Developing novel two-dimensional hybrid nanostructures for renewable energy. This project aims to develop novel two-dimensional (2D) hybrid nanostructures with new physical and chemical properties. This innovation intends to address the critical challenges of control functionalisation of 2D hybrid nanostructures: essential to understanding the potential of nanomaterials in key applications of energy generation. Expected outcomes include scalable technology to produce functional 2D nanomaterials ....Developing novel two-dimensional hybrid nanostructures for renewable energy. This project aims to develop novel two-dimensional (2D) hybrid nanostructures with new physical and chemical properties. This innovation intends to address the critical challenges of control functionalisation of 2D hybrid nanostructures: essential to understanding the potential of nanomaterials in key applications of energy generation. Expected outcomes include scalable technology to produce functional 2D nanomaterials and hybrid nanostructures to accelerate research to advanced materials and frontier material manufacturing technologies. This project will provide significant social and economic benefits to Australia in the growth of sectors in advanced materials, energy generation, and advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Synthesis and Characterisation of Tracer-Functionalised Nanoparticles . This project aims to engineer nanomaterials by utilising gold nanochemistry and neural tracing capabilities of plant-based, nontoxic proteins. In a significant departure from current nanomaterials being developed, functionalising nanoparticles with the tracers enable them to undergo path-specific axonal retrograde transport, transneuronal transport, and anatomical tract flow to bypass the blood-brain barrier. Microfluidics w ....Synthesis and Characterisation of Tracer-Functionalised Nanoparticles . This project aims to engineer nanomaterials by utilising gold nanochemistry and neural tracing capabilities of plant-based, nontoxic proteins. In a significant departure from current nanomaterials being developed, functionalising nanoparticles with the tracers enable them to undergo path-specific axonal retrograde transport, transneuronal transport, and anatomical tract flow to bypass the blood-brain barrier. Microfluidics will be used to characterise the neuronal activities of the synthesised nanoconjugates of different sizes and compositions to understand their bio-interactions with axons, synapses, and neuromuscular junctions. The results will lead to a new class of functional nanomaterials as well as cell-based functional assays.Read moreRead less
Experimental mapping of electron densities in nano-structured materials. This project aims to map electrons in nano-structured materials using a new technique combining the latest solid-state theory with electron scattering experiments in one of the world’s most advanced electron microscopes. It is expected that by revealing the electronic structure of nano-scale features in bulk materials for the first time, their functions will become fully explainable. Aside from this new capability, other ....Experimental mapping of electron densities in nano-structured materials. This project aims to map electrons in nano-structured materials using a new technique combining the latest solid-state theory with electron scattering experiments in one of the world’s most advanced electron microscopes. It is expected that by revealing the electronic structure of nano-scale features in bulk materials for the first time, their functions will become fully explainable. Aside from this new capability, other expected outcomes include discovering how heat is converted into electricity in thermoelectric materials and how precipitates affect alloy strength. The benefits may include more informed materials design, more efficient thermoelectrics for sustainable energy technologies, and higher strength-to-weight ratio alloys.Read moreRead less
Ultra-high mobility Dirac semimetal nanostructures for solid state devices. This project aims to develop novel Dirac semimetal nanostructures and determine their structural and chemical characteristics to ultimately assemble high-performance devices. The growth of band-engineered nanostructures and understanding their evolution, fine structure and unique properties are key steps for developing high-performance nanostructure-based devices. The new knowledge and skills developed in this project wi ....Ultra-high mobility Dirac semimetal nanostructures for solid state devices. This project aims to develop novel Dirac semimetal nanostructures and determine their structural and chemical characteristics to ultimately assemble high-performance devices. The growth of band-engineered nanostructures and understanding their evolution, fine structure and unique properties are key steps for developing high-performance nanostructure-based devices. The new knowledge and skills developed in this project will greatly enhance the knowledge base of nanoscience and nanotechnology, and will have a significant impact on practical applications of nanostructure-based devices. This project will underpin the development of next-generation electronic nanomaterials that will enhance the long-term viability of Australia’s high-technology industries.Read moreRead less
Hot Topic: Quantum Design of Phononic Heat Filters. Heat management is critical to many technologies for sustainable energy, electronics, protective equipment and energy-efficient buildings. The phonon is the quantum particle representing a travelling vibration and is responsible for the transmission of heat in solids. This project will study the new mechanisms for phonon transport in solids modified with embedded nanoparticles, which operate as phononic filters. Neutron spectroscopy provides a ....Hot Topic: Quantum Design of Phononic Heat Filters. Heat management is critical to many technologies for sustainable energy, electronics, protective equipment and energy-efficient buildings. The phonon is the quantum particle representing a travelling vibration and is responsible for the transmission of heat in solids. This project will study the new mechanisms for phonon transport in solids modified with embedded nanoparticles, which operate as phononic filters. Neutron spectroscopy provides a tool to measure the phonon density of states which is critical for developing a mathematical model of thermal boundary resistance. This is expected to identify mechanisms for ultra-low thermal conductivity leading to potential applications in thermoelectric generators and heat-resistant materials.Read moreRead less
Hybrid photocatalytic nanomaterials for water purification. This project aims to synthesise and characterise a range of porous photocatalytic materials (materials that absorb light to catalyse a reaction), and to establish high-throughput processes to simultaneously test the effectiveness of multiple photocatalytic materials. This interdisciplinary project expects to develop two new techniques that will lead to faster materials optimisation of materials that breakdown organic pollutants in water ....Hybrid photocatalytic nanomaterials for water purification. This project aims to synthesise and characterise a range of porous photocatalytic materials (materials that absorb light to catalyse a reaction), and to establish high-throughput processes to simultaneously test the effectiveness of multiple photocatalytic materials. This interdisciplinary project expects to develop two new techniques that will lead to faster materials optimisation of materials that breakdown organic pollutants in water under light irradiation. The intended outcomes include the production of industrially relevant photocatalysts and building capability in Australia to decrease photocatalytic testing time and cost. This should provide significant benefits to industry and the environment, and have an impact on human health.Read moreRead less
Ferroelectric bilayer composites with giant electromechanical properties. This project aims to create a novel bilayer ferroelectric material structure that provides giant electromechanical response at the nano-scale. Traditional electromechanical devices based on ferroelectric materials including position sensors, mechanical actuators, and ultrasonic transducers rely on bulk form. As technology moves toward integrated functionalities, future electro-mechanical materials need to be scaled down t ....Ferroelectric bilayer composites with giant electromechanical properties. This project aims to create a novel bilayer ferroelectric material structure that provides giant electromechanical response at the nano-scale. Traditional electromechanical devices based on ferroelectric materials including position sensors, mechanical actuators, and ultrasonic transducers rely on bulk form. As technology moves toward integrated functionalities, future electro-mechanical materials need to be scaled down to thin film form. Currently, doing this induces mechanical constraints that dramatically suppress the electromechanical response. Using this approach one layer relieves this mechanical constraint while the other gives a giant electromechanical response, providing a pathway for future functional devices. Read moreRead less
Cost-effective metal selenide materials for solid-state devices. Thermoelectric materials, directly converting thermal energy into electrical energy, offer a green and sustainable solution for the global energy dilemma. This project aims to develop cost-effective metal selenide materials for high-efficiency solid-state devices using a novel industry-level approach, coupled with nanostructure and band engineering strategies. The key breakthrough is to design high-performance metal selenide thermo ....Cost-effective metal selenide materials for solid-state devices. Thermoelectric materials, directly converting thermal energy into electrical energy, offer a green and sustainable solution for the global energy dilemma. This project aims to develop cost-effective metal selenide materials for high-efficiency solid-state devices using a novel industry-level approach, coupled with nanostructure and band engineering strategies. The key breakthrough is to design high-performance metal selenide thermoelectric materials with engineered chemistry and unique structures for new generation thermoelectrics. The expected outcomes will lead to an innovative technology for harvesting electricity from waste heat or sunlight, which will place Australia at the forefront of energy and manufacturing technologies.Read moreRead less
Light Powered Materials for Producing Chemical Fuels. This project aims to develop a hybrid, solar-powered catalytic material for the manufacture of liquid hydrocarbon chemicals, without consuming external heating. The key concept is to transform hydrogen and carbon monoxide into long-chain hydrocarbons over hybrid materials that can convert light energy into heat and simultaneously catalyze the chemical transformation. Investigations on the relations between material synthesis, nanostructures, ....Light Powered Materials for Producing Chemical Fuels. This project aims to develop a hybrid, solar-powered catalytic material for the manufacture of liquid hydrocarbon chemicals, without consuming external heating. The key concept is to transform hydrogen and carbon monoxide into long-chain hydrocarbons over hybrid materials that can convert light energy into heat and simultaneously catalyze the chemical transformation. Investigations on the relations between material synthesis, nanostructures, and performance of the new catalysis processes will be conducted using experiments and theoretical computation. Expected outcomes include low cost and efficient materials for solar-to-fuel conversion, will provide benefits to low-carbon living, new clean energy resource and environmental protections.Read moreRead less
Energy-efficient liquid-flow system for electroreduction of carbon dioxide. Concerns about fossil fuel depletion and rising carbon emissions have brought about an urgent demand for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and utilisation technologies. Facilitated by the mechanism-driven catalyst development and engineering innovation, this project aims to deliver a durable and cost-effective approach to electrochemical transformation of CO2 into the valuable products. The proposed automatic liquid-flow reac ....Energy-efficient liquid-flow system for electroreduction of carbon dioxide. Concerns about fossil fuel depletion and rising carbon emissions have brought about an urgent demand for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and utilisation technologies. Facilitated by the mechanism-driven catalyst development and engineering innovation, this project aims to deliver a durable and cost-effective approach to electrochemical transformation of CO2 into the valuable products. The proposed automatic liquid-flow reactor system is expected to enable an energy efficient and practical viable CO2 reduction in benign aqueous electrolytes. The resulting innovations will not only reduce the environmental impact of atmospheric CO2 but also generate highly concentrated industrial feedstocks for the sustainable production of commodity chemicals.Read moreRead less