Designing a photo-electro-catalysis system for selective organic oxidation. The research aims to establish new composite materials to enable realisation of next generation organic electrolysers for renewable hydrogen production. Water electrolysis is seen as the front-running technology in Australia's drive to be a renewable hydrogen exporter. Significant opportunity exists in adopting organic electrolysis as an alternative with additional benefits, including lower energy input and value-added c ....Designing a photo-electro-catalysis system for selective organic oxidation. The research aims to establish new composite materials to enable realisation of next generation organic electrolysers for renewable hydrogen production. Water electrolysis is seen as the front-running technology in Australia's drive to be a renewable hydrogen exporter. Significant opportunity exists in adopting organic electrolysis as an alternative with additional benefits, including lower energy input and value-added chemical production (alongside H2), off-setting costs. Challenges exist with controlling organic product selectivity and restricting carbon dioxide generation. The project intends to deliver a system which uses complementary phenomena (light activation, controllable polarity, magnetic response) to resolve said challenges. Read moreRead less
In-situ catalytic upgrading of bio-oil using scrap tyre char. This project aims to develop advanced, cost-competitive catalysts based on scrap tyre char, an otherwise low-value by-product. These catalysts will be optimised for use in upgrading bio-oil derived from the pyrolysis of woody eucalyptus, an abundant biomass resource across Australia. The project is expected to promote the commercialisation of bio-oil production and enhance the valorisation of scrap tyre char. This is expected to reduc ....In-situ catalytic upgrading of bio-oil using scrap tyre char. This project aims to develop advanced, cost-competitive catalysts based on scrap tyre char, an otherwise low-value by-product. These catalysts will be optimised for use in upgrading bio-oil derived from the pyrolysis of woody eucalyptus, an abundant biomass resource across Australia. The project is expected to promote the commercialisation of bio-oil production and enhance the valorisation of scrap tyre char. This is expected to reduce the carbon footprint from Australian industry, and promote the recycling and reuse of waste scrap tyres.Read moreRead less
Controllable Synthesis of Defects in Catalysts for Electrocatalysis . This project aims to address the most critical issue of electrocatalysis: identification of active sites for carbon-based metal free catalysts (CMFCs). Through the development of new methodologies, this proposal will, for the first time, controllably synthesise the vacancy defects that are the major active sites for CMFCs. The expected outcomes from this project include in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of electrocata ....Controllable Synthesis of Defects in Catalysts for Electrocatalysis . This project aims to address the most critical issue of electrocatalysis: identification of active sites for carbon-based metal free catalysts (CMFCs). Through the development of new methodologies, this proposal will, for the first time, controllably synthesise the vacancy defects that are the major active sites for CMFCs. The expected outcomes from this project include in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of electrocatalysis: the reactivity of active sites and the catalytic performance with the number of active sites; which will not only significantly advance knowledge but also achieve breakthrough technologies that greatly benefit to the society and economy both for Australia and worldwide.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC200100023
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,920,490.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for The Global Hydrogen Economy. The centre aims to transform Australia into a hydrogen powerhouse by building enabling capacity in hydrogen innovation in a short timeframe. Australia is well-positioned to capitalise on the emerging global growth of hydrogen, however to be competitive and produce at scale, we need cost-effective hydrogen technologies and capabilities for transitioning hydrogen into industries. This innovative, five-year program will generate new technologies ....ARC Training Centre for The Global Hydrogen Economy. The centre aims to transform Australia into a hydrogen powerhouse by building enabling capacity in hydrogen innovation in a short timeframe. Australia is well-positioned to capitalise on the emerging global growth of hydrogen, however to be competitive and produce at scale, we need cost-effective hydrogen technologies and capabilities for transitioning hydrogen into industries. This innovative, five-year program will generate new technologies and equip a future workforce of industry-focused engineers with advanced skills for development and scaling-up of hydrogen generation and transport. Benefits include: export of hydrogen fuel and advanced technologies; job creation; and a lower emissions domestic energy industry.Read moreRead less
Cold catalysis for water splitting. This project aims to develop photocatalysts via AC magnetic field through nanoscale heating for efficient H2 generation. This project is to introduce cold catalysis concept, which heats catalysts only but not solution, thus called cold catalysis, in the area of production of renewable energy. Expected outcome is the creation of clean and low cost catalysts to effectively harvest the chemical energy from the sun via splitting of water into H2 and O2 without cau ....Cold catalysis for water splitting. This project aims to develop photocatalysts via AC magnetic field through nanoscale heating for efficient H2 generation. This project is to introduce cold catalysis concept, which heats catalysts only but not solution, thus called cold catalysis, in the area of production of renewable energy. Expected outcome is the creation of clean and low cost catalysts to effectively harvest the chemical energy from the sun via splitting of water into H2 and O2 without causing any environmental damage. This unique technology will also help to address clean energy generation, which is in line with H2 economy plan by Australia government, and provide opportunities for new industries that will benefit Australian economy.Read moreRead less
High Efficiency Electrochemical Cells. This project will study a recently developed, energy efficient ‘capillary-fed’ electrochemical cell architecture in the facilitation of various electro-energy and electro-synthetic transformations. The new cell architecture will be examined as a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell and as a cell for extracting pure hydrogen from a 5-10% mixture of hydrogen in methane (natural gas), amongst others. The work seeks to improve upon the electrochemical performance of the b ....High Efficiency Electrochemical Cells. This project will study a recently developed, energy efficient ‘capillary-fed’ electrochemical cell architecture in the facilitation of various electro-energy and electro-synthetic transformations. The new cell architecture will be examined as a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell and as a cell for extracting pure hydrogen from a 5-10% mixture of hydrogen in methane (natural gas), amongst others. The work seeks to improve upon the electrochemical performance of the best commercial and academic cells of such types, if possible. In increasing the efficiency with which renewable electricity can be converted into renewable hydrogen and back, this project will support the national priority of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of Ammonia (NH3) Combustion and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Formation. A mature commodity that can be readily made from renewable resources, ammonia (NH3) offers an environmentally sustainable and low-cost means of transition from fossil fuels to a clean, low-carbon and renewable energy future. The technical challenge is to combust NH3 efficiently with low nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. This project will advance the science of NH3 combustion and NOx formation. By applying innovative fixed ....Mechanisms of Ammonia (NH3) Combustion and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Formation. A mature commodity that can be readily made from renewable resources, ammonia (NH3) offers an environmentally sustainable and low-cost means of transition from fossil fuels to a clean, low-carbon and renewable energy future. The technical challenge is to combust NH3 efficiently with low nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. This project will advance the science of NH3 combustion and NOx formation. By applying innovative fixed-bed and fluidised-bed reactor techniques and kinetic modelling, the research will unravel fundamental characteristics and mechanisms of NH3 combustion, NOx formation and in-situ destruction that underpin the development and deployment of practical combustion systems for power generation using NH3 as a carbon-free fuel.Read moreRead less
Covalently immobilised molecular catalysts for carbon dioxide reduction. This project aims to develop innovative catalytic systems on semiconductor surfaces, to use sunlight for conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into high energy-content products. Sustainable chemical transformation of CO2 into valuable products, especially fuels, is one of the most important chemical processing challenges. This project will use innovative molecular engineering to covalently fix light-harvester to semiconductors ....Covalently immobilised molecular catalysts for carbon dioxide reduction. This project aims to develop innovative catalytic systems on semiconductor surfaces, to use sunlight for conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into high energy-content products. Sustainable chemical transformation of CO2 into valuable products, especially fuels, is one of the most important chemical processing challenges. This project will use innovative molecular engineering to covalently fix light-harvester to semiconductors. The expected outcome will be an efficient system to enhance CO2 conversion, which will not only reduce the environmental impact but also generate a cheap source of energy by closing the carbon loop. Using this approach, existing high carbon-emitting processes will be able to be replaced by new carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative ones for much-reduced environmental impact on our society.Read moreRead less
Advanced Proton-Conducting Ceramic FCs for Power Generation from Ammonia . The project aims to design an innovative ammonia fuel cell using a new perovskite substrate decorated with metal nanoparticles, which demonstrates multi-functionalities and tackles most challenges of conventional fuel cells (FCs). The key concept of this project is the designing of the novel architected smart perovskite as both anode and electrolyte of the fuel cell by systematic modelling and experimental development. T ....Advanced Proton-Conducting Ceramic FCs for Power Generation from Ammonia . The project aims to design an innovative ammonia fuel cell using a new perovskite substrate decorated with metal nanoparticles, which demonstrates multi-functionalities and tackles most challenges of conventional fuel cells (FCs). The key concept of this project is the designing of the novel architected smart perovskite as both anode and electrolyte of the fuel cell by systematic modelling and experimental development. The versatile cell components developed in this project will improve the operational stability and efficiency of the fuel cell, thereby providing a promising pathway for ammonia fuel cells to replace hydrogen fuel cells. This study will reinforce the development of the future supply of reliable, low cost and clean energy. Read moreRead less
Hybrid Hydrocarbon-Carbon Fuel Cells for Long-Life Power Generation. This project aims to design an innovative high-energy portable power source based on a hybrid direct hydrocarbon-carbon fuel cell concept, in which the deposited carbon in the anode of a fuel cell during operation with liquid hydrocarbon fuels can be used as a fuel by subsequent operation in the direct carbon fuel cell mode. The key concept in this project is the controlled deposition and utilization of carbon over the anode of ....Hybrid Hydrocarbon-Carbon Fuel Cells for Long-Life Power Generation. This project aims to design an innovative high-energy portable power source based on a hybrid direct hydrocarbon-carbon fuel cell concept, in which the deposited carbon in the anode of a fuel cell during operation with liquid hydrocarbon fuels can be used as a fuel by subsequent operation in the direct carbon fuel cell mode. The key concept in this project is the controlled deposition and utilization of carbon over the anode of the fuel cell by systematic modelling and experimental development. A continuous power output will be realized via an intelligent cycling mode with an intermittent supply of pure liquid hydrocarbon fuels, thereby achieving an extremely high fuel utilization efficiency in a hybrid electrochemical system.Read moreRead less