Novel Characterization of Porous Structure and Surface Chemistry of Carbon. The aim of this project is to develop novel characterisation methods that probe the structure and surface chemistry of carbons, ranging from highly graphitised thermal carbon black through ordered mesoporous carbon to disordered porous activated carbon. The project plans to develop a new generic molecular model based on wedge-shaped pores. Conventional parallel sided pore models fail to account for real structures and th ....Novel Characterization of Porous Structure and Surface Chemistry of Carbon. The aim of this project is to develop novel characterisation methods that probe the structure and surface chemistry of carbons, ranging from highly graphitised thermal carbon black through ordered mesoporous carbon to disordered porous activated carbon. The project plans to develop a new generic molecular model based on wedge-shaped pores. Conventional parallel sided pore models fail to account for real structures and therefore for the physics of adsorption in real materials. The project then plans to back the theoretical model with high-resolution experimental measurements. It is expected that the model will unify the structural analysis for all carbons and account for all experimental isotherms within a rational and physically plausible framework.Read moreRead less
Designing high performance gas separation by interfacial diffusion membrane. This project aims to develop a new generation of interfacial diffusion membranes for industrial gas separations including carbon dioxide removal, nitrogen gas enrichment, methane purification and air separation. The project focuses on advancing separation technologies for the petrochemical, natural gas, and clean energy industries in the mining sector. The project is expected to reveal new separation properties and perf ....Designing high performance gas separation by interfacial diffusion membrane. This project aims to develop a new generation of interfacial diffusion membranes for industrial gas separations including carbon dioxide removal, nitrogen gas enrichment, methane purification and air separation. The project focuses on advancing separation technologies for the petrochemical, natural gas, and clean energy industries in the mining sector. The project is expected to reveal new separation properties and performance based on highly selective interfacial diffusion membranes. The project will also create new scientific knowledge about the role of functional surfaces and nanostructures that will not only facilitate new membrane designs but also offer new, more cost-effective devices for solar conversion, energy storage and harvesting, biomedical applications, sensing and information technology.Read moreRead less
Regulating guest transport in microporous materials by electric field. This project aims to address the fundamentals and applications of regulating micropore accessibility. It has long been known that some highly adsorbing molecular sieves suddenly become inaccessible to gases below certain temperatures. Following a recent breakthrough in elucidating the mechanism of such temperature-regulated guest admission, this project will explore electrical regulation of micropore accessibility in conjunct ....Regulating guest transport in microporous materials by electric field. This project aims to address the fundamentals and applications of regulating micropore accessibility. It has long been known that some highly adsorbing molecular sieves suddenly become inaccessible to gases below certain temperatures. Following a recent breakthrough in elucidating the mechanism of such temperature-regulated guest admission, this project will explore electrical regulation of micropore accessibility in conjunction with developing new mechanisms, materials, and control tools for applications, including tunable molecular sieves, valves and gas encapsulation devices. The outcomes of this project will generate new knowledge in the active manipulation of the admission and release of guest molecules in/out of microporous materials, and establish new expertise and capabilities that can advance gas separation, storage and sensing technologies. It is expected that this project will contribute to the long term benefit in low emission energy supplies and Australia's natural gas industry, improve the separation efficiency of our chemical industry, and boost the development of the hydrogen economy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101824
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$376,970.00
Summary
Capturing Latent Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Production. Methane is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. The natural gas industry produces significant methane emissions through collateral venting with nitrogen gas. Recovering waste methane will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the revenue of natural gas processors. This project will develop the technology needed to capture the latent methane and significantly reduce its concentration in nitrogen gas ri ....Capturing Latent Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Production. Methane is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. The natural gas industry produces significant methane emissions through collateral venting with nitrogen gas. Recovering waste methane will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the revenue of natural gas processors. This project will develop the technology needed to capture the latent methane and significantly reduce its concentration in nitrogen gas rich vent streams. New adsorbents for separating these gases, such as molecular trapdoor zeolites, will be designed and tested over wide ranges of pressure and temperature. Dual reflux pressure swing adsorption cycles will be tested using the best materials to demonstrate how latent methane emissions can be reduced to part-per-million levels.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100189
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,000.00
Summary
Integrated magnetic resonance gas and oil analyser. Magnetic resonance has enormous potential in a range of industrial applications. This facility will develop these capabilities and contribute unique insights into liquid and gas transport in systems ranging from rock cores to reverse osmosis membranes used in desalination.
Structural modelling of silicon carbide-derived microporous carbon and its application in carbon dioxide capture from moist gases. The project will deliver a powerful new tool for determining the nanostructure of carbons, and will advance the modelling of fluid equilibrium, accessibility and transport within this structure. The outcomes will be crucial to the development of emerging technologies in nanofluidics, gas and electrochemical energy storage, and gas separation.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100362
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Nanostructured metal hydrides for practical hydrogen storage applications. This project aims to synthesise nanostructured metal hydrides with particle size smaller than 5 nm. The practical applications of metal hydrides as advanced solid-state hydrogen storage materials require substantial knowledge and delicate engineering of materials on the nanoscale. Combined with controllable modification on the nanoscale, the optimised metal hydrides will enhance the performance of hydrogen storage materia ....Nanostructured metal hydrides for practical hydrogen storage applications. This project aims to synthesise nanostructured metal hydrides with particle size smaller than 5 nm. The practical applications of metal hydrides as advanced solid-state hydrogen storage materials require substantial knowledge and delicate engineering of materials on the nanoscale. Combined with controllable modification on the nanoscale, the optimised metal hydrides will enhance the performance of hydrogen storage materials. This project is expected to advance understanding of the technologies of metal hydrides as hydrogen storage materials and develop practical applications of metal hydrides in storage tanks for fuel cells. Hydrogen energy could also reduce carbon dioxide emissions and alleviate air pollution.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100504
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,000.00
Summary
Interphases and interfaces of nanomaterials in potassium-ion batteries. This project aims to improve the fundamental understanding of interfacial interactions in multicomponent materials, which is a critical precursor to successfully designing and experimentally validating novel layered sulphide systems for potassium-ion batteries. A new layered structure construction technique will be employed to enhance the intrinsic electronic and ionic conductivities in the anode by controllable interphase a ....Interphases and interfaces of nanomaterials in potassium-ion batteries. This project aims to improve the fundamental understanding of interfacial interactions in multicomponent materials, which is a critical precursor to successfully designing and experimentally validating novel layered sulphide systems for potassium-ion batteries. A new layered structure construction technique will be employed to enhance the intrinsic electronic and ionic conductivities in the anode by controllable interphase and interface engineering. The expected outcomes of this project are to generate potassiumion batteries with high energy density, high safety, and long cycle life for next generation energy storage. This project should give Australia a competitive edge in the globally emerging sustainable manufacturing and energy-storage technologies.Read moreRead less
Engineering Nanoionic Interfaces towards High Performance Cathode Coatings. This project aims to develop novel cathode coating materials towards more durable and powerful energy storage devices. Lithium ion battery will be constructed based on perovskite oxides to provide high capacity and stability for potential applications in electric cars, mobile phones and internet of things. The project will address fundamental challenges in this field by developing high voltage cathode coated with nanoion ....Engineering Nanoionic Interfaces towards High Performance Cathode Coatings. This project aims to develop novel cathode coating materials towards more durable and powerful energy storage devices. Lithium ion battery will be constructed based on perovskite oxides to provide high capacity and stability for potential applications in electric cars, mobile phones and internet of things. The project will address fundamental challenges in this field by developing high voltage cathode coated with nanoionic thin layers. Combined with new materials fabrication techniques and innovative strain engineering, the expected outcome is high performance cathodes with enhanced rate capability and cycling life, low fabrication cost and production scalability.
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Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101103
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$397,286.00
Summary
Stable Lithium-Sodium Metal Anodes for Rechargeable Alkali Metal Batteries. The project aims to address the safety issues derived from the dendritic growth and volume variation of alkali metal anodes, which are a challenge for the practical application of rechargeable alkali metal batteries. This project seeks to design a novel 3D lithium/sodium host featuring a lithiophilic-lithiophobic gradient interfacial layer to achieve uniform deposition and structural stability. The expected outcome of th ....Stable Lithium-Sodium Metal Anodes for Rechargeable Alkali Metal Batteries. The project aims to address the safety issues derived from the dendritic growth and volume variation of alkali metal anodes, which are a challenge for the practical application of rechargeable alkali metal batteries. This project seeks to design a novel 3D lithium/sodium host featuring a lithiophilic-lithiophobic gradient interfacial layer to achieve uniform deposition and structural stability. The expected outcome of this project is to successfully develop alkali metal batteries that are stable, safe and have high energy density. This project should have significant benefits such as the advancement of knowledge in alkali metal batteries and strengthen Australia’s competitiveness in the area of next-generation energy storage technologies.Read moreRead less