Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775612
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,000.00
Summary
Nanomaterials Optical Characterisation Facility. Nanotechnology is expected to revolutionize a wide variety of fields, from medicine to agriculture, communications and electronics. However, the small length scales involved present significant challenges with regard to characterising the nanomaterials produced. The Nanomaterials Optical Characterisation facility will provide state-of-the-art equipment for examining the properties of nanomaterials. The equipment will be pivotal in assisting the de ....Nanomaterials Optical Characterisation Facility. Nanotechnology is expected to revolutionize a wide variety of fields, from medicine to agriculture, communications and electronics. However, the small length scales involved present significant challenges with regard to characterising the nanomaterials produced. The Nanomaterials Optical Characterisation facility will provide state-of-the-art equipment for examining the properties of nanomaterials. The equipment will be pivotal in assisting the development of next-generation medicines, implants, optical devices and surface coatings, further strengthening Australia's formidable reputation in these areas.Read moreRead less
Fundamentals and applications of dynamic interfacial forces in soft matter. The proposed program will make an internationally significant contribution to the fundamental understanding of soft matter on the nanoscale. This has a direct impact upon processes that are key to a wide range of Australian industries ranging from the manufacture of functional foods to minerals recovery to pharmaceutical formulation, where innovative solutions can substantially improve productivity, increase export pote ....Fundamentals and applications of dynamic interfacial forces in soft matter. The proposed program will make an internationally significant contribution to the fundamental understanding of soft matter on the nanoscale. This has a direct impact upon processes that are key to a wide range of Australian industries ranging from the manufacture of functional foods to minerals recovery to pharmaceutical formulation, where innovative solutions can substantially improve productivity, increase export potential and reduce environmental impact. The outcomes of this work, in the form of high impact papers and conference presentations, will build and enhance Australia's reputation as a world leader in nanotechnology and colloid science. 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
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
From Nanostructured Catalysts to Process Innovation. The results of this research will help to advance the fundamental scientific understanding of industrially important chemical reactions and give clear leads as to how to improve them. In particular, new catalysts (i.e. agents that increase the speed and selectivity of chemical reactions) will be generated and the first steps towards process innovation will be taken, using high-throughput equipment unique in the Southern Hemisphere. These new c ....From Nanostructured Catalysts to Process Innovation. The results of this research will help to advance the fundamental scientific understanding of industrially important chemical reactions and give clear leads as to how to improve them. In particular, new catalysts (i.e. agents that increase the speed and selectivity of chemical reactions) will be generated and the first steps towards process innovation will be taken, using high-throughput equipment unique in the Southern Hemisphere. These new catalysts will be the basis for the design of new and/or improved industrial processes that will be ?greener?, safer, use fewer resources, produce less waste and are generally more efficient and effective. As a result the Australian chemicals industry will be more competitive.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882787
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,000.00
Summary
An Integrated Raman Microscope and in Situ STM-TEM Analysis System. The imaging and analytical capabilities of SEM and chemical and structural characterisation afforded by Raman spectroscopy will be unique, allowing both rapid morphological observation and elemental analysis at the macro and nanoscale. The in-situ TEM holder will further assist through in-situ characterization of advanced materials at the nano-scale level. In combination, these instruments will underpin groundbreaking research i ....An Integrated Raman Microscope and in Situ STM-TEM Analysis System. The imaging and analytical capabilities of SEM and chemical and structural characterisation afforded by Raman spectroscopy will be unique, allowing both rapid morphological observation and elemental analysis at the macro and nanoscale. The in-situ TEM holder will further assist through in-situ characterization of advanced materials at the nano-scale level. In combination, these instruments will underpin groundbreaking research in diverse research fields developing new advanced nanomaterials and bio-nanomaterials with significant impact on many industries with great economical and environmental benefits. Read moreRead less
Molecular Recognition in Chiral Ionic Liquids as Basis for the Design and Synthesis of New Enantioselective Heterogeneous Catalysts and Membranes. Molecules that can exist as mirror images, each with different, e.g., beneficial vs. toxic properties, underpin the pharmaceutical industry and increasingly new highly selective pesticides, and flavours/fragrances.
Current commercial pathways often make mixtures of the mirror images that then need to be separated laboriously. These routes are ineffic ....Molecular Recognition in Chiral Ionic Liquids as Basis for the Design and Synthesis of New Enantioselective Heterogeneous Catalysts and Membranes. Molecules that can exist as mirror images, each with different, e.g., beneficial vs. toxic properties, underpin the pharmaceutical industry and increasingly new highly selective pesticides, and flavours/fragrances.
Current commercial pathways often make mixtures of the mirror images that then need to be separated laboriously. These routes are inefficient, creating waste and use resources poorly.
We aim to create solutions for these problems, using supported thin films of special, new types of salts that are liquid at room temperature, and which have other unusual chemical properties that make them ideally suited to enable efficient conversions.Read moreRead less
Nanotribology-The Chemical Rolling Resistance of Single Nanocrystals. Australian efforts in biosensors, environmental monitoring and mobile-health are predicated on the establishment of a nanotechnology based manufacturing sector. The key to this will be understanding how ultrasmall mechanical devices work. This application explores how we can make novel mechanical devices from molecules and small crystals.
Nanoscale Coating and Biomodification of Colloids for Biological Applications. The research entails the preparation of novel biofunctional colloids of nanometer to micrometer dimensions and their utilisation in biological applications. Self-assembly processes will be exploited to achieve nanoscale biomodification of technologically important colloid particles, including latex beads and rare earth and semiconductor nanoparticles. The studies conducted will generate fundamental knowledge pertainin ....Nanoscale Coating and Biomodification of Colloids for Biological Applications. The research entails the preparation of novel biofunctional colloids of nanometer to micrometer dimensions and their utilisation in biological applications. Self-assembly processes will be exploited to achieve nanoscale biomodification of technologically important colloid particles, including latex beads and rare earth and semiconductor nanoparticles. The studies conducted will generate fundamental knowledge pertaining to the underlying factors that govern the formation of biofunctional colloid particles through self-assembly. This is essential for the development of tailored colloids that will meet the demands placed on nanomaterials synthesis and performance by nanotechnology. The colloids prepared will find new applications in medicine, biocatalysis and bioassays.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of Unique Mesoporous Graphitic Carbons and their Application to Fundamental Problems in Adsorption Science. The development of synthesis techniques to create porous graphitic carbons with highly ordered pore structures, easily accessible pore volume and good electrical conductivity can underpin technological advancements in many industrial applications such as energy storage, removal of pollutants from exhaust streams, direct-methanol fuel cells and lithium ion batteries. Techniques de ....Synthesis of Unique Mesoporous Graphitic Carbons and their Application to Fundamental Problems in Adsorption Science. The development of synthesis techniques to create porous graphitic carbons with highly ordered pore structures, easily accessible pore volume and good electrical conductivity can underpin technological advancements in many industrial applications such as energy storage, removal of pollutants from exhaust streams, direct-methanol fuel cells and lithium ion batteries. Techniques developed in this project are also applicable to creating other materials important to advanced sensors and optoelectronics. The fundamental study of water adsorption and hysteresis using these carbons will help us create better models for adsorption. This will underpin theoretical studies, characterisation and optimisation of carbon materials into the future. Read moreRead less