Heat transfer and fluid flow in geomaterials: Physics-inspired AI framework. Processes involving fluid flow or heat transfer are of critical importance in engineering applications (e.g., in dams, geothermal systems, oil & gas production). Though largely overlooked, microstructural features control these processes in geomaterials. This project aims to exploit advances in high-resolution 4D imaging to extract essential microstructural information to: 1) identify new parameters that better capture ....Heat transfer and fluid flow in geomaterials: Physics-inspired AI framework. Processes involving fluid flow or heat transfer are of critical importance in engineering applications (e.g., in dams, geothermal systems, oil & gas production). Though largely overlooked, microstructural features control these processes in geomaterials. This project aims to exploit advances in high-resolution 4D imaging to extract essential microstructural information to: 1) identify new parameters that better capture pore and particle properties, connectivities and pathways, and 2) develop advanced predictive analytics tools. This will improve fundamental understanding of the link between microstructure and fluid and heat flows at the engineering scale, and provide predictive tools to reduce risk and costs to industry.Read moreRead less
Constricted hydraulic fracture opening. This project aims to develop experimentally verified models for designing and monitoring of hydraulic fractures with constricted openings, to ensure adequate and robust hydraulic fracture control for example in petroleum production. Hydraulic fractures are often constricted by bridges that hold two sides of the fracture together. Failure to account for bridges and constriction of fractures can lead to premature screen-out (exceeding available pump pressure ....Constricted hydraulic fracture opening. This project aims to develop experimentally verified models for designing and monitoring of hydraulic fractures with constricted openings, to ensure adequate and robust hydraulic fracture control for example in petroleum production. Hydraulic fractures are often constricted by bridges that hold two sides of the fracture together. Failure to account for bridges and constriction of fractures can lead to premature screen-out (exceeding available pump pressure) of proppant and inadequate fracking control. The project results are expected to substantially increase the accuracy of design and monitoring of fracture opening, geometry and fluid flow to improve efficiency, safety and environmental security of the resource and energy extraction.Read moreRead less
Modelling fluid-solid interaction in micro- and nano-porous media. This project aims to develop a state-of-the-art computational tool for modelling the coupled fluid transport-solid deformation behaviour in micro- and nano-porous media. A significant portion of the world’s water and energy resources are stored in fractured rocks, many of which contain characteristic pores with size ranging from nanometres to micrometres. The pore-scale particle-based modelling method will provide for better unde ....Modelling fluid-solid interaction in micro- and nano-porous media. This project aims to develop a state-of-the-art computational tool for modelling the coupled fluid transport-solid deformation behaviour in micro- and nano-porous media. A significant portion of the world’s water and energy resources are stored in fractured rocks, many of which contain characteristic pores with size ranging from nanometres to micrometres. The pore-scale particle-based modelling method will provide for better understanding and opportunities for manipulating fluid flow through fractured micro- and nano-porous media. Successful application of the model will improve the performance of diverse energy and environmental systems including carbon geo-sequestration, unconventional oil and gas recovery, enhanced geothermal energy generation and groundwater contamination.Read moreRead less
High Energy Density - High Delivery Rate Thermal Energy Storage. This project aims to address the intermittency of renewable energy sources using novel thermal storage media. Advanced heat transfer modelling and in situ neutron diffraction and imaging are intended to be used to optimise the microstructure of newly developed miscibility gap thermal storage systems. The new media store energy as the latent heat of fusion of one phase in a stable, high thermal conductivity inverted microstructure. ....High Energy Density - High Delivery Rate Thermal Energy Storage. This project aims to address the intermittency of renewable energy sources using novel thermal storage media. Advanced heat transfer modelling and in situ neutron diffraction and imaging are intended to be used to optimise the microstructure of newly developed miscibility gap thermal storage systems. The new media store energy as the latent heat of fusion of one phase in a stable, high thermal conductivity inverted microstructure. The high energy density of the latent heat (0.5-4.5 Mega Joules/Litre) requires storage volumes as little as five per cent of those relying upon heat capacity and the metal matrix has a hundred-fold greater thermal conductivity than current systems. It is proposed that a range of such materials will be engineered for concentrated solar thermal and space heating applications.Read moreRead less
Solutions for rapid penetration into sand for offshore energy installations. This project aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the response of saturated sand in seabeds during rapid penetration by offshore site investigation tools and foundation construction. The research is using innovative physical and advanced numerical modelling techniques to quantify the significant increase in sand resistance caused by rapid penetration, enabling reliable design and reducing risk of material fail ....Solutions for rapid penetration into sand for offshore energy installations. This project aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the response of saturated sand in seabeds during rapid penetration by offshore site investigation tools and foundation construction. The research is using innovative physical and advanced numerical modelling techniques to quantify the significant increase in sand resistance caused by rapid penetration, enabling reliable design and reducing risk of material failure associated with the high impact forces. Expected outcomes of the project include a conceptual framework and scientific-based design tool to predict the geotechnical performance of offshore installations. The research will provide the necessary scientific advances to install, moor and service offshore wind and wave energy devices more economically and efficiently.Read moreRead less
Redox-sensitised dense graphene to boost compact supercapacitors. This project will create redox-sensitised ion-accessible dense graphene to improve the energy density of supercapacitors (SCs). The energy density of SCs is a bottle neck for long-lasting power supply to vehicles, small devices and mobile electronics. By incorporating a redox coordination framework in shrunk graphene to increase the charge storage capacity and speed up the charge movement and further incorporating ionic liquids in ....Redox-sensitised dense graphene to boost compact supercapacitors. This project will create redox-sensitised ion-accessible dense graphene to improve the energy density of supercapacitors (SCs). The energy density of SCs is a bottle neck for long-lasting power supply to vehicles, small devices and mobile electronics. By incorporating a redox coordination framework in shrunk graphene to increase the charge storage capacity and speed up the charge movement and further incorporating ionic liquids in the tailored electrodes, the project will produce SC’s with higher operating voltage and longer cycle life. Such SCs will possess dramatically high energy density, without compromising the power density. This project will improve the efficiency of modern electronics through the development of the next generation of SCs.Read moreRead less
Multifunctional trilayer separator for durable multivalent energy storage. This project aims to develop an important new family of economical, high energy, multivalent batteries based on an abundant element, sulphur. The project plans to design a new battery separator to enable long-term stability in sulphur-based rechargeable batteries. This type of separator is of critical importance in many membrane-involved energy storage technologies. The project plans to use leading-edge durable energy tec ....Multifunctional trilayer separator for durable multivalent energy storage. This project aims to develop an important new family of economical, high energy, multivalent batteries based on an abundant element, sulphur. The project plans to design a new battery separator to enable long-term stability in sulphur-based rechargeable batteries. This type of separator is of critical importance in many membrane-involved energy storage technologies. The project plans to use leading-edge durable energy technologies to strengthen the development of residential energy systems and the involvement of renewable energy sources in modern grid.Read moreRead less
The impact of the mass-adoption of electric cars on the Australian electricity grid. This project represents the first technical study in Australia into the impact on the electric utility system of the mass adoption of electric vehicles. At present, road transport accounts for 12 per cent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Australia. The mass adoption of electric vehicles could reduce GHG in transport by up to 24 per cent when charged from the current grid or by 100 per cent if using renewable ....The impact of the mass-adoption of electric cars on the Australian electricity grid. This project represents the first technical study in Australia into the impact on the electric utility system of the mass adoption of electric vehicles. At present, road transport accounts for 12 per cent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Australia. The mass adoption of electric vehicles could reduce GHG in transport by up to 24 per cent when charged from the current grid or by 100 per cent if using renewable power. As well as receiving environmental advantages, Australia will benefit from this project through: (1) advancements in the management of the electricity distribution system by the development of a smart grid; (2) the development of principles for the placement of charging stations suitable for unique local conditions, such as Australia's long distances.Read moreRead less
Smart site investigation for offshore energy installations in sand . This project aims to develop a next generation tool for seabed site investigations. It will use free-fall penetrometers, advanced physical modelling and novel probabilistic methods to investigate fundamental science of sand responses at low stress level and generate new interpretation methods. Outcomes of this project include a scientific framework to predict soil design parameters at unsampled seabed locations. A game changer ....Smart site investigation for offshore energy installations in sand . This project aims to develop a next generation tool for seabed site investigations. It will use free-fall penetrometers, advanced physical modelling and novel probabilistic methods to investigate fundamental science of sand responses at low stress level and generate new interpretation methods. Outcomes of this project include a scientific framework to predict soil design parameters at unsampled seabed locations. A game changer in offshore site investigations, the project will provide cheaper and faster geotechnical site investigation in sand at a time of global increase in offshore energy installations (worth 4 trillion over the next decade).Read moreRead less
Functional two-dimensional materials for photocatalysis. This project aims to explore and tailor two-dimensional materials and heterostructures by new synthetic strategies, and to develop a comprehensive understanding of the effects of crystalline and electronic structures on photocatalysis at the atomic level. The project expects to provide deep insight into catalytic mechanisms by bridging the current gap between realistic systems and theoretical calculations. By simply using solar energy, the ....Functional two-dimensional materials for photocatalysis. This project aims to explore and tailor two-dimensional materials and heterostructures by new synthetic strategies, and to develop a comprehensive understanding of the effects of crystalline and electronic structures on photocatalysis at the atomic level. The project expects to provide deep insight into catalytic mechanisms by bridging the current gap between realistic systems and theoretical calculations. By simply using solar energy, the project aims to provide an efficient and durable method for clean energy generation/conversion, and carbon sequestration. This project will build national research capacity in an emerging field and put Australia at the forefront of research on photocatalysis to address energy and environmental issues. Read moreRead less