Nanostructure engineered low activation superconductors for fusion energy. This project aims to develop a novel, low activation and liquid helium-free superconducting solution with superior electromagnetic, mechanical and thermal properties for use in fusion reactors. Superconducting magnets and their associated cryogenic cooling systems represent a key determinant of thermal efficiency and the construction/operating costs of fusion reactors. The project expects to overcome these barriers so tha ....Nanostructure engineered low activation superconductors for fusion energy. This project aims to develop a novel, low activation and liquid helium-free superconducting solution with superior electromagnetic, mechanical and thermal properties for use in fusion reactors. Superconducting magnets and their associated cryogenic cooling systems represent a key determinant of thermal efficiency and the construction/operating costs of fusion reactors. The project expects to overcome these barriers so that widespread uptake of these reactors becomes viable. Outcomes from the project will include a fundamental understanding of pure and doping-induced isotopic magnesium diboride superconductors and their behaviour under high neutron flux and harsh plasma atmosphere, which are specifically designed for application in next-generation, low-cost fusion reactors.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
Lightweight battery with more yield than a tonne of coal. This project aims to develop a device that is capable of converting waste heat into useful energy. The project team’s recent breakthrough discovery of a new way to erase information is intended to allow the device to operate using a battery that contains low entropy rather than energy. A battery of this kind can, in principle, have yields that are many times higher than currently available energy sources. This project aims to design proof ....Lightweight battery with more yield than a tonne of coal. This project aims to develop a device that is capable of converting waste heat into useful energy. The project team’s recent breakthrough discovery of a new way to erase information is intended to allow the device to operate using a battery that contains low entropy rather than energy. A battery of this kind can, in principle, have yields that are many times higher than currently available energy sources. This project aims to design proof-of-principle demonstrations of the device and develop the supporting thermodynamical framework. The project aims to seed a new technology that has the potential to revolutionise the way energy is harnessed and used.Read moreRead less
Role Of IGF Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3) And IGFBP-5 As Modulators Of Nuclear Hormone Signalling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,750.00
Summary
The insulin-like growth factors are small proteins involved in the growth of most tissues. Their actions are regulated by binding to larger proteins (known as IGFBPs) in the bloodstream and outside the cell. However, some IGFBPs are also found inside cells, where they seem to carry out other functions. We believe that two of these binding proteins, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5, change the way cells respond to vitamin A and vitamin D. These two vitamins are important in cell growth and in the way certain ....The insulin-like growth factors are small proteins involved in the growth of most tissues. Their actions are regulated by binding to larger proteins (known as IGFBPs) in the bloodstream and outside the cell. However, some IGFBPs are also found inside cells, where they seem to carry out other functions. We believe that two of these binding proteins, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5, change the way cells respond to vitamin A and vitamin D. These two vitamins are important in cell growth and in the way certain cells perform specialised functions. In test-tube experiments, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 interact directly with the receptors that regulate the effects of these hormones. If the same thing happens inside the cell, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 could change the way these receptors respond to signals from outside the cell. We will investigate what effect these IGFBPs have in living cells and in whole animals and how this may relate to human disease. If we are able to understand how IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 affect the way cells respond to vitamin A and D, then we may be able to develop new ways to treat certain human diseases.Read moreRead less
New Silent Anchors for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines in Calcareous Sand . Reliable wind energy sites are in deeper waters and require offshore floating structures to harness the wind energy. Such floating structures require a reliable anchoring system that is secure and environmentally friendly. Calcareous sands, rich in carbonate content, pose unique challenges with their behaviour difficult to predict. In this project, a novel silent anchoring system is investigated that can be installed wit ....New Silent Anchors for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines in Calcareous Sand . Reliable wind energy sites are in deeper waters and require offshore floating structures to harness the wind energy. Such floating structures require a reliable anchoring system that is secure and environmentally friendly. Calcareous sands, rich in carbonate content, pose unique challenges with their behaviour difficult to predict. In this project, a novel silent anchoring system is investigated that can be installed with minimum noise and vibration compared to more traditional counterparts. Through the state of the art development in numerical modelling and centrifuge modelling, this project will advance Australian Science and Practice in designing floating wind turbines in carbonate rich soils offshore and help energy transition.Read moreRead less
Stability Analysis of Power System with Massive Power Electronic Devices. The decarbonization of Australia's power systems is to integrate massive renewable energy sources which are interfaced with many power electronic devices (PEDs). The fast and complex dynamics of PEDs have significantly changed the nature of the power system, which limits the applicability of existing tools and methods to assess its stability. The goal of this project is to gain a comprehensive insight into the stability of ....Stability Analysis of Power System with Massive Power Electronic Devices. The decarbonization of Australia's power systems is to integrate massive renewable energy sources which are interfaced with many power electronic devices (PEDs). The fast and complex dynamics of PEDs have significantly changed the nature of the power system, which limits the applicability of existing tools and methods to assess its stability. The goal of this project is to gain a comprehensive insight into the stability of a futuristic power system with high penetration of PEDs. The intended outcomes will be a model and data jointly driven methodology for high-efficient and real-time stability assessment. The methodology developed in this project will support Australia's transition to a stable, secure, and low-carbon power grid.Read moreRead less
On-line Monitoring and Modelling of Electric Loads for Improving Operational Conditions of Power Systems. Recently, the Tasmanian Electricity System has been connected to the National Electricity Market through Basslink. The behaviour of loads to deviations in frequency and voltage becomes critical when transmission constraints begin to control market outcomes. The project will deliver vital information regarding load behaviour and models representing load responses to frequency and voltage excu ....On-line Monitoring and Modelling of Electric Loads for Improving Operational Conditions of Power Systems. Recently, the Tasmanian Electricity System has been connected to the National Electricity Market through Basslink. The behaviour of loads to deviations in frequency and voltage becomes critical when transmission constraints begin to control market outcomes. The project will deliver vital information regarding load behaviour and models representing load responses to frequency and voltage excursions with the objective of optimising power exchanges within the National Electricity Market. This will allow Tasmania to take advantage of various renewable technologies. The research will focus on the quality of electricity supply in Tasmania and the national power grid, and on the consequent economic benefits.Read moreRead less
Integration of Distributed and Renewable Power Generation into Electricity Grid Systems. This project aims to contribute into infrastructure development for connection of distributed and renewable power generation with electrical grid systems. The project proposes to develop innovative methodologies for cost-effective operation and control, protection coordination and fault detection, islanding operation, grid interaction and voltage instability with distributed and renewable generation. This pr ....Integration of Distributed and Renewable Power Generation into Electricity Grid Systems. This project aims to contribute into infrastructure development for connection of distributed and renewable power generation with electrical grid systems. The project proposes to develop innovative methodologies for cost-effective operation and control, protection coordination and fault detection, islanding operation, grid interaction and voltage instability with distributed and renewable generation. This project has special application for facilitating integration of regional renewable and distributed energy sources, such as wind, solar, mini-hydro, etc. into national grid systems.Read moreRead less
Power quality monitoring of grids with high penetration of power converters. The project aims to monitor and analyse power quality of grids within the frequency ranges of 0-2 kHz (existing regulations) and 2-150 kHz (new regulations). Power quality of grids deteriorate due to the high penetrations of inverter-based renewable energy systems. To estimate power quality of grids, the project expects to develop a multi-domain simulation model based on power grid configurations and operating condition ....Power quality monitoring of grids with high penetration of power converters. The project aims to monitor and analyse power quality of grids within the frequency ranges of 0-2 kHz (existing regulations) and 2-150 kHz (new regulations). Power quality of grids deteriorate due to the high penetrations of inverter-based renewable energy systems. To estimate power quality of grids, the project expects to develop a multi-domain simulation model based on power grid configurations and operating condition. Developed methodologies will assist network service providers to better analyse harmonics and resonances within low and high voltage power systems. Expected outcomes of this project are to assist partners to monitor and solve the existing communication issues of audio frequency load control and to address power quality issues arising from the increasing connection of renewable energy systems.Read moreRead less
Degradation conscious grid-scale battery energy management scheme. The project aims to develop an improved battery management system to smooth the intermittent contribution of renewable energy sources to the grid. As the level of penetration of renewable energy sources into electrical grids increases, energy storage will play an increasingly important role in solving some of the technical challenges caused by the intermittent nature of the renewable sources. The existing design methods for gri ....Degradation conscious grid-scale battery energy management scheme. The project aims to develop an improved battery management system to smooth the intermittent contribution of renewable energy sources to the grid. As the level of penetration of renewable energy sources into electrical grids increases, energy storage will play an increasingly important role in solving some of the technical challenges caused by the intermittent nature of the renewable sources. The existing design methods for grid-scale battery management systems do not take into consideration the degradation of the battery banks. Thus, this project aims to fill this gap by developing an electrochemical-based, degradation-conscious, battery management system. The proposed system aims to increase the life span and capacity use of the batteries.Read moreRead less