Lithium-air battery: a green energy source for the sustainable future. Electrification of vehicles and the implementation of smart electric grids can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and realise sustainable development. Lithium-air batteries have the highest energy density among all battery systems and are therefore a promising power source for electric vehicles and stationary energy storage.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100030
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,200,000.00
Summary
Advanced focused ion beam (FIB) / scanning electron microscopes (SEM) for nanometre scale characterisation and fabrication. These instruments are designed to provide fundamental insights into physical and biological systems though characterisation and fabrication of structures at nanometre length scales. These versatile platforms will support a wide range of projects covering three national research priority areas. These range from the characterisation of light alloys for improving and building ....Advanced focused ion beam (FIB) / scanning electron microscopes (SEM) for nanometre scale characterisation and fabrication. These instruments are designed to provide fundamental insights into physical and biological systems though characterisation and fabrication of structures at nanometre length scales. These versatile platforms will support a wide range of projects covering three national research priority areas. These range from the characterisation of light alloys for improving and building Australia's Aluminium, Magnesium and Titanium alloy industries, to the study of aerosol particles for improved pulmonary drug delivery for asthma patients, the development of advanced solar cells and the study of the integrated behaviour of the soil-microbe system for sustainable agriculture.Read moreRead less
Batteries of the future-a new strategy for CO2 fixation and energy storage. This project aims to develop metal-carbon dioxide batteries with high specific energy densities for carbon dioxide capture as well as energy conversion and storage. Metal-carbon dioxide batteries are promising not only for conversion of waste carbon dioxide to value-added chemicals, but also for storage of electricity from renewable power and balancing of the carbon cycle. By combining experimental work and theoretical m ....Batteries of the future-a new strategy for CO2 fixation and energy storage. This project aims to develop metal-carbon dioxide batteries with high specific energy densities for carbon dioxide capture as well as energy conversion and storage. Metal-carbon dioxide batteries are promising not only for conversion of waste carbon dioxide to value-added chemicals, but also for storage of electricity from renewable power and balancing of the carbon cycle. By combining experimental work and theoretical modelling, this study will explore novel electrode materials via catalyst design and understanding of the underlying reaction mechanisms. The outcomes will revolutionize battery technology and position Australia as a global leader in the critical transition to a decarbonized economy.Read moreRead less
Catalytic production of health food additives from crustacean wastes. Cost-effective production of new synthetic amino acids as value-added food additives from crustacean wastes is vital for waste recycling and a sustainable economy. This project will develop a unique catalytic system for the selective conversion of waste-derived compounds into tailor-made products. Advanced in situ spectroscopic techniques will be employed to establish the structure-reactivity relationship of working catalysts ....Catalytic production of health food additives from crustacean wastes. Cost-effective production of new synthetic amino acids as value-added food additives from crustacean wastes is vital for waste recycling and a sustainable economy. This project will develop a unique catalytic system for the selective conversion of waste-derived compounds into tailor-made products. Advanced in situ spectroscopic techniques will be employed to establish the structure-reactivity relationship of working catalysts and thereby manipulate the key factors governing the activity/selectivity. Such cutting-edge knowledge gained is crucial for optimising process effciency and resource utilisation, which is essential for the success of the biorefining industry and a more environmentally-friendly chemical and food economy in Australia.Read moreRead less
Development of novel safe lithium metal-free sulphur batteries. Development of novel safe lithium metal-free sulphur batteries. This project aims to develop a lithium-metal-free sulphur battery system, and technology to commercialise this battery technology. Expected outcomes include an electrochemical system consisting of a selected promising lithium sulphide cathode, an alloying type anode and a liquid-based electrolyte, and large lithium-ion sulphur batteries with selected advanced electrode ....Development of novel safe lithium metal-free sulphur batteries. Development of novel safe lithium metal-free sulphur batteries. This project aims to develop a lithium-metal-free sulphur battery system, and technology to commercialise this battery technology. Expected outcomes include an electrochemical system consisting of a selected promising lithium sulphide cathode, an alloying type anode and a liquid-based electrolyte, and large lithium-ion sulphur batteries with selected advanced electrode materials and electrolytes. Anticipated outcomes are the improved safety of typical lithium-sulphur batteries; that Australia will be internationally competitive in the area of energy storage; and increased overseas demand for Australian raw materials for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries.Read moreRead less
High energy density, long life, safe lithium Ion battery for electric cars. This project aims to develop next-generation lithium-ion batteries with high energy density, safety, long cycle life, and fast charge capability, using a Ni-rich layered oxide cathode and silicon/carbon composite anode. This lithium-ion battery system is expected to meet 2020 targets for electric vehicles. The project will also investigate the reaction/electrode fading mechanism of the proposed anode/cathode materials fo ....High energy density, long life, safe lithium Ion battery for electric cars. This project aims to develop next-generation lithium-ion batteries with high energy density, safety, long cycle life, and fast charge capability, using a Ni-rich layered oxide cathode and silicon/carbon composite anode. This lithium-ion battery system is expected to meet 2020 targets for electric vehicles. The project will also investigate the reaction/electrode fading mechanism of the proposed anode/cathode materials for the deep understanding of these electrode materials, and provide guidance for future electrode materials design and battery research. This will provide significant benefits for automotive industries, smart grid, and business in storing renewable energy and better environment and sustainability.Read moreRead less
Development of ambient air operation rechargeable sodium-air batteries. This project aims to develop Sodium (Na)-air batteries for large-scale renewable energy storage. The expected outcomes include development of new air cathode materials, gel polymer electrolytes and oxygen selective membranes, establishing novel Na-air battery systems for ambient air operation using advanced electrode materials, gel polymer electrolytes, and oxygen selective membranes, and exploring the electrochemical reacti ....Development of ambient air operation rechargeable sodium-air batteries. This project aims to develop Sodium (Na)-air batteries for large-scale renewable energy storage. The expected outcomes include development of new air cathode materials, gel polymer electrolytes and oxygen selective membranes, establishing novel Na-air battery systems for ambient air operation using advanced electrode materials, gel polymer electrolytes, and oxygen selective membranes, and exploring the electrochemical reaction mechanisms and degradation Na-air battery systems by the operando study method and other advanced techniques. The success of this project will contribute to the Australia Science and Research Priority area of energy.Read moreRead less
Environmentally benign polymer solar cells. The project aims to prepare polymer solar cells, by developing water-compatible conjugated materials for the active layer. This technology would be cost-efficient and not use environmentally harmful solvents. The project would achieve aqueous compatibility of these hydrophobic molecules through substitution and careful positioning of functional groups. Fabrication processes will be optimised to incorporate these materials into solar cells, with a focus ....Environmentally benign polymer solar cells. The project aims to prepare polymer solar cells, by developing water-compatible conjugated materials for the active layer. This technology would be cost-efficient and not use environmentally harmful solvents. The project would achieve aqueous compatibility of these hydrophobic molecules through substitution and careful positioning of functional groups. Fabrication processes will be optimised to incorporate these materials into solar cells, with a focus on controlling the morphology of the active material. Determining the relationships between conjugated molecular design and cell performance should provide a new direction in solar-cell technology.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180101454
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,446.00
Summary
High performance lead-free piezoelectrics based on polar nanoregions. This project aims to enhance the electro-mechanical couplings of lead free piezoelectrics via introducing polar nanoregions for medical transducers applications. This is expected to impact on the design and development of high-performance lead free piezoelectrics, and have environmental benefits through replacing lead based counterparts.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100662
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,000.00
Summary
Engineering interfaces to enable a new generation of hybrid materials. Hybrid combinations of hydrogel and solid materials allow a high level of functionality for devices such as tissue-engineering scaffolds and soft machines. However, the weak bonding between hydrogels and solids severely hampers their function. This project aims to develop versatile plasma processes that facilitate strong interfaces between hydrogels of choice and solid materials of all kinds. The expected outcome is a green p ....Engineering interfaces to enable a new generation of hybrid materials. Hybrid combinations of hydrogel and solid materials allow a high level of functionality for devices such as tissue-engineering scaffolds and soft machines. However, the weak bonding between hydrogels and solids severely hampers their function. This project aims to develop versatile plasma processes that facilitate strong interfaces between hydrogels of choice and solid materials of all kinds. The expected outcome is a green platform technology for the modular construction of advanced solid-hydrogel hybrids with tailor-made functions; enabling critical advances in the design and synthesis of structured soft matter devices. The project offers significant benefits for Australian high-tech manufacturing industries from health to electronics.Read moreRead less