Interface/Boundary Engineering Towards Better Solid-State Lithium Batteries. This project aims to develop high-performance solid-state lithium batteries by engineering the design of grain boundaries within the oxide electrolyte and interfaces between the electrolyte and both anode and cathode. This project expects to propose a novel cation exsolution strategy for comprehensively engineering the interfaces and boundaries. This project should provide significant benefits on energy safety and susta ....Interface/Boundary Engineering Towards Better Solid-State Lithium Batteries. This project aims to develop high-performance solid-state lithium batteries by engineering the design of grain boundaries within the oxide electrolyte and interfaces between the electrolyte and both anode and cathode. This project expects to propose a novel cation exsolution strategy for comprehensively engineering the interfaces and boundaries. This project should provide significant benefits on energy safety and sustainable development of Australia. The successful completion of this project can lead to the development of battery technologies that may lift Australia to a better position in the international market and may also help boost the prosperity of Australia’s world-leading lithium mining industry.Read moreRead less
Structurally designed catalysts for high-performance natural gas reforming. This project aims to develop a new class of highly stable catalysts with specially designed physical and chemical structures that can be used in high temperature chemical processes. These catalysts can potentially be used for the reforming of natural gas to produce the synthesis gas, which can then be used to produce liquid fuels and chemicals.
Pathways for performance improvements of organic light emitting diodes . Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) represent the next generation technology for displays and lighting. Despite their rapid uptake, one of the factors limiting their application in lighting is the efficiency roll-off at high brightness. This project aims to work towards solutions for this problem using an innovative combination of simulation studies and experimental work. Expected outcomes include improved theoretical and ....Pathways for performance improvements of organic light emitting diodes . Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) represent the next generation technology for displays and lighting. Despite their rapid uptake, one of the factors limiting their application in lighting is the efficiency roll-off at high brightness. This project aims to work towards solutions for this problem using an innovative combination of simulation studies and experimental work. Expected outcomes include improved theoretical and experimental approaches leading to new design rules for OLEDs. This should provide significant benefits such as a pathway for development of improved efficient, high brightness OLEDs for applications in low energy consumption lighting and long-lasting, bright displays.Read moreRead less
Advanced Proton-Conducting Ceramic FCs for Power Generation from Ammonia . The project aims to design an innovative ammonia fuel cell using a new perovskite substrate decorated with metal nanoparticles, which demonstrates multi-functionalities and tackles most challenges of conventional fuel cells (FCs). The key concept of this project is the designing of the novel architected smart perovskite as both anode and electrolyte of the fuel cell by systematic modelling and experimental development. T ....Advanced Proton-Conducting Ceramic FCs for Power Generation from Ammonia . The project aims to design an innovative ammonia fuel cell using a new perovskite substrate decorated with metal nanoparticles, which demonstrates multi-functionalities and tackles most challenges of conventional fuel cells (FCs). The key concept of this project is the designing of the novel architected smart perovskite as both anode and electrolyte of the fuel cell by systematic modelling and experimental development. The versatile cell components developed in this project will improve the operational stability and efficiency of the fuel cell, thereby providing a promising pathway for ammonia fuel cells to replace hydrogen fuel cells. This study will reinforce the development of the future supply of reliable, low cost and clean energy. Read moreRead less
Hybrid Hydrocarbon-Carbon Fuel Cells for Long-Life Power Generation. This project aims to design an innovative high-energy portable power source based on a hybrid direct hydrocarbon-carbon fuel cell concept, in which the deposited carbon in the anode of a fuel cell during operation with liquid hydrocarbon fuels can be used as a fuel by subsequent operation in the direct carbon fuel cell mode. The key concept in this project is the controlled deposition and utilization of carbon over the anode of ....Hybrid Hydrocarbon-Carbon Fuel Cells for Long-Life Power Generation. This project aims to design an innovative high-energy portable power source based on a hybrid direct hydrocarbon-carbon fuel cell concept, in which the deposited carbon in the anode of a fuel cell during operation with liquid hydrocarbon fuels can be used as a fuel by subsequent operation in the direct carbon fuel cell mode. The key concept in this project is the controlled deposition and utilization of carbon over the anode of the fuel cell by systematic modelling and experimental development. A continuous power output will be realized via an intelligent cycling mode with an intermittent supply of pure liquid hydrocarbon fuels, thereby achieving an extremely high fuel utilization efficiency in a hybrid electrochemical system.Read moreRead less
Novel species interactions arising from synergistic environmental changes. Synergistic environmental changes, including climate and land use change, are altering Australia's ecosystems and creating novel species assemblages. We know little about how these assemblages develop and function, and yet they are likely to become more pervasive and provide a significant conservation and restoration challenge. We aim to improve our understanding of the factors affecting the creation of novel plant assemb ....Novel species interactions arising from synergistic environmental changes. Synergistic environmental changes, including climate and land use change, are altering Australia's ecosystems and creating novel species assemblages. We know little about how these assemblages develop and function, and yet they are likely to become more pervasive and provide a significant conservation and restoration challenge. We aim to improve our understanding of the factors affecting the creation of novel plant assemblages (through invasions and changes in species' ranges) in the York Gum woodlands of Western Australia. We will examine how novel assemblages function, improve the ability to predict potential ongoing changes in assemblages and provide guidance for the management of these and other internationally important plant communities.Read moreRead less
Managing the evolutionary potential of fragmented native plant populations. Many previously widespread plant species now exist in small fragmented populations threatened with extinction due to genetic decline. We will apply a novel and powerful new genetic approach for the assessment of the evolutionary potential of these populations. Through the most detailed characterisation of realized mating yet possible, we will determine if recently fragmented populations are in genetic decline, and how ....Managing the evolutionary potential of fragmented native plant populations. Many previously widespread plant species now exist in small fragmented populations threatened with extinction due to genetic decline. We will apply a novel and powerful new genetic approach for the assessment of the evolutionary potential of these populations. Through the most detailed characterisation of realized mating yet possible, we will determine if recently fragmented populations are in genetic decline, and how anciently fragmented species avoid extinction. Our aim is to generate general principles for the early measurement and/or prediction of genetic decline in species most at risk, that will enable us to determine how and when remediation measures are required.Read moreRead less
High-performance green concrete containing lithium refinery residue . This project aims to investigate the potential use of lithium refinery residue as a partial replacement for cement in concrete. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of green concrete through fundamental investigation of its properties and to incorporate this residue as a new supplementary cementitious material in existing Australian standard. The expected outcomes of the project include characterisation ....High-performance green concrete containing lithium refinery residue . This project aims to investigate the potential use of lithium refinery residue as a partial replacement for cement in concrete. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of green concrete through fundamental investigation of its properties and to incorporate this residue as a new supplementary cementitious material in existing Australian standard. The expected outcomes of the project include characterisation and benchmarking of lithium residue as an alternative supplementary cementitious material in concrete. This will provide significant environmental benefits in both a reduction in lithium waste and reduction of CO2 emission of cement in high-performance green concrete. Read moreRead less
Synthesis of Novel Nanostructured Ternary Carbide Composites. This research will lead to (a) new advances and provide contribution of new knowledge to the Priority Research Areas of Advanced Materials; (b) a novel vacuum heat-treatment process for nanostructured materials design. This will offer the ceramics industry in Australia a new technology for producing wear- and heat-resistant components for advanced engineering applications. (c) design of new layer-graded materials with a unique combina ....Synthesis of Novel Nanostructured Ternary Carbide Composites. This research will lead to (a) new advances and provide contribution of new knowledge to the Priority Research Areas of Advanced Materials; (b) a novel vacuum heat-treatment process for nanostructured materials design. This will offer the ceramics industry in Australia a new technology for producing wear- and heat-resistant components for advanced engineering applications. (c) design of new layer-graded materials with a unique combination of hardness for wear resistance and toughness for damage tolerance. This will enable the ceramics industry in Australia to compete internationally in the business of advanced and high performance ceramic products.Read moreRead less
Development of three-dimensional printing conductive concrete for electromagnetic pulse shielding. This project aims to develop innovative methods for the use of conductive concrete as a building material with an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) shielding property. Three dimensional printing of conductive concrete will present an innovative and promising technique in real-life construction practices when structures are needed for facilities and infrastructure employed for critical services such as mi ....Development of three-dimensional printing conductive concrete for electromagnetic pulse shielding. This project aims to develop innovative methods for the use of conductive concrete as a building material with an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) shielding property. Three dimensional printing of conductive concrete will present an innovative and promising technique in real-life construction practices when structures are needed for facilities and infrastructure employed for critical services such as military or financial infrastructures. The project will create new revenue streams for cement and concrete industry as well as empower the workforce with cutting-edge skills. The newly developed materials and technology will lead to protection of national facilities and infrastructure.Read moreRead less