced Processes. One of the most crucial challenges facing chemical scientists is the need for ecologically clean chemical processes and technology. Solar induced processes, such as photocatalysis, are adept at utilising more of our natural energy resources. However, these processes currently suffer from low efficiencies. The proposed research aims to address these issues. Successful implementation of this technology will help place Australian research a ....Advanced Particles and Systems for Photoinduced Processes. One of the most crucial challenges facing chemical scientists is the need for ecologically clean chemical processes and technology. Solar induced processes, such as photocatalysis, are adept at utilising more of our natural energy resources. However, these processes currently suffer from low efficiencies. The proposed research aims to address these issues. Successful implementation of this technology will help place Australian research at the forefront of sustainable methods for water treatment and material synthesis for functional applications. This will provide economic and social benefits due to improvements in processes with higher efficiencies and greater use of clean, natural resources.
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Sustainable Technology for Removal of Trace Contaminants in Rural Water Supplies. Provision of safe drinking water treatment using sustainable technology which can be applied in rural locations and emergency situations is the main aim of this project. A hybrid membrane process will be combined with solar energy for the removal of pathogens and trace pollutants such as uranium, fluoride, arsenic, boron and nitrates. The technology will be designed for remote community situations and hence be robu ....Sustainable Technology for Removal of Trace Contaminants in Rural Water Supplies. Provision of safe drinking water treatment using sustainable technology which can be applied in rural locations and emergency situations is the main aim of this project. A hybrid membrane process will be combined with solar energy for the removal of pathogens and trace pollutants such as uranium, fluoride, arsenic, boron and nitrates. The technology will be designed for remote community situations and hence be robust and low in maintenance. Using solar energy is a challenge for trace contaminant removal as the operating conditions vary with the power fluctuations, which presents a substantially different situation to grid power connection.Read moreRead less
Molecular Electronics: from electron transfer through photosynthesis towards functional nano devices. Molecular Electronics, the use of molecules to perform specific electronic functions, is a new and very rapidly expanded area of nanotechnology. We will elucidate basic principles of electrical conduction through single molecules, understand and mimic natural photosynthetic molecular electronic processes, and establish by synthesis of "molecular wires" and extension of current technology, new m ....Molecular Electronics: from electron transfer through photosynthesis towards functional nano devices. Molecular Electronics, the use of molecules to perform specific electronic functions, is a new and very rapidly expanded area of nanotechnology. We will elucidate basic principles of electrical conduction through single molecules, understand and mimic natural photosynthetic molecular electronic processes, and establish by synthesis of "molecular wires" and extension of current technology, new methods for probing nanoscale electron transfer. We will combine these aspects to develop applications in photovoltaic design and in the design of molecular-level circuitry. Possible long-term applications range from solar energy conversion to molecular recognition and sensing to new types of electronic processing akin to quantum computing.Read moreRead less
Supramolecular assembly in photovoltaic electrode design: Studies of ordered porphyrin/acceptor complexes on polythiophene electrodes. This research outlines an improved way to develop dye-sensitised photovoltaic solar cells for the conversion of sunlight into electricity, by increasing the molecular order of the cell components using host, guest interrelationships. As such, it addresses a problem of international concern 'How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stop global warming?' since s ....Supramolecular assembly in photovoltaic electrode design: Studies of ordered porphyrin/acceptor complexes on polythiophene electrodes. This research outlines an improved way to develop dye-sensitised photovoltaic solar cells for the conversion of sunlight into electricity, by increasing the molecular order of the cell components using host, guest interrelationships. As such, it addresses a problem of international concern 'How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stop global warming?' since solar cells do not produce carbon dioxide. To achieve our goals we draw on the skills of a team of experts from Australia (synthetic organic chemists), New Zealand (polymer and surface chemists) and Italy (photochemist and photophysicist). Such research is very appropriate for regional Australia, especially Central Queensland.Read moreRead less
Self-Assembled Porphyrin-Fullerene Photovoltaic Electrodes: Towards Nanostructured Organic Solar Cells. Energy is arguably the single most important problem facing humanity today. The development of cheap, efficient photovoltaic technology could dramatically change this, providing humanity with renewable, environmentally acceptable energy resources. The need to replace present electrical energy generation, largely based on fossil fuel, is without argument given the detrimental effects of global ....Self-Assembled Porphyrin-Fullerene Photovoltaic Electrodes: Towards Nanostructured Organic Solar Cells. Energy is arguably the single most important problem facing humanity today. The development of cheap, efficient photovoltaic technology could dramatically change this, providing humanity with renewable, environmentally acceptable energy resources. The need to replace present electrical energy generation, largely based on fossil fuel, is without argument given the detrimental effects of global warming from increasing carbon dioxide production. The development and implementation of cheap, efficient photovoltaic technologies in Australia will not only ensure its sustainable economic growth but also contribute in a major way to the improved use of land, water, mineral and other energy resources in Australia. Read moreRead less
Development of a test bed for molecular memory and molecular photovoltaic devices. The development of nanostructured materials and the devices that utilize them is at the forefront of modern science and technology. Electrical devices whose functional units are structurally ordered single molecules dominate biochemical processes, especially pertinent ones being photosynthesis and cellular energy production; artificial devices promise new technologies in multi-$B markets such as long-term data st ....Development of a test bed for molecular memory and molecular photovoltaic devices. The development of nanostructured materials and the devices that utilize them is at the forefront of modern science and technology. Electrical devices whose functional units are structurally ordered single molecules dominate biochemical processes, especially pertinent ones being photosynthesis and cellular energy production; artificial devices promise new technologies in multi-$B markets such as long-term data storage and renewable solar-energy production. Interfacing molecules with macroscopic interconnects poses a great technological challenge, however, and in this project the underlying basic science will be determined through the formation of molecules into device-accessible functional materials.Read moreRead less
Molecular Electronics Principles and Applications. This project will establish basic conceptual models and computational methods to understand the nature of conduction, memory storage, and solar to electrical energy conversion processes in molecular devices on the 1-nanometer scale. Fundamental research of chemical processes, device interfaces, characterization techniques, and natural photosynthesis will result in widely applicable advances in nanotechnology. Additionally, novel architectures wi ....Molecular Electronics Principles and Applications. This project will establish basic conceptual models and computational methods to understand the nature of conduction, memory storage, and solar to electrical energy conversion processes in molecular devices on the 1-nanometer scale. Fundamental research of chemical processes, device interfaces, characterization techniques, and natural photosynthesis will result in widely applicable advances in nanotechnology. Additionally, novel architectures will be developed for disruptive new technologies in molecular memory and logic design, as well as in the design of biomimetic solar cells. These developments could lead to new Australian electronics industries and an order of magnitude reduction in the production cost of solar electricity.Read moreRead less
Tailored porphyrins for nanoscience applications. Porphyrins are the pigments of life, the central components of haemoglobin in blood and chlorophyll in living plants. In order to expand their use into important areas of nanoscience, this project will establish a new porphyrin paradigm. It will result in the synthesis of novel porphyrins with inbuilt structural features that enhance their propensity to self-assemble into monolayers on surfaces, and into nanorods. This will lead to advanced mate ....Tailored porphyrins for nanoscience applications. Porphyrins are the pigments of life, the central components of haemoglobin in blood and chlorophyll in living plants. In order to expand their use into important areas of nanoscience, this project will establish a new porphyrin paradigm. It will result in the synthesis of novel porphyrins with inbuilt structural features that enhance their propensity to self-assemble into monolayers on surfaces, and into nanorods. This will lead to advanced materials for molecular sensing, photonics, molecular memory devices, catalysis, and organic photovoltaics. A new means of improving the efficiency of solar cells will also be explored. Well-trained graduates and strong international scientific cooperation will also result from the project.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured Silicon-Based Tandem Solar Cells. The expected outcome from the project is a new generation of low-cost silicon solar cell that will significantly reduce the costs of generating electricity from sunlight. Solar cells are presently the world's most rapidly growing energy source, with Australians and Australian companies already major players in the associated rapidly expanding industry. Solar cells represent the most benign technology yet suggested for supplying the world's future ....Nanostructured Silicon-Based Tandem Solar Cells. The expected outcome from the project is a new generation of low-cost silicon solar cell that will significantly reduce the costs of generating electricity from sunlight. Solar cells are presently the world's most rapidly growing energy source, with Australians and Australian companies already major players in the associated rapidly expanding industry. Solar cells represent the most benign technology yet suggested for supplying the world's future energy needs. A cleaner environment in the future than would otherwise be likely is another expected outcome as is the creation of major new opportunities for Australian industry.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