Deciphering interactions of conducting polymers in agricultural soils. The project aims to improve agricultural efficiency, productivity and yield by advancing the understanding of polymer materials interacting with fertiliser. This project will test the key assumptions behind a new sensor for real-time in-ground monitoring of fertiliser. The expected outcome from this is the rapid synthesis of conducting polymers for stable sensing of fertiliser in a range of soil types and conditions. This sho ....Deciphering interactions of conducting polymers in agricultural soils. The project aims to improve agricultural efficiency, productivity and yield by advancing the understanding of polymer materials interacting with fertiliser. This project will test the key assumptions behind a new sensor for real-time in-ground monitoring of fertiliser. The expected outcome from this is the rapid synthesis of conducting polymers for stable sensing of fertiliser in a range of soil types and conditions. This should provide the pathway to a world first real-time in-ground fertiliser sensor, providing benefit for the sensor manufacturers, farmers, consumers and the environment.Read moreRead less
Ytterbium fibre laser with diamond: new laser threshold magnetometry method. This project aims to create a novel class of hybrid optical fibres that open new vistas for magnetic field detection at ambient temperatures in noisy environments. The multidisciplinary project will develop the first fibre laser threshold magnetometry platform that breaks through diamond magnetometry sensitivity limits by cross-cutting established fibre laser technology with the new diamond-glass fibres and magnetometry ....Ytterbium fibre laser with diamond: new laser threshold magnetometry method. This project aims to create a novel class of hybrid optical fibres that open new vistas for magnetic field detection at ambient temperatures in noisy environments. The multidisciplinary project will develop the first fibre laser threshold magnetometry platform that breaks through diamond magnetometry sensitivity limits by cross-cutting established fibre laser technology with the new diamond-glass fibres and magnetometry concepts recently invented by the investigators. Envisaged significant benefits include non-invasive detection of magnetic fields in hard-to-access regions, an area of key interest for remote detection of submarines, early sensing of aircraft corrosion, deep brain imaging of neuronal activities and mineral exploration.Read moreRead less
Improving anti-salt crystallisation for solar-steam desalination. This project aims to solve a critical issue of solar-steam desalination by fundamental research. The solar-steam desalination technology offers an ideal strategy to utilize solar light as the energy source for desalination and water purification to produce affordable clean water. Photothermal materials play a key role in the desalination system to convert sunlight to heat and subsequently evaporate the saline water to generate ste ....Improving anti-salt crystallisation for solar-steam desalination. This project aims to solve a critical issue of solar-steam desalination by fundamental research. The solar-steam desalination technology offers an ideal strategy to utilize solar light as the energy source for desalination and water purification to produce affordable clean water. Photothermal materials play a key role in the desalination system to convert sunlight to heat and subsequently evaporate the saline water to generate steam as clean water. However, salt crystallization on the photothermal material surfaces severely limits the performance of the materials and clean water production. Solving this problem could accelerate the commercialisation and application of this technology, which will benefit millions of people worldwide.Read moreRead less
Solar-thermal desalination system for parallel water-electricity generation. This project aims to develop a multi-functional solar-thermal desalination device to simultaneously produce clean water and electricity. Interfacial solar evaporation-based desalination technology has the unique advantage of using solar light as the sole energy source for affordable clean water production. However, its absolute evaporation rate is still too low for practical application and all of the latent heat releas ....Solar-thermal desalination system for parallel water-electricity generation. This project aims to develop a multi-functional solar-thermal desalination device to simultaneously produce clean water and electricity. Interfacial solar evaporation-based desalination technology has the unique advantage of using solar light as the sole energy source for affordable clean water production. However, its absolute evaporation rate is still too low for practical application and all of the latent heat released from vapor condensation during desalination is wasted. Solving these two critical issues by the study of energy nexus, design and fabrication of advanced photothermal materials and desalination devices could accelerate practical adoption of this technology and benefit millions of people who desperately need clean water. Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL210100050
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,263,000.00
Summary
Interfacial design and engineering for high-performance batteries. This Fellowship aims to design the next generation of batteries - for use in portable devices, electric vehicles and smart grids - that will overcome the energy density, cycle life, and safety issues, and will contribute to a more sustainable future. This comprehensive and ground-breaking research program combines experiment and theory of electrode/electrolyte interfacial behaviour with materials engineering, to develop a toolkit ....Interfacial design and engineering for high-performance batteries. This Fellowship aims to design the next generation of batteries - for use in portable devices, electric vehicles and smart grids - that will overcome the energy density, cycle life, and safety issues, and will contribute to a more sustainable future. This comprehensive and ground-breaking research program combines experiment and theory of electrode/electrolyte interfacial behaviour with materials engineering, to develop a toolkit of new battery design principles. The program expects to deliver high energy-density batteries with outstanding safety profiles and extended cycle lives. These outcomes would revolutionise battery technologies and position Australia as a global leader in the critical transition to a decarbonised economy.
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Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells with Novel Perovskite-based Cathode. The electrochemical reduction of CO2 and steam to value-added fuels in a high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) is practically promising, but technologically challenging. This project aims to develop next generation SOECs using a perovskite-based cathode and scale-up engineering for rapid, bulk production of H2, CO and syngas fuels. Expected outcomes include material engineering, new knowledge on energy conversion ....Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells with Novel Perovskite-based Cathode. The electrochemical reduction of CO2 and steam to value-added fuels in a high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) is practically promising, but technologically challenging. This project aims to develop next generation SOECs using a perovskite-based cathode and scale-up engineering for rapid, bulk production of H2, CO and syngas fuels. Expected outcomes include material engineering, new knowledge on energy conversion technology, and advanced manufacturing technologies. The success of the project will provide a practical solution to reduce fossil CO2 emissions and potential technology for hydrogen production. These will significantly aid Australia in important climate goals and ambitions.Read moreRead less
Electrocatalytic Refinery for Fuels and Chemicals . The aim is to produce the fundamental science for sustainable production of fuels and chemicals through an advanced electrocatalytic approach using abundant small-molecule sources like water, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxides as feedstocks. A range of highly active and selective electrode catalysts will be developed for electrolysis processes at ambient temperatures and pressures, by an interdisciplinary approach combining atomic-level materi ....Electrocatalytic Refinery for Fuels and Chemicals . The aim is to produce the fundamental science for sustainable production of fuels and chemicals through an advanced electrocatalytic approach using abundant small-molecule sources like water, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxides as feedstocks. A range of highly active and selective electrode catalysts will be developed for electrolysis processes at ambient temperatures and pressures, by an interdisciplinary approach combining atomic-level material design principles, in situ/ex situ instrumental techniques, and modern computation methods. The expected outcomes will be of great significance for renewable energy use and clean fuel generation – the major energy and environmental challenges facing Australia and the world.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170101069
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Two-dimensional inorganic nanostructures for hydrogen evolution reaction. This project aims to synthesise highly active electrochemical catalysts of two-dimensional (2D) inorganic nanostructure for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The electrocatalysis of water to produce hydrogen gas could generate clean energy, but the platinum catalyst’s cost and low activity make it impractical. This project will develop 2D inorganic nanosheets with tuneable pores and electronic band structures, hybridised ....Two-dimensional inorganic nanostructures for hydrogen evolution reaction. This project aims to synthesise highly active electrochemical catalysts of two-dimensional (2D) inorganic nanostructure for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The electrocatalysis of water to produce hydrogen gas could generate clean energy, but the platinum catalyst’s cost and low activity make it impractical. This project will develop 2D inorganic nanosheets with tuneable pores and electronic band structures, hybridised with organic and/or inorganic semiconductor nanomaterials for HER, and use density functional theory calculation to investigate these hybridised nanosheets’ mechanisms for HER. These highly efficient and low-cost catalysts are expected to generate clean energy and create opportunities for Australian industries.Read moreRead less
An account of wetting phenomena on nano-engineered surfaces. This project aims to provide researchers and industry with a toolbox to predict wetting behaviour on surfaces with nanoscale topography. A combined experimental and numerical study will lead to the discovery of the mechanisms by which topographical and chemical properties of the surface trigger the formation of nanostructure-induced air pockets and how these phenomena determine surface wettability. This will provide significant benefi ....An account of wetting phenomena on nano-engineered surfaces. This project aims to provide researchers and industry with a toolbox to predict wetting behaviour on surfaces with nanoscale topography. A combined experimental and numerical study will lead to the discovery of the mechanisms by which topographical and chemical properties of the surface trigger the formation of nanostructure-induced air pockets and how these phenomena determine surface wettability. This will provide significant benefits, as the predictive surface-wettability model will enhance controllability and productivity of diverse manufacturing processes and lead to new applications, high-value products and economic benefits in mining, energy, electronics, biomedicine and other fields.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL170100154
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,683,730.00
Summary
Solar-driven sustainable production of fuels and chemicals. This project aims to address the efficient and sustainable production of fuels and chemicals using abundant sources like water, carbon dioxide and sunlight by an integrated reaction system. Through understanding molecular design principles and material engineering, this project expects to develop a range of novel electrocatalysts featuring high activity, efficiency, selectivity and stability for carbon dioxide reduction and hydrogen evo ....Solar-driven sustainable production of fuels and chemicals. This project aims to address the efficient and sustainable production of fuels and chemicals using abundant sources like water, carbon dioxide and sunlight by an integrated reaction system. Through understanding molecular design principles and material engineering, this project expects to develop a range of novel electrocatalysts featuring high activity, efficiency, selectivity and stability for carbon dioxide reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions. These new catalysts will facilitate a hybrid reaction cell as artificial leaf mimics by associating photocatalysis and electrocatalysis processes. The expected outcome of this project is of great importance for solar fuel generation and carbon dioxide utilisation, which are the key energy and environmental challenges facing Australia and the world today. This will provide benefits such as an innovative system of solar energy transformation that will lead to the production of fuels and key chemicals in an efficient, selective and sustainable form, ultimately bringing environmental benefits through much smaller greenhouse gas emissions.Read moreRead less