New industry-led hydrogen projects to drive Australia’s hydrogen economy

Current VH2 PhD researchers (L-R): Dharathi Venkatesh, Siripond Mullanu, David Holder, Dorsa Alipour, Gopal Pandey, Bima Satritama, Salim Hijazeen 

Reducing carbon emissions in silicon production with hydrogen

Bima Satritama is investigating the impacts of silicon production using hydrogen. Silicon is identified by Geoscience Australia as a critical mineral, because it is essential in the functioning of modern technology and there is potential for supply chain disruption. 

This critical element is used in the production of valuable technologies including photovoltaic cells used in the manufacture of solar panels. However, the production of silicon is a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Bima is using hydrogen plasma to reduce carbon emissions during silicon production. 

A hydrogen plasma reactor has been created in collaboration with the Surface Engineering for Advanced Materials (SEAM) ARC Training Centre and the Fluid and Process Dynamics Research Centre. The results from this reactor will be used to identify the emissions reduction possible using hydrogen in silicon production. 

Improving hydrogen production for industrial applications

Aaron Bourke is investigating how to manufacture catalyst coatings at scale to accelerate the development of cleaner energy technologies like electrolysers and hydrogen fuel cells. 

Catalyst materials play a critical role in hydrogen production by lowering the amount of electricity required to drive chemical reactions. However, current methods to produce catalyst materials are not easily scalable for large-scale applications. This limits their use in large-scale clean energy technologies.

Through techniques including thermal spraying, Aaron’s work aims to produce coatings made from inexpensive, earth-abundant metals. This research is focused on making the process faster, more efficient, and more feasible for industrial applications, including hydrogen-powered vehicles. 

Powering hydrogen-enabled integrated energy systems 

Siripond Mullanu is developing an advanced data analytics framework for hydrogen-enabled integrated systems (H-IESs). As global energy demand rises, traditional energy systems face increasing pressure, leading to a reliance on non-renewable sources. 

Integrated energy systems offer a solution by combining various energy components to improve efficiency. Hydrogen is a promising resource in the development of these systems but comes with its own challenges. 

Siripond's research focuses on using advanced data analytics and AI to overcome these challenges and improve the adoption of H-IESs, with applications in high-energy-use industries including transportation. 

Supporting the integration of hydrogen technology into airport infrastructure

Salim Hijazeen’s research focuses on the integration of advanced air mobility infrastructure, including vertiports, into existing airport systems. Salim’s research also looks to develop recommendations on aviation regulations to support the successful integration of advanced air mobility aircraft, including hydrogen- and battery-powered technologies. 

Using real flight data from Melbourne Airport, Salim has developed a simulation model to investigate key areas such as air traffic control utilisation, deconfliction procedures, and the design of vertiports for hydrogen-powered applications. This research is essential for evaluating the impact of hydrogen-powered aircraft on existing airport systems, supporting sustainable innovation in this space.

Advanced materials for improved efficiencies 

Hydrogen-powered cars are taking to the roads around the world. Powered by hydrogen fuel cells, these vehicles provide a transport option whose only emission is water vapour. However, the added weight of components required to support this technology poses challenges in efficiency and mobility. 

Zizhao Peng is using the ‘material extrusion technique’ of additive manufacturing to develop lightweight, high-performance industrial parts for use in technologies including hydrogen-powered vehicles. 

Zizhao’s research explores continuous fibre-reinforced composites, which enhance strength and energy absorption in critical material components, with the potential to offer a lightweight replacement for traditional metal parts vital to hydrogen vehicles.