Seven QUT research teams have secured more than $2.7 million in federal funding from the Australian Economic Accelerator Ignite program.
From turning waste into next-generation batteries to protecting grapes from bushfire smoke, the projects are part of a $725 million national investment to fast-track high-impact research with strong potential for real-world application.
Advanced manufacturing of laser-induced graphene sheets from biomass for thermal management of battery systems
Led by Dr Zengji Yue from the QUT School of Chemistry and Physics, this $308,610 project brings together QUT researchers Dr Yang Yang, Professor Dongchen Qi and Professor Hongxia Wang with industry partners Elumina Global and Auziq.
The research aims to develop a new way of making advanced heat-dissipating materials for batteries and electronic devices, using waste materials such as leaves, grass, wood, sawdust, and even food waste.
"By applying a special laser process, these natural materials can be converted into thin layers of graphene, a form of carbon with outstanding ability to conduct heat," Dr Yue said.
"The graphene layers will then be compressed into large, flexible sheets that can be built into battery packs and energy storage systems to help manage heat more effectively.
"Our aim is to provide a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to current thermal interface materials."
Adaptable, scalable and privacy-preserving AI for multi-institute, multi-modality healthcare data learning
This $493,938 project is led by Adjunct Professor Melvyn Bridges from the QUT School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, with QUT researchers Dr Laith Alzubaidi, Professor Yuantong Gu and Associate Professor Chun Ouyang.
The team will develop and test a new medical artificial intelligence (AI) system called ATD (AI-To-Data), designed to help hospitals and clinics collaborate with organisations developing digital health products to enhance patient care while maintaining the confidentiality of private medical records.
"ATD enables secure collaboration by sending AI knowledge, not the data itself, between sites," Professor Bridges said.
"This protects patient privacy while creating stronger, more accurate AI models.
"Unlike current approaches, ATD is fully decentralised. There is no central server, making it more secure, easier to expand as new sites join, and able to run efficiently even on low-cost computers."
The project's industry partners are ATD AI and CSIRO.
Portable smoke taint sensors for the wine industry
Led by Associate Professor Soniya Yambem from the QUT School of Chemistry and Physics, this $455,847 project will see her and Dr Elena Eremeeva work with Wine Australia to develop fast, affordable and portable sensors capable of detecting smoke taint in wine grapes before fermentation.
Smoke taint, caused by bushfire smoke, can significantly affect the taste and quality of wine.
"Although smoke compounds accumulate in grapes after exposure, they remain bound and undetectable until they are released during fermentation, when they affect the aroma and flavour of the wine," Professor Yambem said.
"Current testing methods of wine grapes for smoke taint are expensive, slow, and often require sending samples to specialised laboratories.
"Our solution uses specially designed molecules called aptamers that precisely detect smoke-related chemicals. This will enable faster decision-making, reduce economic losses, and protect the wine quality and reputation of Australian wine both domestically and internationally."
Development of advanced functional lignin-based separators for high-performance sodium-ion batteries
This $339,554 project is led by Dr Jiaye Ye from the QUT School of Chemistry and Physics, alongside Professor Hongxia Wang and Associate Professor James Blinco.
The team will explore a new way to improve sodium-ion batteries using waste from the paper and forestry industries.
"We will use a material called lignin, which is normally discarded, and chemically enhance it to create a useful coating for battery parts called separators," Dr Ye said.
"These separators sit between the battery's positive and negative ends and help it run safely and efficiently. By modifying existing plastic separators with this upgraded lignin, the batteries are expected to perform better, last longer, and be safer to use.
"This also offers an environmentally friendly solution by recycling industrial waste and reducing reliance on expensive or toxic materials."
The project's industry partner is Elumina Global.
Accelerating a biocatalytic process for commercial production of rare cannabinoids
Led by Dr Carlos Luna-Flores from the QUT School of Biology and Environmental Science, this $299,986 project, with Dr James Behrendorff and industry partner Hale Farm, will look to produce high-value minor cannabinoids from industrial hemp.
Cannabis plants produce over 100 minor cannabinoids in addition to the well-known therapeutic cannabinoids, THC and CBD.
"Many minor cannabinoids are non-psychoactive and show therapeutic potential, but their extremely low concentrations make commercial extraction impractical," Dr Luna-Flores said.
"We have developed methods to convert cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), a precursor that accumulates in industrial hemp, into specific cannabinoids that are scarce in current medicinal cannabis markets.
"Now, we hope to further develop this technology for the manufacture of cannabichromene (CBC), valued for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and for its potential value in treating pancreatic cancer."
From waste to water security: Low-emission granular sludge reactor technology for PFAS and ammonia management
This $408,335 project is led by Professor Yang Liu from the QUT School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, with QUT collaborators Professor Nicholas Ashbolt and Ying Liu.
Highly concentrated sidestreams from wastewater treatment plants and landfill leachate are primary sources of nitrogen and PFAS "forever chemicals" entering the environment.
"This project aims to position Australia at the forefront of global water innovation by advancing a new, low-emission process designed to manage both ammonia and PFAS in a single, energy-efficient step," Professor Liu said.
"Our preliminary trials have demonstrated the potential for this technology to achieve high-efficiency nutrient removal and significant reductions in PFAS concentrations.
"By transforming how we treat high-strength waste streams, this technology will help utilities meet tightening environmental regulations and protect water security without the need for costly, energy-intensive infrastructure upgrades."
The project's industry partners are Queensland Water Directorate, Melbourne Water Corporation, Townsville City Council, Eurofins Environment Testing Australia and Toowoomba Regional Council.
Replacing Matrigel: Photocrosslinkable lung ECM hydrogels for organoid culture
Led by Dr Jacqui McGovern from the QUT School of Biomedical Sciences, this $470,364 project brings together Distinguished Professor Dietmar Hutmacher, Luke Hipwood and Chun-Wei Chang with industry partner Gelomics.
The team will aim to develop a new Australian-made biomaterial that enables them to grow miniature human tissues, known as organoids.
"Organoids are transforming biomedical research because they closely replicate how human organs function and respond to treatments," Dr McGovern said.
"Today, most organoid research depends on animal tumour-derived extracts. These are highly variable, challenging to work with, and poorly suited to the strict reproducibility needed for pharmaceutical research and development.
"Our lung-derived hydrogel will provide a reproducible, scalable, and human-relevant alternative tailored to organoid culture.
"We hope to drive medical discovery, support uptake of non-animal testing methods, and strengthen Australia's leadership in advanced manufacturing and biotechnology."
Main photo (clockwise from top left): Professor Yang Liu, Dr Jacqui McGovern, Associate Professor Soniya Yambem, Dr Zengji Yue, Dr Jiaye Ye, Adjunct Professor Melvyn Bridges, Dr Carlos Luna-Flores
