Redox processes in Bayer liquors. Alumina, and the aluminium produced from it, are amongst Australia's most important mineral commodities, earning about $8 billion p.a. in exports. However, ongoing technological improvements are needed for Australian producers to remain globally competitive. This project addresses a key problem in alumina production - the behaviour of organic impurities - which will help to increase industrial productivity and reduce energy consumption. Insights gained from this ....Redox processes in Bayer liquors. Alumina, and the aluminium produced from it, are amongst Australia's most important mineral commodities, earning about $8 billion p.a. in exports. However, ongoing technological improvements are needed for Australian producers to remain globally competitive. This project addresses a key problem in alumina production - the behaviour of organic impurities - which will help to increase industrial productivity and reduce energy consumption. Insights gained from this research will also minimize the environmental and occupational health impacts of various process emissions, making the industry more sustainable.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101456
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Electrochemical behaviour of toxic gases and explosives in room temperature ionic liquids. This project will examine the behaviour of toxic gases and volatile explosive materials in ionic liquids. The information generated from this work will provide fundamental knowledge that will allow for the design of improved sensors for toxic gases, nerve agents and explosives, for applications in the mining and security sectors.
The role of water uptake in novel all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. This research will enable the development of robust all solid-state polymeric ion sensors based on unplasticized copolymers. Significantly, the physical and chemical robustness of these copolymer ion sensors will allow their widespread use in new and exciting analytical applications, e.g., in-situ analysis of environmental samples in submersible instruments, clinical analysis of whole blood, in-vivo use of miniaturized ele ....The role of water uptake in novel all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. This research will enable the development of robust all solid-state polymeric ion sensors based on unplasticized copolymers. Significantly, the physical and chemical robustness of these copolymer ion sensors will allow their widespread use in new and exciting analytical applications, e.g., in-situ analysis of environmental samples in submersible instruments, clinical analysis of whole blood, in-vivo use of miniaturized electrodes in biological media, especially single cells and minute samples in biology and forensic science, etc. Extensive use of neutron characterization techniques aligns strongly this project with the new OPAL reactor to be commissioned in 2007.Read moreRead less
Probing the internal contacts of all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. The results of this research will enable the development of robust and reliable all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. These sensors will enable solutions to significant environmental problems such as soil salinity and acidity, and may pave the way for new and exciting analytical applications, e.g., miniaturized implantable sensors for in-vivo use, microfluidics and Forensic Science, single blood droplet clinical analyzers, ....Probing the internal contacts of all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. The results of this research will enable the development of robust and reliable all solid-state polymeric ion sensors. These sensors will enable solutions to significant environmental problems such as soil salinity and acidity, and may pave the way for new and exciting analytical applications, e.g., miniaturized implantable sensors for in-vivo use, microfluidics and Forensic Science, single blood droplet clinical analyzers, rugged solid contact ion sensors for use in submersible oceanographic analyzers, etc. The research will develop a unique in-situ neutron reflectometry technique for the study of electrochemical interfaces, providing scientific opportunities for the new Australian Replacement Research Reactor.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100148
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,916.00
Summary
An STM/AFM Facility for Electroactive Materials Characterisation. A Scanning Tunnelling Microscope (STM)/Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) facility for electroactive materials characterisation: This project is expected to address an identified need for the characterisation of electroactive structures using scanning probe microscopy and builds on local expertise in allied methods. The instrumentation includes an electrochemical STM for electrical testing of molecular wires, switches, transistors and ....An STM/AFM Facility for Electroactive Materials Characterisation. A Scanning Tunnelling Microscope (STM)/Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) facility for electroactive materials characterisation: This project is expected to address an identified need for the characterisation of electroactive structures using scanning probe microscopy and builds on local expertise in allied methods. The instrumentation includes an electrochemical STM for electrical testing of molecular wires, switches, transistors and other single molecule electronic components, together with a pico-force tunnelling AFM (PF-TUNA) for the measurement and correlation of nano mechanical and electrical properties of fragile structures over larger areas. The facility will be a core asset for researchers that use electroactive material on conducting substrates in fields including fundamental corrosion science, nanotechnology, and moltronics.Read moreRead less
Probing the interfaces of electrochemical sensors. The nanostructured surfaces of electrochemical sensors for iron, mercury and cadmium will be characterised by using a range of state-of-the-art surface analysis techniques. Whilst electrochemical sensors are extremely valuable in monitoring of trace metals in the aquatic environment, a knowledge of the surface chemical physics of the systems is vital in order to widen their use in analytical/environmental chemistry. This project will derive a u ....Probing the interfaces of electrochemical sensors. The nanostructured surfaces of electrochemical sensors for iron, mercury and cadmium will be characterised by using a range of state-of-the-art surface analysis techniques. Whilst electrochemical sensors are extremely valuable in monitoring of trace metals in the aquatic environment, a knowledge of the surface chemical physics of the systems is vital in order to widen their use in analytical/environmental chemistry. This project will derive a universal model for the surface chemistry and physics of electrochemical sensors, enabling environmental scientists to develop unique sensor methods for studying the speciation of environmentally important trace metals such as those mentioned above.Read moreRead less
Blocking of the interfaces of polymeric ion sensors - implications for novel sensor applications. Control of the transmembrane fluxes of polymeric ion sensors represents a paradigm shift that has revolutionised the use of these analytically important devices. This project will develop and characterise innovative methods for controlling these fluxes by using blocked interfaces, and this has important ramifications for the development of robust and reliable sensors, as well as novel biosensors.
Nanoscale liquid interfaces: properties and molecular sensitivity. Challenges facing society in health and environment need new molecular measurements that are accurate, sensitive and fast. By use of nanoscale oil-water junctions, the project will develop new chemical and biological sensors that hold great promise for solving molecular measurement problems, including the ability to detect single molecules.
Better Batteries via Controlling the Properties of Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide. Physical properties of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) such as crystal structure, morphology and electrochemical characteristics determine its usefulness in alkaline batteries. However, the relationship between these parameters is not well understood. This APAI project will attempt to address these shortcomings in the current understanding of the production process by focussing on the relationships between fu ....Better Batteries via Controlling the Properties of Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide. Physical properties of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) such as crystal structure, morphology and electrochemical characteristics determine its usefulness in alkaline batteries. However, the relationship between these parameters is not well understood. This APAI project will attempt to address these shortcomings in the current understanding of the production process by focussing on the relationships between fundamental physical, chemical and electrochemical properties of EMD. The results will be of benefit in optimising the process and ensuring that EMD with superior performance can be consistently produced.Read moreRead less
Oxide-based high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are one of the most efficient energy conversion technologies for producing electricity from fuels such as hydrogen and methanol. Current PEMFCs use precious metal catalysts, and the performance of liquid methanol fuel is disappointingly low due to the inability of polymer or hybrid membranes to operate at temperatures above 160-180 degrees centigrade. This work aims to develop an all ox ....Oxide-based high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are one of the most efficient energy conversion technologies for producing electricity from fuels such as hydrogen and methanol. Current PEMFCs use precious metal catalysts, and the performance of liquid methanol fuel is disappointingly low due to the inability of polymer or hybrid membranes to operate at temperatures above 160-180 degrees centigrade. This work aims to develop an all oxide-based PEMFC technology using a recently developed sintered and heteropolyacid functionalised mesoporous silica membrane. The utilisation of all-oxide-PEMFCs using non-precious metal catalysts is expected to significantly enhance the power density, reduce costs, and enhance the commercial viability of PEMFC technologies.Read moreRead less