Growing a multi-scale internal structure: new wrought metals for energy conservation. This research aims to reduce the weight of wrought metal parts so that transport and machinery will use less energy. It will establish how to grow novel multi-scale internal structures and will thereby pioneer a new class of metals that display superior properties.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170101426
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Electrode materials for sodium storage. This project aims to develop phosphide-based electrode materials for high-performance sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) with high reversible capacity, superior rate capability and long cycle life. SIBs have great advantages in terms of low cost and infinite sodium resources, but the large size of the sodium-ion creates kinetic problems and a significant volume change for electrode materials. This project aims to design and synthesise phosphide-carbon hybrids wit ....Electrode materials for sodium storage. This project aims to develop phosphide-based electrode materials for high-performance sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) with high reversible capacity, superior rate capability and long cycle life. SIBs have great advantages in terms of low cost and infinite sodium resources, but the large size of the sodium-ion creates kinetic problems and a significant volume change for electrode materials. This project aims to design and synthesise phosphide-carbon hybrids with multi-scale, multi-dimension and hierarchical architectures as electrodes to overcome these problems. Expected outcomes include understanding the sodium-storage mechanisms, the size effect, and the architecture role for phosphide-based electrodes.Read moreRead less
Functional carbon composites to power a sustainable future. This project aims to address the limitation of current energy storage technologies though the development of functional carbon-based materials for the next generation of energy storage systems with high capacity, high energy/power density, excellent retention and low cost. The progress of energy storage technology plays a critical role in the development of portable devices in daily life. This project will synthesise a series of carbon- ....Functional carbon composites to power a sustainable future. This project aims to address the limitation of current energy storage technologies though the development of functional carbon-based materials for the next generation of energy storage systems with high capacity, high energy/power density, excellent retention and low cost. The progress of energy storage technology plays a critical role in the development of portable devices in daily life. This project will synthesise a series of carbon-based composites via an electrospinning method, and their properties will be assessed and characterised as electrode materials for high performance energy storage devices.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101596
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
Development of high performance silicon-based thermoelectrics through band engineering. Thermoelectric (TE) materials, converting waste heat into electricity, have been considered as a sustainable solution to the current energy dilemma. This project aims to realise high-efficiency silicon-based thermoelectrics through rational design of their band structure and nanostructure. This will advance the knowledge of maximising the TE performance in silicon-based thermoelectrics and develop new strateg ....Development of high performance silicon-based thermoelectrics through band engineering. Thermoelectric (TE) materials, converting waste heat into electricity, have been considered as a sustainable solution to the current energy dilemma. This project aims to realise high-efficiency silicon-based thermoelectrics through rational design of their band structure and nanostructure. This will advance the knowledge of maximising the TE performance in silicon-based thermoelectrics and develop new strategies for improving existing TE materials in general. The resulting high performance silicon-based thermoelectrics will greatly promote TE power generation in a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly way, due to their abundance and nontoxicity, benefiting Australia's emerging energy industry, environment and economy.Read moreRead less
Room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries for large-scale energy storage. This project aims to develop room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries for renewable energy storage. Sodium-sulfur batteries are ideal for large-scale energy storage, owing to high energy density and low cost. However, there are significant challenges in attaining practical sodium-sulfur batteries with high capacity and safety. By developing novel high capacity sulphur cathodes, dendrite-free sodium metal anodes and quasi-so ....Room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries for large-scale energy storage. This project aims to develop room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries for renewable energy storage. Sodium-sulfur batteries are ideal for large-scale energy storage, owing to high energy density and low cost. However, there are significant challenges in attaining practical sodium-sulfur batteries with high capacity and safety. By developing novel high capacity sulphur cathodes, dendrite-free sodium metal anodes and quasi-solid-state gel polymer electrolytes, this project expects to achieve high-performance sodium-sulfur batteries with high capacity, long cycle life and enhanced safety. Expected benefits will arise from deployment of sodium-sulfur batteries and advances in energy storage technologies that are efficient and cost-effective.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101093
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$441,000.00
Summary
Non-flammable quasi-solid electrolytes for lithium batteries. This project aims to develop non-flammable and sustainable quasi-solid electrolytes for lithium batteries with high energy density, excellent safety and long cycling life. The deployment of high-energy lithium batteries has been greatly impeded by the poor electrode|electrolyte compatibility, and safety concerns originating from flammable liquid electrolytes. This research will tackle these challenges by in-situ fabricating non-flamma ....Non-flammable quasi-solid electrolytes for lithium batteries. This project aims to develop non-flammable and sustainable quasi-solid electrolytes for lithium batteries with high energy density, excellent safety and long cycling life. The deployment of high-energy lithium batteries has been greatly impeded by the poor electrode|electrolyte compatibility, and safety concerns originating from flammable liquid electrolytes. This research will tackle these challenges by in-situ fabricating non-flammable quasi-solid electrolytes, and stabilising the electrode|electrolyte interfaces. The project is expected to facilitate the commercialisation of high-performance quasi-solid lithium batteries, and leap forward the progress of clean energy storage technologies that are efficient, durable, safe and reliable.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100051
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
Fabrication and characterisation facilities for lithium rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors. The facility, unlike any currently existing in Australia, will help researchers studying electrodes and cells at a high level. It will provide a new path to high-level research performance and will significantly enhance Australia’s research capability to bring new materials/technologies under development closer to application.
High performance cathode materials for rechargeable lithium ion batteries. This project aims to address the limitation of current battery technology though the development of innovative high energy/power cathode materials for next generation rechargeable lithium ion batteries with high capacity, high power density and outstanding retention. This improvement will dramatically reduce the costs necessary for the market competitiveness of electric vehicles (EVs). By promoting greater EV uptake, this ....High performance cathode materials for rechargeable lithium ion batteries. This project aims to address the limitation of current battery technology though the development of innovative high energy/power cathode materials for next generation rechargeable lithium ion batteries with high capacity, high power density and outstanding retention. This improvement will dramatically reduce the costs necessary for the market competitiveness of electric vehicles (EVs). By promoting greater EV uptake, this project will contribute to Australia’s emissions targets by helping to decarbonise the transport sector.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured magnetic materials for clean automotive technologies. Greater utilisation of the petrol-electric hybrid technology is an effective and realistic approach to the problem of increasing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation sources. Owing to the requirement of the temperature stability of the magnets used in the electric motors in the current hybrid vehicles, the magnets contain considerable amounts of costly rare-earth elements. This impedes the utilisation of the technology ....Nanostructured magnetic materials for clean automotive technologies. Greater utilisation of the petrol-electric hybrid technology is an effective and realistic approach to the problem of increasing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation sources. Owing to the requirement of the temperature stability of the magnets used in the electric motors in the current hybrid vehicles, the magnets contain considerable amounts of costly rare-earth elements. This impedes the utilisation of the technology and hence alternative cost effective magnets with high temperature stability are needed. In this project we will exploit a range of alloy design strategies in manganese-bismuth/iron nanocomposite magnets, thereby realising a novel permanent magnet, free of costly rare-earth elements.Read moreRead less
Carbon-free Energy Storage and Conversion Using Ammonia as a Mediator. This project aims to develop essential technologies for ammonia-mediated energy storage, hydrogen production, and electricity generation. This project expects to generate new understandings on designing novel multi-atom-cluster catalysts for the critical ammonia synthesis, electrolysis, and oxidation processes using interdisciplinary approaches. The expected outcomes of this project include multi-functional electrocatalysts, ....Carbon-free Energy Storage and Conversion Using Ammonia as a Mediator. This project aims to develop essential technologies for ammonia-mediated energy storage, hydrogen production, and electricity generation. This project expects to generate new understandings on designing novel multi-atom-cluster catalysts for the critical ammonia synthesis, electrolysis, and oxidation processes using interdisciplinary approaches. The expected outcomes of this project include multi-functional electrocatalysts, fundamental insights of principles for electrocatalyst design, and prototype technologies. This should provide significant benefits for the harvest of clean energy, the safe utilization of hydrogen, and the development of carbon-free fuels, which are essential for optimizing the energy structure of Australia.Read moreRead less