Nanostructured solid acid catalysts for sustainable chemical manufacturing. This project aims to develop next-generation solid acid catalysts for energy- and atom-efficient transformations of waste biomass and carbon dioxide to sustainable chemicals and fuels. Catalysis is a transformative technology, key to both life and lifestyle, contributing to 90% of chemical manufacturing processes and >20% of all industrial products, and will be a key enabler for the emerging Australian bioeconomy. The ex ....Nanostructured solid acid catalysts for sustainable chemical manufacturing. This project aims to develop next-generation solid acid catalysts for energy- and atom-efficient transformations of waste biomass and carbon dioxide to sustainable chemicals and fuels. Catalysis is a transformative technology, key to both life and lifestyle, contributing to 90% of chemical manufacturing processes and >20% of all industrial products, and will be a key enabler for the emerging Australian bioeconomy. The expected development of new high performance catalysts for the production of renewable transportation fuels and sustainable chemical feedstocks will underpin commercially viable low carbon technologies using waste resources, and should provide significant benefits to Australian science, industry, and the environment.
Read moreRead less
Re-evaluating the nature, origins and roles of terpenes in Eucalyptus. Terpenes give eucalypts their characteristic smell and mediate many interactions between trees and the environment. Studies of the genome show that eucalypts have more genes to make terpenes than any other plant. Our knowledge of the chemistry and roles of these terpenes is confined to leaves but almost half of the genes occur in roots, wood and bark and there is little idea what their roles are. This project will conduct the ....Re-evaluating the nature, origins and roles of terpenes in Eucalyptus. Terpenes give eucalypts their characteristic smell and mediate many interactions between trees and the environment. Studies of the genome show that eucalypts have more genes to make terpenes than any other plant. Our knowledge of the chemistry and roles of these terpenes is confined to leaves but almost half of the genes occur in roots, wood and bark and there is little idea what their roles are. This project will conduct the first comprehensive study of terpenes in Eucalyptus to identify where and how they are made in the plant, how the major compounds evolved and how terpenes contribute to defence against insects, atmospheric emissions and the composition of soil.Read moreRead less
Production, processing and combustion of an innovative slurry fuel for high efficiency distributed power generation. This project will advance the science underpinning the development of an innovative technology for energy production (with carbon capture) and use in remote regions. The outcomes of this research will help meet the great challenges of climate change and contribute to the development of an environmentally sustainable Australia.