Electrodeposited Cathodes with Tunable Stoichiometry for Alkaline Batteries. The growing dependency on intermittently-available renewable energy sources has resulted in metal-ion batteries being adopted as the most common solution; yet its fabrication requires multi-stage high-temperature processing leading to high costs, quality issues, and reduced service life. Thus, the present project targets the room-temperature fabrication of binary and ternary oxide cathodes by a single-step, high-yield, ....Electrodeposited Cathodes with Tunable Stoichiometry for Alkaline Batteries. The growing dependency on intermittently-available renewable energy sources has resulted in metal-ion batteries being adopted as the most common solution; yet its fabrication requires multi-stage high-temperature processing leading to high costs, quality issues, and reduced service life. Thus, the present project targets the room-temperature fabrication of binary and ternary oxide cathodes by a single-step, high-yield, cost-effective technique and their integration into Na-ion batteries with minimal and no processing. The expected outcomes from this novel and efficient device fabrication can lead to significant commercial, social, and environmental benefits owing to the advancement of the battery industry and associated job creation.
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Regeneration of High Value-Added Materials from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries. This project aims to develop scalable processing techniques for the regeneration of cathode materials and the production of high-purity alumina and graphene from spent lithium-ion batteries. The techniques reduce the cost and time of the processing of degraded cathode materials and increase the value of the spent battery materials (e.g., metallic aluminum and graphite) by converting them into high value-added specialty ....Regeneration of High Value-Added Materials from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries. This project aims to develop scalable processing techniques for the regeneration of cathode materials and the production of high-purity alumina and graphene from spent lithium-ion batteries. The techniques reduce the cost and time of the processing of degraded cathode materials and increase the value of the spent battery materials (e.g., metallic aluminum and graphite) by converting them into high value-added specialty chemicals. The outcomes and further technology adoptions will extend the capacity of the Partner Organisation for producing specialty battery materials. The outcomes could help Australia’s battery industry switch to a more diversified pathway, which benefits the economic development of Australia in a long term.Read moreRead less
Nanoengineered, Encapsulated Catalysts from Fly Ash Waste. This project aims to deliver advanced catalysts and novel catalyst synthesis methods from the use of iron-rich fly ash, an otherwise abundant valueless waste with projected steady growth across Australia and globally. The as-synthesised catalysts are expected to be applicable to and exhibit excellent activity in the production of green hydrogen and renewable bio-fuels from lignocellulosic waste. These efforts are significant and benefici ....Nanoengineered, Encapsulated Catalysts from Fly Ash Waste. This project aims to deliver advanced catalysts and novel catalyst synthesis methods from the use of iron-rich fly ash, an otherwise abundant valueless waste with projected steady growth across Australia and globally. The as-synthesised catalysts are expected to be applicable to and exhibit excellent activity in the production of green hydrogen and renewable bio-fuels from lignocellulosic waste. These efforts are significant and beneficial in restoring the manufacturing capability of Australian industry, driving Australian industry towards the development of a circular economy for the appropriate management of solid waste, as well as for a seamless introduction of renewable and clean energy sources to address the pressing climate change.Read moreRead less
Fate of PAPs and short-chain PFAS in biosolids amended soils. Biosolids generated during wastewater treatment contain PFAS which are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic. Application of biosolids to agricultural land may result in soil, groundwater and surface water PFAS contamination via leaching and run-off and pose unknown potential risk to soil health, crops and beneficial biota. This study aims to generate novel knowledge on the PFAS fate in biosolid amended soils, crops and toxicity to ke ....Fate of PAPs and short-chain PFAS in biosolids amended soils. Biosolids generated during wastewater treatment contain PFAS which are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic. Application of biosolids to agricultural land may result in soil, groundwater and surface water PFAS contamination via leaching and run-off and pose unknown potential risk to soil health, crops and beneficial biota. This study aims to generate novel knowledge on the PFAS fate in biosolid amended soils, crops and toxicity to key soil and aquatic biota at environmentally relevant concentrations. This study is supported by Australian water and its allied industries, as it is important for them to ensure that biosolids application to agricultural land is an environmentally sustainable solution to the Australian farmers and communities.Read moreRead less
Biofilm-based solution for cost-effective high-quality drinking water. Approximately 90% of the drinking water in Australia is sourced from surface water bodies, which are naturally rich in nutrients and organic matter. This leads to the growth of cyanobacteria, which are known to be a major cause of taste and odour compounds and cyanotoxins. Climate change is causing increased cyanobacterial growth due to higher temperatures, exacerbating this existing challenge to water utilities. This project ....Biofilm-based solution for cost-effective high-quality drinking water. Approximately 90% of the drinking water in Australia is sourced from surface water bodies, which are naturally rich in nutrients and organic matter. This leads to the growth of cyanobacteria, which are known to be a major cause of taste and odour compounds and cyanotoxins. Climate change is causing increased cyanobacterial growth due to higher temperatures, exacerbating this existing challenge to water utilities. This project proposes a novel biofilm-based approach for cost-effective drinking water treatment production. Our approach represents a simple retrofit to existing processes and drastically reduces the chemical dosing costs and improve climate resilience while ensuring the production of high-quality, safe drinking water.Read moreRead less
Dual-membrane upgrading towards sustainable wastewater management. Water utilities in Australia have set aspirational targets for energy- and carbon-neutral wastewater services by as early as 2030. However, these two aims are often incompatible because of excessive aeration energy consumption and substantial greenhouse gas emissions in wastewater treatment plants. This project aims to develop a novel biotechnology that enables simultaneous bioenergy recovery, cost-efficient nitrogen removal and ....Dual-membrane upgrading towards sustainable wastewater management. Water utilities in Australia have set aspirational targets for energy- and carbon-neutral wastewater services by as early as 2030. However, these two aims are often incompatible because of excessive aeration energy consumption and substantial greenhouse gas emissions in wastewater treatment plants. This project aims to develop a novel biotechnology that enables simultaneous bioenergy recovery, cost-efficient nitrogen removal and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, thus bringing multifaceted benefits to wastewater management. The project will provide strong support to the Australian water industry in their endeavour to achieve economically and environmentally sustainable wastewater services.Read moreRead less