High productivity of hybrid plasma electrocatalytic fertiliser production. Non-thermal plasma-driven electrocatalytic production of nitrogen fertilisers. The project aims to develop scalable technology for ambient production of fertilisers using renewable energy, air, water, and captured CO2. This project is anticipated to generate new knowledge in plasma catalysis and electrochemical coupling through designing and fine-tuning catalyst-loaded 3D scaffolds. Expected outcomes of this project inclu ....High productivity of hybrid plasma electrocatalytic fertiliser production. Non-thermal plasma-driven electrocatalytic production of nitrogen fertilisers. The project aims to develop scalable technology for ambient production of fertilisers using renewable energy, air, water, and captured CO2. This project is anticipated to generate new knowledge in plasma catalysis and electrochemical coupling through designing and fine-tuning catalyst-loaded 3D scaffolds. Expected outcomes of this project include increasing the capacity to adopt low-cost and decentralised methods for renewable energy utilisation. This should provide substantial technological capacity that can be applied to other sectors of Australia's developing hydrogen economy and expand the use of renewable energy Power-to-X for zero-emissions energy vectors.Read moreRead less
Ultrafast Photonic Electron Microscopy: Visualising dynamics at the nanoscale. The dynamics of molecular processes are too fast to observe with any microscope so science has instead relied on recording the static before and after states of these changes, inferring what happens in between. This project aims to combine the advantages of ultrafast photonic laser control and electron microscopy to allow the direct visualisation of dynamics at the nanoscale in physical and biological systems. By prov ....Ultrafast Photonic Electron Microscopy: Visualising dynamics at the nanoscale. The dynamics of molecular processes are too fast to observe with any microscope so science has instead relied on recording the static before and after states of these changes, inferring what happens in between. This project aims to combine the advantages of ultrafast photonic laser control and electron microscopy to allow the direct visualisation of dynamics at the nanoscale in physical and biological systems. By providing a view into how order emerges from the thermal chaos of molecular objects this project aims to help to reveal the physical basis for life.Read moreRead less
Advanced materials for space propulsion: satellites and cubesats. Poorly controlled interactions between plasmas and surfaces often mean loss of process efficiency and surface degradation over time. For Hall thrusters, a type of engine used to move satellites in space, this means increased fuel consumption and shorter useful life. Through modelling and experiment, this project will show how intelligent selection of advanced materials and plasma parameters can minimise surface wear, enable in sit ....Advanced materials for space propulsion: satellites and cubesats. Poorly controlled interactions between plasmas and surfaces often mean loss of process efficiency and surface degradation over time. For Hall thrusters, a type of engine used to move satellites in space, this means increased fuel consumption and shorter useful life. Through modelling and experiment, this project will show how intelligent selection of advanced materials and plasma parameters can minimise surface wear, enable in situ material repair to extend device lifetime, and modulate plasma properties to increase thruster efficiency for a given task. These benefits enable reliable propulsion platforms for massive communication and observation satellite networks and deep space exploration.Read moreRead less
Collision physics in lighting, fusion and astrophysical plasmas. The project will apply advanced fundamental science techniques to applications that have a high impact on the environment. These include improving energy efficiency of fluorescent lamps and development of new mercury-free designs and research in support of the international multi-billion dollar fusion energy program.
Wave energy transport, conversion and dissipation in near-Earth space. The near-Earth space environment is characterised by cycles of energy transport, conversion and release through particle acceleration that lead to dazzling aurora and damaged spacecraft and communication systems. This research seeks to identify how this energy is transported through space and the means through which it is converted and released.
Numerical modelling of the solar atmosphere. This project will develop a complete and realistic model of the magnetic solar activity using computer simulations of the interconnected solar interior and atmosphere. The results of this project will provide a deeper insight into the physical processes behind solar activity phenomena and will help in the development of methods of solar activity prediction.
The plasma boundary: a major challenge for fusion science and material technology for ITER and beyond. Plasma-surface interaction drives technological innovation in areas of nanofabrication, space science and magnetic fusion systems. This interdisciplinary research project will foster national and international collaborations, keeping Australia internationally competitive in, and at the forefront of, future technologies for energy and materials.
Nanoscale control of energy and matter for future energy-efficient technologies. Unprecedented control of energy and matter in nanoscale fabrication will be achieved using non-equilibrium self-organised plasma-solid systems. The outcomes will lead to energy-efficient, environment- and human-health-friendly production of nanomaterials for future energy, health, information, food, water, environmental and security technologies.