Queensland University of Technology

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-06

AusEnHealth: managing place-based health in the context of our... Category: Health and Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-06

Develop a digital toolkit for air risk analysis to accelerate regulatory... Category: Industry Innovation

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-06

Develop a digital toolkit for air risk analysis to accelerate regulatory... Category: Industry Innovation

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-06

Develop a digital toolkit for air risk analysis to accelerate regulatory... Category: Industry Innovation

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-03

Improving outcomes of recurrent preschool wheeze: a multicentre RCT with... Category: Health and Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-03

Improving outcomes of recurrent preschool wheeze: a multicentre RCT with... Category: Health and Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Quinoid Polymers for Organic Electrochemical Transistors and Bioelectronics. This project aims to develop organic semiconductors (OSCs) with excellent mechanical flexibility and biocompatibility to exploit their potentials in bioelectronics. It connects the electronic world with ionic world of biology to push the biomedical application of OSCs a big step forward. Interdisciplinary knowledge, intellectual properties (IPs), top-notch publications, invited talks, and international collaborations are expected. Additionally, it will earn Australia a commercial lead in the biomedical sector to attract more talents to serve Australia. This project also matches well with several government’s strategic research priorities, attracting industries to realise IPs transfer to bring “great value for money” to feed back Australia. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering This project aims to develop a new class of functional polymeric materials that can store and transport both ionic and electronic charges. This advancement will improve the properties of organic materials to offer greater flexibility and compatibility with biological systems. This work will lead to a deeper understanding beyond the current knowledge of organic thin films that will facilitate improved material properties including air and water stability. These new high-performance materials will have applications in bioelectronic and energy storage devices and enable transistor devices to be wearable, foldable and implantable. For example, these new materials could be used as sensors to monitor the physical condition of people in real-time, by converting physical signals into a format that makes self-analysis of a person’s condition easier. Once the materials technology is developed, collaborations with industry will ensure prototypes are translated into practical electronic applications that will bring social and economic benefits to the Australian community.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Innovating and Validating Scalable Monte Carlo Methods. This project aims to develop innovative scalable Monte Carlo methods for statistical analysis in the presence of big data or complex mathematical models. Existing approaches to scalable Monte Carlo are only approximate, and their inaccuracies are difficult to quantify. This can have a detrimental impact on data-based decision making. The expected outcomes of this project are scalable Monte Carlo methods that are more accurate, fast and capable of quantifying inaccuracies. Scientists and decision-makers will benefit from the ability to obtain timely, reliable insights for challenging applications. Field of research: 4905 - Statistics This project will improve the ability to extract timely and reliable insights from data, which could aid decision-making in critical applications such as weather forecasting and threat assessment in defence. Computer programs use a series of instructions to transform data into useful information about the world but many fast programs give biased results, which can lead to detrimental outcomes such as unknowingly underestimating the probability of an extreme weather event. This project will develop tools to assess and reduce this bias so that practitioners can rely on their output for decision-making. The new statistical methods could be adopted by anyone wishing to turn data into meaningful and reliable insights for timely decision-making. Access to the new methods will be facilitated through the production of open-source software.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Design new-generation microscale thermoelectric device. This project aims at realizing ultrahigh thermoelectric power generating performance in the microscale device by developing new theoretical models for thermoelectric power-generation to guide the synergistic thin-film material and device design, and corresponding fabrication. The outcomes are expected to lead to revolutionary development of the thermoelectric technology, significantly extend the application of this emission/vibration/noise/service-free technology and expand the corresponding market, which will benefit the wide Australian community academically, educationally, socially, economically and environmentally. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Thermoelectric technology is emission/vibration/noise/service-free technology capable of direct/reversible energy conversion between heat and electricity, has wide application potentials, such as wearable chargers, personal and microchip cooling. However, low power-generating performance and large size of typical bulk thermoelectric materials and devices have limited their applications. In this project, theoretical modelling guided new-generation thermoelectric thin films and microscale thermoelectric devices will realize ultrahigh thermoelectric power generating performance with minimized device size. The new theoretical understanding will significantly extend the understanding of thermoelectric technology, place Australia in world-leading position in this field. The newly developed thermoelectric materials and devices will make thermoelectric applications mini-sized and bring this technology into the daily life of the wide Australian community, and create new investment opportunities.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

A Justice-based Approach to Climate-related Planned Relocation. Planned relocation of populations away from climate risk is a critical adaptation strategy. Yet relocation is fraught as it disrupts livelihoods, social networks and place-attachment. This project aims to examine how justice can be centred in planned relocation using innovative cross-cultural methods in six case studies across Australia and Fiji. New knowledge will be generated on effective governance, barriers to participation, and long-term impacts of relocation. Expected outcomes of this project are innovations at the nexus of adaptation, relocation and justice, new international research networks, and direct improvement of how relocation is planned and managed by governments, through recommendations and a framework for Just Relocation. Field of research: 4406 - Human Geography This project examines the planned relocation of households and communities in response to climate and disaster risk, and how a justice-based approach can improve relocation processes and outcomes. This research project addresses and contributes to significant gaps in the relocation literature including what factors shape household decision-making, the role of governance, and the long-term outcomes and implications of planned relocation. A framework and recommendations on 'Just Relocation' will be developed enhancing stakeholders, including governments, ability to plan for relocations in Australia and beyond. These recommendations will give end-users learnings of how relocation can be designed and managed to be more equitable for affected populations, how procedural justice can be mobilised in relocation decision-making, and how relocation can be planned to enhance positive outcomes for affected people, having not only economic benefits in ensuring high participation and sustainability of relocation programs, but also creating strong social and cultural benefits.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Bioinspired 2D nanocatalysts for inorganic nitrogen cycle. This project aims to develop novel catalysts for high-efficient nitrogen fixation by learning from the natural enzymes, which can convert nitrogen or nitrate into reactive ammonia at very mild conditions. It is expected that the enzyme-mimicking catalysts possessing the nitrogen active sites similar with the natural enzymes will allow the effective fixation of nitrogen from both the atmosphere and the nitrogen excessively fertilized environment into reusable ammonia. The outcomes of this project will provide a sustainable approach to solve the issues in current unbalanced inorganic nitrogen cycle in the world and contribute to a green artificial nitrogen cycle while with minimized environmental impact. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering The project seeks to find a solution to address the high levels of nitrogen discharged into the environment from industrial waste and fertilizers used in agriculture. High-performance materials that increase rates of reaction will be developed by drawing inspiration from how plants use nitrogen. These materials will convert excessive nitrogen discharge into agricultural fertilizers with low energy consumption and cost. The outcomes of this project will transform the energy-consuming and environmentally destructive ammonia production industry (on which fertilizers are based and of which nitrogen is a key component).This innovative project will contribute to the sustainability goals of Australia and will position Australian as a leader in clean agricultural and environmental technologies by providing a platform for the development of alternative technologies to convert nitrogen into ammonia, that are both low energy and undertaken at room temperature.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Probing dark energy with the largest 3D Map of the Universe. Dark Energy is one of the most profound mysteries of modern physics. It makes up about 70 percent of the Universe, but no compelling theory can explain its nature. This project aims to measure the properties of Dark Energy with unprecedented accuracy: an order of magnitude better than the state of the art. It aims to accomplish this by extracting information from the largest 3D map of the cosmos, built with the optical spectra of 35 million galaxies, observed by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument. This project will foster Australia's historic leadership and investments in galaxy surveys via unique international partnerships, and produce cutting-edge tools for big data analyses with important applications in a wide range of industries. Field of research: 5101 - Astronomical Sciences Dark energy is believed to permeate all of space, causing the accelerated expansion of the Universe. Its nature is one of the most significant puzzles in modern physics. This project aims to uncover its origin and behaviour, leveraging a partnership with the $100M Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument. This telescope maps the Universe’s evolution spanning 11 billion years. Extracting information from the 40 million galaxies observed by this facility is a serious Big Data challenge. This project will produce new machine-learning algorithms that will not only apply to mapping galaxies but will have direct applications in medical research, climate modelling, and financial forecasting. Further, this project offers a testing ground for Australian expertise in artificial intelligence with cross-economy applications in mining, defence, and agriculture. For example, in collaboration with the Australian Space Industry, these tools could be used to map crop growth, water flow, and fire impact trends in satellite images of Australia, thus safeguarding food security and environmental health for all Australians.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Beyond Imported Understandings of Domestic Violence in the Pacific. High occurrences of domestic violence across the Pacific region threatens the growth and development of all sectors. This project aims to investigate local understandings of the causes, manifestations, and best-suited responses to the problem in the Pacific. It advances a study of local stakeholder’s perspectives of domestic violence in two of the least developed Pacific Island countries to generate non-Western, context-specific insight into developing policies and practices to inform improved frontline responses. Expected outcomes include the development of an evidence base to inform contextually appropriate and innovative responses to domestic violence, with benefits to islander/indigenous communities and economies in Oceania. Field of research: 4513 - Pacific Peoples Culture, Language and History This project will provide timely new knowledge on peripheral understandings of domestic violence informed by geopolitical, historical, cultural and social context. It will advance a multi-island case-based study of contextualised responses to domestic violence in the Pacific and build on existing priority areas within the Australian Aid and Development programme about the significance of domestic violence prevention in the Pacific region. Project insight will inform more effective and focused investments to help lower the high costs of domestic violence in Pacific Island states. It will offer innovative understandings of domestic violence and applicable responses to inform improved international engagement between Australia and its Pacific partners.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Behind the barrier: using mathematics to understand the neuro-immune system. This project aims to develop new mathematical methods to study healthy immune cell regulation in the brain and movement across the Blood Brain Barrier. The project expects to develop novel deterministic and stochastic mathematics that captures the stochasticity of immune cells in the Central Nervous System (brain and spine) and form the foundation of a new field of mathematical research: mathematical neuroimmunology. Expected benefits of this project include new mathematical tools, biological insight, and strong interdisciplinary collaborations. From this project, Australia will be placed at the forefront of mathematical research in neuroimmunology, and there will be a complete understanding of homeostasis of the neuro-immune system. Field of research: 4901 - Applied Mathematics A complex network of immune cells protects the brain and keeps it healthy, however, breakdowns in this network can lead to neurological issues. Much remains unknown about how immune cells cross into the brain from the blood and how they communicate with each other. This project will develop new mathematical methods to better understand the immune cells of the brain. The mathematics pioneered in this research will have immediate impact on the data science and mathematical community and lead to a broad range of societal benefits including health benefits. The knowledge gained on how cells move through tight barriers will provide insight for biomedical engineers developing porous materials. The mathematics developed for multi-agent decision making will potentially have impact in other areas where coordinated decision making is important, such as understanding public responses to policy changes or transport modelling. This project will also lead to the creation of a new field of research, mathematical neuroimmunology, with outcomes, in the long-term, of improved treatment for brain-related illnesses. This will only be achieved by working collaboratively by domestic and international interdisciplinary scientists.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Solving key issues in wearable thermoelectrics for practical applications. Wearable thermoelectrics can directly harvest electricity from body heat, offering a new technology to charge wearable electronics sustainably, but their unsatisfied performance and durability limit their applications. This project aims to design efficient and durable wearable thermoelectrics based on novel carbon/polymer/semiconductor (CPS) hybrid films. The key breakthrough is to develop advanced hybrid materials and devices with record-high thermoelectric performance, high stability, and high durability to tackle long-lasting practical application issues. The expected outcomes will lead to innovative technology for energy conversion and advanced manufacturing and place Australia at the forefront of energy and manufacturing. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Wearable thermoelectric generators can harvest electricity from body heat to charge wearable devices, which will open an avenue in the electronic industry. Cost-effective, eco-friendly, and wearable thermoelectrics composed of high-performing and durable carbon/polymer/semiconductor (CPS) hybrid films as key thermoelectric materials will be integrated with the human body for thermal regulations and power generation, which will bring tremendous economic and environmental benefits to our society. The success of this project will provide brand-new technology and scientific fundamental outputs in the field of thermoelectrics and the electronics industry, which will significantly enhance the international visibility and impact of Australia in the area of the development of sustainable energy and smart electronics. The developed technology will be utilised in the electronics industry for wearable microelectronics. In this case, the consequence of this project will help to create new employment opportunities in the fields of energy and electronics and will provide wealth generation for Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Adaptive and Efficient Robot Positioning Through Model and Task Fusion. This project aims to create fit-for-purpose positioning systems that continuously adapt to diverse and changing environments. The project expects to contribute to the knowledge across robotics, computer vision, and neuromorphic computing. Expected outcomes of this project include ground-breaking place recognition techniques that address two fundamental limitations in the state-of-the-art: continuous adaptation, critically important in safety-critical systems, and energy efficiency, critically important in resource-constrained systems. This should provide significant benefits, such as accelerated deployment of mobile robots, drones and augmented reality solutions in manufacturing, defence, healthcare, household, and space. Field of research: 4602 - Artificial Intelligence This project aims to advance the capabilities of visual positioning and navigation systems. Knowing where one is located is a critical capability that improves informed decision making and performance for robots, augmented reality devices and people alike. The project focuses on overcoming current limitations of positioning systems – a reliance on vulnerable GPS satellites, high energy consumption and a lack of robustness – by combining the best performance of different techniques and using brain-inspired computing. Anticipated economic and commercial benefits include reducing Australia's dependence on external satellite-based positioning systems and bolstering capabilities in priority sectors like robotics, artificial intelligence, transport, and defence. Australia's society will also benefit from the project's non-technical consideration of data privacy, sustainability and ethics. We will collaborate with industry partners, government organisations, and policymakers to ensure our research outcomes are widely adopted, reinforcing Australia's position as a global leader in autonomous technology.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Engineering microenvironments to regulate osteocyte 3D networks in vitro. Most knowledge of bone is based on only a fraction of cells found in bone because the majority of cells in our bones (called osteocyte cell networks) cannot easily be grown or studied outside the body. This results in the inability to understand how the bone organ functions. Using bioinspired engineering, this project will use advanced biomaterials to biofabricate, for the first time, osteocyte cell networks in vitro. By unravelling how they are formed and controlled by manipulating their microenvironment, we will discover how different types of bones are formed. The benefits will be a valuable tool for the bone research community, allowing unresolved questions to be addressed in the future, such as how bone forms, repairs, and remodels. Field of research: 4003 - Biomedical Engineering Most knowledge of bone is based on a small fraction of cells found in bone because the largest (>90%) population of one cell type in our bones cannot be easily grown outside the body. These cells (osteocytes) instruct all biological events in bone by forming a network, like neurons in our brain. The lack of a reliable in vitro model to study osteocytes results in the inability to understand how the bone organ functions, as osteocytes are the key players dictating bone growth and repair. Using advanced manufacturing technology, this project uses smart biomaterials to biofabricate, for the first time, osteocyte networks in vitro. By manipulating their environment, we will unravel how osteocyte networks are formed and controlled and discover how different types of bones are formed; weak bone during fracture repair and lamellar bone, the strong bone that enable us to move. The benefits will be a valuable tool for the bone research community, allowing unresolved questions to be addressed in the future, such as how bone forms and repairs and how bone diseases can be treated at an individual level.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Understanding and Combatting 'Dark Political Communication'. This project examines an emergent series of tactics used by political actors (i.e. politicians, lobbyists, political groups, etc.) that we are calling 'Dark Political Communication' (DPC). DPC differs markedly from existing, well-established modes of political communication, as it often involves the deliberate spread of disinformation, use of highly inflammatory language, antagonism towards the press and democratic institutions, as well as actions that seek to exacerbate social discord. In this project, we will provide the first-ever complete account of DPC tactics, and provide a series of recommendations to journalists about how their practice can best evolve to address this novel communication paradigm. Field of research: 4701 - Communication and Media Studies Both in Australia, and around the world, democracy is under serious threat from malicious political forces that aim to stoke social discord, increase cynicism in government, and undermine the public’s belief in collective action on pressing global challenges. This project, the first of its kind, studies these forces under the umbrella term ‘Dark Political Communication’ (or, ‘DPC’). DPC has already seen fundamental changes to the way that politics is conducted in our society, and severely limited our ability to respond effectively to major crises (including climate change and, more recently, the global COVID-19 pandemic). Unfortunately, the media is yet to properly understand the full extent of these changes. Even worse, many DPC operatives achieve success by exploiting the media’s operating ‘rules’ (e.g. objectivity), meaning that journalists (often unwittingly) add to these problems, rather than work against them. This project provides a comprehensive account of how DPC operates, identifies the political figures who exploit it, helps understand how it is undermining our democracy, and provides recommendations to journalists about how they better limit its impact. Our findings will highlight, for the public, the media industry, as well as academia, the pernicious effects of DPC, and thus help to improve the overall state of our political system.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Digitally-Integrated Smart Sensing of Diverse Airborne Grass Pollen Sources. Grass pollen is the main outdoor allergen source globally, triggering hayfever and asthma in up to 500 million people. With over 10,000 species, the influence of grass type, location and climate on pollen in the air is not yet known. This is a key issue since subtropical and temperate grasses differ in response to environmental factors. The project aims to use artificial intelligence on digital camera images to learn to see local grass flowers and integrate this with air sensors trained to detect grass pollen types. The expected outcomes are new capacities to track airborne grass pollen types. These outcomes can transform how pollen can be monitored to reduce the burden of allergies, and provide evidence of changing airborne pollen loads. Field of research: 4104 - Environmental Management Changes in grass distributions with climate variability and extreme weather events, including successive La Nina seasons, have many consequences for agriculture and human health. Worldwide, Australia has amongst the highest frequencies of allergic asthma, and is the most vulnerable to thunderstorm asthma events, yet there is no sustained pollen monitoring system here. This research advances global scientific capability to monitor different types of airborne grass pollen. This Project increases knowledge on patterns of pollen exposure that have a direct impact on human health. Broadly, grasslands have immense economic, health and environmental value through their role in food security (grazing industry), biodiversity, biosecurity, and wildfire risk. This project should underpin decision making regarding pollen monitoring in response to Recommendation 14 of the 2020 Royal Commission into Natural Disasters for national standardized monitoring of bioaerosols including pollen. The project is aligned to Commonwealth investment in the National Allergy Centre of Excellence and can assist the new National Allergy Council to support the public. The novel use of digitally-integrated time series camera images based on artificial intelligence to recognise grasses, and features of other plants such as weeds, also has agricultural importance. The project will contribute data to the Australian Research Data Commons, Atlas of Living Australia, and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

High entropy metal organic frameworks for sustainable hydrogen production. The ultimate critical core for green hydrogen fuel generation is efficient and cost-effective catalysts. This project aims to design novel high entropy metal organic frameworks (HE-MOFs) using advanced high throughput computational screening integrated with experimental validation for sustainable hydrogen production. The outcome of this project will discover a new class of HE-MOFs materials with superior hydrogen generation efficiency, while also provide rational design principles for the exploration of high-efficient catalysts in sustainable fuel generation. The success of this project will help to achieve the zero-carbon target and contribute to the development of a sustainable society with low-cost and renewable energy supply. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering The rising global energy crisis urgently demands novel catalysts capable of sustainable fuel generation from water splitting through multiple functionalized active centres. This project aims to explore the mechanistic aspects of a wide range of high entropy metal organic frameworks (HE-MOFs) materials through advanced high throughput computational screening methods and experimental synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical test, which is highly beneficial to the discovery of the most optimized HE-MOFs catalysts for hydrogen generation. The key design principles achieved in the project will efficiently guide the lab synthesis and validation of predicted superior HE-MOFs, crucially reduce the cost in experimental trials, and tremendously benefit the knowledge transfer to industry know-how. The outcomes of project are crucial for addressing climate-related risks by reducing greenhouse gas emission, leveraging Australian leading profile in the sustainable fuel generation areas, as well as upgrading existing hydrogen energy technology. As the global hydrogen generation market is forecasted to reach ~225 billion USD by 2030, the exploration of cost-effective and environmentally-friendly HE-MOFs catalysts for hydrogen generation energy has the potential to replace the noble metal-based catalysts and capture a share of the market.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Sustainable Electrocatalytic Synthesis of Urea. Urea is a critical chemical for agriculture, the chemical industry and pollution control, yet current production methods are unsustainable. This project aims to design high-efficiency catalysts for electrochemical urea synthesis from theoretical studies. This project expects to generate new knowledge of chemistry and catalysis from new reaction mechanisms and materials. Expected outcomes include optimum catalysts with high conversion efficiency and reactant selectivity. The novel catalysts have the potential to deliver improved catalytic performance and controllable reaction reactants. This could deliver significant benefits to the crop production increase, cost reduction of chemical industry, and environmental pollution reduction. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Urea is an important raw material in the chemical industry and the pharmaceutical industry, it is also widely used as a nitrogen source in chemical fertilizers and is an essential fuel additive (AdBlue) to reduce diesel pollution, however, industrial urea synthesis requires harsh reaction conditions and high-energy inputs, causing major environmental pollution. Although the annual demand for urea in Australia is up to 2 million tones (Mt), the domestic production is less than 0.5 Mt while the rest needs to be imported from foreign. This project aims to fill the gap by designing high-efficient catalysts for electrochemical urea synthesis and developing feasible strategies to improve the urea yield. The successful implementation will help Australia to build sovereign capabilities in urea production. The findings will significantly benefit agriculture by increasing the grain production, chemical industries by reducing the cost of chemical & medicine products and environment by significantly reducing the energy cost and exhaust emissions. The developed technologies and intellectual property generated from this project will create partnership opportunities with Australia’s urea factories (mainly located in Queensland) through licensing and commercialization pathways for high-efficient urea production.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Australian Experiences of Algorithmic Culture on TikTok. This project is the first to systematically investigate how algorithmic content recommendation is shaping everyday Australian cultural experience over time, in the particular context of TikTok—the digital platform where Australians spend the most time online. The project provides critical evidence to support the government's ongoing policy initiatives intended to regulate the activities of digital platforms. Its methodological innovations directly address the challenges of studying commercial platforms' recommender systems through a mixed-method research design combining computational and qualitative analysis, bridging universal and individual perspectives and introducing ‘citizen science’ approaches to the field of platform studies. Field of research: 4701 - Communication and Media Studies This project will be the first to generate systematic evidence about how the globally powerful and locally popular platform TikTok is influencing Australian culture. TikTok is the ideal case for this study because this platform (1) has been at the centre of recent debates over national security and algorithmic cultures, (2) has a large global and Australian user base, and (3) is built on one of the most responsive recommender systems in the market. Using an innovative ‘data donation’ method that engages the public directly in the research, it investigates the output of the platform’s recommender system, the content it recommends to Australian audiences, and the strategies that local creators are employing to reach them. The findings of the research will help Australian content creators to better understand how to succeed on the platform, and improve the Australian public’s understanding of algorithmic recommender systems more broadly. Through our active policy translation work, the project will help inform Australian government initiatives, including the national Digital Economy and AI Regulation strategies and ACCC Digital Platform Services Inquiry; as well as providing advice about the likely local impacts of international developments such as the incoming EU Digital Services Act.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

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. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Zinc-iron redox flow batteries (ZIRFB) are a promising energy storage technology for large-scale stationary energy storage applications due to their many advantages such as decoupled energy density and power density, safety, toxicity-free and cheap of raw materials. A membrane is a critical component in ZIRFB by separating the cathode and anode in the device. The properties of a membrane determine both the device performance and lifetime. Commercial membrane materials used in existing ZIRFB are expensive and perform poorly due to their non-ideal properties. The project addresses the critical material issues by designing and constructing new membranes using low-cost polymers and nanostructured carbon materials through material functionalisation and innovative membrane structure design. The research will generate critical new knowledge of the relationship of functional groups of polymers and structure of membrane with the critical properties of membranes for use in ZIRFB. The success of the project will contribute to reduce the cost of renewable energy in practice, providing cheap and reliable clean energy in Australia and overseas. The project research aligns the national Science and Research priority of 'Energy', and National Reconstruction Fund priority area of ‘renewables and low emission technologies’, addressing the practical research challenge of ‘New clean energy sources and storage technologies that are efficient, cost-effective and reliable’.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

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. Field of research: 3403 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry The global energy storage market is experiencing rapid growth due to the increasing demand for renewable energy sources, particularly lithium-ion batteries. However, the flammable liquid electrolytes in batteries pose a significant threat to communities' safety and finances. To address this issue, this project aims to develop solid-state electrolytes with self-extinguishing properties and high Li+ ion conductivity, leveraging the properties of polymer and ceramic electrolyte materials. Through flame-retarding and ionic conducting studies of polymer/ceramic composite, this project aims to pave the way to high-performance solid electrolytes in batteries. The benefits of this project for Australia are numerous, including transforming Australian mining resources into high-value-added solid-state electrolyte materials for batteries and contributing to environmental sustainability by fostering the use of reliable all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries in electrified transportation. Furthermore, this project will aid in achieving the Australian net-zero economy goal by solving the combustion and leaking issues of batteries. This project will also generate fundamental knowledge and process techniques related to battery materials design and fabrication, which will underpin Australia's leadership in this field. The research outcomes will be disseminated via conferences and publications and applied in the industry for future commercialization, ultimately creating new job opportunities.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Designing distanced intergenerational interaction with tangible technology. Older people and their young relatives/grandchildren who are geographically distanced cannot currently experience closeness in tangible ways, which are the natural ways they would play and build relationships in “real” life. Enabling this connection would have positive impacts for both groups, and two types of technologies – Mixed Reality and Tangibles - can be explored to allow us to understand how to do this. We will develop approaches to distanced tangible intergenerational interaction which are designed specifically to increase intergenerational closeness and to be innovative and subtle so that they fit seamlessly into the lives of older people and young children. Field of research: 3303 - Design Geographically separated families can communicate more quickly, easily and cheaply than ever before, but this communication is intangible and is conducted on the terms of the technology not the communicators, is inflexible and not generally very playful. This makes it hard for children and their grandparents or older relatives to form strong relationships and bridge generational divides. We will investigate how different types of technology-enabled tangible interaction could be designed to increase closeness between children and their distanced grandparents or older relatives. The benefits of the project include increased and more authentic intergenerational engagement leading to deeper relationships, and reduced levels of loneliness and isolation among older adults and young children. For Australia, where around half of us were born overseas or have a parent who was born overseas, this is an urgent problem which we can lead the world in addressing. Outcomes include: a better understanding of the impact of intergenerational engagement on closeness which will contribute to research; a design methodology for creating smart tangible systems that facilitate intergenerational engagement that will disseminated to design practitioners; and practical frameworks, guidelines or toolkits for families and other practitioners, such as social workers or aged care professionals, to use to create such systems or to use them within their interventions.