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 30 matching student topics
Displaying 1–12 of 30 results
Multi-objective optimisation models for forecasting and decision-making in supply chains and energy systems
This PhD project will focus on developing and evaluating multi-objective optimisation models that simultaneously optimise forecasting accuracy and operational decisions in complex systems.
- Study level
- PhD, Master of Philosophy
- Faculty
- Faculty of Science
- School
- School of Mathematical Sciences
- Research centre(s)
- Centre for Data Science
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
Multiscale technology assessment of emerging CCUS processes
CO2 capture and utilisation is a promising, emerging climate technology. However, there is a great deal of uncertainty regarding its viability and economic impact. This project will be conducted in collaboration with an industry partner.
- Study level
- PhD
- Faculty
- Faculty of Engineering
- School
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering
Energy transitions in the food sector: how AI shapes consumer behaviour over time
Energy transitions are often studied in sectors such as transport (e.g. electric vehicles) and housing (e.g. solar panels, batteries), where decisions are relatively infrequent, highly deliberative, and associated with clear long-term payoffs. In contrast, food consumption represents a fundamentally different energy-relevant sector: decisions are made daily or even multiple times per day, involve low deliberation, and prioritise immediate outcomes such as convenience, cost, and taste (Reisch, 2021). These characteristics make food systems particularly susceptible to short-term decision-making, where long-term energy …
- Study level
- PhD, Master of Philosophy, Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Science
- School
- School of Information Systems
- Research centre(s)
- Centre for Future Enterprise
Energy Transition Centre
From feedback loops to actionable insights: system dynamics modelling for sustainable energy systems
Energy systems are becoming increasingly complex, shaped by fluctuating renewable supply, evolving user behaviour, and dynamic market structures. To navigate this complexity, system dynamics (SD) modelling (Sterman, 2000) offers a powerful lens to understand and influence the behaviour of energy systems over time. By visualising and simulating feedback loops, stock–flow structures, and interdependencies (Fang et al., 2018), SD modelling can help generate actionable insights for designing resilient, adaptive, and user-centred energy solutions.This project explores how SD modelling can support innovation …
- Study level
- PhD, Master of Philosophy, Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Science
- School
- School of Information Systems
- Research centre(s)
-
Energy Transition Centre
Leveraging AI-driven cognitive computing for energy systems innovation
The transition toward a more sustainable energy system is generating vast volumes of data from distributed sources such as smart meters, energy sensors, and user-end devices. Energy informatics highlights the crucial role of information systems in optimising both energy supply and demand (Watson et al., 2010). In this project, we explore how cognitive computing systems (CCS), integrating artificial intelligence (AI), cognitive psychology, and neurobiology, can strategically transform energy informatics by creating adaptive, explainable, and human-aligned energy solutions.Leveraging advances in CCS …
- Study level
- PhD, Master of Philosophy, Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Science
- School
- School of Information Systems
- Research centre(s)
-
Energy Transition Centre
Intergenerational responsibility of the sustainable energy transition: rethinking socio-technical systems through Indigenous knowledge
As the global community works to limit global warming to 1.5°C, accelerating the transition to sustainable energy systems remains a pressing challenge (IPCC, 2023). This transition is not only technical but deeply social, with intergenerational equity emerging as a critical concern. Decisions made today regarding infrastructure, resource use, and system design will have lasting consequences for future generations (UN, 2021). Indigenous knowledge systems, which emphasise long-term stewardship and relational accountability, offer valuable insights into rethinking socio-technical systems for sustainable futures …
- Study level
- PhD, Master of Philosophy, Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Science
- School
- School of Information Systems
- Research centre(s)
-
Energy Transition Centre
Understanding trust in renewable energy in online communities
The challenge to keep global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels has become even greater due to a continued increase in greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC, 2023). One major challenge is the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy to reduce emissions (Gholami et al., 2016). The share of renewable energy in electricity generation has increased to 28.3%, however, an acceleration of the pace of the transition is required to limit global temperature rise (REN21, 2022).Due to the contingencies and dynamics …
- Study level
- PhD, Master of Philosophy, Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Science
- School
- School of Information Systems
- Research centre(s)
-
Energy Transition Centre
Joint PhD QUT/Münster: Digital innovation in battery energy storage systems
Queensland is a global leader in residential solar photovoltaic adoption, yet battery energy storage uptake is comparatively low, constraining the full potential of decentralised battery energy storage systems (BESS). Similarly, in Germany, battery storage adoption remains limited and regionally concentrated, despite strong national policy support and technological advances in battery manufacturing.This project investigates the behavioural and systemic barriers to BESS adoption and explores how digital solutions can influence energy decisions. It forms part of a broader international collaboration between QUT, …
- Study level
- PhD
- Faculty
- Faculty of Science
- School
- School of Information Systems
- Research centre(s)
-
Energy Transition Centre
Combining solar and vibration energy harvesting for rainfall prediction
Rainfall prediction plays a crucial role in various sectors such as agriculture, water resource management, and disaster preparedness. Traditional prediction methods often rely on complex meteorological models and expensive equipment. However, advancements in energy harvesting technology offer the opportunity to develop low-cost and sustainable solutions for rainfall prediction.This project proposes to leverage solar and vibration energy harvesting for rainfall prediction. Combined measurements from both solar and vibration energy harvesting can provide comprehensive data for real-time monitoring of cloud coverage and …
- Study level
- Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Science
- School
- School of Information Systems
Gamification and serious games to encourage behavioural change in energy consumption
Games have become an integral part of our lives, which is why they are increasingly being used for other purposes than pure entertainment, such as learning, training, informing, or advertising (Degirmenci, 2017). While gamification uses game elements in non-game contexts, serious games are full-fledged games, both aiming to create meaningful engagement and foster desired behaviours (Degirmenci, 2023; Degirmenci and Breitner, 2023).In this project, we investigate how gamification and serious games can help to encourage behavioural change in energy consumption to …
- Study level
- PhD, Master of Philosophy, Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Science
- School
- School of Information Systems
- Research centre(s)
-
Energy Transition Centre
Machine Learning-based pedictive tool for energy storage
The fundamental idea behind the ML approach is to analyze and map the relationships between the physical,chemical, and energy storage properties of materials with their associated output data. This early understanding of the energy storage capabilities through the ML approach helps the material scientists to clearly understand, discover, and optimize the fabrication process to develop highly efficient energy storage systems. It also provides key steps in the device fabrication process omitting excessive experimental stages.
- Study level
- PhD, Master of Philosophy, Honours
- Faculty
- Faculty of Science
- School
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- Research centre(s)
- Centre for Materials Science
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