Crystalline Mesoporous Metal Oxides for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrodes. Our crystalline mesoporous electrodes will help realise the full potentials of solid oxide fuel cells. Such advanced fuel cell technology will drastically increase the power generation efficiency, and reduce CO2 emissions from present power plants, thereby transforming Australian energy industry and improving our environment. The design and development of novel crystalline mesoporous materials that find widespread industri ....Crystalline Mesoporous Metal Oxides for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrodes. Our crystalline mesoporous electrodes will help realise the full potentials of solid oxide fuel cells. Such advanced fuel cell technology will drastically increase the power generation efficiency, and reduce CO2 emissions from present power plants, thereby transforming Australian energy industry and improving our environment. The design and development of novel crystalline mesoporous materials that find widespread industrial applications will advance Australia's knowledge and skill base, and help Australia's high-tech industries to stay competitive, including the development of new high-tech industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
Artificial Proteins for the Control of Colloid and Surface Properties. A large amount of Australia's wealth arises from mining and the processing of small (colloidal) particles. This project will develop new coatings for particles, which will allow better control of the properties of particle suspensions. Control of surface properties is also important in the preparation of ceramics and in the preparation of implants and biosensors. The development of new coatings will also offer opportunitie ....Artificial Proteins for the Control of Colloid and Surface Properties. A large amount of Australia's wealth arises from mining and the processing of small (colloidal) particles. This project will develop new coatings for particles, which will allow better control of the properties of particle suspensions. Control of surface properties is also important in the preparation of ceramics and in the preparation of implants and biosensors. The development of new coatings will also offer opportunities for improved performance in these areas.
Many existing coating technologies rely on procedures using organic solvents, which are hazardous to human health and the environment. The proposed research will develop coatings that are made and used in solutions of water only, thereby minimizing pollution production.
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Design of Advanced Geopolymeric Materials Based on Nanostructural Characterisation and Modelling. Geopolymers are a class of advanced aluminosilicate materials primarily utilised in the construction and building products industries, where their application as a replacement for ordinary Portland cement provides the potential for highly significant Greenhouse gas emission reductions. Australian research has led to the increasingly widespread commercial use of this technology in a range of areas. D ....Design of Advanced Geopolymeric Materials Based on Nanostructural Characterisation and Modelling. Geopolymers are a class of advanced aluminosilicate materials primarily utilised in the construction and building products industries, where their application as a replacement for ordinary Portland cement provides the potential for highly significant Greenhouse gas emission reductions. Australian research has led to the increasingly widespread commercial use of this technology in a range of areas. Development of a full understanding of the exact chemical structure of geopolymers is essential to finding and developing new applications for these materials as well as maximising their use in known applications.Read moreRead less
Geopolymers for nuclear applications. With the pressing need for the reduction of Greenhouse emissions from electricity generation in Australia, one option that must be seriously considered is nuclear energy. However, the issue of waste storage is a highly significant one that must be addressed. Geopolymeric cements are expected to perform much better than traditional Portland cements in nuclear applications, both for solidification of radioactive wastes and also for the construction of undergro ....Geopolymers for nuclear applications. With the pressing need for the reduction of Greenhouse emissions from electricity generation in Australia, one option that must be seriously considered is nuclear energy. However, the issue of waste storage is a highly significant one that must be addressed. Geopolymeric cements are expected to perform much better than traditional Portland cements in nuclear applications, both for solidification of radioactive wastes and also for the construction of underground waste storage bunkers. This project will use Australia's strong existing knowledge in geopolymers research, and apply it to the development of materials to fill the need for environmentally secure waste storage solutions.Read moreRead less
Controlling Anisotropic Growth of Metal Oxide Crystals in Aqueous Solution by Selective Adsorption of Small Molecules. The proposed research will enhance our ability to make both light emitting diodes (LEDs) and piezoelectric actuators from ZnO. LEDs are a high efficiency light source that save energy compared to conventional illumination sources and can be fabricated in thin films. The proposal is to also bring the technology for device fabrication to Australia where it can ultimately be used ....Controlling Anisotropic Growth of Metal Oxide Crystals in Aqueous Solution by Selective Adsorption of Small Molecules. The proposed research will enhance our ability to make both light emitting diodes (LEDs) and piezoelectric actuators from ZnO. LEDs are a high efficiency light source that save energy compared to conventional illumination sources and can be fabricated in thin films. The proposal is to also bring the technology for device fabrication to Australia where it can ultimately be used to broaden the economic base of the country. The knowledge of crystal growth rate and crystal morphology control can be applied to improvements in the efficiency of alumina production which is already an important contributor to Australian exports.Read moreRead less
Wet Particulate Materials - Flow or Fracture? Most advanced materials are produced from starting materials in the form of fine particles. Powders, especially in ceramic engineering, are first processed wet into near-final shape. Improved understanding of the fracture of particle networks is critical in order to process nano-sized advanced ceramic materials for use in solar energy harvesting and extreme heat engine applications as well as minimising drying cracks in paints and coatings. The resea ....Wet Particulate Materials - Flow or Fracture? Most advanced materials are produced from starting materials in the form of fine particles. Powders, especially in ceramic engineering, are first processed wet into near-final shape. Improved understanding of the fracture of particle networks is critical in order to process nano-sized advanced ceramic materials for use in solar energy harvesting and extreme heat engine applications as well as minimising drying cracks in paints and coatings. The research aims to identify the fundamental link between particle network strength and structure and the fracture of wet powder bodies. The microscopic mechanisms that control the behaviour will be investigated with a particular focus on toughening mechanisms including the influence of plasticity.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
Flexible dye-sensitised solar cells on polymer substrates. The expected outcomes of the project are the preparation and development of flexible solar cells. The resulting portable and compact solar cells could be incorporated in fabrics opening the solar cell market to the clothing industry. The products and mechanisms developed are envisaged to be amenable to large scale-up in industry. Hence, at a future date, there is the potential to fabricate the cells in Australia and then export the mater ....Flexible dye-sensitised solar cells on polymer substrates. The expected outcomes of the project are the preparation and development of flexible solar cells. The resulting portable and compact solar cells could be incorporated in fabrics opening the solar cell market to the clothing industry. The products and mechanisms developed are envisaged to be amenable to large scale-up in industry. Hence, at a future date, there is the potential to fabricate the cells in Australia and then export the materials and technology. This will benefit the Australian economy through employment of Australians and income generated through exports.Read moreRead less
New Nanoscale Up-converting Photoluminescent Materials for Passive Safety Visual Systems. The demand for safety and security products is growing as the importance of providing an environment safer from natural, accidental or man-made threats increases in the community. Life safety applications in buildings and work environments as well as trains and planes for example are dependent upon the ability for non-powered passive systems to give efficient visual guidance in dangerous dark and smoke fill ....New Nanoscale Up-converting Photoluminescent Materials for Passive Safety Visual Systems. The demand for safety and security products is growing as the importance of providing an environment safer from natural, accidental or man-made threats increases in the community. Life safety applications in buildings and work environments as well as trains and planes for example are dependent upon the ability for non-powered passive systems to give efficient visual guidance in dangerous dark and smoke filled environments. This project will provide a practical demonstration of the successful implementation of nanotechnology to smaller Australian companies where it will overcome significant drawbacks in current manufacturing and yield new products which are activated in darkness by infrared radiation.Read moreRead less
A new paradigm in near-net-shape advanced ceramic component processing. The raw materials for high performance ceramics (such as alumina and zirconia) are readily available and produced in Australia. Nearly all of these raw materials are exported. The development of processing to make high value added ceramic components from these raw materials will result in greater profit and more jobs for Australians. The proposed research is to develop a novel innovative process to drive a value adding ce ....A new paradigm in near-net-shape advanced ceramic component processing. The raw materials for high performance ceramics (such as alumina and zirconia) are readily available and produced in Australia. Nearly all of these raw materials are exported. The development of processing to make high value added ceramic components from these raw materials will result in greater profit and more jobs for Australians. The proposed research is to develop a novel innovative process to drive a value adding ceramic processing industry in Australia.Read moreRead less