Removal and degradation of microplastics using halloysite nanocomposite. The project aims to utilize halloysite clay combined with novel highly magnetized nanoparticles for the removal and degradation of microplastics in the contaminated water system. The project expects to fabricate cheap and environmentally-friendly materials using innovative chemical synthesis and surface modification for adsorption and decomposition of microplastics utilizing both high surface area of halloysite nanotubes a ....Removal and degradation of microplastics using halloysite nanocomposite. The project aims to utilize halloysite clay combined with novel highly magnetized nanoparticles for the removal and degradation of microplastics in the contaminated water system. The project expects to fabricate cheap and environmentally-friendly materials using innovative chemical synthesis and surface modification for adsorption and decomposition of microplastics utilizing both high surface area of halloysite nanotubes and catalytic activity of transition metals. This project will facilitate collaboration between multidisciplinary researchers and a vibrant group of industrial participants to advance next-generation composite materials for water treatment and ensure the supply of clean water for healthy living.Read moreRead less
Nanoscale heating towards high efficient nitrogen reduction reduction. This project aims to develop nanoscale heating technique using AC magnetic field for efficient synthesis of ammonia, widely used for fertiliser and having potential for hydrogen storage. This project is to introduce nanoscale heating concept by heating catalyst only but not solution in electrochemical catalysis to achieve high catalytic activity. Expected outcome is the creation of low cost catalysts having high selectivity a ....Nanoscale heating towards high efficient nitrogen reduction reduction. This project aims to develop nanoscale heating technique using AC magnetic field for efficient synthesis of ammonia, widely used for fertiliser and having potential for hydrogen storage. This project is to introduce nanoscale heating concept by heating catalyst only but not solution in electrochemical catalysis to achieve high catalytic activity. Expected outcome is the creation of low cost catalysts having high selectivity and formation rate for ammonia production. This unique technology has the potential to replace current ammonia production based on Haber-Bosch process, which consumes 2% of world energy and contributes 3% of overall CO2 emission. The project provides opportunities for new industries that will benefit Australian economy.Read moreRead less
Improved seismic resilience against life-safety hazard of masonry buildings. This project aims to develop a cost-effective technique to mitigate the safety risk posed by the many unreinforced brick masonry parapets and walls which are vulnerable to seismic shock. Every Australian city has many streets lined with older unreinforced brick masonry buildings (now cafes, pubs, boutique shops) which feature parapets. The project will provide benefits to society by reducing the potential for parapet co ....Improved seismic resilience against life-safety hazard of masonry buildings. This project aims to develop a cost-effective technique to mitigate the safety risk posed by the many unreinforced brick masonry parapets and walls which are vulnerable to seismic shock. Every Australian city has many streets lined with older unreinforced brick masonry buildings (now cafes, pubs, boutique shops) which feature parapets. The project will provide benefits to society by reducing the potential for parapet collapse and therefore reduce the total number of fatalities in an earthquake. Building owners and engineers will be benefit from the design guidance provided by this project, which will lead to a suite of fully-tested and low-cost retrofit techniques.Read moreRead less
Advanced Nanoscale Materials Engineered from Diatomaceous Earth. Using natural materials of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a cheap and available resource by applying synthetic routes this project is directed towards the innovative development of new nanoscale materials with advanced properties. New mesoporous materials with intricate 3-D structures and nano sized features will be engineered from diatom silica for use in demanding applications such as separation and catalysis. These research outcomes ....Advanced Nanoscale Materials Engineered from Diatomaceous Earth. Using natural materials of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a cheap and available resource by applying synthetic routes this project is directed towards the innovative development of new nanoscale materials with advanced properties. New mesoporous materials with intricate 3-D structures and nano sized features will be engineered from diatom silica for use in demanding applications such as separation and catalysis. These research outcomes will enhance Australia's capacity in frontier technology and advanced materials, as well as bringing a competitive advantage to local industry through the development of such advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH190100022
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,787,259.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection. The Hub aims to develop and commercialise an innovative biological alternative to chemical fungicides targeting economically significant diseases of broadacre and horticultural crops. It addresses industry challenges of fungicide resistance, chemical residues in food, off-target effects and environmental harm. It builds on ground-breaking ‘BioClay’ platform to deliver pathogen targeting RNA using clay particles as non-genetically modified crop pr ....ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection. The Hub aims to develop and commercialise an innovative biological alternative to chemical fungicides targeting economically significant diseases of broadacre and horticultural crops. It addresses industry challenges of fungicide resistance, chemical residues in food, off-target effects and environmental harm. It builds on ground-breaking ‘BioClay’ platform to deliver pathogen targeting RNA using clay particles as non-genetically modified crop protection. An expert multidisciplinary team uniting science, commercial and social licence pathways ensures industry and consumer uptake advancing $60B Australian Agriculture. The Hub translates to increased productivity, market access and enhanced environmental credentials of Australian food.
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Improved analysis techniques for seismic assessment of unreinforced masonry buildings with flexible floor/roof diaphragms. A major international collaboration between researchers in Australia, New Zealand and Italy is underway to develop a method for structural engineers to determine which masonry buildings post a significant hazard to the public in the event of an earthquake such as that which struck the city of Christchurch.
Safeguarding Australia’s heritage masonry buildings from earthquake attack. The project aims to improve the guidance provided in Australian and New Zealand design codes for the seismic capacity assessment of heritage masonry buildings. The majority of culturally significant heritage buildings in Australia are constructed of unreinforced masonry, and all of these buildings were erected before seismic design guidelines or requirements existed. The risk posed by earthquakes to these important build ....Safeguarding Australia’s heritage masonry buildings from earthquake attack. The project aims to improve the guidance provided in Australian and New Zealand design codes for the seismic capacity assessment of heritage masonry buildings. The majority of culturally significant heritage buildings in Australia are constructed of unreinforced masonry, and all of these buildings were erected before seismic design guidelines or requirements existed. The risk posed by earthquakes to these important buildings is significant – as highlighted by the 2011 Christchurch earthquake where both major cathedrals in the city were heavily damaged. The project aims to develop an analysis and design method that accounts for the material properties and non-typical structural layouts used in heritage stone and clay brick masonry buildings that are most relevant to seismic response.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180101593
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,446.00
Summary
Seismic evaluation of non-structural unreinforced masonry components. This project aims to reduce earthquake risk posed by unreinforced masonry buildings. The project will use integrated experimental and numerical research to understand the dynamic interaction between timber floors, roofs and walls. New knowledge about this interaction will enable economical and safe earthquake design methods to be used for unreinforced masonry buildings.
Engineered clay-polysaccharide composites for efficient nutrient delivery. Nitrogen (N) nutrient use efficiency of most arable crops in Australian soils is low, leading to excessive application of this nutrient. The low N use efficiency is attributed to its loss through leaching and gaseous emission, which contributes to both economic burden of the farming community and also results in environmental degradation. This project aims to work with clay industries to develop fertiliser products with c ....Engineered clay-polysaccharide composites for efficient nutrient delivery. Nitrogen (N) nutrient use efficiency of most arable crops in Australian soils is low, leading to excessive application of this nutrient. The low N use efficiency is attributed to its loss through leaching and gaseous emission, which contributes to both economic burden of the farming community and also results in environmental degradation. This project aims to work with clay industries to develop fertiliser products with controlled release characteristics to increase N use efficiency and farm productivity. It will also create new market opportunities for the mining industry for the use of clays and create novel materials for delivery of nutrients and moisture for the agrochemical industry resulting in the creation of marketing opportunities.Read moreRead less
Development of Multilayered Packaging Materials with Controlled Barrier Properties. The project aims to develop advanced new material for multilayered packaging with high oxygen and moisture barrier properties for cost effective packaging applications. Poly Products currently imports and uses some polymer as its key component for controlling barrier property of their food packaging. However, the new nanostructured material when sandwiched between less expensive materials in a multilayered packag ....Development of Multilayered Packaging Materials with Controlled Barrier Properties. The project aims to develop advanced new material for multilayered packaging with high oxygen and moisture barrier properties for cost effective packaging applications. Poly Products currently imports and uses some polymer as its key component for controlling barrier property of their food packaging. However, the new nanostructured material when sandwiched between less expensive materials in a multilayered packaging film will yield excellent barrier properties, leading to extended shelf life of different food products. The new smart material will generate significant material saving and replace the imported polymer, and will secure export market of the product in Asia -Pacific region.Read moreRead less