QUT offers a diverse range of student topics for Honours, Masters and PhD study. Search to find a topic that interests you or propose your own research topic to a prospective QUT supervisor. You may also ask a prospective supervisor to help you identify or refine a research topic.
Found 182 matching student topics
Displaying 49–60 of 182 results
Lignocellulose-derived innovative nanomaterials for enhancing (bio)polymer composites
Lignocellulosic biomass, such as sugarcane bagasse and rice husk, is an abundant and low-cost bioresource for producing nanomaterials such as nanocellulose, lignin nanoparticles, and nanosilica. This PhD project aims to develop cost-effective biomass processing strategies to produce innovative nanomaterials with tunable properties from lignocellulosic biomass, enhancing the performance of (bio)polymer composites in different applications.
- Study level
- PhD
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering
- Research centre(s)
- Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy
Synthesis of lignocellulose-derived aerogels for thermal energy management
Building thermal insulation plays a critical role in global decarbonisation by directly reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling - two of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the built environment. Aerogel materials offer tremendous potential in insulation applications due to their ultralow thermal conductivity, lightweight nature, and flexible design properties. This PhD project aims to develop high-performance aerogel materials from renewable lignocellulosic biomass for thermal energy management applications.
- Study level
- PhD
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering
- Research centre(s)
- Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy
Synthesis of SiOx/C from lignocellulose for lithium ion battery anode applications
SiOx/C anodes are attracting significant industry interest for lithium-ion battery applications due to their much higher energy density compared to graphite. Currently, SiOx/C anodes are produced on a limited commercial scale using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods. However, the CVD process is costly and unsustainable, limiting the large-scale deployment of SiOx/C in lithium-ion batteries. Lignocellulosic biomass is rich in carbon, and many types also contain silica, making it a promising sustainable feedstock. This PhD project aims to develop low-cost, …
- Study level
- PhD
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering
- Research centre(s)
- Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy
Synthesis of hard carbon from lignin for sodium ion battery anode applications
Lignin is one of the three major components of lignocellulosic biomass, such as sugarcane bagasse and woody biomass. It is renewable, low-cost, and rich in carbon, making it an ideal precursor for the production of sustainable carbon materials. This PhD project aims to develop high-performance, lignin-derived hard carbon for use in sodium-ion battery anodes.
- Study level
- PhD
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering
- Research centre(s)
- Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy
Real-time control of nature-based solutions for multi-benefit water management
Nature-based solutions (NBS) such as wetlands, green roofs, and bioswales, are critical for sustainable urban water management. However, their benefits (flood mitigation, water quality improvement, biodiversity support) are often siloed or under-optimised.This PhD project will pioneer adaptive, real-time control strategies for NBS to maximise their environmental, social, and economic co-benefits. The research integrates sensor data, predictive modeling, and smart control systems to dynamically adjust NBS operations in response to weather, pollution events, and community needs.This project merges cutting-edge technology with …
- Study level
- PhD
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Sensor network optimisation for illicit discharge detection in stormwater systems
Illicit discharges into stormwater networks threaten waterways, but current detection methods are often inefficient. This project develops a smart sensor network to identify and locate pollution sources in real time. The PhD will focus on:optimal sensor placement: algorithms for location, type, and density selectionreal-time alarm systems: fast, reliable detection to trigger inspections or robotic trackingscalability: cost-effective strategies for city-wide deployment.
- Study level
- PhD
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Developing bio-additives for PFAS waste management
Have you ever wondered how we deal with harmful pollutants like PFAS, the so-called 'forever chemicals'? PFAS are found in everyday items like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foam, but they don’t break down in the environment. Over time, they build up in water, soil, and even our food, creating serious risks for human health and ecosystems.Managing PFAS is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. Traditional methods to remove them are expensive and can produce more …
- Study level
- Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Optimising landfill leachate treatment with innovative bioreactors
Landfill leachate, a highly polluted liquid, can pose serious risks to the environment and public health if not treated effectively. Without proper management, it can contaminate groundwater and surface water, threatening ecosystems and water resources.This project focuses on using innovative bioreactors to treat landfill leachate efficiently and sustainably. By optimizing these reactors, we aim to remove harmful pollutants like ammonia, addressing a key challenge in managing high-strength wastewater. Your work will contribute to practical solutions for real-world environmental problems.
- Study level
- Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Advanced biosolid treatment: volume reduction and PFAS mitigation
PFAS, often called 'forever chemicals', are among the most persistent and harmful pollutants found in the environment. These substances accumulate in biosolids, a nutrient-rich by-product of wastewater treatment, making it challenging to safely reuse or dispose of them. Biosolid management becomes even more complex due to the large volume produced by treatment facilities, creating a pressing need for innovative solutions that address both PFAS contamination and waste volume reduction.This project focuses on cutting-edge approaches to treat biosolids, reduce their volume, …
- Study level
- Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Transforming wastewater treatment with anaerobic granular sludge technology
Are you interested in solving real-world environmental challenges? Wastewater treatment is essential for protecting the environment, and anaerobic granular sludge technology is at the forefront of creating sustainable solutions. Think of it as using natural microorganisms to clean water in an energy-efficient way, while also recovering valuable resources like nutrients and energy.In this project, you’ll dive into how anaerobic granular sludge works - tiny but powerful clusters of microbes that improve wastewater treatment by breaking down pollutants. This cutting-edge technology …
- Study level
- Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Scene Understanding for Underwater Imagery
Underwater ecosystems, including coral reefs and seagrass meadows, play a critical role in maintaining marine biodiversity, providing coastal protection, and supporting fisheries and tourism economies that millions depend upon globally. These habitats are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, pollution, and other anthropogenic impacts, demanding urgent efforts to monitor and restore them. Accurate scene understanding of underwater imagery enables fine-scale ecosystem monitoring across spatial and temporal scales, supporting essential activities such as habitat and biodiversity assessment, validation of aerial and remotely …
- Study level
- PhD
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Electrical Engineering and Robotics
- Research centre(s)
- Centre for Robotics
Metal halide perovskite solar cell performance based on impurity profiles from Australian sourced precursor materials
Australia has the potential to lead globally in supplying precursor materials for next-generation metal halide perovskite solar cells, leveraging its abundant critical minerals and strong mineral processing capabilities with an innovative "mineral to precursor to final product" strategy.This project will demonstrate the performance of next-generation metal halide perovskite solar cells using Australian sourced materials, complimented with computational modelling to understand the elemental interactions of any impurities.
- Study level
- PhD
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering
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