Thermal Optimisation of Gigascale Solar Photovoltaics. Large-scale solar photovoltaics are critical to decarbonising the global economy. Sun Cable is developing the world’s largest solar farm in the Northern Territory, and is considering deploying the 5B MAV solar array. At this scale, temperature-induced panel efficiency losses represent a major challenge that must be overcome through thermal performance optimisation. We will build sophisticated multiscale models to simulate and understand the ....Thermal Optimisation of Gigascale Solar Photovoltaics. Large-scale solar photovoltaics are critical to decarbonising the global economy. Sun Cable is developing the world’s largest solar farm in the Northern Territory, and is considering deploying the 5B MAV solar array. At this scale, temperature-induced panel efficiency losses represent a major challenge that must be overcome through thermal performance optimisation. We will build sophisticated multiscale models to simulate and understand the multiple interacting phenomena that cause panel heating, for the first time. This project will create the tools and know-how to optimise array design and solar farm development, delivering major efficiency gains and enhancing the viability of future gigascale solar projects.Read moreRead less
Impact of roughness on adverse pressure gradient turbulent boundary layers. This project aims to develop a novel technique for measuring time-resolved fluid velocity vector fields in high-speed flows to investigate rough wall turbulence in adverse pressure gradient environments in unprecedented detail. By using this innovative instrument to study these widespread but poorly understood turbulent flows in power generation and transport, the project seeks to generate new knowledge. Expected outcome ....Impact of roughness on adverse pressure gradient turbulent boundary layers. This project aims to develop a novel technique for measuring time-resolved fluid velocity vector fields in high-speed flows to investigate rough wall turbulence in adverse pressure gradient environments in unprecedented detail. By using this innovative instrument to study these widespread but poorly understood turbulent flows in power generation and transport, the project seeks to generate new knowledge. Expected outcomes include the development of a new instrument and fundamental knowledge leading to improved designs with higher efficiencies in power generation and transport, resulting in significant benefits such as increased energy security, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and improved quality of life for individuals and society.Read moreRead less
Nitride materials: In the “bond ionicity Goldilocks zone” for solar energy. Progress towards commercial devices for solar-driven hydrogen generation as well as in-situ electricity generation for vehicles is currently hampered by a lack of earth-abundant, stable, non-toxic semiconductor materials that can be fabricated by scalable methods. This project aims to develop the first scalable solution synthesis methods for a new class of earth-abundant Zn-based nitride semiconductor nanocrystals that h ....Nitride materials: In the “bond ionicity Goldilocks zone” for solar energy. Progress towards commercial devices for solar-driven hydrogen generation as well as in-situ electricity generation for vehicles is currently hampered by a lack of earth-abundant, stable, non-toxic semiconductor materials that can be fabricated by scalable methods. This project aims to develop the first scalable solution synthesis methods for a new class of earth-abundant Zn-based nitride semiconductor nanocrystals that have favourable bond ionicity and establish their optoelectronic properties for renewable energy devices for the first time. Flexible solution processing methods will be exploited to tune surface composition, remove defects and create devices to achieve optimised performance in these challenging new nitride material systems.Read moreRead less
Enabling technology unlocking full potential of high bandgap chalcopyrite . This project is aimed at solving the fundamental challenges of high bandgap chalcopyrite light-harvesting material to unlock its full potential as the top cell for photovoltaic tandem cell and the photocathode for photoelectrochemical applications. This will be realised by dynamic optimisation of its performance in photovoltaic solar cell device through understanding of its defects origins, enabling defects controlling t ....Enabling technology unlocking full potential of high bandgap chalcopyrite . This project is aimed at solving the fundamental challenges of high bandgap chalcopyrite light-harvesting material to unlock its full potential as the top cell for photovoltaic tandem cell and the photocathode for photoelectrochemical applications. This will be realised by dynamic optimisation of its performance in photovoltaic solar cell device through understanding of its defects origins, enabling defects controlling technologies, and microscopic carrier loss mechanism analysis via systematic macro-to-micro characterisations combined with 3D device simulation. The project completion will reinforce the next-generation tandem cell and photoelectrochemical technologies with the efficient, stable, RoHS-compliant and thin chalcopyrite devices.Read moreRead less
Harnessing the Power of Wind: Revolutionising Wind Farm Optimisation. This project aims to develop a rigorous, efficient and accurate framework for optimisation of control policies for complete wind farms. It expects to generate new knowledge in data-driven physics informed transient aerodynamic and structural modelling of entire wind farms, generation of low order yet sufficiently accurate models using machine learning, and game-theoretic and model predictive control techniques for operation of ....Harnessing the Power of Wind: Revolutionising Wind Farm Optimisation. This project aims to develop a rigorous, efficient and accurate framework for optimisation of control policies for complete wind farms. It expects to generate new knowledge in data-driven physics informed transient aerodynamic and structural modelling of entire wind farms, generation of low order yet sufficiently accurate models using machine learning, and game-theoretic and model predictive control techniques for operation of an entire wind farm. Expected outcomes are engineering tools to tackle wind farm inefficiencies totalling $700m/year in Australia alone, contributing to energy stability, security and lowered emissions aligned to the National Science and Research Priority ‘Energy’.Read moreRead less
Towards highly-efficient hydrogen gas turbines. The increasing interest in green hydrogen has led to a need for research and development in combustion systems that can accommodate hydrogen. One promising technology is low-emission gas turbines, which is a key player in the electricity market. However, hydrogen gas turbines are susceptible to a phenomenon called thermoacoustic instability, causing loud noise and can damage equipment. This project represents the first comprehensive study of the ef ....Towards highly-efficient hydrogen gas turbines. The increasing interest in green hydrogen has led to a need for research and development in combustion systems that can accommodate hydrogen. One promising technology is low-emission gas turbines, which is a key player in the electricity market. However, hydrogen gas turbines are susceptible to a phenomenon called thermoacoustic instability, causing loud noise and can damage equipment. This project represents the first comprehensive study of the effects of hydrogen fuel on thermoacoustic instability under conditions relevant to gas turbines. By examining low-order models, commonly used for designing gas turbines, this project can significantly advance the field and facilitate the adoption of green hydrogen as a fuel source.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100382
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$449,154.00
Summary
Charge and Energy Transfer Processes at Inorganic-Organic Interfaces . The integration of functional molecular materials with inorganic systems remains an outstanding hurdle to achieve durable, highly efficient optoelectronic devices. This project aims to develop and understand this new class of devices, with a focus on directional energy transfer processes across hybrid interfaces. This project expects to generate new knowledge in photovoltaics (PV) and for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) ....Charge and Energy Transfer Processes at Inorganic-Organic Interfaces . The integration of functional molecular materials with inorganic systems remains an outstanding hurdle to achieve durable, highly efficient optoelectronic devices. This project aims to develop and understand this new class of devices, with a focus on directional energy transfer processes across hybrid interfaces. This project expects to generate new knowledge in photovoltaics (PV) and for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) by studying triplet transfer in two model systems. The first will be a step towards the development of advanced PV devices using down-conversion to push solar cells beyond the efficiency barrier. The second will demonstrate inorganic-organic solid state up-conversion for next generation OLEDs with improved stability.Read moreRead less
Microfluidics to explore the uptake of nanoparticles by endothelial cells. This project aims to develop microfluidic technologies for generating lipid nanoparticles with customised properties and investigating their delivery to endothelial cells under various flow dynamics. The project expects to advance our fundamental knowledge of biophysical and biological mechanisms underlying the uptake of lipid nanoparticles by endothelial cells. Expected outcomes of this project include enhanced delivery ....Microfluidics to explore the uptake of nanoparticles by endothelial cells. This project aims to develop microfluidic technologies for generating lipid nanoparticles with customised properties and investigating their delivery to endothelial cells under various flow dynamics. The project expects to advance our fundamental knowledge of biophysical and biological mechanisms underlying the uptake of lipid nanoparticles by endothelial cells. Expected outcomes of this project include enhanced delivery of nanoparticles to vessel walls. This should provide significant benefits, such as establishing a framework for designing future nano delivery systems, which would benefit Australian biotechnology industries.
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On the Hunt: Boosting Productivity of Cell Factories by Advanced Searches . This project aims to advance our fundamental understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying protein secretion in yeast, an industrial workhorse and a model organism. It will develop a unique multifaceted research platform to identify and analyse superior yeast strains with the desired traits at the single-cell level. Expected outcomes include a new analytical tool for high-throughput strain analysis and advanced knowle ....On the Hunt: Boosting Productivity of Cell Factories by Advanced Searches . This project aims to advance our fundamental understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying protein secretion in yeast, an industrial workhorse and a model organism. It will develop a unique multifaceted research platform to identify and analyse superior yeast strains with the desired traits at the single-cell level. Expected outcomes include a new analytical tool for high-throughput strain analysis and advanced knowledge of yeast molecular biology that can be applied to improve cell factories for the next generation of fuels, food and pharmaceuticals. This will provide significant economic and social benefits by boosting biotech industry growth, facilitating the transition to a sustainable society and improving Australia’s biosecurity.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240101027
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$414,000.00
Summary
Deciphering the mechanisms of object manipulation with viscoelastic fluids. This project aims to innovate how tiny objects in mixed samples are sorted using the forces generated by fluids that are both viscous and elastic. The developed technology is expected to break the limitations of conventional methods by automating sample processing and by enabling the sorting capability based on not only size, but also shape and fluid properties. This will meet the growing demand for rapid processing of c ....Deciphering the mechanisms of object manipulation with viscoelastic fluids. This project aims to innovate how tiny objects in mixed samples are sorted using the forces generated by fluids that are both viscous and elastic. The developed technology is expected to break the limitations of conventional methods by automating sample processing and by enabling the sorting capability based on not only size, but also shape and fluid properties. This will meet the growing demand for rapid processing of complex real-world environmental samples. The expected outcomes include new knowledge and techniques for sorting algae and insects from water samples for the assessment of water quality and biodiversity. It is expected to benefit Australians by providing faster, cheaper, and more efficient environmental monitoring methods.Read moreRead less