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
Synthesis of functionalised metal oxide beads with hierarchical pores for radionuclide and metal sequestration. The central aim of this project is to fabricate nanostructured materials to address the worldwide issue of nuclear waste. These novel materials, with tailored porosity and surface functionality, will decrease both radioactive waste volume and the potential for environmental risk. The collaboration between the Caruso group at the University of Melbourne and the Luca group at ANSTO will ....Synthesis of functionalised metal oxide beads with hierarchical pores for radionuclide and metal sequestration. The central aim of this project is to fabricate nanostructured materials to address the worldwide issue of nuclear waste. These novel materials, with tailored porosity and surface functionality, will decrease both radioactive waste volume and the potential for environmental risk. The collaboration between the Caruso group at the University of Melbourne and the Luca group at ANSTO will educate more scientists and students in the areas of nuclear science and engineering, and the environmental impact of nuclear power generators. Such expertise is currently in high demand around the world, thereby enhancing Australia's position in the global nuclear field.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.
Novel nanostructured alloy membranes for hydrogen permeation: Advanced materials technology for renewable energy. Hydrogen purification by alloy membranes is a key technology in maintaining the greenhouse gas emission low while using the fossil fuels including coal for energy generation. However, the alloys currently available for the membrane separation are mostly based on a costly precious metal palladium, making the application of the technology limited. The proposed non-equilibrium material ....Novel nanostructured alloy membranes for hydrogen permeation: Advanced materials technology for renewable energy. Hydrogen purification by alloy membranes is a key technology in maintaining the greenhouse gas emission low while using the fossil fuels including coal for energy generation. However, the alloys currently available for the membrane separation are mostly based on a costly precious metal palladium, making the application of the technology limited. The proposed non-equilibrium material processing will enable us to fabricate novel nanocomposite niobium-based alloys to which excellent hydrogen permeation characteristics are expected with high economic viability. Successful development of the proposed alloys could enhance the competitiveness of the Australian coal industry worldwide.Read moreRead less
In pursuit of high performance lithium-oxygen batteries. This project aims to achieve high-energy lithium-oxygen batteries for electric vehicles. Electrification of road transport will minimise consumption of fossil fuels, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and increase energy security. Lithium-oxygen batteries have the highest energy density among all rechargeable battery systems, which is more than 10 times the density of current lithium-ion batteries. Through exploration of new catalysts, redox ....In pursuit of high performance lithium-oxygen batteries. This project aims to achieve high-energy lithium-oxygen batteries for electric vehicles. Electrification of road transport will minimise consumption of fossil fuels, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and increase energy security. Lithium-oxygen batteries have the highest energy density among all rechargeable battery systems, which is more than 10 times the density of current lithium-ion batteries. Through exploration of new catalysts, redox mediators, and porous material architectures, this project intends to significantly improve the performance of lithium-oxygen batteries, including specific capacity, cycle life and round-trip efficiency.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100036
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,446.00
Summary
Rechargeable room-temperature sodium-oxygen batteries. This project aims to develop high performance room-temperature sodium-oxygen batteries as a green and low-cost power source for large scale electrical energy storage. Through electrode architecture design, this research intends to significantly improve the performance of sodium-oxygen batteries, including specific capacity, cycle life and round-trip energy efficiency. Expected outcomes include reducing consumption of fossil fuels to generate ....Rechargeable room-temperature sodium-oxygen batteries. This project aims to develop high performance room-temperature sodium-oxygen batteries as a green and low-cost power source for large scale electrical energy storage. Through electrode architecture design, this research intends to significantly improve the performance of sodium-oxygen batteries, including specific capacity, cycle life and round-trip energy efficiency. Expected outcomes include reducing consumption of fossil fuels to generate electricity, with benefits for the environment, climate change and energy security.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured materials for development of advanced lithium energy storage systems. This project is expected to bring several national benefits. Novel nanostructured electro-active materials and high energy density rechargeable lithium batteries will be developed. The application of advanced lithium batteries as power sources for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) will realise nearly zero emission transportation. The widespread usage of EVs and HEVs could significantly ....Nanostructured materials for development of advanced lithium energy storage systems. This project is expected to bring several national benefits. Novel nanostructured electro-active materials and high energy density rechargeable lithium batteries will be developed. The application of advanced lithium batteries as power sources for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) will realise nearly zero emission transportation. The widespread usage of EVs and HEVs could significantly reduce air pollution, improve urban environment and increase national energy security and energy independence.Read moreRead less
Heat-resisting iron-nickel base alloys in challenging new applications: oxygen permeabilities and resistance to internal oxidation. There is a pressing need to develop heat resisting alloys which can function adequately in higher operating temperatures and gas mixtures rich in carbon and hydrogen to be handled in advanced technologies for power generation. The expected outcomes of this project will provide the basis for design/selection of these more corrosion-resistant alloys.
Novel lithium iron based olivine phosphates as cathode materials for the development of new generation power batteries. Global warming and climate change are a serious threat to our society today. We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable energy for sustainable development. Battery technology is regarded as one of the green technologies that can be widely used to power vehicles and store energy. This project will develop new generation lithium-ion power batteries using novel lit ....Novel lithium iron based olivine phosphates as cathode materials for the development of new generation power batteries. Global warming and climate change are a serious threat to our society today. We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable energy for sustainable development. Battery technology is regarded as one of the green technologies that can be widely used to power vehicles and store energy. This project will develop new generation lithium-ion power batteries using novel lithium iron based phosphate cathode materials. The success of the research will provide advanced rechargeable batteries for electric bicycles, electric motorcycles and hybrid electric vehicles, contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions. Read moreRead less