Hot Properties: Thermal Analysis Equipment for Western Australia
R&D Focus Areas:
Hydrides, Heat storage, Direct hydrogen carrier production
Lead Organisation:
Curtin University
Partners:
Western Australia Hydrogen (WAH)
Status:
Active
Start date:
January 2023
Completion date:
December 2023
Key contacts:
Lead investigator – Professor Craig Buckley – c.buckley@curtin.edu.au
Professor George Koutsantonis – george.koutsantonis@uwa.edu.au
Associate Professor Mark Paskevicius – mark.paskevicius@gmail.com
Dr Terry Humphries – terry.humphries81@hotmail.com
Professor Dr Zongping Shao – zongping.shao@curtin.edu.au
Professor Vishnu Pareek – V.Pareek@curtin.edu.au
Professor Rob Atkin – rob.atkin@uwa.edu.au
Professor Stephen Moggach – stephen.moggach@uwa.edu.au
Professor Pauline Grierson – pauline.grierson@uwa.edu.au
Professor Timothy Sercombe – tim.sercombe@uwa.edu.au
Funding:
AUD$783,000 – Australian Research Council (ARC)
AUD$299,000 – Curtin University
AUD$100,000 – University of Western Australia
Project total cost:
AUD$2,210,310 – combined cash and in-kind contribution
Project summary description:
This project will create the first controlled-atmosphere thermal analysis suite in Western Australia. The suite will consist of a high-pressure thermogravimetric analyser and thermal conductivity instrument housed within an argon-filled glovebox, which will be situated at Curtin University; along with a differential scanning calorimetry-thermogravimetric analysis-mass spectrometer, which will be housed at the University of Western Australia.
The facility will enable the thermal properties of materials to be accurately determined in an air-free environment of which includes energy materials, batteries, porous materials, organometallics, and catalysts. Overall, this will create a Western Australian research hub for thermal analysis to enhance the network of institutional collaborations across Australia.
The objectives of this project include:
- Provide appropriate thermal analysis equipment to support a range of ARC-funded projects to Western Australian researchers.
- Create a collaborative hub across Western Australia for materials research.
- Enhance the Australian research capabilities in the fields of hydrogen storage materials, gasification products, battery materials, porous materials, organometallics and catalysts.
Related publications and key links:
None so far
Higher degree studies supported:
The funding is provided for infrastructure only although many higher degree students will benefit from the thermal analysis equipment.
February 2023