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Cement-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Renewable Energy Harvesting.

Harvesting otherwise wasted mechanical energy is a critical step toward advancing renewable and sustainable energy sources. This project aims to develop multifunctional cement-based triboelectric nanogenerators with integrated energy-harvesting, self-healing, and hydrophobic capabilities. Energy harvesting efficiency will be optimised by incorporating hybrid high-surface-area nanofillers to enhance the dielectric constant of cementitious composites. Durability and environmental adaptability will be improved using crystalline admixtures and silane coatings, providing enhanced resistance to mechanical damage and humidity. These outcomes will create fundamental knowledge in self-powering and net-zero energy buildings and civil infrastructure.

Leveraging Novel Microbial Process for Low-Emission Wastewater Treatment.

This project aims to develop a transformative wastewater treatment process to support global net-zero goals by leveraging our breakthrough discovery of the metabolic regulations of complete ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (comammox). Comammox can be regulated to integrate seamlessly with anaerobic ammonium oxidation bacteria, forming an innovative COMANAMMOX process. By addressing fundamental critical barriers in microbial co-enrichment, metabolic interactions, and nitrous oxide regulations, the project seeks to create a practical, low-emission solution for wastewater treatment. The COMANAMMOX process is expected to reduce GHG emissions by 80%, energy consumption by 50%, and operational costs by 30%, redefining sustainable wastewater management.

A mechanistic approach to assess integrity of soil-geothermal structures.

This project examines how geothermal structures, like energy tunnels and energy walls, interact with surrounding soils under repeated heating and cooling cycles. These systems offer sustainable heating and cooling but face challenges such as soil deformation and strength loss from thermal and mechanical loads. Current models fail to fully capture these effects, limiting geothermal design safety and efficiency. Through advanced modelling and experiments, this research will improve understanding of soil behaviour, enhancing design accuracy and performance. Outcomes will reduce maintenance costs, cut emissions, and support Australia’s transition to cleaner energy, delivering major economic, environmental, and social benefits.

Advanced Bioelectrochemistry for Rare Earth Element Extraction and Recovery. 

This project aims to develop a groundbreaking process for recovering rare earth elements (REEs), which are essential for green technologies like wind turbines and electric vehicles. By combining innovative microbial and electrochemical methods, the project will offer a sustainable alternative to conventional, resource-intensive extraction methods. Microbial processes generate acids and recycle nutrients, while electrochemical techniques will complement these by enhancing efficiency. By extracting critical REEs from monazite, a globally important mineral abundant in Australia, this project promises significant benefits, including cost-effective recovery, reduced pollution, and support for circular economies and sustainable technologies.