Functional topological materials for superior thermoelectric applications. The efficient generation of electricity from waste heat remains a significant technological challenge, hampered by the absence of efficient materials for conversion. This project aims to develop functionalized topological materials with ultra-high thermoelectric and photothermal performance for harvesting heat into electricity. A recent breakthrough in device efficiency will be a game-changer and position Australian acade ....Functional topological materials for superior thermoelectric applications. The efficient generation of electricity from waste heat remains a significant technological challenge, hampered by the absence of efficient materials for conversion. This project aims to develop functionalized topological materials with ultra-high thermoelectric and photothermal performance for harvesting heat into electricity. A recent breakthrough in device efficiency will be a game-changer and position Australian academics and industries at the forefront of next generation of renewable power generation and refrigeration products. The outcomes will provide an advantage to end-users and industry, and will open a new market for advanced thermoelectric devices in multidisciplinary fields, communities and emerging industries.Read moreRead less
Solid-state lithium batteries using phase-stabilised electrolytes. This project aims to develop advanced lithium batteries using multifunctional phase-stabilised solid-state electrolytes. Solid-state lithium batteries are the ultimate end goal of the battery industry, owing to their unique features including no fire hazard, high energy and power densities, and long service lifespan. By combining nanofabrication and novel electrolyte materials, the project expects to boost the performances of sol ....Solid-state lithium batteries using phase-stabilised electrolytes. This project aims to develop advanced lithium batteries using multifunctional phase-stabilised solid-state electrolytes. Solid-state lithium batteries are the ultimate end goal of the battery industry, owing to their unique features including no fire hazard, high energy and power densities, and long service lifespan. By combining nanofabrication and novel electrolyte materials, the project expects to boost the performances of solid-state lithium batteries, establishing them as an advanced energy technology to meet future energy storage and conversion needs. The newly developed battery technology will be widely used for portable electronics, electric vehicles and smart electricity grids that integrate renewable energy sources.Read moreRead less
Next generation hybrid nanomaterials: bispecific antibody-targeted polymers. This project aims to develop and optimise a novel platform technology that will assist in the development of hybrid materials consisting of nanomaterials and biomolecules, which form the basis of many commercial diagnostic devices. A novel antibody, MIL38, will provide the test bed for the technology, which will aim to deliver a platform that is stable under physiological conditions and that enables facile conjugation o ....Next generation hybrid nanomaterials: bispecific antibody-targeted polymers. This project aims to develop and optimise a novel platform technology that will assist in the development of hybrid materials consisting of nanomaterials and biomolecules, which form the basis of many commercial diagnostic devices. A novel antibody, MIL38, will provide the test bed for the technology, which will aim to deliver a platform that is stable under physiological conditions and that enables facile conjugation of nanomaterials with antibodies. This project has the potential to rapidly improve the ligation process between synthetic nanomaterials and biologics, leading to more efficient synthesis of targeted diagnostics. This would provide a significant commercial advantage for any nanomaterials developed for the field, and specifically for this project, expedite translation of MIL38.Read moreRead less
Hydrogen fuel cells with non-precious metal cathode catalysts. Low-cost and robust fuel cell technology is a cornerstone towards the success of the hydrogen economy. The project aims to address the cost and durability of hydrogen fuel cells by advancing low-cost electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions. Novel non-precious catalysts will be developed, and their stability understood in fuel cells using a new approach with in situ current mapping and X-ray computed tomography. The expected ....Hydrogen fuel cells with non-precious metal cathode catalysts. Low-cost and robust fuel cell technology is a cornerstone towards the success of the hydrogen economy. The project aims to address the cost and durability of hydrogen fuel cells by advancing low-cost electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions. Novel non-precious catalysts will be developed, and their stability understood in fuel cells using a new approach with in situ current mapping and X-ray computed tomography. The expected outcomes of this project include material development, improved characterisation techniques and new knowledge on electrocatalysis. The project will benefit Kohodo Hydrogen Energy by positioning them as an Australian leader in low-cost catalysts, and to Australian industries in developing the hydrogen economy. Read moreRead less
Nanoscale heating towards high efficient nitrogen reduction reduction. This project aims to develop nanoscale heating technique using AC magnetic field for efficient synthesis of ammonia, widely used for fertiliser and having potential for hydrogen storage. This project is to introduce nanoscale heating concept by heating catalyst only but not solution in electrochemical catalysis to achieve high catalytic activity. Expected outcome is the creation of low cost catalysts having high selectivity a ....Nanoscale heating towards high efficient nitrogen reduction reduction. This project aims to develop nanoscale heating technique using AC magnetic field for efficient synthesis of ammonia, widely used for fertiliser and having potential for hydrogen storage. This project is to introduce nanoscale heating concept by heating catalyst only but not solution in electrochemical catalysis to achieve high catalytic activity. Expected outcome is the creation of low cost catalysts having high selectivity and formation rate for ammonia production. This unique technology has the potential to replace current ammonia production based on Haber-Bosch process, which consumes 2% of world energy and contributes 3% of overall CO2 emission. The project provides opportunities for new industries that will benefit Australian economy.Read moreRead less
Electrodeposited Cathodes with Tunable Stoichiometry for Alkaline Batteries. The growing dependency on intermittently-available renewable energy sources has resulted in metal-ion batteries being adopted as the most common solution; yet its fabrication requires multi-stage high-temperature processing leading to high costs, quality issues, and reduced service life. Thus, the present project targets the room-temperature fabrication of binary and ternary oxide cathodes by a single-step, high-yield, ....Electrodeposited Cathodes with Tunable Stoichiometry for Alkaline Batteries. The growing dependency on intermittently-available renewable energy sources has resulted in metal-ion batteries being adopted as the most common solution; yet its fabrication requires multi-stage high-temperature processing leading to high costs, quality issues, and reduced service life. Thus, the present project targets the room-temperature fabrication of binary and ternary oxide cathodes by a single-step, high-yield, cost-effective technique and their integration into Na-ion batteries with minimal and no processing. The expected outcomes from this novel and efficient device fabrication can lead to significant commercial, social, and environmental benefits owing to the advancement of the battery industry and associated job creation.
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Advanced lanthanide-doped nanomaterials for new-generation security inks. Current security labelling technologies using pattern coding (“barcoding”) and/or UV-excited phosphorescent inks are relatively easily counterfeited. The project aims to identify optimal design, fabrication and surface treatment of infrared-excited lanthanide nanoparticles for use as pigments in UV-curable polymer inks. This is expected to result in a new-generation of jet-printable security inks with ultimate capability f ....Advanced lanthanide-doped nanomaterials for new-generation security inks. Current security labelling technologies using pattern coding (“barcoding”) and/or UV-excited phosphorescent inks are relatively easily counterfeited. The project aims to identify optimal design, fabrication and surface treatment of infrared-excited lanthanide nanoparticles for use as pigments in UV-curable polymer inks. This is expected to result in a new-generation of jet-printable security inks with ultimate capability for multidimensional coding (using multiple luminescence wavelengths and lifetimes) and robust readability. Expected outcomes are world leadership in codable inks for secure labelling against counterfeiting, greatly enhancing both global ink-product sales and the value of Australian exports subject to product substitution.Read moreRead less
Next generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniques. This project aims to solve a common, fundamental problem limiting the performance of mass spectrometers and high resolution electron microscopes: surface modification caused by unintended chemical reactions due to electron impact. The intended project outcomes will advance current understanding of electron restructuring of surfaces and open the door to next-generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniq ....Next generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniques. This project aims to solve a common, fundamental problem limiting the performance of mass spectrometers and high resolution electron microscopes: surface modification caused by unintended chemical reactions due to electron impact. The intended project outcomes will advance current understanding of electron restructuring of surfaces and open the door to next-generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniques. It will develop a superior detector for mass spectrometry and improve the imaging and nanofabrication capabilities of state-of-the-art electron microscopes. Read moreRead less
Printable technologies for high security documents and consumer products. Printable technologies for high security documents and consumer products. This project aims to develop two next-generation printable security feature technologies to protect users from counterfeiting, which costs the world economy billions in lost revenue and undermines the security of citizens. First, it aims to enhance the security of banknotes by developing printable active device patches with energy harvesting flexible ....Printable technologies for high security documents and consumer products. Printable technologies for high security documents and consumer products. This project aims to develop two next-generation printable security feature technologies to protect users from counterfeiting, which costs the world economy billions in lost revenue and undermines the security of citizens. First, it aims to enhance the security of banknotes by developing printable active device patches with energy harvesting flexible polymers as a power source and thin film graphene/polymer nanomaterial as an electrode/energy storage media. Second, it aims to design invisible carbon nanotube inks for optical authentication via near infrared activation. Both technologies are expected to thwart sophisticated counterfeits, particularly those supported by organised crime.Read moreRead less
Engineering vanadium oxide-based cathode for aqueous ammonium ion batteries. This project aims to develop the next-generation rechargeable aqueous ammonium ion batteries and the scaled-up prototypes. It will be innovatively powered by nonmetallic charge carriers to show superior safety, low cost, high rate and cycle performance, and large capacity, ensuring realistic implementation for industrial purposes. Expected outcomes include a series of chemically and morphologically tuned vanadium oxide- ....Engineering vanadium oxide-based cathode for aqueous ammonium ion batteries. This project aims to develop the next-generation rechargeable aqueous ammonium ion batteries and the scaled-up prototypes. It will be innovatively powered by nonmetallic charge carriers to show superior safety, low cost, high rate and cycle performance, and large capacity, ensuring realistic implementation for industrial purposes. Expected outcomes include a series of chemically and morphologically tuned vanadium oxide-based cathode materials, a novel and reliable working principle based on reversible ammonium ion storage, and battery pack prototypes targeting industry demanded energy density and lifespan. Via industrial pilot trials, commercial benefits will be fast tracked for clean energy storage, net zero future and industry upgrades.Read moreRead less