Cost-effective metal selenide materials for solid-state devices. Thermoelectric materials, directly converting thermal energy into electrical energy, offer a green and sustainable solution for the global energy dilemma. This project aims to develop cost-effective metal selenide materials for high-efficiency solid-state devices using a novel industry-level approach, coupled with nanostructure and band engineering strategies. The key breakthrough is to design high-performance metal selenide thermo ....Cost-effective metal selenide materials for solid-state devices. Thermoelectric materials, directly converting thermal energy into electrical energy, offer a green and sustainable solution for the global energy dilemma. This project aims to develop cost-effective metal selenide materials for high-efficiency solid-state devices using a novel industry-level approach, coupled with nanostructure and band engineering strategies. The key breakthrough is to design high-performance metal selenide thermoelectric materials with engineered chemistry and unique structures for new generation thermoelectrics. The expected outcomes will lead to an innovative technology for harvesting electricity from waste heat or sunlight, which will place Australia at the forefront of energy and manufacturing technologies.Read moreRead less
A New Photocatalytic System for Solar-to-Chemical Energy Conversion. The expected outcomes of this program are a new class of photocatalyst systems for converting waste products into valuable chemicals using solar energy. Using advanced materials and photocatalysis, the project aims to develop a new class of bi-functional photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems for application in waste brine treatment and valuable chemical generation. The key concept lies in the innovative design of layered semicondu ....A New Photocatalytic System for Solar-to-Chemical Energy Conversion. The expected outcomes of this program are a new class of photocatalyst systems for converting waste products into valuable chemicals using solar energy. Using advanced materials and photocatalysis, the project aims to develop a new class of bi-functional photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems for application in waste brine treatment and valuable chemical generation. The key concept lies in the innovative design of layered semiconductors as efficient and stable photocatalysts and their integration into PEC reaction systems for simultaneous solar hydrogen and valuable chemicals (eg bromine) generation from brine. The project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the photocatalytic water-splitting concept to other waste product splitting.Read moreRead less
Designing new layered materials for efficient solar energy conversion. This project will address the important material need for efficient solar energy conversion and environmental purification. These advanced materials will provide innovative solar utilisation technologies for economical water purification, self-cleaning coatings, and improved process for hydrogen production.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180101253
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$367,646.00
Summary
Perovskite photovoltaic-assisted energy conversion system using wastewater. This project aims to explore the potential of a solar-driven electrochemical system to simultaneously generate hydrogen and electricity by utilising wastewater as a fuel. The key concept of this system is integrating high efficiency perovskite solar cells as a high voltage supplier, with the electrochemical system to accelerate solar-to-hydrogen conversion and oxygen reduction for solar-to-electricity conversion during o ....Perovskite photovoltaic-assisted energy conversion system using wastewater. This project aims to explore the potential of a solar-driven electrochemical system to simultaneously generate hydrogen and electricity by utilising wastewater as a fuel. The key concept of this system is integrating high efficiency perovskite solar cells as a high voltage supplier, with the electrochemical system to accelerate solar-to-hydrogen conversion and oxygen reduction for solar-to-electricity conversion during oxidisation of organic fuels in wastewater. This project expects to open up an independent and transportable power grid-free electrochemical system to address energy and water utilisation issues, especially for remote and Indigenous areas in Australia.Read moreRead less
Wearable thermoelectric textiles for portable microelectronics. Wearable thermoelectrics enable the power generation from the temperature difference between human body and ambient temperature by using thermoelectric effect. This project aims to design eco-friendly wearable thermoelectric textiles to realize high-efficiency solid-state power generation and meet individual needs with human comfort and health. The target is to achieve a power density in the as-designed thermoelectric textiles by th ....Wearable thermoelectric textiles for portable microelectronics. Wearable thermoelectrics enable the power generation from the temperature difference between human body and ambient temperature by using thermoelectric effect. This project aims to design eco-friendly wearable thermoelectric textiles to realize high-efficiency solid-state power generation and meet individual needs with human comfort and health. The target is to achieve a power density in the as-designed thermoelectric textiles by the optimization of materials and device design. The outcome will open up a new platform for the green and sustainable charge for portable microelectronics, which will lead to an innovative technology for energy management, which will place Australia at the forefront of wearable electronics and textile industry.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101662
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
Non-Oxidative and Scalable Electrochemical Production of Functional Graphene and its Nanohybrids. The lack of cost-effective and scalable graphene production methods is the current bottleneck that impedes the commercialisation of advanced graphene-based nanomaterials. Novel electrochemical production of those functional materials directly from bulk graphite not only holds the key to the solution but also provides a non-oxidative route for the production of highly conductive graphene which is wel ....Non-Oxidative and Scalable Electrochemical Production of Functional Graphene and its Nanohybrids. The lack of cost-effective and scalable graphene production methods is the current bottleneck that impedes the commercialisation of advanced graphene-based nanomaterials. Novel electrochemical production of those functional materials directly from bulk graphite not only holds the key to the solution but also provides a non-oxidative route for the production of highly conductive graphene which is well suited for applications such as biosensing, energy storage and conversion. Besides achieving scientific breakthroughs in graphene electrochemistry, this project will directly benefit many Australian socio-economic objectives, including manufacturing of Australia's natural resources into valuable energy related products.Read moreRead less
One-dimensional nanostructured catalysts for heterogeneous catalytic conversion of biomass to furan derivatives. A sustainable future depends on the partial replacement of petrochemicals, and the use of bioresources synthesise fine chemicals and fuels. This project will develop new-generation novel catalysts to make this possible by syntheisising essential starting compounds from biomass using a green chemical process.
Designing plasmon-enhanced photocatalysts for solar-driven water pollutant removal. The outcomes of this program will lead to a new class of composite photocatalysts for efficient water purification using sunlight. Such technology will speed up the transition of Australian environmental and energy industries from a fossil fuel economy to renewable energy economy.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100126
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
An integrated kinetic measurement system enabling efficient solar energy conversion. This measurement facility will underpin advances in the fundamental understanding of new semiconducting materials for high efficiency light-driven energy conversion systems. The outcomes of the research at the facility will lead to significant economic and environmental benefits for many industries, such as low cost solar cells and water purifications.
Self-cleaning thin films for anti-reflective solar cell coatings. This project addresses an important industry need by designing a new class of functional composite coatings for efficiency and durability improvement of solar cells. A successful outcome will provide an important breakthrough in thin film technology applicable not only to solar panels but also other coating applications.