Development of novel high efficiency thermoelectric oxides for high temperature power generation. Thermoelectric materials are considered as a key factor in clean energy production, based on the conversion of waste heat emitted by power plants and automobiles to electricity. A series of novel high performance Co-based oxide thermoelectric materials will be developed by this project using nanotechnology and advanced material processing techniques. Significant improvement of the heat-to-electricit ....Development of novel high efficiency thermoelectric oxides for high temperature power generation. Thermoelectric materials are considered as a key factor in clean energy production, based on the conversion of waste heat emitted by power plants and automobiles to electricity. A series of novel high performance Co-based oxide thermoelectric materials will be developed by this project using nanotechnology and advanced material processing techniques. Significant improvement of the heat-to-electricity conversion factor is expected to result from the proposed program. The novel thermoelectric oxides with high thermoelectric performance will be practically used for high temperature power generation. This will provide a long-term solution to the global warming threat through decreasing amounts of waste heat presently generated. Read moreRead less
Increase in Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 through Intervalence Charge Transfer. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has many proposed and realised applications in energy and the environment. The main problem that has hindered development and commercialisation of devices using TiO2 is its low photocatalytic activity, which results from its poor absorption of visible and infrared light. Most researchers modify the properties of TiO2 by conventional electrochemical methods to improve its performance but the ....Increase in Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 through Intervalence Charge Transfer. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has many proposed and realised applications in energy and the environment. The main problem that has hindered development and commercialisation of devices using TiO2 is its low photocatalytic activity, which results from its poor absorption of visible and infrared light. Most researchers modify the properties of TiO2 by conventional electrochemical methods to improve its performance but these attempts have been of limited success. The present research involves a completely new approach to the problem, which is based on the method used in the heat treatment of sapphire to improve its colour. This approach uses a phenomenon involving the modification of the optical properties to improve its absorption of light.Read moreRead less
Combined Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and CFD modelling to study particle deposition in conduits. System geometry greatly influences flow hydrodynamics and hence the transport of colloidal particles and ionic species from the bulk to the surfaces that result in formation of unwanted deposit matter on the surface. The formation of unwanted deposits has significant environmental and economic penalties. This project uses a new approach that is combining the CFD modelling and experimentation inc ....Combined Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and CFD modelling to study particle deposition in conduits. System geometry greatly influences flow hydrodynamics and hence the transport of colloidal particles and ionic species from the bulk to the surfaces that result in formation of unwanted deposit matter on the surface. The formation of unwanted deposits has significant environmental and economic penalties. This project uses a new approach that is combining the CFD modelling and experimentation including flow visualization by PIV to systematically investigate the effect of channel geometry and flow on deposit formation. The outcomes of the project will result in a better understanding and formulating of the effect of geometry on deposition of colloidal particles and ionic species on the surfaces. The results contribute not only towards the mitigation processes for unwanted deposition; it also advances the knowledge in coating applications.Read moreRead less
Novel 3D Carbon Architectures for Fuel Cell Applications. The implementation of clean energy technologies has clear economic, environmental and social benefits for Australia, its industries and population. This project has the potential to make a significant impact on fuel cell research as an alternative means of energy production. We aim to remove some of the technical and economic barriers through product and process innovation at the nanoscale. Building on a strong track record in advanced ma ....Novel 3D Carbon Architectures for Fuel Cell Applications. The implementation of clean energy technologies has clear economic, environmental and social benefits for Australia, its industries and population. This project has the potential to make a significant impact on fuel cell research as an alternative means of energy production. We aim to remove some of the technical and economic barriers through product and process innovation at the nanoscale. Building on a strong track record in advanced materials research, this project investigates the integration of novel carbon nanostructures with extraordinary properties to produce high performance electrodes, that should lead to significant improvement in fuel cell performance.Read moreRead less
New concepts with multidisciplinary approach: novel functionalised nanostructures for hydrogen storage. This project addresses National Research Priorities in the areas of breakthrough science, frontier technologies and advanced materials. Developing new methodologies to fabricate novel functionalised nanostructured materials with tailored properties has great potential in areas including energy storage, novel catalysts, novel sensors, micro/nano-electronics, etc. This project will enhance the i ....New concepts with multidisciplinary approach: novel functionalised nanostructures for hydrogen storage. This project addresses National Research Priorities in the areas of breakthrough science, frontier technologies and advanced materials. Developing new methodologies to fabricate novel functionalised nanostructured materials with tailored properties has great potential in areas including energy storage, novel catalysts, novel sensors, micro/nano-electronics, etc. This project will enhance the international reputation and impact of Australian research in the internationally focused fields of nanotechnology and hydrogen energy technology. Applying innovative nanotechnology to the area of hydrogen energy will add to Australia's export potential and reduce Australia's reliance on foreign fuel sources.
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Novel nanostructured high energy cathode material. Recently, the demand for rechargeable batteries has exploded due to the enormous increase in the variety and number of miniaturized devices. It is expected that this demand for high capacity rechargeable batteries as energy sources will become even greater in the future. This program is focused to develop novel high performance cathode materials for lithium rechargeable batteries. The outcomes of the project will be of great benefit to develop ....Novel nanostructured high energy cathode material. Recently, the demand for rechargeable batteries has exploded due to the enormous increase in the variety and number of miniaturized devices. It is expected that this demand for high capacity rechargeable batteries as energy sources will become even greater in the future. This program is focused to develop novel high performance cathode materials for lithium rechargeable batteries. The outcomes of the project will be of great benefit to develop new class rechargeable batteries that are economical, lightweight, environmentlly benign and high energy.Read moreRead less
An Integrated Starter Alternator for Automobiles using a New Wide Speed Range Interior Permanent Magnet Motor and a Matrix Z-Source Converter. The projected growth of power demand and efficiency of future automobiles calls for a suitable integrated starter-alternator (ISA) to be developed. While interim solutions have been offered, a true ISA is still considered to be more than five years away. Considering the huge worldwide market, an ISA developed in Australia is expected to benefit the large ....An Integrated Starter Alternator for Automobiles using a New Wide Speed Range Interior Permanent Magnet Motor and a Matrix Z-Source Converter. The projected growth of power demand and efficiency of future automobiles calls for a suitable integrated starter-alternator (ISA) to be developed. While interim solutions have been offered, a true ISA is still considered to be more than five years away. Considering the huge worldwide market, an ISA developed in Australia is expected to benefit the large Australian automobile industry significantly. The CIs has strong links with local developers and suppliers of power semiconductors and motors, who have participated in the recent developments already carried out. A proven ISA developed locally should be a boon for these industries.Read moreRead less
Control of transcription by the cardiac homeodomain protein Nkx2-5. The transcriptional regulatory protein Nkx2-5, a member of the homeodomain superfamily, is essential for heart development and mutations in the human gene cause congenital heart disease. We seek to define the molecular mechanisms that regulate the transcriptional activity of Nkx2-5. We have previously identified a transcriptional activation domain in the C-terminal region that is bipartite in nature and conserved among Nkx2-5 ....Control of transcription by the cardiac homeodomain protein Nkx2-5. The transcriptional regulatory protein Nkx2-5, a member of the homeodomain superfamily, is essential for heart development and mutations in the human gene cause congenital heart disease. We seek to define the molecular mechanisms that regulate the transcriptional activity of Nkx2-5. We have previously identified a transcriptional activation domain in the C-terminal region that is bipartite in nature and conserved among Nkx2-5 proteins from diverse species. We will characterise the consequences of mutations in this domain in mouse models and search for interacting proteins. Results will advance our understanding of gene regulation in the context of heart disease.Read moreRead less
A Fundamental Study on Redox Behaviour of Oxygen Carriers in Chemical Looping Combustion. Our goal here is to acquire fundamental knowledge about the redox behaviour of metal oxide oxygen carriers which, arguably, underpins the feasibility of the Chemical Looping Combustion (CLC) concept. Although the proposed work is fundamental and will contribute to the advancement of knowledge, the results will have immediate practical applications in power generation industry at both national and internatio ....A Fundamental Study on Redox Behaviour of Oxygen Carriers in Chemical Looping Combustion. Our goal here is to acquire fundamental knowledge about the redox behaviour of metal oxide oxygen carriers which, arguably, underpins the feasibility of the Chemical Looping Combustion (CLC) concept. Although the proposed work is fundamental and will contribute to the advancement of knowledge, the results will have immediate practical applications in power generation industry at both national and international levels. This should significantly contribute to the Australian Government's efforts in producing world class solutions for abatement of greenhouse emissions (Research Priority 1: An Environmentally Sustainable Australia, Priority Goal 1.4 - Reducing and capturing emissions in transport and energy generation).Read moreRead less
Enhanced electro-active properties in polycrystalline ceramics: a multi-length-scale approach. Electro-active materials are used in a wide range of devices including ultrasound imaging equipment and nano-positioning systems. This project will determine the most fundamental mechanisms at work in these materials allowing for the optimisation of high-performance and environmentally friendly electro-active devices for future industries.