{"links":{"self":"http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/DE260100807"},"data":{"type":"grant-details","id":"DE260100807","attributes":{"code":"DE260100807","administering-organisation":"Monash University","announcement-administering-organisation":"Monash University","scheme-name":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","grant-status":"Active","funding-commencement-year":2026,"years-funded":3,"project-start-date":"2026-01-01","anticipated-end-date":"2028-12-31","grant-summary":"Smart Covalent Organic Frameworks for Recovery of Rare Earth Elements. This project aims to develop innovative smart covalent organic frameworks featuring coordination and photo-responsive functionalities for the efficient separation and extraction of rare earth elements, thereby addressing critical challenges in resource sustainability and environmental conservation. The project anticipates generating novel insights and techniques in multifunctional material design and advanced mineral processing. Expected outcomes encompass improved strategies for efficient resource recovery, enhanced capacity and strengthened collaborations, ultimately providing substantial benefits for Australia's efficient mineral resource development and the establishment of a low-carbon, environmentally friendly ecosystem.","funding-current":485095.00,"funding-at-announcement":481539,"investigators-current":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Meiyan","familyName":"Gao","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0001-6628-5190 "}],"investigators-at-announcement":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Meiyan","familyName":"Gao","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0001-6628-5190 "}],"organisations-current":[{"organisationName":"Monash University","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"VIC"}],"organisations-at-announcement":[{"organisationName":"Monash University","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"VIC"}],"field-of-research":[{"isPrimary":false,"code":"400409","name":"Separation Technologies","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":true,"code":"4016","name":"Materials Engineering","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"401605","name":"Functional Materials","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"401807","name":"Nanomaterials","type":"FOR20"}],"socio-economic-objective":[{"code":"250407","name":"Mining and Extraction of Titanium Minerals, Zircon, and Rare Earth Metal Ores (E.G. Monazite)","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"280111","name":"Expanding Knowledge In the Environmental Sciences","type":"SEO20"}],"international-collaboration":["England","Germany","Ireland","Japan","Netherlands","United States of America"],"lief-register":[],"achievement-summary":null,"national-interest-test-statement":"Australia has abundant rare earth elements (REEs), essential for renewable energy, electric vehicles, and advanced technologies. However, current extraction and separation methods are low-selective, costly, energy-intensive, and environmentally harmful. This project aims to develop innovative light-responsive covalent organic frameworks (COFs) for efficient, selective, and sustainable REE separation and recovery, reducing reliance on environmentally harmful mining practices and strengthening Australia’s critical minerals industry.\n\nThis research will provide significant economic, environmental, and social benefits. Economically, it will lower REE production costs, increasing Australia’s critical minerals industry more competitive. Environmentally, it will reduce hazardous chemicals and energy consumption, supporting Australia’s Net-Zero 2050 target. Socially, it will offer an excellent platform for training PhD candidates and undergraduate students, contribute to sustainable industries and secure a long-term supply of critical materials for clean energy and high-tech industries.\n\nBeyond academia, findings will be shared with industry, policymakers, and the public, and adoption will be supported through collaborations with mining companies and government agencies, as well as public engagement. By promoting innovation and sustainability, this research will contribute to Australia’s transition to a green, low-carbon economy and global leadership in critical minerals."}}}