ANSTO has collaborated with scientists from the Tokyo Institute of Technology in studying a promising proton conductor for advanced ceramic fuel cells. Recently published in Communication Materials, a research team led by Prof Masatomo Yashima highlighted the exceptional properties of a newly discovered hexagonal perovskite-related oxide called Ba2LuAlO5.

The material exhibited remarkably high proton conductivity without requiring any additional chemical alterations. Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to uncover the underlying mechanisms behind this phenomenon. These valuable insights could potentially lead to the development of safer and more efficient energy technologies.

Prof Max Avdeev, the Neutron diffraction group manager at ANSTO’s Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering and a co-author of the paper, explained that proton conductors are being considered as an alternative to oxide fuel cells for next-generation fuel cells.

The research team at Tokyo Tech, with whom ANSTO has a longstanding collaboration, successfully discovered and characterised a promising new material. To gain insights into the proton transport mechanism and enhance the material’s conductivity, molecular dynamics simulations were conducted using ANSTO’s computing cluster. This knowledge is crucial for further improvements and the development of new compositions in this field.

Scientists worldwide are actively engaged in the development of energy technologies that are environmentally friendly, safe, and highly efficient. Fuel cells have emerged as a particularly promising solution for generating electricity directly through electrochemical reactions, garnering attention since the 1960s.

Nevertheless, conventional fuel cells based on solid oxides suffer from a significant drawback: they require high operating temperatures, typically exceeding 700 °C. In contrast, protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) utilise specialised ceramics capable of conducting protons instead of oxide anions. This distinctive feature allows PCFCs to operate at substantially lower temperatures, typically ranging from 300 to 600 °C.

However, the current knowledge base includes only a limited number of proton-conducting materials that exhibit reasonable performance.

During their research, the team specifically investigated compounds with a significant number of intrinsic oxygen vacancies when they made the discovery of the new conductor. Through experimental analysis of samples, they observed that this material exhibited remarkable proton conductivity within its bulk at low temperatures, without requiring additional chemical modifications like doping.

By employing molecular dynamics simulations and conducting neutron diffraction measurements, the researchers determined that the oxide had a substantial capacity to absorb water due to its abundant intrinsic oxygen vacancies. The higher water content played a crucial role in enhancing the material’s proton conductivity through various mechanisms.

The electricity market is undergoing a crucial transition, with renewable and clean energy technologies becoming increasingly vital. Australia recognises the significance of innovation in clean energy technology to sustain economic prosperity and contribute to global emission reduction efforts.

The Australian Government is actively supporting clean energy innovation in research, development, demonstration, and deployment. As a participant in Mission Innovation, a global initiative for advancing clean energy technology breakthroughs, Australia is leading the development of a ‘mission’ focused on clean hydrogen. This mission aims to lower hydrogen production and usage costs throughout supply chains.

In addition, the government has invested AU$ 1.4 billion in the development of reliable renewable generation and storage solutions. This investment encompasses various initiatives, including support for the advanced expansion of the Snowy Hydro scheme.

Moreover, funds have been allocated to the construction of the Marinus Link, which is the second interconnector across the Bass Strait. This interconnector is crucial for transforming Tasmania’s ambitious Battery of the Nation vision into a tangible reality.

CSIRO, Australia’s leading scientific institution, has allocated AU$ 25 million until 2027 to establish an initiative known as Advanced Engineering Biology (AEB). This programme, part of CSIRO’s Future Science Platforms (FSP), focuses on leveraging the fundamental components of life to tackle complex and unsolvable challenges. AEB joins a suite of FSP projects dedicated to exploring and uncovering innovative scientific advancements in emerging fields.

The Director of CSIRO’s Advanced Engineering Biology (AEB) FSP emphasised the programme’s objective to merge engineering and biology to address a wide range of issues. These include environmental concerns, the transition to clean energy, ensuring food security, and enhancing human health.

He acknowledged that exploration into the vast potential of engineering biology has only just begun. The field is rapidly advancing, with much still to be discovered about the fundamental components of life and how they can be leveraged. The applications of engineering biology are diverse, encompassing improvements in carbon sequestration by plants, the production of sustainable alternatives to animal proteins, petroleum fuels, and harmful pesticides, as well as the development of biosensors capable of providing instant medical diagnoses.

The AEB programme will have a specific emphasis on advancing biomanufacturing capabilities and the development of underlying technologies that drive engineering biology. The aim is to enhance the speed, predictability, and performance of these processes.

Additionally, the programme will undertake comprehensive research to understand the expectations, attitudes, and perceptions of the public. This research will play a crucial role in ensuring the responsible and ethical development of biotechnology.

According to the Deputy Chief Scientist at CSIRO, Australia has the potential to become a global frontrunner in the rapidly growing biotechnology field. The Advanced Engineering Biology (AEB) FSP aims to unlock the transformative power of engineering biology, supporting the development of new industries, fostering circular economies, and delivering substantial societal and environmental benefits.

Over the next four years, the research conducted by the AEB FSP will intersect with other rapidly advancing fields, including machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). This collaboration will enable synergistic advancements and enhance the overall impact of the programme’s research efforts.

About CSIRO’s Future Science Platform

CSIRO’s Future Science Platforms (FSPs) represent a strategic investment in scientific research that serves as the foundation for innovation. These initiatives possess the potential to revitalise existing industries and foster the creation of new sectors within Australia. By supporting the growth of a new generation of researchers, FSPs facilitate the attraction of top-tier students and experts who collaborate with CSIRO on future scientific endeavours.

The FSPs operate as multi-year and multi-disciplinary undertakings, uniting CSIRO, and its partners to tackle significant ideas and challenges. Since its establishment in 2017, the FSP Programme has seen several initiatives evolve over five to eight-year lifecycles.

Notably, four initial FSPs – Active Integrated Matter, Digiscape, Probing Biosystems, and Synthetic Biology – have reached maturity. The technologies and achievements stemming from these FSPs have been successfully transferred to both partners and CSIRO Business Units, fostering practical applications and commercialisation.

The Advanced Engineering Biology

Engineering biology holds immense transformative potential for Australia, but reaching its full benefits requires advancements in speed, affordability, and scalability. The Advanced Engineering Biology Future Science Platform (AEB FSP) is dedicated to catalysing a significant leap in biotechnology development within Australia, with a focus on ensuring broad societal advantages.

The research conducted by the AEB FSP aims to tackle the obstacles hindering the realisation of engineering biology’s potential in delivering benefits across society, the environment and industry. By addressing these challenges, the programme strives to unlock the full potential of engineering biology and drive positive outcomes for Australia and beyond.