Hierarchically structured carbon nanotube catalysts for the conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals. Australia has significant biomass resources, which can be used to produce industrial chemicals and transport fuels. This project will develop a new family of carbon-nanotube-supported catalysts that will lead to improvements in process efficiency and performance for biofuels production.
Low cost on-site on-demand cyanide production for gold mining. This project seeks a breakthrough in providing a new, low cost, low environmental impact approach for synthesis of on-site, on-demand cyanide for gold extraction. This will facilitate economic processing of lower grade ores and enhance resource life. Also, avoiding transport of bulk cyanide to remote mine sites will improve community safety.
Biochar as a renewable catalyst for hot gas cleaning. This project aims to generate new knowledge for the development of a novel hot gas cleaning technology. This project expects to understand the mechanisms of tar reforming using biochar as a renewable catalyst, which can avoid the problems associated with the catalyst deactivation and catalyst disposal if conventional supported catalysts are used. Expected outcomes of this project include a theoretical framework and a kinetic model describing ....Biochar as a renewable catalyst for hot gas cleaning. This project aims to generate new knowledge for the development of a novel hot gas cleaning technology. This project expects to understand the mechanisms of tar reforming using biochar as a renewable catalyst, which can avoid the problems associated with the catalyst deactivation and catalyst disposal if conventional supported catalysts are used. Expected outcomes of this project include a theoretical framework and a kinetic model describing the catalytic reforming of tar as part of the hot gas cleaning during the conversion of biomass. The technology will contribute to Australia’s improved energy security and reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the carbon-constrained future.Read moreRead less
Smart self-propelled nanoreactors for catalytic environmental remediation. This project aims to develop nanomaterial design and technology to enable the applications of nanotechnology for environmental remediation. Various nanomotors with different asymmetric structures will be fabricated and tested for catalytic and photocatalytic degradation of aqueous pollutants. The physicochemical properties, motion behaviour and catalytic performance will be comprehensively investigated. The outcomes of th ....Smart self-propelled nanoreactors for catalytic environmental remediation. This project aims to develop nanomaterial design and technology to enable the applications of nanotechnology for environmental remediation. Various nanomotors with different asymmetric structures will be fabricated and tested for catalytic and photocatalytic degradation of aqueous pollutants. The physicochemical properties, motion behaviour and catalytic performance will be comprehensively investigated. The outcomes of the project will underpin the development of green technologies for sustainable energy conversion and water treatment. This will provide significant benefits, putting Australia in a leading position in the sustainable development of nanotechnology for sustainable energy supply and transformation as well as environmental and biomedical applications.Read moreRead less
Green catalysis for energy and environment using metal free nanostructured carbons. This project will advance the nanomaterial design and science underpinning the development of green technologies for important chemical production and water treatment. The outcomes of this project will help Australia in a leading position in the sustainable development of nanotechnology and water remediation.
Engineering nanostructured graphene-based semiconductor photocatalysts. Harnessing solar energy and converting it into useful chemical energy efficiently is the expected outcome of the project. Given the strategic solar-geographical position of Australia, solar photocatalysis is a leading option for utilising our renewable energy resources to applications relating to energy conversion and environmental remediation.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100429
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,177.00
Summary
Bioinspired Photocatalysts for Solar-Driven Hydrogen Peroxide Production. This project aims to develop advanced photocatalysts that can efficiently produce hydrogen peroxide from just water, air, and sunlight. By mimicking the structure and function of the natural photosynthetic apparatus, the key innovations are expected in the design of reaction-oriented conjugated polymer-based photocatalysts at the atomic and molecular nanostructure levels. It expects to generate new knowledge in artificial ....Bioinspired Photocatalysts for Solar-Driven Hydrogen Peroxide Production. This project aims to develop advanced photocatalysts that can efficiently produce hydrogen peroxide from just water, air, and sunlight. By mimicking the structure and function of the natural photosynthetic apparatus, the key innovations are expected in the design of reaction-oriented conjugated polymer-based photocatalysts at the atomic and molecular nanostructure levels. It expects to generate new knowledge in artificial photosynthesis and rational design of functional materials, and sustainable technology for hydrogen peroxide production. This cross-disciplinary research will benefit Australia by the development of biomimetic catalysts for advancing solar energy conversion and enabling sustainable manufacturing of commodity chemicals. Read moreRead less
Mitigation of silica nanoparticle scaling in water treatment. This project aims to develop strategies to mitigate silica scaling at coal seam gas (CSG) water treatment facilities. CSG is adsorbed to the surface of coal along fractures and cleats and released when pressure is reduced by removal of groundwater, which has chemistry specific to the region from which it is extracted. Desalination of produced water is severely impacted by mineral scaling on reverse osmosis membranes. This project will ....Mitigation of silica nanoparticle scaling in water treatment. This project aims to develop strategies to mitigate silica scaling at coal seam gas (CSG) water treatment facilities. CSG is adsorbed to the surface of coal along fractures and cleats and released when pressure is reduced by removal of groundwater, which has chemistry specific to the region from which it is extracted. Desalination of produced water is severely impacted by mineral scaling on reverse osmosis membranes. This project will consider silica and silica-rich nanoparticles in concert with cations and organics, with the aim of better managing cations so to facilitate nanoparticle lubrication. Project outcomes may include more productive use of assets, improved pre-treatment infrastructure to support reverse osmosis operation, and the environmental benefits of reduced chemical waste and increased water recovery.Read moreRead less
A novel route to produce olefin feedstock for Australia. This project aims to develop a new process to produce longer chain hydrocarbons usable in Australia's olefin and polymer industries. Besides their use as a fuel, hydrocarbons are major industrial chemicals used for the production of polymeric materials and as refrigerants. Olefins are precursors to polymers and conventionally are produced from saturated hydrocarbons through the process of steam cracking. The major precursors for monomers a ....A novel route to produce olefin feedstock for Australia. This project aims to develop a new process to produce longer chain hydrocarbons usable in Australia's olefin and polymer industries. Besides their use as a fuel, hydrocarbons are major industrial chemicals used for the production of polymeric materials and as refrigerants. Olefins are precursors to polymers and conventionally are produced from saturated hydrocarbons through the process of steam cracking. The major precursors for monomers are present in significant quantities in only a few natural gas sources and these sources also undergo significant seasonal variation and are costly. The project aims to develop new catalysts and process conditions to convert low-value feedstock hydrocarbons into feedstock for conventional steam crackers.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200100970
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,966.00
Summary
A novel technology for enhancing resource recovery from wastewater. This DECRA project aims to improve the performance and economics of wastewater management, by developing an innovative technology and the underpinning science that will enhance renewable energy production and nutrient recovery from sludge. This technology is based on the enhancement of resource recovery from anaerobic digestion using waste iron scraps that can be acquired from the waste of metal industry. The intended outcome of ....A novel technology for enhancing resource recovery from wastewater. This DECRA project aims to improve the performance and economics of wastewater management, by developing an innovative technology and the underpinning science that will enhance renewable energy production and nutrient recovery from sludge. This technology is based on the enhancement of resource recovery from anaerobic digestion using waste iron scraps that can be acquired from the waste of metal industry. The intended outcome of the project will substantially increase the profit and reduce the environmental burden of waste treatment, supporting Australia in the transition to a low carbon economy and a secure resource future. This project will produce significant economic, environmental and social benefits to water utilities.Read moreRead less