Advanced metallisation for III-V Photovoltaic Solar Power Systems. This project aims to augment the overall electrical efficiency of concentrator photovoltaic solar systems that provide large-scale generation of cheap, clean electricity. Existing concentrator solar cells are highly efficient (>40%) but their performance is hampered by thick front-metal contacts that shade the cell. The project is expected to develop a new concentrator solar cell metalisation and insulation technology. The benefi ....Advanced metallisation for III-V Photovoltaic Solar Power Systems. This project aims to augment the overall electrical efficiency of concentrator photovoltaic solar systems that provide large-scale generation of cheap, clean electricity. Existing concentrator solar cells are highly efficient (>40%) but their performance is hampered by thick front-metal contacts that shade the cell. The project is expected to develop a new concentrator solar cell metalisation and insulation technology. The benefit of the project will be a direct increase in the system efficiency and simplified manufacturing of the concentrator solar receiver, which in turn reduces the cost of the concentrator power plant constructed by our Australian project partner RayGen Resources Pty Ltd.Read moreRead less
Dynamic Microcages for Cells: Advanced Tools to Interrogate Cell Mechanics. This project aims to develop a suite of movable micro/nanostructures with integrated mechanical and biological sensors, which will be interfaced with cells to investigate how those cells respond to their surrounding physical environment. Expected outcomes are new technologies in micro/nanofabrication, sensing, and advanced imaging, and deep understanding of the biological processes that control tissue formation and repai ....Dynamic Microcages for Cells: Advanced Tools to Interrogate Cell Mechanics. This project aims to develop a suite of movable micro/nanostructures with integrated mechanical and biological sensors, which will be interfaced with cells to investigate how those cells respond to their surrounding physical environment. Expected outcomes are new technologies in micro/nanofabrication, sensing, and advanced imaging, and deep understanding of the biological processes that control tissue formation and repair. These outcomes would impact how 3D microsystems are developed and applied, informing the design of advanced in-vitro cell culture systems. Significant benefits are expected in 3D nano-microengineering, and in generating new knowledge underpinning future advances in stem cell and tissue engineering technologies.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100637
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,154.00
Summary
An integrated electrolyser for CO2 conversion from capture media. This project aims to develop an efficient electrochemical method to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) to valuable chemicals. It expects to displace the energy-costly step of its upstream CO2 capture process. The key novelty is the use of flow-through electrodes and optimal solvents to promote CO2 conversion at high rates. Expected outcomes include enhanced efficiency of CO2 sequestration, and new techniques to develop electrodes with w ....An integrated electrolyser for CO2 conversion from capture media. This project aims to develop an efficient electrochemical method to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) to valuable chemicals. It expects to displace the energy-costly step of its upstream CO2 capture process. The key novelty is the use of flow-through electrodes and optimal solvents to promote CO2 conversion at high rates. Expected outcomes include enhanced efficiency of CO2 sequestration, and new techniques to develop electrodes with well-controlled local reaction environments, which are essential for electrochemical energy conversion and storage. This will benefit Australia's environment and industries such as cement and aluminium manufacturing in managing carbon emissions, and accelerate Australia’s transition to a carbon-neutral economy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101129
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,948.00
Summary
Two-Dimensional Material Tandem Detectors for Polarimetry and Spectroscopy. The aim of this project is to leverage the fundamental advantages that two-dimensional (2D) materials could provide to vertically-stacked (tandem) photodetectors. The strong absorption, tunable bandgap and polarisation dependence that many 2D materials exhibit, provides a means by which to detect properties of light. This topic is significant because it could overcome current cost/performance issues of tandem detectors, .... Two-Dimensional Material Tandem Detectors for Polarimetry and Spectroscopy. The aim of this project is to leverage the fundamental advantages that two-dimensional (2D) materials could provide to vertically-stacked (tandem) photodetectors. The strong absorption, tunable bandgap and polarisation dependence that many 2D materials exhibit, provides a means by which to detect properties of light. This topic is significant because it could overcome current cost/performance issues of tandem detectors, enabling widespread usage. The expected project outcome is the development of a novel tandem 2D detector, which as a single detector/pixel, can extract the intensity, polarisation and wavelength region of incoming light. This would provide benefits for many future applications, including machine vision and aerial surveying.Read moreRead less
Photoreversible hydrogels to study stem cell memory and fate. This project will develop materials whose stiffness can be reversibly increased and decreased by the simple application of light, and use these to build knowledge of how stem cell fate is regulated. The influence of mechanical cues on the structure and organisation of the nucleus will be determined. Expected outcomes are new synthetic and light-reversible culture materials, and fundamental insights into how forces change the nucleus t ....Photoreversible hydrogels to study stem cell memory and fate. This project will develop materials whose stiffness can be reversibly increased and decreased by the simple application of light, and use these to build knowledge of how stem cell fate is regulated. The influence of mechanical cues on the structure and organisation of the nucleus will be determined. Expected outcomes are new synthetic and light-reversible culture materials, and fundamental insights into how forces change the nucleus to alter stem cell aging and fate. The findings will provide critical information required for the future development of assays to measure cell potency and instructive biomaterials to drive stem cell expansion and tissue-regeneration and will have impact by underpinning future advances in stem cell technologies.Read moreRead less
Low-temperature ceramic electrolysis cells for renewable energy technology. This project aims to develop advanced protonic ceramic electrolysis cells for greatly improving the efficiency of hydrogen production and carbon dioxide conversion using renewable energy. This will be achieved by nanoscale integration of proton-conducting two-dimensional materials with solid acids and ceramic proton conductors to lower the manufacturing costs and operating temperature of protonic ceramic electrolysis cel ....Low-temperature ceramic electrolysis cells for renewable energy technology. This project aims to develop advanced protonic ceramic electrolysis cells for greatly improving the efficiency of hydrogen production and carbon dioxide conversion using renewable energy. This will be achieved by nanoscale integration of proton-conducting two-dimensional materials with solid acids and ceramic proton conductors to lower the manufacturing costs and operating temperature of protonic ceramic electrolysis cells. Expected outcomes of the project include new intellectual property on materials formulation and process parameters for commercial development of this new type of ceramic electrolysis cell, thereby contributing to the growth of Australian manufacturing and renewable energy industries and reduction of carbon emissions.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE240100091
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,000,000.00
Summary
Deep imaging for understanding molecular processes in complex organisms. This project aims to establish a new fluorescence-based imaging platform that provides an unprecedented combination of sensitivity and spectral discrimination for investigating molecular processes deep within biological tissues. It aims to generate fundamental knowledge in biology, chemistry and materials science relevant to emerging technologies including synthetic tissue construction, nanoparticle assisted delivery of bio ....Deep imaging for understanding molecular processes in complex organisms. This project aims to establish a new fluorescence-based imaging platform that provides an unprecedented combination of sensitivity and spectral discrimination for investigating molecular processes deep within biological tissues. It aims to generate fundamental knowledge in biology, chemistry and materials science relevant to emerging technologies including synthetic tissue construction, nanoparticle assisted delivery of bioactive compounds, molecular sensors, and designer plants. Expected outcomes are high impact discoveries, training opportunities, cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional collaborations and publications addressing fundamental questions that will ultimately contribute to improved crop production and biomedical products.Read moreRead less
Nano-optics and ultra-thin materials for an infrared spectrometer-on-a-chip. Aims: This project aims to advance optical nanoresonators and ultra-thin materials in the infrared spectral region. The project aims to use this knowledge to demonstrate an infrared spectrometer on a chip.
Significance: Infrared spectroscopy is a powerful method for identifying and study matter but is carried out using instruments that are generally large, heavy, power hungry and costly.
Expected outcomes: It is expec ....Nano-optics and ultra-thin materials for an infrared spectrometer-on-a-chip. Aims: This project aims to advance optical nanoresonators and ultra-thin materials in the infrared spectral region. The project aims to use this knowledge to demonstrate an infrared spectrometer on a chip.
Significance: Infrared spectroscopy is a powerful method for identifying and study matter but is carried out using instruments that are generally large, heavy, power hungry and costly.
Expected outcomes: It is expected that this project will generate knowledge that will allow dramatic reductions in the size, weight, power consumption and cost of infrared spectrometers.
Benefits: This should allow infrared spectrometers to be used in applications for which the size/weight/power consumption/cost of current approaches prevent their use.
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Dual Stimulation Approach to Stem Cell Based Tissue Engineering. This Project aims to determine how human stem cells differentiate into different cell types in response to electrical and mechanical stimulation on a conductive biomaterial platform, and to use this knowledge to develop a custom built bioreactor. It expects to generate new insight into the mechanisms that control stem cell fate using innovative single cell measurements, and will deliver a bioreactor capable of using these mechanism ....Dual Stimulation Approach to Stem Cell Based Tissue Engineering. This Project aims to determine how human stem cells differentiate into different cell types in response to electrical and mechanical stimulation on a conductive biomaterial platform, and to use this knowledge to develop a custom built bioreactor. It expects to generate new insight into the mechanisms that control stem cell fate using innovative single cell measurements, and will deliver a bioreactor capable of using these mechanisms for large scale stem cell differentiation. The expected outcomes are a significant advancement in knowledge in the field of tissue engineering and more efficient methodology for patient-derived stem cell therapy. This will provide new pathways to improving stem cell therapy for tissue engineering applications.Read moreRead less