All-solid-state Z-scheme photocatalysts for water treatment. The project aims to develop high-performance Z-scheme photocatalysts by using two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors as building blocks for low-cost, highly-efficient pathogen inactivation and emerging pollutant degradation in stormwater treatment. The project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in the area of photocatalyst design and Z-scheme photocatalytic system, and advance the application of photocatalytic oxidation in wate ....All-solid-state Z-scheme photocatalysts for water treatment. The project aims to develop high-performance Z-scheme photocatalysts by using two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors as building blocks for low-cost, highly-efficient pathogen inactivation and emerging pollutant degradation in stormwater treatment. The project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in the area of photocatalyst design and Z-scheme photocatalytic system, and advance the application of photocatalytic oxidation in water treatment. The expected outcomes of the project include novel 2D Z-scheme photocatalysts and enhanced capacity in stormwater management.Read moreRead less
Arsenite oxidation by a novel bacterium that is a candidate for arsenic bioremediation. The arsenic munching microbe NT-26 could help in the fight to clean up arsenic-contaminated mining waste and drinking water. Arsenic poses an environmental problem in countries such as Australia, USA and Canada owing primarily to mining activities. The problem in countries such as Bangladesh and West Bengal are even more serious as these people are dying of arsenic-related diseases as they rely on water conta ....Arsenite oxidation by a novel bacterium that is a candidate for arsenic bioremediation. The arsenic munching microbe NT-26 could help in the fight to clean up arsenic-contaminated mining waste and drinking water. Arsenic poses an environmental problem in countries such as Australia, USA and Canada owing primarily to mining activities. The problem in countries such as Bangladesh and West Bengal are even more serious as these people are dying of arsenic-related diseases as they rely on water containing arsenic as their primary source of drinking water. The outcomes of this research should provide the necessary information for removing arsenic from all types of waters.Read moreRead less
Development of Leakage Resistant Well-Cements for Geo-Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide Application using Alkali Activated Slag and Geopolymer Cements. The biggest threat facing life now is climate change due to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Extreme weathers are increasing in frequency and intensity, as evidenced by recent bushfires, and it is predicted to get worse unless carbon mitigation strategies are quickly implemented. Geo-sequestration is the technology of capturing and storing of the CO ....Development of Leakage Resistant Well-Cements for Geo-Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide Application using Alkali Activated Slag and Geopolymer Cements. The biggest threat facing life now is climate change due to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Extreme weathers are increasing in frequency and intensity, as evidenced by recent bushfires, and it is predicted to get worse unless carbon mitigation strategies are quickly implemented. Geo-sequestration is the technology of capturing and storing of the CO2 deep below ground for long time (>1000 years). It offers the best hope for large reductions of CO2 emissions. However, CO2-brine stored under pressure is acidic and has the risk of leaking in the long term by dissolving the cement used to seal the pipe wells. This project will develop alternative novel cements which are acid resistant and will not allow CO2 to leak through the sealed wells.Read moreRead less
Identifying novel, health-related predictors of recidivism: Informing evidence-based throughcare. Throughcare is a policy priority for correctional authorities in Australia, however the evidence base to inform policy is limited. Using innovative modelling techniques and unique data from a large, representative cohort of ex-prisoners in Queensland, this study will: identify novel, health-related predictors of recidivism in the first two years after release from adult custody; examine the extent t ....Identifying novel, health-related predictors of recidivism: Informing evidence-based throughcare. Throughcare is a policy priority for correctional authorities in Australia, however the evidence base to inform policy is limited. Using innovative modelling techniques and unique data from a large, representative cohort of ex-prisoners in Queensland, this study will: identify novel, health-related predictors of recidivism in the first two years after release from adult custody; examine the extent to which risk and protective factors for recidivism vary over time and according to individual characteristics; and, provide evidence-based recommendations to improve throughcare interventions and reduce recidivism.Read moreRead less
Understanding multiday cycles underpinning human physiology. We recently discovered long-term rhythms modulating activities of our brains and hearts ranging in duration from 3-60 days. The cause of these longer, ‘multiday cycles’ remain unknown. This project aims to understand; causes of multiday cycles (measuring the nervous and autonomic nervous system), their effects (on cognition, sleep, and stress), and quantify the relationship between coupled cyclical systems. The research outcomes can pr ....Understanding multiday cycles underpinning human physiology. We recently discovered long-term rhythms modulating activities of our brains and hearts ranging in duration from 3-60 days. The cause of these longer, ‘multiday cycles’ remain unknown. This project aims to understand; causes of multiday cycles (measuring the nervous and autonomic nervous system), their effects (on cognition, sleep, and stress), and quantify the relationship between coupled cyclical systems. The research outcomes can provide fundamental new knowledge about cyclic dynamics governing human physiology, leading to improved rigour in life sciences research. Commercial outcomes include technology to optimise individual productivity, learning, health, and wellbeing based on physiological cycles, with diverse benefits to society.Read moreRead less
Advanced Nanocomposites for Enhanced Containment of Hyper-Saline Leachate. This research project seeks to apply nanotechnology approaches to develop tailored materials that are green and cost-effective, which minimise groundwater contamination by hyper-saline industrial leachates and process waters. Australian industries will benefit from lower costs associated with storage, processing and reclamation of process waters, as well as from reduced environmental fines levied by the Environmental Prot ....Advanced Nanocomposites for Enhanced Containment of Hyper-Saline Leachate. This research project seeks to apply nanotechnology approaches to develop tailored materials that are green and cost-effective, which minimise groundwater contamination by hyper-saline industrial leachates and process waters. Australian industries will benefit from lower costs associated with storage, processing and reclamation of process waters, as well as from reduced environmental fines levied by the Environmental Protection Agency due to significantly reduced barrier failure and groundwater contaminations. Australian businesses involved in manufacture, design and construction of environmental barrier systems will have access to new materials and improved technology.Read moreRead less
Parole in crisis? Public opinion on the use of parole. Serious crimes committed by parolees in Australia have brought parole into the public eye. Without concrete evidence, governments often act on the assumption that the public holds punitive attitudes. This project is expected to develop an evidence base to inform policy on parole at a crucial time when governments are under pressure to restrict its use. Three mixed-method studies aim to assess: what public views on parole are; why the public ....Parole in crisis? Public opinion on the use of parole. Serious crimes committed by parolees in Australia have brought parole into the public eye. Without concrete evidence, governments often act on the assumption that the public holds punitive attitudes. This project is expected to develop an evidence base to inform policy on parole at a crucial time when governments are under pressure to restrict its use. Three mixed-method studies aim to assess: what public views on parole are; why the public holds these views; and what influence these views have on policy and practice. The project is expected to make contributions to: creating information strategies that properly inform the public; supporting prisoner reintegration strategies; and shaping criminal justice policies based on informed community feedback.Read moreRead less
The development of novel geopolymers incorporating calcium and cellulosic material. Geopolymer technology transforms waste aluminosilicate materials into commercially viable products, which possess superior physical and chemical properties compared to ordinary concrete. These high-tech materials have novel acid and fire resistance applications, e.g. in construction and for the coating of optical fibres. Understanding the chemical relationship between geopolymers and other cementitious materials ....The development of novel geopolymers incorporating calcium and cellulosic material. Geopolymer technology transforms waste aluminosilicate materials into commercially viable products, which possess superior physical and chemical properties compared to ordinary concrete. These high-tech materials have novel acid and fire resistance applications, e.g. in construction and for the coating of optical fibres. Understanding the chemical relationship between geopolymers and other cementitious materials is pivotal to further advances in inorganic polymers. This project uses surface reactivity, spectroscopy, electronmicroscopy and electron diffraction to determine the role of calcium and cellulosic additives in the phase composition, microstructure and properties of geopolymers. Therefore, the factors distinguishing geopolymers from alkali-activated cement and ordinary concrete are identified.Read moreRead less
Novel concepts for bioelectrochemical generation of renewable fuels and chemicals from wastewater. Global warming and the diminishing fossil fuel resources are posing an ever increasing threat to our societies and economies. This project aims to develop novel and highly innovative bioelectrochemical processes for the production of valuable fuels and chemicals from wastewater, which is a largely untapped renewable resource.
A fundamental study of the simultaneous gold dissolution during the alkaline oxidation of sulfide containing refractory gold ores and concentrates. The gold industry is Australia's second largest export earner and therefore is immensely important to the Australian economy. The proposed project aims to develop an environmentally acceptable process for treating gold containing sulfidic ores and concentrates that are not amenable to conventional cyanidation. This would provide an enormous benefit t ....A fundamental study of the simultaneous gold dissolution during the alkaline oxidation of sulfide containing refractory gold ores and concentrates. The gold industry is Australia's second largest export earner and therefore is immensely important to the Australian economy. The proposed project aims to develop an environmentally acceptable process for treating gold containing sulfidic ores and concentrates that are not amenable to conventional cyanidation. This would provide an enormous benefit to both the Australian gold industry and the Australian environment. A successful outcome in the research project would also lead to export earnings emanating from technology transfer and enhance Australia's reputation for high quality research and academic endeavours.Read moreRead less