Rechargeable lithium carbon dioxide battery - catalyst design to prototype . This project aims to develop a new concept of rechargeable lithium carbon dioxide batteries and scaled-up prototypes. Such a battery will be first of its kind to show high power comparable to gasoline and superior rechargeability over existing gas-involved batteries, ensuring realistic use for industrial purposes. Expected outcomes include 2-dimensional catalysts made from earth-abundant elements lowering large-scale pr ....Rechargeable lithium carbon dioxide battery - catalyst design to prototype . This project aims to develop a new concept of rechargeable lithium carbon dioxide batteries and scaled-up prototypes. Such a battery will be first of its kind to show high power comparable to gasoline and superior rechargeability over existing gas-involved batteries, ensuring realistic use for industrial purposes. Expected outcomes include 2-dimensional catalysts made from earth-abundant elements lowering large-scale production cost, a novel but reliable working principle based on reversible carbon dioxide/oxalate conversion, and prototypes featuring high specific capacity, large energy density and excellent durability. Via industrial pilot trials, commercial benefits will be fast tracked for energy security and carbon dioxide utilisation.Read moreRead less
Single-atom catalysts for electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion. This project aims to develop a new synthetic technique for the fabrication of template-free and metal single-atoms embedded in doped carbon nano tubes. It will generate fundamental knowledge about multiple proton and electron transfer steps in carbon dioxide (CO2RR) using in-situ synchrotron characterisation techniques. Expected outcomes of the research include the development of new single-atom catalysts for production of the ....Single-atom catalysts for electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion. This project aims to develop a new synthetic technique for the fabrication of template-free and metal single-atoms embedded in doped carbon nano tubes. It will generate fundamental knowledge about multiple proton and electron transfer steps in carbon dioxide (CO2RR) using in-situ synchrotron characterisation techniques. Expected outcomes of the research include the development of new single-atom catalysts for production of the key feed-stock of CO for sustainable use in hydrocarbon fuels, providing significant benefits in the reduction of greenhouse emissions.Read moreRead less
Programming the Microstructure of 3D Printed Objects . This project aims to apply state-of-the-art living polymerisation techniques to 3D printing to efficiently produce customised polymer materials that are tailored at the molecular level. By combining computational modeling and experimental approach, fast and oxygen tolerant photoliving radical polymerisation will be developed and applied to 3D printing. These new systems will produce highly structured polymer materials with remarkable mechani ....Programming the Microstructure of 3D Printed Objects . This project aims to apply state-of-the-art living polymerisation techniques to 3D printing to efficiently produce customised polymer materials that are tailored at the molecular level. By combining computational modeling and experimental approach, fast and oxygen tolerant photoliving radical polymerisation will be developed and applied to 3D printing. These new systems will produce highly structured polymer materials with remarkable mechanical properties. The effect of nanostructure on the macroscopic material properties will be investigated. The intended outcome of this project will produce advanced materials with tailored mechanical properties via streamlined and accessible approaches.Read moreRead less
Perovskite-Based Ferroelectrics for Solar Fuel Production. This project aims to develop perovskite-based ferroelectrics for photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction to produce solar fuels. It is expected to reveal the relationship of ferroelectric polarisation and photocatalytic behaviour, thereby promoting solar energy utilisation and greenhouse gas reduction. Expected outcomes include delivery of a novel family of chemically and structurally controlled ferroelectrics and catalytic reaction prot ....Perovskite-Based Ferroelectrics for Solar Fuel Production. This project aims to develop perovskite-based ferroelectrics for photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction to produce solar fuels. It is expected to reveal the relationship of ferroelectric polarisation and photocatalytic behaviour, thereby promoting solar energy utilisation and greenhouse gas reduction. Expected outcomes include delivery of a novel family of chemically and structurally controlled ferroelectrics and catalytic reaction prototypes for efficient carbon dioxide photoreduction, and in-depth understanding of structure-performance correlation to guide future polar catalysts design. This project should provide significant benefits in minimising fossil fuel consumption, increasing energy security, and expanding clean energy industry.Read moreRead less
Monolithic Solar Thermal Photocatalytic Membrane for Hydrogen Production. This ambitious project aims to develop a new concept of monolithic membranes composed of photocatalysts embedded in highly efficient solar thermal graphene. Such a membrane will be first of its kind and is able to utilise full solar spectrum for scalable seawater desalination and direct splitting to produce hydrogen without the need to concentrate sunlight. Expected outcomes include chemically and structurally tailored mem ....Monolithic Solar Thermal Photocatalytic Membrane for Hydrogen Production. This ambitious project aims to develop a new concept of monolithic membranes composed of photocatalysts embedded in highly efficient solar thermal graphene. Such a membrane will be first of its kind and is able to utilise full solar spectrum for scalable seawater desalination and direct splitting to produce hydrogen without the need to concentrate sunlight. Expected outcomes include chemically and structurally tailored membranes and 2D floating prototypes for real life hydrogen production, and in-depth understanding of working mechanism to facilitate up-scaled renewable hydrogen generation. Significant benefits in minimising fossil fuel consumption, increasing energy security, and expanding competitive clean energy industry are promised.Read moreRead less
Solar-driven thermochemical dissociation of carbon dioxide and water to produce carbon-neutral fuels. The biggest challenge to humanity of the century is to develop enabling clean energy resources to encounter rapidly diminished fossil fuel and accelerated global warming conditions. This project will offer a solution by developing a unique solar-driven thermochemical system capable of cleaving carbon dioxide and water to produce artificial syngas.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101259
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
A predictive, ab initio design of enhanced plasmonic photocatalysts. Plasmonic catalysis is a promising platform for sunlight-driven chemical reactions that employs optically absorptive plasmonic-metal/semiconductor nanostructures. However, it suffers from poor external quantum efficiencies. The aim of this project is to rationally design an efficient plasmonic photocatalyst utilizing state-of-the-art ab initio computations. The project is expected to provide insights on various atomic-level rea ....A predictive, ab initio design of enhanced plasmonic photocatalysts. Plasmonic catalysis is a promising platform for sunlight-driven chemical reactions that employs optically absorptive plasmonic-metal/semiconductor nanostructures. However, it suffers from poor external quantum efficiencies. The aim of this project is to rationally design an efficient plasmonic photocatalyst utilizing state-of-the-art ab initio computations. The project is expected to provide insights on various atomic-level reaction steps involved and consequently develop a set of catalyst design principles to guide experiments. The project will largely benefit Australia’s and international renewable energy sector and chemical industries by generating knowledge in catalysis relevant for hydrogen production and greenhouse gas reduction. Read moreRead less
Scale-up of catalytic furandicarboxylic acid production at room temperature. This project will use new knowledge acquired from our laboratory-scale discoveries to develop a new process feasible for industrial-scale production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The method makes FDCA, a platform chemical for future chemical industry, from a completely renewable source derived from plant sugars, 5-hydroxymethyl-furfural. This is an essential process for production of biodegradable plastic from s ....Scale-up of catalytic furandicarboxylic acid production at room temperature. This project will use new knowledge acquired from our laboratory-scale discoveries to develop a new process feasible for industrial-scale production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The method makes FDCA, a platform chemical for future chemical industry, from a completely renewable source derived from plant sugars, 5-hydroxymethyl-furfural. This is an essential process for production of biodegradable plastic from sugar that has not been commercialised. This technology will realise sizeable industrial-scale production of FDCA at low costs and without heating. The production development of this valuable commodity from renewable plant sugars will provide high-quality postgraduate training in future green chemical production methods.Read moreRead less
Micromechanic modelling and analysis of the dynamics of non-spherical particles coupled with fluid flow. This project aims to develop advanced theories and mathematical models to describe the packing and flow of non-spherical particles coupled with fluid flow. This will be achieved through a combined theoretical and experimental program, involving the use of advanced discrete particle simulation and detailed analysis of packing/flow structures, particle-particle and particle-fluid interactions a ....Micromechanic modelling and analysis of the dynamics of non-spherical particles coupled with fluid flow. This project aims to develop advanced theories and mathematical models to describe the packing and flow of non-spherical particles coupled with fluid flow. This will be achieved through a combined theoretical and experimental program, involving the use of advanced discrete particle simulation and detailed analysis of packing/flow structures, particle-particle and particle-fluid interactions at a particle scale. Research outcomes including theories, computer models and simulation techniques will be applied to representative industrial operations of importance to Australia's economic and technological future.Read moreRead less
Low emission iron and steelmaking using hydrogen to pre-reduce lump ore. This project aims to develop and apply a new route of lump iron ore pre-reduction with hydrogen or H2-enriched gases for ironmaking to minimise CO2 emission from steel production. The route will be built up on the base of H2 reduction kinetics of iron ore and with novel technologies such as CO2 recycle and H2-heating using hot blast, underpinning the hydrogen economy by addressing the environmental concerns in mineral and s ....Low emission iron and steelmaking using hydrogen to pre-reduce lump ore. This project aims to develop and apply a new route of lump iron ore pre-reduction with hydrogen or H2-enriched gases for ironmaking to minimise CO2 emission from steel production. The route will be built up on the base of H2 reduction kinetics of iron ore and with novel technologies such as CO2 recycle and H2-heating using hot blast, underpinning the hydrogen economy by addressing the environmental concerns in mineral and steel industries. It is not only significant for low-carbon steel production, but also for better fundamental understanding to develop the future zero-emission iron and steelmaking with hydrogen. The project will be very beneficent because it increases the use of lump iron ore and expends Australian export of iron ores.Read moreRead less