The role of Fld1p protein in lipid droplet formation and growth in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This project aims to characterize Fld1p/seipin, an important protein that controls lipid storage in the form of lipid droplets. Knowing the molecular function of Fld1p will provide important insights into how lipid droplets originate and grow. Such knowledge will help improve the quality and quantity of oil and biodiesel production.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101168
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$364,900.00
Summary
Enhancement of light-driven electricity generation by cyanobacteria: en route to biosolar panels. Some species of naturally occurring cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) exhibit a special metabolic feature, which enables them to convert sunlight into electricity. This project will unveil the chemical and biological secrets behind this process and will lead to the creation of the first entirely biological solar panel.
A screening tool to identify safer biodiesels. This project aims to identify what makes an optimal biodiesel in terms of minimising toxic exhaust outputs (environmental effects) and effects on health. Biodiesel, which can be made from virtually any natural oil, is seen as a healthier, environmentally friendly alternative to mineral diesel, but some biodiesels are worse than others. By studying exposure and analysing biodiesel exhaust, this project will develop a screening algorithm to assess bio ....A screening tool to identify safer biodiesels. This project aims to identify what makes an optimal biodiesel in terms of minimising toxic exhaust outputs (environmental effects) and effects on health. Biodiesel, which can be made from virtually any natural oil, is seen as a healthier, environmentally friendly alternative to mineral diesel, but some biodiesels are worse than others. By studying exposure and analysing biodiesel exhaust, this project will develop a screening algorithm to assess biodiesels for their environmental effects and their risk to health. Outcomes are expected to guide industry in producing an alternative fuel.Read moreRead less
A landfill cover that generates electricity: a Microbial Fuel Cell application. Landfills account for over two per cent of Australia’s greenhouse emissions, dominating emissions from waste and wastewater. Methane emissions are inherent to landfills because waste cannot be permanently sealed until a landfill cell is full. In this project, a microbial fuel cell (MFC) landfill cover will be developed as a means of achieving full biogas capture, from the time that waste is placed. The MFC cover syst ....A landfill cover that generates electricity: a Microbial Fuel Cell application. Landfills account for over two per cent of Australia’s greenhouse emissions, dominating emissions from waste and wastewater. Methane emissions are inherent to landfills because waste cannot be permanently sealed until a landfill cell is full. In this project, a microbial fuel cell (MFC) landfill cover will be developed as a means of achieving full biogas capture, from the time that waste is placed. The MFC cover system would consist of a relatively thin and deformable granular graphite layer colonised by current generating methane oxidising microorganisms, overlain by a proton exchange membrane and steel mesh as the anode layer. The MFC cover will provide the benefit of power generation as well as more complete greenhouse gas mitigation. Read moreRead less
Towards high efficiency biofuel systems: a molecular resolution three-dimensional atlas of the photosynthetic machinery of a high-efficiency green algae cell. Solar-powered single-cell green-algae systems represent a powerful and environmentally friendly biotechnology used to produce clean fuels, food and high value products. This project is focused on solving the three-dimensional structure of key components of the photosynthetic machinery to improve the efficiency and profitability of advance ....Towards high efficiency biofuel systems: a molecular resolution three-dimensional atlas of the photosynthetic machinery of a high-efficiency green algae cell. Solar-powered single-cell green-algae systems represent a powerful and environmentally friendly biotechnology used to produce clean fuels, food and high value products. This project is focused on solving the three-dimensional structure of key components of the photosynthetic machinery to improve the efficiency and profitability of advance microalgae production systems.Read moreRead less
Bioengineering High Efficiency Solar Driven H2 Production. The project aims to bio-engineer high-efficiency microalgae cell-lines that can drive solar powered H2 production from water. It plans to do so by increasing proton and electron supply to the H2-producing hydrogenase. It builds on patented cell lines that have enhanced light capture efficiency and H2 production capabilities. The aim of this project is to increase the efficiency of the last stage of the process (three fold) in a major ste ....Bioengineering High Efficiency Solar Driven H2 Production. The project aims to bio-engineer high-efficiency microalgae cell-lines that can drive solar powered H2 production from water. It plans to do so by increasing proton and electron supply to the H2-producing hydrogenase. It builds on patented cell lines that have enhanced light capture efficiency and H2 production capabilities. The aim of this project is to increase the efficiency of the last stage of the process (three fold) in a major step in developing economic solar-fuel systems. National benefits include the development of advanced microalgae fuels systems to increase future fuel security, reduce CO2 emissions and assist with regional development.Read moreRead less
Fundamental research for advanced gasification technologies for low-rank coal and biomass in the carbon-constrained world. This project aims to acquire fundamental knowledge in order to develop advanced gasification technologies with high efficiencies and the capability to couple with carbon storage facilities in the carbon-constrained future. These technologies will contribute to the reduction of Australia's CO2 emissions using its cheap low-rank coal and biomass.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100497
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,000.00
Summary
Maximising waste-to-energy technologies by overcoming microbial inhibition. This project aims to understand microbial inhibition and acclimation mechanisms that limit anaerobic digestion. 30% of waste in Australia is organic, and most is sent to landfills. Anaerobic digestion is a low-cost treatment technology that diverts organic waste to renewable energy production, but is under-used due to inhibitory compounds (e.g. ammonia, salts and heavy metals) and limited knowledge of microbiology. Under ....Maximising waste-to-energy technologies by overcoming microbial inhibition. This project aims to understand microbial inhibition and acclimation mechanisms that limit anaerobic digestion. 30% of waste in Australia is organic, and most is sent to landfills. Anaerobic digestion is a low-cost treatment technology that diverts organic waste to renewable energy production, but is under-used due to inhibitory compounds (e.g. ammonia, salts and heavy metals) and limited knowledge of microbiology. Understanding microbial capacity and inhibition/acclimatisation mechanisms is expected to drive greater application of anaerobic technology by enabling new processes and super-charging energy production from existing infrastructure. This would support Australia’s transition to a reliable, low-cost, low-emission and secure energy future.Read moreRead less
Advanced solar powered hydrogen production systems based on green algal cells. This project aims to enhance the efficiency of solar powered hydrogen production from water and will facilitate the co-production of H2 and oil through microalgal biofuel systems. This frontier science project will therefore deliver a process with high solar conversion efficiency and will deliver multiple product streams increasing profitability.
Molecular Resolution 3D Atlas of the Photosynthetic Machinery. The project aims to produce an atomic-resolution 3-D atlas of the photosynthetic machinery of single-cell green algae to guide the targeted engineering of high efficiency algae production cell lines and bio-inspired artificial solar fuel systems. Photosynthesis drives the first step of all algae production processes by capturing solar energy and converting it to chemical energy (for example sustainable fuels, food and high value prod ....Molecular Resolution 3D Atlas of the Photosynthetic Machinery. The project aims to produce an atomic-resolution 3-D atlas of the photosynthetic machinery of single-cell green algae to guide the targeted engineering of high efficiency algae production cell lines and bio-inspired artificial solar fuel systems. Photosynthesis drives the first step of all algae production processes by capturing solar energy and converting it to chemical energy (for example sustainable fuels, food and high value products), but excess light can cause photodamage. Microalgae have evolved intricate photo-protection mechanisms that can dissipate up to 90 per cent of the captured light energy. Fine-tuning the light harvesting complexes could considerably increase efficiency.Read moreRead less