Functional topological materials for superior thermoelectric applications. The efficient generation of electricity from waste heat remains a significant technological challenge, hampered by the absence of efficient materials for conversion. This project aims to develop functionalized topological materials with ultra-high thermoelectric and photothermal performance for harvesting heat into electricity. A recent breakthrough in device efficiency will be a game-changer and position Australian acade ....Functional topological materials for superior thermoelectric applications. The efficient generation of electricity from waste heat remains a significant technological challenge, hampered by the absence of efficient materials for conversion. This project aims to develop functionalized topological materials with ultra-high thermoelectric and photothermal performance for harvesting heat into electricity. A recent breakthrough in device efficiency will be a game-changer and position Australian academics and industries at the forefront of next generation of renewable power generation and refrigeration products. The outcomes will provide an advantage to end-users and industry, and will open a new market for advanced thermoelectric devices in multidisciplinary fields, communities and emerging industries.Read moreRead less
Potassium ion batteries for large scale renewable energy storage. The project aims to develop potassium ion batteries for renewable energy storage and conversion. Potassium ion batteries could be the most promising choice for large-scale electrical energy storage, particularly for renewable energy sources and smart electrical grids, due to their low cost, natural abundance and the advantages of potassium compared to lithium/sodium ion batteries. This study will research the electrochemical react ....Potassium ion batteries for large scale renewable energy storage. The project aims to develop potassium ion batteries for renewable energy storage and conversion. Potassium ion batteries could be the most promising choice for large-scale electrical energy storage, particularly for renewable energy sources and smart electrical grids, due to their low cost, natural abundance and the advantages of potassium compared to lithium/sodium ion batteries. This study will research the electrochemical reactions and charge transfer pathway of electrode materials with excellent potassium ion storage performance. This project is expected to develop high performance potassium ion batteries and advance the prominence of Australia in the global renewable energy market.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
Solid-state lithium batteries using phase-stabilised electrolytes. This project aims to develop advanced lithium batteries using multifunctional phase-stabilised solid-state electrolytes. Solid-state lithium batteries are the ultimate end goal of the battery industry, owing to their unique features including no fire hazard, high energy and power densities, and long service lifespan. By combining nanofabrication and novel electrolyte materials, the project expects to boost the performances of sol ....Solid-state lithium batteries using phase-stabilised electrolytes. This project aims to develop advanced lithium batteries using multifunctional phase-stabilised solid-state electrolytes. Solid-state lithium batteries are the ultimate end goal of the battery industry, owing to their unique features including no fire hazard, high energy and power densities, and long service lifespan. By combining nanofabrication and novel electrolyte materials, the project expects to boost the performances of solid-state lithium batteries, establishing them as an advanced energy technology to meet future energy storage and conversion needs. The newly developed battery technology will be widely used for portable electronics, electric vehicles and smart electricity grids that integrate renewable energy sources.Read moreRead less
Exploration of Advanced Nanostructures for Sodium-ion Battery Application. The aim of this project is to develop advanced nanostructured electrode materials for high energy, long service life sodium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries are the most promising choice for large-scale electrical energy storage, in particular for renewable energy sources and smart electric grids, owing to their low cost and natural abundance of sodium. The success of this project will advance fundamental understanding ....Exploration of Advanced Nanostructures for Sodium-ion Battery Application. The aim of this project is to develop advanced nanostructured electrode materials for high energy, long service life sodium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries are the most promising choice for large-scale electrical energy storage, in particular for renewable energy sources and smart electric grids, owing to their low cost and natural abundance of sodium. The success of this project will advance fundamental understanding of sodium-ion batteries, and provide techniques for the development of a promising low-cost system for renewable energy storage, which is urgently needed in smart electricity grids. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170101009
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,208.00
Summary
Materials architecture design for low-cost energy storage application. This project aims to develop anode materials for high energy, long service life sodium-ion batteries. The natural abundance of sodium makes sodium-ion batteries the most promising low cost system for large-scale electrical energy storage. However, they are limited by the low rate of diffusion through their anodes. This project will investigate the electrochemical sodiation/desodiation anisotropy on different crystalline facet ....Materials architecture design for low-cost energy storage application. This project aims to develop anode materials for high energy, long service life sodium-ion batteries. The natural abundance of sodium makes sodium-ion batteries the most promising low cost system for large-scale electrical energy storage. However, they are limited by the low rate of diffusion through their anodes. This project will investigate the electrochemical sodiation/desodiation anisotropy on different crystalline facets of anode materials to identify more rapid diffusion pathways and develop a better, high-rate. Success is expected to improve battery performance and enable energy distributors to lower the cost of renewable electrical energy, encouraging its adoption.Read moreRead less
Batteries of the future-a new strategy for CO2 fixation and energy storage. This project aims to develop metal-carbon dioxide batteries with high specific energy densities for carbon dioxide capture as well as energy conversion and storage. Metal-carbon dioxide batteries are promising not only for conversion of waste carbon dioxide to value-added chemicals, but also for storage of electricity from renewable power and balancing of the carbon cycle. By combining experimental work and theoretical m ....Batteries of the future-a new strategy for CO2 fixation and energy storage. This project aims to develop metal-carbon dioxide batteries with high specific energy densities for carbon dioxide capture as well as energy conversion and storage. Metal-carbon dioxide batteries are promising not only for conversion of waste carbon dioxide to value-added chemicals, but also for storage of electricity from renewable power and balancing of the carbon cycle. By combining experimental work and theoretical modelling, this study will explore novel electrode materials via catalyst design and understanding of the underlying reaction mechanisms. The outcomes will revolutionize battery technology and position Australia as a global leader in the critical transition to a decarbonized economy.Read moreRead less
Interface/Boundary Engineering Towards Better Solid-State Lithium Batteries. This project aims to develop high-performance solid-state lithium batteries by engineering the design of grain boundaries within the oxide electrolyte and interfaces between the electrolyte and both anode and cathode. This project expects to propose a novel cation exsolution strategy for comprehensively engineering the interfaces and boundaries. This project should provide significant benefits on energy safety and susta ....Interface/Boundary Engineering Towards Better Solid-State Lithium Batteries. This project aims to develop high-performance solid-state lithium batteries by engineering the design of grain boundaries within the oxide electrolyte and interfaces between the electrolyte and both anode and cathode. This project expects to propose a novel cation exsolution strategy for comprehensively engineering the interfaces and boundaries. This project should provide significant benefits on energy safety and sustainable development of Australia. The successful completion of this project can lead to the development of battery technologies that may lift Australia to a better position in the international market and may also help boost the prosperity of Australia’s world-leading lithium mining industry.Read moreRead less
In pursuit of high performance lithium-oxygen batteries. This project aims to achieve high-energy lithium-oxygen batteries for electric vehicles. Electrification of road transport will minimise consumption of fossil fuels, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and increase energy security. Lithium-oxygen batteries have the highest energy density among all rechargeable battery systems, which is more than 10 times the density of current lithium-ion batteries. Through exploration of new catalysts, redox ....In pursuit of high performance lithium-oxygen batteries. This project aims to achieve high-energy lithium-oxygen batteries for electric vehicles. Electrification of road transport will minimise consumption of fossil fuels, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and increase energy security. Lithium-oxygen batteries have the highest energy density among all rechargeable battery systems, which is more than 10 times the density of current lithium-ion batteries. Through exploration of new catalysts, redox mediators, and porous material architectures, this project intends to significantly improve the performance of lithium-oxygen batteries, including specific capacity, cycle life and round-trip efficiency.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100017
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
An integrated system for measuring thermoelectric properties of advanced materials. This facility will establish an integrated measuring system which will form the key step in developing thermoelectric materials. The instruments will support groundbreaking research in developing advanced materials with significant economic and environmental benefits for many industries, such as materials manufacturing and improving automobile energy efficiency.