Benchmarking of advanced scattering probes for materials characterisation. The project seeks to establish the accuracy and validity of different methods of nanoscale structure determination. Nanoscale structure is crucial to the properties of many modern materials with diverse applications: e.g. sensors and actuators in cell phones; smart shock absorbers and fuel injectors in cars; memory devices; drug delivery devices.
Miniaturised Ionic Liquid Systems: Design, Electrochemistry and Application. The project aims to develop a new generation of miniature electrochemical devices based on ionic liquids, salts that are liquid at room temperature. In making these devices the project will study the fundamental physicochemical and electrochemical behaviour of the ionic liquid microinterfaces formed, and this will allow optimisation and enhancement of their properties. A gas sensor made of a micro-pattern of ionic liqui ....Miniaturised Ionic Liquid Systems: Design, Electrochemistry and Application. The project aims to develop a new generation of miniature electrochemical devices based on ionic liquids, salts that are liquid at room temperature. In making these devices the project will study the fundamental physicochemical and electrochemical behaviour of the ionic liquid microinterfaces formed, and this will allow optimisation and enhancement of their properties. A gas sensor made of a micro-pattern of ionic liquid drops will be designed to detect gaseous toxic amines, which are released from numerous anthropogenic sources including waste water, sewage treatment, farms and industry. These sensors will be small, specific to the target gas, sensitive, fast in response and portable.Read moreRead less
The Quantum Dot SPASER. Can we replace electrons with photons in future computers? This project provides two steps toward this goal. By combining advanced materials with ultra-small metallic structures, a new nano-sized form of a laser, called the spaser will be realised. Furthermore, a key component of a computer, a nanoscale modulator, will be demonstrated.
Cause and effect: new mechanisms of particles formation in thunderstorms. This project aims to identify meaningful and specific indicators for predicting particle formation and alteration during thunderstorms. How thunderstorms develop is well-understood. However, identifying meaningful and specific indicators for predicting particle alteration during a thunderstorm is still not clear. This project will practically contribute to the evidence of the impact of air particulates, thereby having dire ....Cause and effect: new mechanisms of particles formation in thunderstorms. This project aims to identify meaningful and specific indicators for predicting particle formation and alteration during thunderstorms. How thunderstorms develop is well-understood. However, identifying meaningful and specific indicators for predicting particle alteration during a thunderstorm is still not clear. This project will practically contribute to the evidence of the impact of air particulates, thereby having direct implications for meteorological, and air pollution policy in Australia and worldwide. This project will allow researchers to understand the impact of these factors on the escalation of the causative effects, and to find a way to prevent unnecessary fatal outcomes.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL100100117
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,713,582.00
Summary
Molecular Plasmonics - From Single Electrons to Quantum Catalysis and Optical Logic Gates. After a decade of basic research, Nanotechnology is now entering its most disruptive phase. New nanoscale phenomena are being exploited and converted into viable technologies. Plasmonics - the manipulation of light using metal nanostructures - is one of the most promising of these. Plasmonics will enable scientists to achieve optical computing, reach higher data storage densities, and synthesize better cat ....Molecular Plasmonics - From Single Electrons to Quantum Catalysis and Optical Logic Gates. After a decade of basic research, Nanotechnology is now entering its most disruptive phase. New nanoscale phenomena are being exploited and converted into viable technologies. Plasmonics - the manipulation of light using metal nanostructures - is one of the most promising of these. Plasmonics will enable scientists to achieve optical computing, reach higher data storage densities, and synthesize better catalysts. Other applications include bio-sensing and rapid pathogen detection. To realise these potential outcomes, a leading international cluster focussing on plasmonics will be set up and this cluster will link state-of-the-art materials science, instrumentation and theory.Read moreRead less
On-water electrochemistry: redox catalysis at the water surface. From plastics to pharamaceuticals, chemists rely extensively on expensive and environmentally damaging solvents and reactants. In water, greener and cheaper electricity-driven reactions currently suffer from low velocity and poor selectivity. The project aims to develop the science of on-water electrochemistry, to make electricity-driven organic reactions in water viable. Demonstrating that for electrochemical reactions, rates and ....On-water electrochemistry: redox catalysis at the water surface. From plastics to pharamaceuticals, chemists rely extensively on expensive and environmentally damaging solvents and reactants. In water, greener and cheaper electricity-driven reactions currently suffer from low velocity and poor selectivity. The project aims to develop the science of on-water electrochemistry, to make electricity-driven organic reactions in water viable. Demonstrating that for electrochemical reactions, rates and selectivities increase on water’s surface rather than in its bulk will remove fundamental constraints on the viability of aqueous electro-synthesis – moving beyond current reactor designs to transform our view of electrochemistry and improve the sustainability of the chemical industry.Read moreRead less
Sliding diodes: harvesting triboelectricity with surface chemistry. This project aims to create new methods for the conversion of friction at vibrating metal–semiconductor contacts into a continuous source of electricity; an autonomous technology to power miniature electronics in applications spanning health management to environmental sensing. The expected outcomes of this project include the development of new surface chemistry and miniature semiconductor technologies, with benefits for the de ....Sliding diodes: harvesting triboelectricity with surface chemistry. This project aims to create new methods for the conversion of friction at vibrating metal–semiconductor contacts into a continuous source of electricity; an autonomous technology to power miniature electronics in applications spanning health management to environmental sensing. The expected outcomes of this project include the development of new surface chemistry and miniature semiconductor technologies, with benefits for the design and function of silicon-based devices such as life-critical pacemakers, and self-powered monitors in remote/dangerous places.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101076
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,985.00
Summary
Resolving nanoscale structure-activity for rational electrocatalyst design. This project aims to investigate the structural and functional properties of electrocatalysts at the nanoscale. The project expects to develop state-of-the-art electrochemical imaging technology that can examine the active sites of electrodes during operation. Understanding electrode performance on this scale is expected to enhance our capability to rationally design cheaper and more-efficient electrocatalysts, notably ....Resolving nanoscale structure-activity for rational electrocatalyst design. This project aims to investigate the structural and functional properties of electrocatalysts at the nanoscale. The project expects to develop state-of-the-art electrochemical imaging technology that can examine the active sites of electrodes during operation. Understanding electrode performance on this scale is expected to enhance our capability to rationally design cheaper and more-efficient electrocatalysts, notably for electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction. This should provide significant socio-economic and environmental benefits, through the development of next-generation energy storage and conversion materials that can be utilized by households and businesses to store renewable energy in the form of carbon-neutral fuels.Read moreRead less
Redox-gel integrated electrode for ThermoCells. This project aims to synthesise flexible redox gel-electrolyte interpenetrated electrodes for an eco-friendly prototype wearable thermo-electrochemical cell that can power body-worn low-power wearable electronics. Wearable devices in the future are expected to include products related to personal wellness and healthcare and medical technology. These devices require a sustainable power source (without having to change a battery) for real time monito ....Redox-gel integrated electrode for ThermoCells. This project aims to synthesise flexible redox gel-electrolyte interpenetrated electrodes for an eco-friendly prototype wearable thermo-electrochemical cell that can power body-worn low-power wearable electronics. Wearable devices in the future are expected to include products related to personal wellness and healthcare and medical technology. These devices require a sustainable power source (without having to change a battery) for real time monitoring/communication. Turning body-heat into electricity by wearable thermo-electrochemical cells may provide a solution. The project could also contribute to the mitigation of greenhouse emissions.Read moreRead less
Nanoconfined ionic liquids for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide. This project aims to develop ionic liquid-based nanoporous composite catalysts for efficient electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide into value-added chemicals and fuels using electricity generated from renewable sources. Novel nanoporous catalysts will be constructed and impregnated with a secondary phase of task-specific ionic liquids to promote carbon dioxide reduction. An expected outcome of the project is an und ....Nanoconfined ionic liquids for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide. This project aims to develop ionic liquid-based nanoporous composite catalysts for efficient electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide into value-added chemicals and fuels using electricity generated from renewable sources. Novel nanoporous catalysts will be constructed and impregnated with a secondary phase of task-specific ionic liquids to promote carbon dioxide reduction. An expected outcome of the project is an understanding of the fundamental physicochemical and electrochemical behaviour of the nanoconfined ionic liquid/catalyst interfaces which will allow optimisation and enhancement of their properties. This project is expected to contribute to clean energy and sustainable environments.Read moreRead less