Monash University has been awarded funding for seven research projects in the Department of Education's National Industry PhD Program, with six awarded in Round Two and one in Round Three.
On 12 July, PhD Candidate Satya Sireesha Rameswarapu's 'Syngas and CO2 conversion into fuels, methanol, formic acid and acetic acid' project was announced as the recipient of one of 48 successful Industry Linked awards in the third round of funding announcements.
Supervised by Professor Akshat Tanksale within the Australian Research Council Research Hub for Carbon Utilisation and Recycling and conducted in partnership with BASF Australia; Woodside Energy; Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy and Fertilisers; and the University of Queensland, this project aims to scale a system that converts carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals like acetic and formic acids, making it a commercially viable way to reduce CO2 emissions and mitigate climate change.
This news follows the announcement in November 2023 that Monash had received six second round Industry Researcher awards. As a result, two Industry Researchers from Woodside Energy - Anrie Helberg and Lex Simons - have enrolled in Monash's Industry Doctoral Program with the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. Both Industry Research projects are managed in partnership with Woodside Energy and supervised by Professor Paul Webley, Director of the Woodside Monash Energy Partnership.
Ms Helberg's project 'Understanding the relationship between food security and greenhouse gas emissions through Social and Environmental Life Cycle Assessment' aims to help policymakers and stakeholders strategically promote practices that can sustain our global food supply while minimising emissions.
Mr Simons' research project 'Assessing new energy and abatement technologies: A strategic approach to value creation and sustainable transition' focuses on evaluating emerging energy solutions and emissions reduction technologies to advance the transition to sustainable energy systems while empowering stakeholders to generate significant economic value.
"The National Industry PhD Program represents an outstanding opportunity to amplify the impact of climate research through collaborating with major industry stakeholders," said Professor Doron Ben-Meir, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Engagement) and Senior Vice-President.
"Working hand-in-hand with industry on major research projects is key to finding solutions to the greatest challenges of our age."
