THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Paths to primacy: How rising powers win domination in Asia, 1500-present. This Fellowship aims to investigate how, when and why rising powers have historically won regional domination in Asia from 1500CE-present. China today threatens to displace America as Asia’s pre-eminent power. This study will comprehensively examine Asia’s historical geopolitics since 1500, and expects to to produce a new conceptual framework that explains how, when and why rising powers either succeed or fail to seize regional primacy from their Great Power rivals. The project expects to significantly improve Australia’s historical understanding of the power contests that have made modern Asia, and enhance policymakers’ ability to learn from this history in understanding and responding to modern struggles for regional supremacy. Field of research: 4408 - Political Science China is now challenging America for recognition as Asia’s leading Great Power, threatening the peace that has upheld Australian security since 1945. Australian policymakers have responded with balancing strategies, designed to check China’s ambitions and preserve US leadership. These strategies draw inspiration from Western powers’ historical success in constraining rising powers in Europe. But they ignore Asia’s vastly different history, where successful rising powers have often won regional domination. This project will produce the first comprehensive database of Asia’s Great Power contests from 1500-present, and develop a new framework explaining how, when and why rising powers in Asia succeed or fail in their bids for regional domination. This research will help policymakers develop more historically informed and practically effective strategies to manage China’s rise in ways that best defend Australia’s security and sovereignty. The research will be shared with national security practitioners through workshops that build off existing collaborations, ensuring rapid knowledge transfer to policymakers.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Biofilm-based solution for cost-effective high-quality drinking water. Approximately 90% of the drinking water in Australia is sourced from surface water bodies, which are naturally rich in nutrients and organic matter. This leads to the growth of cyanobacteria, which are known to be a major cause of taste and odour compounds and cyanotoxins. Climate change is causing increased cyanobacterial growth due to higher temperatures, exacerbating this existing challenge to water utilities. This project proposes a novel biofilm-based approach for cost-effective drinking water treatment production. Our approach represents a simple retrofit to existing processes and drastically reduces the chemical dosing costs and improve climate resilience while ensuring the production of high-quality, safe drinking water. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering Australia resources most of its drinking water from surface water sources, which are naturally rich in nutrients and organic matter. The high solar exposure also promotes the growth of cyanobacteria, which are known to be a major cause of taste and odour compounds (e.g. geosmin and MIB), as well as cyanotoxins, problems that are being exacerbated due to climate change. Dissolved organic matter needs to be removed prior to disinfection as it is the major precursor of potentially harmful disinfection by-products. Cost-effective drinking water treatment that yields safe, high-quality water is needed to sustain utilities and augment consumer confidence in their tap water. For these reasons, the novel technological solution presented in this project is highly relevant to the Australian Water industry and population in general. This project, supported by 2 major utilities in Queensland and South Australia serving 20% of the national population, will facilitate the implementation of this technology by water utilities across the country, presenting high national benefit to the economy, environment and public health.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Understanding and overcoming community roadblocks to achieving net-zero . In the last 15 years, humans emitted a quarter of the greenhouse gases ever emitted by our species. Reversing this trajectory will require extraordinary levels of community support in the face of painful transformations of our society. This project will understand the psychological factors underpinning climate (in)action, test strategies capable of catalysing action, and deliver a suite of impact tools for government, industry, and green innovators. The significant benefits that will emerge will assist in future-proofing the economy, increasing government flexibility to drive change, and reducing social conflict. The project will inform Australia’s transition from a fossil fuel dependent economy to a leader in rapid decarbonisation. Field of research: 5205 - Social and Personality Psychology In the last 15 years, humans emitted a quarter of the greenhouse gases ever emitted by our species. Reversing this trajectory will require extraordinary levels of community support in the face of painful transformations of our society and may be met with opposition. This project will involve research that will map community attitudes toward decarbonisation, understand psychological factors underpinning climate (in)action, test communication strategies for catalysing action at scale, and deliver impact tools for end-users. The primary benefit of this program is that it will provide early warning signals as to where and why resistance is brewing as we transition to a low-carbon society, and offer tools for smoothing that transition. The significant benefits that will emerge will assist in future-proofing the economy, increasing government flexibility to drive change, and reducing social conflict. The project will inform Australia’s transition from a fossil fuel dependent economy to a leader in rapid decarbonisation. This research will help any sector responsible for the carbon transition, including all levels of government, NGOs, the energy sector, and green technology innovators.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Integrated solar to chemical production and membrane concentration system. The efficient conversion of low-cost raw materials to high-value chemicals using solar energy has been a long sought-after goal. This project aims to create an integrated photoreactor and membrane separation system for efficient photocatalytic water splitting. The integrated system will efficiently produce hydrogen and ultrapure hydrogen peroxide, a critical and costly reagent used in the semiconductor and solar panel manufacturing industries. The integrated system addresses current challenges in the production of high-quality hydrogen peroxide and demonstrates a practical solar-to-chemical process with economic benefits. It also advances knowledge in the fields of nanomaterials engineering, photocatalytic devices, and membrane technology. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering The goal of this project is to create an photocatalytic reactor and a membrane separation integrated system. Renewable solar energy will be combined with pure water raw materials to produce value-added chemicals (green hydrogen and hydrogen peroxide). This project represents genuine opportunities to produce high-value-added products using solar energy, in addition to advances in photocatalytic materials engineering and membrane separation. The intended product (high purity hydrogen peroxide) of this Linkage project can meet the rapidly increasing demand in the LED, solar panel, and semiconductor manufacturing industries, particularly in East Asia. This project would allow Australia to use its abundant renewable energy resources to produce green chemicals, allowing the country's economy to diversify and restructure in the future by exporting high-value-added chemicals. Furthermore, the integrated system will shed light on the synthesis of other chemical products, resulting in additional commercial opportunities that go beyond the scope of the current project.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Chemicals in compostable food contact paper packaging materials. The aim of this project is to understand the presence of persistent chemicals in recyclable and compostable food contact materials (FCMs). These types of products are destined for recycling or biowaste streams that bridge the gap from take-make-dispose and into a circular economy. Currently, the knowledge of the chemicals in these products is limited but we need to ensure that they are safe and do not unnecessarily contaminate resource recovery streams. It is expected that this project will develop a framework that could be used by industry and government to prevent chemicals of concern persisting in a circular economy, providing environmental and economic benefits through reduced risk of chemical exposure and unnecessary remediation costs. Field of research: 4105 - Pollution and Contamination Conventional paper food packaging materials used in Australia are known to contain chemicals of concern presenting risks for human and environmental health. This project investigates what chemicals are present in biodegradable, compostable and/or recyclable paper food packaging products and whether they persist when composted. Aligning with the Recycling and Clean Energy National Manufacturing Priority and the Food Science and Research Priority as well as Australia’s waste policies and action plans, this investigation is imperative as Australia moves towards a circular economy and we look for environmentally friendly packaging alternatives. This collaboration will develop a framework to help guide industry and policy makers in ensuring the sustainability of Australia’s paper food packaging materials, reducing waste as well as the environmental and economic burden associated with chemical exposures.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

The lost ocean of eastern Australia and its critical metals endowment. This project aims to unravel the tectonic origin and economic potential of ultramafic rocks (rocks which host elevated concentrations of nickel, cobalt, chromium, and platinum-group elements). Such rocks are outcropping in eastern Australia along a contorted ~1500 km long belt that may record relics of an ancient ocean. Through detailed mapping and cutting-edge analytical techniques, the project is expected to fill a crucial knowledge gap in Australian tectonics, while providing information on ore mineralisation. The expected outcomes, including new tectonic models unveiling the scale, geometry, and economic potential of the ultramafic bodies, could benefit critical mineral exploration, carbon storage solutions, and geoecology conservation. Field of research: 3703 - Geochemistry Australia’s goal to reach net zero emissions requires growing supplies of critical metals and solutions for carbon storage. Both issues could benefit from research on ultramafic rocks, which are potentially suitable carbon traps, and host cobalt, chromium, platinum-group elements, and nickel (used for rechargeable batteries, fuel cells, and stainless steel). But ultramafic rocks are rarely exposed in continents and are typically restricted to narrow zones that once formed the substrate of ancient oceans. Focusing on an ultramafic belt in eastern Australia, the project’s anticipated outcome will generate detailed geological maps, new analytical data, and innovative tectonic models, which could help identify mineralised zones. Partner organisations will be provided with highly specialised geological data that will be disseminated to industry in the form of exploration packages that can be used for critical mineral exploration and developing carbon storage solutions. Outcomes will also benefit Australia’s economy and industry by providing training to research students in highly sought geological mapping skills.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Utilising novel Pongamia trees to decarbonise Australia’s beef value-chain. Progress towards a carbon neutral beef industry typically focusses on nutritional strategies, overlooking potential innovations in farming system configuration. This project aims to develop a framework for the integration of Pongamia into beef production systems, so that not only emissions reductions are maximised, but also to support carbon capture and farm system resilience. This project seeks to determine the impact of Pongamia meal on cattle production efficiency, meat quality and methane emissions. Through quantification of carbon sequestration potential in tree plantations, whole-farm modelling will elucidate production scenarios capable of achieving the reductions needed for a carbon neutral Australian beef industry. Field of research: 3002 - Agriculture, Land and Farm Management Over 40% of Australia’s land area supports livestock farming, underpinning the economy and many regional communities. Yet the industry faces continual pressure to improve productivity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This project explores how Pongamia, a drought tolerant native Australian tree, can be integrated into cattle farming systems to provide improved feed supplements that reduce enteric methane emissions and sequester carbon in woody biomass. The inclusion of partners AACo. and MLA will ensure industry adoption through their extension networks. Expected project outcomes are: 1) an industry-ready, high lipid feed supplement that reduces cattle methane emissions while maintaining cattle productivity and meat quality; 2) a model for integrating beef-Pongamia co-production that potentially enhances profitability of cattle farming enterprises across different climate and value-chain contexts. These outcomes will benefit Australia by providing feasible and innovative solutions to reduce the beef industry’s carbon footprint while securing high quality beef production and farmer income streams.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Removal of Perfluorinated Chemicals Using New Fluorinated Polymer Sorbents. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of highly persistent chemicals that are linked to a number of human diseases, however existing approaches for removal of PFAS are highly inefficient. This project aims to develop and evaluate novel, reusable polymer sorbents for effective PFAS removal. The polymer sorbents will enable efficient, selective and continuous sorption of PFAS, while maintaining excellent environmental stability for long-term implementation in practical devices. The project will develop novel polymer sorbents to revolutionize the remediation of PFAS with high technical, economic and environmental feasibility, creating a pathway to a PFAS-free world, and ultimately protecting the natural environment. Field of research: 3403 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent chemicals that have been used extensively in a range of common household products and industrial applications in Australia, including non-stick cookware and fire-fighting foams. Unfortunately, the properties that make PFAS so effective in many applications also make them toxic to the environment and human health. PFAS contamination in the environment, particularly in waterways, is widespread, and the Australian Government has set up a PFAS Taskforce to manage PFAS contamination. This project aims to develop a new, reusable technology for efficient, continuous removal of PFAS. The new technology will enable significant improvements over conventional removal methods. It will also place Australia at the forefront of the $300 billion/year PFAS remediation global market by licensing the intellectual property to industry partners and translating the technology into commercial products. This new technology is an important first step to a PFAS-free world and ultimately protecting Australia’s natural environment and people.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Research evidence in the not-for-profit sector and consumer-driven change. This project has three aims: first, to further build research literacy within the not-for-profit human service sector; second, to contribute new knowledge about how human service sector clients can shape the nature of the services they rely upon; and third, develop a framework for human service clients, human service practitioners, and government stakeholders to more actively and collaboratively engage in social policy development. The project expects to generate new knowledge to underpin consumer led and transformations in the human service sector. Expected outcomes of the project include a greater understanding of how not-for-profit organisations can bring together their clients and governments to collaboratively solve social problems. Field of research: 4410 - Sociology Australia relies upon the not-for-profit human services sector, such as domestic violence and homeless shelters, to provide vital care and resources to Australia’s most disadvantaged citizens. Yet there is a pressing need to share the experience of citizens who have needed to use the services, and those who operate the services to enable improvements and better meet the needs of individuals. Moreover, policy decisions that govern this sector do not currently draw on this information. Our project will bring together core stakeholders to design a new framework to engage users in the sector’s practice improvements and influence innovation in policy decision-making. The outputs from this project will benefit Australian society, economy, and culture by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the services. It would build the evidence base to help transform the sector and achieve better results through industry collaboration. Our project has the potential to significantly enhance the lives of many Australians who rely on the non-for-profit human services for community care and support.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Protecting aquifers in the race to net-zero carbon emissions. This project aims to address the key risk factor of gas leakage from carbon dioxide geological sequestration and hydrogen or compressed air renewable-energy storage. This project expects to develop innovative methods for monitoring gas leakage contamination into overlying Australian aquifer water resources. Expected outcomes of this project include a multidisciplinary method to detect leakages of CO2 and future stored-energy gases that can contaminate aquifers. This should provide significant benefits including enabling greenhouse gas emissions reduction while protecting Australian water resources. This is critically important for Great Artesian Basin aquifers that support over 180,000 Australians and overlie many planned storage sites. Field of research: 4101 - Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Technologies are essential for greenhouse gas emissions reduction in Australia’s race to net-zero. Carbon dioxide geological sequestration, and hydrogen, or compressed air renewable energy storage inject gas underground. Storage reservoirs are below Australian groundwater aquifers including the Great Artesian Basin (GAB). The risk of stored gas leakage, contaminating overlying aquifers, must be identified. This project aims to develop an innovative method identifying leakage of stored carbon dioxide, compressed air, or hydrogen. The GAB is Australia’s largest aquifer, groundwaters and springs have cultural, and social significance, providing water to agriculture and town supply, generating $13 billion/year, supporting 180,000 people, 7,600 businesses and 120 towns. The methodologies developed in this project will support Australian low-emissions technologies predicted to create 100,000 regional jobs, mitigating climate change, while protecting important water resources. The outcomes will provide tools for government, industry, and regional communities to monitor gas leakage impacts to water resources.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Transforming urban water management through technology translation . Through university and industry partnership, this project will develop and demonstrate, at pilot scale, a highly innovative technology that manufactures an iron salt, FeCO3, for use in urban water management, and simultaneously removes CO2, H2S and NH3 from biogas thus achieving biogas valorisation. This project will demonstrate the effectiveness of FeCO3 produced, in infrastructure protection, nutrients removal and recycling, and capacity enhancement of wastewater treatment plants. The outcomes of this project will lead to the adoption and commercialisation of the technology, which will substantially enhance the sustainability of urban water management in Australia, and also create jobs in, and bring incomes to Australia. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering Iron salts in various forms are used in wastewater treatment to remove contaminants and maintaining public health by supporting the production of drinking water and processing solids into other products. These chemicals are normally produced as by-products of other industries, in corrosive and difficult-to-use forms. More importantly, the iron salts are produced remotely from where they are required. This project will deliver a technology enabling water utility providers to manufacture iron salts within a wastewater treatment plant themselves. Via the removal of carbon dioxide from biogas, the process simultaneously produces an upgraded biogas suitable as a car fuel or for injection into natural gas networks. This new and sustainable process will enable the Australian water industry to establish a novel, self-reliant, and more secure supply chain for wastewater treatment, with enormous economic and environmental benefits to Australia, and simultaneously achieve recovery of high-quality bioenergy for additional uses.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Safeguarding dams and levees from internal erosion failure. This project aims to improve the reliability and robustness of quantifying the risk of internal erosion failure in dams and levees. Existing industry approaches are reliant on judgement and experience. Using an innovative approach that integrates a variety of data sources, this project expects to objectively quantify risk based on the underlying internal erosion mechanisms. Expected outcomes include the translation of new knowledge to update current empirical understanding, the development of models to directly assess risk, and additional data to obtain the probability of failure. This should provide significant benefits by reducing subjectivity in assessing risk and improving industry confidence in identifying susceptible assets. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering Australia is experiencing a resurgence in proposals for new and upgraded dams and levees as highlighted by the recent highly publicised Warragamba Dam upgrade for flood mitigation, and the Pioneer-Burdekin Dam to support pumped hydro energy storage. There are limited resources to manage these publicly funded assets and risk assessments play a vital role in identifying susceptible assets. While internal erosion is a major cause of dam failure, the current risk framework is highly dependent on user judgement and experience. This project will develop tools that engineering consultancies can use to quantify risk based on an improved understanding of internal erosion. These tools will be employed within existing risk frameworks, thereby providing a tangible pathway to translate new knowledge to better inform technical, regulatory, and governmental decision-makers. A more robust risk framework will improve the resilience of dams and levees, which benefits Australia through improved water security, facilitate the shift to renewable energy, and support the economy through energy generation and irrigation.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

"Circular Economy", via renewable energy and resource recovery. In a circular economy context, wastewater utilities are well placed to exploit the commercial potential of microalgae. Sewage treatment plants have an abundance of key nutrients required for algae growth, existing dewatering infrastructure that is suitable for harvesting algae and in some cases, existing anaerobic digestion infrastructure suitable for the conversion of microalgae to renewable energy in the form of biogas. This project aims to upscale wastewater-based algae production that will enable increased renewable energy production via anaerobic digestion, for onsite thermal, electrical energy and upgraded liquefied natural gas. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering The use of natural resources and renewable energy together with sustainable practices has become a critical driver for wastewater utilities and industries. This project aims to use the power of microalgae which are invisible to the naked eye, and sunlight to harvest nutrients in wastewater, whilst removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Traditional wastewater practices involve energy and carbon intensive nutrient removal technologies. The use of microalgae will allow innovative, cost-effective, environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment, producing renewable energy and quality organic fertilisers from the algae. Using carbon from algae to create sustainable products will help Australia reduce energy and carbon emissions from wastewater treatment, and also support the country's transition towards a circular economy with no carbon emissions. This brings direct benefits to Australian society, including a cleaner environment and a more sustainable economy. This project has broad industry support from treatment utilities, which will drive adoption of the technology in wastewater treatment plants.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Materials Nanotectonics: Designing Conductive Inorganic Porous Materials. This project aims to develop the next generation of conductive porous materials through an integrated approach which combines inorganic synthesis with informatics. Using this approach, transition metals can be combined with nonmetals creating mesoporous materials with precise control of their internal space allowing the correlations between structure, composition, properties, and performance to be revealed. This project is expected to generate new highly efficient electrocatalysts and energy conversion devices based on low-cost and earth-abundant transition metals. The project outcomes will position Australia at the forefront of research and development in advanced materials, smart catalysts, and renewable energy technologies. Field of research: 3403 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry A key vision of Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy is the production of hydrogen from renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions and support future energy needs. Water electrolysis, the process which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electrical energy, provides a sustainable method for producing clean hydrogen. However, the high cost of catalysts (materials that promote electrolysis) and their low energy conversion efficiency are challenges for wider adoption of this technology. This project aims to combine inorganic synthesis and machine learning to develop new conductive porous catalysts based on cheap and abundant non-precious metals. These catalysts will be used to develop energy conversion devices that are more efficient at producing hydrogen. It is expected that valuable intellectual property will arise from this project which will be licensed to industry partners for large-scale manufacturing of these devices. In doing so, this project will help support Australia’s positioning as a global leader in hydrogen-based renewable energy technology and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Forces in Nature: Tissue mechanics and cell sociology. Epithelial cells cover surfaces in the body, forming a shield to protect us from the environment. Despite their importance, we understand poorly how the cells communicate. This project aims to test the novel concept that epithelial cells communicate via transmission and detection of mechanical forces, using an innovative combination of cellular and biophysical experiments and physical theory. The expected outcomes are new knowledge, interdisciplinary training for young scientists, new national research capacity and growing international collaborations. Benefits include enhancing Australia’s scientific linkages and research capacity and providing fundamental knowledge that could lead to future advances in bioengineering and drug discovery. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Epithelial cells form layers that cover most internal and external surfaces of the body including the skin and internal organs, creating shields to protect the body from environmental stressors. We do not fully understand how these important cells communicate with each other to provide this protective barrier. This project will study how epithelial cells use mechanical forces to communicate to keep their tissues in a state of stability while also adjusting to conditions that are best for their survival. This project applies the new science of mechanobiology to understand how these cells communicate with each other using mechanical forces to transmit signals that detect stress. Understanding how mechanical force within cells supports stress detection will ultimately enable us to develop new approaches for tissue engineering, and new ways to develop drugs to combat diseases in both animals and humans. These provide new opportunities for Australian biotechnology and industry, realized through a new workforce and new industrial processes that apply physical approaches to diagnose and manipulate biological processes.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Bringing Equality Home: A New Gender Agenda. Compared to other countries, Australia has slipped backwards in achieving gender equality and is in danger of falling further behind. This jeopardises opportunities for all Australians and undermines social cohesion and economic progress. This project aims to provide the theoretical and empirical foundations to reverse this trend. The expected outcomes will be a new theory of gender inequality, a new approach that foregrounds the explanatory importance of caregiving and domestic work and new insights into the life course stages where gender inequality is most malleable. This will provide significant benefits including the impetus for new research, policy initiatives and capacity to build a more equal, stronger and prosperous Australia. Field of research: 4410 - Sociology Since the 1970s Australia has taken important steps to address gender inequality. But in the last 16 years our global ranking has fallen. Gender inequality limits women’s and men's potential and undercuts social and economic development. At the current rate of change it is estimated that it will take over 100 years to achieve gender equality in Australia. This project aims to turn this around. It will provide a new approach that explains why changes to legislation are not enough and why we must turn our attention to caregiving and social relationships in the home to progress gender equality. The research will benefit Australia by showing how to reduce motherhood penalties in loss of employment and earnings and fatherhood penalties in loss of time with children. It will identify the life course stages where interventions will be most impactful. It will advance the potential of women and men by increasing knowledge, training, policy and practice for social cohesion and economic prosperity. The work is pivotal to improving gender equality and essential for ensuring Australia realises its potential to create better and fairer outcomes for all.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Mitigating the negative effects of process water on recovering gold. Low quality water has been used in the minerals industry to save fresh water but shows harmful effects on gold extraction. This project aims to understand the interactions of organic and inorganic components, existing in process water, with gold and determine problematic components that inhibit gold extraction. Expected outcomes will be developed bio-sorbents, based on agriculture waste, that can remove the problematic components in process water efficiently and economically. This will provide major benefits for the minerals industry by providing options to respond and adapt to the impacts of water quality change, leading to increases in yield, revenue and growth of the precious metal sector whilst cutting poisonous chemical consumptions. Field of research: 4019 - Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy Low quality water has been used in the minerals industry to save fresh water but shows harmful effects on gold extraction. This project aims to transform the extraction of gold from its ores by efficiently and economically mitigating the harmful effects of process water used at gold processing plants. The interactions of organic and inorganic components in process water with gold will be determined and bio-sorbents based on agriculture waste will be developed to remove the problematic components. The anticipated project outcomes expect to provide options for the Australian minerals industry to respond and adapt to the impacts of water quality change, leading to the benefits of increased yield, revenue, and growth of the precious metal sector as well as reduced operating costs and poisonous chemical consumptions at gold extraction plants. The developed bio-sorbents, based on the agriculture waste approach, have an additional benefit as they will add value to the Australian agriculture sector and reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated from agriculture waste sent to landfill.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Engaging the over 50s to ensure the sustainability of our blood supply. Australia faces blood shortages as our population ages and demand for blood-product derived treatments increase. Donors aged over 50 donate more regularly with fewer adverse events than younger donors, yet comprise under 24% of blood donors. This multi-method project aims to investigate how those aged over 50 understand and engage with blood donation in the context of ageing, and how their involvement can be managed to maintain psychosocial wellbeing. This project expects to generate new knowledge in recruiting, retaining, and deferring older blood donors. Expected outcomes include tailored, validated resources that may significantly benefit Australia by effectively engaging older adults to ensure the sustainability of the blood supply. Field of research: 5205 - Social and Personality Psychology As the Australian population ages, demand for blood-product treatments increases exponentially. However, the stability of the national blood supply is challenged by the infrequent engagement of young donors. Those aged 50+ donate more frequently yet comprise less than 24% of active and 14% of new donors annually. With increased life expectancy, blood donation is an important social role that can help people age well. This research program will build understanding of the motives and barriers to donating among older people and identify the impact of becoming ineligible to donate. The outputs of this research will provide long-term social and cultural benefits to Australia through producing validated resources for blood collectors to encourage greater inclusiveness of older people in blood donation and to effectively transition older people from this social role when they can no long donate. This will generate cost-effective ways to increase participation in blood donation and provide significant long-term economic benefit to Australia in addition to ensuring the stability of the national blood supply.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Advanced all-Iron flow batteries for stationary energy storage. Iron flow batteries are one of the most promising choices for clean, reliable and cost effective long-duration energy storage. The main obstacle for large scale commercial deployment is the low round-trip energy efficiency caused by the competitive side reaction that occurs at the negative electrode during battery charging. The project aims to address this issue by engineering the negative electrode-electrolyte interface with functional materials to improve battery performance and thus further reduce the cost of energy storage. Expected outcomes include new materials and methods for advanced battery technology and manufacturing. The success of the project will significantly support the national priority of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Australia has an ambitious target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and long duration energy storage technologies are vital for wide utilisation of renewable energy sources and increasing the spread of these technologies within energy infrastructure. Iron flow batteries with the remarkable advantage of low cost iron based raw materials are one of the most promising technologies for this purpose, but are still hindered by technical challenges. This project aims to solve this problem by developing new functional materials and technology for these batteries. The success of the project will help reduce energy storage costs and propel the Australian government’s investment in material science and engineering for clean energy. The developed technology for the fabrication of low-cost iron flow batteries will be directly transferred to local industries for commercialisation, which will promote Australia’s ability to deliver large-scale energy storage and enhance the industrial chain of energy materials, boosting the economic growth of Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Dual-membrane upgrading towards sustainable wastewater management. Water utilities in Australia have set aspirational targets for energy- and carbon-neutral wastewater services by as early as 2030. However, these two aims are often incompatible because of excessive aeration energy consumption and substantial greenhouse gas emissions in wastewater treatment plants. This project aims to develop a novel biotechnology that enables simultaneous bioenergy recovery, cost-efficient nitrogen removal and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, thus bringing multifaceted benefits to wastewater management. The project will provide strong support to the Australian water industry in their endeavour to achieve economically and environmentally sustainable wastewater services. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering In seeking sustainable water resources management, wastewater is now being considered more as a resource than as a waste. However, to do this, a completely new process design is required to overcome two key barriers, which are the cost-efficient nitrogen removal and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. This project will develop an innovative membrane-based biotechnology implemented in the main line of wastewater treatment that can simultaneously remove nitrogen and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In close collaboration with Australian and international water industries, the technology’s effectiveness and scalability will be showcased in both pilot-scale and large-scale systems. The adoption of this technology, facilitated by our industry partners, would benefit Australian society by reducing the carbon footprint of wastewater processes, ultimately enabling nation-wide water management facilities to realise energy- and carbon-neutral targets by as early as 2030. It would significantly contribute towards the goal of shifting Australia towards carbon-neutral economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2023 · 2023-01

Designer Nanoparticles Enable mRNA Protein Factories. Intracellular delivery of mRNA facilitates target protein production, which could build protein factories that are essential in biomanufacturing industries. However, the instability of mRNA greatly lowers the protein production performance, limiting the commercial translation potential. This project aims to develop a new generation of nanoparticle delivery system to enhance mRNA stability against intracellular unstable cue, enzymatic digestion and thermal stress. This will be achieved by tailoring the nanochemistry at multi-scales. Expected outcomes include new knowledge in custom-design of functional nanomaterials for mRNA delivery, and new technology that will bring commercial benefits to the partner organisation and the biopharma sector. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Using living cells to produce functional proteins is an important process in bio-manufacturing industry which will have a global market of $3.93 billion by 2030. A crucial step in this production process is to deliver molecules enabling protein production, such as messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) into cells. As mRNA is safer, cheaper and faster in turnaround than the currently used methods, the industry calls for solutions to use mRNA in next-generation protein production. This project aims to develop a novel nanoplatform that can address the problems associated with using mRNA for protein production in cells. By protecting mRNA molecules and enhancing their cellular delivery performance, the protein productivity in cells can be boosted. This project will bring significant economic benefit to Australia’s biomanufacturing industries by providing new nanotechnology tools that have broad application scope and high cost-effectiveness. By patent licensing and industry engagement, this project will create a competitive advantage for Australia in the global biomanufacturing field.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Magnetohydrodynamic Aerobraking for Spacecraft Entry to Earth's Atmosphere. A spaceship returning from Mars will undergo unprecedented aerodynamic heating as it enters Earth's atmosphere. Magnetohydroynamic aerobraking involves applying a strong magnetic field to the plasma which forms around the spacecraft at these speeds, theoretically protecting it by reducing structural heat loads and enabling less severe flight trajectories. This project aims to experimentally study this technology for Earth return from deep space. It is significant because it will evaluate a new mechanism for managing the tremendous heat loads of planetary entry. The expected outcome and benefit will be development of a new technology to reduce spacecraft heating, leading to safer, more efficient, and potentially reusable spacecraft. Field of research: 0901 - Aerospace Engineering The Australian Government is aiming to triple the size of Australia's space sector to $12 billion by 2030, creating 20,000 new jobs. This, combined with the recent establishment of the Australian Space Agency and the Federal Government's $150 million commitment to NASA's upcoming missions to the Moon and Mars, signals a seismic shift in Australia's commitment to a future in outer space. This project is in Australia's national interest because it strongly supports our national objective to develop our space industry and play a significant role in ambitious future international missions. It will develop a new technology to deal with the most dangerous stage of interplanetary spaceflight - atmospheric entry - which will lead to lighter, safer, and potentially reusable spacecraft. The project will reinforce Australia's strength in spacecraft aerodynamics and fully capitalise on the competitive advantage we hold in this field due to our unique experimental ground testing capabilities. And it will train a cohort of world-class researchers which Australia needs to achieve its ambitious objectives in space.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

The Role of Emotions in Marketing Cultured Meat. Traditional agriculture has a strong environmental impact. One solution to reduce this impact is cultured meat, which is meat created via a cell culture, rather than from a slaughtered animal. This project aims to examine the role of emotions in promoting consumer acceptance, which is the greatest barrier facing the commercialisation of cultured meat. The expected outcome is insight into factors influencing the acceptance of cultured meat, allowing development of effective marketing communication strategies. This should provide benefits including reduced environmental and ethical impact of conventional meat and improvement to Australian agribusiness. Similar strategies could also potentially be applied to other emerging food technologies. Field of research: 1505 - Marketing Emerging food technologies are on the rise in Australia because of climate change and the need to reduce environmental impact of agriculture. One emerging innovation in this area has been cultured meat, which is meat produced via a cell culture, rather than coming from an animal raised for slaughter. The successful commercialisation of cultured meat in the Australian market would potentially help address multiple environmental issues (78 -96% lower emissions, 99% lower land use, 82 -96% lower water use) and ethical issues (treatment of animals) related to conventional meat production. However, consumer acceptance of cultured meat has been noted as the biggest barrier to the marketing and commercialisation of cultured meat. The project aims to examine the role of emotions in promoting consumer acceptance of cultured meat. The resulting knowledge should benefit Australian agribusiness and associated food technology companies investing in cultured meat and associated production technologies through providing assurance that such technologies will be successfully marketed to and adopted by consumers.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Applications-oriented elucidation of germination triggers for Emu Bush seed. The project aims to determine the environmental and genetic mechanisms that currently limit seed germination in Emu Bush (Eremophila) species. The anticipated project outcomes aim to develop new technologies for efficient and mass production of Emu Bush seedlings. The outcomes will improve land restoration by increasing plant diversity and reducing establishment costs, and will also provide the nursery industry with novel products for home gardens. The intended project benefits are to increase the diversity of Australian native plants used for restoration and ornamental purposes and to promote the conservation of species in this plant family and its genetic diversity. Field of research: 0706 - Horticultural Production The project aims to increase knowledge about seed formation and germination triggers and inhibitors in the genus Eremophila (Emu Bush), a large and diverse Australian plant genus that is adapted to dry and drying climates. The research will develop technologies and protocols that will enable the mass production of Eremophila from seed, which has previously proven impossible. Field trial sites, videos and workshops will demonstrate the accessibility and outcomes of the seed germination techniques. This knowledge will help maintain genetic diversity, aid efficient production of new varieties by commercial and not-for-profit nurseries, satisfy the growing demand for Australian native plants suitable for a drying climate, and increase genetic robustness in landscape restoration. The project will therefore contribute economic and commercial benefits to the Australian plant nursery industry, and environmental benefits through maintenance of the genetic diversity of Australia’s plants and through land rehabilitation of Australia’s degraded lands.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Towards a School-Community Based Approach to Addressing Student Absenteeism. This project aims to develop an integrated school-community approach to assist education systems to effectively address student absenteeism in marginalised communities. Excessive absenteeism is linked to low academic achievement and school dropout, which limits young people’s life opportunities and perpetuates social disadvantage. This project will use interdisciplinary methods to bring the experiences of schools and communities, existing research evidence, and academics together to enable schools to work in new ways to improve attendance. Expected outcomes will be enhanced capacity of schools to address absenteeism with the benefit of assisting the government to alleviate the societal and economic costs of this enduring problem. Field of research: 1608 - Sociology Student absenteeism is an intractable educational, social and economic problem in Australia and internationally that leads to reduced opportunities for young people throughout their lives. This project addresses educational and social inequities through advancing innovative policy and practice solutions to develop an integrated school-community approach that is sustainable, evidence-based, and informed by social justice. This will improve attendance and provide greater value for expenditure among marginalised communities. This directly advances the educational priorities of the Australian Government to promote excellence and equity and provide equality of opportunity and educational outcomes for all students at risk of educational disadvantage. By combining the knowledge and experience of schools and their local communities with the best contemporary research evidence across multiple disciplines, we will develop an effective school-community approach to improve student attendance in marginalised communities.