Current research projects
The GICAN team is currently working on the following research projects.
Design, development and delivery of low-cost adsorbent systems for the selective capture of CO2
Research team:
- Professor Ajayan Vinu
Funding body: DEBEL India
Timeframe: 2021 -
Design and the development of advanced nanomaterials for the production of pharmaceuticals and their delivery
Research team:
- Professor Ajayan Vinu
Funding body: Apex Lab
Timeframe: 2021 -
Conversion of refinery waste to graphitised porous carbon nanostructures and carbon nanofibres for energy storage
Research team:
- Professor Ajayan Vinu
- Dr Gurwinder Singh
Funding body: ARAMCO, Saudi Arabia
Timeframe: 2021 -
Removal and degradation of microplastics using halloysite nanocomposite
Research team:
- Associate Professor Jiabao Yi (lead investigator)
- Dr Thava Palanisami
- Dr Kavitha Ramadass
- Professor Shaobin Wang
- Mr James Marsh
- Dr Antonio Belperio
Funding body: Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant
Timeframe: 2021 - 2023
Halloysite-based materials for carbon capture and conversion
Research team:
- Professor Ajayan Vinu (lead investigator)
- Associate Professor Jiabao Yi
- Associate Professor Ajay Karakoti
- Dr Kavitha Ramadass
- Dr Thava Palanisami
- Associate Professor Ashish Malik
Funding bodies: Andromeda Metals Ltd and Minotaur Exploration Pty Ltd
Timeframe: 2021 - 2025
Novel bioplastic products from biomass: development, testing and validation
Research team:
- Dr Thava Palanisami (lead investigator)
- Professor Ajayan Vinu
- Associate Professor Jiabao Yi
- Associate Professor Ajay Karakoti
- Associate Professor Ian Grainge
Funding body: Innovationclub Pty Ltd
Timeframe: 2021 - 2023
Halloysite-derived nanomaterials for environmental applications
Research team:
- Professor Ajayan Vinu (lead investigator)
- Associate Professor Jiabao Yi
- Associate Professor Ajay Karakoti
Funding body: Natural Nanotech Pty Ltd
Timeframe: 2020 - 2022
A platform for probing nanoscale magnetic states under multiple actuations
Research team:
- Associate Professor Jiabao Yi
- Team from UNSW
Funding body: Australian Research Council (ARC) LIEF
Timeframe: 2021
The development of advanced nanocarbon materials from coconut shell for energy and environmental applications
Research team:
- Professor Ajayan Vinu (lead investigator)
- Associate Professor Jiabao Yi
- Associate Professor Ajay Karakoti
- Dr Gurwinder Singh
- Dr Thava Palanisami
- Associate Professor Ashish Malik
Funding body: Carbonova India Private Limited
Timeframe: 2020 - 2023
Synthesis of 3-dimensional mesoporous silica-based nanomaterial (SBA1) for carbon capture and conversion
Research team:
- Professor Ajayan Vinu (lead investigator)
- Mr Ahmad Ahmad Tabish
Funding body: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
Timeframe: 2021 - 2023
Janus nanosheets for the capture of CO2 and its conversion into clean fuels
Research team:
- Professor Ajayan Vinu (lead investigator)
- Ms Sujanya Jesus Maria Ruban
Funding body: Australian Research Council (ARC) DECRA
Timeframe: 2021 - 2022
Plastics and microplastics: source control and mitigation
Research team:
- Dr Thava Palanisami
Funding body: Victoria EPA
Timeframe: 2021 - 2021
Engineered carbon-clay composite based novel fertilisers to overcome nutrient stratification in soil
Research team:
- Professor Ajayan Vinu
Funding body: Soil CRC
Timeframe: 2021 -
Biophysical approaches to achieving long-term storage of soil carbon in sugarcane systems
Research team:
- Associate Professor Ajay Karakoti
- Professor Nanthi Bolan
Funding body: Soil CRC
Timeframe: 2021 - 2024
Reconciling carbon sequestration with fertiliser value of biowastes in farming systems through nanostabilisation of biowastes
Research team:
- Associate Professor Jiabao Yi
- Professor Ajayan Vinu
- Dr Girish Choppala
- Professor Ed Burton
Funding body: Soil CRC PhD scholarship grant
Timeframe: 2021 - 2023
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.