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
TAILORING OF CARBON MATERIALS FOR USE IN DIRECT CARBON FUEL CELLS. This project aims to develop a fundamental understanding of and methods for tailoring carbon materials to be used in high efficiency (80-85%) direct carbon fuel cells (DCFC). This project addresses an important area in clean and efficient energy supply to meet the World's long-term energy and environmental requirements. Specifically, we aim to focus on the carbon particulates based on carbon black materials with a turbostratic st ....TAILORING OF CARBON MATERIALS FOR USE IN DIRECT CARBON FUEL CELLS. This project aims to develop a fundamental understanding of and methods for tailoring carbon materials to be used in high efficiency (80-85%) direct carbon fuel cells (DCFC). This project addresses an important area in clean and efficient energy supply to meet the World's long-term energy and environmental requirements. Specifically, we aim to focus on the carbon particulates based on carbon black materials with a turbostratic structure, and to investigate the relationship between the microstructures of synthetic carbon black materials and their efficacy in DCFC systems. Ultimately, we aim to engineer novel carbon particulates for use in DCFCs.Read moreRead less
Hydrogen Production by Non-thermal Plasma Assisted Catalytic Pyrolysis of Natural Gas. This project aims to develop a cost effective technology for hydrogen production using catalytic pyrolysis of natural gas assisted by non-thermal plasma. The mechanism and kinetics of catalytic hydrocarbon decomposition on carbons produced in situ will be systematically studied. Based on the fundamental understanding of carbon nanostructures and their catalytic activities and stabilities, the non-thermal plasm ....Hydrogen Production by Non-thermal Plasma Assisted Catalytic Pyrolysis of Natural Gas. This project aims to develop a cost effective technology for hydrogen production using catalytic pyrolysis of natural gas assisted by non-thermal plasma. The mechanism and kinetics of catalytic hydrocarbon decomposition on carbons produced in situ will be systematically studied. Based on the fundamental understanding of carbon nanostructures and their catalytic activities and stabilities, the non-thermal plasma and the catalytic reactions will be optimized to achieve high conversion and catalytic stability. The project will lead to a new process combining effective carbon catalyst and low temperature plasma to produce pure hydrogen with high energy efficiency and no CO2 emissions.Read moreRead less
Development of Carbon Nanotube Nanothermometers and Their Application for Temperature Measurement in the Catalytic Layers of Fuel Cells. The project encompasses cutting-edge work in nanotechnology and advanced materials, covering aspects of carbon nanotubes and their applications, along with fuel cell technology. It will provide unique insights into the phenomena of the nanoworld, including manipulation of nanotubes, and nanoscale oxidation behaviour and temperature measurement. The scientific a ....Development of Carbon Nanotube Nanothermometers and Their Application for Temperature Measurement in the Catalytic Layers of Fuel Cells. The project encompasses cutting-edge work in nanotechnology and advanced materials, covering aspects of carbon nanotubes and their applications, along with fuel cell technology. It will provide unique insights into the phenomena of the nanoworld, including manipulation of nanotubes, and nanoscale oxidation behaviour and temperature measurement. The scientific and engineering understanding acquired through this project is vital for solving the problems that limit the wide application of fuel cells. Ultimately, full commercialisation of fuel cells will provide significant environmental benefits by increasing the use of renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.Read moreRead less
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
Regenerable CO2 adsorbing materials for zero emission power generation systems. The new CAM material developed in this project will remove one of the major technical obstacles to the adoption of the zero emission power generation systems, leading to solutions to CO2 management without economic penalty.This project also contributes to building capacity in emerging advanced energy technologies, by keeping informed about major technology developments in areas of Australia's strategic interest.
Integration of large capacity Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage with Active Power Filter switching technology to achieve a complete power quality device. The aim of this project is to integrate large capacity SMES with Active Power Filter (APF) switching technology to achieve a complete power quality control device.
The expected outcomes of the research are 1) An SMES design suitable for APF integration, 2) Development and implementation of lossless energy switching technologies, 3) D ....Integration of large capacity Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage with Active Power Filter switching technology to achieve a complete power quality device. The aim of this project is to integrate large capacity SMES with Active Power Filter (APF) switching technology to achieve a complete power quality control device.
The expected outcomes of the research are 1) An SMES design suitable for APF integration, 2) Development and implementation of lossless energy switching technologies, 3) Development of suitable APF switching algorithms, 4) An integrated design with competitive commercial analysis, and 5) A fully characterised prototype.
This project is innovative as the marriage of large capacity SMES with APF switching technology is essentially absent from the literature, and so there are high expectations for innovative applications and methodologies of fabrication.
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
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
Development of a Novel One Step Process for Gas Conversion to Liquid. Australia has a rich natural gas reserve, most of which is in remote locations. This project will lead to a new technology to use the remote gas that would be flared into the atmosphere, thus benefiting both Australian economy and green house gas reduction. It will also reduce the risk of relying on importing oil from Overseas thus contributing to Australia's energy security. In addition, while crude-based oil emits SOx, NOx a ....Development of a Novel One Step Process for Gas Conversion to Liquid. Australia has a rich natural gas reserve, most of which is in remote locations. This project will lead to a new technology to use the remote gas that would be flared into the atmosphere, thus benefiting both Australian economy and green house gas reduction. It will also reduce the risk of relying on importing oil from Overseas thus contributing to Australia's energy security. In addition, while crude-based oil emits SOx, NOx and particulates etc into air, the liquid fuels from gas are pure and burns cleanly thus also contributing to air pollution control. Read moreRead less