Stabilisation of Titania Pigment Slurries During Processing. This project aims to improve the stabilisation properties of titania pigment slurries during production. Current polyphosphate dispersants used by Tiwest are unstable under processing conditions. Tailored, robust dispersing reagents will therefore be investigated in order to provide improved stabilisation of pigments during processing. Enhanced understanding of the dispersing reagents interaction with the titania pigment surface and th ....Stabilisation of Titania Pigment Slurries During Processing. This project aims to improve the stabilisation properties of titania pigment slurries during production. Current polyphosphate dispersants used by Tiwest are unstable under processing conditions. Tailored, robust dispersing reagents will therefore be investigated in order to provide improved stabilisation of pigments during processing. Enhanced understanding of the dispersing reagents interaction with the titania pigment surface and the subsequent stability of the pigment will allow advances in processing and consequently improved final products. The potential growth in market share, by improved product performance, is in excess of $50M pa.Read moreRead less
The formation of negative ions and neutrals in the gas phase. Structure, reactivity and mechanism. Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to provide information concerning the structure of a chemical compound: it is particularly useful when dealing with small amounts of biologically important molecules. It is also a facility in which charged species can be converted into transient neutrals. This project will (i) produce information about negative ion fragmentations in order to extend ....The formation of negative ions and neutrals in the gas phase. Structure, reactivity and mechanism. Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to provide information concerning the structure of a chemical compound: it is particularly useful when dealing with small amounts of biologically important molecules. It is also a facility in which charged species can be converted into transient neutrals. This project will (i) produce information about negative ion fragmentations in order to extend the applicability of analytical negative-ion mass spectrometry, (ii) form neutral molecules and related species which are found in stellar dust clouds and investigate their chemistry, and (iii) train graduates in ion chemistry to the highest international standards.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989068
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$637,120.00
Summary
Equipment for Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy: surface analysis with excellent surface sensitivity. One of the major research strengths of Australia is surface science as it is important for both fundamental and industry related research. In many cases it is crucial to investigate the outermost layer of a material or mineral. Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy is an ideal technique as it is sensitive exclusively to the outermost layer of a broad range of samples. The information g ....Equipment for Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy: surface analysis with excellent surface sensitivity. One of the major research strengths of Australia is surface science as it is important for both fundamental and industry related research. In many cases it is crucial to investigate the outermost layer of a material or mineral. Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy is an ideal technique as it is sensitive exclusively to the outermost layer of a broad range of samples. The information gained is not accessible by any other method. The proposed equipment will be the first of this type in Australia and will complement existing surface science facilities. The project will enhance Australia's position in surface science internationally and a large number of projects will benefit from access to the equipment.Read moreRead less
A Physicochemical Approach for Optimizing Drug Delivery from BioSilicon. By applying modern techniques and a multidisciplinary approach, this research will develop an understanding of drug loading of BioSiliconTM at a molecular level. This novel class of nano-structured biomaterial has exciting potential for developing a range of controllable drug delivery systems. Existing medical applications of BioSilicon deliver only small molecules for very specialised uses. Current research has not focused ....A Physicochemical Approach for Optimizing Drug Delivery from BioSilicon. By applying modern techniques and a multidisciplinary approach, this research will develop an understanding of drug loading of BioSiliconTM at a molecular level. This novel class of nano-structured biomaterial has exciting potential for developing a range of controllable drug delivery systems. Existing medical applications of BioSilicon deliver only small molecules for very specialised uses. Current research has not focused on understanding the pore structure and how it can be adapted for special applications. Our research will create new drug delivery systems with many innovative applications in medical, veterinary and bio-diagnostics fields. The medical and socio-economic impacts will be internationally significant.Read moreRead less
Evaluating modern printing inks: the behaviour of charged particles in concentrated nonaqueous colloidal dispersions. The Partner Organisation in this proposal, Research Laboratories of Australia (RLA) is a small Adelaide-based company which is at the forefront of modern colour printing technology. RLA provides liquid toners to several major international manufacturers of colour printers for use in liquid immersion development processes. This proposal will develop an instrument for characterisin ....Evaluating modern printing inks: the behaviour of charged particles in concentrated nonaqueous colloidal dispersions. The Partner Organisation in this proposal, Research Laboratories of Australia (RLA) is a small Adelaide-based company which is at the forefront of modern colour printing technology. RLA provides liquid toners to several major international manufacturers of colour printers for use in liquid immersion development processes. This proposal will develop an instrument for characterising the properties of liquid inks, enabling continual R&D improvement of RLA's products. Furthermore, the instrument can be commercialised and marketed worldwide to companies dealing with concentrated colloidal dispersions in a wide range of industries including foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and surface coatings.Read moreRead less
Nanotribology and Nanorheometry: A Fundamental Study of the Dynamic Interactions of Particles and Surfaces at the Molecular Level. Friction and deformation occur from the mutual motion and interaction of microscopic particles and surfaces. This research aims to develop new theories and measurement techniques for these non-equilibrium phenomena by combining mathematical analysis and numerical computations with dynamic force measurement, surface modification, and surface characterisation on nanom ....Nanotribology and Nanorheometry: A Fundamental Study of the Dynamic Interactions of Particles and Surfaces at the Molecular Level. Friction and deformation occur from the mutual motion and interaction of microscopic particles and surfaces. This research aims to develop new theories and measurement techniques for these non-equilibrium phenomena by combining mathematical analysis and numerical computations with dynamic force measurement, surface modification, and surface characterisation on nanometre and molecular length scales. These insights and data will be critically important in designing low-friction surfaces that save energy and wear, in developing nanoscopic probes for the mechanical and structural properties of soft polymeric and bio-materials, and in making high performance coatings that control adhesion and particle aggregation in technologically advanced applications.Read moreRead less
The microbe factory: a novel approach to benign minerals processing. The purpose of this project is to reduce the environmental impact of current mining practices. The anticipated outcome of this project is the replacement of toxic chemicals used in the separation of minerals with the novel use of environmentally benign microbes.
Polymers at Mineral Interfaces. Polymers are used widely in the mineral processing industry to alter mineral surfaces, often selectively. In spite of this, there remains a gap in our understanding of how polymers interact with mineral surfaces and how their surface structure affects the mineral surface properties. The aim of this project is to fill this gap by performing fundamental research on adsorbed polymer structure and properties, coupled with applied research on real mineral ores from a ....Polymers at Mineral Interfaces. Polymers are used widely in the mineral processing industry to alter mineral surfaces, often selectively. In spite of this, there remains a gap in our understanding of how polymers interact with mineral surfaces and how their surface structure affects the mineral surface properties. The aim of this project is to fill this gap by performing fundamental research on adsorbed polymer structure and properties, coupled with applied research on real mineral ores from a number of mineral companies. The combination of fundamental and applied research makes this project unique in the study of polymers at mineral interfaces, and will enable us to solve real processing problems through a rational choice of polymers for a given application.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100060
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$563,390.00
Summary
Shared picosecond-laser facility. This project aims to extend the Shared Picosecond Laser Facility to include picosecond-pulse technology and to incorporate new consortium members. The Facility, shared among members at four universities and building on over 23 years of collaboration, continues to provide access to state-of-the-art lasers. The Facility will take advantage of its bulk purchasing power to negotiate significant discounts, extended warranties and maintenance contracts. The new lasers ....Shared picosecond-laser facility. This project aims to extend the Shared Picosecond Laser Facility to include picosecond-pulse technology and to incorporate new consortium members. The Facility, shared among members at four universities and building on over 23 years of collaboration, continues to provide access to state-of-the-art lasers. The Facility will take advantage of its bulk purchasing power to negotiate significant discounts, extended warranties and maintenance contracts. The new lasers will enable access to picosecond timescales and facilitate complex multi-laser experiments in a wide variety of projects including reaction dynamics, materials chemistry and photovoltaics.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100093
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
Shared laser facility. This shared laser facility will provide a pool of lasers to support the research of about 20 research groups and 30 PhD students.