RMIT University

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.

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.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

An Intelligent Resilience Framework for Cyber-Physical Systems. This project aims to develop an intelligent cyber resilience platform capable of autonomously identifying, prioritising, and explaining cyber threats and their risks within cyber-physical systems (CPS). The significance of this project lies in its potential to enhance national security and protect Australian Critical Infrastructure from cyber threats. The project is expected to yield novel automated threat models, a dynamic data fusing technique, and a dynamic risk estimation method, culminating in a digital cyber twin testbed. Ultimately, this project provides substantial benefits to Australian critical infrastructure and national security, enabling rapid recovery from cyber threats. Field of research: 4606 - Distributed Computing and Systems Software This project addresses a critical research gap in Australia's cybersecurity landscape by developing an intelligent cyber resilience platform to protect the nation's critical infrastructure from cyber threats. The research will benefit Australians in multiple ways. It will strengthen the continuity of essential services and critical infrastructure such as water and electricity providers, essential to a sustainable future for Australia. In doing this, the project will contribute to preventing potential economic losses, by protecting public safety and safeguarding significant parts of the Australian economy from potential cyber threats. With the industry partnership, the project will enable the Australian Government and Defence to maintain a competitive edge in protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats and recovering from threats, ultimately enhancing national security and protecting Australia's critical infrastructure. Research outcomes will be promoted through white papers and patents with the industry partner, publications, conferences, and media engagement to maximise impact, raising awareness and promoting the adoption of the innovative cyber resilience platform, contributing to a more secure and resilient nation. Cybersecurity is an Australian Government National Science and Research Priority, as part of 'building a secure and resilient nation’ and underpins much of Australia’s economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Next-generation point-of-use sensors to strengthen Australian biosecurity. This project aims to investigate and develop nanosensors for rapid detection of high-priority biosecurity threats. The project expects to generate an innovative sensing platform incorporating aptamers, nanoparticles, and signal enhancement strategies, enabling rapid and cost-effective on-site detection, thus overcoming our current limitations. Expected outcomes include enhanced fundamental knowledge across biomarker discovery, nanotechnology, and nano-biosensor chemistry; a new academia-industry-regulatory partnership; and a technology with a genuine translation potential. This should provide significant economic, agricultural and environmental benefits by strengthening Australia’s biosecurity capabilities. Field of research: 3106 - Industrial Biotechnology Australia has a unique biodiversity that not only supports our environment, but also significantly contribute to the economy through agricultural exports. Preventing the introduction of invasive species, pests and diseases that pose biosecurity threats to Australia is critical to retain our competitive edge. Current biosecurity surveillance tools are lab-based, time-consuming and resource-intensive, making them unsuitable for quick on-site use by biosecurity officers. This drives the demand for fast, accurate, and portable sensors that require minimal expertise to operate. To address this, this university-industry-government collaboration aims to leverage advances in biotechnology and nanotechnology to develop an innovative sensor technology for on-site detection of high-priority biosecurity threats. This project will work with the government alongside an advanced manufacturing industry partner who will offer opportunities to validate the sensor technology against pathogens of highest priority to Australia. This new technology has the potential to transform Australian biosecurity by enabling early detection of threats offshore, at our borders, and onshore. This project is poised to reduce economic losses linked to pest establishment and management, ultimately fortifying agriculture, protecting the environment, and enhancing the societal well-being. Additionally, it will pave the way for future innovations in sensor technologies.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Digital transformation of greener concrete rail sleeper with local resource. This project aims to develop a low-carbon concrete sleeper solution that offers a swift and sustainable remedy to the urgent need for replacing aging timber units in rail infrastructure. It expects to generate new knowledge in producing limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) with diverse regional clay resources via numerical innovations, also pioneering a novel framework for long-term performance predictions. Expected outcomes include a low-carbon LC3 concrete sleeper and a scientifically robust numerical method for its design optimisation and smart maintenance planning. This should provide substantial benefits for Australia by enhancing the resilience and cost efficiency of next-generation rail infrastructure towards net-zero goal by 2050. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering To improve the integrity of rail infrastructure, a socio-economic cornerstone of Australia, approximately 90% of aging timber rail sleepers are due for replacement with concrete units in the next decade. Such a high demand results in the second-largest maintenance cost in the rail sector and leads to a substantial carbon footprint. In line with the net-zero emission goal by 2050, this project will investigate an alternative low-carbon concrete rail sleeper made from repurposed diverse regional Australian clays. This initiative will also pioneer a groundbreaking computer toolkit to address the challenge of long-term performance predictions, providing scientifically robust design optimisation and smart maintenance planning for lowered life cycle costs. Collectively, they will bring significant environmental and economic benefits for Australia by creating opportunities to bypass supply chain constraints in regional railway constructions, with potential to reduce the concrete’s carbon emissions beyond 40% and costs by 20%. The joint efforts from a top engineering software provider, carbon neutrality technology incubator, as well as leading consultancy and local government on transport infrastructure, will facilitate the research and translation of greener concrete rail sleepers and the computer toolkit. This collaborative project is poised to foster economic growth and improve social equity through delivering the next-generation sustainable and resilient rail infrastructure.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Energy-Aware Routing for Electrified Fleets: Towards Zero-Carbon Transport. This project aims to investigate the efficient integration of Electric Vehicles (EVs) within corporate fleets by advancing energy-aware route planning technologies, accelerating the transition towards a net-zero carbon future. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of fleet electrification using interdisciplinary approaches that combine engineering principles with advanced AI techniques. Expected outcomes of this project include theory development for energy-aware, flexible EV routing, integrated with sustainable charging solutions. This should provide significant benefits, such as lowering operational and infrastructure costs related to electrification, while enhancing grid stability and optimising asset utilisation. Field of research: 4602 - Artificial Intelligence Driven by corporate and government fleets nationwide, large-scale transport electrification is set to significantly increase demands on the electricity grid. Achieving Australia’s zero-emission targets will likely require doubling electricity generation by 2050, primarily from renewable sources. However, the absence of coordinated Electric Vehicle (EV) charging solutions presents a major barrier to establishing the necessary infrastructure for large-scale fleet electrification. In collaboration with an industry partner, this project aims to develop advanced optimisation and machine learning-based solutions to streamline EV operation within corporate fleets. Economically, the project is expected to reduce fleet operators’ costs via efficient utilisation of resources, accelerating the shift and driving growth across the transport and energy sectors. Environmentally, it will help reduce carbon emissions by implementing efficient charging strategies and supporting the electricity grid through the integration of renewable energy sources into EV charging. The project will also generate policy insights to inform sustainable charging practices, promoting a smooth transition to electrification. With strong industry partnerships and a collaborative approach, this project’s outcomes will be positioned for practical implementation. To maximise impact, dissemination efforts will include collaboration with key stakeholders to facilitate the adoption of the solutions across the sectors.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

4D compact infrared hyperspectral camera. This project aims to develop the world’s first portable four-dimensional (4D) infrared (IR) camera, capable of recording three-dimensional spatial data for object localization, and hyperspectral data for object identification in a single snapshot. The 4D IR camera is expected to play a crucial role in various fields such as medicine, agriculture, industry, and autonomous driving. Expected outcomes of this project include a significant breakthrough in 4D imaging principles and the creation of a portable 4D IR camera. This should provide significant benefits by unlocking a market valued in the billions of AUD, generating substantial commercial opportunities innovation, and fostering domestic and international collaborations. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering This project aims to explore and develop a portable four-dimensional (4D) infrared (IR) camera, capable of recording the three-dimensional structure and one-dimensional spectral information of an object in a single snapshot for the first time. The project aligns with Australia’s research priorities in advanced manufacturing. The 4D IR camera will be an invaluable tool across various industries, including environmental monitoring, non-invasive medical diagnostics, mineral exploration, crop health assessment, automotive and transportation and will benefit Australian society. For instance, with enhanced depth-sensing capabilities, the 4D IR camera will provide a more sensitive and comprehensive tool for forest fire detection, directly benefiting environmental management efforts in Australia. We will leverage collaborations with industry partners and increase awareness by presenting our technology at key industry conferences, technical workshops, and professional forums, ensuring its visibility among potential commercial users and stakeholders. The success of this project will unlock a new market valued in the billions of AUD, creating significant commercial opportunities and employment within the country. Furthermore, it will secure Australia’s leading position in the 4D IR imaging field, enhancing the nation’s global competitiveness and paving the way for robust domestic and international collaborations with leading companies and scientists worldwide.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Laser-driven upcycling of plastic and biomass waste into high-value carbons. This project aims to use laser technology to convert non-recyclable plastics and biomass waste into high-value carbon products, eliminating costly pre-treatment steps and transforming complex waste streams into valuable resources. This project expects to generate new knowledge in sustainable waste-to-carbon conversion and laser-carbon interactions. Expected outcomes include a scalable, carbon-neutral waste upcycling process, validated through a solar-powered demonstration unit at a dairy farm, where it will process local waste. This should provide significant benefits, such as reducing reliance on fossil resources, lowering carbon emissions, and contributing to a sustainable circular economy in the Australian agricultural sector. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Agricultural plastic waste, often contaminated by organic matter, presents a major environmental challenge in Australia, with recovery rates below 10%. These non-recyclable streams are underutilised sources of sustainable carbon materials, increasingly needed as alternatives to fossil-based products in growing sectors like green energy, electronics, and manufacturing. Aligned with Australia’s 2030 goal of achieving 80% waste recovery, this project will pioneer a sustainable solution to convert plastic and biomass waste into high-value carbon products and syngas. This innovative laser-based technology enables efficient, direct conversion of mixed solid waste, eliminates costly pre-treatment steps, and advances Australia’s leadership in sustainable carbon materials. Initial system demonstrations at a dairy farm will validate scalability and pave the way for broader application across low-recovery sectors. Beyond environmental benefits, this project will create economic value by producing marketable carbon products and supporting jobs in the waste management industry. With demand for graphite and graphene projected to grow by 6.9% and 31.8% annually through 2032, this project will position Australia as a leader in supplying sustainable carbon materials. Findings will be shared through workshops with waste management and carbon materials companies, partnerships with agricultural and manufacturing sectors, and policy briefs to local government to support sustainable practices.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Breaking Barriers: Establishing blue carbon as a natural climate solution. This project aims to establish ‘blue carbon’ – carbon captured and stored by coastal wetland ecosystems – as a natural climate solution. This project expects to break through knowledge barriers in social, governance, finance, and market domains that currently limit blue carbon projects. Expected outcomes include improved understanding of landholder amenability; new data on risks and benefits; arrangements for equitable benefit sharing; financial frameworks to improve marketability; and support tools to guide decisions. This should provide significant benefits to the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities and help meet Australia’s commitment to incorporating blue carbon into its climate change, biodiversity, and economic strategies. Field of research: 4104 - Environmental Management Blue carbon refers to the carbon captured and stored by coastal and marine ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrasses, and tidal marshes. These ecosystems are among the most efficient and long-term carbon sinks globally, making them crucial as nature-based solutions to climate change. They also stabilise coastlines, support biodiversity, improve water quality, and bolster fisheries. Australia, with its vast coastal areas and strong investor interest, has significant potential for blue carbon projects, yet its blue carbon market has not taken off. This project seeks to break through social, legal, and financial barriers to establish scalable, replicable, and cost-effective blue carbon initiatives that deliver environmental and societal benefits. To ensure impact beyond academia, the project will actively engage policymakers, industry stakeholders, and local communities through targeted workshops, policy briefs, and collaborative forums, with findings presented in formats tailored for practical application. It will generate decision support tools, equitable benefit-sharing frameworks, and innovative financing models, designed for immediate adoption by industry and government entities. By fostering strategic partnerships, promoting results through media, and aligning with international climate initiatives, this project aims to position Australia as a global leader in blue carbon solutions, driving widespread implementation to benefit coastal ecosystems and communities.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

The Development of Environment Friendly Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries. This project aims to develop eco-friendly aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) by advancing the design of electrodes, cathodes, and electrolytes to address existing challenges like dendrite formation and hydrogen evolution reactions. This project expects to generate new knowledge in energy storage through innovative techniques, including advanced in-situ experiments and computational modeling. Expected outcomes include improved battery stability, higher energy density, and increased capacity for large-scale renewable energy storage. The anticipated goal of this research is benefiting clean energy initiatives, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy security by providing cost-effective, sustainable battery solutions. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Australia faces significant energy challenges due to our reliance on fossil fuels and the exacerbations caused by unpredictable geopolitical conflicts. Furthermore, the increasing climate disasters and energy crises warn of the urgency of a renewable energy replacement for fossil fuel energy. However, the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources is one of the key obstacles towards its use as a mainstream energy source. This project addresses this problem by seeking to convert and store abundant solar energy to chemical energy through low-cost and high-energy density aqueous Zinc ion battery systems (ZIBs). ZIBs use zinc, a safer and more affordable material than commonly used today. They are also environmentally friendly and easier to produce. This project has a primary goal of conceiving and deploying new electrodes and electrolytes for ZIBs that are efficient, dependable, and cost-effective. The research focuses on unveiling the mechanism for ZIBs optimisation and improving these batteries by addressing challenges such as making them last longer and preventing short circuits. Successful completion of this project will result in a proof-of-concept for a new renewable energy storage and conversion system, elevate our standing in Advanced Manufacturing, and strengthen our national research capacity. Further engagement with industry partnerships can boost Australia's energy security and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, contributing to a more sustainable future.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Low-cost, ultra-low carbon and highly-reactive cementitious material. This project aims to pioneer sustainable construction by developing an innovative, ultra-low carbon cementitious material that surpasses current global alternatives in performance and cost of production. Utilizing Australia's abundant aluminosilicate mineral resources and a novel thermochemical activation process, the project expects to generate groundbreaking knowledge in sustainable cement chemistry. Anticipated outcomes include a highly reactive, low-cost composite with superior strength, and reduced embodied energy. This research should accelerate Australia's path to carbon neutrality, establish the nation as a leader in green construction, and create global economic opportunities in sustainable building materials. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering This groundbreaking project addresses Australia's urgent need for a sustainable and ultra-low carbon cementitious material. The proposed innovation transforms abundantly available aluminosilicate minerals into a highly reactive cement alternative, using just one-third of the energy required for traditional cement production. Unlike recent international innovations in cement technology, which often face challenges such as limited availability of specialized feedstock or complex curing requirements, this solution leverages readily available local resources and conventional curing methods, promising substantial national benefits. These benefits include economic growth through new industries and job creation, reduced construction costs, and improved efficiency due to superior strength and faster setting time. By establishing Australia as a global leader in sustainable construction technology, it boosts export potential in the burgeoning green technology sector. To maximize research impact beyond academia, this project will conduct rigorous scientific investigations in collaboration with construction industry and infrastructure development authorities to advance fundamental understanding of material performance under diverse real-world conditions. Research outcomes will be disseminated through open-access publications, knowledge transfer workshops, and targeted media outreach, highlighting the innovation's potential in sustainable construction.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design. This project aims to address the dual urban challenges of liveability and biodiversity loss by utilising a novel design paradigm: Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design (BSUD). The project expects to transform the urban design and development industries through action research on live projects, generating innovative design and delivery. Expected outcomes of this project include demonstration sites where nature and people thrive, novel methods for modelling success, evidence for benefits and mainstreaming of BSUD in urban development. This should provide significant benefits, including enhancing the biodiversity and liveability of cities and establishing Australia as an international leader when demand for sustainable urban solutions is urgent. Field of research: 4104 - Environmental Management Maintaining liveability and wellbeing in rapidly expanding cities under increasingly extreme weather, pandemics and other shocks is a critical societal challenge. Urban designers are gradually embraced nature-based solutions, but there are shortcomings: biodiversity is rarely considered and there is a lack of compelling examples at scale. This is a problem because cities are hotspots for threatened species and biodiverse greening has many advantages including enhanced wellbeing, sense of place, and connection with First Nations culture. This project aims to transform the urban planning and development industries by using Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design (BSUD), a novel methodology for designing urban areas, benefitting their inhabitants as well as native species and ecosystems. By investigating real world developments, this research will demonstrate the value of BSUD to people and nature, providing significant environmental and social benefits to Australia by contributing to a net-zero future, protecting Australia’s biodiversity, and supporting healthy communities. The project will be conducted in collaboration with a wide range of partners, including Green Adelaide, key government stakeholders in Victoria, NSW and South Australia, innovative developers and consultants whose lead role in the action research will demonstrate BSUD on live projects, accelerate the mainstreaming of the approach and ensure the adoption of findings in urban planning and design.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

The Development of Wearable Zinc Ion Batteries . This project aims to develop flexible, safe, and efficient zinc-ion batteries for wearable devices, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, using environmentally friendly and low-cost materials as a safer alternative to traditional options. This project expects to advance the field of energy storage for wearables by enhancing battery performance, flexibility, and durability to meet the demands of modern electronics. Expected outcomes include reliable, lightweight power sources, stronger industry collaborations, and advancements in sustainable battery technology. The project promises significant benefits, including job creation, growth in Australia’s wearable tech sector, and sustainable energy solutions for both consumers and businesses. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Zinc-Ion batteries show great potential in addressing the growing need for safe, flexible, and efficient energy storage solutions in wearable electronics like smartwatches, fitness trackers, and health monitoring devices. This research aims to investigate an eco-friendly, low-cost alternative to traditional batteries, reducing the risks associated with current lithium-ion options, such as overheating and leakage. This project supports the advancement of smart and wearable technologies that will enhance daily life for Australians. The project, a collaboration with Innofocus, will leverage Australian expertise to investigate innovative, high-performance batteries that are safer and more adaptable for everyday use. This research should ultimately lead to new batteries that are lighter, more reliable, and able to withstand bending and twisting, making them ideal for modern wearable devices and applications in healthcare. Beyond the grant period, this research will contribute to Australia’s growing green technology sector, create high-skill jobs, and foster local manufacturing capabilities. Developing a sustainable energy storage solution will reduce reliance on imported technologies and enhance Australia’s position as a leader in advanced, environmentally responsible energy storage solutions, benefiting the economy and society for years. We will engage policymakers and manufacturers to drive adoption and awareness to promote our research outcomes beyond academia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

ARC Research Hub for Intelligent Contaminant-Sensing in complex Environments (IC-SensE Hub). The Hub aims to transform Australia's environmental monitoring into a user-responsive industry spanning key users in agriculture, water and built environments. The Hub will achieve this transformation by delivering end-user centric, miniaturised sensing technologies integrated with AI for real-time assessment of chemical/biological contaminants in air, water and soil while predicting potential hazards before they occur. Expected outcomes include new autonomous sensing and forecasting capabilities allowing industries to monitor, analyse and respond to contaminants. This should provide a dramatic increase in industrial productivity, lower emissions and enhanced environmental public health opening new markets and building a skilled workforce. Field of research: 4018 - Nanotechnology This Hub aims to revolutionize Australia's environmental monitoring by creating new cutting-edge contaminant sensing and hazard forecasting technologies adaptable for different deployment environments. Currently, Australia lacks real-time, comprehensive monitoring systems for environmental contaminants, limiting productivity and resilience of important end-users of environmental monitoring. Our Hub will address this by creating AI-enabled, miniaturised sensors capable of detecting chemical and biological contaminants instantly, while predicting potential hazards before they occur enabling fast and effective risk-management interventions. Expected outcomes include lower emissions, increased industrial productivity through better environmental management and reduced operational and maintenance costs. Health and wellbeing should improve as industries rapidly identify and address contamination issues. Australia's environmental stewardship, boosting our global reputation and competitiveness in clean technology markets is expected to improve. The resulting knowledge will be applicable in related industries across healthcare, transport, space and defence. To ensure widespread impact, we will actively engage with industry partners, develop knowledge transfer programs, and create accessible public communication strategies that translate our innovations into clear, actionable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and the general public.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2025 · 2025-01

Understanding Transient Cellular Response to Electrical Stimulation. This project aims to determine how electrical stimulation modifies the biomechanical and biochemical properties of stem cells, using exciting nanoscale techniques to characterise and track the responses of living stem cells during electrical stimulation. This research expects to generate new knowledge in how we can use electrical stimulation to control stem cell fate for targeted tissue engineering. Expected outcomes include new bio-characterisation techniques, and closing the knowledge gap in the field of stem cell stimulation. This should provide significant benefits for patient derived tissue engineering, maintaining Australia’s position at the forefront of basic stem cell research. Field of research: 4018 - Nanotechnology Stem cells in adult bodies have the ability to repair and heal our body; tissue engineering aims to use these stem cells to regenerate new tissue or control stem cell growth for specific outcomes. This project is about understanding electrical stimulation can be used to control how stem cells turn into bone, cartilage, fat tissue. Currently, we do not fully understand how electrical stimulation treatment can induce stem cells to grow into specific terminal cell types. The project will use cutting-edge tools to understand the changes in living stem cells in real-time, both inside and out, including the first system in Australia capable of performing single cell biopsies. Understanding how stem cells grow into different cell types can underpin the development of a stem cell treatment technology capable of inducing bone, cartilage, and muscle tissue would generate an efficient and cost-effective approach for patient specific musculoskeletal tissue engineering. The outcomes of this project will be disseminated and promoted via publications, conferences, and media statements in turn, this knowledge will benefit the regenerative medicine industry in Australia through the development of new technologies and products which utilise electrical stimulation for tissue repair and regeneration.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2024 · 2024-12

Integration of electric vehicles into the grid: A net-zero carbon future Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Smart graphene supercapacitors for self-sustained and zero-emission gyms Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Smart graphene supercapacitors for self-sustained and zero-emission gyms Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

2024 Equipment Grants Category: Health and Medical Research

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

Direct Sunlight Catalysis Floating Device for Green H2 Production Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Direct Sunlight Catalysis Floating Device for Green H2 Production Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Sustainable Electrolysis via Functional Hybrids for Ammonia Production Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Sustainable Electrolysis via Functional Hybrids for Ammonia Production Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research