Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100005
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$404,000.00
Summary
Perovskite-based electrocatalysts for water electrolysis. This project aims to develop novel perovskite-based catalysts with high catalytic activity and long-term stability for the practical application of alkaline water splitting. A new family of overall water-splitting materials in alkaline media based on low-cost and earth-abundant perovskite oxides will be developed, which offer a viable alternative to the benchmark noble metal-based catalysts. Clean hydrogen energy generated by these effici ....Perovskite-based electrocatalysts for water electrolysis. This project aims to develop novel perovskite-based catalysts with high catalytic activity and long-term stability for the practical application of alkaline water splitting. A new family of overall water-splitting materials in alkaline media based on low-cost and earth-abundant perovskite oxides will be developed, which offer a viable alternative to the benchmark noble metal-based catalysts. Clean hydrogen energy generated by these efficient perovskite catalysts will not only reduce carbon dioxide emissions and alleviate air pollution, but also create opportunities for Australian industries, such as the widespread use of renewable solar and wind energy and fuel cell vehicles.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100871
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Carbon-based catalysts for polysulphide redox reactions in lithium-sulfur batteries. This project aims to develop surface-engineered carbons as multifunctional catalysts to accelerate the polysulphide redox reactions for lithium-sulfur batteries. High capacity storage of electricity is the key to efficient use of renewable and clean energy resources and the development of emission-free technologies. This project will provide high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries with high energy density, hig ....Carbon-based catalysts for polysulphide redox reactions in lithium-sulfur batteries. This project aims to develop surface-engineered carbons as multifunctional catalysts to accelerate the polysulphide redox reactions for lithium-sulfur batteries. High capacity storage of electricity is the key to efficient use of renewable and clean energy resources and the development of emission-free technologies. This project will provide high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries with high energy density, high efficiency, and long life. Its success is expected to contribute to energy technologies, reduce the dependence of household and industrial energy consumption on fossil fuels, enhance Australia’s long-term viability, and bring economic, environmental, and social benefits to the nation.Read moreRead less
Blue energy harvesting and storage technology for wearable electronics. This project aims to develop new self-charging power devices that can harvest and store body energy generated during body motions, and power smart and implantable medical electronics. The project will develop new Piezo-supercapacitors by designing new electrode materials and cell designs. The charge storage and transport kinetics will be uncovered using advanced in-situ characterisation techniques and modern simulation metho ....Blue energy harvesting and storage technology for wearable electronics. This project aims to develop new self-charging power devices that can harvest and store body energy generated during body motions, and power smart and implantable medical electronics. The project will develop new Piezo-supercapacitors by designing new electrode materials and cell designs. The charge storage and transport kinetics will be uncovered using advanced in-situ characterisation techniques and modern simulation methods. The project expects to generate new knowledge in blue energy harvesting and storage systems, training for young scientists, and generate intellectual property with potential commercialised products to be used in implantable devices, placing Australia at the forefront of new technology.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101157
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,748.00
Summary
Unlocking carbon nano-tectonics for next-generation lithium batteries. This project aims to overcome the performance bottlenecks of lithium metal anodes through carbon nano-tectonics for next-generation lithium batteries. Lithium metal is considered the ultimate anode material for future batteries, yet its practical use has been halted by the capacity degradation and safety hazard for long-lasting use. By establishing new fundamentals of nanocarbons towards constructing high-performance lithium ....Unlocking carbon nano-tectonics for next-generation lithium batteries. This project aims to overcome the performance bottlenecks of lithium metal anodes through carbon nano-tectonics for next-generation lithium batteries. Lithium metal is considered the ultimate anode material for future batteries, yet its practical use has been halted by the capacity degradation and safety hazard for long-lasting use. By establishing new fundamentals of nanocarbons towards constructing high-performance lithium anode, this project will produce new-concept lithium metal batteries with high capacity, safety and durability, along with molecular-level understanding of lithium redox processes. This is expected to promote the development of future electronics, vehicles and grid with zero-emission high-energy technologies.Read moreRead less
Designing disorder into ionic materials for clean energy applications. . This project aims to develop new materials designed to possess optimum properties for targeted clean energy technologies. By the design of specific ion chemistries, we aim to produce materials that absorb large amounts of thermal energy, as needed in energy storage and refrigeration applications. Their large internal free volume will offer unique properties for energy-consuming gas separation applications. Expected outcomes ....Designing disorder into ionic materials for clean energy applications. . This project aims to develop new materials designed to possess optimum properties for targeted clean energy technologies. By the design of specific ion chemistries, we aim to produce materials that absorb large amounts of thermal energy, as needed in energy storage and refrigeration applications. Their large internal free volume will offer unique properties for energy-consuming gas separation applications. Expected outcomes from the project include (i) fundamental understanding of ion design, (ii) a suite of new materials with advantageous properties for energy application. The expected benefits include advancement of technologies that support renewable energy storage and a reduction in energy costs and harmful emissions from refrigeration.Read moreRead less
Metal-free catalysts for clean production of energy and hydrogen peroxide. This project aims to create novel metal-free carbon-based catalysts to replace the scarce and expensive noble metal catalysts. Noble metal catalysts are needed for clean production of electricity by fuel cells or hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen gases. A combined theoretical and experimental approach will be developed for controlled synthesis of heteroatom-doped carbon catalysts and to improve our understanding ....Metal-free catalysts for clean production of energy and hydrogen peroxide. This project aims to create novel metal-free carbon-based catalysts to replace the scarce and expensive noble metal catalysts. Noble metal catalysts are needed for clean production of electricity by fuel cells or hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen gases. A combined theoretical and experimental approach will be developed for controlled synthesis of heteroatom-doped carbon catalysts and to improve our understanding of the catalytic mechanism and structure-activity relationship for the novel carbon catalysts. The project is expected to lay fundamental groundwork for a new paradigm in carbon-based catalysts that should be of considerable significance for energy and chemical production in a clean and cost effective way.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200100794
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,000.00
Summary
Prediction of new electrolytes for improved electrical energy storage. This project aims to identify new electrolyte solutions with suitable properties for use in improved electrical energy storage technologies. Identifying new electrolyte solutions is a crucial challenge for improving the performance of many technologies including energy storage. This project applies quantum mechanical calculation to develop a fast, accurate and predictive model of the properties of electrolyte solutions. High ....Prediction of new electrolytes for improved electrical energy storage. This project aims to identify new electrolyte solutions with suitable properties for use in improved electrical energy storage technologies. Identifying new electrolyte solutions is a crucial challenge for improving the performance of many technologies including energy storage. This project applies quantum mechanical calculation to develop a fast, accurate and predictive model of the properties of electrolyte solutions. High throughput computational screening based on this model can then identify new electrolytes that can be used in technologies such as energy storage. This should give Australia a competitive edge in the rapidly growing energy storage industry, while also accelerating the shift away from harmful fossil fuels. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100350
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
Sodium inventory for sodium-ion batteries. This project aims to increase the energy density and cycle life of sodium-ion batteries by investigating practical ways to increase the amount of cycleable sodium ions. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the field of energy storage using an innovative approach to address the key issues facing sodium-ion batteries. Expected outcomes of this project include the development of a novel high-energy sodium-ion battery, achieved by practical sod ....Sodium inventory for sodium-ion batteries. This project aims to increase the energy density and cycle life of sodium-ion batteries by investigating practical ways to increase the amount of cycleable sodium ions. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the field of energy storage using an innovative approach to address the key issues facing sodium-ion batteries. Expected outcomes of this project include the development of a novel high-energy sodium-ion battery, achieved by practical sodium inventory solutions and fundamental understanding of internal battery processes. This should provide significant benefits including lowering the cost of energy storage, decreasing the reliance on lithium, and facilitating society’s shift towards renewable and sustainable energy sources.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100237
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,754.00
Summary
A new method to realise zero thermal expansion materials. The aim of the project is to produce a novel method to create zero thermal expansion materials. It is anticipated that this new method will be faster and provide an unprecedented level of control of the thermal expansion properties of the materials. Since thermal degradation plagues components in industry, for example in all engines and electronics, a zero thermal expansion material can indefinitely avoid such problems and thereby increas ....A new method to realise zero thermal expansion materials. The aim of the project is to produce a novel method to create zero thermal expansion materials. It is anticipated that this new method will be faster and provide an unprecedented level of control of the thermal expansion properties of the materials. Since thermal degradation plagues components in industry, for example in all engines and electronics, a zero thermal expansion material can indefinitely avoid such problems and thereby increase the life of the components or devices. This project will also potentially deliver an understanding of the mechanisms behind zero thermal expansion, thus allowing the rational design of future materials that could increase the lifespan and durability of a range of products.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100676
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,582.00
Summary
Realising highly selective catalysts for continuous chlorine production. The aim is to directly electrocatalytic low concentration NaCl solution under mild conditions, to form chlorine gas for the polymers and pharmaceuticals production, enabled by the low dimensional metal-organic framework based catalysts. The project will also gain an atomic-level understanding of the mechanism of CER, based on in-situ spectroscopies e.g., X-ray absorption and Raman. Unlike electrocatalytic chlorine evolution ....Realising highly selective catalysts for continuous chlorine production. The aim is to directly electrocatalytic low concentration NaCl solution under mild conditions, to form chlorine gas for the polymers and pharmaceuticals production, enabled by the low dimensional metal-organic framework based catalysts. The project will also gain an atomic-level understanding of the mechanism of CER, based on in-situ spectroscopies e.g., X-ray absorption and Raman. Unlike electrocatalytic chlorine evolution using membrane cell with one membrane only, the project will design a novel integrated reactor system to alleviate the naturally sluggish chlorine evolution reaction, CER, significantly improving the yield and selectivity. Read moreRead less