New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. P ....New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. Plastic is present everywhere in human life, but its manufacture and disposal have a strong negative impact on the environment; the new materials manufactured in this project are viable alternatives to plastics, and are sustainable from a production and disposal point of view.Read moreRead less
New Transparent Polymer Nanocomposite Coatings Using Multireactive Inorganic Cages. New polymeric nanocomposite coatings are proposed with enhanced abrasion resistance, toughness and optical functionality, suitable for the coating of optical plastic substrates. These composites contain inorganic cages, dispersed and chemically-coupled within the crosslinked organic matrix. In addition to good mechanical behaviour, high value properties such as colorisation on exposure to light and resistance to ....New Transparent Polymer Nanocomposite Coatings Using Multireactive Inorganic Cages. New polymeric nanocomposite coatings are proposed with enhanced abrasion resistance, toughness and optical functionality, suitable for the coating of optical plastic substrates. These composites contain inorganic cages, dispersed and chemically-coupled within the crosslinked organic matrix. In addition to good mechanical behaviour, high value properties such as colorisation on exposure to light and resistance to damage from high energy lasers will be achieved by attachment to the cages of chemical units with optical activity. These cages are of nanometre size and an important aspect of the project involves probing the resultant structure at the molecular level, using advanced characterisation techniques.Read moreRead less
Novel Coatings For Steel. The aim of this project is to design coatings for steel that have high flexibility and high resistance to scatching and hardness. This will be achieved by the introduction of liquid crystalline phases in the coatings. The outcome will be a new generation of steel coatings with novel properties
The Synthesis and Evaluation of White Nano Particles that Reinforce the Mechanical Properties of Elastomers. This project will introduce admicellar polymerization technique to produce a bound polymer layer on the surface of fillers used for reinforcement of elastomers. The novel approach in this project will provide advanced material with excellent mechanical properties. Such composites can be used in various high performance elastomer applications such as rubber for tyres in automotive vehicles ....The Synthesis and Evaluation of White Nano Particles that Reinforce the Mechanical Properties of Elastomers. This project will introduce admicellar polymerization technique to produce a bound polymer layer on the surface of fillers used for reinforcement of elastomers. The novel approach in this project will provide advanced material with excellent mechanical properties. Such composites can be used in various high performance elastomer applications such as rubber for tyres in automotive vehicles. Products based on this new technology will produce significantly improved properties. The development of this new technology will not only advance polymer science, it will also provide great opportunities for new elastomer applications in a number of industries.Read moreRead less
Characterization of star nanogels by advanced transmission electron microscopy. This project will provide an excellent opportunity to combine research expertise from The Polymer Science Group at The University of Melbourne and The Polymer Morphology Group at North Carolina State University (NCSU) to develop and characterize novel star nanogels with unique macromolecular architectures. The success of the project will reveal the absolute structures of these molecules and the proposed studies are b ....Characterization of star nanogels by advanced transmission electron microscopy. This project will provide an excellent opportunity to combine research expertise from The Polymer Science Group at The University of Melbourne and The Polymer Morphology Group at North Carolina State University (NCSU) to develop and characterize novel star nanogels with unique macromolecular architectures. The success of the project will reveal the absolute structures of these molecules and the proposed studies are both intellectually challenging in the cutting-edge of leading research in the field and important to provide vital information for the design of new structures of these new materials for their application in many areas, such as drug delivery, new membrane formation, advance high density memory chips and possibly the next generation of automotive coating.Read moreRead less
The development of unique cyclic polymers. The project will yield cyclic polymers with a large range of commercial and industrial applications (e.g. drug delivery, contamination clean-up, nano-wires, sensors) that will result in positive economic and social benefits for Australia. The research will lead to increased employment opportunities within the manufacturing industry and R&D, and also underpin and extend Australia's leading position in the development of innovative polymeric and advanced ....The development of unique cyclic polymers. The project will yield cyclic polymers with a large range of commercial and industrial applications (e.g. drug delivery, contamination clean-up, nano-wires, sensors) that will result in positive economic and social benefits for Australia. The research will lead to increased employment opportunities within the manufacturing industry and R&D, and also underpin and extend Australia's leading position in the development of innovative polymeric and advanced materials. The resulting materials will provide new and improved technological innovations for commercial products, delivering benefits direct to the public. Furthermore, there is potential development of spin-off companies - leading to further investment in Australian science and industry.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346891
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
Characterization facilities for new macromolecular architectures. The proposed facility is essential for characterization of the new polymeric architectures such as copolymers for tissue engineering, nanogels for automotive paints and biodegradable polymeric packaging. The facilities include characterizations of (1) molar mass and molecular sizes of novel polymer architectures (MU); (2) viscoelastic mechanical properties of tensile, bending, bulk and flow (RMIT); and (3) thermal properties of c ....Characterization facilities for new macromolecular architectures. The proposed facility is essential for characterization of the new polymeric architectures such as copolymers for tissue engineering, nanogels for automotive paints and biodegradable polymeric packaging. The facilities include characterizations of (1) molar mass and molecular sizes of novel polymer architectures (MU); (2) viscoelastic mechanical properties of tensile, bending, bulk and flow (RMIT); and (3) thermal properties of compositions (CSIRO). These new polymeric architectures cannot be sufficiently characterized by existing facilities. The success of the project will significantly enhance the new macromolecular research and facilitate collaborations. This project also falls within the nano and biomaterials of the Designated Priority area of Research.Read moreRead less
Macromolecular Self-Assembly of Amyloid Fibrils. The misfolding of proteins is a key issue in public health. Common diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease are associated with protein misfolding, and have a major impact on society. The use of proteins as therapeutic drugs is now common ( e.g. as vaccines, for immune disorders) but they can be rendered ineffective or harmful by protein misfolding. Through this project, we will enhance the fundamental understandin ....Macromolecular Self-Assembly of Amyloid Fibrils. The misfolding of proteins is a key issue in public health. Common diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease are associated with protein misfolding, and have a major impact on society. The use of proteins as therapeutic drugs is now common ( e.g. as vaccines, for immune disorders) but they can be rendered ineffective or harmful by protein misfolding. Through this project, we will enhance the fundamental understanding of the processes of protein assembly in solution, at solid surfaces, and under shear.
Read moreRead less
Structure and dynamics of a multiprotein-mRNA complex involved in the regulation of gene expression. RNA/protein interactions are now recognised as a major control point in the regulation of gene-expression. Proteins such as HuR and the poly(C)-binding proteins (PCBPs) act to stabilise and transport specific messenger (m)RNAs, and thus determine their translation levels. In contrast to such an important function, very little is known about these protein/mRNA interactions at an atomic level. The ....Structure and dynamics of a multiprotein-mRNA complex involved in the regulation of gene expression. RNA/protein interactions are now recognised as a major control point in the regulation of gene-expression. Proteins such as HuR and the poly(C)-binding proteins (PCBPs) act to stabilise and transport specific messenger (m)RNAs, and thus determine their translation levels. In contrast to such an important function, very little is known about these protein/mRNA interactions at an atomic level. The current study will investigate the structural and biophysical properties of a recently discovered HuR/PCBP/mRNA complex implicated in the regulation of androgen receptor expression. This information has the potential to assist in the development of drugs to reduce AR expression in prostate cancer.Read moreRead less
Exploiting the self-assembly of hydrophobin proteins to engineer functional nanostructuring surfaces. There is an increasing world-wide demand for advanced nano-biomaterials with novel properties. We will use natural hydrophobin proteins to coat nanodevices and make them more compatible with biological systems. Hydrophobin coatings will be applicable to biosensors, medical devices, diagnostics and drug delivery systems. The research will lead to an understanding of the basic mechanisms of protei ....Exploiting the self-assembly of hydrophobin proteins to engineer functional nanostructuring surfaces. There is an increasing world-wide demand for advanced nano-biomaterials with novel properties. We will use natural hydrophobin proteins to coat nanodevices and make them more compatible with biological systems. Hydrophobin coatings will be applicable to biosensors, medical devices, diagnostics and drug delivery systems. The research will lead to an understanding of the basic mechanisms of protein self-assembly and will have application outcomes that contribute to Australia being an important player in the field of nanotechnology. This is critical for Australia's long term competitiveness and productivity in and beyond the 21st century.Read moreRead less