New high energy density cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. This project aims to develop new high-energy-density and low-cost lithium-rich cathode materials for advanced lithium-ion batteries that can store solar energy for Australian households and power the next generation electric vehicles. The project will design innovative strategies to suppress the voltage decay and capacity decline of the lithium rich materials over long-term cycling. The project expects to significantly improve ....New high energy density cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. This project aims to develop new high-energy-density and low-cost lithium-rich cathode materials for advanced lithium-ion batteries that can store solar energy for Australian households and power the next generation electric vehicles. The project will design innovative strategies to suppress the voltage decay and capacity decline of the lithium rich materials over long-term cycling. The project expects to significantly improve battery performance at a lower price and make a substantial impact to the energy supply technologies and industries in Australia and benefit the environment in the long run.Read moreRead less
Electro-Optical Primers for Safe Use and Clean Manufacturing. Conventional primers contain a mechanically-sensitive primary explosive that is used to detonate the more stable propellant in a bullet. This project aims to address the health and environmental impacts of heavy metals in current primers by replacing them with benign, electrically or optically activated silicon-based materials. Modern semiconductor fabrication techniques will be used to develop safe and clean primers through cost-effe ....Electro-Optical Primers for Safe Use and Clean Manufacturing. Conventional primers contain a mechanically-sensitive primary explosive that is used to detonate the more stable propellant in a bullet. This project aims to address the health and environmental impacts of heavy metals in current primers by replacing them with benign, electrically or optically activated silicon-based materials. Modern semiconductor fabrication techniques will be used to develop safe and clean primers through cost-effective doping and deposition protocols. The expected outcomes of the project include a sovereign primer manufacturing capability for Australia. This will provide a significant strategic advantage and health benefits for law enforcement and defence personnel during live fire training and firing range exercises.Read moreRead less
Tailoring physiologically-based nanomaterial fertilisers for the biofortification of zinc in broadacre crops. Soil zinc deficiency is a global issue causing low crop yield and malnutrition. This project will develop a new class of fertiliser formulations by combining advanced chemistry techniques with plant physiology knowledge and nanomaterial manufacturing. These products will be designed for enhanced agronomic efficiency and environmental safety.
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
Radio-magnetic nanoparticles as bimodal positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents for dendritic cell tracking. Biomedical imaging is limited by a lack of commercial dual-mode contrast agents, which may be simultaneously used for magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. This project will develop a nanotechnology-based biocompatible dual-mode contrast agent for simultaneous PET and MR imaging, reducing associated side effects.
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
Improving battery safety with boron nitride nanotube separators. This project aims to improve the safety of lithium ion batteries by developing high –temperature, stable separators. The use of batteries in a hot Australian summer is a major safety issue for our society. This project will develop a new and safe battery technology with the help of boron nitride nanotubes to effectively reduce the risk of thermal runaway of battery cells. The expected outcomes will have a global impact on the safet ....Improving battery safety with boron nitride nanotube separators. This project aims to improve the safety of lithium ion batteries by developing high –temperature, stable separators. The use of batteries in a hot Australian summer is a major safety issue for our society. This project will develop a new and safe battery technology with the help of boron nitride nanotubes to effectively reduce the risk of thermal runaway of battery cells. The expected outcomes will have a global impact on the safety of the current battery technology and the innovative application of boron nitride nanotubes in battery technology. It will position industry on the cutting edge of battery technology required for energy storage development in Australia.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
Novel Fuel Materials for Radiation-Free Proton-Boron Fusion Power Source. Laser proton-boron fusion reactions are a radiation-free nuclear energy source but are limited by a low reaction rate due to a lack of efficient fuel materials. This project aims to develop new fuel materials by synthesising isotope boron 11 enriched hydrogen borides and hydrogen adsorbed boron nitride nanosheets using our research experience in hydrogen storage and nanomateials synthesis. The expected outcomes include tw ....Novel Fuel Materials for Radiation-Free Proton-Boron Fusion Power Source. Laser proton-boron fusion reactions are a radiation-free nuclear energy source but are limited by a low reaction rate due to a lack of efficient fuel materials. This project aims to develop new fuel materials by synthesising isotope boron 11 enriched hydrogen borides and hydrogen adsorbed boron nitride nanosheets using our research experience in hydrogen storage and nanomateials synthesis. The expected outcomes include two new hydrogen storage nanomaterials, the associated new synthesis technologies, and a clean and safe nuclear power source, which helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.Read moreRead less