Inception of a Practical, Biomimetic, Flexible Photovoltaic Device. This project will design and synthesise new, complex, functional organic molecules and assemble them to create a new type of photovoltaic cell. This device will be designed using biomimetic principles to emulate many of the efficient photosynthetic solar energy conversion processes that occur in plants. A key feature is that near atomic-level control will be achieved over the entire device structure, facilitating the establish ....Inception of a Practical, Biomimetic, Flexible Photovoltaic Device. This project will design and synthesise new, complex, functional organic molecules and assemble them to create a new type of photovoltaic cell. This device will be designed using biomimetic principles to emulate many of the efficient photosynthetic solar energy conversion processes that occur in plants. A key feature is that near atomic-level control will be achieved over the entire device structure, facilitating the establishment of a clear path towards the commercial production of solar cells that are simultaneously highly efficient, long lasting, flexible, and very cheap to manufacture.Read moreRead less
Understanding Electron Transfer through Surface Bound Rigid Molecular Constructs: From Fundamental Studies to New Sensing and Photovoltaic Applications. Electron transfer is not only a vital process in biological systems but is the cornerstone of the new generation of nanoscale devices such as molecular electronics, photovoltaic devices and biosensors. For most applications electron transfer occurs close to a surface but the influence of the surface is not well understood. This project aims ....Understanding Electron Transfer through Surface Bound Rigid Molecular Constructs: From Fundamental Studies to New Sensing and Photovoltaic Applications. Electron transfer is not only a vital process in biological systems but is the cornerstone of the new generation of nanoscale devices such as molecular electronics, photovoltaic devices and biosensors. For most applications electron transfer occurs close to a surface but the influence of the surface is not well understood. This project aims to increase our understanding of the role of surfaces on the electron transfer behaviour using a novel range of rigid 'molecular wires'. The knowledge gained will be exploited in the development of novel biosensors for environmental and health monitoring and new highly efficient solar cells for energy conversion.Read moreRead less
Reactions of Nanoparticles of Metal Oxides and Hydrous Oxides and their Applications in Photocatalysts and Electrode Materials. Australia is a world-leading producer of raw materials of many metallic elements, most of which are exported at low-values. This project will yield important knowledge in new synthetic techniques for making nanostructures of metal oxides. These tiny particles already have a large worldwide market, but the discovery of particles with superior properties or new applicatio ....Reactions of Nanoparticles of Metal Oxides and Hydrous Oxides and their Applications in Photocatalysts and Electrode Materials. Australia is a world-leading producer of raw materials of many metallic elements, most of which are exported at low-values. This project will yield important knowledge in new synthetic techniques for making nanostructures of metal oxides. These tiny particles already have a large worldwide market, but the discovery of particles with superior properties or new applications could lead to new industries and high-value exports. This project aims to devise novel photocatalysts for solar energy conversion and environmental protection, and electrode materials for lithium batteries. It will contribute to the overall competitiveness and productivity of Australian R&D by advancing scientific knowledge and training young researchers.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989567
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
State of the Art Surface Characterisation Facility for the Sydney Basin. Many of the grand challenges of our time, including finding alternative sources of energy, maximizing our current supply of natural resources, identifying and treating pollution in general, and in water in particular, and developing therapies and biomaterials that enable the personalisation of therapies to each individual are being solved using developments in the molecular sciences. Pivotal to the success of such research ....State of the Art Surface Characterisation Facility for the Sydney Basin. Many of the grand challenges of our time, including finding alternative sources of energy, maximizing our current supply of natural resources, identifying and treating pollution in general, and in water in particular, and developing therapies and biomaterials that enable the personalisation of therapies to each individual are being solved using developments in the molecular sciences. Pivotal to the success of such research is to understand materials and surfaces at the molecular level. The request is to purchase surface analysis instrumentation which will dramatically enhance the ability of scientists around Australia understand how to develop solutions to these grand challenges.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence - Australian Centre for Electromaterials Science. The Centre will tackle some of the biggest challenges facing society: those of renewable energy, sustainable industries and enhancing human health. Improvements in all these areas are possible by developing electromaterials with improved efficiency in the generation and transfer of electrical charge. By developing new nano-materials and new theories to explain their behaviour, the Centre will make advances in the areas ....ARC Centre of Excellence - Australian Centre for Electromaterials Science. The Centre will tackle some of the biggest challenges facing society: those of renewable energy, sustainable industries and enhancing human health. Improvements in all these areas are possible by developing electromaterials with improved efficiency in the generation and transfer of electrical charge. By developing new nano-materials and new theories to explain their behaviour, the Centre will make advances in the areas of human health through the regeneration of damaged nerves (eg. in spinal injury) and development of artificial muscles; in renewable energy (plastic solar cells, lightweight batteries and electronic textiles) and in sustainable industries (recovery of precious metals and new corrosion protection technologies).Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354535
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Advanced Electromaterials from Nanomaterials and Biomaterials. The proposed initiative brings together relevant sectors of the nanomaterials, biomaterials and electrochemistry research communities. It is envisaged that the collective complementary expertise will give rise to research opportunities and insights into the emerging work of electro-bio-nano. Scientific and technological challenges that exist in this multidiscipline research space include areas as diverse as the development of more ....Advanced Electromaterials from Nanomaterials and Biomaterials. The proposed initiative brings together relevant sectors of the nanomaterials, biomaterials and electrochemistry research communities. It is envisaged that the collective complementary expertise will give rise to research opportunities and insights into the emerging work of electro-bio-nano. Scientific and technological challenges that exist in this multidiscipline research space include areas as diverse as the development of more efficient nerve cell communication implants, understanding and control of biocorrosion/biofouling and the use of biomimicry to produce more efficient catalysts and artificial muscles.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre for Nanostructured Electromaterials. Electromaterials transport electrons or ions and facilitate charge transfer, underpinning most energy capture/storage processes and cell communication. We propose a national Centre to develop nanostructured electromaterials with exceptional properties. The Centre aims to synthesise novel nanomaterials and assemble them into innovative nanoscale devices. We will exploit these materials to enhance performance in energy conversion/storage systems (eg. ....ARC Centre for Nanostructured Electromaterials. Electromaterials transport electrons or ions and facilitate charge transfer, underpinning most energy capture/storage processes and cell communication. We propose a national Centre to develop nanostructured electromaterials with exceptional properties. The Centre aims to synthesise novel nanomaterials and assemble them into innovative nanoscale devices. We will exploit these materials to enhance performance in energy conversion/storage systems (eg. photovoltaics, batteries, including wearable systems), and novel energy transfer in bioapplications (eg. Bionic Ear). These advances, together with the resource of trained personnel, will assist Australian industry to exploit this exciting area.Read moreRead less
Design and Synthesis of Ionic Liquids for Use in Photoelectrochemical Cells Based on Inherently Conducting Polymers. We propose to evaluate the electrochemistry of photoactive polythiophenes recently synthesised by us in a range of ionic liquids. This knowledge will be used to design and synthesise customised ionic liquids with the properties required to enhance the photoelectrochemical efficiency of devices based on substituted polythiophenes. We expect our findings to lead to the development ....Design and Synthesis of Ionic Liquids for Use in Photoelectrochemical Cells Based on Inherently Conducting Polymers. We propose to evaluate the electrochemistry of photoactive polythiophenes recently synthesised by us in a range of ionic liquids. This knowledge will be used to design and synthesise customised ionic liquids with the properties required to enhance the photoelectrochemical efficiency of devices based on substituted polythiophenes. We expect our findings to lead to the development of low-cost, flexible, organic photoelectrochemical cells.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100177
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Advanced electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) facilities for chemical, biological and materials sciences. New instrumentation to advance national research in hydrogen fuel generation from renewable sources, new generation photo-voltaic technologies, novel polymer and other chemical materials and advanced computing systems will be provided by this project. A new high sensitivity electron paramagnetic resonance facility, located at the Australian National University, will serve researchers in the ....Advanced electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) facilities for chemical, biological and materials sciences. New instrumentation to advance national research in hydrogen fuel generation from renewable sources, new generation photo-voltaic technologies, novel polymer and other chemical materials and advanced computing systems will be provided by this project. A new high sensitivity electron paramagnetic resonance facility, located at the Australian National University, will serve researchers in the ACT region devoted to the broad range of activities summarised above. A particular focus involves novel, biologically inspired energy systems and high efficiency solar cell technology.Read moreRead less
New Methods to Harvest Light: Towards Better Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) technology has emerged as a complementary energy source to silicon photovoltaic technology. The efficiency of the DSC relies heavily on sensitizing molecules to absorb solar photons and then transfer electrons to a semi-conducting particle. This project will investigate new sensitizing methods using a combination of different dyes which work cooperatively to absorb a large part of the solar ....New Methods to Harvest Light: Towards Better Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) technology has emerged as a complementary energy source to silicon photovoltaic technology. The efficiency of the DSC relies heavily on sensitizing molecules to absorb solar photons and then transfer electrons to a semi-conducting particle. This project will investigate new sensitizing methods using a combination of different dyes which work cooperatively to absorb a large part of the solar spectrum and efficiently inject electrons into a semi-conducting particles. The development and understanding of these new methods to sensitize the dye-sensitized solar cell should lead to new and better solar cells.Read moreRead less