Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH170100020
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,641,142.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Processing Lignocellulosics into High Value Products. The ARC Research Hub for Processing Lignocellulosics into High Value Products aims to convert renewable and readily-available biomass material and waste streams from the Australian Pulp, Paper and Forest Industry into new, high-value products that are in high demand in existing and developing markets. The Research Hub will translate leading scientific discoveries in biomass conversion into the manufacture of advanced mate ....ARC Research Hub for Processing Lignocellulosics into High Value Products. The ARC Research Hub for Processing Lignocellulosics into High Value Products aims to convert renewable and readily-available biomass material and waste streams from the Australian Pulp, Paper and Forest Industry into new, high-value products that are in high demand in existing and developing markets. The Research Hub will translate leading scientific discoveries in biomass conversion into the manufacture of advanced materials that can be used in the industries of the future. Research aims to identify new applications and products. They will be derived from lignocellulose through the advent of new smart paper packaging, green chemical and materials with unique properties. Benefits will flow to the pharmaceutical, chemicals, plastics and food packaging industries.Read moreRead less
Environmentally benign polymer solar cells. The project aims to prepare polymer solar cells, by developing water-compatible conjugated materials for the active layer. This technology would be cost-efficient and not use environmentally harmful solvents. The project would achieve aqueous compatibility of these hydrophobic molecules through substitution and careful positioning of functional groups. Fabrication processes will be optimised to incorporate these materials into solar cells, with a focus ....Environmentally benign polymer solar cells. The project aims to prepare polymer solar cells, by developing water-compatible conjugated materials for the active layer. This technology would be cost-efficient and not use environmentally harmful solvents. The project would achieve aqueous compatibility of these hydrophobic molecules through substitution and careful positioning of functional groups. Fabrication processes will be optimised to incorporate these materials into solar cells, with a focus on controlling the morphology of the active material. Determining the relationships between conjugated molecular design and cell performance should provide a new direction in solar-cell technology.Read moreRead less
Develop materials for stable and efficient printed polymer solar cells. The project aims to develop strategies to overcome current limitations of polymer solar cells by enhancing the thermal stability of these devices. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of stable and high-performance polymer solar cells, that can be manufactured by the printing industry in Australia. The expected outcome of this project includes new high performing materials, processing and additive strat ....Develop materials for stable and efficient printed polymer solar cells. The project aims to develop strategies to overcome current limitations of polymer solar cells by enhancing the thermal stability of these devices. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of stable and high-performance polymer solar cells, that can be manufactured by the printing industry in Australia. The expected outcome of this project includes new high performing materials, processing and additive strategies to overcome the key challenge to commercialising polymer solar cells. A significant benefit is their printability, providing the opportunity to establish a sovereign capability to manufacture low cost energy production systems in Australia.
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An account of wetting phenomena on nano-engineered surfaces. This project aims to provide researchers and industry with a toolbox to predict wetting behaviour on surfaces with nanoscale topography. A combined experimental and numerical study will lead to the discovery of the mechanisms by which topographical and chemical properties of the surface trigger the formation of nanostructure-induced air pockets and how these phenomena determine surface wettability. This will provide significant benefi ....An account of wetting phenomena on nano-engineered surfaces. This project aims to provide researchers and industry with a toolbox to predict wetting behaviour on surfaces with nanoscale topography. A combined experimental and numerical study will lead to the discovery of the mechanisms by which topographical and chemical properties of the surface trigger the formation of nanostructure-induced air pockets and how these phenomena determine surface wettability. This will provide significant benefits, as the predictive surface-wettability model will enhance controllability and productivity of diverse manufacturing processes and lead to new applications, high-value products and economic benefits in mining, energy, electronics, biomedicine and other fields.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100187
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,000.00
Summary
SA Facility for High Resolution Imaging and Material Characterization. Facility for high resolution imaging and material characterisation: The aim of this project is to establish a facility that will allow researchers to visualise and analyse structure at nanoscale resolutions. The development of the next generation of opto-electronics, electrochemical and biomedical devices requires tools that can quickly visualise and characterise complex materials at multiscale. The new collaborative nano in ....SA Facility for High Resolution Imaging and Material Characterization. Facility for high resolution imaging and material characterisation: The aim of this project is to establish a facility that will allow researchers to visualise and analyse structure at nanoscale resolutions. The development of the next generation of opto-electronics, electrochemical and biomedical devices requires tools that can quickly visualise and characterise complex materials at multiscale. The new collaborative nano infrared thermal analysis facility is essential to meet the demands of a large number of innovative projects conducted by multidisciplinary consortia of researchers. Located in state-of-the art laboratories and managed as open access resources, the facility will enable and advance research in the areas of energy harvesting, environmental monitoring, biomedical devices, food and pharmaceuticals.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured non-precious metal and metal-free catalysts for sustainable clean energy generation. The innovative technologies for substitution of precious metal catalysts will be developed and used in fuel cells for clean energy generation in a highly efficient and sustainable form. This effort will lead to the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and the alleviation of environmental and climate change problems.
Enhanced pigment weathering resistance by coating with high dielectric ceramic. The partner company, Tiwest, based in Western Australia, is a major contributor to the economy, and earns more than $A400m annually in exports. It is the only company in the world that mines, separates, refines and manufactures titania products, including pigments, in one region. The current post-titania particle formation wet-coating process, however, presents a major capital and recurrent cost and necessitates a pi ....Enhanced pigment weathering resistance by coating with high dielectric ceramic. The partner company, Tiwest, based in Western Australia, is a major contributor to the economy, and earns more than $A400m annually in exports. It is the only company in the world that mines, separates, refines and manufactures titania products, including pigments, in one region. The current post-titania particle formation wet-coating process, however, presents a major capital and recurrent cost and necessitates a pigment regrind stage. The research will investigate the development of a highly durable dry-coated pigment utilising a novel high dielectric coating. This development has the potential to ensure the partner company's future competitiveness through reduced processing costs and improved product performance.Read moreRead less
The development of flexible, graded plasma surface engineered coatings for superior interfacial performance. The next generation of intraocular lenses, medical devices to treat patients with cataracts, will be developed through application of advanced surface engineering technologies. These superior coated lenses will improve biocompatibility and function, leading to additional benefit for the forecasted 2.7 million Australians with cataracts by 2021.
Deciphering interactions of conducting polymers in agricultural soils. The project aims to improve agricultural efficiency, productivity and yield by advancing the understanding of polymer materials interacting with fertiliser. This project will test the key assumptions behind a new sensor for real-time in-ground monitoring of fertiliser. The expected outcome from this is the rapid synthesis of conducting polymers for stable sensing of fertiliser in a range of soil types and conditions. This sho ....Deciphering interactions of conducting polymers in agricultural soils. The project aims to improve agricultural efficiency, productivity and yield by advancing the understanding of polymer materials interacting with fertiliser. This project will test the key assumptions behind a new sensor for real-time in-ground monitoring of fertiliser. The expected outcome from this is the rapid synthesis of conducting polymers for stable sensing of fertiliser in a range of soil types and conditions. This should provide the pathway to a world first real-time in-ground fertiliser sensor, providing benefit for the sensor manufacturers, farmers, consumers and the environment.Read moreRead less