Diatomic Electrocatalysts for Efficient Carbon Dioxide Conversion. This project will create novel electrocatalysts to produce valuable C2 compounds (ethylene, ethanol and ethylene glycol) from carbon dioxide reduction reaction. The precise catalyst structure control remains challenging but is crucial for pushing catalyst performance towards practical applications. By innovating organic macrocycle molecules as precursors, this project will generate a new paradigm of diatomic electrocatalysts with ....Diatomic Electrocatalysts for Efficient Carbon Dioxide Conversion. This project will create novel electrocatalysts to produce valuable C2 compounds (ethylene, ethanol and ethylene glycol) from carbon dioxide reduction reaction. The precise catalyst structure control remains challenging but is crucial for pushing catalyst performance towards practical applications. By innovating organic macrocycle molecules as precursors, this project will generate a new paradigm of diatomic electrocatalysts with structure control precision at atomic-scale. Such catalysts are expected to deliver high catalytic performance to accelerate the transformation to a carbon-neutral future. Synchronously, they will also serve as an ideal platform for in-depth mechanism study and establishing guidelines for rational catalyst design Read moreRead less
Next-generation fluid-in-solid capacitor materials. This project will create next-generation materials to maximize the energy and power densities of electrochemical capacitors (ECs). The performance gap between batteries and ECs remains paradox. Devices with high energy and power densities will largely boost the performance of electric vehicles, mobile devices and smart grids. By innovating the design of capacitor materials using layered fluid-in-solid architecture, the project will produce new- ....Next-generation fluid-in-solid capacitor materials. This project will create next-generation materials to maximize the energy and power densities of electrochemical capacitors (ECs). The performance gap between batteries and ECs remains paradox. Devices with high energy and power densities will largely boost the performance of electric vehicles, mobile devices and smart grids. By innovating the design of capacitor materials using layered fluid-in-solid architecture, the project will produce new-concept ECs with energy density approaching to batteries. Such ECs will synchronously possess dramatically high power density, intrinsically unlike hybrid battery-capacitor. This project will maximize the efficiency of future electronics, vehicles and grids with the new generation ECs.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100465
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,000.00
Summary
Advanced sodium batteries using 2D material interphases with ionic liquids. This project aims to stabilise alkali metal electrodes that are necessary for the development of advanced batteries by using interphase engineering mechanisms to protect electrodes from unfavourable reactions. This project will enable the use of high-energy and safer anodes, essential in promoting better use of renewable energy in the future. This is expected to contribute to fundamental knowledge and have real commercia ....Advanced sodium batteries using 2D material interphases with ionic liquids. This project aims to stabilise alkali metal electrodes that are necessary for the development of advanced batteries by using interphase engineering mechanisms to protect electrodes from unfavourable reactions. This project will enable the use of high-energy and safer anodes, essential in promoting better use of renewable energy in the future. This is expected to contribute to fundamental knowledge and have real commercial prospects for sodium batteries via improved artificial protective interface design. This project has many potential benefits, such as the development of new materials and processes needed to produce safe, high-capacity batteries with applications in both smart-grid, and behind-the-meter stationary storage.Read moreRead less
Novel Fuel Materials for Radiation-Free Proton-Boron Fusion Power Source. Laser proton-boron fusion reactions are a radiation-free nuclear energy source but are limited by a low reaction rate due to a lack of efficient fuel materials. This project aims to develop new fuel materials by synthesising isotope boron 11 enriched hydrogen borides and hydrogen adsorbed boron nitride nanosheets using our research experience in hydrogen storage and nanomateials synthesis. The expected outcomes include tw ....Novel Fuel Materials for Radiation-Free Proton-Boron Fusion Power Source. Laser proton-boron fusion reactions are a radiation-free nuclear energy source but are limited by a low reaction rate due to a lack of efficient fuel materials. This project aims to develop new fuel materials by synthesising isotope boron 11 enriched hydrogen borides and hydrogen adsorbed boron nitride nanosheets using our research experience in hydrogen storage and nanomateials synthesis. The expected outcomes include two new hydrogen storage nanomaterials, the associated new synthesis technologies, and a clean and safe nuclear power source, which helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.Read moreRead less
Sustainable high energy sodium batteries with enhanced safety & cycle life. This project aims to deliver a high specific energy, ambient temperature sodium metal battery that is more sustainable, safer and better performing than existing technologies. Innovative chemistry will be used to replace the current flammable and toxic organic solvent-based systems, while novel tools and capabilities will be forged to retain Australian leadership in this sector. These advances will provide a technology ....Sustainable high energy sodium batteries with enhanced safety & cycle life. This project aims to deliver a high specific energy, ambient temperature sodium metal battery that is more sustainable, safer and better performing than existing technologies. Innovative chemistry will be used to replace the current flammable and toxic organic solvent-based systems, while novel tools and capabilities will be forged to retain Australian leadership in this sector. These advances will provide a technology and materials platform to generate and support emerging energy storage industries in Australia. It will strengthen international collaborations with leading research teams and provide opportunities and training for the next generation of energy storage research leaders in both academia and industry.Read moreRead less
Beyond the limits of corrosion detection in inaccessible areas. The project will develop a new technology for medium-range corrosion mapping in inaccessible areas of infrastructure. This will overcome the limitations of existing corrosion inspection techniques for corrosion inspection at inaccessible areas. The project will create a new concept and generate new knowledge on accurate corrosion mapping in inaccessible areas. The expected outcomes are significant improvements in the capability and ....Beyond the limits of corrosion detection in inaccessible areas. The project will develop a new technology for medium-range corrosion mapping in inaccessible areas of infrastructure. This will overcome the limitations of existing corrosion inspection techniques for corrosion inspection at inaccessible areas. The project will create a new concept and generate new knowledge on accurate corrosion mapping in inaccessible areas. The expected outcomes are significant improvements in the capability and practicability over existing corrosion inspection technologies adopted by industry for a wide range of infrastructure, in particular the Oil and Gas, Mining, Energy and Water infrastructure, as well as improving the reliability and cost-efficiency of the corrosion inspection.Read moreRead less
Scalable high-density hydrogen storage by nano-bubbles in layered materials. Stable and low-cost hydrogen storage and transportation are cornerstones of a global hydrogen economy. This project aims to advance a novel hydrogen storage technology based on highly pressurised nano-bubbles in layered materials. The project expects to expand our fundamental knowledge of the interactions between hydrogen and layered materials. Expected outcomes include a hydrogen storage technology that exhibits a rema ....Scalable high-density hydrogen storage by nano-bubbles in layered materials. Stable and low-cost hydrogen storage and transportation are cornerstones of a global hydrogen economy. This project aims to advance a novel hydrogen storage technology based on highly pressurised nano-bubbles in layered materials. The project expects to expand our fundamental knowledge of the interactions between hydrogen and layered materials. Expected outcomes include a hydrogen storage technology that exhibits a remarkable energy density, high stability and low cost. This should provide significant benefits, such as improving the capacity and robustness of low-cost hydrogen storage and transportation, reducing energy costs and making hydrogen energy a more accessible and sustainable clean energy source for Australia.Read moreRead less
Porous Electromaterials for Hydrogen Production and Energy Storage. This project aims to develop nanocomposite electrodes and membranes for efficient production of renewable hydrogen and the next generation of high-energy-density battery technologies. This will be accomplished by the engineering of multi-scale porous materials with tuneable electrical, chemical and morphological properties using earth abundant elements. The intended outcome is the establishment of a scalable methodology for the ....Porous Electromaterials for Hydrogen Production and Energy Storage. This project aims to develop nanocomposite electrodes and membranes for efficient production of renewable hydrogen and the next generation of high-energy-density battery technologies. This will be accomplished by the engineering of multi-scale porous materials with tuneable electrical, chemical and morphological properties using earth abundant elements. The intended outcome is the establishment of a scalable methodology for the structuring and effective integration of microporous materials in highly conductive scaffolds, achieving superior charge and molecular transport, as well as high surface activity. Broad social and economic benefits are anticipated providing new technological solutions for renewable energy storage and fuel production.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101669
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,316.00
Summary
Hydrogel Electrolytes for Flexible Rechargeable Zinc-Air Batteries. This project aims to advance the development of flexible rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs) by innovating functional hydrogels as solid-state electrolytes. Flexible rechargeable ZABs are the most promising power source for emerging flexible electronics, but lacking of high-performance flexible electrolytes is a critical bottleneck for their applications. Based on hydrogel innovation, this project will address the most critic ....Hydrogel Electrolytes for Flexible Rechargeable Zinc-Air Batteries. This project aims to advance the development of flexible rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs) by innovating functional hydrogels as solid-state electrolytes. Flexible rechargeable ZABs are the most promising power source for emerging flexible electronics, but lacking of high-performance flexible electrolytes is a critical bottleneck for their applications. Based on hydrogel innovation, this project will address the most critical challenges of flexible electrolytes in flexible rechargeable ZABs. Findings from this project will create new knowledge generated from multidisciplinary research and pave the way to realise a new generation of flexible rechargeable ZABs as a highly efficient and durable flexible energy storage technology.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101105
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,000.00
Summary
Developing Sustainable and Reliable Anode-free Lithium Metal Batteries. This project aims to investigate and optimise the functional properties of anode-free lithium metal battery electrodes. The project expects to develop a novel, high-throughput electrochemistry platform that can rapidly screen new materials and chemistries across length scales, from single atoms to entire battery cells. Understanding battery performance in such detail is expected to enhance our capability to design and manufa ....Developing Sustainable and Reliable Anode-free Lithium Metal Batteries. This project aims to investigate and optimise the functional properties of anode-free lithium metal battery electrodes. The project expects to develop a novel, high-throughput electrochemistry platform that can rapidly screen new materials and chemistries across length scales, from single atoms to entire battery cells. Understanding battery performance in such detail is expected to enhance our capability to design and manufacture smart battery materials that are higher performing, safer and longer lasting than current technologies. This should provide significant socio-economic and environmental benefits, through the development of commercially-feasible next-generation devices, used by households or businesses to store renewable energy.Read moreRead less