A compact microphone array system for outdoor low frequency noise measurements. To investigate the impact of wind farm noise on surrounding communities, the sound level caused by wind turbines must be accurately measured, which sometimes is hard due to wind induced noise and other interference noise. This project aims to propose a novel compact microphone array solution, where the wind induced noise is attenuated by a specially designed windproof shell first, and then the residual wind induced n ....A compact microphone array system for outdoor low frequency noise measurements. To investigate the impact of wind farm noise on surrounding communities, the sound level caused by wind turbines must be accurately measured, which sometimes is hard due to wind induced noise and other interference noise. This project aims to propose a novel compact microphone array solution, where the wind induced noise is attenuated by a specially designed windproof shell first, and then the residual wind induced noise and other interference noise are further filtered out by a specific adaptive noise cancellation algorithm based on the spherical and differential microphone array structure. With the proposed system, the measurement configuration size is expected to be reduced from the current few metres to less than 10 centimetres, and with better accuracy.Read moreRead less
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: DE210101896
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$436,875.00
Summary
Interface engineering of 2D materials for advanced battery application. The fast-growing energy storage market demands new devices with both high energy and power density. This project aims to understand and then engineering electrode-electrolyte interfaces using novel two-dimensional (2D) materials to achieve accelerated ion transport and enhanced surface redox reactions. Advanced in-situ and ex-situ characterization tools, including X-ray scattering, neutron scattering, and terahertz time-doma ....Interface engineering of 2D materials for advanced battery application. The fast-growing energy storage market demands new devices with both high energy and power density. This project aims to understand and then engineering electrode-electrolyte interfaces using novel two-dimensional (2D) materials to achieve accelerated ion transport and enhanced surface redox reactions. Advanced in-situ and ex-situ characterization tools, including X-ray scattering, neutron scattering, and terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, will be employed to study energy storage mechanisms. Novel solid-state batteries will be demonstrated based on well-designed electrodes using 2D materials. This project will boost the standing of Australia in the global competition of developing more efficient energy storage devices. 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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101157
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,748.00
Summary
Unlocking carbon nano-tectonics for next-generation lithium batteries. This project aims to overcome the performance bottlenecks of lithium metal anodes through carbon nano-tectonics for next-generation lithium batteries. Lithium metal is considered the ultimate anode material for future batteries, yet its practical use has been halted by the capacity degradation and safety hazard for long-lasting use. By establishing new fundamentals of nanocarbons towards constructing high-performance lithium ....Unlocking carbon nano-tectonics for next-generation lithium batteries. This project aims to overcome the performance bottlenecks of lithium metal anodes through carbon nano-tectonics for next-generation lithium batteries. Lithium metal is considered the ultimate anode material for future batteries, yet its practical use has been halted by the capacity degradation and safety hazard for long-lasting use. By establishing new fundamentals of nanocarbons towards constructing high-performance lithium anode, this project will produce new-concept lithium metal batteries with high capacity, safety and durability, along with molecular-level understanding of lithium redox processes. This is expected to promote the development of future electronics, vehicles and grid with zero-emission high-energy technologies.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100473
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,573.00
Summary
Breaking Performance Limits of Solar Inverters for a Sustainable Future. Micro-inverters offer a unique ability to maximise solar energy yield and streamline the installation, operation and maintenance process of solar power generation, thus having huge potentials to drastically reduce the cost of solar electricity. However, performance limits have hampered their wider applications in the energy sector. This project aims to tackle the performance challenges of micro-inverters by developing a nov ....Breaking Performance Limits of Solar Inverters for a Sustainable Future. Micro-inverters offer a unique ability to maximise solar energy yield and streamline the installation, operation and maintenance process of solar power generation, thus having huge potentials to drastically reduce the cost of solar electricity. However, performance limits have hampered their wider applications in the energy sector. This project aims to tackle the performance challenges of micro-inverters by developing a novel power-conversion architecture, a unified design framework, and a new control theory. The intended research outcome will be a new range of ultra-high-performance micro-inverters. This will promote greater solar uptake and maintain Australia’s leadership in the development of disruptive solar power generation technology.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100188
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,000,000.00
Summary
Epitaxial growth facility for advanced materials. An advanced materials fabrication facility accessible to all Australian researchers will be established. This will allow crystal growth at the atomic level for novel materials with applications including fundamental physics, nanocomposites, energy storage and conversion systems, and solar cells.