Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101044
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,318.00
Summary
Bio-inspired nanomaterials with tunable drug loading and controlled release. This project aims to develop new platform technologies for making bio-inspired nanomaterials with tunable drug loading and controlled release. This project will revolutionise current approaches to make lipid nanoparticles camouflaged with natural cell membranes for delivery of both insoluble and soluble drugs. Significant outcomes will include a novel commercially relevant salt-induced nanoprecipitation platform technol ....Bio-inspired nanomaterials with tunable drug loading and controlled release. This project aims to develop new platform technologies for making bio-inspired nanomaterials with tunable drug loading and controlled release. This project will revolutionise current approaches to make lipid nanoparticles camouflaged with natural cell membranes for delivery of both insoluble and soluble drugs. Significant outcomes will include a novel commercially relevant salt-induced nanoprecipitation platform technology for making precisely engineered nanomaterials with tailored functions for applications in controlled release and targeted delivery. Benefits include securing a sustainable future for Australia, with new nanotechnology strategies for advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100471
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$456,318.00
Summary
Designing advanced Zn-ion batteries towards practical applications. Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) are much safer and cheaper than current Li-ion batteries due to the water-based electrolyte and abundant Zn reserves. However, the state-of-the-art ZIB technique faces huge challenges for practical applications due to the low cathode capacity and poor Zn anode reversibility. This project aims to design novel cathodes with a new-type mechanism and highly reversible Zn anodes. Accordingly, on-demand ....Designing advanced Zn-ion batteries towards practical applications. Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) are much safer and cheaper than current Li-ion batteries due to the water-based electrolyte and abundant Zn reserves. However, the state-of-the-art ZIB technique faces huge challenges for practical applications due to the low cathode capacity and poor Zn anode reversibility. This project aims to design novel cathodes with a new-type mechanism and highly reversible Zn anodes. Accordingly, on-demand large-size ZIBs and flexible devices under industrial parameters will also be developed. The success of this project will place Australia at the forefront of implementing safe and low-cost batteries in largescale smart grid systems, household markets, and wearable medical devices.Read moreRead less
CO2-coupled photothermal catalysis on superlattice structures. This project aims to develop a structure-tailored platform of superlattice materials for photothermal catalytic conversion of natural gases to valuable fuels and chemicals. Innovations lie in engineered atomic and bulk scale nanocrystals for high-efficiency sunlight harvesting to drive CO2-coupled catalysis of C-H bond activation. Advanced characterisations and multiscale computations will enable mechanistic insights into the synergy ....CO2-coupled photothermal catalysis on superlattice structures. This project aims to develop a structure-tailored platform of superlattice materials for photothermal catalytic conversion of natural gases to valuable fuels and chemicals. Innovations lie in engineered atomic and bulk scale nanocrystals for high-efficiency sunlight harvesting to drive CO2-coupled catalysis of C-H bond activation. Advanced characterisations and multiscale computations will enable mechanistic insights into the synergy of photo and thermal catalysis in hydrocarbon conversions. The projects will result in next-generation intelligent materials and clean technologies for solar fuels production and CO2 recycling. Outcomes will benefit Australia’s long-term energy security and sustainability toward a carbon-neutral society. Read moreRead less
Multi-energy driven photothermal evaporators for all-weather desalination. This project aims to develop advanced Interfacial solar evaporation (ISE) technology to stably deliver clean water. This project expects to facilitate desalination practices by generating new ISE systems that use multiple energy sources from the environment and can operate under different weather conditions. Expected outcomes of this project include new knowledge in the area of renewable energy, improved ISE technique and ....Multi-energy driven photothermal evaporators for all-weather desalination. This project aims to develop advanced Interfacial solar evaporation (ISE) technology to stably deliver clean water. This project expects to facilitate desalination practices by generating new ISE systems that use multiple energy sources from the environment and can operate under different weather conditions. Expected outcomes of this project include new knowledge in the area of renewable energy, improved ISE technique and enhanced capacity for desalination and industrial wastewater treatment. This should provide significant benefits to remote communities who suffer from severe freshwater shortages and enhance research capabilities to position Australia as a global leader in developing green and affordable desalination technologies.Read moreRead less
Engineered redox polymers for catalytic water purification. This project aims to develop a novel family of chemically and structurally controlled redox polymer as metal-free catalysts for wastewater micropollutant treatment. Innovations lie in the synthesis of high-performance and nanostructured carbon-based materials, multiscale modeling, and in situ characterizations for understanding structure-property relationship in carbon catalysis. Expected outcomes will deliver innovations in functional ....Engineered redox polymers for catalytic water purification. This project aims to develop a novel family of chemically and structurally controlled redox polymer as metal-free catalysts for wastewater micropollutant treatment. Innovations lie in the synthesis of high-performance and nanostructured carbon-based materials, multiscale modeling, and in situ characterizations for understanding structure-property relationship in carbon catalysis. Expected outcomes will deliver innovations in functional materials, mechanism, catalytic engineering, and sustainable separation processes. This project will provide significant benefits in renovating smart nanomaterials in advanced manufacturing and clean environmental technologies, promoting Australia’s economic development and environment protection.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100159
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,847.00
Summary
Developing Room-Temperature Liquid Metal Batteries for Safe Energy Storage. To overcome safety issues intrinsic to the prevalent solid metal anodes in battery technology, this project aims to develop room-temperature liquid metal batteries by employing liquid Sodium-Potassium alloy. Innovations will span the development of the electrode concept, interface-oriented electrolyte design guided by theory and experiment, and prototype battery cell examples to illustrate how high round-trip efficiencie ....Developing Room-Temperature Liquid Metal Batteries for Safe Energy Storage. To overcome safety issues intrinsic to the prevalent solid metal anodes in battery technology, this project aims to develop room-temperature liquid metal batteries by employing liquid Sodium-Potassium alloy. Innovations will span the development of the electrode concept, interface-oriented electrolyte design guided by theory and experiment, and prototype battery cell examples to illustrate how high round-trip efficiencies at fast charging can be achieved over a prolonged time. The anticipated outcomes would transform battery technology concepts while providing a critical scientific basis for commercialisation. Further, the success of this project would help Australia realise its shift from traditional to emerging sustainable energy systems.Read moreRead less
Photocatalysts for Converting Plastic Wastes into Hydrogen and Chemicals. The aim is to produce new fundamental science for sustainable production of hydrogen and value-added chemicals through a solar-driven photocatalytic approach using abundant plastic wastes and high-performance photocatalysts. A range of active, selective, robust and cheap photocatalysts will be developed for conversion processes at ambient temperatures and pressures, via an interdisciplinary approach combining atomic-level ....Photocatalysts for Converting Plastic Wastes into Hydrogen and Chemicals. The aim is to produce new fundamental science for sustainable production of hydrogen and value-added chemicals through a solar-driven photocatalytic approach using abundant plastic wastes and high-performance photocatalysts. A range of active, selective, robust and cheap photocatalysts will be developed for conversion processes at ambient temperatures and pressures, via an interdisciplinary approach combining atomic-level material design principles, in situ/ex situ characterisations and theoretical computations. Expected outcomes will be of high impact for solar energy use, and fuels/chemicals generation. Environmental impact will derive from consuming abundant plastic wastes; helping mitigate plastic contamination of global concern.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100846
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,237.00
Summary
Probing Electrochemical Interface in CO2 reduction by Operando Computation. This project aims to explore the structure and dynamics of electrochemical interfaces using operando computational techniques, reveal the influence of catalyst structure and electrolyte environment on catalytic performance, and propose effective design strategies to facilitate the conversion of CO2 to high value-added fuels and chemicals. Innovations are expected in the new mechanism and rational design of electrocatalys ....Probing Electrochemical Interface in CO2 reduction by Operando Computation. This project aims to explore the structure and dynamics of electrochemical interfaces using operando computational techniques, reveal the influence of catalyst structure and electrolyte environment on catalytic performance, and propose effective design strategies to facilitate the conversion of CO2 to high value-added fuels and chemicals. Innovations are expected in the new mechanism and rational design of electrocatalysts. Expected outcomes include the discovery of new mechanisms at the electrochemical interface, the effect of local environmental changes on catalytic performance, and effective strategies for C2+ product. Benefits include a sustainable future for Australia with decreased CO2 emissions and increased green-fuel production.Read moreRead less
Industry Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: IL230100039
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,516,522.00
Summary
Aqueous sodium batteries for household and smart-grid electricity storage. This project aims to design and commercialise safe, cost-effective, long-lasting, fast-charging, high energy density aqueous sodium-based batteries to store renewable energy for use in households and smart grids. With a focus on developing and scaling technology and in collaboration with industry partners, the project’s expected outcomes include an enhanced ability to store excess energy and modulate its release into a sm ....Aqueous sodium batteries for household and smart-grid electricity storage. This project aims to design and commercialise safe, cost-effective, long-lasting, fast-charging, high energy density aqueous sodium-based batteries to store renewable energy for use in households and smart grids. With a focus on developing and scaling technology and in collaboration with industry partners, the project’s expected outcomes include an enhanced ability to store excess energy and modulate its release into a smart grid during peak demand. Of benefits to Australia, this project will deliver access to reliable, safe and cheap batteries for smart-grid electricity storage in households and a competitive industry manufacturing capability. The downstream benefit is a reduction in energy costs and a contribution to net-zero emissions.
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Seawater Electrolysis for Hydrogen and Commodity Chemicals Production. This project aims at sustainable production of hydrogen and chlorine-containing chemicals via development of revolutionary electrocatalysis that uses abundant seawater to replace scarce freshwater as feedstock. Fundamental science will be developed for addressing the knowledge gap between well-developed purified water electrolysis and emerging saline surface water electrolysis. Outcomes will include new knowledge of complex r ....Seawater Electrolysis for Hydrogen and Commodity Chemicals Production. This project aims at sustainable production of hydrogen and chlorine-containing chemicals via development of revolutionary electrocatalysis that uses abundant seawater to replace scarce freshwater as feedstock. Fundamental science will be developed for addressing the knowledge gap between well-developed purified water electrolysis and emerging saline surface water electrolysis. Outcomes will include new knowledge of complex reaction mechanism(s), new electrode materials design, and relative device development for seawater electrolysis. This project will significantly benefit renewable energy use and commodity-chemicals manufacturing, together with reducing pressure on Australia's freshwater scarcity. Read moreRead less