Bioinspired Nanoionic Materials for Watt-scale Nano-Hydroelectric Generator. Inspired by electric eels, this project aims to develop next generation flexible and eco-friendly power sources that can directly generate electricity from water droplets for self-powered, light-weight wearable electronics. The goal will be achieved by designing a new class of nanoionic materials for nano-hydroelectric generators, through optimizing the ion diffusion channel, interfacial architecture, electrode configu ....Bioinspired Nanoionic Materials for Watt-scale Nano-Hydroelectric Generator. Inspired by electric eels, this project aims to develop next generation flexible and eco-friendly power sources that can directly generate electricity from water droplets for self-powered, light-weight wearable electronics. The goal will be achieved by designing a new class of nanoionic materials for nano-hydroelectric generators, through optimizing the ion diffusion channel, interfacial architecture, electrode configuration, and power management systems. The expected outcomes will be new nanoionic materials for a wide range of end uses in portable power supply with much higher capacity compared with conventional thin film batteries, significant advances in wearable electronics, and advancing knowledge in energy conversion sector.
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Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100021
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$440,154.00
Summary
Kesterite/Si Tandem Structure for Unassisted Overall Solar Fuel Production. This project aims to develop Kesterite/Si tandem device for photoelectrochemical carbon dioxide reduction to produce solar fuels. It is expected to reveal the photoelectrochemical mechanism of the p-n heterojunction, thereby promoting solar energy utilisation and greenhouse gas reduction. Expected outcomes include delivery of a high-performance kesterite photocathode for efficient CO2 reduction, a kesterite/Si tandem dev ....Kesterite/Si Tandem Structure for Unassisted Overall Solar Fuel Production. This project aims to develop Kesterite/Si tandem device for photoelectrochemical carbon dioxide reduction to produce solar fuels. It is expected to reveal the photoelectrochemical mechanism of the p-n heterojunction, thereby promoting solar energy utilisation and greenhouse gas reduction. Expected outcomes include delivery of a high-performance kesterite photocathode for efficient CO2 reduction, a kesterite/Si tandem device for overall unassisted solar fuel production, and an in-depth understanding of structure-performance correlation to guide future heterojunction photocathode design. This project should provide significant benefits in minimising fossil fuel consumption, increasing energy security, and expanding the clean energy industry.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH230100005
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub in Zero-emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality. This Hub aims to develop sustainable zero-emission power generation technologies to transform gaseous waste (mainly CO2) from our energy and manufacturing sectors into valuable products and create scalable pathways to market for driving industry transformation. This Hub expects to harvest renewable energy from the environment by using zero-emission power generators and then store it in green and safer batteries for convert ....ARC Research Hub in Zero-emission Power Generation for Carbon Neutrality. This Hub aims to develop sustainable zero-emission power generation technologies to transform gaseous waste (mainly CO2) from our energy and manufacturing sectors into valuable products and create scalable pathways to market for driving industry transformation. This Hub expects to harvest renewable energy from the environment by using zero-emission power generators and then store it in green and safer batteries for converting gaseous waste from sectors that cannot easily avoid emission into useful chemicals, which in turn realize carbon neutrality and negativity. The outcomes of this Hub are likely to be transformative for industry, the economy, and society in new-type renewable energy resources through decreasing environmental pollutants. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101617
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,395.00
Summary
Re-engineering metallic-based nanostructures for carbon dioxide conversion. This project aims to fine-tune the interface of low-temperature liquid metals to produce functional hybrid nanomaterials for CO2 reduction. The expected outcomes of the projects are to develop fundamental knowledge on the integration of functional molecules on the bulk, core, and skin of liquid metals and their alloys. It intends to control the atomic arrangement of the elemental constituents, nucleation, as well as inte ....Re-engineering metallic-based nanostructures for carbon dioxide conversion. This project aims to fine-tune the interface of low-temperature liquid metals to produce functional hybrid nanomaterials for CO2 reduction. The expected outcomes of the projects are to develop fundamental knowledge on the integration of functional molecules on the bulk, core, and skin of liquid metals and their alloys. It intends to control the atomic arrangement of the elemental constituents, nucleation, as well as interaction and dissolution of organic/inorganic molecules in the interface and bulk of liquid metals. The anticipated outcomes of this project are to define a knowledge roadmap to exploit the untapped potentials of liquid metals in CO2 reduction, which would enable the production of the next generation of catalytic devices.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101396
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,218.00
Summary
Designing Single-atom catalysts for Renewable Waste Conversion to Urea. This DECRA aims to realise the direct electrochemical conversion of waste resources using renewable energy to generate urea at ambient conditions. By designing impurity-tolerant single atom catalysts and unearthing their structure-activity relationships, the utilisation of flue gas and wastewater will be materialised. This will advance our understanding in the field as current energy conversion reactions require pure feedsto ....Designing Single-atom catalysts for Renewable Waste Conversion to Urea. This DECRA aims to realise the direct electrochemical conversion of waste resources using renewable energy to generate urea at ambient conditions. By designing impurity-tolerant single atom catalysts and unearthing their structure-activity relationships, the utilisation of flue gas and wastewater will be materialised. This will advance our understanding in the field as current energy conversion reactions require pure feedstocks. Expected outcomes from the program is envisioned to lead to deployment of scalable decentralised modes of green urea production (substituting imports), and the knowledge transferrable to other areas of Australia’s emerging hydrogen economy, extending the scope of renewable Power-to-X to realise a circular economy.Read moreRead less
Fire-Retardant Composite Resins for Bushfire-Safe Wind Farm Infrastructures. This project aims to develop advanced fire-retardant composite resins for manufacturing bushfire-safe wind farm infrastructures. The innovation of the project is the development of a new class of low-cost, novel, highly effective fire retardants and their value-added fire-retardant composite resins with well-preserved physical properties. This will be achieved by understanding the composition-property relationship of fi ....Fire-Retardant Composite Resins for Bushfire-Safe Wind Farm Infrastructures. This project aims to develop advanced fire-retardant composite resins for manufacturing bushfire-safe wind farm infrastructures. The innovation of the project is the development of a new class of low-cost, novel, highly effective fire retardants and their value-added fire-retardant composite resins with well-preserved physical properties. This will be achieved by understanding the composition-property relationship of fire retardants and optimising their synthetic parameters. The project will help position Australia’s advanced composite manufacturing at the forefront of technology. It will also accelerate Australia’s energy transition to renewables by enabling bushfire-safe wind farm infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Mid-Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IM230100125
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,053,296.00
Summary
Life prediction and optimisation of advanced first-wall fusion materials. The project focusses on accelerating the development radiation-tolerant materials for fusion energy, in collaboration with HB11 and Tokamak Energy. Specifically, we aim to understand the degradation mechanisms of the “first-wall” component, which is exposed to high energy radiation. In turn, this will (a) enable accurate life assessments of the component, and (b) inform how to optimise it material for longer-lasting fusion ....Life prediction and optimisation of advanced first-wall fusion materials. The project focusses on accelerating the development radiation-tolerant materials for fusion energy, in collaboration with HB11 and Tokamak Energy. Specifically, we aim to understand the degradation mechanisms of the “first-wall” component, which is exposed to high energy radiation. In turn, this will (a) enable accurate life assessments of the component, and (b) inform how to optimise it material for longer-lasting fusion devices. The outcomes directly reduce the cost of energy produced by the partner’s fusion devices, help bridge the gap from TRL 3 to 6, and provide valuable inputs for techno-economic models and licensing applications. The fellowship will also enhance Australia’s prominence in the international fusion energy stage.Read moreRead less
Electrolyte and interface engineering of solid-state sodium batteries. This project aims to develop large-scale solid-state sodium-ion batteries exhibiting better safety compared to classic liquid electrolyte batteries without compromising on performance, thus addressing the significant issue of safety in batteries. This will be achieved by novel engineering of solid-state electrolytes and electrolyte-electrode interfacing by a fundamental understanding of sodium-ion transport using statistical ....Electrolyte and interface engineering of solid-state sodium batteries. This project aims to develop large-scale solid-state sodium-ion batteries exhibiting better safety compared to classic liquid electrolyte batteries without compromising on performance, thus addressing the significant issue of safety in batteries. This will be achieved by novel engineering of solid-state electrolytes and electrolyte-electrode interfacing by a fundamental understanding of sodium-ion transport using statistical and machine-learning techniques. Expected outcomes include an understanding of ion-transport mechanisms in batteries, delivery of advanced solid-state electrolytes with high ionic conductivity, and batteries with excellent performance and safety characteristics, which benefits Australia's environment and sustainability.Read moreRead less
Advanced Materials from Automated Synthesis of Sequence-Defined Polymers. The project aims to develop industrially scalable and environmentally friendly methods for synthesis of sequence-defined multiblock copolymers (polymer chains containing segments of different polymer types) using automated synthesis methods. The materials to be explored will be largely based on renewable biomass-derived monomeric building blocks. Such polymers are able to undergo microphase separation into spatially period ....Advanced Materials from Automated Synthesis of Sequence-Defined Polymers. The project aims to develop industrially scalable and environmentally friendly methods for synthesis of sequence-defined multiblock copolymers (polymer chains containing segments of different polymer types) using automated synthesis methods. The materials to be explored will be largely based on renewable biomass-derived monomeric building blocks. Such polymers are able to undergo microphase separation into spatially periodic compositional patterns, thereby providing access to a vast range of nano-engineered materials. This would enable design and synthesis of new advanced materials, making use of renewable resources and supporting the circular economy, with diverse potential applications ranging from nanomedicine to materials science.Read moreRead less
Lightweight Photovoltaic Modules for Low-Load Capacity Building Roofs. This project aims to develop lightweight and reliable high efficiency photovoltaic modules that expand solar energy installations onto low-load capacity building roofs. New lightweight materials will be developed for packaging with multi-functionalities such as fast heat dissipation. This project will produce economical prototypes and enable and
facilitate cost reduction of crystalline silicon photovoltaic module installation ....Lightweight Photovoltaic Modules for Low-Load Capacity Building Roofs. This project aims to develop lightweight and reliable high efficiency photovoltaic modules that expand solar energy installations onto low-load capacity building roofs. New lightweight materials will be developed for packaging with multi-functionalities such as fast heat dissipation. This project will produce economical prototypes and enable and
facilitate cost reduction of crystalline silicon photovoltaic module installations on lightweight buildings, overcoming current constraints of heavy glass modules and making more solar energy exploited in both Australia’s urban and rural areas. This will get steps closer to zero emission buildings, by providing renewable energy alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based power generation.Read moreRead less