Nanoparticle driven templating of microspheres as chromatographic materials. This project aims to pioneer a novel, high-performing class of nano-patterned core-shell particles as chromatographic materials. It will use advanced polymerization and particle preparation techniques in combination with degradable nanoparticles design, to enable the plug-and-play assembly of chromatographic columns. Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) is one of the most important analytical techniques for polymer chem ....Nanoparticle driven templating of microspheres as chromatographic materials. This project aims to pioneer a novel, high-performing class of nano-patterned core-shell particles as chromatographic materials. It will use advanced polymerization and particle preparation techniques in combination with degradable nanoparticles design, to enable the plug-and-play assembly of chromatographic columns. Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) is one of the most important analytical techniques for polymer chemistry. The expected outcomes of this project are faster measurement times and the possibility of imaging molecular weight distributions at a new level of detail. This project could place Australia at the cutting edge of size-exclusion chromatography phase design in partnership with a leading manufacturer of stationary phases.Read moreRead less
Radical redox indicators. This project aims to synthesise the first examples of advanced biological imaging agents that can reversibly respond to the oxidative status of living cells. Novel mitochondrially-targeted, fluorescent probes will be derived from several well-established families of biological dyes through the introduction of a stable free radical within the parent structure. The design of the new imaging agents aims to both enhance retention in, and restrict the fluorescence response t ....Radical redox indicators. This project aims to synthesise the first examples of advanced biological imaging agents that can reversibly respond to the oxidative status of living cells. Novel mitochondrially-targeted, fluorescent probes will be derived from several well-established families of biological dyes through the introduction of a stable free radical within the parent structure. The design of the new imaging agents aims to both enhance retention in, and restrict the fluorescence response to, the mitochondria so that changes in oxidation and reduction can be monitored. The probes will provide an innovative new means to assess reactive species and associated oxidative stress, thus delivering a new methodology to aid research into mitochondrial chemical biology.Read moreRead less
Physics-informed Computational Framework for Optimised Microfluidic Systems. The miniaturisation of chemical and biological processes requires microfluidic tools for the precise manipulation of complex fluids at the microscale. This project aims to integrate new computational methods that enable unprecedented control over the design and optimisation of these tools. The project will deliver a cornerstone framework to elucidate the complex microscopic fluid physics that currently poses a challenge ....Physics-informed Computational Framework for Optimised Microfluidic Systems. The miniaturisation of chemical and biological processes requires microfluidic tools for the precise manipulation of complex fluids at the microscale. This project aims to integrate new computational methods that enable unprecedented control over the design and optimisation of these tools. The project will deliver a cornerstone framework to elucidate the complex microscopic fluid physics that currently poses a challenge for the advancement of microfluidic technologies. The outcomes of this project will establish physical principles to guide the design of microfluidic systems and provide the computational capabilities that can potentially transform the way researchers and engineers design, optimise and use microfluidic technologies.Read moreRead less
Opening Up Access to L-Sugars through a Synergy of Experiment and Theory. This project aims to address a major bottleneck in the science of carbohydrates by developing the first broad-scope synthetic routes to L-sugars. L-sugars are critical components of many biologically and commercially significant molecules, but knowledge of their functional roles is impeded by the fact that most L-sugars are expensive or difficult to make. This project expects to develop expeditious routes to L-sugars via a ....Opening Up Access to L-Sugars through a Synergy of Experiment and Theory. This project aims to address a major bottleneck in the science of carbohydrates by developing the first broad-scope synthetic routes to L-sugars. L-sugars are critical components of many biologically and commercially significant molecules, but knowledge of their functional roles is impeded by the fact that most L-sugars are expensive or difficult to make. This project expects to develop expeditious routes to L-sugars via an innovative combination of synthetic and theoretical chemistry. Expected outcomes include a markedly increased capacity to access pure samples of L-sugar-based biomolecules, as needed for studying their biological functions. Significant benefits in the development of vaccines, diagnostics and biomaterials are anticipated.Read moreRead less
Engineered nanoassmblies for energy conversion. This research will lead to development of clean energy technology that can compete with the traditional energy sources without subsidies, and facilitate long-term solution to the energy crisis and global warming. It will also bring significant benefit to Australian industries and economy and assist achievement of renewable energy target.
Nanoarchitectonics of carbon nanomaterials. This project aims to develop a generic nanoarchitectonic method to create functional macroscopic carbon architectures using carbon nanomaterials. The project will manipulate the interactions among individual nanostructures by combining bottom-up synthesis with macroscopic wet spinning/knitting or three-dimensional printing assembly processes, leading to functionalities that contrast strongly with conventional nanotechnology. It will demonstrate the tec ....Nanoarchitectonics of carbon nanomaterials. This project aims to develop a generic nanoarchitectonic method to create functional macroscopic carbon architectures using carbon nanomaterials. The project will manipulate the interactions among individual nanostructures by combining bottom-up synthesis with macroscopic wet spinning/knitting or three-dimensional printing assembly processes, leading to functionalities that contrast strongly with conventional nanotechnology. It will demonstrate the technical feasibility of fabric supercapacitors, wearable strain/moisture sensors and carbon membranes. This project is expected to move the fundamental research of nanomaterials to advanced manufacturing techniques.Read moreRead less
Two dimensional conjugated polymers: a new class of functional nanomaterials. New technologies depend on the design and development of novel materials. This project will synthesise a new class of materials, namely two dimensional conjugated polymers, which have enormous potential for creating new technologies, for example in electronics and sensing.
Metallosupramolecular Cages for Enantioselective Applications. The project aims to explore new synthetic routes to functional supramolecular cages/containers which are able to selectively host small molecules in their interior space, and may provide feedback upon the presence of a guest (i.e. molecular sensing) or catalyse reactions within the enclosed cavity. The project expects to produce chiral cages that are capable of detecting specific enantiomers in solution and act upon them. The expecte ....Metallosupramolecular Cages for Enantioselective Applications. The project aims to explore new synthetic routes to functional supramolecular cages/containers which are able to selectively host small molecules in their interior space, and may provide feedback upon the presence of a guest (i.e. molecular sensing) or catalyse reactions within the enclosed cavity. The project expects to produce chiral cages that are capable of detecting specific enantiomers in solution and act upon them. The expected outcome is a deeper understanding of the structure/property relationship of these novel species and steps towards application. This should provide benefits given the application of solution-based methods for enantioselective sensing/catalysis are of significance in high-value pharmaceutical synthesis.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170101249
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Polymers with controllable networks. This project aims to understand the mechanism and molecular level factors controlling the network flexibility, reversibility and rapid curing of cross-linked polymer structures. A highly formable, rapidly curing polymer network could improve manufacture of composites where a fibre material is embedded in a polymer matrix. The key challenges for these materials are achieving high rates of production (one part per minute) and end of life recyclability. Expected ....Polymers with controllable networks. This project aims to understand the mechanism and molecular level factors controlling the network flexibility, reversibility and rapid curing of cross-linked polymer structures. A highly formable, rapidly curing polymer network could improve manufacture of composites where a fibre material is embedded in a polymer matrix. The key challenges for these materials are achieving high rates of production (one part per minute) and end of life recyclability. Expected outcomes are polymer materials with tailorable properties and the uptake of lightweight composite materials into mass transport systems.Read moreRead less
Discovering how termites use vibrations to make foraging decisions. Termites are pests affecting one third of Australian homes. The annual cost of treatment and damage repair is over $20 billion worldwide. Yet, little is known about how termites make foraging decisions based on vibrations. This project will study the key features in vibration signals produced by termites to unlock the secrets of their foraging behaviour.