Novel Synthesis and Bio-applications of Functional Macroporous Ordered Siliceous Foams. This project will lead to advances in materials science and nanotechnology, providing high efficiency separation and purification for viruses or plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which are important in modern gene engineering for the treatment of genetic and acquired diseases. Application benefits also include developing a new protocol in the detection of trace amount proteins, which will afford a signific ....Novel Synthesis and Bio-applications of Functional Macroporous Ordered Siliceous Foams. This project will lead to advances in materials science and nanotechnology, providing high efficiency separation and purification for viruses or plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which are important in modern gene engineering for the treatment of genetic and acquired diseases. Application benefits also include developing a new protocol in the detection of trace amount proteins, which will afford a significant improvement in diverse fields such as health care. Through this project, novel macroporous materials will be fabricated using an economically and environmentally sustainable approach. These new materials will have unique structures and properties compared to conventional macroporous materials, advancing Australia's intellectual position in this discipline.Read moreRead less
Optically-selective window coatings of precious metal nanoparticles. There is great opportunity for Australia to save energy and money through the development of glass which excludes heat. This project builds on UTS research into the use of gold and silver nanoparticles in spectrally-selective coatings for windows. It will develop novel, low-cost in situ deposition processes to lay down ultra-thin coatings of gold nano-rods and other shapes on glass, creating coatings that have a neutral colour ....Optically-selective window coatings of precious metal nanoparticles. There is great opportunity for Australia to save energy and money through the development of glass which excludes heat. This project builds on UTS research into the use of gold and silver nanoparticles in spectrally-selective coatings for windows. It will develop novel, low-cost in situ deposition processes to lay down ultra-thin coatings of gold nano-rods and other shapes on glass, creating coatings that have a neutral colour in the visible wavelengths, but which block infra-red light. Coated glass of this type has major application in the building industry as well as export potential.Read moreRead less
Next generation easy-clean lenses by robust liquid-repellent nanotextures. This project aims to produce better performing self-cleaning lenses, which are less likely to get dirty and are easy to clean. It will develop water and oil repellent coatings with superior optical transparency and mechanical, solvent and UV stability for both hard coated and anti-reflection coated optical lenses. Engineering of stable, ultra-liquid repellent nanomaterials on transparent surfaces will create a foundation ....Next generation easy-clean lenses by robust liquid-repellent nanotextures. This project aims to produce better performing self-cleaning lenses, which are less likely to get dirty and are easy to clean. It will develop water and oil repellent coatings with superior optical transparency and mechanical, solvent and UV stability for both hard coated and anti-reflection coated optical lenses. Engineering of stable, ultra-liquid repellent nanomaterials on transparent surfaces will create a foundation of knowledge for the industrial development of the future generation of easy care coatings, with vast application potential.Read moreRead less
New Pillared Nanoporous Materials for Hydrogen Production by Photoinduced Water Splitting. The increasing concern over the limited supply of conventional energy sources has triggered world-wide efforts in developing alternative energy generation systems. Hydrogen produced from sunlight and water is considered as an ultimate solution for the hydrogen economy. This project addresses the material needs for more efficient and cleaner means of generating/utilising energy. The novel nanoporous materia ....New Pillared Nanoporous Materials for Hydrogen Production by Photoinduced Water Splitting. The increasing concern over the limited supply of conventional energy sources has triggered world-wide efforts in developing alternative energy generation systems. Hydrogen produced from sunlight and water is considered as an ultimate solution for the hydrogen economy. This project addresses the material needs for more efficient and cleaner means of generating/utilising energy. The novel nanoporous materials with increased photocatalytic water splitting efficiency will lead to new breakthrough in technologies for energy conversion materials. The preparation approach is also applicable to other functional layered materials, providing new opportunities for innovative nanotechnology to more efficient and greener energy industries.Read moreRead less
Production and nano-characterisation of II-VI semiconductor quantum dots from plant cell cultures. Nanocrystallites with semiconductor properties have potential applications in medicine, microelectronics and waste treatment. Cheap, reliable methods for producing large quantities of monodisperse nanoparticles are required. Solution techniques have been used most commonly; however, production of stable, high-quality particles remains difficult. Biological synthesis using plant cell culture offers ....Production and nano-characterisation of II-VI semiconductor quantum dots from plant cell cultures. Nanocrystallites with semiconductor properties have potential applications in medicine, microelectronics and waste treatment. Cheap, reliable methods for producing large quantities of monodisperse nanoparticles are required. Solution techniques have been used most commonly; however, production of stable, high-quality particles remains difficult. Biological synthesis using plant cell culture offers several important advantages. As peptide capping is incorporated into the biological assembly process, the nanoparticles are restricted in size, their stability is improved, and their surfaces are passivated. Application of plant cultures for nanocrystallite production is a novel approach with the potential to yield significant improvements in the quality of manufactured quantum dots.Read moreRead less
Nano/micro grinding mechanisms and technologies for brittle materials. The successful completion of the project will solve a long standing problem, that is, the ductile removal mechanism in the machining of brittle materials and create a strong knowledge base for the development of technology and characterization techniques for nano/micro mechanical machining of such materials. This will strengthen UWA's research capability and international competitiveness in the field of nano/micro manufacturi ....Nano/micro grinding mechanisms and technologies for brittle materials. The successful completion of the project will solve a long standing problem, that is, the ductile removal mechanism in the machining of brittle materials and create a strong knowledge base for the development of technology and characterization techniques for nano/micro mechanical machining of such materials. This will strengthen UWA's research capability and international competitiveness in the field of nano/micro manufacturing. The pragmatic grinding technology developed for fabricating micro aspherical mould inserts and lenses will directly benefit the optics/photonics, microelectronics and biomedical industries in Australia. This will help to position Australia in the forefront of emerging industries in the new millenniumRead moreRead less
Development and application of WO3-Mica Multifunctional Nanocomposites . This project aims to develop innovative techniques to produce advanced tungsten oxide/metal oxide/mica composites for paint applications. The findings will be used to develop pearlescent paints for diverse applications in a range of industries, with the potential for huge benefits in improving the value of metal oxides and mica. The findings will be useful in the development of other new materials and provide a foundation f ....Development and application of WO3-Mica Multifunctional Nanocomposites . This project aims to develop innovative techniques to produce advanced tungsten oxide/metal oxide/mica composites for paint applications. The findings will be used to develop pearlescent paints for diverse applications in a range of industries, with the potential for huge benefits in improving the value of metal oxides and mica. The findings will be useful in the development of other new materials and provide a foundation for new applications such as photochromic and self-cleaning paints. This will generate opportunities to develop and apply advanced knowledge to solve significant problems in industry, leading to national economic growth by adding high values of mineral resources in Australia.
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New materials and structures for next generation optical fibres. A soft glass optical fibre capability of critical importance to Australia's industrial and scientific capability will be established. This facility addresses a range of the National Research Priorities, most notably Defence, and brings fundamentally important technology to Australia. The proposed research capability strategically complements existing Australian silica-based fibre expertise and infrastructure. The aim is to develop ....New materials and structures for next generation optical fibres. A soft glass optical fibre capability of critical importance to Australia's industrial and scientific capability will be established. This facility addresses a range of the National Research Priorities, most notably Defence, and brings fundamentally important technology to Australia. The proposed research capability strategically complements existing Australian silica-based fibre expertise and infrastructure. The aim is to develop soft glass fibres for defence applications, and to develop fibre-based solutions for emerging applications in bionanophotonics. A key attraction of the platform technology proposed is its adaptability for testing concepts without requiring the support of large-scale fabrication and production industries.Read moreRead less
Formation of Nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) by Anodization of Titanium Thin Films. The development of nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2), with pore diameter less than 25 nm, represents a significant advance for both R&D and industrial applications. It is an invaluable material for the manufacture of a range of electronic and optical devices. These structures can be employed for the development of efficient thermoelectric coolers, highly sensitive biosensors as well as optical micro-devices w ....Formation of Nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) by Anodization of Titanium Thin Films. The development of nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2), with pore diameter less than 25 nm, represents a significant advance for both R&D and industrial applications. It is an invaluable material for the manufacture of a range of electronic and optical devices. These structures can be employed for the development of efficient thermoelectric coolers, highly sensitive biosensors as well as optical micro-devices with high refractive index. In addition, nanoporous TiO2 has numerous applications in the fields of nanotechnology, bioengineering, diagnostics, materials science, and in the building industry. Australia will greatly benefit from the research and development of such a product with its promising market.Read moreRead less
Creation of novel photonic and nanostructured materials by ablation of solids with ultra-fast lasers. This project will study of the production of technologically important thin film materials and nanostructured materials using our patented ultra-fast pulsed laser deposition process. Thin film materials required for future applications in photonics will be a priority. In addition ultra-fast pulsed laser deposition can be used to create nanopartilces and mechanisms affecting the growth of these ....Creation of novel photonic and nanostructured materials by ablation of solids with ultra-fast lasers. This project will study of the production of technologically important thin film materials and nanostructured materials using our patented ultra-fast pulsed laser deposition process. Thin film materials required for future applications in photonics will be a priority. In addition ultra-fast pulsed laser deposition can be used to create nanopartilces and mechanisms affecting the growth of these materials will be studied. The project therefore falls into two priority areas: photon science and nanotechnology. Outcomes in addition to new knowledge will include materials and processes with commercial potential.Read moreRead less