Membrane distillation development for concentrated solar thermal systems. Membrane distillation development for concentrated solar thermal systems. This project aims to develop a new membrane distillation module that works with a high efficiency solar thermal tower system. Fresh water and energy are inextricably linked and form the basis for all human activity. Remote locations in Australia and the Middle East and North Africa are blessed with abundant solar resources and increasing levels of de ....Membrane distillation development for concentrated solar thermal systems. Membrane distillation development for concentrated solar thermal systems. This project aims to develop a new membrane distillation module that works with a high efficiency solar thermal tower system. Fresh water and energy are inextricably linked and form the basis for all human activity. Remote locations in Australia and the Middle East and North Africa are blessed with abundant solar resources and increasing levels of development, but burdened by access to reliable water treatment and electricity generation facilities. This project will use recently developed materials and design tools to overcome technical challenges that limited membrane distillation technology. This is expected to open up an innovative method for co-production of water and electricity which can handle transient solar and water quality inputs.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100523
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,446.00
Summary
Tailoring efficient photo-thermal catalysts for carbon dioxide reduction. This project aims to develop a highly solar-efficient and environmentally-friendly approach to reducing greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable fuels that will be beneficial for relieving energy shortage and improving global sustainability. New multifunctional catalysts will be constructed by combining various catalytic active centres and optical promoters, for optimising energy efficiency and reaction activity. ....Tailoring efficient photo-thermal catalysts for carbon dioxide reduction. This project aims to develop a highly solar-efficient and environmentally-friendly approach to reducing greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable fuels that will be beneficial for relieving energy shortage and improving global sustainability. New multifunctional catalysts will be constructed by combining various catalytic active centres and optical promoters, for optimising energy efficiency and reaction activity. Such knowledge gained is essential for the success of the low-carbon industry and a more environmentally-friendly energy economy in Australia.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100680
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$423,275.00
Summary
Solar electrolysis for manufacture of sustainable energy storage materials. This project aims to develop a novel solar-driven manufacturing process able to produce advanced carbon materials which effectively sequester carbon dioxide (negative emission). The project expects to provide key data and insights into a new method of carbon capture and utilisation through advancement of the fundamental science of carbon electrolysis and carbonate regeneration. A combination of advanced electrochemical a ....Solar electrolysis for manufacture of sustainable energy storage materials. This project aims to develop a novel solar-driven manufacturing process able to produce advanced carbon materials which effectively sequester carbon dioxide (negative emission). The project expects to provide key data and insights into a new method of carbon capture and utilisation through advancement of the fundamental science of carbon electrolysis and carbonate regeneration. A combination of advanced electrochemical and engineering techniques will be utilised to achieve this from lab-scale experimental work through to process modelling. Expected outcomes of this project include a clear understanding of the practical potential of this negative emission technology in contributing to offsetting global carbon dioxide emissions.Read moreRead less
Solar-driven massive hydrogen production from biomass and biomass/coal mixtures by supercritical water gasification. Cheap and massive hydrogen production from renewable resources is one of the key challenges to achieve a hydrogen economy that promises to ultimately solve critical problems, such as energy depletion and climate change. This project exactly falls into this research and development priority and will benefit Australian economy and environment.
Doped Nanocrystalline TiO2 - Synthesis and application for photoreduction reactions. The proposed project aims to develop a novel photocatalyst, prepared by doping nanocrystalline TiO2 with noble metals, for use in photoreduction reactions. The ability of this photocatalyst to reduce heavy metals and its potential to generate H2 in an inert environment will be explored. The project will benefit the environment by removing toxic compounds from polluted wastewaters as well as potentially generatin ....Doped Nanocrystalline TiO2 - Synthesis and application for photoreduction reactions. The proposed project aims to develop a novel photocatalyst, prepared by doping nanocrystalline TiO2 with noble metals, for use in photoreduction reactions. The ability of this photocatalyst to reduce heavy metals and its potential to generate H2 in an inert environment will be explored. The project will benefit the environment by removing toxic compounds from polluted wastewaters as well as potentially generating substantial levels of H2 (an attractive energy source). Project outcomes include the development of an economical and cleaner process for treating waters contaminated with heavy metals and providing a valuable knowledge base from which photoreductive efficiencies can be drawn.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100445
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,000.00
Summary
Engineering triple-phase boundary for superior aqueous metal-air batteries. This project aims to advance development of high-performance rechargeable aqueous zinc-air (Zn-air) batteries by engineering the triple-phase boundary to increase battery efficiency and power density for practical applications. There is an urgent need to develop sustainable and efficient energy storage and conversion systems to underpin technological development with increasing demand for superior battery technologies fo ....Engineering triple-phase boundary for superior aqueous metal-air batteries. This project aims to advance development of high-performance rechargeable aqueous zinc-air (Zn-air) batteries by engineering the triple-phase boundary to increase battery efficiency and power density for practical applications. There is an urgent need to develop sustainable and efficient energy storage and conversion systems to underpin technological development with increasing demand for superior battery technologies for portable electronics, renewable power sources and electrified vehicles. This project expects to accelerate the commercialisation of rechargeable aqueous Zn-air batteries and progress global commitments to new clean energy sources and storage technologies that are efficient, cost-effective and reliable.Read moreRead less
Innovative High Temperature Carbon–Air Batteries for High Power Generation. The project intends to develop carbon-air batteries which are expected to have energy density 10 times that of lithium-ion batteries. The battery is designed to use naturally-rich carbon as fuel, highly energy-efficient solid oxide fuel cells as electrochemical reactors, and an integrated mixed conducting ceramic membrane for in situ carbon dioxide separation. The success of this project would provide us with a low-carbo ....Innovative High Temperature Carbon–Air Batteries for High Power Generation. The project intends to develop carbon-air batteries which are expected to have energy density 10 times that of lithium-ion batteries. The battery is designed to use naturally-rich carbon as fuel, highly energy-efficient solid oxide fuel cells as electrochemical reactors, and an integrated mixed conducting ceramic membrane for in situ carbon dioxide separation. The success of this project would provide us with a low-carbon energy system based on Australia’s rich coal resources. New knowledge about carbon dioxide separation may also facilitate carbon dioxide sequestration in other fields.Read moreRead less
In-situ catalytic upgrading of bio-oil using scrap tyre char. This project aims to develop advanced, cost-competitive catalysts based on scrap tyre char, an otherwise low-value by-product. These catalysts will be optimised for use in upgrading bio-oil derived from the pyrolysis of woody eucalyptus, an abundant biomass resource across Australia. The project is expected to promote the commercialisation of bio-oil production and enhance the valorisation of scrap tyre char. This is expected to reduc ....In-situ catalytic upgrading of bio-oil using scrap tyre char. This project aims to develop advanced, cost-competitive catalysts based on scrap tyre char, an otherwise low-value by-product. These catalysts will be optimised for use in upgrading bio-oil derived from the pyrolysis of woody eucalyptus, an abundant biomass resource across Australia. The project is expected to promote the commercialisation of bio-oil production and enhance the valorisation of scrap tyre char. This is expected to reduce the carbon footprint from Australian industry, and promote the recycling and reuse of waste scrap tyres.Read moreRead less
Highly efficient electric power and value-added synthesis gas co-generation from methane with zero greenhouse gas emission. This project addresses a novel sealing-free solid oxide fuel cell system producing simultaneously synthesis gas and electricity from methane with zero greenhouse gas emission. The project aims to deliver economic benefits and contribute to environmental protection and increased employment opportunities.
Supercritical Highly-Integrated and Modular, Continuous Solid-Catalysed Biodiesel Production from Plant and Animal Feedstocks. We propose to revolutionise biodiesel production by creating a new reactor type and associated process that allows the production of 160,000 tonnes of biodiesel a year in a supercritical reactor volume of one cubic metre after scale-up. In this project, we propose to design the appropriate catalysts and pilot plant to study our ideas which should lead to a highly effici ....Supercritical Highly-Integrated and Modular, Continuous Solid-Catalysed Biodiesel Production from Plant and Animal Feedstocks. We propose to revolutionise biodiesel production by creating a new reactor type and associated process that allows the production of 160,000 tonnes of biodiesel a year in a supercritical reactor volume of one cubic metre after scale-up. In this project, we propose to design the appropriate catalysts and pilot plant to study our ideas which should lead to a highly efficient and sustainable system that offers a real alternative to current mineral oil-based technologies.Read moreRead less