Surface Processing of Photo-Sensitive Semiconducting Oxides for Solar-Hydrogen. Aim: To enhance the performance of titania-based semiconducting photo-electrodes for the generation of hydrogen from water using sunlight. Means: Engineering of the surface and near-surface layers so as to increase photo-sensitivity and reactivity with water. Significance: Success will provide the key functional component of photo-electrochemical cells for the mass production of renewable and clean hydrogen. In ....Surface Processing of Photo-Sensitive Semiconducting Oxides for Solar-Hydrogen. Aim: To enhance the performance of titania-based semiconducting photo-electrodes for the generation of hydrogen from water using sunlight. Means: Engineering of the surface and near-surface layers so as to increase photo-sensitivity and reactivity with water. Significance: Success will provide the key functional component of photo-electrochemical cells for the mass production of renewable and clean hydrogen. Innovation: For the first time, the properties controlling photo-sensitivity (defect disorder; charge transport; and chemically-induced, local, surface electric fields) will be modified. Outcomes: Technologies for the production of fuel (hydrogen) using renewable energy (solar energy) and a renewable resource (water).
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P-Type Titanium Dioxide for Hydrogen Generation from Water using Solar Energy. This project aims to develop a completely new processing technology for photo-sensitive oxide materials based on titanium dioxide for the conversion of renewable energy (solar energy) into chemical energy (hydrogen) or electrical energy (photovoltaic). When commercialised, the resultant technology will allow Australia to achieve the following: a) reduction in air pollution, b) reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, c) ....P-Type Titanium Dioxide for Hydrogen Generation from Water using Solar Energy. This project aims to develop a completely new processing technology for photo-sensitive oxide materials based on titanium dioxide for the conversion of renewable energy (solar energy) into chemical energy (hydrogen) or electrical energy (photovoltaic). When commercialised, the resultant technology will allow Australia to achieve the following: a) reduction in air pollution, b) reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, c) reduction in reliance on foreign energy sources, d) development of a range of ancillary technologies and infrastructure, and e) export of solar energy in the form of solar-hydrogen. This project addresses National Priorities #1 and #3.Read moreRead less
PROCESSING OF REDUCED-BAND-GAP TITANIA FOR SOLAR-HYDROGEN. The present project involves the development of materials and devices for solar-hydrogen using photo-assisted water decomposition. The research focusses on the processing of titanium dioxide (titania) with substantially enhanced photo-sensitivity and, consequently, increased efficiency of the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy (hydrogen) through imposition of the optimal Ti/O ratio. Significance: processing technology of tit ....PROCESSING OF REDUCED-BAND-GAP TITANIA FOR SOLAR-HYDROGEN. The present project involves the development of materials and devices for solar-hydrogen using photo-assisted water decomposition. The research focusses on the processing of titanium dioxide (titania) with substantially enhanced photo-sensitivity and, consequently, increased efficiency of the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy (hydrogen) through imposition of the optimal Ti/O ratio. Significance: processing technology of titania for photo-electrochemical devices for hydrogen generation and water decontamination. Innovation: processing of titania with reduced band-gap to be achieved through optimised oxygen nonstoichiometry. Outcome: processing technology of titania with outstanding photo-sensitivity.Read moreRead less
TITANIA-BASED MATERIALS WITH ENHANCED PHOTO-SENSITIVITY FOR SOLAR-HYDROGEN. Aims: Enhancement of the photo-sensitivity of titania photo-electrodes will be achieved through the effect of aliovalent ions in the titania lattice, leading to, at a high density of states, the imposition of mid-gap bands. This will result in the reduction of the effective band gap required for ionisation. Significance: The practical application of titania for the photolysis of water using solar energy at efficiencies s ....TITANIA-BASED MATERIALS WITH ENHANCED PHOTO-SENSITIVITY FOR SOLAR-HYDROGEN. Aims: Enhancement of the photo-sensitivity of titania photo-electrodes will be achieved through the effect of aliovalent ions in the titania lattice, leading to, at a high density of states, the imposition of mid-gap bands. This will result in the reduction of the effective band gap required for ionisation. Significance: The practical application of titania for the photolysis of water using solar energy at efficiencies sufficiently high for commercialisation (greater than 10%). Innovation: Examination for the first time of the impact of the electronic structure on the photo-sensitivity of oxide materials, including titania single crystals and polycrystals.Read moreRead less
Modelling of Nitric Oxides and Carbon Monoxide Emissions from Bagasse-Fires Boilers. The project aims to develop computational models to predict emissions of nitric oxides and carbon monoxide from sugar-mill boilers burning bagasse. Bagasse combustion does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and clean and efficient combustion of this fuel has become very important for the sugar industry and for Australia. The project combines the opportunity of direct boiler measurements by SRI with the m ....Modelling of Nitric Oxides and Carbon Monoxide Emissions from Bagasse-Fires Boilers. The project aims to develop computational models to predict emissions of nitric oxides and carbon monoxide from sugar-mill boilers burning bagasse. Bagasse combustion does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and clean and efficient combustion of this fuel has become very important for the sugar industry and for Australia. The project combines the opportunity of direct boiler measurements by SRI with the modelling expertise at the University to develop combustion-kinetics models for these species. The models will be incorporated into the previously developed computational fluid dynamics - combustion code of the furnace to give the capability of emission prediction as a function of burner operating conditions and fuel parameters.Read moreRead less
Sustainable Technology for Removal of Trace Contaminants in Rural Water Supplies. Provision of safe drinking water treatment using sustainable technology which can be applied in rural locations and emergency situations is the main aim of this project. A hybrid membrane process will be combined with solar energy for the removal of pathogens and trace pollutants such as uranium, fluoride, arsenic, boron and nitrates. The technology will be designed for remote community situations and hence be robu ....Sustainable Technology for Removal of Trace Contaminants in Rural Water Supplies. Provision of safe drinking water treatment using sustainable technology which can be applied in rural locations and emergency situations is the main aim of this project. A hybrid membrane process will be combined with solar energy for the removal of pathogens and trace pollutants such as uranium, fluoride, arsenic, boron and nitrates. The technology will be designed for remote community situations and hence be robust and low in maintenance. Using solar energy is a challenge for trace contaminant removal as the operating conditions vary with the power fluctuations, which presents a substantially different situation to grid power connection.Read moreRead less
Sequestration of CO2 with enhanced methane recovery from deep coal. Coal and gas represent the main energy source for the Australian and many other national economies into the foreseeable future. The continuing use of these critical resources requires that greenhouse gas emission issues be addressed. Any serious attempt to achieve reduced emission of CO2 from power generation requires sequestration as a necessary element. A plausible method for cost effective sequestration of large amounts of ....Sequestration of CO2 with enhanced methane recovery from deep coal. Coal and gas represent the main energy source for the Australian and many other national economies into the foreseeable future. The continuing use of these critical resources requires that greenhouse gas emission issues be addressed. Any serious attempt to achieve reduced emission of CO2 from power generation requires sequestration as a necessary element. A plausible method for cost effective sequestration of large amounts of CO2 is by geological fixing in deep, unminable coal. The key technological and scientific issues regarding capacity, rate, technical viability and site selection form the basis of this proposal.Read moreRead less
Development and Modellling of Advanced Coagulation and Oxidation Processes. The success of this program will help place Australia at the forefront of water quality control and management research. It will address concerns with managing and treating waters of changing characteristics due to climate change. In addition to the socio benefits, project success will also impart economic benefits to the nation through (i) fabricating new hybrid coagulants, that are versatile with enhanced performance ....Development and Modellling of Advanced Coagulation and Oxidation Processes. The success of this program will help place Australia at the forefront of water quality control and management research. It will address concerns with managing and treating waters of changing characteristics due to climate change. In addition to the socio benefits, project success will also impart economic benefits to the nation through (i) fabricating new hybrid coagulants, that are versatile with enhanced performance for removing NOM, and possess antimicrobial properties (ii) developing a new energy efficient photocatalysis technology.The proposed research will expand the knowledge base in this area and increase Australia’s international profile as a global leader in developing cutting-edge cost effective water resource technologies.Read moreRead less
Designing integrated photocatalytic systems for simultaneous clean energy generation and water remediation. The proposal addresses the core issues of energy and water, two highly critical resources in Australia as well as worldwide. Utilising our geographically-abundant solar energy and through designing novel photocatalytic systems, the proposed research provides an ultimately clean solution by efficiently harnessing and converting the solar energy to hydrogen while remediating wastewater. Give ....Designing integrated photocatalytic systems for simultaneous clean energy generation and water remediation. The proposal addresses the core issues of energy and water, two highly critical resources in Australia as well as worldwide. Utilising our geographically-abundant solar energy and through designing novel photocatalytic systems, the proposed research provides an ultimately clean solution by efficiently harnessing and converting the solar energy to hydrogen while remediating wastewater. Given the high intensity and consistent solar output in Australia, such technology provides an almost ideal and sustainable outcome in terms of clean energy and water supply. Success in this area will place Australian researchers at the forefront of practical and functional photocatalytic technologiesRead moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882833
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,000.00
Summary
Advanced infrared imaging facility for micro to macro systems. This state-of-the-art infrared imaging equipment will provide significant benefits towards research and development in a wide variety of important areas such as: green house gas reduction through efficient and clean energy production and usage, using solar thermal and solar photovoltaic energy; understanding fire propagation in buildings, and efficiently growing stem cells. This equipment will help maintain Australia's position as a ....Advanced infrared imaging facility for micro to macro systems. This state-of-the-art infrared imaging equipment will provide significant benefits towards research and development in a wide variety of important areas such as: green house gas reduction through efficient and clean energy production and usage, using solar thermal and solar photovoltaic energy; understanding fire propagation in buildings, and efficiently growing stem cells. This equipment will help maintain Australia's position as a leader in these fields, and thus attract international customers to research and development services in rapidly growing markets such as alternative/renewable energy and biotechnology.Read moreRead less