Producing clean energy through geomimetic chemistry. This project aims to provide new chemical pathways able to produce clean energy by following a computational geomimetic approach. It will generate new knowledge in the field of materials science, by characterising the rich mineral chemistry observed on ocean floors and in extra-terrestrial environments that is naturally able to produce fuel through harvesting carbon dioxide. Expected outcomes include a full understanding of chemical reactions ....Producing clean energy through geomimetic chemistry. This project aims to provide new chemical pathways able to produce clean energy by following a computational geomimetic approach. It will generate new knowledge in the field of materials science, by characterising the rich mineral chemistry observed on ocean floors and in extra-terrestrial environments that is naturally able to produce fuel through harvesting carbon dioxide. Expected outcomes include a full understanding of chemical reactions that are at present unexplored at a fundamental level. This will open new perspectives in their potential employment to address the contemporary challenge of producing clean energy and will generate environmental and economic benefit to the Australian and international communities.Read moreRead less
Uncovering molecular pathways to minerals for control of crystallisation. This project aims to increase our knowledge of the processes of mineral formation and crystallisation. Minerals play a vital role in our environment, for example as reservoirs for carbon dioxide, while also substantially contributing to the Australian economy. Conversely, undesirable formation of minerals can be detrimental to industries from the oil/gas sector through to desalination. Despite the benefits that would come ....Uncovering molecular pathways to minerals for control of crystallisation. This project aims to increase our knowledge of the processes of mineral formation and crystallisation. Minerals play a vital role in our environment, for example as reservoirs for carbon dioxide, while also substantially contributing to the Australian economy. Conversely, undesirable formation of minerals can be detrimental to industries from the oil/gas sector through to desalination. Despite the benefits that would come from controlling such crystal growth, progress has been limited by the lack of a complete understanding of how minerals form at the microscopic level. This project aims to combine computer simulation, using the latest petascale resources, with experimental data to yield knowledge that would allow us to manipulate minerals, such as calcium carbonate, with the same control found in nature.Read moreRead less
Roles of deep-Earth fluid cycling in the generation of intra-continental magmatism. This project aims to test a provocative and potentially ground-breaking hypothesis that fluid released from subducted oceanic slabs and stored in the mantle transition zone, may trigger or control some major intra-plate geotectonic phenomena. It aims to provide a self-consistent model that links geological processes occurring at plate boundaries with those far-field effects well away from plate boundaries via dee ....Roles of deep-Earth fluid cycling in the generation of intra-continental magmatism. This project aims to test a provocative and potentially ground-breaking hypothesis that fluid released from subducted oceanic slabs and stored in the mantle transition zone, may trigger or control some major intra-plate geotectonic phenomena. It aims to provide a self-consistent model that links geological processes occurring at plate boundaries with those far-field effects well away from plate boundaries via deep-Earth fluid cycling. The outcomes of this project aim to help to better understand links between plume and plate tectonic processes in the first-order dynamic system of Earth, and identify ways to improve success in future mineral exploration.Read moreRead less
Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation in different substrates. Carbonates in the form of limestone represent an important reservoir of carbon on earth. They are recorded in several natural geological formations as corals, stromatolites, beach rocks. Microbes play an important role in the formation as well as dissolution of carbonates during microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) reactions on different substrates in natural and built environments. Much of our kno ....Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation in different substrates. Carbonates in the form of limestone represent an important reservoir of carbon on earth. They are recorded in several natural geological formations as corals, stromatolites, beach rocks. Microbes play an important role in the formation as well as dissolution of carbonates during microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) reactions on different substrates in natural and built environments. Much of our knowledge on MICP is limited due to poor understanding of the reaction kinetics at a molecular level. This project will develop new methods to enable and advance the knowledge of MICP process with profound implications for understanding natural geological formations as well as widen the scope of current engineering applications.Read moreRead less
Understanding mineral reactivity using computer simulations at realistic pH. The results of fundamental environmental and technological processes such as the production of alumina and the management of mine wastes largely depend on careful controlling the conditions at which the chemical reactions occur. Throughout this project, atomistic simulations will be used to unravel the effects of pH on the stability of minerals and to improve our knowledge of the dissolution and re-precipitation mechani ....Understanding mineral reactivity using computer simulations at realistic pH. The results of fundamental environmental and technological processes such as the production of alumina and the management of mine wastes largely depend on careful controlling the conditions at which the chemical reactions occur. Throughout this project, atomistic simulations will be used to unravel the effects of pH on the stability of minerals and to improve our knowledge of the dissolution and re-precipitation mechanisms of these materials. A better understanding of the basic science underpinning minerals’ reactivity will eventually translate into the development of new technologies and contribute to helping Australia’s advancement in developing a sustainable future as well as environment preservation and remediation.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100035
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$610,000.00
Summary
WA CRC-MC-ICPMS for Earth, Planetary and Environmental science. This Application aims to provide a mass spectrometer for Australian researchers collaborating on NASA, Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency and China National Space Administration extra-terrestrial sample return missions as they characterise unique samples of dust and rock collected from asteroids, the Moon and meteorites. The Application will also support government geoscience agencies who will generate nationally significant isot ....WA CRC-MC-ICPMS for Earth, Planetary and Environmental science. This Application aims to provide a mass spectrometer for Australian researchers collaborating on NASA, Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency and China National Space Administration extra-terrestrial sample return missions as they characterise unique samples of dust and rock collected from asteroids, the Moon and meteorites. The Application will also support government geoscience agencies who will generate nationally significant isotopic datasets to improve mineral exploration success, and scientists monitoring Earth’s environment. Expected outcomes will ensure that Australia remains at the forefront of cosmochemistry, minerals research and environmental studies, which will provide significant benefits to our economy and society.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100174
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$800,000.00
Summary
Innovative synchrotron science - program for access to the Australian National Beamline Facility and cutting-edge beamlines at international synchrotrons. Synchrotron science dramatically affects the community through the innovative scientific, engineering and medical research outcomes it produces. This program for access to synchrotron beamlines is aimed at enhancing Australia's high international standing in synchrotron science and will have many flow-on effects in areas such as health and ind ....Innovative synchrotron science - program for access to the Australian National Beamline Facility and cutting-edge beamlines at international synchrotrons. Synchrotron science dramatically affects the community through the innovative scientific, engineering and medical research outcomes it produces. This program for access to synchrotron beamlines is aimed at enhancing Australia's high international standing in synchrotron science and will have many flow-on effects in areas such as health and industry.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL180100087
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,539,442.00
Summary
Predictive simulation of crystallisation. This project aims to create new methodologies for quantitatively predicting the result of crystallisation processes, which are central to industries from pharmaceutical and food manufacture through to minerals processing. The outcomes will include the commercialisation of new technologies for computer modelling, economic impact in several key industries, and capacity building in analytical skills. Target project applications includes accelerating the dev ....Predictive simulation of crystallisation. This project aims to create new methodologies for quantitatively predicting the result of crystallisation processes, which are central to industries from pharmaceutical and food manufacture through to minerals processing. The outcomes will include the commercialisation of new technologies for computer modelling, economic impact in several key industries, and capacity building in analytical skills. Target project applications includes accelerating the development cycle for pharmaceuticals and reducing scale formation within both oil/gas pipelines and desalination plants.Read moreRead less
The structure and geochemistry of mineral interfaces in Earth's mantle. The interfaces between mineral grains are critical in determining rock properties and behaviour, yet we know little about them. This project uses emerging nano-technologies to establish the structure, chemistry and energy characteristics of interfaces in rocks from Earth’s mantle that control fundamental Earth processes such as plate tectonics and melting. The expected outcomes include a new understanding on one of the funda ....The structure and geochemistry of mineral interfaces in Earth's mantle. The interfaces between mineral grains are critical in determining rock properties and behaviour, yet we know little about them. This project uses emerging nano-technologies to establish the structure, chemistry and energy characteristics of interfaces in rocks from Earth’s mantle that control fundamental Earth processes such as plate tectonics and melting. The expected outcomes include a new understanding on one of the fundamental controls on rock properties and an enhanced ability to predict and model rock behaviour. The project provides research training in innovative research methodologies, will strengthen Australia’s leadership in nano-geoscience and will provide new methodologies for advanced rock characterisation.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems. Water is essential for human existence, indeed for life's beginning. The circulation of water between the surface and the deep interior lubricates the internal dynamics that keep Earth geologically alive; it is crucial to most Earth systems, including the evolution of the hydrospher/atmosphere/biosphere, and the development of giant ore deposits. However, the origin, abundance, speciation and movements of fluids inside Earth are largely u ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems. Water is essential for human existence, indeed for life's beginning. The circulation of water between the surface and the deep interior lubricates the internal dynamics that keep Earth geologically alive; it is crucial to most Earth systems, including the evolution of the hydrospher/atmosphere/biosphere, and the development of giant ore deposits. However, the origin, abundance, speciation and movements of fluids inside Earth are largely unknown, and represent key issues in modern geoscience. This CoE will integrate previously disparate fields - geology, tectonics, geochemistry, petrophysics, geophysics and dynamic modelling - to understand the workings of Earth's deep plumbing system.Read moreRead less