Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR180100023
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$940,000.00
Summary
Thermal decomposition of PFAS. This project aims to investigate the thermal decomposition of per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances (PFAS). The project will focus on the catalytic destruction of PFAS reactions at elevated temperatures, which is expected to transform PFAS in a controlled and predictable way into benign products. By understanding the fate of these compounds during thermal decomposition, the project will allow the development of a new technology aimed at treating materials which have ....Thermal decomposition of PFAS. This project aims to investigate the thermal decomposition of per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances (PFAS). The project will focus on the catalytic destruction of PFAS reactions at elevated temperatures, which is expected to transform PFAS in a controlled and predictable way into benign products. By understanding the fate of these compounds during thermal decomposition, the project will allow the development of a new technology aimed at treating materials which have been contaminated with or have been used as absorbants for PFAS. The project will provide the technical underpinning of a new technology developed to treat fluorochemical-contaminated material and, in doing so, reduce the environmental impact of these contaminants.Read moreRead less
Nano-engineered catalysts for sustainable fuel production from waste . This project aims to address two major problems simultaneously-reducing the burden of non-recyclable waste currently going to landfill in Australia, and offsetting Australia’s reliance on imported diesel to support industry and transport needs. While approximately 95% of diesel consumed in Australia is imported, vast quantities of carbon-based waste ends up in landfill. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is a mixture of plant-based ....Nano-engineered catalysts for sustainable fuel production from waste . This project aims to address two major problems simultaneously-reducing the burden of non-recyclable waste currently going to landfill in Australia, and offsetting Australia’s reliance on imported diesel to support industry and transport needs. While approximately 95% of diesel consumed in Australia is imported, vast quantities of carbon-based waste ends up in landfill. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is a mixture of plant-based waste (including food, garden, paper, and wood) and fossil-fuel derived materials (plastics). Using an innovative and environmentally-sustainable catalytic process, the outcomes of this project are aimed alleviating Australia’s dependence on diesel fuel imports and better waste management solutions in Australia.Read moreRead less
Accessing Liquid Noble Metals for Low Temperature Chemical Reactions. We will explore noble metals in liquid form at low temperatures. We will show that while noble metals melting points are above 1000°C, a gallium matrix will allow their existence in liquid form at low temperatures (<75°C). A variety of noble metal gallium alloy combinations will be investigated for their catalytic activities which are expected to show very high kinetics. We will study both bulk and low dimensional analogues to ....Accessing Liquid Noble Metals for Low Temperature Chemical Reactions. We will explore noble metals in liquid form at low temperatures. We will show that while noble metals melting points are above 1000°C, a gallium matrix will allow their existence in liquid form at low temperatures (<75°C). A variety of noble metal gallium alloy combinations will be investigated for their catalytic activities which are expected to show very high kinetics. We will study both bulk and low dimensional analogues to understand the atomic dispersion of noble metals on interface and in the core of the alloys, for discoveries regarding the liquid state catalytic properties of the mixes. Subsequently, model chemical reactions will reveal the enhancement of the kinetics and what the project can offer to industrial innovations. Read moreRead less
Electrodeposited Cathodes with Tunable Stoichiometry for Alkaline Batteries. The growing dependency on intermittently-available renewable energy sources has resulted in metal-ion batteries being adopted as the most common solution; yet its fabrication requires multi-stage high-temperature processing leading to high costs, quality issues, and reduced service life. Thus, the present project targets the room-temperature fabrication of binary and ternary oxide cathodes by a single-step, high-yield, ....Electrodeposited Cathodes with Tunable Stoichiometry for Alkaline Batteries. The growing dependency on intermittently-available renewable energy sources has resulted in metal-ion batteries being adopted as the most common solution; yet its fabrication requires multi-stage high-temperature processing leading to high costs, quality issues, and reduced service life. Thus, the present project targets the room-temperature fabrication of binary and ternary oxide cathodes by a single-step, high-yield, cost-effective technique and their integration into Na-ion batteries with minimal and no processing. The expected outcomes from this novel and efficient device fabrication can lead to significant commercial, social, and environmental benefits owing to the advancement of the battery industry and associated job creation.
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Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100637
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,154.00
Summary
An integrated electrolyser for CO2 conversion from capture media. This project aims to develop an efficient electrochemical method to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) to valuable chemicals. It expects to displace the energy-costly step of its upstream CO2 capture process. The key novelty is the use of flow-through electrodes and optimal solvents to promote CO2 conversion at high rates. Expected outcomes include enhanced efficiency of CO2 sequestration, and new techniques to develop electrodes with w ....An integrated electrolyser for CO2 conversion from capture media. This project aims to develop an efficient electrochemical method to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) to valuable chemicals. It expects to displace the energy-costly step of its upstream CO2 capture process. The key novelty is the use of flow-through electrodes and optimal solvents to promote CO2 conversion at high rates. Expected outcomes include enhanced efficiency of CO2 sequestration, and new techniques to develop electrodes with well-controlled local reaction environments, which are essential for electrochemical energy conversion and storage. This will benefit Australia's environment and industries such as cement and aluminium manufacturing in managing carbon emissions, and accelerate Australia’s transition to a carbon-neutral economy.Read moreRead less
Bioelectronics: addressing the biointerface challenge. This project aims to develop bioelectronic materials with long operational stability in physiological conditions and enhanced electronic performance that will effectively interface with electroresponsive tissue. These new materials will be integrated into bioadhesives from which simple bioelectronics devices will be fabricated and assessed for their capability to modulate biosignals and to interact with tissue. Disruption in biosignals cause ....Bioelectronics: addressing the biointerface challenge. This project aims to develop bioelectronic materials with long operational stability in physiological conditions and enhanced electronic performance that will effectively interface with electroresponsive tissue. These new materials will be integrated into bioadhesives from which simple bioelectronics devices will be fabricated and assessed for their capability to modulate biosignals and to interact with tissue. Disruption in biosignals causes numerous medical conditions such as epilepsy and heart failure and the development of flexible and biocompatible medical electronics devices that interface with tissue is essential for regaining and modulating these signals.Read moreRead less
Two-dimensional nanomaterials for wearable zinc ion battery . The project aims to develop a new wearable battery system, based on advanced two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials with robust energy storage performance and lifespan, for industrial application across the rapidly emerging industries of health monitoring, movement tracking, and smart clothing. The project addresses the critical challenges of control functionalization of advanced 2D nanomaterials for developing wearable energy storage. Th ....Two-dimensional nanomaterials for wearable zinc ion battery . The project aims to develop a new wearable battery system, based on advanced two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials with robust energy storage performance and lifespan, for industrial application across the rapidly emerging industries of health monitoring, movement tracking, and smart clothing. The project addresses the critical challenges of control functionalization of advanced 2D nanomaterials for developing wearable energy storage. The research outcomes are expected to result in a scalable approach, a variety of advanced 2D nanomaterials, and wearable new battery system, which will bring significant economic and environmental, social, and cultural benefits to Australia and the world.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH230100011
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,955,854.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Value-Added Processing of Underutilised Carbon Waste. This Hub aims to advance upcycling technologies and associated regulatory and social engagement for processing underutilised carbon waste within Australia. Its anticipated goal is to deliver value-added products, and improved technology readiness levels for full exploitation of carbon wastes from agriculture, tyres and plastics. It will also train a large talent pool providing interdisciplinary knowledge and entrepreneuri ....ARC Research Hub for Value-Added Processing of Underutilised Carbon Waste. This Hub aims to advance upcycling technologies and associated regulatory and social engagement for processing underutilised carbon waste within Australia. Its anticipated goal is to deliver value-added products, and improved technology readiness levels for full exploitation of carbon wastes from agriculture, tyres and plastics. It will also train a large talent pool providing interdisciplinary knowledge and entrepreneurial skills for post-hub commercialisation. The Hub will benefit rural Australia by transforming local job markets and manufacturing capability. Ultimately, this Hub will make a significant contribution towards achieving Australia’s National Waste Action Plan goal by 2030, and a circular economy for a sustainable future. Read moreRead less
Towards New Functionality in Dairy Ingredients. The Australian dairy industry plays a significant part in the nation’s economy, with almost $3 billion in export revenue in 2016-2017. Powdered dairy products extend shelf life and ease of transport, with >20% annual growth in premium products, such as milk protein concentrates and infant formula powders. This project aims to support the development of value-added dairy powders by investigating the impact of a novel high pressure processing technol ....Towards New Functionality in Dairy Ingredients. The Australian dairy industry plays a significant part in the nation’s economy, with almost $3 billion in export revenue in 2016-2017. Powdered dairy products extend shelf life and ease of transport, with >20% annual growth in premium products, such as milk protein concentrates and infant formula powders. This project aims to support the development of value-added dairy powders by investigating the impact of a novel high pressure processing technology in enhancing the properties of dairy powders and/or introducing new functionality. Successful outcomes will help expand the offering of high value dairy ingredients and thus increase the global competitiveness of Australian dairy manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Liquid metal solvents for high entropy and atomically configured systems. Significant challenges remain in developing high entropy alloys, which are future disruptors in metallurgy, ranging from configurational entropy to atomic ordering. To address such challenges, we will explore liquid metal solvents for synthesising high entropy and atomically configured systems from the combination of reactive and high melting point elements stabilised in metallic solvents. Molecular imprinting, mechanical ....Liquid metal solvents for high entropy and atomically configured systems. Significant challenges remain in developing high entropy alloys, which are future disruptors in metallurgy, ranging from configurational entropy to atomic ordering. To address such challenges, we will explore liquid metal solvents for synthesising high entropy and atomically configured systems from the combination of reactive and high melting point elements stabilised in metallic solvents. Molecular imprinting, mechanical and electrochemical triggers will control interfacial atomic organisation and precipitation. The growth mechanisms, both at the interface and in the bulk, will be explored by high energy probing techniques and computational simulations. We will offer new metallurgical paradigms for future catalysis and sensing concepts.Read moreRead less