NANO-SCALE CATALYST SYSTEMS FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION FOR FUEL CELLS. The project aims to develop nano-scale catalyst materials for micro-channel fuel processing systems. Micro-channel reactors have the benefits over conventional technology of being more compact and potential for much lower costs. This will assist in the development of hydrogen generation systems for fuel cells, as well as other chemical processing applications such as gas-to-liquids technology. The technology has the potential t ....NANO-SCALE CATALYST SYSTEMS FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION FOR FUEL CELLS. The project aims to develop nano-scale catalyst materials for micro-channel fuel processing systems. Micro-channel reactors have the benefits over conventional technology of being more compact and potential for much lower costs. This will assist in the development of hydrogen generation systems for fuel cells, as well as other chemical processing applications such as gas-to-liquids technology. The technology has the potential to generate significant IP in an evolving multi-billion dollar fuel cell industry. Support from Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd. and the Gas Technology Institute will ensure that the work has an international as well as national perspective, and a route to exploitation.Read moreRead less
Hydrogen Production by Non-thermal Plasma Assisted Catalytic Pyrolysis of Natural Gas. This project aims to develop a cost effective technology for hydrogen production using catalytic pyrolysis of natural gas assisted by non-thermal plasma. The mechanism and kinetics of catalytic hydrocarbon decomposition on carbons produced in situ will be systematically studied. Based on the fundamental understanding of carbon nanostructures and their catalytic activities and stabilities, the non-thermal plasm ....Hydrogen Production by Non-thermal Plasma Assisted Catalytic Pyrolysis of Natural Gas. This project aims to develop a cost effective technology for hydrogen production using catalytic pyrolysis of natural gas assisted by non-thermal plasma. The mechanism and kinetics of catalytic hydrocarbon decomposition on carbons produced in situ will be systematically studied. Based on the fundamental understanding of carbon nanostructures and their catalytic activities and stabilities, the non-thermal plasma and the catalytic reactions will be optimized to achieve high conversion and catalytic stability. The project will lead to a new process combining effective carbon catalyst and low temperature plasma to produce pure hydrogen with high energy efficiency and no CO2 emissions.Read moreRead less
Integration of large capacity Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage with Active Power Filter switching technology to achieve a complete power quality device. The aim of this project is to integrate large capacity SMES with Active Power Filter (APF) switching technology to achieve a complete power quality control device.
The expected outcomes of the research are 1) An SMES design suitable for APF integration, 2) Development and implementation of lossless energy switching technologies, 3) D ....Integration of large capacity Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage with Active Power Filter switching technology to achieve a complete power quality device. The aim of this project is to integrate large capacity SMES with Active Power Filter (APF) switching technology to achieve a complete power quality control device.
The expected outcomes of the research are 1) An SMES design suitable for APF integration, 2) Development and implementation of lossless energy switching technologies, 3) Development of suitable APF switching algorithms, 4) An integrated design with competitive commercial analysis, and 5) A fully characterised prototype.
This project is innovative as the marriage of large capacity SMES with APF switching technology is essentially absent from the literature, and so there are high expectations for innovative applications and methodologies of fabrication.
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A green technology for liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification. Upon arrival to its destination, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) exported from Australia must be converted back into gas to make it suitable for distribution to end users, for which the current technologies burn up to two per cent our LNG exports. This project will design a technology that will use the energy of ambient air, which will not only increase the profit but also reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Novel lithium iron based olivine phosphates as cathode materials for the development of new generation power batteries. Global warming and climate change are a serious threat to our society today. We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable energy for sustainable development. Battery technology is regarded as one of the green technologies that can be widely used to power vehicles and store energy. This project will develop new generation lithium-ion power batteries using novel lit ....Novel lithium iron based olivine phosphates as cathode materials for the development of new generation power batteries. Global warming and climate change are a serious threat to our society today. We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable energy for sustainable development. Battery technology is regarded as one of the green technologies that can be widely used to power vehicles and store energy. This project will develop new generation lithium-ion power batteries using novel lithium iron based phosphate cathode materials. The success of the research will provide advanced rechargeable batteries for electric bicycles, electric motorcycles and hybrid electric vehicles, contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions. Read moreRead less
Production of diesel from the catalytic pyrolysis of waste plastics. Large amounts of waste plastics go to landfill daily. Landfill simply buries our wastes for future generations and can contribute to the contamination of ground water. This project aims to develop an advanced pyrolysis technology to produce transport diesel from waste plastics. This technology is an economically attractive and environmentally friendly way for the disposal of waste plastics without any environmental problems ass ....Production of diesel from the catalytic pyrolysis of waste plastics. Large amounts of waste plastics go to landfill daily. Landfill simply buries our wastes for future generations and can contribute to the contamination of ground water. This project aims to develop an advanced pyrolysis technology to produce transport diesel from waste plastics. This technology is an economically attractive and environmentally friendly way for the disposal of waste plastics without any environmental problems associated with the landfill or direct incineration of waste plastics. As this technology is based on advances in Australian research and development, exporting this to other countries will further enhance its economic and social benefits to Australia.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured Carbon Electrodes. The development of higher capacity energy storage devices is critical to the efficient use of energy. The fundamental knowledge gained in this project will enable the production of the next generation advanced electrode materials for this purpose and hence provide many new commercial opportunities for Australian industry. The project brings together world leaders in their own fields to address a highly multidisciplinary area of research and will provide an excel ....Nanostructured Carbon Electrodes. The development of higher capacity energy storage devices is critical to the efficient use of energy. The fundamental knowledge gained in this project will enable the production of the next generation advanced electrode materials for this purpose and hence provide many new commercial opportunities for Australian industry. The project brings together world leaders in their own fields to address a highly multidisciplinary area of research and will provide an excellent training for PhD students and post doctoral Research Fellows, enabling them to work in and contribute to the development of new nanotechnology industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
A Fundamental Investigation into the Behaviour of Mineral Matter in Coal during Coke Formation and in Blast Furnace. Minerals in coal are present in various forms and sizes resulting in vastly different thermal behaviour. Thermal transformation of minerals in coal influences the coke properties and subsequent performance of coke in blast furnace. Earlier investigations have been based on bulk ash analysis of coals. In the current project, Computer Controlled Scanning Electron Microscopy will be ....A Fundamental Investigation into the Behaviour of Mineral Matter in Coal during Coke Formation and in Blast Furnace. Minerals in coal are present in various forms and sizes resulting in vastly different thermal behaviour. Thermal transformation of minerals in coal influences the coke properties and subsequent performance of coke in blast furnace. Earlier investigations have been based on bulk ash analysis of coals. In the current project, Computer Controlled Scanning Electron Microscopy will be used in place of bulk ash analysis for coal, coke and thermally treated coke in blast furnace simulated conditions to investigate and model the effects of minerals in coal on coke structure during coke-making and its subsequent effect on its performance in blast furnace.Read moreRead less
Novel Nanostructured Polymeric Membranes for Energy Storage Applications. The project will bring the following significant benefit to the Australian community and economy:1. Energy and Environmental benefit: will provide the nation with renewable energy storage solution, with zero emission and urban pollution2. Global Standing: will position Australia as global leader in sustainable energy storage technology through ZBB's novel battery system development.3. Intellectual property: will deliver th ....Novel Nanostructured Polymeric Membranes for Energy Storage Applications. The project will bring the following significant benefit to the Australian community and economy:1. Energy and Environmental benefit: will provide the nation with renewable energy storage solution, with zero emission and urban pollution2. Global Standing: will position Australia as global leader in sustainable energy storage technology through ZBB's novel battery system development.3. Intellectual property: will deliver the nation a strong intellectual property (IP) position in the frontier technology4. Training: will train junior researcher and a high quality graduate in an emerging and multidisciplinary area of research with commercial turnover of more than $1000 million in AustraliaRead moreRead less
New generation high efficiency thermoelectric materials and modules for waste heat recovery in steelworks. The development of thermoelectric materials and devices, and their subsequent uptake by the steel industry, will bring tremendous socio-economic benefits in terms of decreased operational costs, a significantly reduced carbon footprint and will set an excellent example for other industries on how to comply with strict environmental regulations.