Reverse engineering nature: metal extraction through mineral replacement. This project aims to find new methods of copper recovery from low grade copper ores, which are currently uneconomic to mine. In nature, at the top of ore deposits and just below the water-table, is a region known as the supergene zone. Here mild oxidizing reactions take place causing primary ore minerals such as chalcopyrite to be replaced by more copper-rich, less refractory minerals. These processes are driven by disso ....Reverse engineering nature: metal extraction through mineral replacement. This project aims to find new methods of copper recovery from low grade copper ores, which are currently uneconomic to mine. In nature, at the top of ore deposits and just below the water-table, is a region known as the supergene zone. Here mild oxidizing reactions take place causing primary ore minerals such as chalcopyrite to be replaced by more copper-rich, less refractory minerals. These processes are driven by dissolution re-precipitation reactions (CDR reactions) and in many CDR reactions, the reaction mechanism, rather than intensive properties such as pressure and temperature, control the nature of the products and the overall reaction process. This project will explore the mechanism and controls on these reactions to see if they can be utilized in the mining industry to economically extract copper from low grade ores.
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Reactivity Enhanced Low-Valent Alkaline Earth Metal Compounds. The project aims to develop highly activated low oxidation state alkaline earth metal complexes as cheap and sustainable alternatives to toxic/expensive late transition metal complexes, that currently dominate the transformation of inert small molecule substrates into value-added organic chemicals. The project expects to generate major fundamental and applied advances in chemistry, using innovative synthetic and computational approac ....Reactivity Enhanced Low-Valent Alkaline Earth Metal Compounds. The project aims to develop highly activated low oxidation state alkaline earth metal complexes as cheap and sustainable alternatives to toxic/expensive late transition metal complexes, that currently dominate the transformation of inert small molecule substrates into value-added organic chemicals. The project expects to generate major fundamental and applied advances in chemistry, using innovative synthetic and computational approaches, and a multidisciplinary collaborative team. Expected outcomes include building of academic and, later, industrial research capacity, knowledge, an international network, and a highly trained workforce. Success should see substantial economic, environmental and societal benefits flowing to Australia.Read moreRead less
Activation of small molecules using redox- and pH-stable polyoxometalate molecular clusters as catalysts. Anthropogenic carbon dioxide has been linked to global climate change, and several approaches to reducing emissions have been proposed. This project aims to develop systems that convert carbon dioxide into useful raw materials for the chemical industry and fuel, reducing the need to use additional non-renewable resources for these purposes.
Teaching Main Group Compounds to Activate Catalytically Relevant Bonds. The project aims to generate novel, earth abundant main group compounds, with the ultimate objective of developing these as sustainable replacements for toxic/expensive late transition metal complexes, that are currently central to numerous stoichiometric and catalytic synthetic transformations. The project expects to generate major fundamental and applied advances in chemistry, using innovative synthetic and computational a ....Teaching Main Group Compounds to Activate Catalytically Relevant Bonds. The project aims to generate novel, earth abundant main group compounds, with the ultimate objective of developing these as sustainable replacements for toxic/expensive late transition metal complexes, that are currently central to numerous stoichiometric and catalytic synthetic transformations. The project expects to generate major fundamental and applied advances in chemistry, using innovative synthetic and computational approaches, and a multidisciplinary collaborative team. Expected outcomes include building of academic and, later, industrial research capacity, knowledge, an international research network, and a highly trained workforce. Success should see substantial economic, environmental and societal benefits flowing to Australia.Read moreRead less
Understanding and improving rare earth corrosion inhibitors. This project aims to investigate rare earth corrosion inhibitors by an interdisciplinary program of chemistry and materials science.
The project will generate new knowledge as to how rare earth corrosion inhibitors function and can be improved.
Expected outcomes include a better understanding of inhibitor induced protective films and improved inhibitors.
Significant benefits are eventually better protection of infrastructure from .... Understanding and improving rare earth corrosion inhibitors. This project aims to investigate rare earth corrosion inhibitors by an interdisciplinary program of chemistry and materials science.
The project will generate new knowledge as to how rare earth corrosion inhibitors function and can be improved.
Expected outcomes include a better understanding of inhibitor induced protective films and improved inhibitors.
Significant benefits are eventually better protection of infrastructure from corrosion with greener inhibitors and a new bulk use for rare earths to aid Australia’s emerging rare earth industry.
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Converting Biomass into Value-Added Catalysts for Water Electrolysis. This project aims to employ agricultural waste to manufacture new highly active and stable non-precious metal catalysts for accelerating hydrogen production from water electrolysis. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the development of low-cost and sustainable catalysts for renewable hydrogen production and new technology for converting agricultural waste into value-added catalysts. The project outcomes are expec ....Converting Biomass into Value-Added Catalysts for Water Electrolysis. This project aims to employ agricultural waste to manufacture new highly active and stable non-precious metal catalysts for accelerating hydrogen production from water electrolysis. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the development of low-cost and sustainable catalysts for renewable hydrogen production and new technology for converting agricultural waste into value-added catalysts. The project outcomes are expected to benefit Australia by creating new commercial opportunities in ‘waste-to-catalyst’ conversion and generating a new pathway for managing and recycling agricultural waste, thus providing both environmental and economic benefits while contributing to a sustainable economy.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Underlying APOBEC3G Restriction Of HIV-1
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,075.00
Summary
In the fight against worldwide HIV-AIDS, understanding natural cell defenses to the HIV virus may identify new virus targets and strategies to block HIV in humans. Here, we will use state-of-the-art, high resolution, fluorescent microscopy to understand how the recently identified cell protein, APOBEC3G, blocks the HIV life cycle in human cells. We anticipate that APOBEC3G will stop HIV from invading the nucleus of human cells to defend against HIV, a strategy we can apply to new therapies.
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH130100016
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,633,554.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for BioProcessing Advanced Manufacturing. ARC Research Hub for BioProcessing Advanced Manufacturing. The aim of the Research Hub is to develop functional materials to maximize the value of forest resources; and green chemistry and energy solutions for bioprocessing industries. Lignocellulosic streams will be converted into a complement of marketable materials, chemicals and energy products. Examples include new polymers and composites, smart packaging, chemical intermediates, fu ....ARC Research Hub for BioProcessing Advanced Manufacturing. ARC Research Hub for BioProcessing Advanced Manufacturing. The aim of the Research Hub is to develop functional materials to maximize the value of forest resources; and green chemistry and energy solutions for bioprocessing industries. Lignocellulosic streams will be converted into a complement of marketable materials, chemicals and energy products. Examples include new polymers and composites, smart packaging, chemical intermediates, fuel, green energy and nanocellulose and cellulosic fibre applications. These will drive advances in chemical engineering, materials and green chemistry for the full conversion of lignocellulosics. The Hub will complement research developments with short courses and a problem-based Masters in BioProcess Engineering to keep industry workers up to date with evolving science and technology.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160101548
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,052.00
Summary
Enantioselective catalysis using P-chiral phosphines and phosphinamines. This project aims to develop new methods to synthesise organic molecules. The synthesis of organic molecules for medicines, polymers and other applications depends on the use of catalysts to promote chemical reactions. The use of small organic catalysts, rather than those based on transition metals or enzymes, offers many advantages in the form of low toxicity, low cost, ease of use and minimal environmental impact. This pr ....Enantioselective catalysis using P-chiral phosphines and phosphinamines. This project aims to develop new methods to synthesise organic molecules. The synthesis of organic molecules for medicines, polymers and other applications depends on the use of catalysts to promote chemical reactions. The use of small organic catalysts, rather than those based on transition metals or enzymes, offers many advantages in the form of low toxicity, low cost, ease of use and minimal environmental impact. This project aims to deliver new methods for synthesis using new approaches in organocatalysis. The methods will be used to synthesise important molecules, including novel catalysts, biocompatible polyester materials and chiral phosphines, which are widely used in chemical industry but difficult and expensive to produce.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH170100020
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,641,142.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Processing Lignocellulosics into High Value Products. The ARC Research Hub for Processing Lignocellulosics into High Value Products aims to convert renewable and readily-available biomass material and waste streams from the Australian Pulp, Paper and Forest Industry into new, high-value products that are in high demand in existing and developing markets. The Research Hub will translate leading scientific discoveries in biomass conversion into the manufacture of advanced mate ....ARC Research Hub for Processing Lignocellulosics into High Value Products. The ARC Research Hub for Processing Lignocellulosics into High Value Products aims to convert renewable and readily-available biomass material and waste streams from the Australian Pulp, Paper and Forest Industry into new, high-value products that are in high demand in existing and developing markets. The Research Hub will translate leading scientific discoveries in biomass conversion into the manufacture of advanced materials that can be used in the industries of the future. Research aims to identify new applications and products. They will be derived from lignocellulose through the advent of new smart paper packaging, green chemical and materials with unique properties. Benefits will flow to the pharmaceutical, chemicals, plastics and food packaging industries.Read moreRead less