Smart materials for atmospheric water management and water harvesting. Fresh water is a scarce resource in many parts of the globe but uncomfortably over-supplied in other regions. Dehumidifying machines, such as air conditioners, are extensively used in humid climates to enhance human comfort, but with great energy costs. Likewise, the production of potable water in remote dry regions is energy intensive. We propose novel hyper-absorbent desiccating polymers combined into sorption-powered engin ....Smart materials for atmospheric water management and water harvesting. Fresh water is a scarce resource in many parts of the globe but uncomfortably over-supplied in other regions. Dehumidifying machines, such as air conditioners, are extensively used in humid climates to enhance human comfort, but with great energy costs. Likewise, the production of potable water in remote dry regions is energy intensive. We propose novel hyper-absorbent desiccating polymers combined into sorption-powered engines inspired by nastic movements in plants to develop extremely efficient dehumidifiers and water harvesting machines. These polymer actuators can help address the auto-acceleration of climate change caused by the increasing use of air conditioners and provide cheap, clean water for remote communities.Read moreRead less
Field survey of residential air conditioning and comfort in Australia. Air conditioning represents one of the fastest growing electricity end-uses in the Australian residential sector. This project will be the first large-scale Australian study into residential thermal comfort and air conditioning and will provide a solid basis for further greenhouse mitigation strategies and policies.
Vacuum insulated energy-efficient windows. Vacuum insulated energy-efficient windows. This project aims to develop large vacuum insulated windows with higher insulation performance than triple glazing, the best currently available, by toughening glass to increase its strength, flatness and safety. Higher performance windows reduce energy wastage in the developed world, and vacuum glazing’s thin profile means they can be retrofitted into buildings immediately, without the delay of replacing build ....Vacuum insulated energy-efficient windows. Vacuum insulated energy-efficient windows. This project aims to develop large vacuum insulated windows with higher insulation performance than triple glazing, the best currently available, by toughening glass to increase its strength, flatness and safety. Higher performance windows reduce energy wastage in the developed world, and vacuum glazing’s thin profile means they can be retrofitted into buildings immediately, without the delay of replacing building stock. The anticipated outcome is a major reduction in energy use for climate control in buildings, a large and rapidly growing energy sector that climate change makes unsustainable; and rapid economic, social and environmental benefits through sustainable climate control in cities.Read moreRead less
Energy transitions: past, present and future. Uncertainty about the costs of transitioning to a low carbon economy in Australia and other countries will be reduced by improving our knowledge of the costs of reducing fossil fuel use and the role of energy in economic growth. Energy economics research capabilities in Australia will be enhanced.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102787
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Building a green economy? The politics of green infrastructure stimulus in the wake of the global financial crisis. A considerable amount of government stimulus spending following the Global Financial Crisis was directed to 'green infrastructure'. This project analyses the successes and failures of several countries' green stimulus packages. Results will inform policy on future public investment in infrastructure that will be needed to address climate change.
Energy Efficiency Innovation, Diffusion and the Rebound Effect. This project aims to help quantify the net energy saved globally from energy efficiency policies and programs. It aims to investigate the speed at which energy efficiency innovations spread to countries across the world from technologically leading countries and to measure empirically the size of the rebound effect that offsets energy efficiency improvements at the economy-wide level. Governments and international organisations are ....Energy Efficiency Innovation, Diffusion and the Rebound Effect. This project aims to help quantify the net energy saved globally from energy efficiency policies and programs. It aims to investigate the speed at which energy efficiency innovations spread to countries across the world from technologically leading countries and to measure empirically the size of the rebound effect that offsets energy efficiency improvements at the economy-wide level. Governments and international organisations are increasingly looking to energy efficiency policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy security, but there is little information on the potential for these policies to actually save energy and, therefore, reduce emissions. Project results may help in the design of cost-effective energy and climate policies.Read moreRead less