Bio-inspired Nanoparticles for Mechano-Regulation of Stem Cell Fate. Mechanical stimulation plays a critical role in regulating stem cell fate. Nanostructure-mediated mechanical cues can precisely stimulate stem cells, but predicting their impact on stem cell differentiation is challenging. This project aims to engineer nanostructures to regulate stem cell fate and gain a fundamental understanding of the mechanical properties that affect cell function. The expected outcomes and benefits of this ....Bio-inspired Nanoparticles for Mechano-Regulation of Stem Cell Fate. Mechanical stimulation plays a critical role in regulating stem cell fate. Nanostructure-mediated mechanical cues can precisely stimulate stem cells, but predicting their impact on stem cell differentiation is challenging. This project aims to engineer nanostructures to regulate stem cell fate and gain a fundamental understanding of the mechanical properties that affect cell function. The expected outcomes and benefits of this project include a new fundamental understanding of the effect of mechanical properties on cell function, novel insights into the regulation of stem cell fate, and the development of a new class of roughness-tunable materials suitable for use in tissue engineering and pharmaceutical applications. Read moreRead less
Interfacial engineering of multilayered metal organic framework membranes . Metal-organic frameworks are a popular class of microporous materials with tunable structural properties and functionalities. This project aims to investigate the designed synthesis of thin, hierarchically structured films of this material on membranes, which displays extraordinary ion selectivity and ion rectification properties. A better understanding of the interfacial properties will be gained through advanced charac ....Interfacial engineering of multilayered metal organic framework membranes . Metal-organic frameworks are a popular class of microporous materials with tunable structural properties and functionalities. This project aims to investigate the designed synthesis of thin, hierarchically structured films of this material on membranes, which displays extraordinary ion selectivity and ion rectification properties. A better understanding of the interfacial properties will be gained through advanced characterisation, and with proper design and tuning of the film, will ultimately lead to the development of high performing ion-selective membranes that will be applied for energy storage and separation applications. This project is expected to benefit Australia’s renewable energy and resource sectors.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100357
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,118.00
Summary
Catalyst design for converting carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals. This project aims to use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas that drives global climate change, into valuable chemicals via catalytic reduction. This project expects to facilitate the selective production of valuable ethylene from carbon dioxide reduction by developing novel cocatalyst materials derived from metal-oxo cluster molecules. Expected outcomes include fundamental understanding of the ....Catalyst design for converting carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals. This project aims to use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas that drives global climate change, into valuable chemicals via catalytic reduction. This project expects to facilitate the selective production of valuable ethylene from carbon dioxide reduction by developing novel cocatalyst materials derived from metal-oxo cluster molecules. Expected outcomes include fundamental understanding of the structure-property relationship in new catalytic systems, and technological breakthroughs in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The success of this project will bring significant environmental and economic benefits, and position Australia at the frontier of global transition to a low-carbon economy.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100324
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$394,318.00
Summary
Cooperative Single Atom Catalysts for Zn-CO2 Batteries. This project aims to develop cooperative single-atom catalysts for efficient and selective electrocatalytic CO2 conversion and Zn-CO2 batteries. Cooperative catalysts at the single atom limit can potentially achieve enhanced electrochemical properties beyond state-of-the-art and will trigger significant theoretical and technological interests in energy conversion and storage fields. It is expected to generate new knowledge in materials scie ....Cooperative Single Atom Catalysts for Zn-CO2 Batteries. This project aims to develop cooperative single-atom catalysts for efficient and selective electrocatalytic CO2 conversion and Zn-CO2 batteries. Cooperative catalysts at the single atom limit can potentially achieve enhanced electrochemical properties beyond state-of-the-art and will trigger significant theoretical and technological interests in energy conversion and storage fields. It is expected to generate new knowledge in materials science and electrochemistry, using interdisciplinary approaches of atom-precise material engineering, in situ characterisation and full-cell optimisation. Significant economic and environmental benefits are expected from developing carbon-neutral CO2 electrolysers with low cost and high energy efficiency.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101542
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,154.00
Summary
Impact of humoral immunity on nanoparticle–biological interactions. This project aims to improve the biological applications of nanomaterials by understanding their fundamental interactions with proteins and cells in relevant biological environments. This will create new knowledge on how humoral (antibody-mediated) immunity affects nanomaterials using cutting-edge immunoassays, bio–nano characterisation techniques, and bioinformatics. Expected outcomes of the project include an understanding of ....Impact of humoral immunity on nanoparticle–biological interactions. This project aims to improve the biological applications of nanomaterials by understanding their fundamental interactions with proteins and cells in relevant biological environments. This will create new knowledge on how humoral (antibody-mediated) immunity affects nanomaterials using cutting-edge immunoassays, bio–nano characterisation techniques, and bioinformatics. Expected outcomes of the project include an understanding of how specific antibodies modulate the protein coatings on nanomaterials, which will shed light on how immune cells interact with nanomaterials. This will lead to design principles for nanomaterial properties to improve their effectiveness in delivering drugs and gene therapies.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL220100016
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,738,854.00
Summary
Light-Driven Manufacturing for (Re)Programmable Materials. This Laureate Fellowship aims to develop a suite of chemical reactions independently activated by specific colours of light for the precise synthesis of functional macromolecules and the fabrication of (re)programmable polymeric materials. The outcome of this Laureate will be the direct production of advanced 3D printed objects with tuneable properties and functions by exploiting different wavelengths of light. This research unlocks the ....Light-Driven Manufacturing for (Re)Programmable Materials. This Laureate Fellowship aims to develop a suite of chemical reactions independently activated by specific colours of light for the precise synthesis of functional macromolecules and the fabrication of (re)programmable polymeric materials. The outcome of this Laureate will be the direct production of advanced 3D printed objects with tuneable properties and functions by exploiting different wavelengths of light. This research unlocks the structural precision of Nature and the next-generation capabilities of reshapability. These innovative tools will revolutionise 3D printing methods, which will create a new era of advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less
3D Bipolar Electroactive Architectures for Wireless BioStimulation. Traditional Electrostimulation requires hard-wired metal electrodes and electronic wires connected to a power supply. These tethered systems face numerous challenges in establishing long-lasting effective electronic interfaces with targeted cells and tissues. This project aims to combine technologies in conductive polymers, bipolar electrochemistry, 3D fabrication and cell engineering to develop a 3D bioelectronic system that e ....3D Bipolar Electroactive Architectures for Wireless BioStimulation. Traditional Electrostimulation requires hard-wired metal electrodes and electronic wires connected to a power supply. These tethered systems face numerous challenges in establishing long-lasting effective electronic interfaces with targeted cells and tissues. This project aims to combine technologies in conductive polymers, bipolar electrochemistry, 3D fabrication and cell engineering to develop a 3D bioelectronic system that enables wireless cell stimulation. The major benefit is to generate advanced knowledge of wireless powered electromaterials and novel wireless biotechnology in medical engineering, which could help well-position the Australian in smart bionic devices for human well-being with a bright future.Read moreRead less
Engineering Functional Antimicrobial Polypeptide Surfaces. Antimicrobial coatings are vital in preventing bacterial contamination but a versatile solution does not exist. Structurally nanoengineered antimicrobial peptide polymers (SNAPPs) were recently developed to fight multidrug-resistant bacteria. To expand their application into antimicrobial coatings across a range of surfaces, a simple and universal coating strategy is needed. By developing phenolic-functionalised SNAPPs, this project aims ....Engineering Functional Antimicrobial Polypeptide Surfaces. Antimicrobial coatings are vital in preventing bacterial contamination but a versatile solution does not exist. Structurally nanoengineered antimicrobial peptide polymers (SNAPPs) were recently developed to fight multidrug-resistant bacteria. To expand their application into antimicrobial coatings across a range of surfaces, a simple and universal coating strategy is needed. By developing phenolic-functionalised SNAPPs, this project aims to exploit the adhesive nature of metal–phenolic materials to rapidly coat diverse surfaces, including stainless steel and textiles. The expected outcome is the generation of antimicrobial polypeptide surfaces, which will have benefits in food safety, medical implant technology and advanced textiles.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100259
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$445,437.00
Summary
Next Generation Mass Spectrometry for Single-Cell Metabolomics. Characterising metabolites at the single cell level will provide valuable insights into the functionality of individual cells and reveal mechanisms that cannot be observed in bulk cell analysis. To address existing challenges in single-cell metabolite analysis, this project aims to develop an ultra-sensitive nanostructure-initiator mass spectrometry (NIMS) platform, which uses an innovative carbon material with a carefully designed ....Next Generation Mass Spectrometry for Single-Cell Metabolomics. Characterising metabolites at the single cell level will provide valuable insights into the functionality of individual cells and reveal mechanisms that cannot be observed in bulk cell analysis. To address existing challenges in single-cell metabolite analysis, this project aims to develop an ultra-sensitive nanostructure-initiator mass spectrometry (NIMS) platform, which uses an innovative carbon material with a carefully designed nanostructure to enhance detection efficiency. Expected outcomes include the development of a revolutionary carbon assisted NIMS platform for single-cell metabolomics analysis, and valuable intellectual property of commercial interest to provide economic benefit to Australia through technology advancement.Read moreRead less
Synthesis and Characterisation of Tracer-Functionalised Nanoparticles . This project aims to engineer nanomaterials by utilising gold nanochemistry and neural tracing capabilities of plant-based, nontoxic proteins. In a significant departure from current nanomaterials being developed, functionalising nanoparticles with the tracers enable them to undergo path-specific axonal retrograde transport, transneuronal transport, and anatomical tract flow to bypass the blood-brain barrier. Microfluidics w ....Synthesis and Characterisation of Tracer-Functionalised Nanoparticles . This project aims to engineer nanomaterials by utilising gold nanochemistry and neural tracing capabilities of plant-based, nontoxic proteins. In a significant departure from current nanomaterials being developed, functionalising nanoparticles with the tracers enable them to undergo path-specific axonal retrograde transport, transneuronal transport, and anatomical tract flow to bypass the blood-brain barrier. Microfluidics will be used to characterise the neuronal activities of the synthesised nanoconjugates of different sizes and compositions to understand their bio-interactions with axons, synapses, and neuromuscular junctions. The results will lead to a new class of functional nanomaterials as well as cell-based functional assays.Read moreRead less