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A woman holds a tiny black and gold front on her finger in front of her face. Photo: Paul Jones

Researchers receive $1 million to protect amphibians and power clean energy

Researchers receive $1 million to protect amphibians and power clean energy

Two collaborative projects given the green light under ARC Linkage Projects scheme, with focus on innovation and conservation

From frogs to the future of battery technology, two groundbreaking projects led by ¾«¶«´«Ã½ of ¾«¶«´«Ã½ (UOW) researchers have been awarded collectively $1 million in funding from the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) . The scheme brings researchers and industry partners together to deliver real-world outcomes addressing national and global challenges.

One project will tackle the urgent challenge of protecting amphibian biodiversity, aiming to safeguard vulnerable species and preserve vital ecosystems. The other will drive the future of renewable energy, advancing the development of lithium-ion batteries that promise to transform how we power our world.

New-generation SiC anode battery technology

UOW researchers including Lead Investigator , and Dr Andrew Minett will collaborate with Sicona Battery Technologies to create next-generation lithium-ion batteries that charge faster and store more energy. The superior battery technology produced in this research partnership, awarded $715,000 in funding, will deliver Australia a competitive advantage in battery evolution in the future.

A man sits at a computer in a blue-lit room. Photo: Paul Jones Professor Jun Chen. Photo: Paul Jones

“Our focus is on improving part of the battery called the anode by using a mix of silicon and other materials. We are aiming to solve problems that have held back silicon-based batteries - such as making them last longer and charge quicker,” Professor Chen said.

Advanced reproductive technologies to protect amphibian biodiversity

A team of UOW researchers, including Lead Investigator , , , and , will work alongside academics from the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ of Sydney, ¾«¶«´«Ã½ of Melbourne and Australian National ¾«¶«´«Ã½, to help save Australia’s endangered amphibians by developing new ways to protect their genetic diversity. The researchers were awarded $376,272 and will partner with Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Zoos Victoria and the NSW Department of Climate Energy, the Environment and Water.

A small brown frog sits on a rock. Picture: Aimee Silla The Booroolong frog, one of two endangered frogs, along with the Northern Corroboree frog (main picture), that will be the focus of the project. Photo: Aimee Silla"We will develop and refine new cryopreservation techniques, refine the use of IVF in breeding programs, and gather critical data on the long-term genetic consequences of mixing different amphibian gene pools. The results of this research will give wildlife conservation organisations powerful new tools to restore and protect Australia’s unique amphibian species, making conservation efforts more effective and affordable,” Professor Byrne said.