Hydrogen production from the anaerobic digestion of organic waste using a novel membrane. Solid organic waste is a potentially large, decentralized and sustainable source of hydrogen. The potential hydrogen yield from the anaerobic digestion of solid organic waste in Sydney alone could power over 750,000 passenger vehicles. Hydrogen is always generated in the digestion of organic material, but under natural conditions it is scavenged by methanogens. Recently developed silica membranes are sel ....Hydrogen production from the anaerobic digestion of organic waste using a novel membrane. Solid organic waste is a potentially large, decentralized and sustainable source of hydrogen. The potential hydrogen yield from the anaerobic digestion of solid organic waste in Sydney alone could power over 750,000 passenger vehicles. Hydrogen is always generated in the digestion of organic material, but under natural conditions it is scavenged by methanogens. Recently developed silica membranes are selectively and highly permeable to hydrogen, and these can be used to draw hydrogen from the digester. The digester will be run at high temperatures (>65oC) because this favours organisms that produce hydrogen over methanogens. Anaerobic digesters are well established in Europe and at least 3 municipal plants already exist in Australia.Read moreRead less
Optimising nanofiltration and reverse osmosis filtration processes for water recycling: effects of fouling and chemical cleaning on trace contaminant removal. In Australia, water recycling is considered a principal measure to manage the current ongoing water shortage and to better protect the environment. Membrane filtration processes play important roles in the treatment of reclaimed municipal wastewater. However, there is very limited knowledge regarding the reliability of such processes in re ....Optimising nanofiltration and reverse osmosis filtration processes for water recycling: effects of fouling and chemical cleaning on trace contaminant removal. In Australia, water recycling is considered a principal measure to manage the current ongoing water shortage and to better protect the environment. Membrane filtration processes play important roles in the treatment of reclaimed municipal wastewater. However, there is very limited knowledge regarding the reliability of such processes in removing trace contaminants from recycled water, which may result in unintended health consequences. This research will lead to a comprehensive understanding of the removal process of such contaminants by membrane filtration. Consequently, the likely avenue of risk can be eliminated and the treatment process can be optimised to achieve economic savings and environmental protection.Read moreRead less
Optimising dissolved air flotation (DAF) for algae removal by bubble modification in drinking water and advanced wastewater systems. Algal blooms in potable water reservoirs and advanced wastewater treatment lagoons can impact the performance and economic viability of water treatment processes resulting in taste and odour episodes and the risk of algal toxins as well as causing further limitation to already stressed water resources in Australia. This project aims to develop an adaptation of the ....Optimising dissolved air flotation (DAF) for algae removal by bubble modification in drinking water and advanced wastewater systems. Algal blooms in potable water reservoirs and advanced wastewater treatment lagoons can impact the performance and economic viability of water treatment processes resulting in taste and odour episodes and the risk of algal toxins as well as causing further limitation to already stressed water resources in Australia. This project aims to develop an adaptation of the dissolved air flotation process that is already used for algae treatment that will provide a more robust, economic and sustainable barrier to algal cells in accordance with the Australian Drinking and Recycled Water Guidelines.Read moreRead less
Development of smart material for the adsorption of oil spills on roads. The cost of road fuel spills in both Australia and worldwide is enormous. The research objective is to develop an admixture suitable for the absorption/adsorption of fuel and oil from road spills. The material will be designed to be contained within a fabric. The innovation is the application of the admixture in the form of a carpet, which is designed as easily used, non-toxic, recyclable and environmentally friendly. T ....Development of smart material for the adsorption of oil spills on roads. The cost of road fuel spills in both Australia and worldwide is enormous. The research objective is to develop an admixture suitable for the absorption/adsorption of fuel and oil from road spills. The material will be designed to be contained within a fabric. The innovation is the application of the admixture in the form of a carpet, which is designed as easily used, non-toxic, recyclable and environmentally friendly. The application is rapid. The successful development of the material has enormous economic benefits to Australia, providing a new industry with many employees. This new industry has the potential to bring great wealth to Australia.Read moreRead less
Development of a novel adsorbent to extract rubidium from sea water. Disposal of rejected brine from seawater reverse osmosis desalination plants causes major pollution problems and existing solutions are expensive. Recovery of valuable metals such as rubidium (Rb) after further concentration of the brine will lead to environmental and economic benefits. This project aims to develop a novel electrospun nanofibre membrane distillation membrane to economically concentrate the brine and to develop ....Development of a novel adsorbent to extract rubidium from sea water. Disposal of rejected brine from seawater reverse osmosis desalination plants causes major pollution problems and existing solutions are expensive. Recovery of valuable metals such as rubidium (Rb) after further concentration of the brine will lead to environmental and economic benefits. This project aims to develop a novel electrospun nanofibre membrane distillation membrane to economically concentrate the brine and to develop novel adsorbents and desorbents to recover the valuable Rb. It is expected that the concentration and recovery of Rb will lead to a sustainable way of handling the brine, as the concentration cost can be offset by the selling of Rb.Read moreRead less
Smart Polymer Hydrogels for Simultaneous Waste Heat Utilisation and Wastewater Treatment for Sustainable Manufacturing. This project aims to develop dual-functionality, temperature-responsive polymer hydrogels as draw agents for continuous, forward osmosis wastewater treatment processes. It intends to use low–and-medium temperature waste heat as a green input into the process and thus significantly reduce the costs of wastewater treatment, and fresh water consumption, whilst effectively utilisin ....Smart Polymer Hydrogels for Simultaneous Waste Heat Utilisation and Wastewater Treatment for Sustainable Manufacturing. This project aims to develop dual-functionality, temperature-responsive polymer hydrogels as draw agents for continuous, forward osmosis wastewater treatment processes. It intends to use low–and-medium temperature waste heat as a green input into the process and thus significantly reduce the costs of wastewater treatment, and fresh water consumption, whilst effectively utilising waste heat generated in the manufacturing industry. The outcomes of this research aim to provide a unique opportunity for Australian researchers to become world leaders in the rapidly-emerging, energy-efficient forward osmosis technology which is very relevant not only to wastewater treatment, but also to desalination.Read moreRead less
Optimising Decentralised Membrane Bioreactors for Water Reuse. Water is a critical resource in Australia and as pressures on water resources increase, water recycling has emerged as an important component of water management practises throughout Australia. Decentralised wastewater treatment systems (or package plants) offer opportunities for water recycling in regional communities; however this application is limited by our understanding on the removal of contaminants of concern through these tr ....Optimising Decentralised Membrane Bioreactors for Water Reuse. Water is a critical resource in Australia and as pressures on water resources increase, water recycling has emerged as an important component of water management practises throughout Australia. Decentralised wastewater treatment systems (or package plants) offer opportunities for water recycling in regional communities; however this application is limited by our understanding on the removal of contaminants of concern through these treatment systems. This project will assess the suitability and efficiency of decentralised membrane bioreactors (MBRs) for the removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) and pathogens in accordance with the 2006 National Guidelines for Water Recycling.Read moreRead less
The structural biology of light capture: A molecular resolution 3D atlas of the photosynthetic machinery. This project underpins the development of carbon dioxide (CO2)-neutral fuels for the future. Fuels account for around sixty seven percent of the global energy market. The Solar-Biofuels Consortium (www.solarbiofuels.org) is targeting this market by developing high efficiency second generation microalgal biofuel systems for the production of bio-diesel, bio-methane and bio-hydrogen (shown on ....The structural biology of light capture: A molecular resolution 3D atlas of the photosynthetic machinery. This project underpins the development of carbon dioxide (CO2)-neutral fuels for the future. Fuels account for around sixty seven percent of the global energy market. The Solar-Biofuels Consortium (www.solarbiofuels.org) is targeting this market by developing high efficiency second generation microalgal biofuel systems for the production of bio-diesel, bio-methane and bio-hydrogen (shown on Catalyst 2007). The solar-powered microalgal bioreactors can be located on non-arable land (eliminating competition with food production) and be coupled to carbon sequestration. Closed systems also minimize water use. This technology differs from most others (that is, clean-coal, nuclear, solar, wind, geothermal) as these target the electricity market.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL110100013
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,260,000.00
Summary
New materials for a sustainable energy future. This project will research and develop new selective transport materials to create new sustainable technologies for energy storage (e.g. batteries and capacitors) which will allow greater use of renewable energy sources, desalination and CO2 capture.
Molecular Resolution 3D Atlas of the Photosynthetic Machinery. The project aims to produce an atomic-resolution 3-D atlas of the photosynthetic machinery of single-cell green algae to guide the targeted engineering of high efficiency algae production cell lines and bio-inspired artificial solar fuel systems. Photosynthesis drives the first step of all algae production processes by capturing solar energy and converting it to chemical energy (for example sustainable fuels, food and high value prod ....Molecular Resolution 3D Atlas of the Photosynthetic Machinery. The project aims to produce an atomic-resolution 3-D atlas of the photosynthetic machinery of single-cell green algae to guide the targeted engineering of high efficiency algae production cell lines and bio-inspired artificial solar fuel systems. Photosynthesis drives the first step of all algae production processes by capturing solar energy and converting it to chemical energy (for example sustainable fuels, food and high value products), but excess light can cause photodamage. Microalgae have evolved intricate photo-protection mechanisms that can dissipate up to 90 per cent of the captured light energy. Fine-tuning the light harvesting complexes could considerably increase efficiency.Read moreRead less