Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100876
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,000.00
Summary
Unifying chemical concepts for advanced molecular electronics applications. This project aims to build a physical-organic chemistry framework of transferable molecular descriptors for a relatively new but a rapidly developing area of unimolecular electronics (UE) using advanced computational chemistry tools. Established structure-property relationships will drive the cutting-edge applications of UE in sensing and catalysis and significantly expand our understanding of charge transport involving ....Unifying chemical concepts for advanced molecular electronics applications. This project aims to build a physical-organic chemistry framework of transferable molecular descriptors for a relatively new but a rapidly developing area of unimolecular electronics (UE) using advanced computational chemistry tools. Established structure-property relationships will drive the cutting-edge applications of UE in sensing and catalysis and significantly expand our understanding of charge transport involving free radicals and non-covalent assemblies. Expected outcomes of this project include new design guidelines and candidate molecular architectures for such practical applications as organocatalysis inside molecular junctions, molecular spintronics and molecular sensors for reactive oxygen species and nitroaromatic pollutants.Read moreRead less
The Quantum Dot SPASER. Can we replace electrons with photons in future computers? This project provides two steps toward this goal. By combining advanced materials with ultra-small metallic structures, a new nano-sized form of a laser, called the spaser will be realised. Furthermore, a key component of a computer, a nanoscale modulator, will be demonstrated.
Nitroxide-containing scaffolds for controlling biofilm-related infections. Bacterial biofilms are a major problem in healthcare systems around the world as they cause persistent and chronic infections, including those associated with medical implants and cystic fibrosis. This project aims to develop new chemical approaches to deliver nitroxides at surface interfaces and in microparticles to facilitate long term control over biofilm growth. It is expected that these functionalised scaffolds will ....Nitroxide-containing scaffolds for controlling biofilm-related infections. Bacterial biofilms are a major problem in healthcare systems around the world as they cause persistent and chronic infections, including those associated with medical implants and cystic fibrosis. This project aims to develop new chemical approaches to deliver nitroxides at surface interfaces and in microparticles to facilitate long term control over biofilm growth. It is expected that these functionalised scaffolds will represent a breakthrough in the field and will have a profound impact by reducing infection rates associated with medical devices and improving airway clearance in cystic fibrosis patients.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100635
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,170.00
Summary
Inks for the fabrication of thin-film photovoltaic devices by solution processable deposition techniques. Due to their high cost the current generation of solar cells has had limited uptake into the market place. With the use of nanoparticle inks that can form light absorbing layers, solar cells may be fabricated cheaply in the future with solution-based manufacturing techniques, such as spray coating or printing.
Naturally derived photoinitiators for biocompatible 3D printing. This project aims to develop an environmentally-friendly approach to naturally derived photoinitiators which are applicable to 3D printing through low-energy, visible light-induced polymerisation, and explore their application in the fabrication of biocompatible polymeric materials. Traditional polymer manufacturing processes such as thermopolymerisation employ hazardous chemicals which present health and environmental risks. This ....Naturally derived photoinitiators for biocompatible 3D printing. This project aims to develop an environmentally-friendly approach to naturally derived photoinitiators which are applicable to 3D printing through low-energy, visible light-induced polymerisation, and explore their application in the fabrication of biocompatible polymeric materials. Traditional polymer manufacturing processes such as thermopolymerisation employ hazardous chemicals which present health and environmental risks. This project expects to expand fundamental scientific knowledge of photochemistry, polymer chemistry and biology through the development of a novel, economical, clean, commercially-relevant platform (3D printing) for the fabrication of polymeric materials.Read moreRead less
Benchmarking of advanced scattering probes for materials characterisation. The project seeks to establish the accuracy and validity of different methods of nanoscale structure determination. Nanoscale structure is crucial to the properties of many modern materials with diverse applications: e.g. sensors and actuators in cell phones; smart shock absorbers and fuel injectors in cars; memory devices; drug delivery devices.
Nano-fibrous structure for high-performance organic photovoltaic thin films. This project aims to create nano-fibrous active thin films with high charge mobility for organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices, using a method inspired by molecular gelation. The significance of this project is that it addresses a major bottleneck, i.e. poor charge generation and transport, that limits the efficiency of OPV devices. The outcomes will provide insights into the crucial factors that affect the self-assembly o ....Nano-fibrous structure for high-performance organic photovoltaic thin films. This project aims to create nano-fibrous active thin films with high charge mobility for organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices, using a method inspired by molecular gelation. The significance of this project is that it addresses a major bottleneck, i.e. poor charge generation and transport, that limits the efficiency of OPV devices. The outcomes will provide insights into the crucial factors that affect the self-assembly of organic semiconducting materials, and the influences of nano-fibrous structure on the charge mobility and efficiency of an OPV device. The outcomes will greatly facilitate the development of highly efficient, lightweight and low-cost solar energy harvesting devices to reduce our carbon footprint.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100121
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$670,000.00
Summary
A facility for the nanoscale imaging and characterisation of materials. Nanotechnology is dependent on measuring surface properties and this cutting-edge scanning probe microscopy facility will provide this capability. Atomic resolution imaging, along with spectroscopy for chemical information, and nanoindentation for physical information, will generate solutions for physical and life sciences, and materials engineering.
Nanoparticle inks for electronic applications employing nanostructured thin-films. The development of next-generation technologies requires careful engineering of materials at the nanoscale. Using nanoparticle inks, many of the engineering difficulties which exist at these length scales can be overcome, thus allowing for technologies such as thin-film solar cells to become cheaper and more efficient.
Built-in electric field, light co-driven materials for energy and sensing . This project aims to resolve critical, bottleneck issues in the development of photocatalysis and photoelectrochemistry - key technologies towards the realisation of a sustainable carbon-neutral society. This project expects to use an innovative strain-engineering approach establishing a built-in electric field within materials for highly efficient separation and transport of photoexcited carriers. Expected outcomes of t ....Built-in electric field, light co-driven materials for energy and sensing . This project aims to resolve critical, bottleneck issues in the development of photocatalysis and photoelectrochemistry - key technologies towards the realisation of a sustainable carbon-neutral society. This project expects to use an innovative strain-engineering approach establishing a built-in electric field within materials for highly efficient separation and transport of photoexcited carriers. Expected outcomes of this project are to create new, ground-breaking materials and/or nanosystems that overcome intrinsic weakness of conventional semiconductors and significantly improve their photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performance, for the benefit of the utilisation of solar and light energy in energy, environment and health. Read moreRead less