Bioinspired Ceramifiable Fire-Retardant Composite Coatings. This project aims to design bioinspired, adhesive, ceramifiable fire-retardant coatings through understanding their composition-property relationship and fire-retardant mechanism. The fire-retardant coatings are then applied to typical polymer foams to create fire-safe building thermal insulation materials. This project will generate new knowledge in materials science that helps to expedite next-generation advanced fire-retardant coatin ....Bioinspired Ceramifiable Fire-Retardant Composite Coatings. This project aims to design bioinspired, adhesive, ceramifiable fire-retardant coatings through understanding their composition-property relationship and fire-retardant mechanism. The fire-retardant coatings are then applied to typical polymer foams to create fire-safe building thermal insulation materials. This project will generate new knowledge in materials science that helps to expedite next-generation advanced fire-retardant coatings for a variety of flammable substrates. Expected outcomes of this project are cost-effective fire-retardant coatings and fire-safe, inexpensive thermal insulation materials. This project will bring significant economic benefits to Australia and help to create fire-resilient and energy-efficient buildings.Read moreRead less
New hierarchical electrode design for high-power lithium ion batteries. This project aims to develop new types of hierarchical electrodes for high-rate lithium ion batteries with long cycling life. The key concepts are the development of multi-shelled hollow structured silicon-based anode and Li-rich layered oxides cathode to achieve both high power and energy density, and the adoption of graphene to further improve rate capability and cycling stability. Effective energy storage systems play an ....New hierarchical electrode design for high-power lithium ion batteries. This project aims to develop new types of hierarchical electrodes for high-rate lithium ion batteries with long cycling life. The key concepts are the development of multi-shelled hollow structured silicon-based anode and Li-rich layered oxides cathode to achieve both high power and energy density, and the adoption of graphene to further improve rate capability and cycling stability. Effective energy storage systems play an important role in the development of renewable energies and electric vehicles. The project outcomes will lead to innovative technologies in low carbon emission transportation and efficient energy storage systems.Read moreRead less
Recyclable and Rechargeable All-Solid-State Sodium Ion Batteries. This project aims to design a new generation recyclable and rechargeable all-solid-state sodium ion battery. We will use low cost and abundant sodium as a substitute for expensive and limited lithium to reduce material and environmental costs, and will develop ceramic/polymer composites as safe and environmentally friendly solid-state electrolytes to replace flammable and toxic organic liquid electrolytes. Furthermore, we design a ....Recyclable and Rechargeable All-Solid-State Sodium Ion Batteries. This project aims to design a new generation recyclable and rechargeable all-solid-state sodium ion battery. We will use low cost and abundant sodium as a substitute for expensive and limited lithium to reduce material and environmental costs, and will develop ceramic/polymer composites as safe and environmentally friendly solid-state electrolytes to replace flammable and toxic organic liquid electrolytes. Furthermore, we design a recyclable battery configuration to allow rapid, low cost and green recycling of end-of-life batteries. The new battery will be a safe, low cost and sustainable energy storage technology for the multi-billion dollar electric vehicle and smart grid markets while simultaneously addressing battery recycling issues.Read moreRead less
Perovskite Quantum Dots for Solar Hydrogen Generation. Sustainable hydrogen production is highly significant towards decarbonised economy. This project aims to develop new classes of organometal halide perovskite quantum dots (OHPQDs) for efficient photoelecrochemical hydrogen production. The key concept is to design toxic Lead free/less OHPQDs for use as stable photoelectrode materials in self-powered sunlight driven water splitting devices. Expected outcomes include new generation advanced mat ....Perovskite Quantum Dots for Solar Hydrogen Generation. Sustainable hydrogen production is highly significant towards decarbonised economy. This project aims to develop new classes of organometal halide perovskite quantum dots (OHPQDs) for efficient photoelecrochemical hydrogen production. The key concept is to design toxic Lead free/less OHPQDs for use as stable photoelectrode materials in self-powered sunlight driven water splitting devices. Expected outcomes include new generation advanced materials and revolutionary technologies for efficient solar hydrogen generation. The successful completion of this project will significantly benefit Australia by positioning the nation at the frontier of renewable hydrogen supply technologies. Read moreRead less
Empowering Wearable Smart Devices with 3D Printed Energy Storage. This project aims to design and develop functional nanomaterials and nanocomposites for high-performance wearable energy storage devices. A functional materials approach, together with precise control of device architecture through multi-materials additive manufacturing will be used to achieve maximum device performance. The expected outcomes include (i) fundamental understanding the structural-property relationships of materials ....Empowering Wearable Smart Devices with 3D Printed Energy Storage. This project aims to design and develop functional nanomaterials and nanocomposites for high-performance wearable energy storage devices. A functional materials approach, together with precise control of device architecture through multi-materials additive manufacturing will be used to achieve maximum device performance. The expected outcomes include (i) fundamental understanding the structural-property relationships of materials and devices and (ii) the establishment of the fundamental principles on the microfabrication of flexible energy storage devices. The project secures Australia’s leading position in materials chemistry and advanced manufacturing, bringing economic benefit through the commercialisation of wearable devices.Read moreRead less
Mechanical modulation of particle-cell interactions. Mechanical forces play critical roles in many biological processes, but how particle mechanical properties modulate particle-cell interactions remains elusive. This project aims to develop new design principles for engineering nano/micromaterials with tunable mechanical properties for improved cell activation and expansion, and to advance knowledge of the role of particle stiffness in modulating receptor-mediated particle-cell interactions. Ex ....Mechanical modulation of particle-cell interactions. Mechanical forces play critical roles in many biological processes, but how particle mechanical properties modulate particle-cell interactions remains elusive. This project aims to develop new design principles for engineering nano/micromaterials with tunable mechanical properties for improved cell activation and expansion, and to advance knowledge of the role of particle stiffness in modulating receptor-mediated particle-cell interactions. Expected outcomes and benefits include new fundamental understanding of the effect of particle mechanical properties on cell function, new insights into T cell activation and expansion, and new classes of stiffness-tunable fit-for-purpose materials for various applications in cell manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Multifunctional 2D materials for sustainable energy applications. This project seeks to explore the great potential of novel graphene-like two dimensional (2-D) materials for energy applications. 2-D materials, which possess atomic or molecular thickness and infinite planar lengths, are regarded as a building block for many applications due to their unique nanostructures, electronic and mechanical properties. This project is focused on the design and exploration of layered two-dimensional artifi ....Multifunctional 2D materials for sustainable energy applications. This project seeks to explore the great potential of novel graphene-like two dimensional (2-D) materials for energy applications. 2-D materials, which possess atomic or molecular thickness and infinite planar lengths, are regarded as a building block for many applications due to their unique nanostructures, electronic and mechanical properties. This project is focused on the design and exploration of layered two-dimensional artificial graphene and graphene analogues with ‘on-demand’ properties to exploit advanced energy applications. There is now a pressing need to integrate graphene sheets into multidimensional and multifunctional systems with spatially well-defined configurations, and integrated systems with a controllable structure and predictable performance. Project outcomes may lead to next-generation devices in energy storage and other applications.Read moreRead less
Nanoscale electrochemical imaging of catalyst inks for water oxidation. This project aims to reduce the cost of current water splitting technology by making new catalysts from earth abundant materials that will ensure a sustainable technological solution for the storage of renewable energy. This technology is an excellent solution to storing energy from intermittent renewable energy sources such as solar as it generates hydrogen which is a clean fuel. Using new techniques that can image the cata ....Nanoscale electrochemical imaging of catalyst inks for water oxidation. This project aims to reduce the cost of current water splitting technology by making new catalysts from earth abundant materials that will ensure a sustainable technological solution for the storage of renewable energy. This technology is an excellent solution to storing energy from intermittent renewable energy sources such as solar as it generates hydrogen which is a clean fuel. Using new techniques that can image the catalyst at the nanoscale while it is operating is expected to provide the knowledge for developing the next generation of water splitting electrolysers that can be utilised by households and businesses for storing solar or wind energy.Read moreRead less
Towards Robust Hydrogen Electrode for High-Rate Alkaline Electrolysis. This project aims to develop robust, efficient porous hybrid hydrogen electrodes for electrochemical hydrogen production in anion exchange membrane water electrolyser. anion exchange membrane water electrolyser powered by renewable energy has emerged as a key avenue towards clean hydrogen with zero carbon footprint. However, the electrochemical turnover on the hydrogen electrode has been significantly hindered by the sluggish ....Towards Robust Hydrogen Electrode for High-Rate Alkaline Electrolysis. This project aims to develop robust, efficient porous hybrid hydrogen electrodes for electrochemical hydrogen production in anion exchange membrane water electrolyser. anion exchange membrane water electrolyser powered by renewable energy has emerged as a key avenue towards clean hydrogen with zero carbon footprint. However, the electrochemical turnover on the hydrogen electrode has been significantly hindered by the sluggish reaction kinetics in alkaline solution. The project is expected to generate cost-effective hydrogen electrodes for hydrogen electrolyzers, advanced knowledge in the electrode material engineering, electrochemical reaction mechanistic insights, and eventually promoted development of disruptive electrolysis technology.Read moreRead less
2D oxide supported single-atom catalysts for sustainable fuel generation. This project aims to develop two-dimensional oxide supported single-atom catalysts for sustainable fuel generation from water and CO2 using combined theoretical and experimental investigations. The outcomes of this project will offer atomic and electronic level principles in designing high-performance catalysts and provide novel approaches on green fuel generations for emerging energy technologies. The success of this proj ....2D oxide supported single-atom catalysts for sustainable fuel generation. This project aims to develop two-dimensional oxide supported single-atom catalysts for sustainable fuel generation from water and CO2 using combined theoretical and experimental investigations. The outcomes of this project will offer atomic and electronic level principles in designing high-performance catalysts and provide novel approaches on green fuel generations for emerging energy technologies. The success of this project will meet the knowledge gap between advanced materials and practical sustainable energy technologies, and contribute to the development of sustainable society of Australia and international community by supplying low-cost and green fuels.Read moreRead less