Artificial photosynthesis for solar fuel production. We aim to realise an artificial system that converts solar energy to hydrogen (artificial photosynthesis). The resulting device will be able to 'split' water into oxygen and hydrogen, whereas hydrogen can be further converted into electricity or heat (combustion).
Flow structures and transport: predictability and control. Moving flow structures (the boundary of an eddy, the flow interface between two fluids) are crucial in fluid mixing and in the transport of heat, pollutants and nutrients. This project will analyse their roles in improving predictions of spreading extents and rates for geophysical-scale problems, and in controlling transport at the micro-scale. Inaccuracies in currently available numerical diagnostics for transport prediction will be com ....Flow structures and transport: predictability and control. Moving flow structures (the boundary of an eddy, the flow interface between two fluids) are crucial in fluid mixing and in the transport of heat, pollutants and nutrients. This project will analyse their roles in improving predictions of spreading extents and rates for geophysical-scale problems, and in controlling transport at the micro-scale. Inaccuracies in currently available numerical diagnostics for transport prediction will be comprehensively evaluated via comparison with recent exact models. Analytical methods for quantifying transport under unsteady flow protocols will be developed, and used to answer questions on controlling transport in microfluidic applications in conjunction with experimentalists.Read moreRead less
Particles at Interfaces—Controlling Detachment. Small, solid particles affect the processes used by the Australian mining industry to recover precious metals and valuable minerals in ways that remain poorly understood. The outcomes of this project will make significant contributions to the fundamental understanding of the role of particles in emulsions and foams. The results will also ultimately transfer to, and have a substantial impact on, the pharmaceutical industry, which is poised to use na ....Particles at Interfaces—Controlling Detachment. Small, solid particles affect the processes used by the Australian mining industry to recover precious metals and valuable minerals in ways that remain poorly understood. The outcomes of this project will make significant contributions to the fundamental understanding of the role of particles in emulsions and foams. The results will also ultimately transfer to, and have a substantial impact on, the pharmaceutical industry, which is poised to use nanotechnology to revolutionise drug delivery.Read moreRead less
Slippery when wet: lubrication with responsive polymers. Lubrication and friction of aqueous (water-based) systems is important in many industrial and biological contexts, such as oil and gas exploration, solid/liquid separation, bioimplants and therapeutic treatments for joints. The outcomes of this project will provide greater control of friction through the use of stimulus responsive polymers.
The microbe factory: a novel approach to benign minerals processing. The purpose of this project is to reduce the environmental impact of current mining practices. The anticipated outcome of this project is the replacement of toxic chemicals used in the separation of minerals with the novel use of environmentally benign microbes.