Developing lithium metal batteries – a game-changer for renewable energy. This project aims to develop nanostructured lithium metal anodes for rechargeable lithium metal batteries with high energy density and excellent cycle life. Lithium metal batteries such as lithium-sulfur batteries and lithium carbon-dioxide batteries present great opportunities for long-range electric vehicles and high-efficient renewable energy storage. Through the rational structure design and advanced interface engineer ....Developing lithium metal batteries – a game-changer for renewable energy. This project aims to develop nanostructured lithium metal anodes for rechargeable lithium metal batteries with high energy density and excellent cycle life. Lithium metal batteries such as lithium-sulfur batteries and lithium carbon-dioxide batteries present great opportunities for long-range electric vehicles and high-efficient renewable energy storage. Through the rational structure design and advanced interface engineering, the developed lithium metal anodes are expected to overcome the critical issues that hindered their practical application for high-energy batteries. The success of this project will provide new technological solutions for next-generation energy storage devices.Read moreRead less
2D vertical heterostructures for multi-functional energy applications. This project aims to develop multi-functional 2D vertical heterostructures for sustainable energy applications. A key challenge in fabricating 2D vertical heterostructures is the re-stacking of layered materials. This project will utilize edge-rich vertical graphene to unleash the full potential of 2D vertical heterostructures by combining the advantages of individual building blocks while mitigating the associated shortcomin ....2D vertical heterostructures for multi-functional energy applications. This project aims to develop multi-functional 2D vertical heterostructures for sustainable energy applications. A key challenge in fabricating 2D vertical heterostructures is the re-stacking of layered materials. This project will utilize edge-rich vertical graphene to unleash the full potential of 2D vertical heterostructures by combining the advantages of individual building blocks while mitigating the associated shortcomings. Expected outcomes will include improved electrochemical performance of materials and an integrated energy system utilizing these multi-functional materials to produce green hydrogen at low cost and high efficiency. The project should contribute largely to Australia’s transition to robust and affordable clean energy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100952
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,237.00
Summary
Developing aluminium-sulfur batteries with high voltage and low cost. As use of renewable energy sources increases, so too does the need for suitable storage systems for the energy produced. Aluminium-Sulfur (Al-S) batteries provide a reliable energy storage option, but suffer from a low voltage output and despite aluminium and sulfur being two of the world’s most abundant and low-cost materials, other components in batteries are prohibitively expensive. This project aims to address these challe ....Developing aluminium-sulfur batteries with high voltage and low cost. As use of renewable energy sources increases, so too does the need for suitable storage systems for the energy produced. Aluminium-Sulfur (Al-S) batteries provide a reliable energy storage option, but suffer from a low voltage output and despite aluminium and sulfur being two of the world’s most abundant and low-cost materials, other components in batteries are prohibitively expensive. This project aims to address these challenges by designing an Al-S battery technology with efficient electrode materials and low-cost electrolytes, making them both cost effective and capable of high levels of energy storage. The outcome will place Australia as a world leader in battery technology and support our future renewable energy storage needs.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100471
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$456,318.00
Summary
Designing advanced Zn-ion batteries towards practical applications. Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) are much safer and cheaper than current Li-ion batteries due to the water-based electrolyte and abundant Zn reserves. However, the state-of-the-art ZIB technique faces huge challenges for practical applications due to the low cathode capacity and poor Zn anode reversibility. This project aims to design novel cathodes with a new-type mechanism and highly reversible Zn anodes. Accordingly, on-demand ....Designing advanced Zn-ion batteries towards practical applications. Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) are much safer and cheaper than current Li-ion batteries due to the water-based electrolyte and abundant Zn reserves. However, the state-of-the-art ZIB technique faces huge challenges for practical applications due to the low cathode capacity and poor Zn anode reversibility. This project aims to design novel cathodes with a new-type mechanism and highly reversible Zn anodes. Accordingly, on-demand large-size ZIBs and flexible devices under industrial parameters will also be developed. The success of this project will place Australia at the forefront of implementing safe and low-cost batteries in largescale smart grid systems, household markets, and wearable medical devices.Read moreRead less
Rational Electrolyte Design and Engineering for Next-Generation Batteries. The fast-growing energy storage market demands new battery technologies with high energy density. Lithium (Li) metal batteries are an ideal solution, although instability of the Li metal/electrolyte interface remains a challenge. The project aims to drive key advancements in electrolyte engineering for Li metal batteries with long life and high safety. Advanced characterisation and computation will reveal the structure-pr ....Rational Electrolyte Design and Engineering for Next-Generation Batteries. The fast-growing energy storage market demands new battery technologies with high energy density. Lithium (Li) metal batteries are an ideal solution, although instability of the Li metal/electrolyte interface remains a challenge. The project aims to drive key advancements in electrolyte engineering for Li metal batteries with long life and high safety. Advanced characterisation and computation will reveal the structure-property relationship of electrolyte to build electrolyte design principles. This will contribute to ground-breaking knowledge, commercialisation, and boost Australia’s capability to design and manufacture next-generation energy storage devices for billion-dollar markets in smart grids, portable devices and electric vehicles.Read moreRead less
Asymmetric Biomembranes for Blue Energy Harvesting. This project aims to develop a new class of biomembranes for efficient ion-selective transport, to address the challenge of low power density facing the realisation of blue energy harvesting. This will be achieved using innovative chemistries guided by theoretical modelling to endow membranes with unique features: heterogeneities in surface charge and pore structure. Expected outcomes include a new concept for membrane design, advancement of kn ....Asymmetric Biomembranes for Blue Energy Harvesting. This project aims to develop a new class of biomembranes for efficient ion-selective transport, to address the challenge of low power density facing the realisation of blue energy harvesting. This will be achieved using innovative chemistries guided by theoretical modelling to endow membranes with unique features: heterogeneities in surface charge and pore structure. Expected outcomes include a new concept for membrane design, advancement of knowledge in energy conversion, creation of a new prototype power device without need of any external forces, and significant advances in self-powered wearable electronics potentially revolutionizing industries such as healthcare and entertainment. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100159
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,847.00
Summary
Developing Room-Temperature Liquid Metal Batteries for Safe Energy Storage. To overcome safety issues intrinsic to the prevalent solid metal anodes in battery technology, this project aims to develop room-temperature liquid metal batteries by employing liquid Sodium-Potassium alloy. Innovations will span the development of the electrode concept, interface-oriented electrolyte design guided by theory and experiment, and prototype battery cell examples to illustrate how high round-trip efficiencie ....Developing Room-Temperature Liquid Metal Batteries for Safe Energy Storage. To overcome safety issues intrinsic to the prevalent solid metal anodes in battery technology, this project aims to develop room-temperature liquid metal batteries by employing liquid Sodium-Potassium alloy. Innovations will span the development of the electrode concept, interface-oriented electrolyte design guided by theory and experiment, and prototype battery cell examples to illustrate how high round-trip efficiencies at fast charging can be achieved over a prolonged time. The anticipated outcomes would transform battery technology concepts while providing a critical scientific basis for commercialisation. Further, the success of this project would help Australia realise its shift from traditional to emerging sustainable energy systems.Read moreRead less
Engineering vanadium oxide-based cathode for aqueous ammonium ion batteries. This project aims to develop the next-generation rechargeable aqueous ammonium ion batteries and the scaled-up prototypes. It will be innovatively powered by nonmetallic charge carriers to show superior safety, low cost, high rate and cycle performance, and large capacity, ensuring realistic implementation for industrial purposes. Expected outcomes include a series of chemically and morphologically tuned vanadium oxide- ....Engineering vanadium oxide-based cathode for aqueous ammonium ion batteries. This project aims to develop the next-generation rechargeable aqueous ammonium ion batteries and the scaled-up prototypes. It will be innovatively powered by nonmetallic charge carriers to show superior safety, low cost, high rate and cycle performance, and large capacity, ensuring realistic implementation for industrial purposes. Expected outcomes include a series of chemically and morphologically tuned vanadium oxide-based cathode materials, a novel and reliable working principle based on reversible ammonium ion storage, and battery pack prototypes targeting industry demanded energy density and lifespan. Via industrial pilot trials, commercial benefits will be fast tracked for clean energy storage, net zero future and industry upgrades.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101396
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,218.00
Summary
Designing Single-atom catalysts for Renewable Waste Conversion to Urea. This DECRA aims to realise the direct electrochemical conversion of waste resources using renewable energy to generate urea at ambient conditions. By designing impurity-tolerant single atom catalysts and unearthing their structure-activity relationships, the utilisation of flue gas and wastewater will be materialised. This will advance our understanding in the field as current energy conversion reactions require pure feedsto ....Designing Single-atom catalysts for Renewable Waste Conversion to Urea. This DECRA aims to realise the direct electrochemical conversion of waste resources using renewable energy to generate urea at ambient conditions. By designing impurity-tolerant single atom catalysts and unearthing their structure-activity relationships, the utilisation of flue gas and wastewater will be materialised. This will advance our understanding in the field as current energy conversion reactions require pure feedstocks. Expected outcomes from the program is envisioned to lead to deployment of scalable decentralised modes of green urea production (substituting imports), and the knowledge transferrable to other areas of Australia’s emerging hydrogen economy, extending the scope of renewable Power-to-X to realise a circular economy.Read moreRead less
Seawater Electrolysis for Hydrogen and Commodity Chemicals Production. This project aims at sustainable production of hydrogen and chlorine-containing chemicals via development of revolutionary electrocatalysis that uses abundant seawater to replace scarce freshwater as feedstock. Fundamental science will be developed for addressing the knowledge gap between well-developed purified water electrolysis and emerging saline surface water electrolysis. Outcomes will include new knowledge of complex r ....Seawater Electrolysis for Hydrogen and Commodity Chemicals Production. This project aims at sustainable production of hydrogen and chlorine-containing chemicals via development of revolutionary electrocatalysis that uses abundant seawater to replace scarce freshwater as feedstock. Fundamental science will be developed for addressing the knowledge gap between well-developed purified water electrolysis and emerging saline surface water electrolysis. Outcomes will include new knowledge of complex reaction mechanism(s), new electrode materials design, and relative device development for seawater electrolysis. This project will significantly benefit renewable energy use and commodity-chemicals manufacturing, together with reducing pressure on Australia's freshwater scarcity. Read moreRead less