A New Spin on Liquid Hydrogen: Controlled Cold Energy. While hydrogen is set to play a leading role in global decarbonisation, significant challenges remain regarding methods for its reliable storage and transportation. Hydrogen liquefaction has emerged as a promising approach in this regard due to its high energy density and hydrogen purity, but is currently prohibitively expensive. In this project we will exploit the peculiar spin physics of hydrogen to alleviate liquefactions costs through t ....A New Spin on Liquid Hydrogen: Controlled Cold Energy. While hydrogen is set to play a leading role in global decarbonisation, significant challenges remain regarding methods for its reliable storage and transportation. Hydrogen liquefaction has emerged as a promising approach in this regard due to its high energy density and hydrogen purity, but is currently prohibitively expensive. In this project we will exploit the peculiar spin physics of hydrogen to alleviate liquefactions costs through the provision of controllable refrigeration (so-called 'cold energy') following regasification. In particular we will measure, optimise and exploit the highly endothermic catalysed conversion of para- to ortho- hydrogen, which can provide up to 525 kJ/kg of cooling at convenient temperatures. Read moreRead less
Industry Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: IL230100039
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,516,522.00
Summary
Aqueous sodium batteries for household and smart-grid electricity storage. This project aims to design and commercialise safe, cost-effective, long-lasting, fast-charging, high energy density aqueous sodium-based batteries to store renewable energy for use in households and smart grids. With a focus on developing and scaling technology and in collaboration with industry partners, the project’s expected outcomes include an enhanced ability to store excess energy and modulate its release into a sm ....Aqueous sodium batteries for household and smart-grid electricity storage. This project aims to design and commercialise safe, cost-effective, long-lasting, fast-charging, high energy density aqueous sodium-based batteries to store renewable energy for use in households and smart grids. With a focus on developing and scaling technology and in collaboration with industry partners, the project’s expected outcomes include an enhanced ability to store excess energy and modulate its release into a smart grid during peak demand. Of benefits to Australia, this project will deliver access to reliable, safe and cheap batteries for smart-grid electricity storage in households and a competitive industry manufacturing capability. The downstream benefit is a reduction in energy costs and a contribution to net-zero emissions.
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Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100952
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,237.00
Summary
Developing aluminium-sulfur batteries with high voltage and low cost. As use of renewable energy sources increases, so too does the need for suitable storage systems for the energy produced. Aluminium-Sulfur (Al-S) batteries provide a reliable energy storage option, but suffer from a low voltage output and despite aluminium and sulfur being two of the world’s most abundant and low-cost materials, other components in batteries are prohibitively expensive. This project aims to address these challe ....Developing aluminium-sulfur batteries with high voltage and low cost. As use of renewable energy sources increases, so too does the need for suitable storage systems for the energy produced. Aluminium-Sulfur (Al-S) batteries provide a reliable energy storage option, but suffer from a low voltage output and despite aluminium and sulfur being two of the world’s most abundant and low-cost materials, other components in batteries are prohibitively expensive. This project aims to address these challenges by designing an Al-S battery technology with efficient electrode materials and low-cost electrolytes, making them both cost effective and capable of high levels of energy storage. The outcome will place Australia as a world leader in battery technology and support our future renewable energy storage needs.Read moreRead less
Biomass-derived Carbon Dots Enable Flexible, On-Demand Hydrogen Delivery . Methanol is a promising liquid hydrogen carrier for long distance H2 transportation and exportation, because it is rich in hydrogen content, cheap, recyclable between methanol-formaldehyde and easier to manufacture from renewable resources including biomass waste. The critical bottleneck in adopting methanol as the carrier is the demanding dehydrogenation process. The project aims to create a new class of photocatalyst ba ....Biomass-derived Carbon Dots Enable Flexible, On-Demand Hydrogen Delivery . Methanol is a promising liquid hydrogen carrier for long distance H2 transportation and exportation, because it is rich in hydrogen content, cheap, recyclable between methanol-formaldehyde and easier to manufacture from renewable resources including biomass waste. The critical bottleneck in adopting methanol as the carrier is the demanding dehydrogenation process. The project aims to create a new class of photocatalyst based on biomass-derived carbon nanodots grown on transition metal (di)chalcogenide nanosheets that can effectively enable a light-controlled methanol H2 release of desired quantity. The key outcomes will be a new class of photocatalysts and flexible, on-demand hydrogen delivery technology for liquid hydrogen carriers.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100863
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$460,847.00
Summary
High-Efficiency, Modular and Low-Cost Hydrogen Liquefaction and Storage . Australia’s first modular hydrogen liquefaction and storage. This project aims to develop a novel multi-faceted cooling system and software to increase efficiency, lower cost, and improve the safety of hydrogen liquefaction and storage. The project will establish a new multi-disciplinary research capability in Australia and expand our fundamental knowledge to model, design, and build modular liquefaction and zero-boil-off ....High-Efficiency, Modular and Low-Cost Hydrogen Liquefaction and Storage . Australia’s first modular hydrogen liquefaction and storage. This project aims to develop a novel multi-faceted cooling system and software to increase efficiency, lower cost, and improve the safety of hydrogen liquefaction and storage. The project will establish a new multi-disciplinary research capability in Australia and expand our fundamental knowledge to model, design, and build modular liquefaction and zero-boil-off storage systems, allowing widespread distribution and usage of hydrogen. It will create a paradigm shift from traditional scale-up to modern number-up approaches. This level of innovation is crucial for Australia to lead the world in hydrogen and also enable accessible and sustainable clean energy sources for Australians.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101011
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,818.00
Summary
Developing advanced potassium-sulfur batteries for scalable energy storage. Potassium-sulfur (K-S) batteries are recognised as a promising energy storage technology for large-scale applications, due to their high theoretical capacity, low toxicity and the low cost of both potassium and sulfur. However, their grid-scale development is plagued by safety hazards and fast capacity fade. This project aims to address these challenges by developing atomic-level engineering of host materials for sulfur, ....Developing advanced potassium-sulfur batteries for scalable energy storage. Potassium-sulfur (K-S) batteries are recognised as a promising energy storage technology for large-scale applications, due to their high theoretical capacity, low toxicity and the low cost of both potassium and sulfur. However, their grid-scale development is plagued by safety hazards and fast capacity fade. This project aims to address these challenges by developing atomic-level engineering of host materials for sulfur, K metal anode and solid electrolyte. The outcomes of this project will provide increased understanding of the mechanism for K-S batteries and novel strategies for their development, placing Australia at the forefront of K-S batteries for scalable battery research and supporting our cutting-edge energy storage technology.
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Enabling High-performance Layered Oxide Sodium-Ion Battery Cathodes. The great abundance of sodium on the earth's crust and similar work principles have made sodium-ion batteries the most promising replacement for commercial lithium-ion batteries, which are struggling with the increasing cost. This project studies the layered oxides for use as cathodes in sodium-ion batteries. The cross-disciplinary strategy and approaches will be employed to address the weaknesses of such oxides and release the ....Enabling High-performance Layered Oxide Sodium-Ion Battery Cathodes. The great abundance of sodium on the earth's crust and similar work principles have made sodium-ion batteries the most promising replacement for commercial lithium-ion batteries, which are struggling with the increasing cost. This project studies the layered oxides for use as cathodes in sodium-ion batteries. The cross-disciplinary strategy and approaches will be employed to address the weaknesses of such oxides and release the hidden potential to achieve commercialisation. The expected outcome includes advancement in fundamental knowledge of cathode materials design and the development of clean energy, revamping the energy structure of Australia. Read moreRead less