Derivation of Emissions Models from Vehicle Certification Tests. This research project will aim to prove the concept that emissions models capable of modelling changes in driver behaviour can be obtained from data that has been used as part of the vehicles emission certification process. Second by second emissions data from certification tests will be disaggregated into their component phases of acceleration, cruise, deceleration and idle. The emissions characteristics of these phases will be es ....Derivation of Emissions Models from Vehicle Certification Tests. This research project will aim to prove the concept that emissions models capable of modelling changes in driver behaviour can be obtained from data that has been used as part of the vehicles emission certification process. Second by second emissions data from certification tests will be disaggregated into their component phases of acceleration, cruise, deceleration and idle. The emissions characteristics of these phases will be established and analysed to produce empirical models of emissions per unit time versus mode of operation. These models will then be able to describe the changes in emission characteristics under different vehicle operating modes modes for a range of vehicle types.Read moreRead less
Quantification of Traffic Generated Nano and Ultrafine Particle Dynamics and Toxicity in Transit Hubs and Transport Corridors. The socio-economic benefits to Australia will include (i) new knowledge for the multiparameter assessment of nano and ultrafine particles, pollutants in the centre of current scientific, medical and policy debates (ii) a breakthrough in the scientific understanding of traffic generated particles in the urban atmosphere (iii) determining the toxicological impact of these ....Quantification of Traffic Generated Nano and Ultrafine Particle Dynamics and Toxicity in Transit Hubs and Transport Corridors. The socio-economic benefits to Australia will include (i) new knowledge for the multiparameter assessment of nano and ultrafine particles, pollutants in the centre of current scientific, medical and policy debates (ii) a breakthrough in the scientific understanding of traffic generated particles in the urban atmosphere (iii) determining the toxicological impact of these particles on biological systems. The ultimate economic benefit will be improved urban design to lower human exposure to ultrafine particles, thus reducing health care cost and productivity losses. The research will also place Australia at the forefront of international progress towards better methods for achieving environmental sustainability.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR180100021
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$900,000.00
Summary
PFAS source zone remediation by foam fractionation and in situ fluidisation. This project aims to develop two methods for the in situ remediation of per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, downhole foam fractionation for in situ groundwater treatment, and in situ fluidisation for soil treatment, both separately and in combination. Using these methods, PFASs will be removed in the form of a foam, which will be extracted as a liquid concentrate. These techniques could enable PFAS ....PFAS source zone remediation by foam fractionation and in situ fluidisation. This project aims to develop two methods for the in situ remediation of per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, downhole foam fractionation for in situ groundwater treatment, and in situ fluidisation for soil treatment, both separately and in combination. Using these methods, PFASs will be removed in the form of a foam, which will be extracted as a liquid concentrate. These techniques could enable PFAS removal efficiencies of greater than 90%, providing entirely new methods for the aggressive removal of PFAS from contaminated source zones. This project will enable the rapid removal of the bulk of the PFAS present in soils and groundwater and reduce the potential for further spreading.Read moreRead less
Resilience of lake ecosystems to water-level manipulation. Which lakes recover from fluctuations in water level and which do not? Manipulations of water levels in lakes will need to intensify as droughts become more frequent. This project will develop robust ways of forecasting how lakes will respond to changes in manipulations of water levels, to minimise extinctions and maintain aesthetics and water quality.
Polytitanium coagulant for water purification: a systematic investigation to identify mechanisms and benefits over today's technologies. This project will develop a more efficient, environmentally-friendly process for water treatment, using an approach involving titanium that has been attracting interest in recent years, but which is not yet well understood. An Australian-Chinese collaboration will build on existing Australian intellectual property in this project.
Developing an innovative high performance thin-film composite membrane using functionalized nanofibrous support layers for engineered osmosis. Engineered osmosis (EO) is based on the principles of natural osmosis and is an emerging technology for low energy desalination and power generation by pressure-retarded osmosis. However, the process is limited by the challenge of the internal concentration polarisation (ICP) effects experienced when currently available membranes are used. Therefore, the ....Developing an innovative high performance thin-film composite membrane using functionalized nanofibrous support layers for engineered osmosis. Engineered osmosis (EO) is based on the principles of natural osmosis and is an emerging technology for low energy desalination and power generation by pressure-retarded osmosis. However, the process is limited by the challenge of the internal concentration polarisation (ICP) effects experienced when currently available membranes are used. Therefore, the aims of this project are to enhance our understanding of the ICP phenomenon in EO process and to evaluate strategies to mitigate the influence of ICP effects on the performance of the EO process by incorporating innovative functionalised nanofibrous support layers for thin-film composite EO membrane. A significant increase of water flux and mechanical strength is anticipated.Read moreRead less
Optimising seasonal decisions for environmental water use. This project will develop a tool to optimise the use of environmental water, drawing on seasonal forecasts of streamflow and water price, and predicted ecological responses to changing flows. This tool will strengthen the effectiveness of the government organisations responsible for managing Australia's environmental water reserves.
Adaptation of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) to Climate Change, Changing Transport Patterns and Urban Form. This research will (a) provide guidance on future adaptations of stormwater quality infrastructure, (b) provide better scientific understanding of pollutant movements in urban systems and (c) provide methodology to 'future proof' infrastructure design against the pressures of climate change and urban population growth. Project outputs will (a) enable water-sensitive urban designs to b ....Adaptation of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) to Climate Change, Changing Transport Patterns and Urban Form. This research will (a) provide guidance on future adaptations of stormwater quality infrastructure, (b) provide better scientific understanding of pollutant movements in urban systems and (c) provide methodology to 'future proof' infrastructure design against the pressures of climate change and urban population growth. Project outputs will (a) enable water-sensitive urban designs to be applied reliably and (b) minimise the cost of re-building assets before the end of their design life due to climate change. The ultimate benefit is the reduction in water pollution from roadways leading to improved human and ecosystem well-being of urban communities.Read moreRead less
Optimising CDI Water Treatment for Ion Removal and Energy Recovery. This project aims to develop capacitive deionisation (CDI) for the decontamination of water. The specific goals are firstly to identify applications where CDI could cost-effectively make brackish, contaminated water usable. The project then intends to optimise CDI design and operating conditions to remove particular ions of concern and to develop approaches to energy recovery. The main outcome is intended to be a photovoltaic-po ....Optimising CDI Water Treatment for Ion Removal and Energy Recovery. This project aims to develop capacitive deionisation (CDI) for the decontamination of water. The specific goals are firstly to identify applications where CDI could cost-effectively make brackish, contaminated water usable. The project then intends to optimise CDI design and operating conditions to remove particular ions of concern and to develop approaches to energy recovery. The main outcome is intended to be a photovoltaic-powered CDI unit that is capable of stand-alone operation with optimal energy recovery and inbuilt monitoring, and control technology enabling cost-effective and sustainable operation.Read moreRead less
Energy efficient membrane-based hybrid system for sustainable desalination. Seawater desalination plants have been built in Australia in response to increasing pressure on water supplies. The sustainability of these plants is challenged by their significantly high energy cost and concentrated brine output. By exploiting the high residual hydraulic energy contained in the concentrated brine and using it in a membrane-based hybrid system with renewable osmotic energy, this project aims to provide ....Energy efficient membrane-based hybrid system for sustainable desalination. Seawater desalination plants have been built in Australia in response to increasing pressure on water supplies. The sustainability of these plants is challenged by their significantly high energy cost and concentrated brine output. By exploiting the high residual hydraulic energy contained in the concentrated brine and using it in a membrane-based hybrid system with renewable osmotic energy, this project aims to provide solutions for overcoming these challenges. Renewable osmotic energy will be generated from the salinity differences between concentrate and fresh seawater (or other water sources) by pressure retarded osmosis. This will be enabled by the development of highly efficient composite membranes using an electrospinning technique. Read moreRead less