Cluster hardening of metastable steel alloys produced by thin strip casting. The goal of this project is to generate sufficient knowledge to apply strip casting to a wider range of steel grades and reduce the global energy cost of steel sheet production. Over 1 billion tonnes of steel is produced every year. Direct strip casting is an emerging green technology that reduces the energy required to process liquid steel into thin sheet product by up to 90 per cent. This study plans to use advanced a ....Cluster hardening of metastable steel alloys produced by thin strip casting. The goal of this project is to generate sufficient knowledge to apply strip casting to a wider range of steel grades and reduce the global energy cost of steel sheet production. Over 1 billion tonnes of steel is produced every year. Direct strip casting is an emerging green technology that reduces the energy required to process liquid steel into thin sheet product by up to 90 per cent. This study plans to use advanced atomic-scale characterisation techniques such as atom probe tomography and high-resolution electron microscopy to understand the non-equilibrium microstructures that develop as a result of the extremely rapid cooling rates experienced during strip casting.Read moreRead less
Structurally-bridged crystalline molecular sieve-polymer membranes. This project aims to produce a membrane platform technology for efficient and cost-effective separation in natural gas processing and petrochemicals, using crystalline sieve materials. It will address the mismatch of mechanical properties between crystalline molecular sieve materials (zeolites and metal organic frameworks) and polymers, and coating flaws which limit their use as gas separation membranes. It will create nano-rein ....Structurally-bridged crystalline molecular sieve-polymer membranes. This project aims to produce a membrane platform technology for efficient and cost-effective separation in natural gas processing and petrochemicals, using crystalline sieve materials. It will address the mismatch of mechanical properties between crystalline molecular sieve materials (zeolites and metal organic frameworks) and polymers, and coating flaws which limit their use as gas separation membranes. It will create nano-reinforcement in the coating and polymer substrate, with nano-bridges between them. The resulting membranes will be mechanically tough and separate better than existing membranes. Advanced membranes are expected to benefit fuel industries by reducing separation cost and energy consumption.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101662
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
Non-Oxidative and Scalable Electrochemical Production of Functional Graphene and its Nanohybrids. The lack of cost-effective and scalable graphene production methods is the current bottleneck that impedes the commercialisation of advanced graphene-based nanomaterials. Novel electrochemical production of those functional materials directly from bulk graphite not only holds the key to the solution but also provides a non-oxidative route for the production of highly conductive graphene which is wel ....Non-Oxidative and Scalable Electrochemical Production of Functional Graphene and its Nanohybrids. The lack of cost-effective and scalable graphene production methods is the current bottleneck that impedes the commercialisation of advanced graphene-based nanomaterials. Novel electrochemical production of those functional materials directly from bulk graphite not only holds the key to the solution but also provides a non-oxidative route for the production of highly conductive graphene which is well suited for applications such as biosensing, energy storage and conversion. Besides achieving scientific breakthroughs in graphene electrochemistry, this project will directly benefit many Australian socio-economic objectives, including manufacturing of Australia's natural resources into valuable energy related products.Read moreRead less
Designer microstructures through cold spray powder deposition. Additive manufacturing routes are very attractive in terms of reduced material usage and shorter lead times. This project will look at opportunities for the expansion of one such process (cold spray) from surfacing using a single powder feedstock to three-dimensional construction of multi-powder mixtures into high performance components.
Boosting photosynthetic efficiency using a plant nanobionics approach. The project aims to improve light capture and enhance electron transport rates using a plant nanobionics approach. Biocompatible plasmonic low-dimensional transition metal oxides with unique optical and electronics properties will be selected as the bioinspired materials. The investigation will focus on developing oxide compounds as artificial antenna, capturing extended optical wavelengths that are not normally available to ....Boosting photosynthetic efficiency using a plant nanobionics approach. The project aims to improve light capture and enhance electron transport rates using a plant nanobionics approach. Biocompatible plasmonic low-dimensional transition metal oxides with unique optical and electronics properties will be selected as the bioinspired materials. The investigation will focus on developing oxide compounds as artificial antenna, capturing extended optical wavelengths that are not normally available to natural plants. Energetic hot electrons excited from plasmonic materials injected into the plant system will further be explored, achieving unprecedented energy conversion from solar to chemical. The anticipated findings will provide a strong base to develop new plant systems with improved photosynthetic efficiency.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH210100023
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Functional and Sustainable Fibres. This Research Hub aims to expand Australia’s position in fibres, textiles and composites by developing next generation functional fibre materials and creating synergy between functionality and sustainability, two key attributes that have hitherto been mutually exclusive. The Hub will transform regional and national economies from traditional manufacturing to a vibrant future fibre oriented advanced manufacturing sector with functionality an ....ARC Research Hub for Functional and Sustainable Fibres. This Research Hub aims to expand Australia’s position in fibres, textiles and composites by developing next generation functional fibre materials and creating synergy between functionality and sustainability, two key attributes that have hitherto been mutually exclusive. The Hub will transform regional and national economies from traditional manufacturing to a vibrant future fibre oriented advanced manufacturing sector with functionality and sustainability as central tenets. Expected outcomes include industry adoption of novel fibre-based materials, processing and recycling technologies; creating jobs, significant environmental benefits, and positioning Australia at the front of a global shift towards functional and sustainable materials.Read moreRead less
Tailoring smart film for energy efficient protected cropping. Cooling cost represents a major running cost for greenhouse, preventing the wide adoption of highly beneficial protected cropping technology. This project aims at solving this critical issue by developing a world-first tailored smart film that can simultaneously reject solar heat, cool down the greenhouse and maximise the yields of crops. This is made possible by advanced spectral engineering and light management with frontier nanostr ....Tailoring smart film for energy efficient protected cropping. Cooling cost represents a major running cost for greenhouse, preventing the wide adoption of highly beneficial protected cropping technology. This project aims at solving this critical issue by developing a world-first tailored smart film that can simultaneously reject solar heat, cool down the greenhouse and maximise the yields of crops. This is made possible by advanced spectral engineering and light management with frontier nanostructures combined with a scalable and low cost manufacturing process. Deliverables of the project include game-changing energy efficient solutions for protected cropping and marketable smart films readily integratable with existing greenhouse for dramatic energy saving and immediate economic and social benefits.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101162
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,000.00
Summary
Nanomanipulation of Liquid Metal Interfaces via Polyphenol Assembly. This project aims to explore natural polyphenols to functionalise liquid metal (such as gallium and its alloys) nanoparticles via a coordination-driven self-assembly process. This will advance our current understanding of the interfacial chemistry involved in liquid metal processing toward the synthesis of diverse functional systems. It is expected that such a unique combination will result in hybrid nanostructures possessing s ....Nanomanipulation of Liquid Metal Interfaces via Polyphenol Assembly. This project aims to explore natural polyphenols to functionalise liquid metal (such as gallium and its alloys) nanoparticles via a coordination-driven self-assembly process. This will advance our current understanding of the interfacial chemistry involved in liquid metal processing toward the synthesis of diverse functional systems. It is expected that such a unique combination will result in hybrid nanostructures possessing synergistic properties with potential applications in conductive surface patterning, toxic metal detection and solar steam generation. The developed strategies to manipulate liquid metal interfaces with ubiquitous natural compounds will lay the foundation for future investigations across diverse scientific disciplines.Read moreRead less
Fast stimuli-responsive polymer hydrogels as a new class of draw agent for forward osmosis desalination. The ability to extract fresh water from saline water can be important in areas such as desalination and other industrial applications. In this project new materials will be developed to perform this operation at a much lower energy cost than similar processes, whilst also improving the purity of the separated water.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100072
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
An x-ray scattering facility for advanced characterisation of natural and novel materials. This project will establish an analytical facility that will enable measurement of the atomic and finescale structure of materials. This facility will be used to help design novel materials for industrial, environmental and biomedical applications and to develop green technologies and processes for energy production and mining.