Environment and green technology projects funded
Early-career researchers working to address global environment and climate-change issues were among the 10 Ӱֱ of Adelaide projects awarded as part of the Ӱֱn Research Council’s Discovery Early Career Research Award scheme.
Dr Shervin Kabiri, a Mortlock Fellow from the Ӱֱ’s School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, was awarded almost $400,000 to study how perfluorinated chemicals (PFAS), such as those present in some cleaning products and non-stick cookware, damage human and environmental health.
Her research will lead to new insights into PFAS chemicals’s sorbent behaviour in soils and the development of site-specific remediation strategies that can be employed by industry and government agencies.
“The Ӱֱ of Adelaide leads globally transformative research that overcomes complexity, drives change, and creates value for a more sustainable future,” said Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Anton Middelberg.
“We are also committed to creating opportunities at our institution for early-career researchers to make an impact on the most challenging issues facing our world, a fact which is proven by this investment from the Ӱֱn Research Council.”
The Ӱֱ was awarded a combined total of more than $4 million in three-year grants, with other projects including those with implications for green-fuel production, carbon reduction, improved battery technology and renewable-energy storage, resource acquisition, water asset monitoring, communication technologies, and improvements to object-tracking in video monitoring.
The full list of Ӱֱ of Adelaide recipients include:
Dr Xiaowan Baiwas awarded$350,237to investigate ways of converting carbon dioxide to high value-added fuels and chemicals.
Dr Daniel Headlandwas awarded$446,700to studypractical applications of terahertz waves, such as non-invasive standoff sensing and self-aligning wireless links.
Dr Shervin Kabiriwas awarded$398,945to examine the behaviour of PFAS chemicals in soil and waterways to inform strategies for environmental remediation.
Dr Haobo Liwas awarded$439,237todesign highly active, specifically selective, satisfactorily stable catalysts based on advanced ionic compound materials for carbon dioxide electroreduction.
Dr Huan Liwas awarded$432,237todesign aluminium-sulfur battery technology with efficient electrode materials and low-cost electrolytescapable of high levels of energy storage.
Dr Jacob Mulderwas awarded$361,000totest the hypothesis that low-temperature fluids can transport metals form new mineral deposits in sedimentary basins.
Dr Jack Valmadrewas awarded$366,000to investigate how object tracking in computer vision can be improved by new paradigms for algorithm design.
Dr Wei Zengwas awarded$388,673to improve detection of cracks in water networks by exploiting unused underground optical fibre cables.
Dr Shilin Zhangwas awarded$473,847to develop room-temperature liquid metal batteries by employing liquid sodium-potassium alloy,to overcome safety issues intrinsic to the prevalent solid metal anodes in battery technology.
Dr Huayang Zhangwas awarded$421,117to develop a photoelectrochemical cell for photoelectric conversion and green hydrogen production by using solar power as the only energy input.
Media contact:
Johnny von Einem,Media Coordinator, The Ӱֱ of Adelaide.Mobile:+61 0430 476 300,Email:johnny.voneinem@adelaide.edu.au