2D vertical heterostructures for multi-functional energy applications. This project aims to develop multi-functional 2D vertical heterostructures for sustainable energy applications. A key challenge in fabricating 2D vertical heterostructures is the re-stacking of layered materials. This project will utilize edge-rich vertical graphene to unleash the full potential of 2D vertical heterostructures by combining the advantages of individual building blocks while mitigating the associated shortcomin ....2D vertical heterostructures for multi-functional energy applications. This project aims to develop multi-functional 2D vertical heterostructures for sustainable energy applications. A key challenge in fabricating 2D vertical heterostructures is the re-stacking of layered materials. This project will utilize edge-rich vertical graphene to unleash the full potential of 2D vertical heterostructures by combining the advantages of individual building blocks while mitigating the associated shortcomings. Expected outcomes will include improved electrochemical performance of materials and an integrated energy system utilizing these multi-functional materials to produce green hydrogen at low cost and high efficiency. The project should contribute largely to Australia’s transition to robust and affordable clean energy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100868
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,847.00
Summary
High-energy lithium-air batteries, a breathable future for renewable energy. Lithium-air (Li-air) batteries have the highest energy density which is ten folds over commercial lithium-ion batteries. However, the development of Li-air batteries has been impeded by challenges including low capacity, poor energy efficiency and limited cycle life. This project aims to develop a high-energy Li-air battery prototype with long cycle life by designing functional quasi-solid gel polymer electrolytes with ....High-energy lithium-air batteries, a breathable future for renewable energy. Lithium-air (Li-air) batteries have the highest energy density which is ten folds over commercial lithium-ion batteries. However, the development of Li-air batteries has been impeded by challenges including low capacity, poor energy efficiency and limited cycle life. This project aims to develop a high-energy Li-air battery prototype with long cycle life by designing functional quasi-solid gel polymer electrolytes with multi-layer structures via molecular tuning, which could potentially power next-generation electric vehicles. This project is expected to facilitate the commercialisation of high-performance Li-air batteries and promote the development of energy storage devices that are reliable, benefiting both the economy and environment.Read moreRead less
Electrolyte and interface engineering of solid-state sodium batteries. This project aims to develop large-scale solid-state sodium-ion batteries exhibiting better safety compared to classic liquid electrolyte batteries without compromising on performance, thus addressing the significant issue of safety in batteries. This will be achieved by novel engineering of solid-state electrolytes and electrolyte-electrode interfacing by a fundamental understanding of sodium-ion transport using statistical ....Electrolyte and interface engineering of solid-state sodium batteries. This project aims to develop large-scale solid-state sodium-ion batteries exhibiting better safety compared to classic liquid electrolyte batteries without compromising on performance, thus addressing the significant issue of safety in batteries. This will be achieved by novel engineering of solid-state electrolytes and electrolyte-electrode interfacing by a fundamental understanding of sodium-ion transport using statistical and machine-learning techniques. Expected outcomes include an understanding of ion-transport mechanisms in batteries, delivery of advanced solid-state electrolytes with high ionic conductivity, and batteries with excellent performance and safety characteristics, which benefits Australia's environment and sustainability.Read moreRead less
Asymmetric Biomembranes for Blue Energy Harvesting. This project aims to develop a new class of biomembranes for efficient ion-selective transport, to address the challenge of low power density facing the realisation of blue energy harvesting. This will be achieved using innovative chemistries guided by theoretical modelling to endow membranes with unique features: heterogeneities in surface charge and pore structure. Expected outcomes include a new concept for membrane design, advancement of kn ....Asymmetric Biomembranes for Blue Energy Harvesting. This project aims to develop a new class of biomembranes for efficient ion-selective transport, to address the challenge of low power density facing the realisation of blue energy harvesting. This will be achieved using innovative chemistries guided by theoretical modelling to endow membranes with unique features: heterogeneities in surface charge and pore structure. Expected outcomes include a new concept for membrane design, advancement of knowledge in energy conversion, creation of a new prototype power device without need of any external forces, and significant advances in self-powered wearable electronics potentially revolutionizing industries such as healthcare and entertainment. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100032
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$456,547.00
Summary
Chemical and structural design for high power energy storage materials. This project aims to develop new materials with both high power and high energy storage capabilities by exploring emerging relaxor antiferroelectric (RAFE) materials. Through investigating the internal chemical and structural factors, and their interactions at different length scales, this project will first solve the current ambiguities in RAFEs and then identify critical factors for properties to better design and develop ....Chemical and structural design for high power energy storage materials. This project aims to develop new materials with both high power and high energy storage capabilities by exploring emerging relaxor antiferroelectric (RAFE) materials. Through investigating the internal chemical and structural factors, and their interactions at different length scales, this project will first solve the current ambiguities in RAFEs and then identify critical factors for properties to better design and develop new high-performance energy storage materials. The outcomes of this project will advance the knowledge of ferroic materials, provide new candidates for advanced electrical systems such as renewable energy, electric vehicles and pulsed power devices, and potentially revolutionise high power energy storage technologies.Read moreRead less
Low-temperature ceramic electrolysis cells for renewable energy technology. This project aims to develop advanced protonic ceramic electrolysis cells for greatly improving the efficiency of hydrogen production and carbon dioxide conversion using renewable energy. This will be achieved by nanoscale integration of proton-conducting two-dimensional materials with solid acids and ceramic proton conductors to lower the manufacturing costs and operating temperature of protonic ceramic electrolysis cel ....Low-temperature ceramic electrolysis cells for renewable energy technology. This project aims to develop advanced protonic ceramic electrolysis cells for greatly improving the efficiency of hydrogen production and carbon dioxide conversion using renewable energy. This will be achieved by nanoscale integration of proton-conducting two-dimensional materials with solid acids and ceramic proton conductors to lower the manufacturing costs and operating temperature of protonic ceramic electrolysis cells. Expected outcomes of the project include new intellectual property on materials formulation and process parameters for commercial development of this new type of ceramic electrolysis cell, thereby contributing to the growth of Australian manufacturing and renewable energy industries and reduction of carbon emissions.Read moreRead less
Light Powered Materials for Producing Chemical Fuels. This project aims to develop a hybrid, solar-powered catalytic material for the manufacture of liquid hydrocarbon chemicals, without consuming external heating. The key concept is to transform hydrogen and carbon monoxide into long-chain hydrocarbons over hybrid materials that can convert light energy into heat and simultaneously catalyze the chemical transformation. Investigations on the relations between material synthesis, nanostructures, ....Light Powered Materials for Producing Chemical Fuels. This project aims to develop a hybrid, solar-powered catalytic material for the manufacture of liquid hydrocarbon chemicals, without consuming external heating. The key concept is to transform hydrogen and carbon monoxide into long-chain hydrocarbons over hybrid materials that can convert light energy into heat and simultaneously catalyze the chemical transformation. Investigations on the relations between material synthesis, nanostructures, and performance of the new catalysis processes will be conducted using experiments and theoretical computation. Expected outcomes include low cost and efficient materials for solar-to-fuel conversion, will provide benefits to low-carbon living, new clean energy resource and environmental protections.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240101013
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,237.00
Summary
New water-inserted perovskites for high-current-density water electrolysis. This project aims to develop a new type of water-inserted perovskite oxide materials to realise high-current-density hydrogen production in anion-exchange-membrane water elecrolysers using renewable electricity. Innovations are expected in the rational design and engineering of novel materials, elucidation of new catalytic mechanisms from experimental and computational studies, and breakthroughs in commercially-relevant ....New water-inserted perovskites for high-current-density water electrolysis. This project aims to develop a new type of water-inserted perovskite oxide materials to realise high-current-density hydrogen production in anion-exchange-membrane water elecrolysers using renewable electricity. Innovations are expected in the rational design and engineering of novel materials, elucidation of new catalytic mechanisms from experimental and computational studies, and breakthroughs in commercially-relevant water electrolysis processes. Expected outcomes include innovative materials engineering methods, in-depth reaction mechanism understandings, and demonstration of robust electrolysers. This project will provide significant benefit to Australia’s hydrogen industry and economic growth and energy sustainability in the long run.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101396
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,218.00
Summary
Designing Single-atom catalysts for Renewable Waste Conversion to Urea. This DECRA aims to realise the direct electrochemical conversion of waste resources using renewable energy to generate urea at ambient conditions. By designing impurity-tolerant single atom catalysts and unearthing their structure-activity relationships, the utilisation of flue gas and wastewater will be materialised. This will advance our understanding in the field as current energy conversion reactions require pure feedsto ....Designing Single-atom catalysts for Renewable Waste Conversion to Urea. This DECRA aims to realise the direct electrochemical conversion of waste resources using renewable energy to generate urea at ambient conditions. By designing impurity-tolerant single atom catalysts and unearthing their structure-activity relationships, the utilisation of flue gas and wastewater will be materialised. This will advance our understanding in the field as current energy conversion reactions require pure feedstocks. Expected outcomes from the program is envisioned to lead to deployment of scalable decentralised modes of green urea production (substituting imports), and the knowledge transferrable to other areas of Australia’s emerging hydrogen economy, extending the scope of renewable Power-to-X to realise a circular economy.Read moreRead less
Efficient and selective water electrolysis for clean energy and environment. This project aims to develop an anion exchange membrane electrolysis cell for efficient co-generation of hydrogen and hydrogen peroxide from the splitting of water by coupling the hydrogen evolution reaction with a selective, two-electron water oxidation reaction catalysed by cost-effective, perovskite materials. This project expects to generate new knowledge in understanding the selective water electrolysis and in deve ....Efficient and selective water electrolysis for clean energy and environment. This project aims to develop an anion exchange membrane electrolysis cell for efficient co-generation of hydrogen and hydrogen peroxide from the splitting of water by coupling the hydrogen evolution reaction with a selective, two-electron water oxidation reaction catalysed by cost-effective, perovskite materials. This project expects to generate new knowledge in understanding the selective water electrolysis and in developing efficient energy conversion technologies. This project is expected to improve the utilisation of renewable energy and promote development of manufacturing and chemical industries in Australia. This should provide significant benefits to achieve energy safety and environmental sustainability for Australia.Read moreRead less