RMIT University

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Laser Chemical Bond Engineering for Integrated Graphene Oxide Devices. This project aims to overcome the fundamental quality barriers in graphene production from cost-effective graphene oxides (GO) by conceptualising an innovative laser chemical reduction method. By using tailored ultrafast laser pulses to specifically target the oxygen group and defects, which are the fundamental factors contributing to the low quality, this project is expected to improve the material conductivity by over 100 times, making it suitable for integrated optoelectronics devices. The expected outcomes are the development of new advanced manufacturing capability and technology platform for high quality, ultracompact, multifunctional and cost-effective graphene integrated devices, revolutionising many sectors in business and society. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering This project focuses on laser chemical bond engineering to develop high-quality reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with properties approaching those of pristine graphene. Innovatively tailoring ultrafast laser pulses to selectively remove oxygen bonds in low-cost and scalable graphene oxide (GO), we aim to overcome the challenges of scalability and reproducibility that have hindered the practical use of graphene in integrated devices and addresses a critical research gap. The outcome will benefit Australian economy by enabling the mass production of advanced graphene devices, revolutionising industries such as electronics, renewable energy, and biomedicine. The greener manufacturing processes will reduce the energy consumption and chemical waste associated with current graphene production methods. Socially, the improved materials can enhance technologies that impact daily life, such as more efficient energy storage systems, personnel electronics and advanced wearable sensors. The research impact will be maximised beyond academia by engaging with key global stakeholders in electronics manufacturers, renewable energy companies, and medical device firms through planned conferences and collaborations, publications in open-access journals, and patent applications to facilitate commercialisation. Outreach activities with local schools, public lectures and device demonstrations will further promote understanding and adoption of the graphene technology, ensuring broad societal benefits.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Addressing a major historical challenge for titanium alloy development . The project aims to initiate and establish a new conceptual framework to overcome a major historical challenge in the mechanical performance of high-strength titanium alloys since their inception. This project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in alloy design concept, advanced metallic materials, and metal 3D printing. Expected outcomes include a fundamental solution to the design of breakthrough titanium alloys, new knowledge in 3D printing of these breakthrough titanium alloys, and interdisciplinary training of future leaders. This should provide significant benefits to Australian manufacturing in expanding existing diverse titanium markets, opening up new markets, and developing new business collaborations and partnerships. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering High-strength, lightweight, corrosion resistant and damange tolerant titanium alloys are key engineering materials that are indispensable for many important applications in aerospace, defence, chemical, medical, energy production, maritime, shipbuilding, and other sectors. The Australian Government’s list of Critical Minerals & Strategic Materials lists titanium as “essential to our modern technologies, economy and national security.” Building on our recent breakthroughs in alloy design and 3D printing, this project aims to develop advanced sustainable titanium alloys with exceptional mechanical properties and damage tolerance. Importantly, these new titanium alloys can be made using recycled materials or scrap, or directly through Australia’s abundant mineral resources (rutile and ilmenite). The outcomes from this project are expected to expand the Australian manufacturing industry in existing markets and advance into new ones in this decarbonisation-driven economy. Furthermore, it is expected to create new business opportunities and strengthen Australia’s position on the global stage for advanced manufacturing. The project will also develop local talent to ensure Australia’s future leadership in this important area. Major outcomes will be disseminated to the Australian manufacturing industry via Manufacturing e-news, industry forums, customised workshops, RMIT Research Translation Team, and to the public via RMIT's Media team to promote engagement beyond academia.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Artificial Ion Channels for Advancing Neural Signalling and Treating... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Breakthrough metal metamaterials with high strength and near-water density. Breakthrough metallic metamaterials with exceptional mechanical strength at near-water density are new enabling advanced materials for Australian manufacturing. This project aims to make a new major innovative leap to create such unprecedented metallic metamaterials by leveraging Australia’s leading expertise in metallic metamaterial and 3D printing research. Expected outcomes include new national capabilities in breakthrough metallic metamaterials, new fundamental knowledge in material design and fabrication, a range of promising metallic metamaterial product designs, and interdisciplinary training of future leaders. This should provide significant benefits to Australian manufacturing in expanding existing markets and developing new ones. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Metamaterials are engineered materials with transformative potential for Australian engineering, where low-density and high-strength metals are essential but difficult to achieve. 3D printing has revolutionized their design and manufacture by enabling precise, customisable, and complex sub-millimetre structures previously impossible with traditional manufacturing. This project aims to use 3D printing technology to develop new metallic metamaterials that are lightweight, strong, corrosion- and heat-resistant, applicable across Australia's key engineering sectors generating significant economic benefits. These include manufacturing to creating new job opportunities; aerospace in advanced drone technology; defence in lightweight armour, and structural components for vehicles and aircraft; healthcare in patient-specific hard tissue implants; marine for durable, corrosion-resistant components; and energy in efficient, environment-specific turbine blades, heat sinks and exchangers. The outcomes should assist the expansion of Australian manufacturing in existing markets and lead new ones in a decarbonization-driven economy by reducing material waste and energy use. 3D printing considers recyclability and restoration, where traditional methods do not. The project will train early career researchers, strategically ensuring Australia’s future leadership in this critical area. Key research findings will be shared via our industry networks and media channels to stimulate public interest.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Understanding Children's Mobile Gamble-Play Cultures: Gateways to Gambling. This project aims to minimize the harms involved in children's access to gambling by developing an understanding of how Australian children use mobile phones to engage in "gamble-play". It will generate a new evidence base to inform evolving regulation around children and gambling, and to improve child and parent literacies about the ways mobile media content introduces children to gambling-like play behaviours. Outcomes include child co-designed educational toolkits to build family literacies around the emergent mobile gamble-play sector, and a series of white papers for the policy sector. Benefits include informed gambling policy that accounts for children's mobile play habits and how mobile devices operate as gateways to gambling. Field of research: 4701 - Communication and Media Studies Gambling amongst children in Australia is emerging as a national crisis, with a 16% increase in the number of people under 18 seeking help for gambling in the past financial year. To combat this growing problem, State and Federal Governments are prioritising regulation that restricts children's access to gambling, but there are crucial gaps in the policy related to children's use of mobile devices. This project will generate an evidence-base of how children use mobile phones to access "gamble-play" via apps, social media and games that embed gambling mechanics, with and without explicit monetary transactions. Research with children aged 5-17 - including lab and home-based observation, interviews and workshops - will identify how mobile devices open "gateways to gambling" and determine how gambling-play behaviours escalate as children mature. This evidence will inform evolving regulation around the intersections between gambling, children, and media, including tracking and identifying gaps in new videogame and social media policy. The project will provide social benefits through educational toolkits that support family literacies, co-designed with children and promoted through a national media plan. An Advisory Board of industry and policy experts will ensure strong uptake of the project’s white papers. Through initiatives such as a Gamble-Play Summit and regular Board consultation, these white papers will assist policymakers with the development of evidence-based regulation.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Artificial Ion Channels for Advancing Neural Signalling and Treating... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Boosting Spin-Sensitive Redox by Tuning Chirality . This project aims to develop effective spin engineering strategies to boost electron transfer in spin-sensitive redox, by fabricating linear and chiral magnetic structures, as well as applying magnetic fields into the system. It is expected to overcome the obstacle of slow electron transfer through innovative spin engineering. Taking oxygen evolution reaction as a demonstration, a pivotal step in green hydrogen production and metal-air battery, the anticipated outcomes will shed light on the intricate interplay between electron spin and redox efficiency, ultimately paving the way for the development of advanced catalysts for green energy. Field of research: 5104 - Condensed Matter Physics This research makes a significant contribution to Australia's national interests by tackling critical energy and environmental challenges. Specifically, it addresses the fundamental obstacles in redox reactions from a physical perspective, which are crucial for sustainable energy solutions. The inefficiency of electrocatalytic redox, due to its spin-sensitive nature, has impeded the progress of green hydrogen production and metal-air batteries. Our project focuses on creating linear and chiral magnetic structures and harnessing magnetic fields to pioneer innovative spin engineering strategies. By delving into the interplay between electron spin and catalysis, we have the potential to drive innovation and enhance Australia's competitiveness in the global clean energy sector. This research extends its impact beyond national borders, paving the way for a sustainable, eco-friendly future not only for Australia but for the entire world. To ensure a widespread impact, we are dedicated to sharing our findings widely and collaborating with industry, policymakers, and the public, fostering the adoption and practical application of our research outcomes.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Near-infrared quantum emitters in diamond: a new frontier in photonics. This project aims to develop near-infrared quantum emitters in diamond as a platform technology that may ultimately enable long-distance quantum networks, integrated photonics, and deep tissue biosensors based on diamond. The project is expected to generate the fundamental science required to discover new emitters and explore the potential of recently discovered emitters as near-infrared single photon sources and quantum sensors. The expected outcome is ultra-stable nanoscale light sources in the telecom range that bridge the gap between emerging diamond-based quantum technologies and mature near-infrared photonics and that may one day enable new biosensors for better health outcomes and quantum-assured communication for improved security. Field of research: 5102 - Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Atom-scale light sources in diamond—so-called quantum emitters—are at the heart of today's quantum technology revolution and Australia’s National Quantum Strategy. However, they are currently incompatible with established light technologies that are the basis of modern telecommunications and many emerging biomedical sensing technologies. This project aims to address this bottleneck by developing industry-compatible light sources in diamond that enable quantum-assured communication networks and ultra-sensitive biomedical diagnostic tools. This will one day provide Australians with more secure communications technologies and better health outcomes through the early detection of pathogens and diseases. The materials and fundamental science developed throughout the project will bridge the gap between emerging diamond-based quantum technologies and cutting-edge telecommunications and sensing technologies. This will enable technological innovation and support Australia’s ambitions for economic growth in quantum technologies, and it may provide Australia with strategic defence capabilities in the long term. The project team will participate in the Australian Centre for Quantum Growth program and events and programs run by the Defence Science & Technology Group to promote project outcomes to end users in telecommunications, biomedicine, and defence. The project findings will be promoted to the public via social media and news stories in traditional media.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

New-generation prefabricated element design and eco-friendly... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Assessing the impact of gender inequalities across Australia . Gender inequalities persist in Australia, limiting opportunities and experiences for people of all genders. Applying the newly developed Australian Gender Equality Index, this project aims to address gaps in understanding about gender inequalities across Australia. This project expects to generate new knowledge of the impacts of gender inequalities on social, economic and health outcomes, and geographic and intersectional variations. Expected outcomes include evidence that will inform programs and policies to monitor and reduce gender inequalities across Australia. This project expects to deliver significant benefits to the population, enabling individuals to reach their full economic, social, and health potential, irrespective of gender. Field of research: 4403 - Demography Gender inequalities disadvantage girls and women globally, leading to reduced opportunities, lost human capital, and lost potential. A key driver of violence against women, gender inequalities also cost lives. Research suggests that living in a more gender-equal society benefits everyone. For these reasons, addressing gender inequality is a key priority for Australia. However, current measures do not capture the complexity of how gender inequalities operate, interact and impact on society, meaning that efforts to tackle gender inequality may be ineffective. This project directly addresses this issue. Applying innovative analytical approaches to the newly developed Australian Gender Equality Index (an area-level measure comprising 12 indicators of gender equality), this project will map, clarify, explore and monitor how gender inequality operates and impacts on lives, and identify optimal levers to reduce these inequalities, whilst also exploring how experiences of gender inequality differ for different groups of people. This project will produce knowledge about how gender inequality is patterned in Australia and the implications this has for social, economic and health outcomes. This information is essential for governments to maximise the benefits of gender equality initiatives and ensure future policy is effective. Translation and adoption of project results will be facilitated and expedited by a diverse advisory committee and via established links with external partners.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Synchrotron Nanocrystallography. The project aims to develop a new method to determine the atomic structures of macromolecular nanocrystals. The project expects to enable atomic scale studies of previously inaccessible molecules and enable molecular movies of chemicals interacting and changing the function of larger molecules, such as proteins. The expected outcome of this project is an advanced new technique for use at the Australian Synchrotron and international x-ray facilities. This should benefit the biological and materials research communities that use crystal structures to determine material properties and protein function, which are key steps in the rational design of materials and drugs respectively. Field of research: 5110 - Synchrotrons and Accelerators This project is about developing a new method of determining how atoms are arranged and move in crystals smaller than a micrometre in size (nanocrystals), allowing us to visualise the 3D shapes of proteins. Knowledge of how atoms are arranged is critical for understanding the properties of materials and how drugs work at the molecular level, driving technological and health innovation. Many dynamical processes are unmeasurable without using crystals smaller than a micrometre. By developing synchrotron nanocrystallography, this project will provide a new capability to record molecular movies of large molecules (like proteins) at the Australian Synchrotron and international synchrotrons. This will make nanocrystallography available to the Australian research community. The tangible benefits to Australian society are new materials or drugs that the Australian research community could discover in the future using our new technique. To maximise translation of this research outside academia, we will work with industry users of crystallography at the Australian Synchrotron and provide them access to equipment, analysis software and training to perform nanocrystallography. The longer-term goal is to enable industry to use nanocrystallography, as they currently do crystallography, for commercial research and development.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Acousto-Electrocatalysis: A New Frontier in Electrochemistry. This project aims to investigate the use of high frequency vibrations to enhance electrochemical reactions whilst avoiding the use of expensive platinum-based catalysts. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of high frequency, acoustically-driven fluidic systems and their novel utilisation in improving electrolysis efficiency. Expected outcomes of this project include prototypes for a new type of acoustically based electrolyser, particularly relevant to hydrogen-on-demand applications. This should provide significant benefits, such as less reliance on fossil fuels and reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, critical to our response to the current climate crisis. Field of research: 5103 - Classical Physics Producing green energy, at scale, has not yet materialised due to the high operational costs and the need for expensive catalysts. This project explores the use of high frequency sound waves to markedly increase the production efficiency of hydrogen fuel generation while using cheaper platinum-free electrode materials. The project outcomes will strengthen green hydrogen and ammonia production technologies, with the potential to enhance Australia’s clean energy output and strengthen the nation’s contributions in carbon dioxide emission reduction through new investment opportunities and job creation. Cleaner energy production will reduce Australia’s reliance on burning fossil fuels, which is a major source of pollution, and potentially mitigate catastrophic environmental consequences of climate change. The project outcomes extend far beyond scientific breakthrough discoveries utilising the novel use of high frequency sound waves to dramatically enhance catalysis for green hydrogen and ammonia production and will facilitate translation into building efficient and low-cost hydrogen generators. We will promote the outcomes of this project through the media team to attract industry partners to co-develop our acoustic platform into viable prototypes for green energy. This, in turn, will accelerate Australia’s use of renewable and clean energy in the electricity market, which currently accounts for only 32.5% of the total market, compared to 67.5% produced through fossil fuels.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Unravelling the role of amyloids in viruses. This project aims to investigate the commonality and nanoscale structures of aggregated proteins (amyloids) in viruses, generating new knowledge in the areas of virology and nanobiotechnology. Amyloids are found in every part of biology yet their roles in viruses are largely unexplored. Expected outcomes include elucidating the roles of viral amyloids, and how they affect the cellular responses of their hosts (livestock and human). Fundamental knowledge from this project should provide significant benefits to the agriculture industry by guiding the design of amyloid targeting therapies to treat viral outbreaks in livestock. Beyond this project the fundamental knowledge gained may also aid our preparedness for future viral pandemics. Field of research: 3404 - Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry Large clumps of proteins, also known as amyloid fibres, have been associated with the disruption of many healthy functions within the body. Recent work from us and others suggests that they may also have important roles in how viruses can cause disease. However, how they contribute to viral function is unclear. In this project we will identify the function of proteins in viruses that cause significant problems for Australia’s agriculture and healthcare systems. These viruses affect poultry and cattle, resulting in $5.5 billion costs due to animal losses, resulting in enormous socioeconomic and healthcare costs. As well as generating understanding of the role of these proteins in viruses, the project outcomes will pave the way for the future development of better treatment options for these viruses and assist to reduce the socioeconomically burden. We will also develop new materials for the simple, low-cost detection of these proteins, solving a long-standing challenge. We will use our extensive experience and connections in the biotechnology sector to maximise future opportunities to convert these materials into commercial diagnostic products. Our preliminary work has generated significant media attention and relationships with journalists at major Australian institutions (e.g. The Age, SBS, ABC) will be maintained to maximise public dissemination of project outcomes.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Valuing the Handmade for Circular Fashion and Textile Economies. This project aims to investigate the value of the handmade within fashion and textile ecosystems in two Australian states. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of circular economy by using place-based approaches to foreground experiences of small businesses and craft communities that are typically excluded from the industrial view of a circular economy. Expected outcomes of the project include understanding and defining new forms of value within a fashion and textiles circular economy through surfacing the local economies of making, reuse and remaking. This should provide significant benefits, such as informing new strategies to reduce textile waste and contributing to Australia’s transition to a circular economy. Field of research: 3303 - Design Australia faces challenges with overconsumption and disposal of clothing to landfill, contributing to environmental pollution and resource depletion. Slowing down production and consumption through the circular economy approaches of reuse, repair and remake can help to reduce the use of new resources and the generation of waste. This project explores handmaking practices within two Australian states centring on small-scale industry, domestic and community settings. The aim is to understand the social, environmental and economic value of the handmade and how an understanding of its value can support the transition to a local circular economy, while generating wellbeing and social cohesion. It seeks to address a critical gap in circular economy thinking, which is the role of craft and the handmade in slowing the demand for new materials. Economically, the promotion of handmade practices could stimulate local economies by supporting small-scale businesses and artisans. Socially, it can foster community resilience and promote a sense of cultural identity through the preservation of craft knowledge. Environmentally, this research can lead to a reduction in textile waste and pollution. These outcomes will be communicated through workshops with the fashion industry and broader community, publications and a repository capturing handmaking knowledge to enable the translation to a circular economy.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Breakthrough metal metamaterials with high strength and near-water... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Privacy-Aware Intelligent Digital Twin for Secure Critical Infrastructures. This project aims to address system privacy, trustworthiness, and efficient resource management within Digital Twins-based critical infrastructure. It expects to advance new knowledge in the area of intelligent systems and cybersecurity in the context of Digital Twins-based applications in smart critical infrastructures. Expected outcomes include an efficient, intelligent Digital Twin that provides data privacy and integrity by utilizing encryption techniques, machine learning techniques, and blockchain. It is expected that the outcomes of this project will benefit Australian Critical Infrastructures by providing the system with cost-efficiency and privacy, while increasing its trustworthiness and quality of services. Field of research: 4604 - Cybersecurity and Privacy Critical Infrastructures hold users' private information, including their identity and behavioural data. With increasing cyber security threats, such as identity theft and data manipulation, data privacy and integrity have become increasingly major concerns for the Australian Government and the public. Recent cyber-attacks and data breaches in Australia have been reported to have an average cost of over USD 4.35 million per breach, representing a 12.7% increase over the past two years. This highlights the necessity of implementing effective privacy-preserving techniques to combat cyber threats and protect national safety, economy, and security, aligning with the Australian Government's Science and Research Priority of "Cybersecurity" and National Reconstruction Fund Priority of " Enabling capabilities". This project aims to develop easy-to-use security mechanisms and machine learning techniques for data privacy and integrity throughout its lifecycle in the emerging smart critical infrastructure. The knowledge acquired can be utilised by the Australian Government and companies to prevent adversaries from accessing and tampering with the data while ensuring system availability. The project's outcomes can be commercialised for safer and cost-effective critical infrastructure services for Australian essential sectors such as telecommunications, healthcare, and government artificial intelligence-based services, offering opportunities for Australian companies and organisations.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Laser Chemical Bond Engineering for Integrated Graphene Oxide Devices Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Acoustomicrofluidic Crystallisation of Covalent–Organic Frameworks. This project aims to develop a new, simple and fast method for synthesizing films of a new class of highly porous materials onto different surfaces not easily possible with other techniques. Elucidating the mechanisms governing the process will allow us to control the quality and stability of these films, which we will demonstrate for producing highly efficient gas separation membranes for carbon capture and storage, as an example application. Scaling the platform is expected to yield a thousandfold energy efficiency improvement, thus constituting disruptive technology that is an attractive economical and environmental alternative to conventional spray drying, and hence transforming industrial practice in the manufacture of these materials. Field of research: 4012 - Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering The project seeks to demonstrate a novel, efficient, simple and green method for simultaneously synthesizing a new class of highly porous materials and coating them as films onto a variety of surfaces. If successful, it will overcome existing manufacturing challenges, thereby constituting disruptive technology that will provide an economically-viable and environmentally-friendly way to produce these materials. In addition to improving the efficiency of the downstream applications for which these materials can be exploited, such as gas separation, drug delivery and catalysis, the technology will provide another avenue for advanced and innovative production of niche, high-value-add products, which has been recognised as the future of manufacturing in Australia, as embodied by the government’s Future Made in Australia Act, particularly in light of the recent sharp decline in the traditional manufacturing industry. In addition to the implications for domestic job creation, translation of the platform along the technology transfer pipeline towards commercial realisation will further contribute to an innovation economy by enabling Australian industries to capitalise on an emerging market for these materials, for which there exists strong interest and demand. Besides commercialising the technology, we will also seek to disseminate the research outcomes through media releases and STEM education outreach activities to promote wider public understanding of science.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Spins in flatland: a new platform for quantum sensing. This project aims to develop a new platform for quantum sensing, based on controllable electronic spins hosted by a two-dimensional (2D) material. By leveraging the unique properties of the 2D platform recently discovered by the investigatory team, the project expects to bring quantum sensors to the realm of atomic and molecular scales. Expected outcomes include novel high-resolution sensing methods and materials operating under ambient conditions, and the realisation of ultrasensitive biosensors and precision nanoscopes. This should benefit the sovereign development of quantum technologies, the training of the future quantum workforce, and lay the foundation for start-ups and technology translation to support local and global industry. Field of research: 5104 - Condensed Matter Physics A quantum sensor is a device that can measure things with far better precision than conventional sensors. This project will develop a new class of quantum sensors that operate at a finer atomic level, making them even more powerful. The benefits to Australian society are primarily in health diagnostics, by enabling faster results from ultrasensitive biomolecular sensors, and defence, by improving the capacity and functioning of electromagnetic receivers used for communications in electronic warfare scenarios. This project will create intellectual property and may result in the commercialisation of the sensors, which could contribute commercially by growing the national quantum industry and workforce. To promote the implementation of the findings, the researchers will engage with key stakeholders such as the Australian Centre for Quantum Growth, and deliver presentations and demonstrations at events and programs run by the Defence Science & Technology Group, an Australian Government agency dedicated to the adoption of new developments in science and technology in the interest of Australian security and defence.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Designing subnanofluidic devices for precise divalent metal ion separation. This project aims to explore innovative subnanofluidic devices that can efficiently separate divalent metal ions. The project expects to generate new knowledge in designing membranes with biomimetic pore structures and functionalities for rapid and selective transportation of targeted divalent metal ions. The expected outcomes of this project include a sustainable separation method for reclaiming metal ions from wastewater streams and an effective way to advance mineral refining processes. These advancements should significantly benefit the chemical and energy sectors, reduce waste generated during mining and energy industries, and shift towards a circular economy paradigm by yielding valuable products from recovered metal ions. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering In Australia, approximately 1.5 million tons of desalination concentrates are generated daily, containing numerous valuable ions worth over $1000 per ton. These ions are essential in construction, energy, agriculture, and chemical processes. Disposing of these concentrated brines into waterways is wasteful, costly, and environmentally harmful. There is an urgent need to develop new technologies capable of efficiently recovering valuable ions from these waste products, as current methods are inefficient and cannot recover specific metal ions for reuse. Therefore, this project aims to advance separation technologies to recover these valuable minerals, reduce waste during water treatment, and enhance mineral processing efficiency. The outcomes will yield substantial economic and environmental benefits for Australia by reducing waste from the water and mining industries, conserving resources, and mitigating the environmental impact of industrial processes. Enhanced recovery and separation technologies can lower operational costs for water treatment facilities by improving process efficiency and reducing the need for chemical additives. Additionally, the project has the potential to offer commercial benefits by positioning Australia as a leader in efficient ion mining technologies. We will actively promote the outcomes through invited talks, webinars, and collaboration with industry stakeholders to reduce global desalination waste and improve resource extraction efficiency.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Controlling beams of light with photonic chips. This project aims to create new technology to switch optical signals between different input and output ports determined by laser wavelength. By replacing discrete optical components with microchips and by harnessing 3D nano-printing, this project expects to significantly reduce the size, weight and manufacturing costs of existing wavelength selective switch products. The expected outcomes include miniaturized switches and new product concepts using these switches ranging from networking in data centres to programmable information processors. The project will transform how these switches are manufactured in Australia and will drive a new wave of deep technology industries based on this Australian know-how and capability. Field of research: 4009 - Electronics, Sensors and Digital Hardware This project will create photonic chip based optical switches with reduced size and cost, increasing the scope and scale of market for this Australian technology. Finisar Australia is a global leader in telecommunications wavelength management products. Their product, which is based on an Australian invention, is the key component in optical data transport networks forming the backbones of the modern digital society. However, current products are based on many discrete components which are bulky, expensive and with high manufacturing cost and limiting scalability. These limit the potential of expanding this product into new markets such as hyperscale data centre optical switching and interconnect, which is projected to grow by 24.7% annually. This project will address this problem by ultilising emerging photonic chip technology and advanced manufacturing. The created technology and prototyped chip-based demonstrators have a high potential for commercialisation, which will be explored in collaboration with Finisar. This project will support the competitiveness of Finisar's core product in the current global telecommunications - of which Finisar is one of very few manufacturers in this sector in Australia, and opening new markets, allowing them to continue to manufacture in Australia. Other benefits include a greater adoption of photonic technologies in Australian products for applications in sensing, digital communications, AI and photonic computing.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Breakthrough metal metamaterials with high strength and near-water... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Development of a Novel Vaccine for Spotty Liver Disease. This project aims to develop a vaccine to prevent Spotty Liver Disease (SLD), a significant cause of economic loss in the poultry industry. The use of Salmonella as a live vector to deliver Campylobacter hepaticus antigens will help protect poultry from both salmonellosis and SLD. The project is expected to generate new knowledge on disease mechanisms and host responses using newly developed technologies. Expected outcomes include elucidating the roles of key virulence factors, discovering biomarkers correlated with depressed egg production, and developing an urgently needed vaccine. Significant benefits include improved sustainability and profitability in the Australian poultry industry, reduced antibiotic use, and enhanced animal welfare. Field of research: 3003 - Animal Production The project aims to develop an effective vaccine against Spotty Liver Disease (SLD), a significant bacterial infection of layer chickens that costs the Australian poultry industry up to $95 million annually in hen mortality and lost egg production. The disease is an emerging global problem, but antibiotics are currently the primary treatment for SLD. The disease is most prevalent in free-ranging hens, and with the increasing demand for eggs and the phase-out of caged eggs in Australia brought forward to 2036, a solution for the poultry industry to minimise the impact of SLD is urgently needed. We will develop our vaccine using a novel approach that protects chickens against not only SLD but another significant disease, salmonellosis, at the same time. This research addresses food security, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare, as eggs are an affordable source of quality protein, with 8.3 million eggs produced daily in Australia. Eggs have one of the lowest carbon footprints of any animal protein source for human consumption. A vaccine also has long-term environmental benefits as it would enable reduced antibiotic use in egg production systems. The industry partner will adopt the outcomes for further refinement, registration, and commercialisation to supply the vaccine to the poultry industry. The commercialisation of the vaccine would lead to the development of local expertise and manufacturing capacity, fostering economic growth and job creation.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Upcycling of carbon dioxide for green cement production . This project aims to help decarbonise the cement and concrete industry by converting the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from the clinker manufacturing process into graphene via a novel liquid metal-based process. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the chemistry of CO2-to-graphene conversion, liquid metal and properties of the novel graphene-infused concrete products. Expected outcomes of this project includes the provisions of novel routes to upcycle CO2 emission back to the material value chain and to manufacture sustainable building materials. This should provide significant benefits by helping global cement industries to transition to a net zero future by creating emissions reduction and utilisation technologies. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering The cement industry is considered to be one of the hardest-to-abate sectors due to the fact that its emissions mostly originate from the chemical reactions of limestone heating, a process that cannot be decarbonised by simply switching to renewable energy alone. This project aims to help cement and concrete manufacturers who want to simultaneously reduce overall CO2 emissions during cement production AND produce the next generation green cement and concrete products without sacrificing profitability of their operations. To achieve this, this project will use an unconventional technology to turn CO2 emitted from the clinker operation into graphene, which can then be recycled as a concrete additive to manufacture innovative cement blends and products that emit low to zero carbon. This project thus offers a unique opportunity to turn emission liability into value-added materials by utilising CO2 as a feedstock. This project can help mitigate the impact of CO2 emissions associated with carbon intensive industries and help them to meet societal expectations as well as commercial imperatives in a rapidly changing market. The outcomes of this research will be adopted by the cement manufacturing industry through (i) upscaling graphene production by using CO2 emitted on the production site, and (ii) developing innovative low to zero carbon cement blends and products.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Engineered material surfaces for enhanced microbial attachment. The project aims to create scalable sensing surfaces for enhanced pathogen binding using engineered atomically thin materials to enable on-site quantification of organisms. By combining materials engineering, antibody functionalization, and machine learning, the project seeks to overcome limitations in current sensing materials. The expected outcomes include an adaptable material surface capable of detecting and quantifying key pathogens in water systems. This technology has significant implications for public health, environmental management, and water security, potentially revolutionizing how we monitor and predict water contamination across urban, semi-urban, and regional communities in Australia. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering This project aims to develop a deployable technology for monitoring water quality in urban and remote Australia. Currently, we lack real-time methods to detect or predict harmful microorganisms in our water sources, which poses risks to public health and limits the use of alternative supplies like stormwater. Our research will create an innovative sensor using an integration of extremely thin materials and machine learning to quickly and accurately identify even small concentrations of dangerous pathogens in water and predict potential outbreaks early. By improving water quality monitoring, this project will benefit Australians in several ways. It will enhance public health by detecting contamination before outbreaks occur, support more efficient use of water resources, and potentially reduce costs for water treatment. This technology could also help expand the use of alternative water sources, contributing to Australia's water security in the face of climate change. To ensure our research has real-world impact, we'll work closely with a major water utility company and CSIRO. We plan to develop a prototype that will be tested in real-world conditions. We'll also share our findings through public engagement activities, such as community workshops and school visits, to raise awareness about water quality issues and the potential of new technologies to address them.