All-solid-state: new hybrid materials for next-generation lithium batteries. The aim of the project is an economically viable design for “all-solid-state” rechargeable batteries. Eliminating organic liquid electrolytes from lithium-ion batteries will dramatically increase safety, range of operating conditions, lifetimes, and energy density. The key technical challenge is keeping solid-solid interfaces intact over thousands of charge/discharge cycles. We will address this by inserting inorganic i ....All-solid-state: new hybrid materials for next-generation lithium batteries. The aim of the project is an economically viable design for “all-solid-state” rechargeable batteries. Eliminating organic liquid electrolytes from lithium-ion batteries will dramatically increase safety, range of operating conditions, lifetimes, and energy density. The key technical challenge is keeping solid-solid interfaces intact over thousands of charge/discharge cycles. We will address this by inserting inorganic interfacial layers that change smoothly from hard ceramic to flexible glass and back again, through rigorous chemical design and synthetic control. This will reduce the stress that causes mechanical failure, while increasing chemical stability so that the latest generation of high-power electrodes can be brought into service.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882787
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,000.00
Summary
An Integrated Raman Microscope and in Situ STM-TEM Analysis System. The imaging and analytical capabilities of SEM and chemical and structural characterisation afforded by Raman spectroscopy will be unique, allowing both rapid morphological observation and elemental analysis at the macro and nanoscale. The in-situ TEM holder will further assist through in-situ characterization of advanced materials at the nano-scale level. In combination, these instruments will underpin groundbreaking research i ....An Integrated Raman Microscope and in Situ STM-TEM Analysis System. The imaging and analytical capabilities of SEM and chemical and structural characterisation afforded by Raman spectroscopy will be unique, allowing both rapid morphological observation and elemental analysis at the macro and nanoscale. The in-situ TEM holder will further assist through in-situ characterization of advanced materials at the nano-scale level. In combination, these instruments will underpin groundbreaking research in diverse research fields developing new advanced nanomaterials and bio-nanomaterials with significant impact on many industries with great economical and environmental benefits. Read moreRead less
Scaffolding layered structures to improve insertion electrodes. This project aims to change how positive electrodes are designed and improve battery performance. The positive electrode is arguably the largest bottleneck in battery performance. Modifying layered electrodes to produce better batteries has ramifications ranging from longer-lasting portable power for everyday devices and vehicles to energy storage solutions for intermittent power generation sources (i.e., renewables). This project w ....Scaffolding layered structures to improve insertion electrodes. This project aims to change how positive electrodes are designed and improve battery performance. The positive electrode is arguably the largest bottleneck in battery performance. Modifying layered electrodes to produce better batteries has ramifications ranging from longer-lasting portable power for everyday devices and vehicles to energy storage solutions for intermittent power generation sources (i.e., renewables). This project will develop scaffolded layered crystal structures to improve the ease, speed and amount of ion insertion/extraction. These structures will be incorporated into lithium and sodium ion batteries, resulting in better battery lifetime, energy density and charge/discharge speed (capability). This is expected to improve batteries for the future and decrease reliance on fossil fuels for energy.Read moreRead less
Self-zoning in natural uraninite: radiation driven chemical separation. In this project we aim to explore and define the effects of the substitution of lead and rare earths on the crystal chemistry of uranium dioxide (uraninite) and related minerals, towards establishing the oxygen stoichiometry (as a measure of oxygen fugacity) of these materials both in nature and in synthetic materials. This project will use synthetic materials to understand the variability of oxygen stoichiometry, establish ....Self-zoning in natural uraninite: radiation driven chemical separation. In this project we aim to explore and define the effects of the substitution of lead and rare earths on the crystal chemistry of uranium dioxide (uraninite) and related minerals, towards establishing the oxygen stoichiometry (as a measure of oxygen fugacity) of these materials both in nature and in synthetic materials. This project will use synthetic materials to understand the variability of oxygen stoichiometry, establish accurate and precise structures for the oxides, and distinguish both long range and short-range order which is critical to understanding both natural and synthetic U-oxides. This will help to define the geochemical conditions leading to the formation of deposits like Olympic Dam towards potential economic benefit.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100236
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,000.00
Summary
Facilities for spectroscopy and diffraction at high pressures. The provision of infrastructure for the study of novel materials under high pressures will enhance Australia's capability in creating new materials and in creating new devices that meet needs in communication, environment and medicine applications. The new facility will enable researchers to understand the response of structures to extreme pressures and will exploit the unique capabilities of the synchrotron light.
The role of interstitial oxide and superoxide anions in ionic conductors. This project seeks to understand how defects and local disorder can facilitate solid-state ionic conductivity in complex oxides. Particular attention will be paid to the under-explored mechanisms by which excess oxygen can be incorporated in these oxides, as opposed to the conventional scenario in which conduction occurs through vacant sites due to an oxygen deficiency. The project aims to characterise the target oxides at ....The role of interstitial oxide and superoxide anions in ionic conductors. This project seeks to understand how defects and local disorder can facilitate solid-state ionic conductivity in complex oxides. Particular attention will be paid to the under-explored mechanisms by which excess oxygen can be incorporated in these oxides, as opposed to the conventional scenario in which conduction occurs through vacant sites due to an oxygen deficiency. The project aims to characterise the target oxides at various length scales using advanced diffraction, spectroscopy and imaging methods, to obtain a holistic multi-scale picture of their structures. It is expected that this will reveal the structure-property relationships required to rationally design new and improved oxide-ion conductors for applications such as solid oxide fuel cells.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100136
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,100,000.00
Summary
High Performance Solid State NMR Spectroscopy for Materials Research. The project will support research in a diverse set of fields such as biomedical engineering catalysis, energy storage and waste recovery, with cutting edge next-generation solid state (400 MHz) nuclear magnetic resonance capabilities and research expertise. The system enabling high sensitivity, high throughput analysis over extended temperature range will enable addressing of fundamental questions regarding the structure-prope ....High Performance Solid State NMR Spectroscopy for Materials Research. The project will support research in a diverse set of fields such as biomedical engineering catalysis, energy storage and waste recovery, with cutting edge next-generation solid state (400 MHz) nuclear magnetic resonance capabilities and research expertise. The system enabling high sensitivity, high throughput analysis over extended temperature range will enable addressing of fundamental questions regarding the structure-property relationships of advanced functional materials. Accessible to a wide user base in fundamental and applied research, in medicine, energy, catalysis and recycling of waste, the project will extend the current facilities to develop Sydney as regional centre for advanced solid state nuclear magnetic resonance analysis.Read moreRead less
Structural and physical properties of 4d and 5d metal oxides. Transition metal oxide with perovskite structures are hosts to many fascinating phenomena. This project explores the emerging area of 4d and 5d transition metal oxides where the correlated electrons can form a variety of electronic phases. Perovskite and related oxides containing 4d and 5d transition metal will be prepared and structurally characterised. The proposed study represents a critical step in understanding the factors influe ....Structural and physical properties of 4d and 5d metal oxides. Transition metal oxide with perovskite structures are hosts to many fascinating phenomena. This project explores the emerging area of 4d and 5d transition metal oxides where the correlated electrons can form a variety of electronic phases. Perovskite and related oxides containing 4d and 5d transition metal will be prepared and structurally characterised. The proposed study represents a critical step in understanding the factors influencing the magnetic and electronic properties of these potentially important oxides. It is anticipated that this will guide the design of materials with specific structures and associated physical properties.Read moreRead less