Interface/Boundary Engineering Towards Better Solid-State Lithium Batteries. This project aims to develop high-performance solid-state lithium batteries by engineering the design of grain boundaries within the oxide electrolyte and interfaces between the electrolyte and both anode and cathode. This project expects to propose a novel cation exsolution strategy for comprehensively engineering the interfaces and boundaries. This project should provide significant benefits on energy safety and susta ....Interface/Boundary Engineering Towards Better Solid-State Lithium Batteries. This project aims to develop high-performance solid-state lithium batteries by engineering the design of grain boundaries within the oxide electrolyte and interfaces between the electrolyte and both anode and cathode. This project expects to propose a novel cation exsolution strategy for comprehensively engineering the interfaces and boundaries. This project should provide significant benefits on energy safety and sustainable development of Australia. The successful completion of this project can lead to the development of battery technologies that may lift Australia to a better position in the international market and may also help boost the prosperity of Australia’s world-leading lithium mining industry.Read moreRead less
Innovative High Temperature Carbon–Air Batteries for High Power Generation. The project intends to develop carbon-air batteries which are expected to have energy density 10 times that of lithium-ion batteries. The battery is designed to use naturally-rich carbon as fuel, highly energy-efficient solid oxide fuel cells as electrochemical reactors, and an integrated mixed conducting ceramic membrane for in situ carbon dioxide separation. The success of this project would provide us with a low-carbo ....Innovative High Temperature Carbon–Air Batteries for High Power Generation. The project intends to develop carbon-air batteries which are expected to have energy density 10 times that of lithium-ion batteries. The battery is designed to use naturally-rich carbon as fuel, highly energy-efficient solid oxide fuel cells as electrochemical reactors, and an integrated mixed conducting ceramic membrane for in situ carbon dioxide separation. The success of this project would provide us with a low-carbon energy system based on Australia’s rich coal resources. New knowledge about carbon dioxide separation may also facilitate carbon dioxide sequestration in other fields.Read moreRead less
Structurally designed catalysts for high-performance natural gas reforming. This project aims to develop a new class of highly stable catalysts with specially designed physical and chemical structures that can be used in high temperature chemical processes. These catalysts can potentially be used for the reforming of natural gas to produce the synthesis gas, which can then be used to produce liquid fuels and chemicals.
Controlling precipitation processes in the production of value-added zirconia. Doral Specialty Chemicals produces specialised zirconia products from zircon sands mined in WA. Doping the zirconia with metals such as yttrium and aluminium can produce advanced ceramics, with applications in areas such as solid oxide fuel cells and oxygen sensors. The aim of this project is to improve the fundamental understanding of the chemistry in the initial processing steps, so that the process can be readily m ....Controlling precipitation processes in the production of value-added zirconia. Doral Specialty Chemicals produces specialised zirconia products from zircon sands mined in WA. Doping the zirconia with metals such as yttrium and aluminium can produce advanced ceramics, with applications in areas such as solid oxide fuel cells and oxygen sensors. The aim of this project is to improve the fundamental understanding of the chemistry in the initial processing steps, so that the process can be readily modified to produce new doped zirconia ceramics, without the extensive empirical process development currently required. The resulting ability to quickly produce new compositions on a commercial scale will put this industry in a world-leading position, dramatically increasing the added value of the zirconia products.Read moreRead less
Experimental and modelling development of advanced symmetrical fuel cells. Fuel cells are advanced energy conversion devices with high efficiency and low emissions. The overall goal of this project is to increase the competitiveness of the fuel cell technology with currently matured power generation technologies based on fossil fuel combustion through innovations. Both experimental development and modelling studies will be performed. It is expected that: reduced materials, fabrication and mainte ....Experimental and modelling development of advanced symmetrical fuel cells. Fuel cells are advanced energy conversion devices with high efficiency and low emissions. The overall goal of this project is to increase the competitiveness of the fuel cell technology with currently matured power generation technologies based on fossil fuel combustion through innovations. Both experimental development and modelling studies will be performed. It is expected that: reduced materials, fabrication and maintenance costs; improved performance; increased coking resistance and sulfur tolerance; and prolonged lifetime of solid oxide fuel cells will be achieved. This project endeavours to advance the field of electrochemical energy conversion. It is also expected to expand the science and engineering knowledge base and pave the way to sustainable energy systems.Read moreRead less
Advanced Proton-Conducting Ceramic FCs for Power Generation from Ammonia . The project aims to design an innovative ammonia fuel cell using a new perovskite substrate decorated with metal nanoparticles, which demonstrates multi-functionalities and tackles most challenges of conventional fuel cells (FCs). The key concept of this project is the designing of the novel architected smart perovskite as both anode and electrolyte of the fuel cell by systematic modelling and experimental development. T ....Advanced Proton-Conducting Ceramic FCs for Power Generation from Ammonia . The project aims to design an innovative ammonia fuel cell using a new perovskite substrate decorated with metal nanoparticles, which demonstrates multi-functionalities and tackles most challenges of conventional fuel cells (FCs). The key concept of this project is the designing of the novel architected smart perovskite as both anode and electrolyte of the fuel cell by systematic modelling and experimental development. The versatile cell components developed in this project will improve the operational stability and efficiency of the fuel cell, thereby providing a promising pathway for ammonia fuel cells to replace hydrogen fuel cells. This study will reinforce the development of the future supply of reliable, low cost and clean energy. Read moreRead less
Hybrid Hydrocarbon-Carbon Fuel Cells for Long-Life Power Generation. This project aims to design an innovative high-energy portable power source based on a hybrid direct hydrocarbon-carbon fuel cell concept, in which the deposited carbon in the anode of a fuel cell during operation with liquid hydrocarbon fuels can be used as a fuel by subsequent operation in the direct carbon fuel cell mode. The key concept in this project is the controlled deposition and utilization of carbon over the anode of ....Hybrid Hydrocarbon-Carbon Fuel Cells for Long-Life Power Generation. This project aims to design an innovative high-energy portable power source based on a hybrid direct hydrocarbon-carbon fuel cell concept, in which the deposited carbon in the anode of a fuel cell during operation with liquid hydrocarbon fuels can be used as a fuel by subsequent operation in the direct carbon fuel cell mode. The key concept in this project is the controlled deposition and utilization of carbon over the anode of the fuel cell by systematic modelling and experimental development. A continuous power output will be realized via an intelligent cycling mode with an intermittent supply of pure liquid hydrocarbon fuels, thereby achieving an extremely high fuel utilization efficiency in a hybrid electrochemical system.Read moreRead less