Mechanisms of sound absorption at the nanoscale. Understanding the interaction of sound with nanoscale structures will guide the creation of novel carbon nanotube materials, optimised for sound absorption, which have potential application anywhere that noise exists and needs to be attenuated. Fuel savings from reduced drag and weight in applications such as jet aircraft engines are also expected.
Lithium-air battery: a green energy source for the sustainable future. Electrification of vehicles and the implementation of smart electric grids can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and realise sustainable development. Lithium-air batteries have the highest energy density among all battery systems and are therefore a promising power source for electric vehicles and stationary energy storage.
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
Ultra-fast alchemy: a new strategy to synthesise super-dense nanomaterials. We have recently created a new super-dense aluminium phase by ultrafast laser microexplosion. This project will search further for new super-dense material phases with drastically different and exotic properties, such as those inside planets and stars, and which have great potential as new nanomaterials for industrial applications.
Fluid Transport in Materials of Nanoscale Dimensions. This project aims to transform the modelling of fluid transport in materials of nanoscale dimension by determining the coupled interfacial heat and mass-transfer barriers, which critically influence the transport. The outcome will not only be new knowledge on the effects of inherent structural distortion and of the barriers on the fluid flow, but also cutting-edge techniques to estimate system size-dependent transport coefficients in nanoscal ....Fluid Transport in Materials of Nanoscale Dimensions. This project aims to transform the modelling of fluid transport in materials of nanoscale dimension by determining the coupled interfacial heat and mass-transfer barriers, which critically influence the transport. The outcome will not only be new knowledge on the effects of inherent structural distortion and of the barriers on the fluid flow, but also cutting-edge techniques to estimate system size-dependent transport coefficients in nanoscale systems. These will be achieved through a combination of targeted molecular dynamics simulations and experiment, and will have far-reaching implications for nanotechnology and emerging processes in catalysis, gas separation, human health and nanofluidics, and enable design of more efficient systems.Read moreRead less
Gas-enriched slippery surfaces. This project will exploit novel experimental and simulations approaches to investigate gas enrichment at liquid-liquid interfaces, and its effect on interfacial slip. The outcomes of the project will be a deeper understanding of oil-water interfaces capturing the presence of interfacial gas layers, slippery surfaces with superior drag reducing and fouling reducing properties, and control over nanobubble formation under flow. The new surfaces will have potential ap ....Gas-enriched slippery surfaces. This project will exploit novel experimental and simulations approaches to investigate gas enrichment at liquid-liquid interfaces, and its effect on interfacial slip. The outcomes of the project will be a deeper understanding of oil-water interfaces capturing the presence of interfacial gas layers, slippery surfaces with superior drag reducing and fouling reducing properties, and control over nanobubble formation under flow. The new surfaces will have potential application in improving the energy efficiency of microfluidic and multiphase flow. Benefits are expected in terms of reduced emissions, fuel cost and pollution related to transport of goods by sea, and extraction of oil from rocks.Read moreRead less
Biomimetic surface coatings for drag and fouling reduction. This project aims to provide new insights into liquid flow and adsorption at liquid/solid and liquid/liquid interfaces, by using a combination of theoretical predictions, nanoscale techniques and nanofabrication approaches. Expected outcomes are the development of liquid-repellent slippery surface coatings that reduce hydrodynamic drag and inhibit marine fouling. This will benefit the fields of advanced manufacturing and smart coatings, ....Biomimetic surface coatings for drag and fouling reduction. This project aims to provide new insights into liquid flow and adsorption at liquid/solid and liquid/liquid interfaces, by using a combination of theoretical predictions, nanoscale techniques and nanofabrication approaches. Expected outcomes are the development of liquid-repellent slippery surface coatings that reduce hydrodynamic drag and inhibit marine fouling. This will benefit the fields of advanced manufacturing and smart coatings, and will underpin a wide range of energy efficient processes and products. Slippery coatings will solve urgent environmental problems of social value by improving the energy and chemical efficiency in fluid flow, heat transfer, secondary oil recovery, microfluidics, and anti-fouling.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101044
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,318.00
Summary
Bio-inspired nanomaterials with tunable drug loading and controlled release. This project aims to develop new platform technologies for making bio-inspired nanomaterials with tunable drug loading and controlled release. This project will revolutionise current approaches to make lipid nanoparticles camouflaged with natural cell membranes for delivery of both insoluble and soluble drugs. Significant outcomes will include a novel commercially relevant salt-induced nanoprecipitation platform technol ....Bio-inspired nanomaterials with tunable drug loading and controlled release. This project aims to develop new platform technologies for making bio-inspired nanomaterials with tunable drug loading and controlled release. This project will revolutionise current approaches to make lipid nanoparticles camouflaged with natural cell membranes for delivery of both insoluble and soluble drugs. Significant outcomes will include a novel commercially relevant salt-induced nanoprecipitation platform technology for making precisely engineered nanomaterials with tailored functions for applications in controlled release and targeted delivery. Benefits include securing a sustainable future for Australia, with new nanotechnology strategies for advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL190100139
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,185,850.00
Summary
New Artificial Leaf for Efficient Solar Fuel Production . The Fellowship aims to develop next-generation materials that harness solar energy to produce valuable fuels and chemicals from water and carbon dioxide, replacing fossil fuels. The program will design new semiconductor materials to revolutionise solar-to-fuel technologies that currently have very low efficiency. The expected outcomes include innovative systems such as wireless artificial leaves that mimic natural photosynthesis for effic ....New Artificial Leaf for Efficient Solar Fuel Production . The Fellowship aims to develop next-generation materials that harness solar energy to produce valuable fuels and chemicals from water and carbon dioxide, replacing fossil fuels. The program will design new semiconductor materials to revolutionise solar-to-fuel technologies that currently have very low efficiency. The expected outcomes include innovative systems such as wireless artificial leaves that mimic natural photosynthesis for efficient hydrocarbon production, carbon dioxide reduction, and water purification. The expected benefits include next-generation solar fuel and chemical generation technologies, and research capabilities to position Australia as a global leader in the transition to a decarbonised economy.Read moreRead less
Precision-engineered hybrid core-shell materials . This project aims to develop new platform technologies for making nanostructured hybrid core-shell materials with exceptionally high drug loading and programmed release. Building on this research team's recent breakthrough in the precision engineering of core-shell materials, this research will revolutionise current approaches for making drug-loaded polymer and inorganic particles. Significant outcomes will include a novel sequential nanoprecipi ....Precision-engineered hybrid core-shell materials . This project aims to develop new platform technologies for making nanostructured hybrid core-shell materials with exceptionally high drug loading and programmed release. Building on this research team's recent breakthrough in the precision engineering of core-shell materials, this research will revolutionise current approaches for making drug-loaded polymer and inorganic particles. Significant outcomes will include a novel sequential nanoprecipitation platform technology for making drug-core polymer-shell nanoparticles, and a new bio-inspired approach for making hybrid drug-core silica-shell nanocomposites, and new materials for applications in programmed release and delivery systems.Read moreRead less