renewable

energy

(From left) Associate Professor Udo Bach, Professor Yi-Bing Cheng and Professor Leone Spiccia. Photo by: Eamon Gallagher

Monash researchers are working to improve the efficiency of renewable energy sources to make them a more viable alternative to electricity and petroleum.
Organic solar cells
Advantages over silicon solar cells:
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Wind energy
The Monash Wind Tunnel, the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere, is used by industry to optimise aerodynamic performance in a range of applications including:
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The potential to supply a significant part of the worlds future transport fuel needs Solutions to the price and supply problems and carbon emissions associated with crude oil derived fuels

Low cost Adaptable to non-flat surfaces Printable in manufacturing

Geothermal energy
Areas of expertise include:
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Wind turbine aerodynamics and wind turbine siting Ground transportation aerodynamics (trains and trucks) Fundamental aerodynamic research Improving the performance of Australian wind farms

Thermal active geostructures

Monash researchers have discovered a way to turn building foundations into energy batteries. By making some relatively simple additions to a buildings foundations, engineers can use the soil underneath a building as an energy battery to store the heat which naturally accumulates in the building much like recharging a battery. Applications:
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Exploring the fracture properties of rocks to maximise the recovery of heat from underground Exploration and modelling of basins Characterisation of the flow and fracture properties of rocks Direct geothermal energy production

Biofuels
Monashs program in biofuels/bioenergy embraces a number of feed stocks and processing methods that focus on second generation biofuels based in algae and biomass as feed stocks. Biofuels offer:

Heating and cooling of office buildings Reduced energy costs

Australia

China

India

Italy

Malaysia

South Africa

Key people Delivering impact

Monash Solar Cell Group
Monash researchers are leading world class research that will revolutionise the way solar power is produced. In collaboration with the Victorian Organic Solar Cell Consortium, Professor YiBing Cheng, Associate Professor Udo Bach and Professor Leone Spiccia, are developing flexible, cost effective printable plastic solar cells that can be produced in the same way that Australias plastic banknotes are printed. These light weight dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) are recognised as the most significant alternative photovoltaic technology to silicon solar cells because they are cheaper to produce. The team is researching a range of techniques to boost power conversion. Its vision is to make photovoltaic technology the power of the future by making it efficient and cheaper to produce than mains power. Udo pioneered the technique of stacking solar cells in tandem to boost energy conversion. Udo is also developing back-contact solar cells. This technique involves removing the collecting electrode from the top of cells and linking the previously separated positive and negative charge collectors at the back of the cell, ending a problem of shading techniques to dramatically boost the output of organic solar cells. Solar cells Professor Yi-Bing Cheng Yi-Bings research includes nanostructured titanium dioxide based dye sensitised cells and ceramic materials and composites. Wind energy Professor John Sheridan Johns research into fluid mechanics will help to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Biofuels Dr Akshat Tanksale Akshat is working in the field of catalysis based on nanomaterials, for the production of biofuels and green chemicals.

Who we are
Monash University is a global leader in innovative, multidisciplinary research. Ranked in the top 100* universities in the world, Monash is Australias largest university.

Biofuels Professor Gil Garnier Gil leads the Bio-resource Processing Research Institute of Australia, which will develop new products and processes from bio-based feedstocks.

Geothermal Professor Malek Bouazza Malek is leading research in direct-use of geothermal energy, that involves utilising the earths surface as an energy source to bring greater efficiency to residential and commercial heating and cooling systems.

Monash University seeks to work in partnership with industry to answer the challenges facing the energy sector. Companies can engage with Monash through a range of mechanisms.
Specific contract research
Monashs Industry Engagement and Commercialisation Group can assist organisations interested in arranging research contracts with Monash University. for a wide range of cutting edge technology applications including: materials analysis, manufacturing optimisation, nanotechnology, aerodynamic analysis, advanced imaging and biological analysis.

Licensing
Monash has a portfolio of intellectual property available for licensing to companies. Monash is recognised for its success in developing new products and services with commercial partners.

Consultancy
Monash Consulting Services (MCS) connects companies to internationally respected experts in a diverse range of fields including science, engineering, health sciences, economics, sustainability and education. Additionally, MCS can arrange access to an integrated network of world-class technology platforms suitable

Collaboration through leveraging government funding

The Australian Government has a range of funding programs, such as the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Scheme, to foster and Support collaborative research and development between university researchers and external partner organisations.

John Monash Innovation Institute

The John Monash Innovation Institute provides a platform for collaboration under an open innovation model where companies can reduce their financial and technical risk by cooperating with research organisations on solutions for commercial problems.

Contact us
CRICOS provider: Monash University 00008C

Industry Engagement and Commercialisation Dr Heather St John, Director Industry Engagement Tel: +61 3 9902 9854 Email: heather.stjohn@monash.edu

www.monash.edu/industry
All information contained in this document is current at time of publication. Monash University reserves the right to alter this information at any time please check the Monash University website for updates (www.monash.edu.au). Published October 2012. 12P-1195