Structurally designed catalysts for high-performance natural gas reforming. This project aims to develop a new class of highly stable catalysts with specially designed physical and chemical structures that can be used in high temperature chemical processes. These catalysts can potentially be used for the reforming of natural gas to produce the synthesis gas, which can then be used to produce liquid fuels and chemicals.
A new photoelectrochemical system for solar hydrogen and electricity. This project aims to develop a new integrated photoelectrochemical (PEC) system for converting solar energy into hydrogen and electricity simultaneously. The key concept is to design innovative advanced materials which will be integrated into PEC devices with capacitor function for both solar fuel production and electricity storage. This project expects to generate new knowledge in understanding the fundamental mechanism of de ....A new photoelectrochemical system for solar hydrogen and electricity. This project aims to develop a new integrated photoelectrochemical (PEC) system for converting solar energy into hydrogen and electricity simultaneously. The key concept is to design innovative advanced materials which will be integrated into PEC devices with capacitor function for both solar fuel production and electricity storage. This project expects to generate new knowledge in understanding the fundamental mechanism of developing functional materials for more efficient solar energy conversion and storage. Expected outcomes include prototypes of the next generation advanced materials and technologies for sustainable energy utilisation systems for converting solar energy into hydrogen and electricity.Read moreRead less
Perovskite Materials: Exploring properties beyond solar cells. This project aims to explore functionalities of metal halide perovskite materials for sustainable solar energy conversion and storage, beyond the heavily studied perovskite solar cell application. The project intends to design toxic lead free/less perovskite materials for an integrated photoelectrochemical hydrogen production and solar rechargeable battery system. It will study the relations between material synthesis conditions, dev ....Perovskite Materials: Exploring properties beyond solar cells. This project aims to explore functionalities of metal halide perovskite materials for sustainable solar energy conversion and storage, beyond the heavily studied perovskite solar cell application. The project intends to design toxic lead free/less perovskite materials for an integrated photoelectrochemical hydrogen production and solar rechargeable battery system. It will study the relations between material synthesis conditions, device structure and performance of the photoelectrochemical system. Expected outcomes are low cost and more efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion and solar energy storage devices, important for sustainable use of intermittent solar energy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100749
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$368,446.00
Summary
Designing solar rechargeable batteries for efficient solar energy storage. This project aims to develop a new prototype of solar rechargeable battery for the direct storage of solar energy. Specifically, the research will integrate newly designed solar-driven photo-electrochemical energy conversion process and bi-functional photo-electrodes into a lithium-sulphur battery to achieve high energy storage efficiency. Expected outcomes include high-performance solar rechargeable batteries and new kno ....Designing solar rechargeable batteries for efficient solar energy storage. This project aims to develop a new prototype of solar rechargeable battery for the direct storage of solar energy. Specifically, the research will integrate newly designed solar-driven photo-electrochemical energy conversion process and bi-functional photo-electrodes into a lithium-sulphur battery to achieve high energy storage efficiency. Expected outcomes include high-performance solar rechargeable batteries and new knowledge generated from the integration of interdisciplinary research in energy storage, photo-electrochemistry and nanotechnology. Further advances in material science and solar energy storage technologies will assist in addressing the global energy shortage and mitigating environmental pollution.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101234
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Nanostructured metal organic frameworks for aqueous sodium ion batteries. Aqueous sodium ion batteries are promising to meet demands for large-scale energy storage applications in the deployment of solar, wind and other volatile renewable energy sources. This project aims to design and synthesise a series of nanostructured metal organic frameworks, especially Prussian blue analogues, with controllable mesoporosity and hollow architectures as electrode materials for aqueous sodium ion batteries. ....Nanostructured metal organic frameworks for aqueous sodium ion batteries. Aqueous sodium ion batteries are promising to meet demands for large-scale energy storage applications in the deployment of solar, wind and other volatile renewable energy sources. This project aims to design and synthesise a series of nanostructured metal organic frameworks, especially Prussian blue analogues, with controllable mesoporosity and hollow architectures as electrode materials for aqueous sodium ion batteries. Unique nanostructure design can endow the battery systems with advanced features of long cycle life, high rate capacity retention and very low hysteresis. The project is vitally important to the long-term viability of Australia's resources and supports Australia's access to new markets and supply chains.Read moreRead less
Layered and scrolled carbon materials for advancing energy storage systems. This project aims to reveal the structure–property relations in carbon electrodes through the design of model carbon systems that allow the simultaneous control of graphitic interlayer distance, ion diffusion pathway length, and surface functional group density. The project is expected to generate new knowledge on the charging mechanisms of micro-supercapacitors and sodium-ion batteries and technologies for emerging port ....Layered and scrolled carbon materials for advancing energy storage systems. This project aims to reveal the structure–property relations in carbon electrodes through the design of model carbon systems that allow the simultaneous control of graphitic interlayer distance, ion diffusion pathway length, and surface functional group density. The project is expected to generate new knowledge on the charging mechanisms of micro-supercapacitors and sodium-ion batteries and technologies for emerging portable electronics and renewable energy storage applications. The demonstration of high-performance and sustainable energy storage devices is anticipated. This will help to advance the prominence of Australia in the global renewable energy market and the move towards more sustainable economies and lifestyles.Read moreRead less
Lead-free oxide perovskites for highly efficient solar cells. This project aims to develop nanostructured lead-free oxide perovskites for solar energy applications. These materials will strengthen the future of photovoltaic technology by overcoming bandgap voltage limitations and toxicity/stability issues that plague conventional silicon-based and emerging halide perovskite-based solar cells. This project is expected to advance the rational design of solar cells based on oxide perovskites, which ....Lead-free oxide perovskites for highly efficient solar cells. This project aims to develop nanostructured lead-free oxide perovskites for solar energy applications. These materials will strengthen the future of photovoltaic technology by overcoming bandgap voltage limitations and toxicity/stability issues that plague conventional silicon-based and emerging halide perovskite-based solar cells. This project is expected to advance the rational design of solar cells based on oxide perovskites, which are efficient, high output voltage, environmentally friendly photovoltaic technology Success of the proposed programme paves the way to promote photovoltaic technology as a mainstream power generation source and a significant contributor to achieving energy, environmental and economic goals.Read moreRead less
Development of high-performance lead-free piezoelectric superlattices for environmentally-friendly and biocompatible piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs) applications. This program is aimed at development of environmentally friendly and biocompatible lead-free piezoelectric thin films and superlattices for the potential applications in pMUTs. The expected outcome includes deposition of BNT and BZT-based thin films and superlattices, and enhancement of their physical propert ....Development of high-performance lead-free piezoelectric superlattices for environmentally-friendly and biocompatible piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs) applications. This program is aimed at development of environmentally friendly and biocompatible lead-free piezoelectric thin films and superlattices for the potential applications in pMUTs. The expected outcome includes deposition of BNT and BZT-based thin films and superlattices, and enhancement of their physical properties by strain and interface engineering.Read moreRead less
Bio-inspired conducting peptide nanowires for bioelectronic applications. Some bacteria possess a natural conductive tail constructed from proteins (called a nanowire) that has metal-like conductivity. The electrical signals in these nanowires are carried through aromatic groups in the peptides and/or attached cytochromes. This project addresses the design and assembly of conducting peptide-based fibrils inspired by these nanowires. It has already been shown that peptides can, by design, self-as ....Bio-inspired conducting peptide nanowires for bioelectronic applications. Some bacteria possess a natural conductive tail constructed from proteins (called a nanowire) that has metal-like conductivity. The electrical signals in these nanowires are carried through aromatic groups in the peptides and/or attached cytochromes. This project addresses the design and assembly of conducting peptide-based fibrils inspired by these nanowires. It has already been shown that peptides can, by design, self-assemble into long thermostable fibrils that support cell growth and development. The project’s goal is now to create cost-effective, non-toxic, conducting peptide fibrils that can be used in water or physiological environments for bioelectronics applications.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100607
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,624.00
Summary
Catalytically active surface for hydrogen evolution. This project aims to develop classes of active surface on catalysts for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen production. Targeted catalysts with abundant transitional metal active sites are a new frontier in electrocatalysis. This project intends to develop vapour-phase hydrothermal approaches to effectively in-situ grow single crystal catalysts with rich metal centres and to further boost their activities by in-situ doping with heteroatoms. Ex ....Catalytically active surface for hydrogen evolution. This project aims to develop classes of active surface on catalysts for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen production. Targeted catalysts with abundant transitional metal active sites are a new frontier in electrocatalysis. This project intends to develop vapour-phase hydrothermal approaches to effectively in-situ grow single crystal catalysts with rich metal centres and to further boost their activities by in-situ doping with heteroatoms. Expected outcomes include robust fabrication means for atomic construction of active surfaces and improved understanding of active sites for hydrogen evolution reaction.Read moreRead less