Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200100661
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,551.00
Summary
Nanoparticle with Metal Organic Framework for Lithium Recovery from Brine. The project aims to develop technology enabling lithium to be cost-effectively extracted from brine. Today Australia meets the increasing demand for lithium by mining hardrock lithium, an environmentally damaging activity. An alternative is to source lithium from brine produced as industrial wastewater (in desalination or shale gas production). The main challenge that brine presents to selectively extracting lithium is co ....Nanoparticle with Metal Organic Framework for Lithium Recovery from Brine. The project aims to develop technology enabling lithium to be cost-effectively extracted from brine. Today Australia meets the increasing demand for lithium by mining hardrock lithium, an environmentally damaging activity. An alternative is to source lithium from brine produced as industrial wastewater (in desalination or shale gas production). The main challenge that brine presents to selectively extracting lithium is competing ions. By advancing knowledge of nanomaterials and membrane distillation, the project expects to overcome both this technical challenge and other practical challenges. From wastewater, the anticipated system will produce additional clean water and a valuable commodity that can offset the cost of water treatment. Read moreRead less
Catalytic Degardation of Emerging Microplastic Pollutants. This project aims to develop robust and low-cost nanocarbon hybrids and advanced remediation technology to address globally emerging microplastic contaminations. The project expects to boost innovations in development of novel magnetic nanomaterials, process of microplastic purification, and green catalysis. Expected outcomes of this project will include efficient strategies in materials fabrication and a cutting-edge nanotechnology. The ....Catalytic Degardation of Emerging Microplastic Pollutants. This project aims to develop robust and low-cost nanocarbon hybrids and advanced remediation technology to address globally emerging microplastic contaminations. The project expects to boost innovations in development of novel magnetic nanomaterials, process of microplastic purification, and green catalysis. Expected outcomes of this project will include efficient strategies in materials fabrication and a cutting-edge nanotechnology. The success of the project will underpin the scientific bases of carbocatalysis, provide significant benefits to the Australian industry and society for a sustainable future with clean water, and increase the leading capacity of Australia in fundamental research and frontier technology.Read moreRead less
The effect of structure and size on the mechanical behaviour of III-V semiconductor nanowires. The project aims to apply in-situ deformation transmission electron microscopy to investigate the mechanical behaviour of compound semiconductor nanowires and the effect of structure and geometry on the behaviour. The results will uncover the fundamental mechanical properties of nanowires and will guide the design of nanowire-based devices.
Smart self-propelled nanoreactors for catalytic environmental remediation. This project aims to develop nanomaterial design and technology to enable the applications of nanotechnology for environmental remediation. Various nanomotors with different asymmetric structures will be fabricated and tested for catalytic and photocatalytic degradation of aqueous pollutants. The physicochemical properties, motion behaviour and catalytic performance will be comprehensively investigated. The outcomes of th ....Smart self-propelled nanoreactors for catalytic environmental remediation. This project aims to develop nanomaterial design and technology to enable the applications of nanotechnology for environmental remediation. Various nanomotors with different asymmetric structures will be fabricated and tested for catalytic and photocatalytic degradation of aqueous pollutants. The physicochemical properties, motion behaviour and catalytic performance will be comprehensively investigated. The outcomes of the project will underpin the development of green technologies for sustainable energy conversion and water treatment. This will provide significant benefits, putting Australia in a leading position in the sustainable development of nanotechnology for sustainable energy supply and transformation as well as environmental and biomedical applications.Read moreRead less
Development of Metal-Titania Core-Shell Nanostructures for Photocatalysis. The aim of this project is to develop innovative techniques for the synthesis of advanced nanomaterials for pollutant removal and antibacterial applications. Improving the photocatalysis efficiency of titanium oxide (TiO2) is critical in energy and environmental applications. This project aims to develop innovative strategies to prepare metal–TiO2 core-shell nanostructures, in which metals (eg gold, silver) can be used as ....Development of Metal-Titania Core-Shell Nanostructures for Photocatalysis. The aim of this project is to develop innovative techniques for the synthesis of advanced nanomaterials for pollutant removal and antibacterial applications. Improving the photocatalysis efficiency of titanium oxide (TiO2) is critical in energy and environmental applications. This project aims to develop innovative strategies to prepare metal–TiO2 core-shell nanostructures, in which metals (eg gold, silver) can be used as light absorbers for visible incident light and generate intense electromagnetic fields, thus improving efficiency.Read moreRead less
The mechanical and electrical behaviour of boron nitride nanotubes: Insight from in-situ transmission electron microscopy investigation. Boron nitride nanotubes are an emerging class of inorganic nanotubes with insulating property, exceptional thermal stability, high thermal conductivity, and superior mechanical properties including ultrahigh strength and elastic modulus which are not possible in conventional materials. This project aims to apply state-of-the-art in-situ transmission electron mi ....The mechanical and electrical behaviour of boron nitride nanotubes: Insight from in-situ transmission electron microscopy investigation. Boron nitride nanotubes are an emerging class of inorganic nanotubes with insulating property, exceptional thermal stability, high thermal conductivity, and superior mechanical properties including ultrahigh strength and elastic modulus which are not possible in conventional materials. This project aims to apply state-of-the-art in-situ transmission electron microscopy techniques to explore the dependence of mechanical properties on size, morphology and structure of boron nitride nanotubes and the effect of mechanical strain on electrical properties, which will provide opportunities for composite materials reinforcement via nanotubes, and tune the electronic and optoelectronic properties of nanotubes via strain engineering.Read moreRead less
Capturing full-spectrum of solar energy using TiO2 ordered suprastructures. The project aims to develop a titanium dioxide (TiO2) semiconductor that can use full-spectrum solar energy. Solar-driven photocatalytic processes have important applications in water decontamination and energy production. Their effectiveness is dictated by the semiconductor’s absorbance and conversion of photoenergy to chemical energy. Being inexpensive, chemically and mechanically robust, TiO2 is the most promising mat ....Capturing full-spectrum of solar energy using TiO2 ordered suprastructures. The project aims to develop a titanium dioxide (TiO2) semiconductor that can use full-spectrum solar energy. Solar-driven photocatalytic processes have important applications in water decontamination and energy production. Their effectiveness is dictated by the semiconductor’s absorbance and conversion of photoenergy to chemical energy. Being inexpensive, chemically and mechanically robust, TiO2 is the most promising material for the semiconductor. However, unmodified TiO2 only absorbs ultraviolet light (5 per cent of solar energy). With current progress made in visible absorbance, this project aims to significantly improve TiO2’s absorbance in near infrared by doping with upconversion lanthanides and rendering colloidal crystal suprastructures that can trap light.Read moreRead less
Quantification of airborne engineered nanoparticles: developing a scientific framework to inform their regulation and control. Despite the presence of airborne engineered nanoparticles in many commercial/research facilities, there are no established methods for their detection/characterisation. This work aims to develop a foundation for the quantitative assessment of airborne engineered nanoparticles, which is critical for controlling exposure and minimising health risks.
Detection, characteristics and dynamics of airborne engineered nanoparticles for human exposure assessment. Recent advances in nanotechnology have led to questions about the safety of airborne engineered nanoparticles in commercial and research facilities. This project aims to develop an understanding of nanoparticle emission and behaviour in the air, which is needed to control workplace exposure to these particles and minimise the risk to human health.
In Silico Discovery and Design of 2D Ferromagnets for Nanoscale Electronics. Two dimensional (2D) ferromagnets have great promise for next generation electronics, but suffer from small magnetic anistropy and low Curie temperature for application at the ambient condition. This project aims not only to tackle this challenge by discovering and designing 2D ferromagnet with large anistropy and Curie temperature, but also to engineer 2D ferromagnet with highly mobile electron or extra ferroelectricit ....In Silico Discovery and Design of 2D Ferromagnets for Nanoscale Electronics. Two dimensional (2D) ferromagnets have great promise for next generation electronics, but suffer from small magnetic anistropy and low Curie temperature for application at the ambient condition. This project aims not only to tackle this challenge by discovering and designing 2D ferromagnet with large anistropy and Curie temperature, but also to engineer 2D ferromagnet with highly mobile electron or extra ferroelectricity for novel nanoelectronic device. The technological outcomes will impact on the Australian economy through the potential for new knowledge-based electronics industry. Strong collaboration with leading expert will enable this Australian theoretical team to continue to establish itself as a leader in the field of 2D materials.Read moreRead less