New fertiliser technologies for sustained food security. This project aims to provide fundamental research to develop next-generation fertiliser products that will improve nitrogen use efficiency, and reduce nitrogen losses in food production systems. It will achieve this goal through a multidisciplinary approach combining experts in synthetic and free radical chemistry, chemical engineering and soil science, with a strong commitment from a fertiliser industry partner. Society is facing the tri ....New fertiliser technologies for sustained food security. This project aims to provide fundamental research to develop next-generation fertiliser products that will improve nitrogen use efficiency, and reduce nitrogen losses in food production systems. It will achieve this goal through a multidisciplinary approach combining experts in synthetic and free radical chemistry, chemical engineering and soil science, with a strong commitment from a fertiliser industry partner. Society is facing the triple challenges of food security, environmental degradation and climate change The availability of new, highly-efficient fertilisers is critical for addressing these challenges, and for the competitive advantage of the Australian fertiliser industry.Read moreRead less
AI in agriculture: hybrid machine learning models for nitrogen simulation. Agricultural simulation models are used to guide nitrogen management to reduce nitrogen loss and its environmental impact, but they were developed using constrained datasets, which restricts them to site- or regional-specific simulations. This project adopts a novel approach to addressing these problems by applying machine learning-based data analytics. The project will refine the linkages between nitrogen losses and thei ....AI in agriculture: hybrid machine learning models for nitrogen simulation. Agricultural simulation models are used to guide nitrogen management to reduce nitrogen loss and its environmental impact, but they were developed using constrained datasets, which restricts them to site- or regional-specific simulations. This project adopts a novel approach to addressing these problems by applying machine learning-based data analytics. The project will refine the linkages between nitrogen losses and their key drivers, and improve the existing agroecosystem models through data imputation, parameter optimisation and module enhancement. The outcomes of this project will lead to an accurate prediction of nitrogen losses from agriculture, advancement in agroecosystem models and their adaptability to a global context.Read moreRead less
High productivity of hybrid plasma electrocatalytic fertiliser production. Non-thermal plasma-driven electrocatalytic production of nitrogen fertilisers. The project aims to develop scalable technology for ambient production of fertilisers using renewable energy, air, water, and captured CO2. This project is anticipated to generate new knowledge in plasma catalysis and electrochemical coupling through designing and fine-tuning catalyst-loaded 3D scaffolds. Expected outcomes of this project inclu ....High productivity of hybrid plasma electrocatalytic fertiliser production. Non-thermal plasma-driven electrocatalytic production of nitrogen fertilisers. The project aims to develop scalable technology for ambient production of fertilisers using renewable energy, air, water, and captured CO2. This project is anticipated to generate new knowledge in plasma catalysis and electrochemical coupling through designing and fine-tuning catalyst-loaded 3D scaffolds. Expected outcomes of this project include increasing the capacity to adopt low-cost and decentralised methods for renewable energy utilisation. This should provide substantial technological capacity that can be applied to other sectors of Australia's developing hydrogen economy and expand the use of renewable energy Power-to-X for zero-emissions energy vectors.Read moreRead less
Bioinspired tuneable catalysts for renewable ammonia production. The project will design a new solar-powered system for electrosynthesis of ammonia to replace the current energy intensive, non-sustainable process that generates 1.5% of global CO2 emissions. An innovative new system will be developed by combining cutting edge electrochemical, spectroscopic and theoretical methods. Expected key outcomes include novel concepts in the design of advanced materials, and an efficient process for the gr ....Bioinspired tuneable catalysts for renewable ammonia production. The project will design a new solar-powered system for electrosynthesis of ammonia to replace the current energy intensive, non-sustainable process that generates 1.5% of global CO2 emissions. An innovative new system will be developed by combining cutting edge electrochemical, spectroscopic and theoretical methods. Expected key outcomes include novel concepts in the design of advanced materials, and an efficient process for the green ammonia synthesis. Given the strategic importance of ammonia as a future energy carrier for the export of Australian renewables and as a major source of fertilisers, this project should provide significant national economic and ecological benefits and is expected to have a broad reaching global impact.Read moreRead less
New dimensions of electrocatalyst design for sustainable energy future. This project aims to produce valuable chemicals from air, water and Australia’s abundant renewable energy, by developing efficient, robust catalysts for water oxidation, nitrogen reduction and ammonia oxidation — key processes for sustainable production of green fuels and fertilisers. The interdisciplinary project strategy will use a suite of advanced instrumental and theoretical tools to understand and control how catalysts ....New dimensions of electrocatalyst design for sustainable energy future. This project aims to produce valuable chemicals from air, water and Australia’s abundant renewable energy, by developing efficient, robust catalysts for water oxidation, nitrogen reduction and ammonia oxidation — key processes for sustainable production of green fuels and fertilisers. The interdisciplinary project strategy will use a suite of advanced instrumental and theoretical tools to understand and control how catalysts operate. Expected outcomes include new techniques to study catalysts, new catalyst design concepts, and novel high-performance catalytic materials and devices for sustainable electrosynthesis. These new technologies should reduce emissions and help Australia be a world leader in renewable-energy and fertiliser export.Read moreRead less
Developing a novel carbon negative fertiliser . Food security is vital to support our growing population. However, our increasing reliance on intensive farming systems necessitates increased fertiliser use, leading to increased water pollution and soil degradation - threatening both the Australian environment and food security. Increasing carbon storage capacity by soil and decreasing fertiliser use are two of the primary pathways for restoring the bio-support capacity of soils and reducing farm ....Developing a novel carbon negative fertiliser . Food security is vital to support our growing population. However, our increasing reliance on intensive farming systems necessitates increased fertiliser use, leading to increased water pollution and soil degradation - threatening both the Australian environment and food security. Increasing carbon storage capacity by soil and decreasing fertiliser use are two of the primary pathways for restoring the bio-support capacity of soils and reducing farming footprints. This innovative and first-of-its-kind project aims to develop a cost-effective, carbon negative fertiliser that reduces fertiliser inputs and increases soil carbon storageRead moreRead less
Tailoring physiologically-based nanomaterial fertilisers for the biofortification of zinc in broadacre crops. Soil zinc deficiency is a global issue causing low crop yield and malnutrition. This project will develop a new class of fertiliser formulations by combining advanced chemistry techniques with plant physiology knowledge and nanomaterial manufacturing. These products will be designed for enhanced agronomic efficiency and environmental safety.
Engineered graphene-based nanofertilizers to improve crop nutrition. This project seeks to evaluate the unique properties of graphene to more effectively engineer novel fertilizers with properties that can enhance nutrient efficiency and reduce losses to the environment. More efficient and effective fertilizer formulations are needed to improve nutrient use efficiency in agricultural systems globally, and for effective biofortification of staple food crops with essential micronutrients. Nitrogen ....Engineered graphene-based nanofertilizers to improve crop nutrition. This project seeks to evaluate the unique properties of graphene to more effectively engineer novel fertilizers with properties that can enhance nutrient efficiency and reduce losses to the environment. More efficient and effective fertilizer formulations are needed to improve nutrient use efficiency in agricultural systems globally, and for effective biofortification of staple food crops with essential micronutrients. Nitrogen may be lost from soil through leaching and gaseous losses to the atmosphere. Phosphorus, as well as copper, manganese and zinc, are prone to reactions in soils and during manufacturing which reduces their effectiveness.Read moreRead less
Plasma driven electrochemical synthesis of urea. Urea is the most used nitrogen fertilizer in the world, with more urea manufactured by mass than any other organic chemical. However, the world is experiencing a major shortage of the compound, impacting our food costs and security along with dependent products such as AdBlue (diesel exhaust fluid). Commercial urea production relies on a complex reaction between ammonia and carbon dioxide at high temperatures, which consumes more than 2% of the w ....Plasma driven electrochemical synthesis of urea. Urea is the most used nitrogen fertilizer in the world, with more urea manufactured by mass than any other organic chemical. However, the world is experiencing a major shortage of the compound, impacting our food costs and security along with dependent products such as AdBlue (diesel exhaust fluid). Commercial urea production relies on a complex reaction between ammonia and carbon dioxide at high temperatures, which consumes more than 2% of the world’s energy. This project aims to produce more sustainable urea driven by electricity and using air and captured CO2, through the use of a plasma-driven electrochemical technology, providing farmers with a low-cost fertilizer under a decentralized and secure supply. Read moreRead less
Using chemistry to illuminate sulfoglycolysis, a major organosulfur pathway. This project aims to develop a detailed molecular description of the sulfoglycolysis pathway, a major pathway involved in cycling an abundant sulfolipid. The project will use an integrated chemical, biochemical and structural approach to illuminate how sulfoglycolysis degrades sulfolipid to access its elemental and energy constituents. Expected outcomes include an advanced understanding of the biosulfur cycle, the devel ....Using chemistry to illuminate sulfoglycolysis, a major organosulfur pathway. This project aims to develop a detailed molecular description of the sulfoglycolysis pathway, a major pathway involved in cycling an abundant sulfolipid. The project will use an integrated chemical, biochemical and structural approach to illuminate how sulfoglycolysis degrades sulfolipid to access its elemental and energy constituents. Expected outcomes include an advanced understanding of the biosulfur cycle, the development of new chemical approaches to manipulate sulfur cycling for agricultural and biotechnology applications, and deepened ties to leading international researchers. Potential benefits include new strategies to reduce dependence on agricultural fertilisers, promote gut wellbeing, and control insect pests.Read moreRead less