New concepts with multidisciplinary approach: novel functionalised nanostructures for hydrogen storage. This project addresses National Research Priorities in the areas of breakthrough science, frontier technologies and advanced materials. Developing new methodologies to fabricate novel functionalised nanostructured materials with tailored properties has great potential in areas including energy storage, novel catalysts, novel sensors, micro/nano-electronics, etc. This project will enhance the i ....New concepts with multidisciplinary approach: novel functionalised nanostructures for hydrogen storage. This project addresses National Research Priorities in the areas of breakthrough science, frontier technologies and advanced materials. Developing new methodologies to fabricate novel functionalised nanostructured materials with tailored properties has great potential in areas including energy storage, novel catalysts, novel sensors, micro/nano-electronics, etc. This project will enhance the international reputation and impact of Australian research in the internationally focused fields of nanotechnology and hydrogen energy technology. Applying innovative nanotechnology to the area of hydrogen energy will add to Australia's export potential and reduce Australia's reliance on foreign fuel sources.
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Integration of Solar, Wind and Storage Systems into Distribution Grids for Network Support. This project will contribute to the development and utilisation of renewable energy technologies for a sustainable future and facilitate their integration into electricity grids for network support. Innovative methodologies and technologies will be developed to reduce network problems associated with the integration of a large number of small-scale renewable energy resources into distribution grids. This ....Integration of Solar, Wind and Storage Systems into Distribution Grids for Network Support. This project will contribute to the development and utilisation of renewable energy technologies for a sustainable future and facilitate their integration into electricity grids for network support. Innovative methodologies and technologies will be developed to reduce network problems associated with the integration of a large number of small-scale renewable energy resources into distribution grids. This project will also develop assessment tools to examine the impact of renewable energy penetration on power quality aspects, network stability and protection performance. This research will provide remedies for potential problems introduced by their integration and improve voltage support in the electricity networks. Read moreRead less
Increase in Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 through Intervalence Charge Transfer. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has many proposed and realised applications in energy and the environment. The main problem that has hindered development and commercialisation of devices using TiO2 is its low photocatalytic activity, which results from its poor absorption of visible and infrared light. Most researchers modify the properties of TiO2 by conventional electrochemical methods to improve its performance but the ....Increase in Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 through Intervalence Charge Transfer. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has many proposed and realised applications in energy and the environment. The main problem that has hindered development and commercialisation of devices using TiO2 is its low photocatalytic activity, which results from its poor absorption of visible and infrared light. Most researchers modify the properties of TiO2 by conventional electrochemical methods to improve its performance but these attempts have been of limited success. The present research involves a completely new approach to the problem, which is based on the method used in the heat treatment of sapphire to improve its colour. This approach uses a phenomenon involving the modification of the optical properties to improve its absorption of light.Read moreRead less
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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Surface Processing of Photo-Sensitive Semiconducting Oxides for Solar-Hydrogen. Aim: To enhance the performance of titania-based semiconducting photo-electrodes for the generation of hydrogen from water using sunlight. Means: Engineering of the surface and near-surface layers so as to increase photo-sensitivity and reactivity with water. Significance: Success will provide the key functional component of photo-electrochemical cells for the mass production of renewable and clean hydrogen. In ....Surface Processing of Photo-Sensitive Semiconducting Oxides for Solar-Hydrogen. Aim: To enhance the performance of titania-based semiconducting photo-electrodes for the generation of hydrogen from water using sunlight. Means: Engineering of the surface and near-surface layers so as to increase photo-sensitivity and reactivity with water. Significance: Success will provide the key functional component of photo-electrochemical cells for the mass production of renewable and clean hydrogen. Innovation: For the first time, the properties controlling photo-sensitivity (defect disorder; charge transport; and chemically-induced, local, surface electric fields) will be modified. Outcomes: Technologies for the production of fuel (hydrogen) using renewable energy (solar energy) and a renewable resource (water).
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P-Type Titanium Dioxide for Hydrogen Generation from Water using Solar Energy. This project aims to develop a completely new processing technology for photo-sensitive oxide materials based on titanium dioxide for the conversion of renewable energy (solar energy) into chemical energy (hydrogen) or electrical energy (photovoltaic). When commercialised, the resultant technology will allow Australia to achieve the following: a) reduction in air pollution, b) reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, c) ....P-Type Titanium Dioxide for Hydrogen Generation from Water using Solar Energy. This project aims to develop a completely new processing technology for photo-sensitive oxide materials based on titanium dioxide for the conversion of renewable energy (solar energy) into chemical energy (hydrogen) or electrical energy (photovoltaic). When commercialised, the resultant technology will allow Australia to achieve the following: a) reduction in air pollution, b) reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, c) reduction in reliance on foreign energy sources, d) development of a range of ancillary technologies and infrastructure, and e) export of solar energy in the form of solar-hydrogen. This project addresses National Priorities #1 and #3.Read moreRead less
PROCESSING OF REDUCED-BAND-GAP TITANIA FOR SOLAR-HYDROGEN. The present project involves the development of materials and devices for solar-hydrogen using photo-assisted water decomposition. The research focusses on the processing of titanium dioxide (titania) with substantially enhanced photo-sensitivity and, consequently, increased efficiency of the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy (hydrogen) through imposition of the optimal Ti/O ratio. Significance: processing technology of tit ....PROCESSING OF REDUCED-BAND-GAP TITANIA FOR SOLAR-HYDROGEN. The present project involves the development of materials and devices for solar-hydrogen using photo-assisted water decomposition. The research focusses on the processing of titanium dioxide (titania) with substantially enhanced photo-sensitivity and, consequently, increased efficiency of the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy (hydrogen) through imposition of the optimal Ti/O ratio. Significance: processing technology of titania for photo-electrochemical devices for hydrogen generation and water decontamination. Innovation: processing of titania with reduced band-gap to be achieved through optimised oxygen nonstoichiometry. Outcome: processing technology of titania with outstanding photo-sensitivity.Read moreRead less
TITANIA-BASED MATERIALS WITH ENHANCED PHOTO-SENSITIVITY FOR SOLAR-HYDROGEN. Aims: Enhancement of the photo-sensitivity of titania photo-electrodes will be achieved through the effect of aliovalent ions in the titania lattice, leading to, at a high density of states, the imposition of mid-gap bands. This will result in the reduction of the effective band gap required for ionisation. Significance: The practical application of titania for the photolysis of water using solar energy at efficiencies s ....TITANIA-BASED MATERIALS WITH ENHANCED PHOTO-SENSITIVITY FOR SOLAR-HYDROGEN. Aims: Enhancement of the photo-sensitivity of titania photo-electrodes will be achieved through the effect of aliovalent ions in the titania lattice, leading to, at a high density of states, the imposition of mid-gap bands. This will result in the reduction of the effective band gap required for ionisation. Significance: The practical application of titania for the photolysis of water using solar energy at efficiencies sufficiently high for commercialisation (greater than 10%). Innovation: Examination for the first time of the impact of the electronic structure on the photo-sensitivity of oxide materials, including titania single crystals and polycrystals.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence - Australian Centre for Electromaterials Science. The Centre will tackle some of the biggest challenges facing society: those of renewable energy, sustainable industries and enhancing human health. Improvements in all these areas are possible by developing electromaterials with improved efficiency in the generation and transfer of electrical charge. By developing new nano-materials and new theories to explain their behaviour, the Centre will make advances in the areas ....ARC Centre of Excellence - Australian Centre for Electromaterials Science. The Centre will tackle some of the biggest challenges facing society: those of renewable energy, sustainable industries and enhancing human health. Improvements in all these areas are possible by developing electromaterials with improved efficiency in the generation and transfer of electrical charge. By developing new nano-materials and new theories to explain their behaviour, the Centre will make advances in the areas of human health through the regeneration of damaged nerves (eg. in spinal injury) and development of artificial muscles; in renewable energy (plastic solar cells, lightweight batteries and electronic textiles) and in sustainable industries (recovery of precious metals and new corrosion protection technologies).Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354535
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Advanced Electromaterials from Nanomaterials and Biomaterials. The proposed initiative brings together relevant sectors of the nanomaterials, biomaterials and electrochemistry research communities. It is envisaged that the collective complementary expertise will give rise to research opportunities and insights into the emerging work of electro-bio-nano. Scientific and technological challenges that exist in this multidiscipline research space include areas as diverse as the development of more ....Advanced Electromaterials from Nanomaterials and Biomaterials. The proposed initiative brings together relevant sectors of the nanomaterials, biomaterials and electrochemistry research communities. It is envisaged that the collective complementary expertise will give rise to research opportunities and insights into the emerging work of electro-bio-nano. Scientific and technological challenges that exist in this multidiscipline research space include areas as diverse as the development of more efficient nerve cell communication implants, understanding and control of biocorrosion/biofouling and the use of biomimicry to produce more efficient catalysts and artificial muscles.Read moreRead less