Nanostructured Upconvertors for Advanced Solar Energy Harvesting. The efficiency of many solar energy conversion processes, such as solar photovoltaic and solar hydrogen, can be improved by management of the solar spectrum. One photon management strategy is up-conversion, whereby two lower energy, unusable photons are conjoined to bring about a higher energy photon. Photochemical up-conversion, where light harvesting and energy-pooling is performed in organic molecules, has been rapidly advanced ....Nanostructured Upconvertors for Advanced Solar Energy Harvesting. The efficiency of many solar energy conversion processes, such as solar photovoltaic and solar hydrogen, can be improved by management of the solar spectrum. One photon management strategy is up-conversion, whereby two lower energy, unusable photons are conjoined to bring about a higher energy photon. Photochemical up-conversion, where light harvesting and energy-pooling is performed in organic molecules, has been rapidly advanced in recent years, and promises to deliver the efficiencies required to find real-world application. This project brings together laser spectroscopy, organic and materials chemistry and nanotechnology to realise efficient up-convertors which will be applied to solar cells and solar fuels.Read moreRead less
Porphyrin arrays - Light Harvesting in three dimensions. The emulation of photosynthesis, the efficient and sustainable utilization of solar energy using renewable materials represents one of the great scientific challenges. This project will explore one aspect of this by determining the nature and scope of using assemblies of artificial chlorophylls for three dimensional light harvesting in titania solar cells.
Photochemical upconversion for third generation photovoltaic devices. Most solar cells cannot utilise infrared light, as the photons in this spectral region are not energetic enough to promote electrons across the energy threshold. This project will harvest this low energy light, and by 'gluing' the photons together in a process known as upconversion, the project will improve the light harvesting efficiencies of solar cells.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100023
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$650,000.00
Summary
Australian high field electron paramagnetic resonance facility. This project aims to establish Australia’s first a high-field (3 T, 94 GHz) high-field pulse electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) facility. EPR is a powerful technique to study chemical, biological and materials systems. It represents a sensitive, non-invasive, site-selective spectroscopy for the analysis of both molecular and macroscopic properties. This facility will allow the further development and implementation of new multidi ....Australian high field electron paramagnetic resonance facility. This project aims to establish Australia’s first a high-field (3 T, 94 GHz) high-field pulse electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) facility. EPR is a powerful technique to study chemical, biological and materials systems. It represents a sensitive, non-invasive, site-selective spectroscopy for the analysis of both molecular and macroscopic properties. This facility will allow the further development and implementation of new multidimensional pulse EPR techniques, enabling domestic and international collaborations with diverse applications in structural biology, solvation science and catalysis.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101306
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,000.00
Summary
Porous Metal Phosphonate Ion Exchange Membranes for Redox Flow Batteries. The high-performance storage and utilisation of renewable energy, such as solar and wind energy, will provide a direct response to Australia's energy and climate issues. This project aims to develop porous metal phosphonate ion exchange membranes, which can be used in the redox flow battery, one of the most powerful, large-scale energy storage devices, with large capacity, high efficiency, long life and low cost. The proje ....Porous Metal Phosphonate Ion Exchange Membranes for Redox Flow Batteries. The high-performance storage and utilisation of renewable energy, such as solar and wind energy, will provide a direct response to Australia's energy and climate issues. This project aims to develop porous metal phosphonate ion exchange membranes, which can be used in the redox flow battery, one of the most powerful, large-scale energy storage devices, with large capacity, high efficiency, long life and low cost. The project aims to improve the overall performance and fabrication of redox flow batteries, promote capacity and efficiency, and reduce the cost of renewable energy storage thereby benefiting the Australian economy and environment.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100970
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,600.00
Summary
Solar energy conversion: illuminating the origin of long-lived charge-separated states in organic donor/acceptor blends. The origin of exceptionally long-lived charges in organic donor/acceptor solid-state blends will be established. This will substantially enhance the efficiency and commercial viability of applications that rely on these long-lived charge-separated states, such as organic solar cells.
Precision luminescent solar concentrators from robust quantum dot arrays. Precision luminescent solar concentrators from robust quantum dot arrays. This project aims to make luminescent solar concentrators that can harness solar energy from surfaces not suited for conventional solar cells, such as car windows. It will design, synthesise and conduct detailed energy transfer studies of robust inorganic quantum dot arrays with fit-for-purpose precise spectral properties. Synthetic light-harvesting ....Precision luminescent solar concentrators from robust quantum dot arrays. Precision luminescent solar concentrators from robust quantum dot arrays. This project aims to make luminescent solar concentrators that can harness solar energy from surfaces not suited for conventional solar cells, such as car windows. It will design, synthesise and conduct detailed energy transfer studies of robust inorganic quantum dot arrays with fit-for-purpose precise spectral properties. Synthetic light-harvesting dye arrays have often been proposed to solve bottleneck challenges in the solar energy sector but there are issues with stability, processing and their photophysical output matching market needs. This project’s dyes are expected to create market opportunities for Australian luminescent solar concentrator technology.Read moreRead less
Hot exciton dissociation in donor / acceptor organic solar cells: breaking the efficiency limit of organic photovoltaics. Australia will benefit from this project in several key areas with immediate impact. The development of an innovative solar cell architecture through the use of hot exiton dissociation will deliver a potential increase in the maximum achievable power conversion efficiency. The experimental results will significantly advance fundamental knowledge of organic solar cells. This ....Hot exciton dissociation in donor / acceptor organic solar cells: breaking the efficiency limit of organic photovoltaics. Australia will benefit from this project in several key areas with immediate impact. The development of an innovative solar cell architecture through the use of hot exiton dissociation will deliver a potential increase in the maximum achievable power conversion efficiency. The experimental results will significantly advance fundamental knowledge of organic solar cells. This has significant economic benefits by making these solar cells more affordable and also opening up the opportunity to use new materials unconstrained by existing proprietary interests. The training of personnel will contribute towards solving the biggest challenge facing the solar industry in Australia: lack of skilled personnel in a highly specialised industry.Read moreRead less
Tuning the electrolytes for high efficiency solar splitting of water. This project will develop a new technology that uses ionic liquids and sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen to be used as a clean fuel. Australia has abundant sunlight, is very close to the growing energy markets of the Asia-Pacific region, and is ideally placed to benefit from this new technology.
Hermetic encapsulated perovskite solar cells for energy harvesting glazings. This project aims is to develop fully hermetic, vacuum encapsulation for perovskite solar cells as energy harvesting glazing systems in buildings with high thermal insulation. This glazing system should simultaneously mitigate heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, control the entry of light, and generate electric power. This project seeks to develop a new advanced glass encapsulation method with electrical feedth ....Hermetic encapsulated perovskite solar cells for energy harvesting glazings. This project aims is to develop fully hermetic, vacuum encapsulation for perovskite solar cells as energy harvesting glazing systems in buildings with high thermal insulation. This glazing system should simultaneously mitigate heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, control the entry of light, and generate electric power. This project seeks to develop a new advanced glass encapsulation method with electrical feedthroughs that is fully compatible with perovskite solar cells. It should revolutionise the architectural glazing market with a new generation product with unprecedented electrical power generation capacity and a simultaneous increase in thermal insulation to provide the ultimate energy solution for future cities. An expected outcome from this project is a range of new products to expand the solar market beyond roof-top applications and solar farms.Read moreRead less