Fundamental Characterization of Adsorption of Simple to Complex Fluids on Carbon Black and in Carbon Pores. The outcome of this project will help designing engineers with a molecular simulation model for adsorption of simple to complex fluids commonly used in industries. The success of this project translates to a significant saving because it requires minimum effort in experimentation.
Methane hydrate in carbon nanopores as a potential means for energy storage. This project deals with the innovative means to store methane (natural gas) in the form of methane hydrate in the nanospace of carbon pores. The significance of this project lies in the enhanced storage of methane at a moderate pressure, compared to the compressed natural gas technology. Expected outcome is the better and efficient utilization of natural gas in transportation industries, and the better understanding o ....Methane hydrate in carbon nanopores as a potential means for energy storage. This project deals with the innovative means to store methane (natural gas) in the form of methane hydrate in the nanospace of carbon pores. The significance of this project lies in the enhanced storage of methane at a moderate pressure, compared to the compressed natural gas technology. Expected outcome is the better and efficient utilization of natural gas in transportation industries, and the better understanding of the formation of methane hydrate in carbon nanopores.Read moreRead less
Advanced waste slurry processing in the dairy industry. The dairy industry typically disposes of its wastes as low solids slurries. An aim for the future is to produce higher solids outputs. This project will examine the dewatering behaviour of a range of waste sludges and examine the molecular components that control dewaterability. The project will provide quantitative directions as to the best choice of dewatering methodologies to the dairy industry for the treatment and disposal of wastes ....Advanced waste slurry processing in the dairy industry. The dairy industry typically disposes of its wastes as low solids slurries. An aim for the future is to produce higher solids outputs. This project will examine the dewatering behaviour of a range of waste sludges and examine the molecular components that control dewaterability. The project will provide quantitative directions as to the best choice of dewatering methodologies to the dairy industry for the treatment and disposal of wastes. This will allow for better strategic design and management of waste treatment options.Read moreRead less
Characterization of Sub- and Super-Critical Fluids in Nanomaterials. In recent years, nano-porous materials have become the most potential media for applications in the areas of separation and purification, with materials such as carbon alloy, activated carbon fibre, carbon nanotube and their derivatives. Their effective utilisation depends on how well we characterise them for their adsorption capacities. In this project, we propose a new model for this characterisation and this model can be u ....Characterization of Sub- and Super-Critical Fluids in Nanomaterials. In recent years, nano-porous materials have become the most potential media for applications in the areas of separation and purification, with materials such as carbon alloy, activated carbon fibre, carbon nanotube and their derivatives. Their effective utilisation depends on how well we characterise them for their adsorption capacities. In this project, we propose a new model for this characterisation and this model can be used for the prediction of adsorption of multicomponent systems, which are common in separation and purification industries, without recourse to extensive experimentation. The success of this model could translate to cost savings in those industries.Read moreRead less
Periodic nano-ratchets: a new paradigm for biomolecule separation. This project proposes the theoretical and experimental study of a new separation principle. The platform technologies developed from this research will see wide ranging applications. They will reveal new insights into fundamental phenomena of membranes and separation processes underpinning development of new generation of separation technologies. New membranes and microchip separation devices which can be applied to genomic, prot ....Periodic nano-ratchets: a new paradigm for biomolecule separation. This project proposes the theoretical and experimental study of a new separation principle. The platform technologies developed from this research will see wide ranging applications. They will reveal new insights into fundamental phenomena of membranes and separation processes underpinning development of new generation of separation technologies. New membranes and microchip separation devices which can be applied to genomic, proteomic, forensic and a range medical, biotechnological and analytical applications will be readily achievable. This is an international and interdisciplinary research project and its outcomes will enhance Australia's ability in frontier technologies, advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of Unique Mesoporous Graphitic Carbons and their Application to Fundamental Problems in Adsorption Science. The development of synthesis techniques to create porous graphitic carbons with highly ordered pore structures, easily accessible pore volume and good electrical conductivity can underpin technological advancements in many industrial applications such as energy storage, removal of pollutants from exhaust streams, direct-methanol fuel cells and lithium ion batteries. Techniques de ....Synthesis of Unique Mesoporous Graphitic Carbons and their Application to Fundamental Problems in Adsorption Science. The development of synthesis techniques to create porous graphitic carbons with highly ordered pore structures, easily accessible pore volume and good electrical conductivity can underpin technological advancements in many industrial applications such as energy storage, removal of pollutants from exhaust streams, direct-methanol fuel cells and lithium ion batteries. Techniques developed in this project are also applicable to creating other materials important to advanced sensors and optoelectronics. The fundamental study of water adsorption and hysteresis using these carbons will help us create better models for adsorption. This will underpin theoretical studies, characterisation and optimisation of carbon materials into the future. Read moreRead less
Nanocomposite Mesoporous Materials for Gas Separations of Environmental Significance. The management of greenhouse and other acid gas emissions is vital to a sustainable future of both the economy and the ecosystem. This project will develop novel nano-materials for gas separation by tethering organic functional groups to the surface of porous inorganic supports. These materials offer the promise of combining the high selectivity and high capacity of liquid phase absorption systems with the rapi ....Nanocomposite Mesoporous Materials for Gas Separations of Environmental Significance. The management of greenhouse and other acid gas emissions is vital to a sustainable future of both the economy and the ecosystem. This project will develop novel nano-materials for gas separation by tethering organic functional groups to the surface of porous inorganic supports. These materials offer the promise of combining the high selectivity and high capacity of liquid phase absorption systems with the rapid transport rates of gas-solid adsorption systems. Success would open up several new possibilities for reengineering gas separation systems based on the use of these materials in solution, as solid phase adsorbents (pressure swing adsorption) and/or as permeselective gas membranes.Read moreRead less
Development of smart material for the adsorption of oil spills on roads. The cost of road fuel spills in both Australia and worldwide is enormous. The research objective is to develop an admixture suitable for the absorption/adsorption of fuel and oil from road spills. The material will be designed to be contained within a fabric. The innovation is the application of the admixture in the form of a carpet, which is designed as easily used, non-toxic, recyclable and environmentally friendly. T ....Development of smart material for the adsorption of oil spills on roads. The cost of road fuel spills in both Australia and worldwide is enormous. The research objective is to develop an admixture suitable for the absorption/adsorption of fuel and oil from road spills. The material will be designed to be contained within a fabric. The innovation is the application of the admixture in the form of a carpet, which is designed as easily used, non-toxic, recyclable and environmentally friendly. The application is rapid. The successful development of the material has enormous economic benefits to Australia, providing a new industry with many employees. This new industry has the potential to bring great wealth to Australia.Read moreRead less
NANOCOMPOSITE PROTON-CONDUCTING MEMBRANES FOR FUEL CELL APPLICATIONS. This project aims to develop a new class of proton-conducting materials with high proton-conductivity, low gas permeability and good thermal stability for application to fuel cells. The strategy for such a new material is to exploit the unique properties of nanoscale particles of metal phosphates and silicates, hybridised with proton-conducting polymers. Such new materials will be enabling technology for commercialising both ....NANOCOMPOSITE PROTON-CONDUCTING MEMBRANES FOR FUEL CELL APPLICATIONS. This project aims to develop a new class of proton-conducting materials with high proton-conductivity, low gas permeability and good thermal stability for application to fuel cells. The strategy for such a new material is to exploit the unique properties of nanoscale particles of metal phosphates and silicates, hybridised with proton-conducting polymers. Such new materials will be enabling technology for commercialising both hydrogen and methanol fuel cells, promising a revolutionary clean energy supply particularly for transport vehicles and mobile devices. The project addresses the synthesis and characterisation of nanostructured composite of proton-conducting nanoparticles, a key to high performance fuel cell membranes.Read moreRead less
Nanoporous bioaffinity adsorbents for separations in the pharmaceutical industry. This proposal aims to develop new high performance adsorbents for bioprocess engineering based on templated nanoporous silica materials. This research will lead to significant advances in advanced materials and adsorbent technology, downstream processing for the biotechnology industries, and understanding of highly specific affinity interactions used for difficult bioseparations. It will have important benefits for ....Nanoporous bioaffinity adsorbents for separations in the pharmaceutical industry. This proposal aims to develop new high performance adsorbents for bioprocess engineering based on templated nanoporous silica materials. This research will lead to significant advances in advanced materials and adsorbent technology, downstream processing for the biotechnology industries, and understanding of highly specific affinity interactions used for difficult bioseparations. It will have important benefits for processes involving protein purification, such as bioplasma processing, as well as flow on effects to other applications of adsorbent technology such as food processing and water treatment. The new adsorbents will lead to reductions in the costs, energy usage and waste generation of Australian industries.Read moreRead less