Dr. Xiangpeng Gao

The School of Engineering and Energy is proud to announce that Dr. Xiangpeng Gao, a leading expert in Chemical Engineering, has joined a prestigious national research team as part of an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project. This project, led by The University of Western Australia in collaboration with Tianqi Lithium Kwinana Pty Ltd (TLK) and Murdoch University, aims to transform the sustainability of lithium refining in Australia.

This groundbreaking initiative builds on TLK’s historic achievement in May 2022, when it became the first company in Australia to produce battery-grade lithium at commercial scale. The new ARC Linkage Project focuses on decarbonisation and waste management in lithium refining, with the goal of developing innovative technologies that integrate carbon dioxide into lithium products and improve refinery waste handling.

Dr. Gao will contribute his expertise in Carbon Capture Engineering to the project, leading efforts in system integration and performance evaluation. His work will support the production of battery-grade lithium carbonate using CO₂ emissions—a strategy identified as both cost-effective and environmentally sustainable during a prior consultancy titled “Roadmap to Decarbonisation for Tianqi Lithium Kwinana Refinery.”

“This project represents a significant step forward in Australia’s leadership in critical minerals processing,” said Dr. Gao.

“I’m excited to contribute to innovations that will not only enhance lithium production but also reduce the environmental footprint of refining operations.”

The project is scheduled for completion by May 2028 and is expected to deliver transformative outcomes for the critical minerals industry, including increased export capacity and pioneering decarbonisation technologies.