Design of novel nanoporous semiconductor materials for clean environment and energy. This project will develop a low cost nanoporous semiconductor device for the capture and conversion of CO2 into fuels by using water and sunlight. This novel approach will deliver a low cost technology that offers clean energy and will help to mitigate global warming.
Light driven degradation of persistent organic pollutants. This project aims to address the accumulation of pollutants in our environment by developing and optimising materials that utilise light energy to breakdown these persistent chemicals. Combining novel techniques and approaches, this project expects to generate new knowledge in the field of materials science and photochemistry. The anticipated outcomes of this project include an advancement of environmental remediation methods and the cap ....Light driven degradation of persistent organic pollutants. This project aims to address the accumulation of pollutants in our environment by developing and optimising materials that utilise light energy to breakdown these persistent chemicals. Combining novel techniques and approaches, this project expects to generate new knowledge in the field of materials science and photochemistry. The anticipated outcomes of this project include an advancement of environmental remediation methods and the capture of pollutants at their source. This should provide significant benefits to both humans and the environment through preventing the adverse impacts of pollutant exposure.Read moreRead less
Solution and surface speciation evolution during chalcopyrite leaching. This project will contribute to the development of a more effective industrial leach process for chalcopyrite, the source of more than 50 per cent of the world's copper, and will lead to substantially reduced processing costs and environmental impact, due to removal of the existing smelting step. In addition, the processing of currently uneconomic low grade ores would become economic.
Mesoporous conducting carbon-based materials for energy. This project aims to synthesise highly ordered mesoporous conducting polymers and graphitic carbons with a high conductivity, different pore structures, tuneable pore diameters, and functionalised with transition metal oxide nanoparticles. It will make a highly efficient, low cost and stable energy storage device using functionalised mesoporous conducting polymeric and graphitic electrodes that combine pseudo capacitance and electrical dou ....Mesoporous conducting carbon-based materials for energy. This project aims to synthesise highly ordered mesoporous conducting polymers and graphitic carbons with a high conductivity, different pore structures, tuneable pore diameters, and functionalised with transition metal oxide nanoparticles. It will make a highly efficient, low cost and stable energy storage device using functionalised mesoporous conducting polymeric and graphitic electrodes that combine pseudo capacitance and electrical double layer capacitance, high power and energy density and a long cycle life. This electrode system for supercapacitors is expected to address clean energy generation and environmental problems and create opportunities for Australian industries.Read moreRead less
New silane anti-corrosion coatings for steel surfaces. Steel products are a major export for Australia. Orrcon is one of Australia's largest suppliers of steel pipe and tubing. This study of how to stop steel from corroding will produce new breakthroughs in understanding silane chemistry, which is safer, cheaper and more effective in reducing rust, than what is being used today. This new science will benefit Australia's research into corrosion and help us to be more competitive in the export of ....New silane anti-corrosion coatings for steel surfaces. Steel products are a major export for Australia. Orrcon is one of Australia's largest suppliers of steel pipe and tubing. This study of how to stop steel from corroding will produce new breakthroughs in understanding silane chemistry, which is safer, cheaper and more effective in reducing rust, than what is being used today. This new science will benefit Australia's research into corrosion and help us to be more competitive in the export of steel. Our proof of concept studies on the corrosion resistance of new silanes on aerospace aluminium alloys has helped Australian products enter markets where chromium(VI) is now banned. Silicon chemistry is also little researched in Australia and this project will train four new researchers in this field.Read moreRead less
Aggregation control for high-performance polymer electronics. This project aims to exploit the behaviour of semiconducting polymer chains in solution to realise high-performance polymer electronics. This project will be achieved through a combination of simulation, theory, and X-ray measurements of solution-phase chain conformation and device studies. The project expects to create new predictive understanding of how the self organisation of semiconducting polymer chains determines thin-film micr ....Aggregation control for high-performance polymer electronics. This project aims to exploit the behaviour of semiconducting polymer chains in solution to realise high-performance polymer electronics. This project will be achieved through a combination of simulation, theory, and X-ray measurements of solution-phase chain conformation and device studies. The project expects to create new predictive understanding of how the self organisation of semiconducting polymer chains determines thin-film microstructure and thus charge transport in thin-film devices. Expected outcomes include new materials and processes for high-performance polymer transistors and enhanced interdisciplinary research partnerships. This approach should hasten the development of new technologies based on lightweight flexible electronic devices.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160101163
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,000.00
Summary
Design of Nanostructured Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting. The project intends to develop electrocatalysts for water splitting (where a chemical reaction separates water into oxygen and hydrogen, providing clean renewable fuel). The efficient use of renewable energy to generate clean fuels will provide a direct solution to the energy issues in Australia. This project aims to develop new catalysts for the water splitting process by taking into account their electronic structures and verifying ....Design of Nanostructured Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting. The project intends to develop electrocatalysts for water splitting (where a chemical reaction separates water into oxygen and hydrogen, providing clean renewable fuel). The efficient use of renewable energy to generate clean fuels will provide a direct solution to the energy issues in Australia. This project aims to develop new catalysts for the water splitting process by taking into account their electronic structures and verifying their apparent activities in devices. The universal principles to be discovered in the project may be important for the discovery of new electrocatalysts for key energy conversion reactions to develop a feasible clean energy infrastructure and solve environmental issues.Read moreRead less
Synthesis and characterisation of cadmium-free quantum dots. Quantum dots (QDs) - a highly functional class of nanocrystals - have a tremendous potential for applications in life sciences, energy conversion and electronics; however, their toxicity represents a problem for almost any utilisation. This project aims to find new synthesis methods for less toxic QDs and will thus pave the way for the use of these particles.
Quantum Coherences in Artificial Light-Harvesting Complexes. The aim of this project is to relate efficient energy and electron transfer processes in molecular materials to the presence of quantum coherences. The ongoing debate on the role of quantum coherences in the efficient harvesting of sunlight of photosynthesis appears to be limited by the complexity of the biological systems and a lack of high instrumentation sensitivity. Using molecular systems and a highly sensitive method, this projec ....Quantum Coherences in Artificial Light-Harvesting Complexes. The aim of this project is to relate efficient energy and electron transfer processes in molecular materials to the presence of quantum coherences. The ongoing debate on the role of quantum coherences in the efficient harvesting of sunlight of photosynthesis appears to be limited by the complexity of the biological systems and a lack of high instrumentation sensitivity. Using molecular systems and a highly sensitive method, this project aims to reveal the effects of molecular conformation and geometry on quantum coherences. The outcome is likely to improve our understanding of nature's remarkable ability to harvest energy efficiently from the sun and foster new approaches that increase the efficiency of light-harvesting systems.Read moreRead less
Nanoscale silicon field-effect transistor diagnostic technology. This project aims to overcome barriers to the implementation of silicon field-effect transistor biosensors. It will investigate the biosensors’ physical and structural properties. This knowledge, combined with technological and conceptual advances, could foster the development of an advanced and translational point-of-care diagnostic technology to rapidly and sensitively detect malignant tissues. Such technology would have commerci ....Nanoscale silicon field-effect transistor diagnostic technology. This project aims to overcome barriers to the implementation of silicon field-effect transistor biosensors. It will investigate the biosensors’ physical and structural properties. This knowledge, combined with technological and conceptual advances, could foster the development of an advanced and translational point-of-care diagnostic technology to rapidly and sensitively detect malignant tissues. Such technology would have commercial potential and important societal benefits.Read moreRead less