An Institute for Frontier Materials’ researcher has been named as one of the 200 early career researchers from across Australia to be awarded a highly competitive Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Award.
Dr Lu Jiang’s project, “Enabling Australian aluminium recycling with rapid solidification”, has taken a share in the latest $92.9 million funding round. He joins eight other Deakin University recipients in this round.
“The ARC Discovery Program has an impressive track record in generating new knowledge that addresses a significant problem or gap in knowledge, and it offers exciting opportunities for Australia’s promising early career researchers to develop in supportive environments,” ARC Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr Richard Johnson said.
“As well as boosting Australia’s research and innovation capacity, DECRA projects result in new technologies and ideas, leading to new jobs, economic growth, and ultimately improved quality of life for Australians.”
2025 DECRA winner – Dr Lu Jiang – $462,849.00
Enabling Australian aluminium recycling with rapid solidification. Existing metal recycling processes accumulate impurities that degrade aluminium alloys, reducing the value of scrap recycling. This project will investigate and assess the efficacy of rapid solidification of molten liquid metal to enable Australian recycling of high-value aluminium scrap. Expected outcomes include a new understanding of how impurities affect the microstructure and properties of rapidly solidified high-performance aluminium alloys and enhancing impurity tolerance without sacrificing alloy properties. Benefits include advancing metallurgical science, creating local industry opportunities for valuable resource recovery, securing alloy supplies, reducing environmental footprint and boosting the aluminium circular economy.
See the full list of funded DECRA projects, including a snapshot of funding by State and Territory.