Thermoelectric devices for high-performing localised coolers. This project aims to develop a lightweight, low-energy-consumption, and high-durability wearable thermoelectric cooler for localised cooling using a novel industry-led approach, coupled with device design and materials engineering strategies. The key breakthrough expected is to design wearable thermoelectric coolers by using flexible substrates and thermoelectric materials with engineered chemistry and unique structures for achieving ....Thermoelectric devices for high-performing localised coolers. This project aims to develop a lightweight, low-energy-consumption, and high-durability wearable thermoelectric cooler for localised cooling using a novel industry-led approach, coupled with device design and materials engineering strategies. The key breakthrough expected is to design wearable thermoelectric coolers by using flexible substrates and thermoelectric materials with engineered chemistry and unique structures for achieving localised, instant, and controllable cooling with super low power input for personal usage in building and mining industry. Expected outcomes include innovative technologies for achieving high-efficiency cooling, which will provide significant economic and commercial benefits for Australia.Read moreRead less
New high energy density cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. This project aims to develop new high-energy-density and low-cost lithium-rich cathode materials for advanced lithium-ion batteries that can store solar energy for Australian households and power the next generation electric vehicles. The project will design innovative strategies to suppress the voltage decay and capacity decline of the lithium rich materials over long-term cycling. The project expects to significantly improve ....New high energy density cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. This project aims to develop new high-energy-density and low-cost lithium-rich cathode materials for advanced lithium-ion batteries that can store solar energy for Australian households and power the next generation electric vehicles. The project will design innovative strategies to suppress the voltage decay and capacity decline of the lithium rich materials over long-term cycling. The project expects to significantly improve battery performance at a lower price and make a substantial impact to the energy supply technologies and industries in Australia and benefit the environment in the long run.Read moreRead less
Doped alumina with tailored material properties for battery applications. This project aims to develop tailored alumina materials for lithium ion battery separators through a novel in-situ approach that will: (1) produce uniform doped alumina for improved safety, (2) target specific surface and bulk material properties to increase the overall performance, and (3) reduce manufacturing costs by integrating the process with new technology developed for the production of high purity alumina. Signifi ....Doped alumina with tailored material properties for battery applications. This project aims to develop tailored alumina materials for lithium ion battery separators through a novel in-situ approach that will: (1) produce uniform doped alumina for improved safety, (2) target specific surface and bulk material properties to increase the overall performance, and (3) reduce manufacturing costs by integrating the process with new technology developed for the production of high purity alumina. Significant advances are proposed for overcoming current manufacturing limitations of doped alumina. Building research capacity and knowledge in battery material manufacturing will benefit a range of industries across Australia, whilst providing new opportunities for growth in local communities.Read moreRead less
Sustainable Hydrogen Production from Used Water. The project aims to address the pressing challenge of water scarcity in hydrogen production by developing an innovative approach of using used water as the feed for water electrolysis. The project will result in an in-depth understanding of the impacts of water impurities in used water on the performance and durability of water electrolysers, and develop guidelines for the design of highly durable water electrolysers and the operation and upgrade ....Sustainable Hydrogen Production from Used Water. The project aims to address the pressing challenge of water scarcity in hydrogen production by developing an innovative approach of using used water as the feed for water electrolysis. The project will result in an in-depth understanding of the impacts of water impurities in used water on the performance and durability of water electrolysers, and develop guidelines for the design of highly durable water electrolysers and the operation and upgrade of existing wastewater treatment plants. The project will advance the practical applications of water electrolysis for scalable and sustainable hydrogen production and help Australia secure a leading position in the global emerging hydrogen economy.Read moreRead less
Functional topological materials for superior thermoelectric applications. The efficient generation of electricity from waste heat remains a significant technological challenge, hampered by the absence of efficient materials for conversion. This project aims to develop functionalized topological materials with ultra-high thermoelectric and photothermal performance for harvesting heat into electricity. A recent breakthrough in device efficiency will be a game-changer and position Australian acade ....Functional topological materials for superior thermoelectric applications. The efficient generation of electricity from waste heat remains a significant technological challenge, hampered by the absence of efficient materials for conversion. This project aims to develop functionalized topological materials with ultra-high thermoelectric and photothermal performance for harvesting heat into electricity. A recent breakthrough in device efficiency will be a game-changer and position Australian academics and industries at the forefront of next generation of renewable power generation and refrigeration products. The outcomes will provide an advantage to end-users and industry, and will open a new market for advanced thermoelectric devices in multidisciplinary fields, communities and emerging industries.Read moreRead less
Industrially Viable Routes for fabrication of Perovskite Solar Cells. Photovoltaic technology based on perovskite solar cell (PSC) is predicated to account for USD34.8 billion by 2027 in the global market. The current synthesis protocol using detrimental solvent for perovskite formation and the unsatisfactory stability of perovskite are two key barriers for commercial production of PSC. This project aims to develop new synthesis methods for stable perovskite materials in solar cells by utilizing ....Industrially Viable Routes for fabrication of Perovskite Solar Cells. Photovoltaic technology based on perovskite solar cell (PSC) is predicated to account for USD34.8 billion by 2027 in the global market. The current synthesis protocol using detrimental solvent for perovskite formation and the unsatisfactory stability of perovskite are two key barriers for commercial production of PSC. This project aims to develop new synthesis methods for stable perovskite materials in solar cells by utilizing green solvents that are viable for large scale production. The anticipated outcomes including industrially compatible material synthesis methods for efficient, stable PSC will significantly advance the manufacture capability and competitiveness of the industrial partner in this important area.Read moreRead less
Design of new two-dimensional materials for lithium sulphur batteries. Design of new two-dimensional materials for lithium sulphur batteries. This project aims to develop classes of electrode material systems for high performance batteries. This project will design new hierarchical cathode composites for a high capacity lithium-sulphur battery with a long cycling life. It intends to improve energy density by confining active sulphur in conductive graphene and exfoliated titanium dioxide nanoshee ....Design of new two-dimensional materials for lithium sulphur batteries. Design of new two-dimensional materials for lithium sulphur batteries. This project aims to develop classes of electrode material systems for high performance batteries. This project will design new hierarchical cathode composites for a high capacity lithium-sulphur battery with a long cycling life. It intends to improve energy density by confining active sulphur in conductive graphene and exfoliated titanium dioxide nanosheets, and use a unique hybrid protecting layer to suppress cycling instability. This research is expected to establish the relationship between synthetic conditions, structure, and electrochemical performance.Read moreRead less
Fire-Retardant Composite Resins for Bushfire-Safe Wind Farm Infrastructures. This project aims to develop advanced fire-retardant composite resins for manufacturing bushfire-safe wind farm infrastructures. The innovation of the project is the development of a new class of low-cost, novel, highly effective fire retardants and their value-added fire-retardant composite resins with well-preserved physical properties. This will be achieved by understanding the composition-property relationship of fi ....Fire-Retardant Composite Resins for Bushfire-Safe Wind Farm Infrastructures. This project aims to develop advanced fire-retardant composite resins for manufacturing bushfire-safe wind farm infrastructures. The innovation of the project is the development of a new class of low-cost, novel, highly effective fire retardants and their value-added fire-retardant composite resins with well-preserved physical properties. This will be achieved by understanding the composition-property relationship of fire retardants and optimising their synthetic parameters. The project will help position Australia’s advanced composite manufacturing at the forefront of technology. It will also accelerate Australia’s energy transition to renewables by enabling bushfire-safe wind farm infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Wearable thermoelectrics for personal heat management. Thermoregulation has substantial implications for energy consumption and human comfort and health. This project aims to develop wearable thermoelectric materials and devices with high cooling performance for personal heat management. A novel assembly approach, coupled with device design and materials engineering strategies, will be developed to engineer flexible thermoelectric materials with unique structures and chemistry. The key breakthro ....Wearable thermoelectrics for personal heat management. Thermoregulation has substantial implications for energy consumption and human comfort and health. This project aims to develop wearable thermoelectric materials and devices with high cooling performance for personal heat management. A novel assembly approach, coupled with device design and materials engineering strategies, will be developed to engineer flexible thermoelectric materials with unique structures and chemistry. The key breakthrough is to design wearable thermoelectric devices with high flexibility and user comfort. The expected outcomes of this project will lead to an innovative cooling technology for personal heat management, which will place Australia at the forefront of wearable electronics and garment industry.Read moreRead less
Advanced all-Iron flow batteries for stationary energy storage. Iron flow batteries are one of the most promising choices for clean, reliable and cost effective long-duration energy storage. The main obstacle for large scale commercial deployment is the low round-trip energy efficiency caused by the competitive side reaction that occurs at the negative electrode during battery charging. The project aims to address this issue by engineering the negative electrode-electrolyte interface with functi ....Advanced all-Iron flow batteries for stationary energy storage. Iron flow batteries are one of the most promising choices for clean, reliable and cost effective long-duration energy storage. The main obstacle for large scale commercial deployment is the low round-trip energy efficiency caused by the competitive side reaction that occurs at the negative electrode during battery charging. The project aims to address this issue by engineering the negative electrode-electrolyte interface with functional materials to improve battery performance and thus further reduce the cost of energy storage. Expected outcomes include new materials and methods for advanced battery technology and manufacturing. The success of the project will significantly support the national priority of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.Read moreRead less