Smart self-propelled nanoreactors for catalytic environmental remediation. This project aims to develop nanomaterial design and technology to enable the applications of nanotechnology for environmental remediation. Various nanomotors with different asymmetric structures will be fabricated and tested for catalytic and photocatalytic degradation of aqueous pollutants. The physicochemical properties, motion behaviour and catalytic performance will be comprehensively investigated. The outcomes of th ....Smart self-propelled nanoreactors for catalytic environmental remediation. This project aims to develop nanomaterial design and technology to enable the applications of nanotechnology for environmental remediation. Various nanomotors with different asymmetric structures will be fabricated and tested for catalytic and photocatalytic degradation of aqueous pollutants. The physicochemical properties, motion behaviour and catalytic performance will be comprehensively investigated. The outcomes of the project will underpin the development of green technologies for sustainable energy conversion and water treatment. This will provide significant benefits, putting Australia in a leading position in the sustainable development of nanotechnology for sustainable energy supply and transformation as well as environmental and biomedical applications.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH200100035
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub in New Safe and Reliable Energy Storage and Conversion Technologies. This Research Hub addresses safety and reliability issues, and environmental impact of current energy storage and conversion technologies. The research will deliver a new generation of technologies for storage from small scale portable devices to large scale industrial applications, using recycled and natural materials, and eliminating the serious fire risk in current technologies. Outcomes include innovative ....ARC Research Hub in New Safe and Reliable Energy Storage and Conversion Technologies. This Research Hub addresses safety and reliability issues, and environmental impact of current energy storage and conversion technologies. The research will deliver a new generation of technologies for storage from small scale portable devices to large scale industrial applications, using recycled and natural materials, and eliminating the serious fire risk in current technologies. Outcomes include innovative integrated energy conversion and storage technologies and new energy materials and devices designed for different scale applications, leading to creation of start up companies and commercialisation opportunities for existing partners, benefiting both the Australian economy and potentially transforming the energy industry landscape.Read moreRead less
Mesoporous Metal Scaffolds: Reactive Containment Vessels. The storage of hydrogen is one of the most important issues that remains to be solved before the mass implementation of hydrogen as an energy carrier becomes commercially viable. This project aims to determine the kinetic and thermodynamic benefits of mesoporous metal scaffolds as reactive containment vessels for hydrogen storage materials. Fundamental experimental research into the synthesis, characterisation, and modification of nano-co ....Mesoporous Metal Scaffolds: Reactive Containment Vessels. The storage of hydrogen is one of the most important issues that remains to be solved before the mass implementation of hydrogen as an energy carrier becomes commercially viable. This project aims to determine the kinetic and thermodynamic benefits of mesoporous metal scaffolds as reactive containment vessels for hydrogen storage materials. Fundamental experimental research into the synthesis, characterisation, and modification of nano-confined hydrogen storage materials will be carried out. The results of this research are expected be used to tune hydrogen desorption temperatures and pressures of various light weight hydrogen storage materials to generate new materials attractive to the automobile industry.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100205
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
A novel high-pressure system for multiple gas adsorption. This facility will equip researchers with analytical capabilities for research in the field of multi-gas adsorption. The facility will be of great significance to clean energy research, such as greenhouse gas emission control and hydrogen production and storage.
New carbon nanotube electrocatalysts for water splitting and fuel cells. The demand for clean, secure and sustainable energy sources has stimulated great interest in electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies such as water splitting and fuel cells. The efficiency of water splitting and fuel cells is however strongly dependent on the activity of the electrocatalysts. The objective of the project is to develop new electrocatalysts based on the recently discovered phenomena that car ....New carbon nanotube electrocatalysts for water splitting and fuel cells. The demand for clean, secure and sustainable energy sources has stimulated great interest in electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies such as water splitting and fuel cells. The efficiency of water splitting and fuel cells is however strongly dependent on the activity of the electrocatalysts. The objective of the project is to develop new electrocatalysts based on the recently discovered phenomena that carbon nanotubes with specific size and number of walls are very active and significantly promote the reaction of water splitting and fuel cells. The proposed project is expected to open a new research field in the development of new electrocatalysts and photoelectrocatalysts for advanced energy conversion and storage technologies.Read moreRead less
Oxide-based high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are one of the most efficient energy conversion technologies for producing electricity from fuels such as hydrogen and methanol. Current PEMFCs use precious metal catalysts, and the performance of liquid methanol fuel is disappointingly low due to the inability of polymer or hybrid membranes to operate at temperatures above 160-180 degrees centigrade. This work aims to develop an all ox ....Oxide-based high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are one of the most efficient energy conversion technologies for producing electricity from fuels such as hydrogen and methanol. Current PEMFCs use precious metal catalysts, and the performance of liquid methanol fuel is disappointingly low due to the inability of polymer or hybrid membranes to operate at temperatures above 160-180 degrees centigrade. This work aims to develop an all oxide-based PEMFC technology using a recently developed sintered and heteropolyacid functionalised mesoporous silica membrane. The utilisation of all-oxide-PEMFCs using non-precious metal catalysts is expected to significantly enhance the power density, reduce costs, and enhance the commercial viability of PEMFC technologies.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100026
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,000.00
Summary
A surface characterisation facility. This surface characterisation facility will provide scientists with an understanding of material's surfaces and interfaces. This will lead to a range of new technologies and innovative solutions required to address the many resource and environmental challenges facing our planet now and in the future.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100075
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$580,000.00
Summary
Next Generation Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Facility. Next generation small angle X-ray scattering facility: The ability to determine the nanostructure of bulk materials is of utmost importance in an array of cutting-edge research fields. A state-of-the-art small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) facility will address this for a wide range of materials covering a diverse range of research topics such as energy storage materials, catalytic species, drug delivery systems, protein structures, biologic ....Next Generation Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Facility. Next generation small angle X-ray scattering facility: The ability to determine the nanostructure of bulk materials is of utmost importance in an array of cutting-edge research fields. A state-of-the-art small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) facility will address this for a wide range of materials covering a diverse range of research topics such as energy storage materials, catalytic species, drug delivery systems, protein structures, biological membranes, medical diagnostics and therapy, magnetic nanosystems, polymers, novel technologies for the clean utilisation of biomass, and minerals processing. The facility will underpin a range of current and planned multidisciplinary research programs leading to vital nanostructural information and innovative research solutions.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100174
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$193,000.00
Summary
Acoustic levitation facility for high pressure multiphase systems research. This project aims to create a specialised acoustic levitation facility that delivers precise control of a suspended particle/droplet/bubble within a high pressure continuous phase, and simultaneous measurement of multiple bulk and interfacial properties. Acoustic levitation enables container-less experiments, offering opportunities for applied engineering and fundamental science. This acoustic levitation system will be i ....Acoustic levitation facility for high pressure multiphase systems research. This project aims to create a specialised acoustic levitation facility that delivers precise control of a suspended particle/droplet/bubble within a high pressure continuous phase, and simultaneous measurement of multiple bulk and interfacial properties. Acoustic levitation enables container-less experiments, offering opportunities for applied engineering and fundamental science. This acoustic levitation system will be integrated with a specialised Raman imaging microscope to study crystallisation, mass transfer and molecular exchange, in application areas including energy transport, carbon capture and storage, and protein nucleation. This project is expected to open new avenues in engineering, chemistry and physics.Read moreRead less
New mesoporous materials for use in high temperature proton exchange fuel cell membranes. A novel high temperature proton exchange membrane based on heteropolyacid (HPA) functionalised mesoporous silica will be developed. This research into the fundamental materials science of novel proton exchange membranes is expected to impact significantly on the advancement and commercialisation of portable fuel cell devices.