University of Technology Sydney

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

Next-generation quantum spectroscopy diagnostic platforms Category: Technology

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

2024 Equipment Grants Category: Health and Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-11

MetaSteering Antenna Systems for Covert Intelligence Collection and... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-10

Partnering with residents, families and carers for person-centred... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Multimaterial 3D Printed Antenna Arrays for Intelligent Wireless Systems. The project aims to build a new class of 3D-printed antenna array designs using conductive and dielectric multi-material 3D printing solutions. It will drive the advancement of knowledge for rapidly prototyping smart antenna arrays for intelligent wireless communication and sensing applications. Low-cost and high-performance 3D-printed antennas will be delivered by addressing these challenges and providing a solution that combines technology, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility. The project has the potential to contribute to antenna systems, microwave electronics, electronic packaging and manufacturing. The implications extend beyond the technical aspects, impacting Australia's broader innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Field of research: 4006 - Communications Engineering For 5G and beyond, compact beam-forming mobile antennas will be extensively used in various mobile applications, including personal health care, device-to-device communications, radar sensing for unmanned vehicles, and intelligent transport. The intensively increasing exploding demand from many industrial sectors is expected to increase market growth considerably. The project will enable the industry partner to meet predicted future performance requirements demand in many ways, linking to 5G, 6G, the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, enabling Australia. The project will undoubtedly allow our nation to take early advantage of millimetre wave technology for next-generation communications and consumer applications. The project's successful delivery will help maintain Australia’s pioneering status in the global wireless industry into the future.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Monitoring vital signs using mmWave signals and cross-modality supervision. This project aims to develop key enabling technologies for millimeter-wave radar-based monitoring of vital signs, including respiration, heartbeat, and blood pressure, for multiple users. Through mmWave imaging in a near field and cross-modality learning, computer vision knowledge is integrated into mmWave radar sensing to overcome major challenges that hinder practical applications. Person re-identification, tracking, and beamforming techniques will be developed to enable simultaneous multiple-user monitoring. The intended outcomes are novel techniques capable of monitoring vital signs for multiple people. The technology can enable a vast array of new applications, such as safety and security, healthcare and entertainment. Field of research: 4603 - Computer Vision and Multimedia Computation This project will develop critical enabling technologies for millimetre wave (mmWave) radar-based contact-free monitoring of vital signs, including respiration, heartbeat and blood pressure. Traditional measurement of vital signs requires the wearing electrodes or chest bands, which can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. MmWave radar can detect chest movement and tiny displacement of the skin in the order of millimeters induced by vital signs over a long physical distance. However, the technology faces obstacles to its application from its susceptibility to body movement and interference from moving persons. Moreover, no existing solutions can monitor multiple individuals simultaneously. This project will develop innovative signal processing, pattern recognition and machine learning techniques to overcome the challenges and enable vital sign monitoring for multiple people in motion. This research will benefit many sectors relying on human sensing, such as health, safety, security, rescue, and entertainment, and reduce their costs by avoiding unnecessary human involvement. The project team will also promote the project outcome via its extensive research and business networks to create new business opportunities and global competitiveness in human sensing for Australian companies.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Eco-friendly ultra-high performance concrete in protective structures. Modern buildings and infrastructure are facing challenges from natural and man-made disasters, and structural safety is jeopardized by hazardous blasts and fire scenarios. This project aims to understand concrete material and structural behavior under the combined blast and fire loads and develop structural protective measures. Expected outcomes include an in-depth understanding of structural dynamic response and failure mechanisms under coupled blast and temperature effects and a protective measure based on ultra-high-performance concrete with multi-hazard resistance and low embodied carbon. Successful delivery of this project will benefit the construction sector in Australia and the international community. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering Conventional concrete is one of the world’s most widely used construction materials. It is widely acknowledged that the abnormal loads created by explosions and fire can be catastrophic to concrete structures. However, there is a lack of understanding of structural response of concrete to the combined effects of blasts and fire when they commonly take place at the same time. This project aims to develop a solution based on eco-friendly ultra-high-performance concrete. In addition to superior mechanical strength and material durability, this novel construction material is further optimised with the aid of industrial by-products to enhance its fire resistance. The outcomes will help safeguard critical buildings and infrastructures, and the consumption of industrial by-products in the process will greatly reduce carbon emissions.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Topology optimisation of damage-tolerant cellular structures with disorder. This project aims to develop a new approach to designing new lightweight, damage-tolerant, and crashworthy cellular structures by taking advantage of the latest technologies in computational mechanics and topology optimisation. The project intends to develop a new multiscale topology optimisation framework to seek new disordered cellular structures, in the context of highly nonlinear mechanics considering plasticity and fracture. The expected outcome of this project is a new methodology for generating eco-friendly structures with exceptional mechanical properties in crashing applications. This should potentially provide significant benefits to transport industries by providing safe and energy-saving vehicles. Field of research: 4017 - Mechanical Engineering Occupant safety and energy use reduction are undeniably two of the most critical aspects of vehicle design. Our research will provide direct benefits to Australian transportation and aerospace industries through our new approach to designing lightweight, damage-tolerant, and crashworthy cellular structures. The outcomes of this project have many potential applications, but most notably in vehicles and for the aerospace industry. While road safety has significantly improved over the last 40 years, road crashes remain a huge financial burden to Australians (at over $30 billion per year), alongside the extensive social impacts. This project takes advantage of the latest technologies to address and improve vehicle crashworthiness, contributing to Vision Zero (zero traffic deaths and severe injuries) . Our research also focuses on optimising the weight of the cellular structures, as each 10% change in weight reduction leads to approximately 6-8% fuel saving in the automotive industry. This is vital research with significant environmental impact and any opportunity to save on fuel reduces our use of finite resources and ultimately supports our mission to meet Net Zero targets.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Reimagining AI answer systems for critical AI literacy in Australia . Australians use AI answer systems embedded in virtual assistants, smart speakers and chatbots that offer "fast facts" in many quotidien contexts. But Siri, Alexa and ChatGPT provide information that is often biased, sometimes inaccurate, and almost always stripped of its human origins. Citizens display misplaced trust in systems which seem to rise above human biases to offer an apparently omniscient, neutral perspective. This project aims to "reclaim the human" in AI answer systems by mapping how knowledges are coproduced by people at multiple levels of the AI model lifecycle, collaboratively reimagining how AI answer systems might be designed differently, and using the redesigned products to catalyse critical AI literacy. Field of research: 4701 - Communication and Media Studies Asking a general question about the world is one of the most popular use cases for the more than a quarter of Australians who own a smart speaker and the many more who access a voice assistant via their mobile phone. This project will investigate how local users, intermediaries and data producers encounter and build such "AI answer systems" through their individual feedback, commercial application development and public volunteerism. It will map the local, human-built infrastructures on which AI answer systems depend and apply this knowledge to the development of smart speaker prototypes that will be displayed in a national exhibition and made available to libraries throughout the country to catalyse critical AI literacy. This project advances knowledge about how Australians are encountering and participating in the coproduction of knowledge in everyday AI systems and provides the Australian public with access to high-quality opportunities to improve their critical AI literacy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Mitigating the Influence of Social Bots in Heterogeneous Social Networks. This project aims to mitigate the influence of social bots in dynamic and constantly changing social networks. Social bots can spread misinformation, manipulate public opinion, and compromise privacy and security. This project will use advanced algorithms to detect and neutralize the impact of social bots, improving the integrity and accuracy of information on social media. The expected outcomes include the development of a robust system for identifying and mitigating social bot influence, and the reduction of harmful content and misinformation on social media. The benefits of this project include a more trustworthy and secure social media environment, protection of individuals and organizations from malicious activities. Field of research: 4605 - Data Management and Data Science Social bots are automated accounts that can manipulate public opinion, spread misinformation, and undermine the integrity of social media. In today's interconnected world, the impact of social bots can have far-reaching consequences, including affecting the outcome of elections, spreading false information during times of crisis, and damaging the reputation of individuals and organizations. Furthermore, the rise of social bots also has implications for privacy, security, and cybersecurity. Social bots can be used for malicious purposes such as spreading spam, phishing, and malware, and can compromise personal and sensitive information. In dynamic and constantly changing social networks, the challenge of detecting and mitigating the influence of social bots becomes even greater. This highlights the need for robust solutions that address this issue and develop effective strategies for mitigating the influence of social bots in social networks. This will ensure the integrity of social media, protect the public from misinformation and harmful content, and secure the privacy and security of individuals and organizations. To this end, the outcomes of this research, will significantly enhance bot detection, and be widely disseminated in publicly available forums, including workshops and tutorials.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Next-generation battery designs for mild and extreme conditions. This project aims to develop high-performance sodium ion batteries for use in smart grids, even in extreme conditions, by designing functional electrolytes, fabricating innovative electrodes, and establishing robust electrode/electrolyte interfaces. This groundbreaking research program will provide new insights into battery performance and promote innovation in electrolytes and electrodes, which is vital for practical battery development. The program is expected to generate new knowledge in the battery field. These outcomes would position Australia as a global leader in battery technology and renewable energy utilization, contributing to Australia's and the world's sustainability. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Transitioning to net zero and low-emissions technologies presents a significant opportunity and challenge for Australia and the world, necessitating the development of novel low and zero-emissions technologies. Renewable energy sources are essential for a sustainable future and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with burning fossil fuels. Creating reliable energy storage systems is crucial for maximizing renewable energy utilization. Sodium-ion batteries are considered the most promising candidate for next-generation large-scale energy systems, supporting the path to net zero. This project will conduct cutting-edge research to enable large-scale, cost-effective, high-performance sodium-ion batteries that can function even in extreme conditions. Expected outcomes include constructing innovative electrodes, designing stable electrolyte/electrode interfaces, and acquiring new knowledge in materials science, chemistry, and engineering. This project will assist Australia in harnessing emerging technologies at scale, attracting more investment in emerging battery technologies, driving job creation, and promoting the adoption of clean energy for a net-zero future.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

High-energy lithium-air batteries, a breathable future for renewable energy. Lithium-air (Li-air) batteries have the highest energy density which is ten folds over commercial lithium-ion batteries. However, the development of Li-air batteries has been impeded by challenges including low capacity, poor energy efficiency and limited cycle life. This project aims to develop a high-energy Li-air battery prototype with long cycle life by designing functional quasi-solid gel polymer electrolytes with multi-layer structures via molecular tuning, which could potentially power next-generation electric vehicles. This project is expected to facilitate the commercialisation of high-performance Li-air batteries and promote the development of energy storage devices that are reliable, benefiting both the economy and environment. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Lithium-ion batteries are currently the most viable energy supply for electric vehicles. However, current lithium-ion batteries are struggling to break the 500-mile barrier, due to the limitation of the theoretical energy density. Thus, a new high-energy battery system that is safe and reliable is required to propel the electric vehicle industry, which is projected to realise the 50% electrification target for new cars by 2030. By designing gel polymer electrolytes through molecular tuning, this project will advance the fabrication of ‘breathable’ lithium-air (Li-air) batteries that use air as feedstock to produce an energy density of more than 10 times that of current lithium-ion batteries. The outcomes of this project will mark a breakthrough in materials design and system optimisation, as well as prototype fabrication in high-energy batteries. This project will facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations across environmental and material sciences to advance the Li-air battery research field, while also providing industries with cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy from direct air conversion.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Optical Metasurface for Single Small Extracellular Vesicle Analysis. This project aims to develop an innovative nanobiotechnology to study small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) – small biological particles that are important in intercellular communication. The technology will enable unprecedented depth of analysis and single particle resolution. It will generate new knowledge in both engineering and biological sciences by improving sEV image resolution and collecting information regarding the distribution of different sEV subpopulations based on their protein phenotypes. Expected outcomes include a universal and ultrasensitive platform with many applications in analytical biochemistry such as disease diagnostics, environmental sciences, food safety and agriculture. Field of research: 3106 - Industrial Biotechnology The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of ultrasensitive analytical tools to detect small biological particles, such as virus particles. This project tackles this important issue by developing a new nanotechnology with single-particle resolution, that takes advantage of the ability of engineered nanostructures to manipulate light. The multidisciplinary project will enable the collection of unprecedented depth of molecular information on small biological particles that cannot be achieved with traditional methods. It will increase Australia’s global competitiveness as a leading nanobiotechnology innovation hub. Expected outcomes include a universal and ultrasensitive technological platform with diverse applications in analytical biochemistry such as disease diagnostics, environmental sciences, food safety and agriculture with enormous social benefit.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Multi-Beam and Beam-Scanning Antenna Arrays for Intelligent Wireless System. This project aims to develop and validate the fundamental theory and pioneering multi-beam and beam-scanning transmissive and reflective antenna arrays for intelligent wireless systems. Advanced engineering methodologies will be developed to address the related technical challenges. The expected outcomes are multi-beam antenna supporting frequency-polarization multiplexed communication and two-dimensional dual-beam scanning systems with continuous scan capability over a wide angular range. The developed low-cost and fully passive antennas will significantly improve the information capacity of the wireless network, providing reliable and highly secure wireless communication. Field of research: 4006 - Communications Engineering Australia is increasingly reliant on modern, high-speed wireless telecommunication systems for efficient functioning of the economy, government, defence as well as police, emergency and health services. However, current telecommunication components do not meet the expectations of future communication needs for emerging applications, especially in terms of power consumption, cybersecurity and the prevention of eavesdropping. This project aims to develop intelligent antenna systems which are low-cost, suitable for next-generation (6G) wireless networks and are inherently designed to minimise eavesdropping opportunities. It will deliver a working prototype system that would allow the fast-growing, Australian telecommunications start-up sector to adopt and commercialise this technology as a key enabler for future 6G networks. This would allow Australia to build local capability in a global growth area and create high-skilled jobs in a global export market. Simultaneously, superior communication equipment designed for cybersecurity will have flow-on benefits for the Australian society, economy and government.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Integrated active microcantilevers for high-throughput nanometrology. This project aims to develop a new versatile, high-performance microsensor platform and microscopy method for measuring nano-scale structures. The proposed microscopy tool is expected to significantly increase imaging speed and miniaturize system footprint, thereby enabling high-throughput quality control of semiconductor devices. The expected outcome is a highly-scalable and low-cost imaging system that will close the technology gap between fabrication and inspection at the nanoscale. The benefits to Australia should include the potential for commercialization to develop this next-generation microscopy tool in high-value market sectors. Field of research: 4017 - Mechanical Engineering The atomic force microscope is one of the most powerful tools for imaging surfaces down to the atomic level and has remained the key enabling technology for breakthroughs in surface physics, materials science, and nanotechnology. However, a single high-resolution image can take hours which is an economic burden and an enormous barrier for scientific advancement. This project aims to solve the long-standing obstacle of low imaging speeds and slow throughput by developing a new highly scalable microsensor imaging system. This will enable quality control of next-generation semiconductor devices resulting in lower manufacturing costs and increases in reliability of everyday consumer electronics such as smartphones and computers. With approximately half of the global $550 billion semiconductor chip market located in the Asia-Pacific region, Australia is in an ideal position to take the lead on this next-generation technology. In collaboration with already established industry partners, this project has significant potential for commercialisation of this powerful new imaging tool.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Light-emitting devices for next-generation optoelectronic applications. High-efficiency, multifunction light sources are essential in the new era of intelligent connectivity and hyper-automation for emerging applications in advanced display technologies (e.g., holographic/augmented reality displays), communication devices (e.g., 6th-generation (6G) telecommunication networks), and optical sensing (e.g., for self-driving vehicles & robotics). Realising such devices requires a paradigm shift in optical technology beyond conventional optics. This project aims to develop new light-emitting device concepts that can deliver the technical requirements of these applications by tailoring advanced nanophotonic technologies and recent breakthroughs in advanced functional materials. Field of research: 4018 - Nanotechnology Optoelectronic technologies use optical and electronic mechanisms to generate, manipulate, and convert light. They are becoming increasingly prevalent across computing, consumer electronics, and communications domains due to their low cost, efficiency, and advanced performance. Further innovations are urgently required to ensure the light-emitting technology underpinning optoelectronics applications can keep pace. It is expected that this project’s new high-performance, miniaturised, functional light sources will be capable of meeting the demanding technical requirements of future optoelectronic applications, such as tomorrow’s quantum optical telecommunication networks, ultra-small virtual and augmented reality displays, and advanced optical sensing systems that guide self-driving vehicles and robots. Commercialisation and adoption of the technology would enhance the competitiveness of Australian automotive, display, and telecommunication industries within the global photonics market predicted to reach $1627B by 2027, and cement Australia’s position as a global leader in these technologies.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Next-generation system resilience-based design of infrastructure facilities. This project aims to develop a framework for system resilience-based design of infrastructure facilities. In Australia, the costs of natural disasters will rise to $33B per year by 2050 unless steps are taken to guarantee resilience. This project expects to quantify the impacts that structural deterioration, external hazards, and component interaction have on infrastructure resilience. Expected outcomes include new practices for resilience-based structural design, reflecting a next-generation evolution of design philosophy. Expected benefits stem from the development of novel decision-making tools for community planners and designers that will guarantee the resilience of infrastructure systems, and thus mitigate hazard-induced damage costs. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering Australian infrastructure systems (e.g. transportation and power grids) have suffered significant economic losses and service disruptions due to more frequent natural hazards. To better protect infrastructure, community planners need more sophisticated quantitative tools that enhance resilience, improving the ability to resist, absorb, adjust to, and recover from disruptive events. Infrastructure also needs to become more robust to withstand the effects of a harsher, volatile climate. However, current Australian design standards and codes do not adequately address the need for infrastructure-resilience. This project will develop a novel, resilience-orientated method to guide the design of future infrastructure. Outcomes from this project will be translated into new design standards for the Australian construction industry to build resilient infrastructure to mitigate costs of hazard-induced damage and interruption of services to our communities. Through this project, Australia will play a leading global role in next-generation, resilience-based design of infrastructure facilities for a changing climate.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

PFAS transport through landfill clay liners enhanced with proteins. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of environmentally persistent, man-made chemicals found likely to be carcinogenic in humans. Due to their non-stick, water and stain repellences, PFAS have long been used in everyday products (food wrappers, carpets, furniture etc.) which end up in landfills. As it is currently unknown how PFAS move through the various components of landfill barriers, their fate and transport has become a priority for the regulators of Australia’s landfill sites according to the Australian 2018 PFAS National Environmental Management Plan. This research will determine PFAS transport through common clay barriers enhanced with proteins which have been shown to be an excellent sorbent for PFAS. Field of research: 4011 - Environmental Engineering Protecting Australia’s soil and water resources from per- & polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is paramount. Household products containing PFAS disposed to landfills will continue to threaten soil and water sources long into the future due to their recalcitrance and toxicity. PFAS transport in soils, let alone landfill liners, is poorly understood and addressing this knowledge gap is a scientific priority. The 2021 American ban on the thermal treatment of PFAS leaves landfilling the only option, highlighting the importance of understanding these systems. This research will elucidate the fundamental parameters & mechanisms governing PFAS transport through landfill liners, thereby addressing the current knowledge gaps. By working with state EPA heads and stakeholders, the outcomes of this research will demonstrate how to best construct landfills for optimal environmental protection from these forever chemicals. These results can then be incorporated into the PFAS National Environmental Protection Measure (NEMP), the framework for the environmental regulation of PFAS-contaminated materials.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Toward Human-guided Safe Reinforcement Learning in the Real World. This project aims to investigate human-guided safe reinforcement learning (RL). Safe RL is an important topic that could enable real applications of RL systems by addressing safety constraints. Existing safe RL assumes the availability of specified safety constraints in mathematical or logical forms. This project proposes to study learning safety objectives from information provided directly by humans or indirectly via language models, and human-guided continuous correction for safety improvements. The established theories and developed algorithms will advance frontier technologies in AI and contribute to a wide range of real applications of safe RL, such as robotics and autonomous driving, bringing enormous social and economic benefits. Field of research: 4611 - Machine Learning Reinforcement Learning (RL) has shown great potential in scenarios that require learning through interaction with the environment, such as robotics and dialogue systems. However, without adequately addressing safety and security, RL systems might not only result in the loss of human well-being or lives, but also pose huge threats to business entities, government departments, and even national security. Existing safe RL is far from being suitable for real-world applications; it assumes the availability of predefined safety constraints in mathematical or logical forms, which is often not the case in real applications. This project will develop innovative algorithms to bring human-guided learning to safe RL, thus overcoming practical challenges for real-world applications. Apart from creating new knowledge and promoting the outcomes of the project in academia, we envisage holding public seminars and industry workshops to disseminate the findings to respective end-users and communities, thereby maximizing the understanding and adoption of the research. It is anticipated that outcomes of this project will generate commercial, economic, and social benefits to multiple industry sectors in Australia, enabling real-world RL systems such as safe autonomous driving, AI-assisted medical surgeries, and ethical dialogue systems. The project’s high-quality training opportunities will further enhance Australia’s research capacity in Artificial Intelligence.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Indistinguishable Quantum Emitters in van der Waals Materials. Solid state sources of single photons ("quantum emitters") are a key building block for implementation of scalable quantum technologies. Amongst many potential platforms studied, impurities in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) are at the forefront due to their brightness and ease of manufacturing. However, their main disadvantage is spectral instability which prohibits engineering of practical devices. The current project will address this bottleneck and deliver an optically stable solid state quantum light source in hBN. The project will produce a robust hardware toolkit for quantum technologies. It will provide excellent training for young Australians and generate key intellectual property for quantum startups and the quantum industry. Field of research: 4018 - Nanotechnology The global quantum industry has been estimated conservatively to reach $86 billion by 2040 in the CSIRO report "Growing Australia’s Quantum Technology Industry". The report estimates that Australia can realise a global revenue of at least $4 billion and create over 16,000 jobs in this sector. It emphasizes the need to attract, train and retain talent, and address gaps in industry capabilities. This project addresses a technological bottleneck in advanced manufacturing of single photon sources - hardware for quantum communications, quantum sensing and quantum computation. The objective is to improve the performance metrics of these sources to the level needed for real-world applications in alignment with the CSIRO report recommendations. In addition, the project will create content for quantum and technology degrees to train students and young researchers. The outcomes of the project will benefit Australian labour market by building high-tech workforce for the quantum industry for positioning Australia in the lead of the emerging quantum economy. The general public will learn about the advances of the project through the Sydney Quantum Academy, the Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems and major press and social media channels.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Electrolyte and interface engineering of solid-state sodium batteries. This project aims to develop large-scale solid-state sodium-ion batteries exhibiting better safety compared to classic liquid electrolyte batteries without compromising on performance, thus addressing the significant issue of safety in batteries. This will be achieved by novel engineering of solid-state electrolytes and electrolyte-electrode interfacing by a fundamental understanding of sodium-ion transport using statistical and machine-learning techniques. Expected outcomes include an understanding of ion-transport mechanisms in batteries, delivery of advanced solid-state electrolytes with high ionic conductivity, and batteries with excellent performance and safety characteristics, which benefits Australia's environment and sustainability. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering This project aims to develop large-scale, cost-effective, high safety, and high-performance solid-state sodium-ion batteries by electrolytes and interface engineering. Expected outcomes include constructing solid-state electrolytes with high ionic conductivity, designing intimate electrolyte/electrode interfaces, and obtaining safer batteries. This will address safety issues faced by batteries based on organic electrolytes which are volatile and flammable, causing issues like burning or explosion. Solid-state sodium-ion batteries have the advantages of intrinsically high safety, good thermal stability, and low cost, especially for large-scale energy storage systems. The outcomes of this project will accelerate Australian energy storage markets to realize the full value and benefits. Besides, this project will have fundamental significance in material science, physical chemistry, nanotechnology, electrochemistry, as well as strengthen national research capacity in energy materials. This project will make Australia the world’s batteries leader in terms of battery production and put Australia at the forefront of the utilization of renewable and clean energies.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Extending Remaining Useful Life of Second-life Battery Energy Systems. The project aims to develop a framework to reuse second-life battery packs with different degradation levels. This includes a novel machine learning and online battery state estimation algorithm that does not require past use case historical data of the SLBs, an advanced control algorithm to balance the energy in each battery pack and an optimized modular inverter architecture with integrated voltage boosting capability to manage the batteries and meet the control objectives. This benefits not only the environment through delayed e-waste or recycling cycles but also helps the Australian manufacturing sector through a circular economy of energy products and services. Field of research: 4009 - Electronics, Sensors and Digital Hardware The mass deployment of battery energy storage could ensure the reliability and security of the power network, but ensuring their health to prevent failure and mitigate potential hazardous situations is extremely important. This research investigates ways of optimising battery module capacity whilst improving the remaining useful life of second-life batteries. The project's intended outcome is a cost-effective, modular, more reliable system for current and future three-phase power systems, that enhances national energy security when coordinated appropriately with renewable energy. In addition, the innovations and capabilities enabled by this project, will be widely disseminated (including to industry, where commercial opportunities can be explored), and will position Australia for global leadership with industry opportunities and solutions for cleaner, more reliable and affordable battery systems.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

All-Solid-state Sodium-ion Batteries for Renewable Energy Industry. Sodium-ion batteries have been widely recognised as scalable and sustainable system for renewable energy storage and conversion owing to abundant resource of sodium and low cost. However, the electrochemical performance and safety of this technology must be improved for practical deployment. This project aims to rationally design and synthesise solid-state polymer electrolytes with high sodium ion conductivity and high sodium ion transfer number. The expected outcome of the project is to manufacture all-solid-state sodium-ion batteries for renewable energy industry in Australia. The project will support the transition of energy supply to renewables, and therefore attain a secure and reliable zero-carbon emission energy future. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Australia’s government’s goal for fighting against climate change is to realise net-zero emissions by 2050. To achieve this target, the energy industry sector must dramatically reduce burning fossil fuels for energy generation and transit to harness renewable energy. Sustainable and grid-scale energy storage technologies play a pivot role on the transition of the Australian energy industry to renewables. This project is expected to deliver a sustainable and low-cost all solid-state sodium-ion battery technology that can safely store energy at the scale needed for Australia’s household and electricity grid. In particular, this project will solve a safety problem in the practical operation of sodium-ion batteries by replacing a flammable liquid electrolyte with all-solid-state polymer electrolytes. All-solid-state sodium-ion batteries have many advantages for energy storage over commercial lithium-ion batteries including low cost, abundant resource of sodium, and high-level operation safety. The research outcomes of this project will create innovations and cutting-edge battery technologies, which could be commercialised. Thus, this project research could also generate job opportunities in the manufacturing industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Surfacing urban wetlands in two urban renewal sites in Sydney. Urban wetlands in Australia provide benefits for climate change mitigation, pollution reduction, habitat provision and socioecological connection. However, in large cities like Sydney, urban wetlands are unseen because undergrounded, and, therefore not adequately understood. This illegibility, and loss of understanding by residents, planners and policy makers impedes wetlands' good management. This project surfaces wetlands through visualisation in a multimodal knowledge platform focusing on two urban renewal sites, Green Square and Marrickville South. We leverage design ethnography to develop resources for strengthening multiple stakeholders’ socioecological engagement through methods empowering just, creative and open participation. Field of research: 3303 - Design Australia’s urban wetlands are environmental assets that contribute significantly to flood control, water pollution, microclimates that help mitigate extreme weather conditions, support for biodiversity, and socioecological engagement. With more than 85% of Australians living in urban areas and unprecedented urban growth, wetlands’ environments and histories are increasingly rendered invisible and illegible. Creating effective means to address the visibility of these environments is particularly urgent as new precincts are planned on undergrounded wetlands. The research will generate new knowledge and visualise Sydney wetlands’ stories in two urban renewal precincts through an online knowledge platform, an exhibition and a program of event in partnership with local organisations. This project will benefit Australian society and environment by designing a framework that can be adapted and translated to different localities to enhance residents, local governments, planners, and developers’ understanding of the history and value of urban wetlands, to strengthen local socioecological connections and mobilise forms of care in the face of rapid environmental change.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2024 · 2024-01

Broadening Choice and Increasing Diversity in Public Schools. Currently, most families are limited to the public school in their catchment area, meaning the area in which they can afford to live. This leads to socio-economically and ethnically homogenous schools and entrenches disadvantage, as well as denying students the crucial life lessons that flow from being part of a diverse student body. This project aims to investigate a model for allocating public school places that integrates catchment areas. The expected outcome would be a system that gives families a wider choice, enabling them to enrol in out-of-area schools, while ensuring that allocations remain fair, equitable and balanced, and also delivering benefits such as achieving a desired level of diversity in student populations within schools Field of research: 3803 - Economic Theory The quality of a successful public education system not only relies on good academic results, but also on learning life lessons, such as interacting with a diverse student cohort. However, public schools in Australia are often restricted to ‘catchment areas.’ As a result, school compositions typically mirror neighbourhood compositions, contributing to location-based segregation and depriving students of such diversity. This project will develop a model of fair allocation of public school places that integrates catchment areas, and its outcomes will directly address UNICEF findings which currently place Australia in the bottom third of OECD countries for equitable access to quality education. Adoption by the Departments of Education of various states will result in a more equitable system that gives families a wider choice, for example, by enabling them to enrol in out-of-area schools. Such a system will lead to more diverse student populations in public schools, resulting in more tolerant and open-minded young citizens to positively contribute to Australia’s economic, social and cultural life. We will promote research outcomes beyond academia for the adoption of research, for instance, via a 2-day workshop in year 3 of the project on school choice. This workshop will bring together academics, policy-makers in government and practitioners in the K-12 education sector.