Novel Hybrid Nanotechnologies by Infiltration of Functional Polymers. Hybrid inorganic-organic materials have important applications in energy, environmental and health technologies. Sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS) of polymers is a recently introduced approach to preparing such hybrid structures. Advancement in the field is however hampered by lack of fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of interactions of SIS molecules with polymers, and the narrow range of polymers studied so fa ....Novel Hybrid Nanotechnologies by Infiltration of Functional Polymers. Hybrid inorganic-organic materials have important applications in energy, environmental and health technologies. Sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS) of polymers is a recently introduced approach to preparing such hybrid structures. Advancement in the field is however hampered by lack of fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of interactions of SIS molecules with polymers, and the narrow range of polymers studied so far. This project aims to build a fundamental framework for the development of SIS through systematic studies of interactions of polymers and SIS molecules. Expected outcomes include new methods for constructing nanostructures using functional polymers and novel fabrication processes exploiting polymer self-assembly.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101105
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$422,318.00
Summary
Developing Polymer Electrolytes for Operational All-Solid-State Batteries. This project aims to advance the development of safe rechargeable all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) by innovating fluorinated block copolymers as solid-state electrolytes. ASSBs are the most promising power source for emerging energy storage goals, however, low ionic conductivity and poor long-term cycling stability are critical bottlenecks to their successful application. This project seeks to tackle these challenges by ....Developing Polymer Electrolytes for Operational All-Solid-State Batteries. This project aims to advance the development of safe rechargeable all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) by innovating fluorinated block copolymers as solid-state electrolytes. ASSBs are the most promising power source for emerging energy storage goals, however, low ionic conductivity and poor long-term cycling stability are critical bottlenecks to their successful application. This project seeks to tackle these challenges by fabricating unique ionic conduction channels and stabilising electrode-electrolyte interfaces using fluorinated block copolymer electrolytes. The expected outcomes are new knowledge in polymer electrolytes and advancement in the commercialisation of ASSBs toward more efficient, safe and reliable energy storage technologies.Read moreRead less
Polymer nanodiscs. This project aims to produce disc-shaped polymer nanomaterials by utilising a new self-assembly concept based on oppositely charged polymers. This project expects to generate a modular technology that allows synthesis and control over the geometry and functionality of polymer nanoparticles. This level of control will permit a precise investigation of polymer nanodisc properties for nanomedicine applications. Expected outcomes of this project will be the fundamental understandi ....Polymer nanodiscs. This project aims to produce disc-shaped polymer nanomaterials by utilising a new self-assembly concept based on oppositely charged polymers. This project expects to generate a modular technology that allows synthesis and control over the geometry and functionality of polymer nanoparticles. This level of control will permit a precise investigation of polymer nanodisc properties for nanomedicine applications. Expected outcomes of this project will be the fundamental understanding of how nanoparticle geometry affects particle-cell interaction and how nanoscale polymer discs can be used to mimic biological nanoparticles in shape and function.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL230100095
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,095,070.00
Summary
Materials Nanotectonics: Designing Conductive Inorganic Porous Materials. This project aims to develop the next generation of conductive porous materials through an integrated approach which combines inorganic synthesis with informatics. Using this approach, transition metals can be combined with nonmetals creating mesoporous materials with precise control of their internal space allowing the correlations between structure, composition, properties, and performance to be revealed. This project is ....Materials Nanotectonics: Designing Conductive Inorganic Porous Materials. This project aims to develop the next generation of conductive porous materials through an integrated approach which combines inorganic synthesis with informatics. Using this approach, transition metals can be combined with nonmetals creating mesoporous materials with precise control of their internal space allowing the correlations between structure, composition, properties, and performance to be revealed. This project is expected to generate new highly efficient electrocatalysts and energy conversion devices based on low-cost and earth-abundant transition metals. The project outcomes will position Australia at the forefront of research and development in advanced materials, smart catalysts, and renewable energy technologies.Read moreRead less
Next-generation lithography: photo-directing assembly of block copolymers. This project aims to introduce a novel approach to organising block polymers through the photochemical modification of the surface of a photo-sensitive polymer. Chemo-epitaxy is the science of organising materials on a surface decorated with chemical patterns. The process has the potential to revolutionise the manufacture of integrated circuits, enabling faster processors. This project expects to introduce innovative conc ....Next-generation lithography: photo-directing assembly of block copolymers. This project aims to introduce a novel approach to organising block polymers through the photochemical modification of the surface of a photo-sensitive polymer. Chemo-epitaxy is the science of organising materials on a surface decorated with chemical patterns. The process has the potential to revolutionise the manufacture of integrated circuits, enabling faster processors. This project expects to introduce innovative concepts in polymer chemistry and nanoscale assembly with the potential to advance a multi-billion-dollar industry.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL190100139
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,185,850.00
Summary
New Artificial Leaf for Efficient Solar Fuel Production . The Fellowship aims to develop next-generation materials that harness solar energy to produce valuable fuels and chemicals from water and carbon dioxide, replacing fossil fuels. The program will design new semiconductor materials to revolutionise solar-to-fuel technologies that currently have very low efficiency. The expected outcomes include innovative systems such as wireless artificial leaves that mimic natural photosynthesis for effic ....New Artificial Leaf for Efficient Solar Fuel Production . The Fellowship aims to develop next-generation materials that harness solar energy to produce valuable fuels and chemicals from water and carbon dioxide, replacing fossil fuels. The program will design new semiconductor materials to revolutionise solar-to-fuel technologies that currently have very low efficiency. The expected outcomes include innovative systems such as wireless artificial leaves that mimic natural photosynthesis for efficient hydrocarbon production, carbon dioxide reduction, and water purification. The expected benefits include next-generation solar fuel and chemical generation technologies, and research capabilities to position Australia as a global leader in the transition to a decarbonised economy.Read moreRead less
Unlocking the ion selectivity of lithium superionic conductor membranes. This project aims to address a longstanding challenge in designing advanced membranes to enable sustainable lithium refining by unlocking the ion selectivity of lithium superionic conductors. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the areas of membrane science and emerging nanoionics by using interdisciplinary approaches. Expected outcomes of this project include a novel class of lithium separation membranes and ....Unlocking the ion selectivity of lithium superionic conductor membranes. This project aims to address a longstanding challenge in designing advanced membranes to enable sustainable lithium refining by unlocking the ion selectivity of lithium superionic conductors. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the areas of membrane science and emerging nanoionics by using interdisciplinary approaches. Expected outcomes of this project include a novel class of lithium separation membranes and their fabrication techniques. This should provide significant benefits in improving lithium extraction and recycling efficiency, reducing their environmental impact and building the research capacity in advanced membrane manufacturing and critical mineral refining in Australia. Read moreRead less
Carbon fibre thermoplastics as next-generation carbon fibre composites. By combining sizing, chemical grafting, and nano-reinforcement strategies, this project develops chemically and thermally robust thermoplastic interfacial sizing for carbon fiber/thermoplastic composites for rapid manufacturing. Thermostamped carbon fiber/thermoplastic composite prototypes will be used to verify the sizing. In order to demonstrate industrial viability, recyclability and reprocessability analyses will be cond ....Carbon fibre thermoplastics as next-generation carbon fibre composites. By combining sizing, chemical grafting, and nano-reinforcement strategies, this project develops chemically and thermally robust thermoplastic interfacial sizing for carbon fiber/thermoplastic composites for rapid manufacturing. Thermostamped carbon fiber/thermoplastic composite prototypes will be used to verify the sizing. In order to demonstrate industrial viability, recyclability and reprocessability analyses will be conducted. This sizing method can enable high-performance thermoplastic composites in nonaerospace applications with its atomistic level modelling and comprehensive characterisation routine. A key objective of this study is to produce sustainably manufactured composite materials that are also commercially relevant.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101712
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$394,818.00
Summary
All-perovskite tandem solar cells for efficient green hydrogen production. This project aims to design functional materials for the development high-performance and durable solar energy conversion devices, which enable efficient green solar hydrogen production to reduce fossil fuel consumption and alleviate environmental burden. The expected outcomes include advanced semiconducting materials, proof-of-concept solar-driven water electrolytic system with a high solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficie ....All-perovskite tandem solar cells for efficient green hydrogen production. This project aims to design functional materials for the development high-performance and durable solar energy conversion devices, which enable efficient green solar hydrogen production to reduce fossil fuel consumption and alleviate environmental burden. The expected outcomes include advanced semiconducting materials, proof-of-concept solar-driven water electrolytic system with a high solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency, and cutting-edge knowledge in material science, physical chemistry, and nanotechnology. The success of this project expects to facilitate pilot-scale green hydrogen industry and thus position Australia at the frontier of advanced materials, clean energy, and renewable hydrogen supply technologies.Read moreRead less