Porphyrin Based Supramolecular Assemblies and Arrays III - Model Systems for the Construction of Photosynthetic Mimics and Devices. Solar cells that convert light to electricity are an excellent solution to bringing energy to remote locations with abundant sunlight. This research proposal aims to provide an intellectual grounding in the development of molecular systems and supramolecular arrays that are capable of such solar energy conversion (photovoltaics & artificial photosynthesis) or that ....Porphyrin Based Supramolecular Assemblies and Arrays III - Model Systems for the Construction of Photosynthetic Mimics and Devices. Solar cells that convert light to electricity are an excellent solution to bringing energy to remote locations with abundant sunlight. This research proposal aims to provide an intellectual grounding in the development of molecular systems and supramolecular arrays that are capable of such solar energy conversion (photovoltaics & artificial photosynthesis) or that have potential applications in photonics. Developments in this project may also lead to breakthroughs in areas such as nano-scale computing and cleaner and more sustainable energy productionRead moreRead less
Construction and Use of Yoctowells as Vessels for Catalysis, Sensing and Artificial Photosynthesis. Yoctowell recognition systems are likely to form the basis of a new generation of biosensors, high throughput screening systems for identification of nucleotides and as energy transduction systems. As a result, this research will be relevant to technological advances in the areas of biotechnology and nanotechnology. Researching functional yoctowells containing photoactive and redox-active componen ....Construction and Use of Yoctowells as Vessels for Catalysis, Sensing and Artificial Photosynthesis. Yoctowell recognition systems are likely to form the basis of a new generation of biosensors, high throughput screening systems for identification of nucleotides and as energy transduction systems. As a result, this research will be relevant to technological advances in the areas of biotechnology and nanotechnology. Researching functional yoctowells containing photoactive and redox-active components will contribute to the major effort in basic research on smart optoelectric that are needed today to meet tomorrow's energy demands in a sustainable way. Read moreRead less
Porphyrin-Based Supramolecular Assemblies and Arrays II: Model Systems for the Construction of Photosynthetic Mimics and Devices. Solar cells that convert light to electricity are an excellent solution to bringing energy to remote locations with abundant sunlight. This research proposal aims to provide an intellectual grounding in the development of molecular systems and supramolecular arrays that are capable of such solar energy conversion (photovoltaics & artificial photosynthesis) or that ha ....Porphyrin-Based Supramolecular Assemblies and Arrays II: Model Systems for the Construction of Photosynthetic Mimics and Devices. Solar cells that convert light to electricity are an excellent solution to bringing energy to remote locations with abundant sunlight. This research proposal aims to provide an intellectual grounding in the development of molecular systems and supramolecular arrays that are capable of such solar energy conversion (photovoltaics & artificial photosynthesis) or that have potential applications in photonics. Developments in this project may also lead to breakthroughs in areas such as nano-scale computing and cleaner and more sustainable energy production.Read moreRead less
Nanomaterials: Probing supramolecular self-assembly at the solution/solid interface. Australia's competitiveness in nanotechnology must be underpinned by fundamental innovation and research. In a "bottom-up" approach to nanomaterials, it is important to understand, for the smallest possible machines that can be produced, how singular molecular components interact with one another, both during the assembly of any device and afterwards as it performs its function. For working devices the molecule ....Nanomaterials: Probing supramolecular self-assembly at the solution/solid interface. Australia's competitiveness in nanotechnology must be underpinned by fundamental innovation and research. In a "bottom-up" approach to nanomaterials, it is important to understand, for the smallest possible machines that can be produced, how singular molecular components interact with one another, both during the assembly of any device and afterwards as it performs its function. For working devices the molecules need to be assembled on a solid surface so that they can work in unison. In this project, in conjunction with researchers at the University of Cambridge, we use the new technique of gel-phase NMR spectroscopy to understand the factors involved as molecular components assemble on the surface of polystyrene beads.Read moreRead less
Supramolecular assembly in photovoltaic electrode design: Studies of ordered porphyrin/acceptor complexes on polythiophene electrodes. This research outlines an improved way to develop dye-sensitised photovoltaic solar cells for the conversion of sunlight into electricity, by increasing the molecular order of the cell components using host, guest interrelationships. As such, it addresses a problem of international concern 'How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stop global warming?' since s ....Supramolecular assembly in photovoltaic electrode design: Studies of ordered porphyrin/acceptor complexes on polythiophene electrodes. This research outlines an improved way to develop dye-sensitised photovoltaic solar cells for the conversion of sunlight into electricity, by increasing the molecular order of the cell components using host, guest interrelationships. As such, it addresses a problem of international concern 'How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stop global warming?' since solar cells do not produce carbon dioxide. To achieve our goals we draw on the skills of a team of experts from Australia (synthetic organic chemists), New Zealand (polymer and surface chemists) and Italy (photochemist and photophysicist). Such research is very appropriate for regional Australia, especially Central Queensland.Read moreRead less
Novel organic materials for efficient low-cost solar cells. Finding sources of renewable energy is the greatest challenge faced by mankind in the coming decades. Solar energy has the potential to provide a large fraction of the world's energy needs. The successful development of a solar technology capable of large scale energy production will reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels, leading to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and a sustainable envir ....Novel organic materials for efficient low-cost solar cells. Finding sources of renewable energy is the greatest challenge faced by mankind in the coming decades. Solar energy has the potential to provide a large fraction of the world's energy needs. The successful development of a solar technology capable of large scale energy production will reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels, leading to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and a sustainable environment. The harnessing of solar energy involves a number of frontier technologies that will enhance Australia's strengths in research and innovation. There is also potential for the creation of a world-class industry in solar energy that has both economic and environmental benefits.Read moreRead less
Porphyrin-Based Supramolecular Assemblies and Arrays - Model Systems for the Construction of Photosynthetic Mimics. Crown ether-based multichromophoric systems will be used to mimic the steps through which plants convert light into chemical energy. The crown bridging units allow a variety of metal and organic cations, which provide electronic and structural roles, to be non-covalently bound within their cavities. These systems are advantageous over other photosynthetic models in that a variety ....Porphyrin-Based Supramolecular Assemblies and Arrays - Model Systems for the Construction of Photosynthetic Mimics. Crown ether-based multichromophoric systems will be used to mimic the steps through which plants convert light into chemical energy. The crown bridging units allow a variety of metal and organic cations, which provide electronic and structural roles, to be non-covalently bound within their cavities. These systems are advantageous over other photosynthetic models in that a variety of electron transfer mediators can be examined in a readily controlled and systematic way simply through the choice of cation. In this way, the role played by molecular recognition in the modulation of long-range electron transfer can be evaluated. This work will lead to designing better artificial solar energy converters and molecular electronic devices.Read moreRead less
Development of an Adjustable Porphyrin-based Molecular Platform for Nanotechnology Applications. Nanotechnology, the art of molecular control, is often heralded as the next industrial revolution. For this to be realised, the construction of useful devices will require precise control at the molecular level. Our control is realised through a process called self-assembly which means that the once the components of the device are correctly designed, the device will simply be able to put itself tog ....Development of an Adjustable Porphyrin-based Molecular Platform for Nanotechnology Applications. Nanotechnology, the art of molecular control, is often heralded as the next industrial revolution. For this to be realised, the construction of useful devices will require precise control at the molecular level. Our control is realised through a process called self-assembly which means that the once the components of the device are correctly designed, the device will simply be able to put itself together. This research will use nature's light harvesting elements, namely porphyrins, and our ability to precisely control their position with respect to each other to build new, more efficient solar cells.Read moreRead less