Developing Multi-Scale Technologies for Two-Dimensional Metal Nanoparticle Superlattice Sheets. Nanoparticle superlattices refer to highly ordered nanoparticle arrays, which are a new class of crystalline materials with collective properties different from those of bulk phase crystals, isolated nanocrystals and even disordered nanocrystal assemblies. However nanoparticle superlattice is still in the embryonic stage of development due to the lack of multiscale technologies. This project aims to d ....Developing Multi-Scale Technologies for Two-Dimensional Metal Nanoparticle Superlattice Sheets. Nanoparticle superlattices refer to highly ordered nanoparticle arrays, which are a new class of crystalline materials with collective properties different from those of bulk phase crystals, isolated nanocrystals and even disordered nanocrystal assemblies. However nanoparticle superlattice is still in the embryonic stage of development due to the lack of multiscale technologies. This project aims to develop such important technologies to produce two-dimensional nanoparticle superlattice sheets for novel energy-harvesting devices. This will generate new knowledge and important patentable technologies for future energy industries, contributing to further advance Australian knowledge base and build a greener world.Read moreRead less
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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100006
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Self-gating nanochannels for nanofluidic applications. This project aims to develop a platform strategy to fabricate self-gating nanochannels that undergo autonomous opening-closing changes without any on-off switching of external stimuli. These nanochannels mimic the unique structures and smart functions of biological protein channels, and thus are expected to improve smart membrane separation, energy conversion, biosensing, and nanofluidic devices. This research could improve biomimetic design ....Self-gating nanochannels for nanofluidic applications. This project aims to develop a platform strategy to fabricate self-gating nanochannels that undergo autonomous opening-closing changes without any on-off switching of external stimuli. These nanochannels mimic the unique structures and smart functions of biological protein channels, and thus are expected to improve smart membrane separation, energy conversion, biosensing, and nanofluidic devices. This research could improve biomimetic design of nanochannels and directly benefit the Australian manufacturing industry.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
Self-assembling nanoporous graphene with dialable pore sizes for green energy production. The biggest barrier to the Sun being our main energy source is it is not always available. This can be overcome by having an economical means of storing solar energy as it is produced. This project will demonstrate such a technology by using nanoporous graphene to support artificial photosynthesis to produce fuel from water and carbon dioxide using sunlight.
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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100071
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Light-bending strategies of next generation scalable plasmonic devices. This project will focus on a goal of engineering novel plasmonic metamaterials for manipulating light at the nanoscale. In particular, it will employ curved anodized alumina templates as well as 3D hybrid structures to explore light bending and strong resonances at the visible spectral range. Plasmonic metamaterials offer a unique ability to control subwavelength light propagation, for achieving unprecedented sensing sensiti ....Light-bending strategies of next generation scalable plasmonic devices. This project will focus on a goal of engineering novel plasmonic metamaterials for manipulating light at the nanoscale. In particular, it will employ curved anodized alumina templates as well as 3D hybrid structures to explore light bending and strong resonances at the visible spectral range. Plasmonic metamaterials offer a unique ability to control subwavelength light propagation, for achieving unprecedented sensing sensitivities and emerging nanophotonics phenomena. However, fabrication challenges and high losses hamper their application in the visible spectral range. Engineering these plasmonic structures in a scalable manner should strengthen Australia’s economy, lead to new industrial companies in the emerging field of plasmonics, attract international investments and create job opportunities.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