Development of Novel Nanostructured Electro-optical Systems. The development of flexible and conformal electro-optical systems will strengthen Australia's position in the automotive industry establishing a value adding technology. The auto-dimming mirror industry is worth in excess of US$500 million per annum, with predictions of industry sales of US$2 billion. This project will tap existing Australian manufacturing capabilities and utilise the intellectual capacity of internationally recognise ....Development of Novel Nanostructured Electro-optical Systems. The development of flexible and conformal electro-optical systems will strengthen Australia's position in the automotive industry establishing a value adding technology. The auto-dimming mirror industry is worth in excess of US$500 million per annum, with predictions of industry sales of US$2 billion. This project will tap existing Australian manufacturing capabilities and utilise the intellectual capacity of internationally recognised scientists from UoW and UniSA. The science behind this proposed development will have significance well beyond its initial scope with applications in areas such as ophthalmic lenses, architectural glazing and electronic textiles providing further Australian opportunities in these rapidly developing areas.Read moreRead less
Sodium ion interactions with biomass-derived hard carbon electrodes. This project aims to investigate sodium ion behavior when electrochemically interacting with hard carbon electrode materials by using both in-situ and ex-situ techniques in combination with advanced computational methods. This project expects to generate new knowledge and establish structure-property-performance correlations, thus providing guidelines and strategies for synthesising cost-effective electrode materials from bioma ....Sodium ion interactions with biomass-derived hard carbon electrodes. This project aims to investigate sodium ion behavior when electrochemically interacting with hard carbon electrode materials by using both in-situ and ex-situ techniques in combination with advanced computational methods. This project expects to generate new knowledge and establish structure-property-performance correlations, thus providing guidelines and strategies for synthesising cost-effective electrode materials from biomass for developing sustainable sodium-ion batteries. The intended outcome of this project includes knowledge advancement, enhanced capability to build international collaborations, training of early career researchers and students, and positioning Australia on the world map as a world-leading nation in energy storage.Read moreRead less
Organic electrofunctinal materials: Novel conducting Polymer and Carbon nanotube systems. Inherently conducting polymers and carbon nanotubes will be modified to enhance their ability to function as electrodes used in areas such as sensors, actuators(artificial muscles), energy conversion (Photovoltaics) and storage(batteries, supercapacitors).
The modified materials and systems containing them will be amenable to fabrication into ordered structures, or integration with hosts such as fabrics. ....Organic electrofunctinal materials: Novel conducting Polymer and Carbon nanotube systems. Inherently conducting polymers and carbon nanotubes will be modified to enhance their ability to function as electrodes used in areas such as sensors, actuators(artificial muscles), energy conversion (Photovoltaics) and storage(batteries, supercapacitors).
The modified materials and systems containing them will be amenable to fabrication into ordered structures, or integration with hosts such as fabrics. This latter feature is particularly exciting in that it will accelerate developments in the area of intelligent textiles and fabrics with sensing, actuating and energy conversion/storage capabilities.Read moreRead less
Supported Molecular Catalysts for Methanol Oxidation and Other Reactions. Knowledge arising from these fundamental studies has the potential to place Australia at the forefront of this important area of materials science and catalysis. We expect to make discoveries that will be useful not only in the area of catalysts for the direct methanol fuel cell, but also in systematising and developing the whole field of bio-mimetic supported electrocatalysts. Relevant findings in these exciting areas wil ....Supported Molecular Catalysts for Methanol Oxidation and Other Reactions. Knowledge arising from these fundamental studies has the potential to place Australia at the forefront of this important area of materials science and catalysis. We expect to make discoveries that will be useful not only in the area of catalysts for the direct methanol fuel cell, but also in systematising and developing the whole field of bio-mimetic supported electrocatalysts. Relevant findings in these exciting areas will be relayed to researchers and commercialised where appropriate. This multidisciplinary project will also provide an excellent environment for research training.Read moreRead less
Better Batteries via Controlling the Properties of Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide. Physical properties of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) such as crystal structure, morphology and electrochemical characteristics determine its usefulness in alkaline batteries. However, the relationship between these parameters is not well understood. This APAI project will attempt to address these shortcomings in the current understanding of the production process by focussing on the relationships between fu ....Better Batteries via Controlling the Properties of Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide. Physical properties of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) such as crystal structure, morphology and electrochemical characteristics determine its usefulness in alkaline batteries. However, the relationship between these parameters is not well understood. This APAI project will attempt to address these shortcomings in the current understanding of the production process by focussing on the relationships between fundamental physical, chemical and electrochemical properties of EMD. The results will be of benefit in optimising the process and ensuring that EMD with superior performance can be consistently produced.Read moreRead less
Sustainable nitrogen chemistry. The goal of this project is to develop sustainable methods to produce nitrates from air and water, using renewable electricity. This new electrochemical technology will be based on the design of new electrolytes and catalysts supported by advanced theoretical concepts to provide high rate of production and selectivity. This is expected to generate new fundamental knowledge in materials and catalysis science. As traditional production of nitrates for industry and a ....Sustainable nitrogen chemistry. The goal of this project is to develop sustainable methods to produce nitrates from air and water, using renewable electricity. This new electrochemical technology will be based on the design of new electrolytes and catalysts supported by advanced theoretical concepts to provide high rate of production and selectivity. This is expected to generate new fundamental knowledge in materials and catalysis science. As traditional production of nitrates for industry and agriculture generates significant greenhouse gas emissions, the core anticipated outcome of this project is a new, sustainable era of nitrogen chemistry. This is also expected to benefit farmers by providing a process for the generation of sustainable fertilisers on a local basis.Read moreRead less
Engineered Nanotube Membranes for Molecular Separation and Biosensing. This broad research effort on the development of nanotube technology will provide potential applications not just in separation and biosensors but also in nanotechnology, biotechnology, drug delivery, energy storage, and catalysis. Development of advanced separation technologies and ultra sensitive biosensing devices based on functionalised gold nanotube membranes and low-cost fabrications are an important direction for Austr ....Engineered Nanotube Membranes for Molecular Separation and Biosensing. This broad research effort on the development of nanotube technology will provide potential applications not just in separation and biosensors but also in nanotechnology, biotechnology, drug delivery, energy storage, and catalysis. Development of advanced separation technologies and ultra sensitive biosensing devices based on functionalised gold nanotube membranes and low-cost fabrications are an important direction for Australian innovation in these fields. They will bring competitive advantages for further developments and applications for molecular separation and biomedical diagnostics. These research outcomes will enhance Australia's capacity in frontier technology and build strength in new analytical and separation technologies.Read moreRead less
Mesoporous conducting carbon-based materials for energy. This project aims to synthesise highly ordered mesoporous conducting polymers and graphitic carbons with a high conductivity, different pore structures, tuneable pore diameters, and functionalised with transition metal oxide nanoparticles. It will make a highly efficient, low cost and stable energy storage device using functionalised mesoporous conducting polymeric and graphitic electrodes that combine pseudo capacitance and electrical dou ....Mesoporous conducting carbon-based materials for energy. This project aims to synthesise highly ordered mesoporous conducting polymers and graphitic carbons with a high conductivity, different pore structures, tuneable pore diameters, and functionalised with transition metal oxide nanoparticles. It will make a highly efficient, low cost and stable energy storage device using functionalised mesoporous conducting polymeric and graphitic electrodes that combine pseudo capacitance and electrical double layer capacitance, high power and energy density and a long cycle life. This electrode system for supercapacitors is expected to address clean energy generation and environmental problems and create opportunities for Australian industries.Read moreRead less
Electro-optical devices based on conducting polymers. This project will employ conducting polymers that modulate light by changing colour and shape when electrically switched between its conducting and insulating states. The development of flexible electro-optical systems will create value adding technology with utility in many areas, such as smart mirrors, architectural glazing and aerospace.
Phosphonium ionic liquids for advanced lithium energy storage systems. This project will develop, along with a leading manufacturer in the world, high performance electrolytes for lithium batteries. The technologies and expertise generated will be of importance to many niche industries in Australia in their shift towards lower carbon operations.