Structural safety guidelines for accidental hydrogen explosion hazards . This project aims to develop structural safety guidelines to mitigate hydrogen explosion hazards which can be identified as a major safety concern due to the higher demand worldwide for sustainable energy sources with no carbon emission. The world’s growing demand for hydrogen and Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy to develop the industry will make Australia a core player in hydrogen production creating a massive econom ....Structural safety guidelines for accidental hydrogen explosion hazards . This project aims to develop structural safety guidelines to mitigate hydrogen explosion hazards which can be identified as a major safety concern due to the higher demand worldwide for sustainable energy sources with no carbon emission. The world’s growing demand for hydrogen and Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy to develop the industry will make Australia a core player in hydrogen production creating a massive economic opportunity. However, the high flammability and low ignition energy of hydrogen makes it vulnerable to accidental explosions. Hence, this project will address the lack of safety protocols in Australian Standards related to the handling of hydrogen by producing essential design recommendations.Read moreRead less
Mesoporous Metal Scaffolds: Reactive Containment Vessels. The storage of hydrogen is one of the most important issues that remains to be solved before the mass implementation of hydrogen as an energy carrier becomes commercially viable. This project aims to determine the kinetic and thermodynamic benefits of mesoporous metal scaffolds as reactive containment vessels for hydrogen storage materials. Fundamental experimental research into the synthesis, characterisation, and modification of nano-co ....Mesoporous Metal Scaffolds: Reactive Containment Vessels. The storage of hydrogen is one of the most important issues that remains to be solved before the mass implementation of hydrogen as an energy carrier becomes commercially viable. This project aims to determine the kinetic and thermodynamic benefits of mesoporous metal scaffolds as reactive containment vessels for hydrogen storage materials. Fundamental experimental research into the synthesis, characterisation, and modification of nano-confined hydrogen storage materials will be carried out. The results of this research are expected be used to tune hydrogen desorption temperatures and pressures of various light weight hydrogen storage materials to generate new materials attractive to the automobile industry.Read moreRead less
Modification of optical properties of photocatalytic titania. The aim of the project is to capitalise on and optimise the recently discovered successful modification of the optical properties of titanium oxide (TiO2), such that efficient solar splitting of water is possible. TiO2 photocatalysts of adequate efficiency will be implemented as photoanodes in photoelectrochemical cells capable of large-scale production of hydrogen.
Living on air: how do bacteria scavenge atmospheric trace gases? This project aims to determine the molecular and cellular basis of atmospheric trace gas oxidation by bacteria. Bacteria have a remarkable ability to adapt to resource limitation and environmental change by entering dormant states. Our research has shown they survive in this state by using atmospheric hydrogen and carbon monoxide as energy sources. This interdisciplinary project will determine how bacteria achieve this by elucidati ....Living on air: how do bacteria scavenge atmospheric trace gases? This project aims to determine the molecular and cellular basis of atmospheric trace gas oxidation by bacteria. Bacteria have a remarkable ability to adapt to resource limitation and environmental change by entering dormant states. Our research has shown they survive in this state by using atmospheric hydrogen and carbon monoxide as energy sources. This interdisciplinary project will determine how bacteria achieve this by elucidating the regulation, mechanism, and integration of the three uncharacterised enzymes that mediate this process. Outcomes and benefits include understanding of the processes that facilitate bacterial persistence, regulate atmospheric composition, and in turn support resilience of natural ecosystems.Read moreRead less
General systems modelling of hydrogen production network in Australia. The project aims at further developing a general framework for systems modelling and applying the framework to investigate the feasibility and sustainability of large-scale hydrogen production in Australia. Two pathways proposed in this project are to be examined: 1) hybrid plants sourcing hydrogen from fossil fuels and solar thermal energy and 2) hydrogen production network producing hydrogen from 100% renewable energy. The ....General systems modelling of hydrogen production network in Australia. The project aims at further developing a general framework for systems modelling and applying the framework to investigate the feasibility and sustainability of large-scale hydrogen production in Australia. Two pathways proposed in this project are to be examined: 1) hybrid plants sourcing hydrogen from fossil fuels and solar thermal energy and 2) hydrogen production network producing hydrogen from 100% renewable energy. The project involves building systems models and using these models to determine optimal operational parameters and conditions with the goal of maintaining export of high-end energy resources to Japan and other countries as well as using hydrogen domestically while minimising the environment effects of hydrogen production.Read moreRead less
Exploration of highly regenerable boron-nitrogen based hydrides for hydrogen storage. The project will design and synthesise novel boron-nitrogen hydrides. It will employ material design strategies, such as new synthesis techniques, dopant destabilisation, and dehydrogenation catalysts to design and experimentally validate novel multicomponent hydride systems with high storage capacities (above 9 wt% under near-ambient conditions) and high reversibility. The outcomes of this project will make a ....Exploration of highly regenerable boron-nitrogen based hydrides for hydrogen storage. The project will design and synthesise novel boron-nitrogen hydrides. It will employ material design strategies, such as new synthesis techniques, dopant destabilisation, and dehydrogenation catalysts to design and experimentally validate novel multicomponent hydride systems with high storage capacities (above 9 wt% under near-ambient conditions) and high reversibility. The outcomes of this project will make a significant enhancement in the performance of solid state hydrogen storage materials and will deliver a viable storage technology for a range of fuel cell applications.Read moreRead less
Liquid-phase hydrogen carriers for energy storage and delivery. This project aims to overcome hydrogen storage and delivery issues by developing liquid-phase hydrogen storage materials with high hydrogen capacity, exceptional stability and that do not change phase during hydrogen evolution. This project will build on the recent synthesis of strategically important hydrogen storage compounds. The innovative liquid-phase hydrogen storage and delivery technology will enable effective usage of estab ....Liquid-phase hydrogen carriers for energy storage and delivery. This project aims to overcome hydrogen storage and delivery issues by developing liquid-phase hydrogen storage materials with high hydrogen capacity, exceptional stability and that do not change phase during hydrogen evolution. This project will build on the recent synthesis of strategically important hydrogen storage compounds. The innovative liquid-phase hydrogen storage and delivery technology will enable effective usage of established liquid fuel distribution techniques and infrastructure throughout the country. The project would benefit renewable energy, chemical, and manufacturing industries, where new employment opportunities would be created.Read moreRead less
Novel hydrogen-rich liquids for storing and transporting hydrogen at scale. Hydrogen is proposed as the best candidate to store large amounts of energy produced by intermittent sources such as wind and solar. This project aims to address challenges in storing and transporting large amounts of hydrogen in a safe and effective way by developing novel liquid-phase compounds that contain light elements including boron, carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. Expected outcomes of this project include new liq ....Novel hydrogen-rich liquids for storing and transporting hydrogen at scale. Hydrogen is proposed as the best candidate to store large amounts of energy produced by intermittent sources such as wind and solar. This project aims to address challenges in storing and transporting large amounts of hydrogen in a safe and effective way by developing novel liquid-phase compounds that contain light elements including boron, carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. Expected outcomes of this project include new liquid compounds that can effectively and safely store hydrogen at scale using the exisiting liquid hydrocarbon fuel infrastructure. This should provide significant benefits in the establishment of renewable hydrogen for domestic consumption and more for exporting sustainable and clean fuel using hydrogen as the energy carrier.Read moreRead less
A New Spin on Liquid Hydrogen: Controlled Cold Energy. While hydrogen is set to play a leading role in global decarbonisation, significant challenges remain regarding methods for its reliable storage and transportation. Hydrogen liquefaction has emerged as a promising approach in this regard due to its high energy density and hydrogen purity, but is currently prohibitively expensive. In this project we will exploit the peculiar spin physics of hydrogen to alleviate liquefactions costs through t ....A New Spin on Liquid Hydrogen: Controlled Cold Energy. While hydrogen is set to play a leading role in global decarbonisation, significant challenges remain regarding methods for its reliable storage and transportation. Hydrogen liquefaction has emerged as a promising approach in this regard due to its high energy density and hydrogen purity, but is currently prohibitively expensive. In this project we will exploit the peculiar spin physics of hydrogen to alleviate liquefactions costs through the provision of controllable refrigeration (so-called 'cold energy') following regasification. In particular we will measure, optimise and exploit the highly endothermic catalysed conversion of para- to ortho- hydrogen, which can provide up to 525 kJ/kg of cooling at convenient temperatures. Read moreRead less
A new photoelectrochemical system for solar hydrogen and electricity. This project aims to develop a new integrated photoelectrochemical (PEC) system for converting solar energy into hydrogen and electricity simultaneously. The key concept is to design innovative advanced materials which will be integrated into PEC devices with capacitor function for both solar fuel production and electricity storage. This project expects to generate new knowledge in understanding the fundamental mechanism of de ....A new photoelectrochemical system for solar hydrogen and electricity. This project aims to develop a new integrated photoelectrochemical (PEC) system for converting solar energy into hydrogen and electricity simultaneously. The key concept is to design innovative advanced materials which will be integrated into PEC devices with capacitor function for both solar fuel production and electricity storage. This project expects to generate new knowledge in understanding the fundamental mechanism of developing functional materials for more efficient solar energy conversion and storage. Expected outcomes include prototypes of the next generation advanced materials and technologies for sustainable energy utilisation systems for converting solar energy into hydrogen and electricity.Read moreRead less