Two researchers from Curtin University, with a focus on rare metals and mineral prediction, were among a group of seven awarded more than $5 million in combined Australian Research Council (ARC) funding.
The award recipients were recognised for their achievements with funding through ARC’s Discovery Early Career Researcher Awards (DECRA).
Dr Jinyang Zhang’s research focuses on the recovery of rare metals from electronic waste (e-waste) through mechano-electrochemistry.
Zhang’s research is based on the fact that only a third of Australia’s e-waste is currently recycled, which means valuable materials “are being lost” and harmful waste is going to landfill. Zhang’s research project aims to develop a new method to recover rare metals and plastics from e-waste using a single, efficient process.
The ultimate goal of the research is to improve the understanding of how to recycle metals effectively, while reducing environmental impacts.
Dr Janne Liebmann’s research, called Mining Earth’s Memory – From Crustal Thickness to Mineral Prediction, will map how Australia’s crustal thickness has changed over millions of years, a crucial factor in how minerals are formed.
The research team aims to develop a tool to track past crust thickness and create the nation’s first deep-time crust model, helping to identify areas that are likely to contain minerals and lowering exploration risk.
Additionally, Professor Katy Evans from Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences will be leading a diverse research team in bringing what the university said is a “crucial piece” of research equipment – a next-generation electron microprobe – to Western Australia.
The project is being undertaken after securing around $1.5 million funding through ARC’s Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) scheme.
Curtin University deputy vice-chancellor of research Melinda Fitzgerald congratulated the awards winners, saying it showcased the university’s strength and focus on a range of sectors.
“From advancing clean energy and AI-driven infrastructure to tackling major challenges in housing, recycling and our understanding of the Universe, Curtin is focusing on research which has the potential to have global impact,” Fitzgerald said.
The aim of the Discovery Early Career Researcher Awards (DECRA) is to foster the investigation of a broad range of topics, including minerals, the environment, black holes, home ownership, green hydrogen, and artificial intelligence.
“The DECRA projects are spearheaded by early-career researchers and demonstrate Curtin’s commitment to fostering our most promising emerging talents, while the LIEF funding will help dramatically enhance WA’s research capability for years to come,” Fitzgerald said.
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