Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989608
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,000.00
Summary
The Heron Island Climate Change Observatory: An In-Situ Ocean Acidification and Carbonate Chemistry Monitoring Platform. Climate change and ocean acidification are widely recognized as key threats to Australia's natural ecosystems, yet we are currently ill-equipped to respond due to poor knowledge of the scale/nature of the impacts. The Heron Island Climate Change Observatory will establish key infrastructure that will rapidly improve our understanding of the impacts of ocean acidification whic ....The Heron Island Climate Change Observatory: An In-Situ Ocean Acidification and Carbonate Chemistry Monitoring Platform. Climate change and ocean acidification are widely recognized as key threats to Australia's natural ecosystems, yet we are currently ill-equipped to respond due to poor knowledge of the scale/nature of the impacts. The Heron Island Climate Change Observatory will establish key infrastructure that will rapidly improve our understanding of the impacts of ocean acidification which is important to local communities and the nation given that coral reefs support over $6 billion in revenue (and employ 60,000 people) each year. This critically important information is essential to the management and protection of Australia's coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef.
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The impact of ocean acidification on the fertilization, larval development and recruitment of key Australian marine organisms. This work will define the potential vulnerability for Australian marine ecosystems that arises from the rapid acidification of Australia's coastal environments by rising atmospheric carbon dioxide. Our preliminary data suggest that the early life history stages of a wide range of marine species are very sensitive to the impact of ocean acidification. At present, almost ....The impact of ocean acidification on the fertilization, larval development and recruitment of key Australian marine organisms. This work will define the potential vulnerability for Australian marine ecosystems that arises from the rapid acidification of Australia's coastal environments by rising atmospheric carbon dioxide. Our preliminary data suggest that the early life history stages of a wide range of marine species are very sensitive to the impact of ocean acidification. At present, almost nothing is known about the impacts and implications of these changes. Without this knowledge, however, we are in a poor position as a nation to respond and adapt to these changes. We plan to explore this vulnerability for Australian marine organisms and develop a detailed understanding of its implications for Australia's marine ecosystems and associated industries. Read moreRead less
NANOCOMPOSITE PROTON-CONDUCTING MEMBRANES FOR FUEL CELL APPLICATIONS. This project aims to develop a new class of proton-conducting materials with high proton-conductivity, low gas permeability and good thermal stability for application to fuel cells. The strategy for such a new material is to exploit the unique properties of nanoscale particles of metal phosphates and silicates, hybridised with proton-conducting polymers. Such new materials will be enabling technology for commercialising both ....NANOCOMPOSITE PROTON-CONDUCTING MEMBRANES FOR FUEL CELL APPLICATIONS. This project aims to develop a new class of proton-conducting materials with high proton-conductivity, low gas permeability and good thermal stability for application to fuel cells. The strategy for such a new material is to exploit the unique properties of nanoscale particles of metal phosphates and silicates, hybridised with proton-conducting polymers. Such new materials will be enabling technology for commercialising both hydrogen and methanol fuel cells, promising a revolutionary clean energy supply particularly for transport vehicles and mobile devices. The project addresses the synthesis and characterisation of nanostructured composite of proton-conducting nanoparticles, a key to high performance fuel cell membranes.Read moreRead less
Molecular Engineered Nanomaterials for Advanced Fuel Cells. This program aims to develop a new class of proton-conducting materials with high proton-conductivity, low gas permeability and good thermal stability for application to advanced fuel cells. The strategy for such a new material is to exploit the unique properties of nanoscale particles of metal phosphates and silicates, hybridised with proton-conducting polymers. Such new materials will be enabling technology for commercialising both hy ....Molecular Engineered Nanomaterials for Advanced Fuel Cells. This program aims to develop a new class of proton-conducting materials with high proton-conductivity, low gas permeability and good thermal stability for application to advanced fuel cells. The strategy for such a new material is to exploit the unique properties of nanoscale particles of metal phosphates and silicates, hybridised with proton-conducting polymers. Such new materials will be enabling technology for commercialising both hydrogen and methanol fuel cells, promising a revolutionary clean energy supply particularly for transport vehicles and mobile devices. This research advances the material science of nanostructured composite of proton-conducting nanoparticles, a key to high performance fuel cell membranes.Read moreRead less
Multi-Scale Analysis of the Vulnerability of Coral Reefs to Ocean Acidification. The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is one of Australia's biggest icons, and represents more than 10% of the world's coral reefs. It is a World Heritage Area and is home to more than 1 million species. The GBR provides Australia with more than $6 billion in annual national revenue. To help manage for sustained resilience of the GBR in an era of climate change, Australia needs to understand the major threats, in particular ....Multi-Scale Analysis of the Vulnerability of Coral Reefs to Ocean Acidification. The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is one of Australia's biggest icons, and represents more than 10% of the world's coral reefs. It is a World Heritage Area and is home to more than 1 million species. The GBR provides Australia with more than $6 billion in annual national revenue. To help manage for sustained resilience of the GBR in an era of climate change, Australia needs to understand the major threats, in particular ocean acidification. By producing an innovative framework for assessing acidification risks, the project will help Australia demonstrate continued stewardship of one of the world's richest and most sensitive ecosystems.Read moreRead less
Nano- and micro-scale engineering of MoS2-based catalyst for conversion of syngas to ethanol. Domestic production of ethanol to provide a 10% blend in petrol (E10) can be achieved from waste methane gas that Australia currently vents or flares to atmosphere. This project aims to develop a conversion process for making ethanol from syngas (the product of coal or methane gasification). Small scale, modularised plants would make ethanol locally to the methane emission source. The benefits of local ....Nano- and micro-scale engineering of MoS2-based catalyst for conversion of syngas to ethanol. Domestic production of ethanol to provide a 10% blend in petrol (E10) can be achieved from waste methane gas that Australia currently vents or flares to atmosphere. This project aims to develop a conversion process for making ethanol from syngas (the product of coal or methane gasification). Small scale, modularised plants would make ethanol locally to the methane emission source. The benefits of local E10 production would be a reduction in the oil trade deficit of $1 billion per year, $500 million per year in lower carbon imposts to industry and government, 25 million tonnes per year of reduced CO2e release to atmosphere and significantly improved urban air through reduced emissions from car transport, with attendant human health benefits.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre for Functional Nanomaterials. The Centre will consist of leading researchers from four Australian universities, four CSIRO divisions, and two US research centres. The vision is to position Australia as a world leader in nanomaterials science and technology. The Centre will involve nanoscale science for building functional nanostructures of materials at the molecular level. It aims to develop new methods and techniques for self-assembling and characterizing nanomaterials with tailorabl ....ARC Centre for Functional Nanomaterials. The Centre will consist of leading researchers from four Australian universities, four CSIRO divisions, and two US research centres. The vision is to position Australia as a world leader in nanomaterials science and technology. The Centre will involve nanoscale science for building functional nanostructures of materials at the molecular level. It aims to develop new methods and techniques for self-assembling and characterizing nanomaterials with tailorable properties. The outcomes will include leading-edge science, the development of human capital, and intellectual property in new materials and products for applications in clean energy, environmental, and health care industries.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100141
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,000.00
Summary
High-resolution ITRAX XRF core scanning facility for global change research. This facility will enable researchers to obtain high-resolution geochemical profiles in the study of environmental change and climate variability. It will provide archive data on the variation of density and chemical element composition along sediment and soil cores, rock cores, wood samples, speleothems and corals. These archives contain important information such as human activity, climate variability, water quality c ....High-resolution ITRAX XRF core scanning facility for global change research. This facility will enable researchers to obtain high-resolution geochemical profiles in the study of environmental change and climate variability. It will provide archive data on the variation of density and chemical element composition along sediment and soil cores, rock cores, wood samples, speleothems and corals. These archives contain important information such as human activity, climate variability, water quality changes, pollution histories, recent geomorphological change, land-use change, introduction of invasive species and the occurrence of bushfires. A better understanding of the occurrence and timing of these major environmental issues is of national and regional importance.Read moreRead less