Functional carbon composites to power a sustainable future. This project aims to address the limitation of current energy storage technologies though the development of functional carbon-based materials for the next generation of energy storage systems with high capacity, high energy/power density, excellent retention and low cost. The progress of energy storage technology plays a critical role in the development of portable devices in daily life. This project will synthesise a series of carbon- ....Functional carbon composites to power a sustainable future. This project aims to address the limitation of current energy storage technologies though the development of functional carbon-based materials for the next generation of energy storage systems with high capacity, high energy/power density, excellent retention and low cost. The progress of energy storage technology plays a critical role in the development of portable devices in daily life. This project will synthesise a series of carbon-based composites via an electrospinning method, and their properties will be assessed and characterised as electrode materials for high performance energy storage devices.Read moreRead less
Laser cleaning processes for Roads and Maritime Services bridges. This project aims to develop innovative laser cleaning processes to conserve the structural integrity and iconic status of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. New laser technologies offer the opportunity to remove lead-based paint and clean the bridge’s metal structures and granite pylons offering advantages unavailable with current techniques. The expected outcomes will be new best-practice laser conservation techniques usable for both ha ....Laser cleaning processes for Roads and Maritime Services bridges. This project aims to develop innovative laser cleaning processes to conserve the structural integrity and iconic status of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. New laser technologies offer the opportunity to remove lead-based paint and clean the bridge’s metal structures and granite pylons offering advantages unavailable with current techniques. The expected outcomes will be new best-practice laser conservation techniques usable for both hand-held and automated systems to preserve one of the most iconic bridges in the world. This will reduce maintenance frequency and cost, restore the beauty of the bridge, retain its engineering significance and provide a baseline process for cleaning of other historical large scale metal and stone heritage objects.Read moreRead less
A national framework for managing malignant plastics in museum collections. A national framework for managing malignant plastics in museum collections. This collaborative project between three universities, four museums and an art gallery aims to discover how to predict and increase the lifespan of malignant plastics or polymers by studying their identification, deterioration and conservation. 5 to 80% of museum collections, composed of growing numbers of plastic or polymer-based materials, need ....A national framework for managing malignant plastics in museum collections. A national framework for managing malignant plastics in museum collections. This collaborative project between three universities, four museums and an art gallery aims to discover how to predict and increase the lifespan of malignant plastics or polymers by studying their identification, deterioration and conservation. 5 to 80% of museum collections, composed of growing numbers of plastic or polymer-based materials, need better preservation. Conservators do not have much expertise in preserving plastics, which are contemporary and have a relatively short life expectancy. This project intends to provide museums with a model for prioritising and effectively allocating resources to preserve a vulnerable group of collections for future generations.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
Development of Novel Concrete Noise Walls Incorporating Recycled Materials. This project will develop high-performance, lightweight, concrete noise walls and acoustic barriers that use recycled tyre and glass products to improve sound absorption, and address environmental problems associated with the mining of river sands, and stockpiling of waste tyre and glass products. Innovation in noise wall technology consists in developing low-carbon concrete mixes (using less cement) with a maximum amoun ....Development of Novel Concrete Noise Walls Incorporating Recycled Materials. This project will develop high-performance, lightweight, concrete noise walls and acoustic barriers that use recycled tyre and glass products to improve sound absorption, and address environmental problems associated with the mining of river sands, and stockpiling of waste tyre and glass products. Innovation in noise wall technology consists in developing low-carbon concrete mixes (using less cement) with a maximum amount of recycled product, together with reducing wall thickness, while maintaining the necessary engineering properties such as acoustics, strength, and durability. In addition to higher acoustic insulation, the novel low-carbon, lightweight, panels will improve material handling and affordability of noise barriers.Read moreRead less
Carbon-free Energy Storage and Conversion Using Ammonia as a Mediator. This project aims to develop essential technologies for ammonia-mediated energy storage, hydrogen production, and electricity generation. This project expects to generate new understandings on designing novel multi-atom-cluster catalysts for the critical ammonia synthesis, electrolysis, and oxidation processes using interdisciplinary approaches. The expected outcomes of this project include multi-functional electrocatalysts, ....Carbon-free Energy Storage and Conversion Using Ammonia as a Mediator. This project aims to develop essential technologies for ammonia-mediated energy storage, hydrogen production, and electricity generation. This project expects to generate new understandings on designing novel multi-atom-cluster catalysts for the critical ammonia synthesis, electrolysis, and oxidation processes using interdisciplinary approaches. The expected outcomes of this project include multi-functional electrocatalysts, fundamental insights of principles for electrocatalyst design, and prototype technologies. This should provide significant benefits for the harvest of clean energy, the safe utilization of hydrogen, and the development of carbon-free fuels, which are essential for optimizing the energy structure of Australia.Read moreRead less
Biomimetic surface coatings for drag and fouling reduction. This project aims to provide new insights into liquid flow and adsorption at liquid/solid and liquid/liquid interfaces, by using a combination of theoretical predictions, nanoscale techniques and nanofabrication approaches. Expected outcomes are the development of liquid-repellent slippery surface coatings that reduce hydrodynamic drag and inhibit marine fouling. This will benefit the fields of advanced manufacturing and smart coatings, ....Biomimetic surface coatings for drag and fouling reduction. This project aims to provide new insights into liquid flow and adsorption at liquid/solid and liquid/liquid interfaces, by using a combination of theoretical predictions, nanoscale techniques and nanofabrication approaches. Expected outcomes are the development of liquid-repellent slippery surface coatings that reduce hydrodynamic drag and inhibit marine fouling. This will benefit the fields of advanced manufacturing and smart coatings, and will underpin a wide range of energy efficient processes and products. Slippery coatings will solve urgent environmental problems of social value by improving the energy and chemical efficiency in fluid flow, heat transfer, secondary oil recovery, microfluidics, and anti-fouling.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH170100009
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Energy-efficient Separation. The ARC Research Hub for Energy-efficient Separation aims to develop advanced separation materials, innovative products and smart processes to reduce the energy consumption of separation processes. The Research Hub will create a multi-disciplinary training platform, supplying a highly-trained workforce for the advanced manufacturing sector, particularly in separation technology–a growth area in which Australia can lead the world. The advancement ....ARC Research Hub for Energy-efficient Separation. The ARC Research Hub for Energy-efficient Separation aims to develop advanced separation materials, innovative products and smart processes to reduce the energy consumption of separation processes. The Research Hub will create a multi-disciplinary training platform, supplying a highly-trained workforce for the advanced manufacturing sector, particularly in separation technology–a growth area in which Australia can lead the world. The advancement of Australia’s capability as a world-leading technology provider in manufacturing advanced separation materials and equipment will enable Australian industry to become more energy-efficient and cost-competitive in a global economy.Read moreRead less
Engineering two dimensional polymers for membrane-based chemical separation. This project aims to develop novel two-dimensional polymers with precisely controlled pore-sizes for preparing membrane materials which can efficiently separate these gaseous chemicals at ambient temperatures. Key industrial chemical mixtures with similar size and boiling points are difficult to separate by conventional distillation methods. Currently, purification of olefins alone accounts for 0.3% of global energy use ....Engineering two dimensional polymers for membrane-based chemical separation. This project aims to develop novel two-dimensional polymers with precisely controlled pore-sizes for preparing membrane materials which can efficiently separate these gaseous chemicals at ambient temperatures. Key industrial chemical mixtures with similar size and boiling points are difficult to separate by conventional distillation methods. Currently, purification of olefins alone accounts for 0.3% of global energy use. The expected outcomes of the project will have a huge impact on industrial purification processing by providing a disruptive membrane technology, and will significantly reduce energy consumption and open up new routes for resources.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101622
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,498.00
Summary
Synthesis of High-quality 2D Perovskites for Efficient Light Harvestings. This project aims to develop a library of novel and two-dimensional Ruddlesden−Popper phases layered perovskites with controlled architecture and tunable bandgaps for high-performance energy harvesting applications. The as-synthesized perovskites are highly crystalline and sandwiched with staggered organic and inorganic layers, which are compatible with layer-by-layer manner to build vertical heterostructure, satisfying t ....Synthesis of High-quality 2D Perovskites for Efficient Light Harvestings. This project aims to develop a library of novel and two-dimensional Ruddlesden−Popper phases layered perovskites with controlled architecture and tunable bandgaps for high-performance energy harvesting applications. The as-synthesized perovskites are highly crystalline and sandwiched with staggered organic and inorganic layers, which are compatible with layer-by-layer manner to build vertical heterostructure, satisfying the premise of a solar cell with both high power conversion efficiency and low-cost. Apart from springing out a series of high impact publications and patents, a few of these demonstrations have a great potential to be substituted for fossil fuels which will help address clean energy generation and environmental problems. Read moreRead less