Development of high-performance Si/Ge superlattice thermoelectric materials with optimization of lattice periodic thickness. Thermoelectric generation systems convert waste heat into electrical energy irrespective of source size and without the use of moving parts or the production of environmentally deleterious wastes. This would conserve fuel and energy, and reduce environmental emissions. Success of this program will facilitate the development of thermoelectric materials, which has enormous i ....Development of high-performance Si/Ge superlattice thermoelectric materials with optimization of lattice periodic thickness. Thermoelectric generation systems convert waste heat into electrical energy irrespective of source size and without the use of moving parts or the production of environmentally deleterious wastes. This would conserve fuel and energy, and reduce environmental emissions. Success of this program will facilitate the development of thermoelectric materials, which has enormous international market, in Australia. It will open up an avenue for searching out potential thermoelectric materials for practical applications. This program will also provide an education platform to intensively train high quality postgraduates at the international level.Read moreRead less
Overcoming performance limitations in multicrystalline silicon solar cells. This project aims to address the major impediments to improved efficiency of multicrystalline silicon solar cells, the most prevalent in industry today. Three key areas have been identified: understanding the fundamental source of carrier recombination in this material, the application of plasma silicon nitride to reducing this recombination, and developing a suitable technique for texturing the front surface of the cell ....Overcoming performance limitations in multicrystalline silicon solar cells. This project aims to address the major impediments to improved efficiency of multicrystalline silicon solar cells, the most prevalent in industry today. Three key areas have been identified: understanding the fundamental source of carrier recombination in this material, the application of plasma silicon nitride to reducing this recombination, and developing a suitable technique for texturing the front surface of the cells. By using novel, advanced techniques to gain a deeper physical understanding of these issues, it will be possible to develop new, cost-effective processes that improve efficiency and are applicable in industry.Read moreRead less
Lifetime spectroscopy of impurities in silicon solar cells. This project aims to apply recently developed experimental techniques to the important problem of characterising impurities in silicon, with a strong focus on solar cell applications. These new spectroscopic techniques, which are based on carrier lifetime measurements, are more sensitive and less ambiguous than most existing methods. The results will have important implications for solar cell technologies in two independent ways - first ....Lifetime spectroscopy of impurities in silicon solar cells. This project aims to apply recently developed experimental techniques to the important problem of characterising impurities in silicon, with a strong focus on solar cell applications. These new spectroscopic techniques, which are based on carrier lifetime measurements, are more sensitive and less ambiguous than most existing methods. The results will have important implications for solar cell technologies in two independent ways - firstly, by allowing accurate diagnosis of the performance-limiting impurities in standard silicon solar cells - and secondly, by identifying particular impurities which could boost cell performance beyond the conventional limit through the impurity photovoltaic effect.Read moreRead less
Improving the efficiency of silent discharge plasma systems through an effective high voltage power converter design match. The proposal seeks to develop important new technologies which will have an impact on our environment. Australia suffers from water resource scarcity and SDPSs represents an accepted solution for waste-water treatment. The project has significant implications for improving the cleanliness and efficiency of our energy production systems. Improved operation of SDPSs will enab ....Improving the efficiency of silent discharge plasma systems through an effective high voltage power converter design match. The proposal seeks to develop important new technologies which will have an impact on our environment. Australia suffers from water resource scarcity and SDPSs represents an accepted solution for waste-water treatment. The project has significant implications for improving the cleanliness and efficiency of our energy production systems. Improved operation of SDPSs will enable better filtering of vehicle exhaust emissions and through the capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide which reduces green gas emission. This will improve the efficiency of ozoniser systems which has many benefits as ozone is one of the most useful and environmentally friendly oxidising agents.Read moreRead less
Dust Physics: a Challenge in International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. This proposal is highly relevant to development of the electricity-producing fusion power plants. The outcomes will contribute to the achievement of greater control, predictability, and cost efficiency of fusion reactors operation. The project falls within the " An Environmentally Sustainable Australia " research priority and will contribute to development of widely available energy source with essentially unlimited ....Dust Physics: a Challenge in International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. This proposal is highly relevant to development of the electricity-producing fusion power plants. The outcomes will contribute to the achievement of greater control, predictability, and cost efficiency of fusion reactors operation. The project falls within the " An Environmentally Sustainable Australia " research priority and will contribute to development of widely available energy source with essentially unlimited supply and manageable environmental impact. Read moreRead less
Surface immobilisation of enzymes for the synthesis of ethanol. The efficiency of ethanol production will be increased by preventing poisoning of enzymes by reaction products as in current technology. Enzymes will be robustly attached to porous surfaces so that a high efficiency continuous flow process can be used. A novel selective membrane for the continuous removal of ethanol will be developed, allowing water to be saved and unreacted inputs to be recycled. The ultimate outcome will be a proc ....Surface immobilisation of enzymes for the synthesis of ethanol. The efficiency of ethanol production will be increased by preventing poisoning of enzymes by reaction products as in current technology. Enzymes will be robustly attached to porous surfaces so that a high efficiency continuous flow process can be used. A novel selective membrane for the continuous removal of ethanol will be developed, allowing water to be saved and unreacted inputs to be recycled. The ultimate outcome will be a process which achieves dramatic water saving and greatly reduced environmental impact. In the final stage of the project we will apply our methods to the processing of cellulose from agricultural and forestry waste, with the potential of preventing the diversion of food resources into the transport fuel industry.Read moreRead less
First Principles Catalyst Design Towards an Environmentally Clean and Energy Efficient Future. This Proposal will explore through first-principles calculations novel catalytic materials critical for the advancement of hydrogen production and fuel-cell performance, as a viable clean energy source. Theory and computation in forefront sciences plays a crucial role not only in understanding and guiding experiment, but in prediciting new (potential) structures and processes. This project will involv ....First Principles Catalyst Design Towards an Environmentally Clean and Energy Efficient Future. This Proposal will explore through first-principles calculations novel catalytic materials critical for the advancement of hydrogen production and fuel-cell performance, as a viable clean energy source. Theory and computation in forefront sciences plays a crucial role not only in understanding and guiding experiment, but in prediciting new (potential) structures and processes. This project will involve collaboration with leading international experts, thus enhancing Australias knowledge base and research capacity. This work will raise the profile of Australian-lead research, and afford a deeper integration into global reseach programs.Read moreRead less