Photoelectrode design for solar driven methane to methanol conversion. This project aims to achieve efficient photoelectrocatalytic partial oxidation of greenhouse gas methane for methanol production with high selectivity. The program will design new semiconductor materials through rational defect engineering and co-catalyst selection to revolutionise methane conversion. The expected outcomes include sustainable processes to convert methane into valuable liquid chemicals like methanol, and compr ....Photoelectrode design for solar driven methane to methanol conversion. This project aims to achieve efficient photoelectrocatalytic partial oxidation of greenhouse gas methane for methanol production with high selectivity. The program will design new semiconductor materials through rational defect engineering and co-catalyst selection to revolutionise methane conversion. The expected outcomes include sustainable processes to convert methane into valuable liquid chemicals like methanol, and comprehensive understanding on functional material design for solar driven catalytic reactions. The significant benefits will include revolutionary methane mitigation technologies and sustainable processes for value-added chemical production, alleviating key environmental and energy challenges facing Australia and the world.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH230100011
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,955,854.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Value-Added Processing of Underutilised Carbon Waste. This Hub aims to advance upcycling technologies and associated regulatory and social engagement for processing underutilised carbon waste within Australia. Its anticipated goal is to deliver value-added products, and improved technology readiness levels for full exploitation of carbon wastes from agriculture, tyres and plastics. It will also train a large talent pool providing interdisciplinary knowledge and entrepreneuri ....ARC Research Hub for Value-Added Processing of Underutilised Carbon Waste. This Hub aims to advance upcycling technologies and associated regulatory and social engagement for processing underutilised carbon waste within Australia. Its anticipated goal is to deliver value-added products, and improved technology readiness levels for full exploitation of carbon wastes from agriculture, tyres and plastics. It will also train a large talent pool providing interdisciplinary knowledge and entrepreneurial skills for post-hub commercialisation. The Hub will benefit rural Australia by transforming local job markets and manufacturing capability. Ultimately, this Hub will make a significant contribution towards achieving Australia’s National Waste Action Plan goal by 2030, and a circular economy for a sustainable future. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100357
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,118.00
Summary
Catalyst design for converting carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals. This project aims to use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas that drives global climate change, into valuable chemicals via catalytic reduction. This project expects to facilitate the selective production of valuable ethylene from carbon dioxide reduction by developing novel cocatalyst materials derived from metal-oxo cluster molecules. Expected outcomes include fundamental understanding of the ....Catalyst design for converting carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals. This project aims to use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas that drives global climate change, into valuable chemicals via catalytic reduction. This project expects to facilitate the selective production of valuable ethylene from carbon dioxide reduction by developing novel cocatalyst materials derived from metal-oxo cluster molecules. Expected outcomes include fundamental understanding of the structure-property relationship in new catalytic systems, and technological breakthroughs in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The success of this project will bring significant environmental and economic benefits, and position Australia at the frontier of global transition to a low-carbon economy.Read moreRead less
Bio-inspired Nanoparticles for Mechano-Regulation of Stem Cell Fate. Mechanical stimulation plays a critical role in regulating stem cell fate. Nanostructure-mediated mechanical cues can precisely stimulate stem cells, but predicting their impact on stem cell differentiation is challenging. This project aims to engineer nanostructures to regulate stem cell fate and gain a fundamental understanding of the mechanical properties that affect cell function. The expected outcomes and benefits of this ....Bio-inspired Nanoparticles for Mechano-Regulation of Stem Cell Fate. Mechanical stimulation plays a critical role in regulating stem cell fate. Nanostructure-mediated mechanical cues can precisely stimulate stem cells, but predicting their impact on stem cell differentiation is challenging. This project aims to engineer nanostructures to regulate stem cell fate and gain a fundamental understanding of the mechanical properties that affect cell function. The expected outcomes and benefits of this project include a new fundamental understanding of the effect of mechanical properties on cell function, novel insights into the regulation of stem cell fate, and the development of a new class of roughness-tunable materials suitable for use in tissue engineering and pharmaceutical applications. Read moreRead less
Mitigating the negative effects of process water on recovering gold. Low quality water has been used in the minerals industry to save fresh water but shows harmful effects on gold extraction. This project aims to understand the interactions of organic and inorganic components, existing in process water, with gold and determine problematic components that inhibit gold extraction. Expected outcomes will be developed bio-sorbents, based on agriculture waste, that can remove the problematic componen ....Mitigating the negative effects of process water on recovering gold. Low quality water has been used in the minerals industry to save fresh water but shows harmful effects on gold extraction. This project aims to understand the interactions of organic and inorganic components, existing in process water, with gold and determine problematic components that inhibit gold extraction. Expected outcomes will be developed bio-sorbents, based on agriculture waste, that can remove the problematic components in process water efficiently and economically. This will provide major benefits for the minerals industry by providing options to respond and adapt to the impacts of water quality change, leading to increases in yield, revenue and growth of the precious metal sector whilst cutting poisonous chemical consumptions.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100863
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$460,847.00
Summary
High-Efficiency, Modular and Low-Cost Hydrogen Liquefaction and Storage . Australia’s first modular hydrogen liquefaction and storage. This project aims to develop a novel multi-faceted cooling system and software to increase efficiency, lower cost, and improve the safety of hydrogen liquefaction and storage. The project will establish a new multi-disciplinary research capability in Australia and expand our fundamental knowledge to model, design, and build modular liquefaction and zero-boil-off ....High-Efficiency, Modular and Low-Cost Hydrogen Liquefaction and Storage . Australia’s first modular hydrogen liquefaction and storage. This project aims to develop a novel multi-faceted cooling system and software to increase efficiency, lower cost, and improve the safety of hydrogen liquefaction and storage. The project will establish a new multi-disciplinary research capability in Australia and expand our fundamental knowledge to model, design, and build modular liquefaction and zero-boil-off storage systems, allowing widespread distribution and usage of hydrogen. It will create a paradigm shift from traditional scale-up to modern number-up approaches. This level of innovation is crucial for Australia to lead the world in hydrogen and also enable accessible and sustainable clean energy sources for Australians.Read moreRead less
Improving the processing of low-grade copper ores . The project aims to investigate the electrochemical interaction occurring during the grinding of low-grade copper ores and understand how the interaction affects the recovery of copper minerals and rejection of waste minerals in the subsequent separation process. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of minerals processing and materials engineering using interdisciplinary approaches. Expected outcomes of this project includ ....Improving the processing of low-grade copper ores . The project aims to investigate the electrochemical interaction occurring during the grinding of low-grade copper ores and understand how the interaction affects the recovery of copper minerals and rejection of waste minerals in the subsequent separation process. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of minerals processing and materials engineering using interdisciplinary approaches. Expected outcomes of this project include cost-effective new steel products used for grinding copper ores and new chemical solutions to selectively reject waste minerals during mineral separation. This should significantly reduce the operating costs in copper processing plants and increase the copper production from low-grade copper ores.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101044
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,318.00
Summary
Bio-inspired nanomaterials with tunable drug loading and controlled release. This project aims to develop new platform technologies for making bio-inspired nanomaterials with tunable drug loading and controlled release. This project will revolutionise current approaches to make lipid nanoparticles camouflaged with natural cell membranes for delivery of both insoluble and soluble drugs. Significant outcomes will include a novel commercially relevant salt-induced nanoprecipitation platform technol ....Bio-inspired nanomaterials with tunable drug loading and controlled release. This project aims to develop new platform technologies for making bio-inspired nanomaterials with tunable drug loading and controlled release. This project will revolutionise current approaches to make lipid nanoparticles camouflaged with natural cell membranes for delivery of both insoluble and soluble drugs. Significant outcomes will include a novel commercially relevant salt-induced nanoprecipitation platform technology for making precisely engineered nanomaterials with tailored functions for applications in controlled release and targeted delivery. Benefits include securing a sustainable future for Australia, with new nanotechnology strategies for advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL220100016
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,738,854.00
Summary
Light-Driven Manufacturing for (Re)Programmable Materials. This Laureate Fellowship aims to develop a suite of chemical reactions independently activated by specific colours of light for the precise synthesis of functional macromolecules and the fabrication of (re)programmable polymeric materials. The outcome of this Laureate will be the direct production of advanced 3D printed objects with tuneable properties and functions by exploiting different wavelengths of light. This research unlocks the ....Light-Driven Manufacturing for (Re)Programmable Materials. This Laureate Fellowship aims to develop a suite of chemical reactions independently activated by specific colours of light for the precise synthesis of functional macromolecules and the fabrication of (re)programmable polymeric materials. The outcome of this Laureate will be the direct production of advanced 3D printed objects with tuneable properties and functions by exploiting different wavelengths of light. This research unlocks the structural precision of Nature and the next-generation capabilities of reshapability. These innovative tools will revolutionise 3D printing methods, which will create a new era of advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100722
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$362,245.00
Summary
Enabling Novel Hydrogen Storage via Combustible Ice for a Low-Carbon Future. This project aims to develop a new method for sustainable hydrogen storage. Hydrogen is vital for decarbonising Australia's economy, yet finding an efficient way for hydrogen storage is a global challenge. This project seeks to encapsulate hydrogen effectively in water to produce hydrogen-carrying combustible ice for efficient large-scale hydrogen storage, taking the advantages of water as the safest and cheapest raw ma ....Enabling Novel Hydrogen Storage via Combustible Ice for a Low-Carbon Future. This project aims to develop a new method for sustainable hydrogen storage. Hydrogen is vital for decarbonising Australia's economy, yet finding an efficient way for hydrogen storage is a global challenge. This project seeks to encapsulate hydrogen effectively in water to produce hydrogen-carrying combustible ice for efficient large-scale hydrogen storage, taking the advantages of water as the safest and cheapest raw material. Expected outcomes are cutting-edge knowledge and a new pathway of hydrogen storage. This project would contribute to turning Australia’s abundant renewable energy resources into substantial economic and environmental benefits and promote Australia's competitive edge in the global transition toward a low-carbon future.Read moreRead less