Designer Nanoparticles Enable mRNA Protein Factories. Intracellular delivery of mRNA facilitates target protein production, which could build protein factories that are essential in biomanufacturing industries. However, the instability of mRNA greatly lowers the protein production performance, limiting the commercial translation potential. This project aims to develop a new generation of nanoparticle delivery system to enhance mRNA stability against intracellular unstable cue, enzymatic digestio ....Designer Nanoparticles Enable mRNA Protein Factories. Intracellular delivery of mRNA facilitates target protein production, which could build protein factories that are essential in biomanufacturing industries. However, the instability of mRNA greatly lowers the protein production performance, limiting the commercial translation potential. This project aims to develop a new generation of nanoparticle delivery system to enhance mRNA stability against intracellular unstable cue, enzymatic digestion and thermal stress. This will be achieved by tailoring the nanochemistry at multi-scales. Expected outcomes include new knowledge in custom-design of functional nanomaterials for mRNA delivery, and new technology that will bring commercial benefits to the partner organisation and the biopharma sector.Read moreRead less
Innovative Stable Free Radical-Substituted Conjugated Electronic Polymers. The project aims to develop an innovative class of stable free radicals side-chain substituted conjugated donor-acceptor electronic polymers with unique polaronic and radical charge transport capabilities. The targeted optoelectronic material class is unique and has not been explored in depth before. The combination of unpaired electrons and delocalized backbone -electrons delivers exciting modes of charge transfer that ....Innovative Stable Free Radical-Substituted Conjugated Electronic Polymers. The project aims to develop an innovative class of stable free radicals side-chain substituted conjugated donor-acceptor electronic polymers with unique polaronic and radical charge transport capabilities. The targeted optoelectronic material class is unique and has not been explored in depth before. The combination of unpaired electrons and delocalized backbone -electrons delivers exciting modes of charge transfer that provide these novel materials with clear potential as electroactive materials with applications in various nanoelectronics devices. Developing a fundamental understanding of charge transport properties and potential device applications will open up a new field of research in advanced optoelectronic technology. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240101231
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$411,837.00
Summary
Quinoid Polymers for Organic Electrochemical Transistors and Bioelectronics. This project aims to develop organic semiconductors (OSCs) with excellent mechanical flexibility and biocompatibility to exploit their potentials in bioelectronics. It connects the electronic world with ionic world of biology to push the biomedical application of OSCs a big step forward. Interdisciplinary knowledge, intellectual properties (IPs), top-notch publications, invited talks, and international collaborations ar ....Quinoid Polymers for Organic Electrochemical Transistors and Bioelectronics. This project aims to develop organic semiconductors (OSCs) with excellent mechanical flexibility and biocompatibility to exploit their potentials in bioelectronics. It connects the electronic world with ionic world of biology to push the biomedical application of OSCs a big step forward. Interdisciplinary knowledge, intellectual properties (IPs), top-notch publications, invited talks, and international collaborations are expected. Additionally, it will earn Australia a commercial lead in the biomedical sector to attract more talents to serve Australia. This project also matches well with several government’s strategic research priorities, attracting industries to realise IPs transfer to bring “great value for money” to feed back Australia.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100810
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$397,072.00
Summary
Solar-powered methanol conversion for on-demand hydrogen production. Methanol is an ideal hydrogen carrier due to its low cost, high hydrogen content, and liquid phase for easy storage and transport but facing problems with hydrogen release. This project aims to achieve cost-effective and emission-free methanol conversion for on-demand hydrogen production. The key concept is the rational design of high-performance single-atom catalytic materials for solar-powered photocatalytic methanol conversi ....Solar-powered methanol conversion for on-demand hydrogen production. Methanol is an ideal hydrogen carrier due to its low cost, high hydrogen content, and liquid phase for easy storage and transport but facing problems with hydrogen release. This project aims to achieve cost-effective and emission-free methanol conversion for on-demand hydrogen production. The key concept is the rational design of high-performance single-atom catalytic materials for solar-powered photocatalytic methanol conversion to hydrogen and value-added chemical formaldehyde with high productivity and selectivity. Expected outcomes include cutting-edge knowledge in the synthesis of functional materials and technology for efficient methanol-to-hydrogen conversion, contributing to the development of the hydrogen economy in Australia.Read moreRead less
Novel Membranes for High-performance Zinc-Iron Redox Flow Batteries. Membrane is a critical component in zinc-iron redox flow battery (ZIRFB) which is considered a promising technology for large-scale energy storage in the future. This project aims to design and construct high performance membranes using low-cost polymers and nanostructured carbon materials through functionalization and innovative membrane structure design. The goal is to develop cost-effective membranes that possess high ion-se ....Novel Membranes for High-performance Zinc-Iron Redox Flow Batteries. Membrane is a critical component in zinc-iron redox flow battery (ZIRFB) which is considered a promising technology for large-scale energy storage in the future. This project aims to design and construct high performance membranes using low-cost polymers and nanostructured carbon materials through functionalization and innovative membrane structure design. The goal is to develop cost-effective membranes that possess high ion-selectivity and ion conductivity as well as stability that are required to fabricate high performance, long cycle lifetime ZIRFB. Successful achievement of the outcomes will enable cost-effective, reliable ZIRFB, placing Australia at the forefront of exploiting flow batteries based clean energy storage technologies. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE240100036
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$754,700.00
Summary
Ultra-fast structure-property characterisation of materials. The design of materials for functional and damage-tolerant applications requires detailed knowledge of their structure and the mechanisms that operate at length scales ranging from interatomic layers to micro, meso and macro scales. This project aims to establish ultra-fast processing capabilities that enable ion-damage free structural modifications and microstructure-mechanical properties characterisation across multiple length scales ....Ultra-fast structure-property characterisation of materials. The design of materials for functional and damage-tolerant applications requires detailed knowledge of their structure and the mechanisms that operate at length scales ranging from interatomic layers to micro, meso and macro scales. This project aims to establish ultra-fast processing capabilities that enable ion-damage free structural modifications and microstructure-mechanical properties characterisation across multiple length scales at unprecedented speed and accuracy. Expected outcomes include the ability to create new knowledge about multi-scale structure, composition and deformation mechanisms for the design of novel materials systems that enable manufacturing benefits throughout transportation, defence and clean energy sectors.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100623
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,037.00
Summary
New electrodes for green electrochemical carbon dioxide capture. This project aims to develop new electrochemical carbon capture technology. By designing and fabricating new functional electrodes and high-performance electrochemical devices based on water and driven by renewable electricity, this project will enhance the ability to capture CO2, the primary greenhouse gas that causes global climate change. Expected outcomes include new multi-dimension electrodes with unique chemistry and state-of ....New electrodes for green electrochemical carbon dioxide capture. This project aims to develop new electrochemical carbon capture technology. By designing and fabricating new functional electrodes and high-performance electrochemical devices based on water and driven by renewable electricity, this project will enhance the ability to capture CO2, the primary greenhouse gas that causes global climate change. Expected outcomes include new multi-dimension electrodes with unique chemistry and state-of-the-art CO2 capture devices plus in-depth knowledge of electrochemical CO2 capture mechanisms for optimised device design and control. Benefits include the development of circular carbon economies with capabilities to effectively capture CO2, supporting Australian industries to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.Read moreRead less
Solar driven methane conversion for green methanol production. This project aims to develop advanced photoelectrode materials for solar driven methane partial oxidation to produce methanol. The key concepts are to develop new semiconductor devices and alloy metal cocatalysts in solving the slow charge and mass transfer challenges in catalytic methane partial oxidation reactions. The expected outcomes include ground-breaking approaches for catalytic materials design, efficient solar fuel producti ....Solar driven methane conversion for green methanol production. This project aims to develop advanced photoelectrode materials for solar driven methane partial oxidation to produce methanol. The key concepts are to develop new semiconductor devices and alloy metal cocatalysts in solving the slow charge and mass transfer challenges in catalytic methane partial oxidation reactions. The expected outcomes include ground-breaking approaches for catalytic materials design, efficient solar fuel production and cutting-edge knowledge on methane activation mechanism. The program is aligned with Australia’s Net-Zero Emission 2050 target, representing an innovative pathway in converting greenhouse gases into valuable chemicals, which will bring environmental and economic benefits to Australia.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100357
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,118.00
Summary
Catalyst design for converting carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals. This project aims to use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas that drives global climate change, into valuable chemicals via catalytic reduction. This project expects to facilitate the selective production of valuable ethylene from carbon dioxide reduction by developing novel cocatalyst materials derived from metal-oxo cluster molecules. Expected outcomes include fundamental understanding of the ....Catalyst design for converting carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals. This project aims to use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas that drives global climate change, into valuable chemicals via catalytic reduction. This project expects to facilitate the selective production of valuable ethylene from carbon dioxide reduction by developing novel cocatalyst materials derived from metal-oxo cluster molecules. Expected outcomes include fundamental understanding of the structure-property relationship in new catalytic systems, and technological breakthroughs in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The success of this project will bring significant environmental and economic benefits, and position Australia at the frontier of global transition to a low-carbon economy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240101170
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$458,237.00
Summary
Design new-generation microscale thermoelectric device. This project aims at realizing ultrahigh thermoelectric power generating performance in the microscale device by developing new theoretical models for thermoelectric power-generation to guide the synergistic thin-film material and device design, and corresponding fabrication. The outcomes are expected to lead to revolutionary development of the thermoelectric technology, significantly extend the application of this emission/vibration/noise/ ....Design new-generation microscale thermoelectric device. This project aims at realizing ultrahigh thermoelectric power generating performance in the microscale device by developing new theoretical models for thermoelectric power-generation to guide the synergistic thin-film material and device design, and corresponding fabrication. The outcomes are expected to lead to revolutionary development of the thermoelectric technology, significantly extend the application of this emission/vibration/noise/service-free technology and expand the corresponding market, which will benefit the wide Australian community academically, educationally, socially, economically and environmentally.Read moreRead less