A new research hub is expected to foster the research and commercialisation of 2D materials like graphene which can be used in a range of applications including batteries, coatings, paints and sensors.
Member for Chisholm, Dr Carina Garland, recently opened the new Australian Research Council (ARC) Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing of 2D Materials (AM2D).
It is hosted by Monash University at the Faculty of Engineering in Clayton, Victoria.
The opening showcased the research activities the hub would undertake and provided an opportunity for researchers to discuss new developments in the industry.
Capable of high conductivity, strength, advanced thermal and optical properties, 2D materials – including graphene – can be used for a range of purposes.
AM2D’s research will focus on Australia’s graphene and 2D manufacturing capability by supporting the production of high-tech products, including energy storage devices, advanced anti-corrosion coatings, sensors and water treatment membranes.
AM2D Director Professor, Mainak Majumder, has a decade of experience in graphene research and commercialisation.
“Graphene’s versatility has spawned many applications that are finding their way to the market,” said Professor Majumder.
“We are at the tip of this iceberg in this journey as innovative graphene-enhanced products are being designed, and existing products are moving up the technology readiness levels (TRL).”
AM2D has secured $9.4 million in funding over the next five years, including $4.4 million under the Australian Research Council’s Industrial Transformation Research Program.
Monash University will team up with five other Australian universities: the University of Adelaide, RMIT, Queensland University of Technology, University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne.
These universities will also work in collaboration with Ceylon Graphene Technologies, Ionic Industries, NematiQ, Sparc Technologies, Industrial Innovations, Cientifica and CSIRO to realise the transformative potential of 2D materials.
AM2D is building upon an already established collaboration and connection between industry and universities to create jobs in manufacturing and high-tech industries, and to also continue the growth of the sector.
Professor Majumder said the newly launched Hub will take a holistic approach to the development, manufacture and application of 2D materials including how they move across the supply chain.
“AM2D is also looking at ways to overcome bottlenecks in sustainably producing and modifying bulk quantities of 2D materials and using machine learning to cost-effectively characterise these materials,” said Professor Majumder.
“We’re investigating the ways in which we can add value to Australian mineral and mining resources and cater to the global demand for critical materials required for the energy transition. It’s a very exciting, very diverse research agenda, but we have a fantastic and diverse team from all over Australia and internationally to help support this.”
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