Mechanical advantage: biomimetic artificial muscles for micro-machines. This project will develop better ways to operate miniature machines by copying the way that muscle operates in Nature. The outcome will be important for portable devices like digital cameras that need small, efficient motors. The artificial muscles developed in this project may also be used in medical prosthetics and more agile robots.
Mechanisms of sound absorption at the nanoscale. Understanding the interaction of sound with nanoscale structures will guide the creation of novel carbon nanotube materials, optimised for sound absorption, which have potential application anywhere that noise exists and needs to be attenuated. Fuel savings from reduced drag and weight in applications such as jet aircraft engines are also expected.
Engineering improved technology for nanoparticle-based adjuvant manufacture. Over the next decade nanotechnology will redefine vaccines for animal and human health. Nanoparticle adjuvants will boost engineered vaccines that use minimal antigens such as recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides. This project aims to develop a platform technology for making and controlling the properties of inulin nanoparticles by optimising the engineering and manufacturing aspects of inulin nanoparticles to fu ....Engineering improved technology for nanoparticle-based adjuvant manufacture. Over the next decade nanotechnology will redefine vaccines for animal and human health. Nanoparticle adjuvants will boost engineered vaccines that use minimal antigens such as recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides. This project aims to develop a platform technology for making and controlling the properties of inulin nanoparticles by optimising the engineering and manufacturing aspects of inulin nanoparticles to fundamentally understand the relationship between physical-chemical properties and efficacy. Completion of this project aims to produce potent nanoparticle-based adjuvants underpinned by novel manufacturing technology, to ultimately facilitate the development of more effective and protective vaccines for animals and humans.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL200100049
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,906,992.00
Summary
Nanofluidic Membranes for Sustainable Energy Future. This project aims to create a novel class of advanced membranes by making fundamental breakthroughs in nanofluidics, and harnessing this for developing new renewable energy and low-energy separation technologies. This project addresses the key challenges in understanding selective mass transport at the angstrom scale, thereby allowing the development of innovative materials design strategies to realise the ultrafast molecular and ionic permeat ....Nanofluidic Membranes for Sustainable Energy Future. This project aims to create a novel class of advanced membranes by making fundamental breakthroughs in nanofluidics, and harnessing this for developing new renewable energy and low-energy separation technologies. This project addresses the key challenges in understanding selective mass transport at the angstrom scale, thereby allowing the development of innovative materials design strategies to realise the ultrafast molecular and ionic permeation, and the ultrahigh selectivities observed in biological cell membranes. This new cross-disciplinary research will benefit Australia by the development of new materials for accelerating renewable hydrogen and biofuel futures, and enabling sustainable production of energy materials.Read moreRead less
Crystal engineering of membranes for chiral separation . This project addresses the urgent challenge of chiral separation in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals by creating a new class of membranes produced by engineering functionalised porous framework crystals. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding how membrane chemistry and architecture can be used to achieve highly selective, fast chiral molecule transport. The expected outcomes of the project include ne ....Crystal engineering of membranes for chiral separation . This project addresses the urgent challenge of chiral separation in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals by creating a new class of membranes produced by engineering functionalised porous framework crystals. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding how membrane chemistry and architecture can be used to achieve highly selective, fast chiral molecule transport. The expected outcomes of the project include new membrane compositions, design principles, fabrication techniques, and proof-of-concept production of scalable, high-performance composite membranes. This project should produce significant economic and environmental benefits in the development of advanced membranes, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH200100035
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub in New Safe and Reliable Energy Storage and Conversion Technologies. This Research Hub addresses safety and reliability issues, and environmental impact of current energy storage and conversion technologies. The research will deliver a new generation of technologies for storage from small scale portable devices to large scale industrial applications, using recycled and natural materials, and eliminating the serious fire risk in current technologies. Outcomes include innovative ....ARC Research Hub in New Safe and Reliable Energy Storage and Conversion Technologies. This Research Hub addresses safety and reliability issues, and environmental impact of current energy storage and conversion technologies. The research will deliver a new generation of technologies for storage from small scale portable devices to large scale industrial applications, using recycled and natural materials, and eliminating the serious fire risk in current technologies. Outcomes include innovative integrated energy conversion and storage technologies and new energy materials and devices designed for different scale applications, leading to creation of start up companies and commercialisation opportunities for existing partners, benefiting both the Australian economy and potentially transforming the energy industry landscape.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200100661
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,551.00
Summary
Nanoparticle with Metal Organic Framework for Lithium Recovery from Brine. The project aims to develop technology enabling lithium to be cost-effectively extracted from brine. Today Australia meets the increasing demand for lithium by mining hardrock lithium, an environmentally damaging activity. An alternative is to source lithium from brine produced as industrial wastewater (in desalination or shale gas production). The main challenge that brine presents to selectively extracting lithium is co ....Nanoparticle with Metal Organic Framework for Lithium Recovery from Brine. The project aims to develop technology enabling lithium to be cost-effectively extracted from brine. Today Australia meets the increasing demand for lithium by mining hardrock lithium, an environmentally damaging activity. An alternative is to source lithium from brine produced as industrial wastewater (in desalination or shale gas production). The main challenge that brine presents to selectively extracting lithium is competing ions. By advancing knowledge of nanomaterials and membrane distillation, the project expects to overcome both this technical challenge and other practical challenges. From wastewater, the anticipated system will produce additional clean water and a valuable commodity that can offset the cost of water treatment. Read moreRead less
Design of Nanoporous BCN with Tunable Pores for CO2 Capture and Conversion. This project aims to design and develop advanced boron carbon nitride-based materials with high specific surface areas, tunable pores and functional groups, guided by theoretical calculations for the capture of CO2 at ambient conditions. By introducing single metal atoms in the above nanostructures, we also aim to design a novel catalytic system for the effective conversion of CO2 into fine chemicals. This project will o ....Design of Nanoporous BCN with Tunable Pores for CO2 Capture and Conversion. This project aims to design and develop advanced boron carbon nitride-based materials with high specific surface areas, tunable pores and functional groups, guided by theoretical calculations for the capture of CO2 at ambient conditions. By introducing single metal atoms in the above nanostructures, we also aim to design a novel catalytic system for the effective conversion of CO2 into fine chemicals. This project will offer new knowledge on the design of low-cost advanced materials with specific functionalities for the simultaneous capture and conversion of CO2. This project will make a significant impact on Australian industries and further offer job opportunities and economic benefits by offering new technologies for a clean environment.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100952
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,237.00
Summary
Developing aluminium-sulfur batteries with high voltage and low cost. As use of renewable energy sources increases, so too does the need for suitable storage systems for the energy produced. Aluminium-Sulfur (Al-S) batteries provide a reliable energy storage option, but suffer from a low voltage output and despite aluminium and sulfur being two of the world’s most abundant and low-cost materials, other components in batteries are prohibitively expensive. This project aims to address these challe ....Developing aluminium-sulfur batteries with high voltage and low cost. As use of renewable energy sources increases, so too does the need for suitable storage systems for the energy produced. Aluminium-Sulfur (Al-S) batteries provide a reliable energy storage option, but suffer from a low voltage output and despite aluminium and sulfur being two of the world’s most abundant and low-cost materials, other components in batteries are prohibitively expensive. This project aims to address these challenges by designing an Al-S battery technology with efficient electrode materials and low-cost electrolytes, making them both cost effective and capable of high levels of energy storage. The outcome will place Australia as a world leader in battery technology and support our future renewable energy storage needs.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101044
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,318.00
Summary
Bio-inspired nanomaterials with tunable drug loading and controlled release. This project aims to develop new platform technologies for making bio-inspired nanomaterials with tunable drug loading and controlled release. This project will revolutionise current approaches to make lipid nanoparticles camouflaged with natural cell membranes for delivery of both insoluble and soluble drugs. Significant outcomes will include a novel commercially relevant salt-induced nanoprecipitation platform technol ....Bio-inspired nanomaterials with tunable drug loading and controlled release. This project aims to develop new platform technologies for making bio-inspired nanomaterials with tunable drug loading and controlled release. This project will revolutionise current approaches to make lipid nanoparticles camouflaged with natural cell membranes for delivery of both insoluble and soluble drugs. Significant outcomes will include a novel commercially relevant salt-induced nanoprecipitation platform technology for making precisely engineered nanomaterials with tailored functions for applications in controlled release and targeted delivery. Benefits include securing a sustainable future for Australia, with new nanotechnology strategies for advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less