Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL170100014
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,275,680.00
Summary
Light-Induced chemical modularity: a new frontier in macromolecular design. This project aims to develop powerful light-driven chemistries for the modular construction of advanced macromolecular materials. The expected outcome is a versatile, light-based precision macromolecular synthetic technology platform, enabling critical advances in soft matter material design and synthesis, ranging from selectivity control of chemical reactions and information-coded and biomimetic light-responsive macromo ....Light-Induced chemical modularity: a new frontier in macromolecular design. This project aims to develop powerful light-driven chemistries for the modular construction of advanced macromolecular materials. The expected outcome is a versatile, light-based precision macromolecular synthetic technology platform, enabling critical advances in soft matter material design and synthesis, ranging from selectivity control of chemical reactions and information-coded and biomimetic light-responsive macromolecules to advanced functional photoresists for 3D laser lithography as well as materials that self-report structural transformations by light or are reprogrammable in their properties by photonic fields. Harnessing the power of light as a precision tool for the construction of advanced macromolecular materials will provide technology outcomes for Australian manufacturing industries from electronics to health. This includes laser-driven 3D printing technology at the nano-level, light-adaptive smart reprogrammable coatings and materials, synthetic proteins responsive to light as well as tailor-made single cell niches.Read moreRead less
Sulfoxide Polymers - A New Paradigm in Polymer Design. Low fouling polymers are important for moderating interactions of molecules and particles with cells. In pharmaceutical sciences they are essential tools for extending the pharmacokinetics of dissolved drugs. However, the widely-used low-fouling polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been recently reported to induce formation of anti-PEG antibodies. Polymeric alternatives to PEG are thus desperately needed. We introduce in this project sup ....Sulfoxide Polymers - A New Paradigm in Polymer Design. Low fouling polymers are important for moderating interactions of molecules and particles with cells. In pharmaceutical sciences they are essential tools for extending the pharmacokinetics of dissolved drugs. However, the widely-used low-fouling polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been recently reported to induce formation of anti-PEG antibodies. Polymeric alternatives to PEG are thus desperately needed. We introduce in this project super-hydrophilic polymers incorporating sulfoxide groups, mimics of the polar solvent DMSO. The project aims to explore how polymer architecture can enhance biocompatibility and reduce biofouling. The outcome will be a new class of low-fouling polymeric materials with broad application in the biosciences.Read moreRead less
Polymer nanofibres for advanced paint formulations. Surface coatings seal, strengthen, and decorate the majority of surfaces in the building industry—a $72 billion market. Despite their importance, advances in paint science have only been incremental and a truly robust and water resistant paint coating has yet to be developed. Dulux Group Australia and the University of Sydney will use polymer nanofibres as additives to radically redesign architectural coatings, with the goal to drastically incr ....Polymer nanofibres for advanced paint formulations. Surface coatings seal, strengthen, and decorate the majority of surfaces in the building industry—a $72 billion market. Despite their importance, advances in paint science have only been incremental and a truly robust and water resistant paint coating has yet to be developed. Dulux Group Australia and the University of Sydney will use polymer nanofibres as additives to radically redesign architectural coatings, with the goal to drastically increase their durability. The partnership will bring a technological breakthrough that will lead to less disruption for the environment, and important economic and technological benefits for Australia.Read moreRead less
Phase Change Materials for Wind and Solar Energy Storage. This project aims to develop and demonstrate new phase change materials to advance the technology of thermal energy storage. The project will focus on new materials that store thermal energy in the temperature range between 100 - 220°C that is optimal for distributed storage of solar and wind energy. The utility and economics of renewable energy sources are strongly limited by their intermittent nature and inexpensive means of storage are ....Phase Change Materials for Wind and Solar Energy Storage. This project aims to develop and demonstrate new phase change materials to advance the technology of thermal energy storage. The project will focus on new materials that store thermal energy in the temperature range between 100 - 220°C that is optimal for distributed storage of solar and wind energy. The utility and economics of renewable energy sources are strongly limited by their intermittent nature and inexpensive means of storage are urgently required. Expected outcomes of this project include a practical technology, which can be implemented at household and industry level, providing cheap energy from zero-carbon sources. The project aims to provide significant benefits to energy users and support further development of renewables.Read moreRead less
Designing disorder into ionic materials for clean energy applications. . This project aims to develop new materials designed to possess optimum properties for targeted clean energy technologies. By the design of specific ion chemistries, we aim to produce materials that absorb large amounts of thermal energy, as needed in energy storage and refrigeration applications. Their large internal free volume will offer unique properties for energy-consuming gas separation applications. Expected outcomes ....Designing disorder into ionic materials for clean energy applications. . This project aims to develop new materials designed to possess optimum properties for targeted clean energy technologies. By the design of specific ion chemistries, we aim to produce materials that absorb large amounts of thermal energy, as needed in energy storage and refrigeration applications. Their large internal free volume will offer unique properties for energy-consuming gas separation applications. Expected outcomes from the project include (i) fundamental understanding of ion design, (ii) a suite of new materials with advantageous properties for energy application. The expected benefits include advancement of technologies that support renewable energy storage and a reduction in energy costs and harmful emissions from refrigeration.Read moreRead less