Embrittlement-tolerant alloys for safe hydrogen transmission and storage. Hydrogen embrittlement in steels is a major impediment to a safe hydrogen economy. This project will determine how hydrogen affects the deformation behaviour of steel, providing the fundamental information that is required to develop alloys that can be safely used in infrastructure for a future Australian hydrogen industry. We will utilise new technologies that allow us, for the first time, to determine the position of hyd ....Embrittlement-tolerant alloys for safe hydrogen transmission and storage. Hydrogen embrittlement in steels is a major impediment to a safe hydrogen economy. This project will determine how hydrogen affects the deformation behaviour of steel, providing the fundamental information that is required to develop alloys that can be safely used in infrastructure for a future Australian hydrogen industry. We will utilise new technologies that allow us, for the first time, to determine the position of hydrogen atoms around micro-scale features and to compare it to local mechanical behaviour, determined by micro-mechanical tests. The systematic investigation of the effect of hydrogen on different micro-components within steel will allow the development of microstructure-guided alloy design principles.Read moreRead less
Mitigating hydrogen embrittlement in high-strength steels. Hydrogen wreaks havoc in many alloys, leading to embrittlement that can cause catastrophic failure. This is a very serious issue for any industry in which structures are exposed to hydrogen and is a limiting factor for the production, transport, storage and use of hydrogen in a potential hydrogen economy. However, understanding the behaviour of hydrogen in alloys is restricted by the difficulty of observing it. In this project we will ob ....Mitigating hydrogen embrittlement in high-strength steels. Hydrogen wreaks havoc in many alloys, leading to embrittlement that can cause catastrophic failure. This is a very serious issue for any industry in which structures are exposed to hydrogen and is a limiting factor for the production, transport, storage and use of hydrogen in a potential hydrogen economy. However, understanding the behaviour of hydrogen in alloys is restricted by the difficulty of observing it. In this project we will obtain accurate 3D maps showing the position of hydrogen atoms in steel by combining deuteration with cryogenic atom probe microscopy. In this way we will will elucidate how a proposed solution, hydrogen trapping, reduces hydrogen embrittlement, contributing to design criteria for hydrogen-resistant steels.Read moreRead less
Room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries for large-scale energy storage. This project aims to develop room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries for renewable energy storage. Sodium-sulfur batteries are ideal for large-scale energy storage, owing to high energy density and low cost. However, there are significant challenges in attaining practical sodium-sulfur batteries with high capacity and safety. By developing novel high capacity sulphur cathodes, dendrite-free sodium metal anodes and quasi-so ....Room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries for large-scale energy storage. This project aims to develop room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries for renewable energy storage. Sodium-sulfur batteries are ideal for large-scale energy storage, owing to high energy density and low cost. However, there are significant challenges in attaining practical sodium-sulfur batteries with high capacity and safety. By developing novel high capacity sulphur cathodes, dendrite-free sodium metal anodes and quasi-solid-state gel polymer electrolytes, this project expects to achieve high-performance sodium-sulfur batteries with high capacity, long cycle life and enhanced safety. Expected benefits will arise from deployment of sodium-sulfur batteries and advances in energy storage technologies that are efficient and cost-effective.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101093
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$441,000.00
Summary
Non-flammable quasi-solid electrolytes for lithium batteries. This project aims to develop non-flammable and sustainable quasi-solid electrolytes for lithium batteries with high energy density, excellent safety and long cycling life. The deployment of high-energy lithium batteries has been greatly impeded by the poor electrode|electrolyte compatibility, and safety concerns originating from flammable liquid electrolytes. This research will tackle these challenges by in-situ fabricating non-flamma ....Non-flammable quasi-solid electrolytes for lithium batteries. This project aims to develop non-flammable and sustainable quasi-solid electrolytes for lithium batteries with high energy density, excellent safety and long cycling life. The deployment of high-energy lithium batteries has been greatly impeded by the poor electrode|electrolyte compatibility, and safety concerns originating from flammable liquid electrolytes. This research will tackle these challenges by in-situ fabricating non-flammable quasi-solid electrolytes, and stabilising the electrode|electrolyte interfaces. The project is expected to facilitate the commercialisation of high-performance quasi-solid lithium batteries, and leap forward the progress of clean energy storage technologies that are efficient, durable, safe and reliable.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100129
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,200.00
Summary
Atomic layer nanofabrication system for multi-functional applications. This project aims to establish a multifunctional atomic layer nanofabrication facility in Sydney with the capacity to provide services nation-wide. The facility has powerful capabilities to produce mono-atom thin films, nanosize powders and two-dimensional nanostructures of a variety of materials, including elemental metals, metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal sulfides, metal-metal compounds, and polymers. This will significa ....Atomic layer nanofabrication system for multi-functional applications. This project aims to establish a multifunctional atomic layer nanofabrication facility in Sydney with the capacity to provide services nation-wide. The facility has powerful capabilities to produce mono-atom thin films, nanosize powders and two-dimensional nanostructures of a variety of materials, including elemental metals, metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal sulfides, metal-metal compounds, and polymers. This will significantly enhance Australian research and industrial activities in the areas of renewable energy production and storage, microelectronics, chemical and bio-sensors, protective coatings, flexible electronic devices, and catalysis.Read moreRead less
Potassium ion batteries for large scale renewable energy storage. The project aims to develop potassium ion batteries for renewable energy storage and conversion. Potassium ion batteries could be the most promising choice for large-scale electrical energy storage, particularly for renewable energy sources and smart electrical grids, due to their low cost, natural abundance and the advantages of potassium compared to lithium/sodium ion batteries. This study will research the electrochemical react ....Potassium ion batteries for large scale renewable energy storage. The project aims to develop potassium ion batteries for renewable energy storage and conversion. Potassium ion batteries could be the most promising choice for large-scale electrical energy storage, particularly for renewable energy sources and smart electrical grids, due to their low cost, natural abundance and the advantages of potassium compared to lithium/sodium ion batteries. This study will research the electrochemical reactions and charge transfer pathway of electrode materials with excellent potassium ion storage performance. This project is expected to develop high performance potassium ion batteries and advance the prominence of Australia in the global renewable energy market.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100871
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Carbon-based catalysts for polysulphide redox reactions in lithium-sulfur batteries. This project aims to develop surface-engineered carbons as multifunctional catalysts to accelerate the polysulphide redox reactions for lithium-sulfur batteries. High capacity storage of electricity is the key to efficient use of renewable and clean energy resources and the development of emission-free technologies. This project will provide high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries with high energy density, hig ....Carbon-based catalysts for polysulphide redox reactions in lithium-sulfur batteries. This project aims to develop surface-engineered carbons as multifunctional catalysts to accelerate the polysulphide redox reactions for lithium-sulfur batteries. High capacity storage of electricity is the key to efficient use of renewable and clean energy resources and the development of emission-free technologies. This project will provide high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries with high energy density, high efficiency, and long life. Its success is expected to contribute to energy technologies, reduce the dependence of household and industrial energy consumption on fossil fuels, enhance Australia’s long-term viability, and bring economic, environmental, and social benefits to the nation.Read moreRead less
Low cost aqueous rechargeable zinc batteries for grid-scale energy storage. This project aims to advance energy storage technology by developing high energy aqueous rechargeable zinc batteries, which are the most promising choice for large-scale electrical energy storage, in particular for smart electric grids, owing to their low cost, high safety, and eco-friendly features. The success of this project will advance our fundamental understanding of aqueous rechargeable batteries, provide techniqu ....Low cost aqueous rechargeable zinc batteries for grid-scale energy storage. This project aims to advance energy storage technology by developing high energy aqueous rechargeable zinc batteries, which are the most promising choice for large-scale electrical energy storage, in particular for smart electric grids, owing to their low cost, high safety, and eco-friendly features. The success of this project will advance our fundamental understanding of aqueous rechargeable batteries, provide techniques for the development of a low-cost, high energy, and long life system for renewable energy storage, and benefit Australia's environment, economy, and sustainability.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100619
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,090.00
Summary
Porous Carbon Based Catalysts for Lithium Air Batteries. Greenhouse gas emissions from the consumption of fossil fuels are causing disastrous climate change and global warming. The research and development of electric vehicles to replace conventional vehicles has emerged as a solution to this imminent problem. The progress of battery technology plays a key role in the development of electric vehicles. This project addresses the issues by the development of innovative porous carbon based material ....Porous Carbon Based Catalysts for Lithium Air Batteries. Greenhouse gas emissions from the consumption of fossil fuels are causing disastrous climate change and global warming. The research and development of electric vehicles to replace conventional vehicles has emerged as a solution to this imminent problem. The progress of battery technology plays a key role in the development of electric vehicles. This project addresses the issues by the development of innovative porous carbon based materials for next generation batteries with high capability, high power density and excellent retention. Furthermore, this project will also benefit Australia in the research forefront of nanotechnology, materials engineering, energy storage and applied chemistry.Read moreRead less
Exploration of Advanced Nanostructures for Sodium-ion Battery Application. The aim of this project is to develop advanced nanostructured electrode materials for high energy, long service life sodium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries are the most promising choice for large-scale electrical energy storage, in particular for renewable energy sources and smart electric grids, owing to their low cost and natural abundance of sodium. The success of this project will advance fundamental understanding ....Exploration of Advanced Nanostructures for Sodium-ion Battery Application. The aim of this project is to develop advanced nanostructured electrode materials for high energy, long service life sodium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries are the most promising choice for large-scale electrical energy storage, in particular for renewable energy sources and smart electric grids, owing to their low cost and natural abundance of sodium. The success of this project will advance fundamental understanding of sodium-ion batteries, and provide techniques for the development of a promising low-cost system for renewable energy storage, which is urgently needed in smart electricity grids. Read moreRead less