Biomimetic ligands for catalytic iron-mediated degradation of contaminants. This project aims to develop and apply ligands attached to solid supports that bind iron and which, on activation, form high valence state iron species capable of catalytically oxidising contaminants present in waters and wastewaters. Of particular interest in this work are ligands that are simple analogues of biological molecules and which are stable in the presence of the high valent iron species formed following activ ....Biomimetic ligands for catalytic iron-mediated degradation of contaminants. This project aims to develop and apply ligands attached to solid supports that bind iron and which, on activation, form high valence state iron species capable of catalytically oxidising contaminants present in waters and wastewaters. Of particular interest in this work are ligands that are simple analogues of biological molecules and which are stable in the presence of the high valent iron species formed following activation. The end result of this project is a water treatment process suited to the effective removal of trace contaminants such as hormones, pharmaceuticals and pesticides from wastewaters such that the treated waters are suitable for discharge to pristine environments or to reuse for potable purposes.Read moreRead less
Electrode-Supported Ionogels for Reversible Energy Storage. The project aims to generate an understanding of electrode-supported ionic liquid gel films to form the basis for the rational design and development of new energy storage technology. For the world to truly move into a new age of low carbon power, it needs transformational battery technology. The creation of novel ionic liquid systems to capture redox-active species would allow for revolutionary designs with the potential to eliminate m ....Electrode-Supported Ionogels for Reversible Energy Storage. The project aims to generate an understanding of electrode-supported ionic liquid gel films to form the basis for the rational design and development of new energy storage technology. For the world to truly move into a new age of low carbon power, it needs transformational battery technology. The creation of novel ionic liquid systems to capture redox-active species would allow for revolutionary designs with the potential to eliminate membranes, with major advantages for charging/discharging speed and deep cyclability. This would directly translate to storage systems that combine high power with high energy density.Read moreRead less
Renewable solar hydrogen generated from waste streams. Sunlight is the largest available carbon-neutral energy source, with enough energy striking the planet in one hour to satisfy our current requirements for about a year. With the novel catalysts designed in this project, we will use this energy to simultaneously generate hydrogen and destroy organic pollutants by oxidation.
Adding hydride punch to transition metal complexes for CO2 electroreduction. This project plans to apply an innovative methodology to the selective conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) waste into useful C1 chemicals. The new inorganic chemistry approach is based on the invention of transition metal–organic hydride coordination complexes, which are designed to punch hydride ion (= a proton and two electrons) into metal-activated CO2-derived intermediates. The approach should naturally overcome the ....Adding hydride punch to transition metal complexes for CO2 electroreduction. This project plans to apply an innovative methodology to the selective conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) waste into useful C1 chemicals. The new inorganic chemistry approach is based on the invention of transition metal–organic hydride coordination complexes, which are designed to punch hydride ion (= a proton and two electrons) into metal-activated CO2-derived intermediates. The approach should naturally overcome the two-electron barrier found for today's best transition metal electrocatalysts of CO2 reduction and, hence, enable the selective production of formaldehyde, a four-electron reduction product and bulk industrial feedstock chemical, or methanol, a six-electron reduction product and future transport fuel.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100513
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$374,000.00
Summary
Advancing flow chemistry: towards total flow synthesis. Of all mankind's endeavors, the development and mass production of pharmaceuticals is arguably the most resource hungry and wasteful. This project aims to advance a branch of chemistry known as flow chemistry. This emerging technology has the potential to revolutionise pharmaceutical production by improving quality and reducing chemical waste.
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH170100020
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,641,142.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Processing Lignocellulosics into High Value Products. The ARC Research Hub for Processing Lignocellulosics into High Value Products aims to convert renewable and readily-available biomass material and waste streams from the Australian Pulp, Paper and Forest Industry into new, high-value products that are in high demand in existing and developing markets. The Research Hub will translate leading scientific discoveries in biomass conversion into the manufacture of advanced mate ....ARC Research Hub for Processing Lignocellulosics into High Value Products. The ARC Research Hub for Processing Lignocellulosics into High Value Products aims to convert renewable and readily-available biomass material and waste streams from the Australian Pulp, Paper and Forest Industry into new, high-value products that are in high demand in existing and developing markets. The Research Hub will translate leading scientific discoveries in biomass conversion into the manufacture of advanced materials that can be used in the industries of the future. Research aims to identify new applications and products. They will be derived from lignocellulose through the advent of new smart paper packaging, green chemical and materials with unique properties. Benefits will flow to the pharmaceutical, chemicals, plastics and food packaging industries.Read moreRead less
Selective photocatalytic lignin biomass conversion. If the prospective ‘hydrogen economy’ is to use hydrogen as a fuel and energy carrier to replace fossil sources, vast amounts of renewable cheap hydrogen must be available. A likely candidate is catalytic water splitting by sunlight. The hydrogen can be made affordable, by coupling hydrogen production to a higher value-added stream. The aim of this project is to produce a stable, hybrid heterogenous catalyst system able to oxidise organic subst ....Selective photocatalytic lignin biomass conversion. If the prospective ‘hydrogen economy’ is to use hydrogen as a fuel and energy carrier to replace fossil sources, vast amounts of renewable cheap hydrogen must be available. A likely candidate is catalytic water splitting by sunlight. The hydrogen can be made affordable, by coupling hydrogen production to a higher value-added stream. The aim of this project is to produce a stable, hybrid heterogenous catalyst system able to oxidise organic substrates derived from lignin biomass as an adjunct to visible light hydrogen generation from water. The significance will be to provide fuels and organic chemicals for industry from biomass, water and sunlight and catalytically remediate waste water with sunlight.Read moreRead less
Redox-gel integrated electrode for ThermoCells. This project aims to synthesise flexible redox gel-electrolyte interpenetrated electrodes for an eco-friendly prototype wearable thermo-electrochemical cell that can power body-worn low-power wearable electronics. Wearable devices in the future are expected to include products related to personal wellness and healthcare and medical technology. These devices require a sustainable power source (without having to change a battery) for real time monito ....Redox-gel integrated electrode for ThermoCells. This project aims to synthesise flexible redox gel-electrolyte interpenetrated electrodes for an eco-friendly prototype wearable thermo-electrochemical cell that can power body-worn low-power wearable electronics. Wearable devices in the future are expected to include products related to personal wellness and healthcare and medical technology. These devices require a sustainable power source (without having to change a battery) for real time monitoring/communication. Turning body-heat into electricity by wearable thermo-electrochemical cells may provide a solution. The project could also contribute to the mitigation of greenhouse emissions.Read moreRead less
Greening the production of peptides and proteins . This project aims to develop a green and sustainable synthetic platform for the production of peptide and protein molecules. The synthetic methodology that will be developed has the potential to solve a major technological gap in the field by providing an efficient and cost-effective method for manufacturing peptides and proteins with a substantial reduction in reagent and solvent waste over currently employed methods. Expected outcomes include ....Greening the production of peptides and proteins . This project aims to develop a green and sustainable synthetic platform for the production of peptide and protein molecules. The synthetic methodology that will be developed has the potential to solve a major technological gap in the field by providing an efficient and cost-effective method for manufacturing peptides and proteins with a substantial reduction in reagent and solvent waste over currently employed methods. Expected outcomes include the delivery of a breakthrough green technology for accessing high value peptide and protein targets in academia and industry, and the training of industry-ready early career researchers, both of which will benefit Australia’s growing biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors.Read moreRead less