Probing microbial emulsions to break barriers to green oil production. This project aims to understand ultrasonic processing of concentrated slurries of oil-bearing yeast and algae. Humans must reduce their dependency on petroleum. While microorganisms can produce oils as replacement fuels and base chemicals, the processes for extracting these oils are inefficient. Ultrasound could improve oil recovery by replacing toxic solvents. Understanding the effects of ultrasound on microbial emulsions is ....Probing microbial emulsions to break barriers to green oil production. This project aims to understand ultrasonic processing of concentrated slurries of oil-bearing yeast and algae. Humans must reduce their dependency on petroleum. While microorganisms can produce oils as replacement fuels and base chemicals, the processes for extracting these oils are inefficient. Ultrasound could improve oil recovery by replacing toxic solvents. Understanding the effects of ultrasound on microbial emulsions is expected to develop solvent-free oil recovery processes that improve the economic and environmental benefits of microbial oil production. Such processes would greatly increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of producing microbial oils that can be used as green alternatives to petroleum fuels and chemicals.Read moreRead less
High yield adaptive laser nanomanufacturing system for photonic devices. This project aims at developing an entirely new nanofabrication platform combining adaptive beamshaping with highly accurate large area nanopositioner to simultaneously address the throughput and accuracy challenges in nanomanufacturing. The proposed prototype system and fabricated photonic chips have performance far surpassing the state-of-the-art. Through trial in the industrial best laser nanofabrication system, commerci ....High yield adaptive laser nanomanufacturing system for photonic devices. This project aims at developing an entirely new nanofabrication platform combining adaptive beamshaping with highly accurate large area nanopositioner to simultaneously address the throughput and accuracy challenges in nanomanufacturing. The proposed prototype system and fabricated photonic chips have performance far surpassing the state-of-the-art. Through trial in the industrial best laser nanofabrication system, commercial benefits can be fast tracked for Australian industry in the rapidly expanding nanomanufacturing field. The outcomes lead to a platform technology enabling broad impact and benefits to other high-tech applications requiring high precision and throughput, enhancing Australia’s leading position in advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Ultrasound-assisted fabrication of biofunctional materials. The project aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the mechanism involved in the synthetic process in order to control the physical and functional properties of core-shell biomaterials. Biofunctional core-shell materials are of scientific interest due to their potential use in a variety of applications including food manufacturing. Among existing methodologies for the synthesis of core-shell biomaterials, ultrasonic technology o ....Ultrasound-assisted fabrication of biofunctional materials. The project aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the mechanism involved in the synthetic process in order to control the physical and functional properties of core-shell biomaterials. Biofunctional core-shell materials are of scientific interest due to their potential use in a variety of applications including food manufacturing. Among existing methodologies for the synthesis of core-shell biomaterials, ultrasonic technology offers versatility and a wider choice of core and shell materials possessing specific biofunctionality. The outcomes of this project may include the establishment of a versatile technology for the fabrication of tailor-made biofunctional materials suitable for specific applications.Read moreRead less
Development of far Infrared multispectral thermal image sensors . This project aims to develop a technology that will bypass limitations of existing thermal-image sensor pixels to produce multi-spectral imaging of objects with specificity, clarity and sharpness in a wide range of far infrared wavelength regions. This technology has applications in remote sensing, pest control, and precision agriculture. The project is based on an existing collaboration between The University of Melbourne and t ....Development of far Infrared multispectral thermal image sensors . This project aims to develop a technology that will bypass limitations of existing thermal-image sensor pixels to produce multi-spectral imaging of objects with specificity, clarity and sharpness in a wide range of far infrared wavelength regions. This technology has applications in remote sensing, pest control, and precision agriculture. The project is based on an existing collaboration between The University of Melbourne and the start-up company Digital Falcon. Digital Falcon provides extensive industry service in developing custom image analysis algorithms and post processing to visualisation tools. The University of Melbourne provides research expertise in image sensor pixel technology and sensor electronics.Read moreRead less
Understanding bacteriophage deactivation and stabilisation in formulations. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that kill pathogenic bacteria without causing harms to the eco-balance. They can provide a safe and highly effective antimicrobial measure for biocontrol when formulated properly. This project aims to develop a mechanistic understanding of the physicochemical factors responsible for stabilising and deactivating phages in a wide range of formulations. It will create new knowledge on ke ....Understanding bacteriophage deactivation and stabilisation in formulations. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that kill pathogenic bacteria without causing harms to the eco-balance. They can provide a safe and highly effective antimicrobial measure for biocontrol when formulated properly. This project aims to develop a mechanistic understanding of the physicochemical factors responsible for stabilising and deactivating phages in a wide range of formulations. It will create new knowledge on key relationships between phage chemistry, phage-excipient interactions and phage stability. The research outcomes would significantly benefit Australia by enabling commercial development in the high value-adding area of environmentally friendly antimicrobial products.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH150100003
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,611,346.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Graphene Enabled Industry Transformation. ARC Research Hub for Graphene Enabled Industry Transformation. This research hub aims to provide the advanced materials industry with innovative solutions to tackle critical and complex challenges of national significance. The hub intends to leverage substantial existing and new investments to overcome fundamental scientific barriers and develop fit-for-purpose graphene products with and for its partners. Advanced materials, particul ....ARC Research Hub for Graphene Enabled Industry Transformation. ARC Research Hub for Graphene Enabled Industry Transformation. This research hub aims to provide the advanced materials industry with innovative solutions to tackle critical and complex challenges of national significance. The hub intends to leverage substantial existing and new investments to overcome fundamental scientific barriers and develop fit-for-purpose graphene products with and for its partners. Advanced materials, particularly graphene, are now considered promising for maintaining competitive advantages for industrial transformational progress; and advanced industries to drive prosperity where innovation underpins business to thrive globally. The anticipated impacts are long-term economic prosperity and growth.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH210100025
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,379,165.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing with 2D Materials (AM2D). Australia holds large resources of critical 2D minerals – key enablers of several existing and emerging technologies in Energy Storage, Purification and Printed Electronics. The AM2D hub aims to provide a sophisticated environment for researchers and an industrial translation platform for manufacturers; a hub where leading academics, bright students, and industry partners come together to learn, apply, collaborate, innovate, a ....ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing with 2D Materials (AM2D). Australia holds large resources of critical 2D minerals – key enablers of several existing and emerging technologies in Energy Storage, Purification and Printed Electronics. The AM2D hub aims to provide a sophisticated environment for researchers and an industrial translation platform for manufacturers; a hub where leading academics, bright students, and industry partners come together to learn, apply, collaborate, innovate, and deliver industry transformation in advanced manufacturing. Anticipated outcomes include the transformation of newly discovered materials into globally traded, high-value 2D products, enabling Australian industries to capture more wealth and jobs from this large and growing market.
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Development of Solar-induced, Dark-active Photocatalytic Membranes for Water Disinfection. Stormwater is one of the last freshwater resources that has not been utilised to its full potential. However, large amount of faecal pathogens in stormwater limit its harvesting practice.This project aims at addressing this significant problem by developing the next generation of photocatalytic membranes for stormwater disinfection. The proposed membranes not only are passive water treatment technology whi ....Development of Solar-induced, Dark-active Photocatalytic Membranes for Water Disinfection. Stormwater is one of the last freshwater resources that has not been utilised to its full potential. However, large amount of faecal pathogens in stormwater limit its harvesting practice.This project aims at addressing this significant problem by developing the next generation of photocatalytic membranes for stormwater disinfection. The proposed membranes not only are passive water treatment technology which only utilises solar energy, but also are operated regardless of weather, even at night. The results will provide new insights on development of future water treatment technologies. This project will also raise Australia’s credibility and competitiveness in the water and membrane industries.Read moreRead less
Bio-electrochemical sulfate reduction and sulfur recovery without external carbon source. Highly acidic waterways and mining wastewaters create major environmental challenges in inland Australia. This project will use novel, solar driven biological processes to remove the acid and metals from these streams and enable beneficial reuse of the water and other resources recovered in the process.
A highly sensitive and selective nano-engineered sensor for the online monitoring of mercury vapour emissions from harsh industrial processes. The Australian alumina and aluminium industries contribute over $11 billion export income annually. All refineries, except one, operate in rural areas and are the main economic drivers in these regions. In order to maintain the industry's commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its processes and remain economically sustainable, innovative technol ....A highly sensitive and selective nano-engineered sensor for the online monitoring of mercury vapour emissions from harsh industrial processes. The Australian alumina and aluminium industries contribute over $11 billion export income annually. All refineries, except one, operate in rural areas and are the main economic drivers in these regions. In order to maintain the industry's commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its processes and remain economically sustainable, innovative technologies are required to monitor mercury emissions. The aim of this project is to develop robust sensors, for online monitoring of mercury vapours, that operate under challenging industrial environments. This project will also provide excellent training for young researchers in established international industrial research groups, thereby meeting skill shortages in the Australian resource sector.Read moreRead less