All-solid-state: new hybrid materials for next-generation lithium batteries. The aim of the project is an economically viable design for “all-solid-state” rechargeable batteries. Eliminating organic liquid electrolytes from lithium-ion batteries will dramatically increase safety, range of operating conditions, lifetimes, and energy density. The key technical challenge is keeping solid-solid interfaces intact over thousands of charge/discharge cycles. We will address this by inserting inorganic i ....All-solid-state: new hybrid materials for next-generation lithium batteries. The aim of the project is an economically viable design for “all-solid-state” rechargeable batteries. Eliminating organic liquid electrolytes from lithium-ion batteries will dramatically increase safety, range of operating conditions, lifetimes, and energy density. The key technical challenge is keeping solid-solid interfaces intact over thousands of charge/discharge cycles. We will address this by inserting inorganic interfacial layers that change smoothly from hard ceramic to flexible glass and back again, through rigorous chemical design and synthetic control. This will reduce the stress that causes mechanical failure, while increasing chemical stability so that the latest generation of high-power electrodes can be brought into service.Read moreRead less
Advanced Molecular Frameworks for Sodium Battery Electrode Applications. This project aims to develop new molecular materials capable of high capacity sodium-ion insertion. Through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that targets the synthesis and detailed characterisation of an extensive family of materials this project expects to generate major advances in the understanding of how the chemical, physical and structural attributes of the materials relate to their electrical charge/discharge ....Advanced Molecular Frameworks for Sodium Battery Electrode Applications. This project aims to develop new molecular materials capable of high capacity sodium-ion insertion. Through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that targets the synthesis and detailed characterisation of an extensive family of materials this project expects to generate major advances in the understanding of how the chemical, physical and structural attributes of the materials relate to their electrical charge/discharge behaviours. Significant anticipated outcomes and benefits include the development of new material design approaches that optimise battery electrode performance across a diverse parameter space, and the generation of advanced new materials worthy of commercial development in low-cost, large-scale battery applications.Read moreRead less
Advanced framework materials for hydrogen storage applications. This project aims to develop new molecular materials capable of the highly efficient storage of hydrogen gas. Through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that targets the synthesis and detailed characterisation of two classes of molecular material this project expects to generate step-change advances in the understanding of how hydrogen gas uptake relates to the chemical and physical attributes of porous molecular systems. Sign ....Advanced framework materials for hydrogen storage applications. This project aims to develop new molecular materials capable of the highly efficient storage of hydrogen gas. Through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that targets the synthesis and detailed characterisation of two classes of molecular material this project expects to generate step-change advances in the understanding of how hydrogen gas uptake relates to the chemical and physical attributes of porous molecular systems. Significant anticipated outcomes and benefits include the development of new material design approaches that optimise performance across a diverse parameter space, and the generation of advanced new materials worthy of commercial development, spanning small scale mobile to large scale stationary storage applications.Read moreRead less
Scaffolding layered structures to improve insertion electrodes. This project aims to change how positive electrodes are designed and improve battery performance. The positive electrode is arguably the largest bottleneck in battery performance. Modifying layered electrodes to produce better batteries has ramifications ranging from longer-lasting portable power for everyday devices and vehicles to energy storage solutions for intermittent power generation sources (i.e., renewables). This project w ....Scaffolding layered structures to improve insertion electrodes. This project aims to change how positive electrodes are designed and improve battery performance. The positive electrode is arguably the largest bottleneck in battery performance. Modifying layered electrodes to produce better batteries has ramifications ranging from longer-lasting portable power for everyday devices and vehicles to energy storage solutions for intermittent power generation sources (i.e., renewables). This project will develop scaffolded layered crystal structures to improve the ease, speed and amount of ion insertion/extraction. These structures will be incorporated into lithium and sodium ion batteries, resulting in better battery lifetime, energy density and charge/discharge speed (capability). This is expected to improve batteries for the future and decrease reliance on fossil fuels for energy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101627
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,625.00
Summary
Developing ultra adsorbent MOF composites as high performance materials. This project aims to improve the adsorption properties of porous materials through enhancing their selectivity and also creating new composites. This research expects to extend application opportunities to encompass real-life scenarios, in particular hydrogen transfer and carbon capture. Expected outcomes is the enhancement of the adsorbent properties of these porous materials, and an improvement of their selectivity and m ....Developing ultra adsorbent MOF composites as high performance materials. This project aims to improve the adsorption properties of porous materials through enhancing their selectivity and also creating new composites. This research expects to extend application opportunities to encompass real-life scenarios, in particular hydrogen transfer and carbon capture. Expected outcomes is the enhancement of the adsorbent properties of these porous materials, and an improvement of their selectivity and mechanical robustness. This is due to the synergistic strengthening effects of new graphene and nanodiamond composites. The benefit of this research is in bridging the gap between porous material synthesis and industrial application, contributing to Australia's becoming a world leader in clean energy research.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100109
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$240,000.00
Summary
Raman Spectroscopic System for In-Operando Electrochemical Studies. This proposal aims to establish a Raman microscopic system with real-time tracking capability, which will allow investigation of the activities of battery components during charging. An instrument that allows this level of interrogation is currently not available in Australia. Expected outcomes include advanced knowledge for improved battery technology, which will meet the increasing demand of electronic applications and provide ....Raman Spectroscopic System for In-Operando Electrochemical Studies. This proposal aims to establish a Raman microscopic system with real-time tracking capability, which will allow investigation of the activities of battery components during charging. An instrument that allows this level of interrogation is currently not available in Australia. Expected outcomes include advanced knowledge for improved battery technology, which will meet the increasing demand of electronic applications and provide commercial opportunities in Australia. This system will be highly versatile and extendable to other fields of energy and materials-related research, providing high-quality training of researchers, as well as a platform from which to enhance materials research capabilities in Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100141
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$326,367.00
Summary
Thermo-gravimetric infra-red imaging system for functional materials study. This proposal seeks to establish a multi-functional system for investigating surface, interface, and thermal properties of functional materials. The instrumentation features thermo-gravimetric, infra-red imaging hyphenated with gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry. The expected benefits are an enhanced research capability in solid-electrolyte-interphase and electrolyte decomposition on electrodes being used in alkaline-i ....Thermo-gravimetric infra-red imaging system for functional materials study. This proposal seeks to establish a multi-functional system for investigating surface, interface, and thermal properties of functional materials. The instrumentation features thermo-gravimetric, infra-red imaging hyphenated with gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry. The expected benefits are an enhanced research capability in solid-electrolyte-interphase and electrolyte decomposition on electrodes being used in alkaline-ion batteries, which could potentially pose risks during manufacturing and application. The system will not only facilitate high-quality research and impact the training of young researchers, but also provide a platform from which to enhance Australian materials research capabilities.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100205
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$295,000.00
Summary
Instrumentation for powder X-ray diffraction under extreme conditions. This project aims to enable high quality materials science through the installation of powder X-ray diffraction facilities in the Sydney region. The instrumentation will allow rapid X-ray diffraction studies over a wide temperature range using monochromated high energy beams. This instrumentation is expected to improve condensed matter research from hard condensed materials to coordination polymers, including materials engine ....Instrumentation for powder X-ray diffraction under extreme conditions. This project aims to enable high quality materials science through the installation of powder X-ray diffraction facilities in the Sydney region. The instrumentation will allow rapid X-ray diffraction studies over a wide temperature range using monochromated high energy beams. This instrumentation is expected to improve condensed matter research from hard condensed materials to coordination polymers, including materials engineering, nanoscience and thin films, and energy storage and conversion.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100099
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,000.00
Summary
A complete near-field scanning optical microscope for advanced characterisation of novel and functional materials. This near-field optical scanning microscope will be unique in Australia and will substantially enhance national research capabilities in functional materials, nanotechnology, biotechnology and chemistry. It will create a platform to advance Australian research to new levels in pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials and energy storage materials.
Advanced functional properties in metal-organic frameworks. The design and construction of advanced nanomaterials is a key step in the push towards more efficient energy systems and smarter technologies. Through the strategic assembly of new classes of molecular nanomaterials this project will lead to important fundamental advances in nanoscience and will underpin a range of new high-level technologies.