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
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
Develop materials for stable and efficient printed polymer solar cells. The project aims to develop strategies to overcome current limitations of polymer solar cells by enhancing the thermal stability of these devices. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of stable and high-performance polymer solar cells, that can be manufactured by the printing industry in Australia. The expected outcome of this project includes new high performing materials, processing and additive strat ....Develop materials for stable and efficient printed polymer solar cells. The project aims to develop strategies to overcome current limitations of polymer solar cells by enhancing the thermal stability of these devices. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of stable and high-performance polymer solar cells, that can be manufactured by the printing industry in Australia. The expected outcome of this project includes new high performing materials, processing and additive strategies to overcome the key challenge to commercialising polymer solar cells. A significant benefit is their printability, providing the opportunity to establish a sovereign capability to manufacture low cost energy production systems in Australia.
Read moreRead less
Bioplastics in the environment: lifetimes and toxicology. Globally, governments are implementing policies to drive a move to a circular economy. In the process, new materials are being introduced whose potential impacts need to be understood before they are widely used. This project pioneers investigations into the rate and extent of biodegradation of biodegradable plastics in aquatic and soil environments and the associated ecotoxicology of this process. In particular, it aims to quantify the e ....Bioplastics in the environment: lifetimes and toxicology. Globally, governments are implementing policies to drive a move to a circular economy. In the process, new materials are being introduced whose potential impacts need to be understood before they are widely used. This project pioneers investigations into the rate and extent of biodegradation of biodegradable plastics in aquatic and soil environments and the associated ecotoxicology of this process. In particular, it aims to quantify the extent to which the surfaces of these materials accumulate environmental pollutants via adsorption and other mechanisms. The outcomes will include conceptual models of biodegradation across environments, including lifetimes and likely impacts, critical information for framing a sustainable plastics industry.Read moreRead less
Advancing green electrochemical engineering of functional 2D nanomaterials. This project aims to produce value-added functional 2D nanomaterials by advancing the green, scalable and cost-effective electrochemical production method developed by the candidate. In addition to developing transformational electrochemical engineering technology to utilise Australian raw resources, this project will generate new knowledge in the area of materials chemistry and innovative additive manufacturing technolo ....Advancing green electrochemical engineering of functional 2D nanomaterials. This project aims to produce value-added functional 2D nanomaterials by advancing the green, scalable and cost-effective electrochemical production method developed by the candidate. In addition to developing transformational electrochemical engineering technology to utilise Australian raw resources, this project will generate new knowledge in the area of materials chemistry and innovative additive manufacturing technology. Expected outcomes of this project include improved pilot-scale electrochemical reactors for producing various functional 2D nanomaterials and enabling precise control of their molecular and bulk properties. These tailored 2D nanomaterials will significantly improve the performances of flexible and energy-related devices.Read moreRead less
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
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL190100216
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,279,753.00
Summary
Plasma surface engineering for break-through technologies in biomedicine. This program aims to develop new plasma surface modification processes for complex porous structures using a strongly multidisciplinary approach combining plasma physics, materials engineering and expertise from biosciences. It will establish fundamental new understanding of plasma interactions within complex materials by combining innovations in simulation and experiment. Expected outcomes will be new research capacity i ....Plasma surface engineering for break-through technologies in biomedicine. This program aims to develop new plasma surface modification processes for complex porous structures using a strongly multidisciplinary approach combining plasma physics, materials engineering and expertise from biosciences. It will establish fundamental new understanding of plasma interactions within complex materials by combining innovations in simulation and experiment. Expected outcomes will be new research capacity in the increasingly important field of bioengineering, and environmentally friendly plasma processes that enable the creation of robust biologically functional surfaces, providing significant benefits for diagnostic and therapeutic biomedical applications.Read moreRead less
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