Our researchers have secured more than $3.5 million in funding through the 2026 Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Projects scheme, supporting fundamental research that advances Australia’s capabilities in energy, sustainability, and materials innovation.
The Discovery Projects scheme supports outstanding researchers to undertake pure and applied research that expands the nation’s knowledge base and delivers long-term benefits across science, engineering, and industry. This year’s successful projects include:
Reimagining light-driven chemistry
Professor Christopher Barner-Kowollik, Dr Sarah Walden, and Dr Xiuwen Zhou
This project challenges long-held assumptions in photochemistry, revealing that colour and reaction efficiency are not always aligned. The team’s work has implications for photochemical production processes such as 3D printing and surface curing, with potential to achieve high efficiency under milder light sources.
Funding: $702,189
Impact-resistant infrastructure
Professor Tommy Chan, Dr Sabrina Fawzia, and Dr Nor Hafizah Ramli Sulong
Developing high-performance tube columns with rubberised concrete infill, this project aims to enhance bridge and building resilience against vehicular crashes, improving safety and reducing repair costs while boosting competitiveness in the Australian construction sector.
Funding: $662,343
High-efficiency thermoelectric materials
Professor Zhigang Chen and Dr Meng Li
By tackling key barriers in thermoelectric interface materials, this project seeks to boost device efficiency by over 25%, advancing Australia’s position in renewable energy and environmental innovation.
Funding: $748,000
Catalysts for clean ammonia production
Professor Aijun Du
This project explores new theoretical principles for sustainable catalysts that convert nitrate to ammonia, offering pathways to low-carbon industrial processes and cleaner energy generation.
Funding: $694,274
Advancing green hydrogen production
Professor Ziqi Sun and Dr Hong Peng
Addressing the scale-up challenges in hydrogen production, this project develops new electrode designs and mechanistic insights to enable efficient, high-current-density electrocatalysis—critical for real-world hydrogen deployment and a sustainable energy future.
Funding: $727,460
Congratulations to all our researchers for their outstanding success in the 2025 ARC Discovery Projects round!
Their achievements contribute to furthering QCMS’s vision to enrich the human experience through materials innovation.
🔗 Full details of projects here: Australian Research Council website.