La Trobe University Industry Research Scholarship Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) Development of High Purity BNNT Thin Films for Energy Storage

The closing date of this scholarship is 31 August 2021 unless otherwise filled.

This prestigious scholarship established by La Trobe University in partnership with the Defence Science and Technology Group, will be awarded to an outstanding applicant who is interested in developing methods to integrate functionality into composite structures to gain advantages in lightweight remotely controlled aerial systems. Energy storage is a critical function and methods to integrate energy storage that also provide load bearing capability will lead to significant capability advantages for Defence.

As an applicant you should have an interest in nanomaterials and their application to energy storage. A background in chemistry, physics or material science is desirable. Your project will develop novel separator layers required in energy storage devices, such as supercapacitors and batteries. Novel methods to purify Boron Nitride Nanotubes (BNNTs) to exploit their full structural benefit and improved techniques to deposit controlled thickness and porosity thin films with load bearing capacity will be developed.

Benefits of the scholarship include:

• a La Trobe Research Scholarship for three and a half years, with a value of $28,597.00 per annum, to support your living costs (2021 rate)
• a fee-relief scholarship for up to four years
• relocation allowance and publication/thesis allowance
• opportunities to work with La Trobe’s and Defence Science and Technology Group’s outstanding researchers, and have access to our suite of professional development programs
• this project is part of a larger collaborative partnership with The University of Delaware, The University of New South Wales, and Deakin University.
• access to state-of-the-art composite and advanced materials characterisation facilities at DSTG Fishermans Bend.