Fire-retardant Solid State Electrolytes for Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries. This project aims to develop solid-state composite electrolytes combining exceptional flame retardancy and high ion conductivity for lithium-ion batteries. By leveraging merits of both polymer and ceramic electrolytes, the resultant composite electrolytes are expected to enhance battery safety by replacing existing flammable liquid counterparts. The project will advance the knowledge on the design and optimization of soli ....Fire-retardant Solid State Electrolytes for Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries. This project aims to develop solid-state composite electrolytes combining exceptional flame retardancy and high ion conductivity for lithium-ion batteries. By leveraging merits of both polymer and ceramic electrolytes, the resultant composite electrolytes are expected to enhance battery safety by replacing existing flammable liquid counterparts. The project will advance the knowledge on the design and optimization of solid-state electrolytes, and the understanding on the fire-retarding and ionic conducting mechanisms of composite electrolytes. The outcomes of this project will contribute to the reduction of battery fires, the skills development in the Australian battery industry, and the advancement of a sustainable carbon-zero economy.Read moreRead less
Empowering Wearable Smart Devices with 3D Printed Energy Storage. This project aims to design and develop functional nanomaterials and nanocomposites for high-performance wearable energy storage devices. A functional materials approach, together with precise control of device architecture through multi-materials additive manufacturing will be used to achieve maximum device performance. The expected outcomes include (i) fundamental understanding the structural-property relationships of materials ....Empowering Wearable Smart Devices with 3D Printed Energy Storage. This project aims to design and develop functional nanomaterials and nanocomposites for high-performance wearable energy storage devices. A functional materials approach, together with precise control of device architecture through multi-materials additive manufacturing will be used to achieve maximum device performance. The expected outcomes include (i) fundamental understanding the structural-property relationships of materials and devices and (ii) the establishment of the fundamental principles on the microfabrication of flexible energy storage devices. The project secures Australia’s leading position in materials chemistry and advanced manufacturing, bringing economic benefit through the commercialisation of wearable devices.Read moreRead less
Zwitterion-based electrolytes for advanced energy technologies. This research aims to develop a new class of electrolyte that is safer, non-flammable and designed to enable excellent performance of high energy batteries made with either sodium or lithium. Through the synthesis of new electrolyte structures that are designed to improve stability and electrochemical properties, and using a range of analysis techniques to understand the material properties, the project aims to solve some of the saf ....Zwitterion-based electrolytes for advanced energy technologies. This research aims to develop a new class of electrolyte that is safer, non-flammable and designed to enable excellent performance of high energy batteries made with either sodium or lithium. Through the synthesis of new electrolyte structures that are designed to improve stability and electrochemical properties, and using a range of analysis techniques to understand the material properties, the project aims to solve some of the safety and performance problems that plague existing electrolytes. Expected benefits include new functional energy materials for safer, more reliable energy storage technologies, plus research training, collaborations and materials development capabilities to help position Australia as a global leader in this field.Read moreRead less
All-Solid-state Sodium-ion Batteries for Renewable Energy Industry. Sodium-ion batteries have been widely recognised as scalable and sustainable system for renewable energy storage and conversion owing to abundant resource of sodium and low cost. However, the electrochemical performance and safety of this technology must be improved for practical deployment. This project aims to rationally design and synthesise solid-state polymer electrolytes with high sodium ion conductivity and high sodium io ....All-Solid-state Sodium-ion Batteries for Renewable Energy Industry. Sodium-ion batteries have been widely recognised as scalable and sustainable system for renewable energy storage and conversion owing to abundant resource of sodium and low cost. However, the electrochemical performance and safety of this technology must be improved for practical deployment. This project aims to rationally design and synthesise solid-state polymer electrolytes with high sodium ion conductivity and high sodium ion transfer number. The expected outcome of the project is to manufacture all-solid-state sodium-ion batteries for renewable energy industry in Australia. The project will support the transition of energy supply to renewables, and therefore attain a secure and reliable zero-carbon emission energy future. Read moreRead less
Silicon-based Anode Materials for Next Generation Lithium-ion Batteries. This project aims to develop low-cost high-performance silicon-based anode materials for next generation high-energy lithium-ion batteries. A cutting-edge in situ reduction and encapsulation technique will be developed to synthesise sub-nanometer silicon nanoparticles homogeneously embedded in graphite matrix. The newly developed silicon-based anode material is expected to deliver high specific capacity and long cycle life. ....Silicon-based Anode Materials for Next Generation Lithium-ion Batteries. This project aims to develop low-cost high-performance silicon-based anode materials for next generation high-energy lithium-ion batteries. A cutting-edge in situ reduction and encapsulation technique will be developed to synthesise sub-nanometer silicon nanoparticles homogeneously embedded in graphite matrix. The newly developed silicon-based anode material is expected to deliver high specific capacity and long cycle life. The novel silicon-based anode materials will boost the energy density of next generation lithium-ion batteries, which will be used to power electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. This project will benefit the industry partner to launch commercial production of silicon-based anode materials for global market. Read moreRead less
Quest for Sustainable Electrochemical Energy Storage System. This project aims to develop high performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries for grid-scale renewable energy storage. Rechargeable zinc-ion battery is a promising electrochemical energy storage technology owing to its high safety, low-cost and environmental friendliness. By developing high capacity cathode materials, dendrite-free zinc metal anodes and advanced electrolytes, this project expects to achieve practical aqueous zinc-ion batter ....Quest for Sustainable Electrochemical Energy Storage System. This project aims to develop high performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries for grid-scale renewable energy storage. Rechargeable zinc-ion battery is a promising electrochemical energy storage technology owing to its high safety, low-cost and environmental friendliness. By developing high capacity cathode materials, dendrite-free zinc metal anodes and advanced electrolytes, this project expects to achieve practical aqueous zinc-ion batteries with high energy density, long cycle life and cost-effectiveness. The deployment of zinc-ion batteries will enable integration of renewable energies and stabilisation of electricity networks. The project will directly support Australia’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.Read moreRead less
Novel Membranes for High-performance Zinc-Iron Redox Flow Batteries. Membrane is a critical component in zinc-iron redox flow battery (ZIRFB) which is considered a promising technology for large-scale energy storage in the future. This project aims to design and construct high performance membranes using low-cost polymers and nanostructured carbon materials through functionalization and innovative membrane structure design. The goal is to develop cost-effective membranes that possess high ion-se ....Novel Membranes for High-performance Zinc-Iron Redox Flow Batteries. Membrane is a critical component in zinc-iron redox flow battery (ZIRFB) which is considered a promising technology for large-scale energy storage in the future. This project aims to design and construct high performance membranes using low-cost polymers and nanostructured carbon materials through functionalization and innovative membrane structure design. The goal is to develop cost-effective membranes that possess high ion-selectivity and ion conductivity as well as stability that are required to fabricate high performance, long cycle lifetime ZIRFB. Successful achievement of the outcomes will enable cost-effective, reliable ZIRFB, placing Australia at the forefront of exploiting flow batteries based clean energy storage technologies. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100868
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,847.00
Summary
High-energy lithium-air batteries, a breathable future for renewable energy. Lithium-air (Li-air) batteries have the highest energy density which is ten folds over commercial lithium-ion batteries. However, the development of Li-air batteries has been impeded by challenges including low capacity, poor energy efficiency and limited cycle life. This project aims to develop a high-energy Li-air battery prototype with long cycle life by designing functional quasi-solid gel polymer electrolytes with ....High-energy lithium-air batteries, a breathable future for renewable energy. Lithium-air (Li-air) batteries have the highest energy density which is ten folds over commercial lithium-ion batteries. However, the development of Li-air batteries has been impeded by challenges including low capacity, poor energy efficiency and limited cycle life. This project aims to develop a high-energy Li-air battery prototype with long cycle life by designing functional quasi-solid gel polymer electrolytes with multi-layer structures via molecular tuning, which could potentially power next-generation electric vehicles. This project is expected to facilitate the commercialisation of high-performance Li-air batteries and promote the development of energy storage devices that are reliable, benefiting both the economy and environment.Read moreRead less
Targeted electrolyte design for high energy aqueous batteries. The Project aims to develop a new generation, high-energy aqueous battery. A range of new aqueous electrolytes with large working window at low concentration will be designed to replace traditional, flammable and toxic organic electrolytes, and; low-cost and multi-electron reaction materials will be developed as high-capacity electrodes to replace traditional intercalation-type materials. The Project will establish the structure-prop ....Targeted electrolyte design for high energy aqueous batteries. The Project aims to develop a new generation, high-energy aqueous battery. A range of new aqueous electrolytes with large working window at low concentration will be designed to replace traditional, flammable and toxic organic electrolytes, and; low-cost and multi-electron reaction materials will be developed as high-capacity electrodes to replace traditional intercalation-type materials. The Project will establish the structure-property relationship for electrolytes and interphases via advanced characterization(s) and computation. The new battery will be safe, energetic and sustainable for the billion-dollar energy storage market for electric vehicle, and smart-grid whilst addressing concurrently battery safety and boosted energy-density.Read moreRead less
Rational Electrolyte Design and Engineering for Next-Generation Batteries. The fast-growing energy storage market demands new battery technologies with high energy density. Lithium (Li) metal batteries are an ideal solution, although instability of the Li metal/electrolyte interface remains a challenge. The project aims to drive key advancements in electrolyte engineering for Li metal batteries with long life and high safety. Advanced characterisation and computation will reveal the structure-pr ....Rational Electrolyte Design and Engineering for Next-Generation Batteries. The fast-growing energy storage market demands new battery technologies with high energy density. Lithium (Li) metal batteries are an ideal solution, although instability of the Li metal/electrolyte interface remains a challenge. The project aims to drive key advancements in electrolyte engineering for Li metal batteries with long life and high safety. Advanced characterisation and computation will reveal the structure-property relationship of electrolyte to build electrolyte design principles. This will contribute to ground-breaking knowledge, commercialisation, and boost Australia’s capability to design and manufacture next-generation energy storage devices for billion-dollar markets in smart grids, portable devices and electric vehicles.Read moreRead less