Three waste management projects are among seven from Queensland’s University of Technology (QUT) to receive more than $2.7 million in federal funding.
The funding, delivered by the Australian Economic Accelerator Ignite program, is part of a $725 million national investment to fast-track high-impact research with strong potential for real-world application.
One research team, led by Dr Zengi Yue from the QUT School of Chemistry and Physics, is aiming to develop a new way of making advanced heat-dissipating materials for batteries and electronic devices using waste materials including leaves, grass, wood, sawdust and food waste.
“By applying a special laser process, these natural materials can be converted into thin layers of graphene, a form of carbon with an outstanding ability to conduct heat,” Yue said.
“The graphene layers will then be compressed into large, flexible sheets that can be built into battery packs and energy storage systems to help manage heat more effectively.
“Our aim is to provide a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to current thermal interface materials.”
The $308,610 project brings together other QUT researchers Dr Yang Yang, Professor Dongchen Qi and Professor Hongxia Wang with industry partners Elumina Global and Auziq.
Another QUT waste management project, led by Dr Jiaye Ye from the QUT School of Chemistry and Physics, will explore a new way to improve sodium-ion batteries using waste from the paper and forestry industries.
“We will use a material called lignin, which is normally discarded, and chemically enhance it to create a useful coating for battery parts called separators,” Ye said.
“These separators sit between the battery’s positive and negative ends and help it run safely and efficiently. By modifying existing plastic separators with this upgrade lignin, the batteries are expected to perform better, last longer, and be safer to use.
“This also offers an environmentally friendly solution by recycling industrial waste and reducing reliance on expensive or toxic materials.”
The $339,554 project also includes efforts from Professor Honxia Wang and Associate Professor James Blinco and is supported by industry partner Eluminna Global.
Another project, led by Professor Yang Liu from the QUT School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, seeks to develop a new, low-emission granular sludge reactor designed to manage both ammonia and Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals.
Highly concentrated sidestreams from wastewater treatment plants and landfill leachate are primary sources of nitrogen and PFAS – also known as ‘forever chemicals’ – entering the environment.
“Our preliminary trials have demonstrated the potential for this technology to achieve high-efficiency nutrient removal and significant reductions in PFAS concentrations,” Liu said.
“By transforming how we treat high-strength waste streams, this technology will help utilities meet tightening environmental regulations and protect water security without the need for costly, energy-intensive infrastructure upgrades.”
The project received $408,335 and is being supported by QUT collaborators Professor Nicholas Ashbolt and Ying Liu, as well as industry partners such as Queensland Water Directorate, Melbourne Water Corporation, Townsville City Council, Eurofins Environment Testing Australia and Toowoomba Regional Council.
Related stories:
Solar waste: Have your say on solar panel reuse and recycling
Clean Up Australia Litter Report finds plastic remains most common
.png){kind=small}
