{"links":{"self":"http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/FT250100204"},"data":{"type":"grant-details","id":"FT250100204","attributes":{"code":"FT250100204","administering-organisation":"Adelaide University","announcement-administering-organisation":"The University of Adelaide","scheme-name":"ARC Future Fellowships","grant-status":"Active","funding-commencement-year":2025,"years-funded":4,"project-start-date":"2026-06-30","anticipated-end-date":"2030-06-29","grant-summary":"Next-Generation Catalysts for (Micro)plastic Conversion to Chemicals. This project aims to design innovative, cost-effective catalysts at nanoscale, molecular and atomic levels from waste resources for sustainable water treatment nanotechnology, focusing on converting (micro)plastics into valuable chemicals,. By systematically investigating the relationship between waste plant microstructures and catalyst design, this research will optimise carbon and single-atom catalysts for (micro)plastic conversion via Fenton-like catalysis. The project will contribute to environmental protection, resource recovery, and improved water quality while supporting sustainable waste management practices and reducing plastic pollution—aligning with national priorities in environmental protection and process innovation. ","funding-current":982255.00,"funding-at-announcement":961544,"investigators-current":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Wenjie","familyName":"Tian","roleName":"Future Fellowship","roleCode":"FT","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-9896-1154 "}],"investigators-at-announcement":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Wenjie","familyName":"Tian","roleName":"Future Fellowship","roleCode":"FT","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-9896-1154 "}],"organisations-current":[{"organisationName":"Adelaide University","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"SA"}],"organisations-at-announcement":[{"organisationName":"The University of Adelaide","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"SA"}],"field-of-research":[{"isPrimary":false,"code":"400408","name":"Reaction Engineering (Excl. Nuclear Reactions)","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":"270410","name":"Water Safety","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"280105","name":"Expanding Knowledge In the Chemical Sciences","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"280110","name":"Expanding Knowledge In Engineering","type":"SEO20"}],"international-collaboration":["England","Germany"],"lief-register":[],"achievement-summary":null,"national-interest-test-statement":"This project addresses critical challenges in sustainability by transforming abundant waste plants into high-performance carbon-based catalyst materials that can effectively convert microplastics into valuable chemicals. Australia faces increasing environmental threats from the accumulation of organic waste, and microplastic pollution that is pervasive and difficult to treat. Moreover, our traditional methods for producing essential chemicals rely heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to both pollution and resource depletion. \nBy focusing on the relationship between plant micro-structures and catalyst design, this research will pioneer new techniques and design rules for converting microplastics into useful chemical compounds, such as alcohols and organic acids. The outcomes will contribute to Australia’s goals of reducing plastic waste, enhancing water quality, and supporting the circular economy (by harnessing plant waste as a promising resource). Beyond environmental benefits, the project may foster new industries around waste-to-catalyst and chemical processes and would cement Australia’s leadership at the forefront of green technological innovation. \nIn addition to scholarly publications, workshop hosting and active media dissemination, the key advances are to be disseminated broadly to end-user communities and the general public. Additionally, efforts will be made to patent commercially valuable Intellectual Property for future beneficial impact to Australia.\n"}}}