Order from chaos: Rational design of biointerfacing plasma polymer coatings. The project goal is to facilitate a new generation of bio-interface platforms to be designed using plasma processing. Functionalised plasma polymer surfaces used for bio-interfaces result from random processes in the plasma phase and at the surface. While rules-of-thumb exist for tailoring simple functionalised plasma polymers, detailed knowledge linking plasma processes to surface chemistry is lacking. Using a homologo ....Order from chaos: Rational design of biointerfacing plasma polymer coatings. The project goal is to facilitate a new generation of bio-interface platforms to be designed using plasma processing. Functionalised plasma polymer surfaces used for bio-interfaces result from random processes in the plasma phase and at the surface. While rules-of-thumb exist for tailoring simple functionalised plasma polymers, detailed knowledge linking plasma processes to surface chemistry is lacking. Using a homologous series of precursors, the project aims to unravel physical and chemical plasma processes to enable retention of complex surface functional groups which are critical for subsequent surface processing. This is designed to be achieved by linking plasma physics and chemistry via plasma phase mass spectrometry and surface analysis.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100087
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,000.00
Summary
Advanced Macromolecular Materials Characterisation Facility (AMMCF). Advanced macromolecular materials characterisation facility: The facility will allow precise characterisation of (bio)macromolecular materials, from chemical structures and composition as a function of size or biodistribution, to film thickness in multi-layer materials, to material hydrophobicity and permeability. Novel information derived from these state-of-the-art instruments is highly valuable in understanding structure-pro ....Advanced Macromolecular Materials Characterisation Facility (AMMCF). Advanced macromolecular materials characterisation facility: The facility will allow precise characterisation of (bio)macromolecular materials, from chemical structures and composition as a function of size or biodistribution, to film thickness in multi-layer materials, to material hydrophobicity and permeability. Novel information derived from these state-of-the-art instruments is highly valuable in understanding structure-property relationships, which are crucial for the development of the next generation of advanced materials with applications in electronics, optics, sensors, membranes, nanocoatings, biomaterials and polymer therapeutics. This facility underpins the efforts of the participating institutes in increasing the quality and quantity of research outcomes.Read moreRead less
Combating fungal biofilm growth on surfaces. This project aims to establish a scientific basis for the design and development of thin coatings, for use on biomedical devices, that can resist the attachment of fungal cells and the ensuing formation of infectious fungal biofilms on their surfaces. Advancing mechanistic understanding of how physico-chemical properties of materials surfaces influence fungal attachment will enable rational development and optimisation of coating chemistries and struc ....Combating fungal biofilm growth on surfaces. This project aims to establish a scientific basis for the design and development of thin coatings, for use on biomedical devices, that can resist the attachment of fungal cells and the ensuing formation of infectious fungal biofilms on their surfaces. Advancing mechanistic understanding of how physico-chemical properties of materials surfaces influence fungal attachment will enable rational development and optimisation of coating chemistries and structures. Tethered antifungal compounds will be added to polymer surfaces by controlled polymerisation methods to provide active deterrence; factors such as conformational flexibility will be studied to optimise coatings, which may will prevent life-threatening infections and reduce healthcare costs.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100306
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,536.00
Summary
Functional Superstructures of Microporous Metal-Organic Frameworks. This project aims to develop metal-organic framework (MOF) superstructures as a new materials platform. MOFs are an emerging class of porous adsorbents that are expected to fulfil a crucial role as functional materials in industrially important applications, including molecular separations and heterogeneous catalysis. However, there is an urgent need for convenient methods to integrate the attractive properties of MOFs with the ....Functional Superstructures of Microporous Metal-Organic Frameworks. This project aims to develop metal-organic framework (MOF) superstructures as a new materials platform. MOFs are an emerging class of porous adsorbents that are expected to fulfil a crucial role as functional materials in industrially important applications, including molecular separations and heterogeneous catalysis. However, there is an urgent need for convenient methods to integrate the attractive properties of MOFs with the unique features of meso- and macrostructured materials, and for a fundamental understanding of the influence of structuring on their material properties. The project intends to synthesise structuralised MOFs as a platform for studies related to their adsorptive and dynamic properties, and to study these systems as next-generation materials for hydrocarbon separations.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100122
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Microdiffraction: Advanced capabilities for spatial resolution, trace phase detection and solid object analysis. Microdiffraction: advanced capabilities for spatial resolution, trace phase detection and solid object analysis: Microdiffraction offers two principal capacities that traditional powder diffraction (PD) facilities cannot: it enables small areas to be examined on a spatially resolved basis enabling identification, and it enables analysis of minor, but frequently crucial phases and anal ....Microdiffraction: Advanced capabilities for spatial resolution, trace phase detection and solid object analysis. Microdiffraction: advanced capabilities for spatial resolution, trace phase detection and solid object analysis: Microdiffraction offers two principal capacities that traditional powder diffraction (PD) facilities cannot: it enables small areas to be examined on a spatially resolved basis enabling identification, and it enables analysis of minor, but frequently crucial phases and analysis of samples that are not in a powder form thus enabling non-destructive examination. These capabilities provide powerful complementary capacity to existing SEM, QEM-SCAN, ToF-SIMS and PD facilities. Potential and existing applications are numerous and include minerals analyses; forensic applications; micro-electronics; corrosion analyses; art analysis/conservation; archaeology; materials; polymers; thin films; dielectric properties; liquid crystals; and drug characterisation.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100012
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$230,000.00
Summary
Enhanced powder X-ray diffraction capabilities for South Australia. This X-ray diffraction facility will provide structural information on the properties of novel materials which is important for investigations ranging from post-combustion carbon dioxide capture through to the identification of new mineralogical samples. Rapid, local access to this integrated facility will position South Australian researchers to make breakthroughs that benefit Australia.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100168
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,235,000.00
Summary
Adelaide Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a fundamental underpinning technology for the advancement of the many sciences which require determination of the structure of molecules. This project will significantly enhance and broaden NMR capabilities in South Australia and advance world-class research in chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology and biochemistry.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100094
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$220,000.00
Summary
Macromolecular characterisation and purification facility. In-depth characterisation of (bio)macromolecules and nanomaterials is fundamental to understanding their properties and application to advanced materials and technologies. The three new instruments at this facility dedicated to the purification, separation and characterisation of these compounds will provide an essential resource for polymer/materials research.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100035
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,000.00
Summary
Advanced Nanomaterials Characterisation Facility. Advanced nanomaterials characterisation facility:
The integrated facility aims to provide precise characterisation of physicochemical properties of natural and engineered nanoparticles and their interaction with biological matrices. Such information would advance manufacturing, bioengineering, energy production, environmental and forensic science and nanomedicine.
Design of novel nanoporous semiconductor materials for clean environment and energy. This project will develop a low cost nanoporous semiconductor device for the capture and conversion of CO2 into fuels by using water and sunlight. This novel approach will deliver a low cost technology that offers clean energy and will help to mitigate global warming.