Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100589
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$402,711.00
Summary
Cadmium-free one-dimensional colloidal nanocrystal heterostructures. The goal of this project is to develop innovative colloidal nanocrystal heterostructures to provide the basis for eco-friendly optoelectronic devices and photocatalysis as well as other advanced applications. One-dimensional semiconductor nanocrystals have desirable electronic and catalytic properties (a linearly polarised emission, large absorption cross section, reduced lasing threshold and improved charge separation and tran ....Cadmium-free one-dimensional colloidal nanocrystal heterostructures. The goal of this project is to develop innovative colloidal nanocrystal heterostructures to provide the basis for eco-friendly optoelectronic devices and photocatalysis as well as other advanced applications. One-dimensional semiconductor nanocrystals have desirable electronic and catalytic properties (a linearly polarised emission, large absorption cross section, reduced lasing threshold and improved charge separation and transport). However, present investigations of these materials are mainly limited to highly toxic cadmium chalcogenides. This project aims to explore a family of cadmium-free colloidal nanocrystal heterostructures with the desired properties. The project intends to investigate their growth mechanisms, properties and effects to support product development and advance the fundamental knowledge of electronics at the nanoscale.Read moreRead less
2D nanomaterial heterostructures for photocatalytic hydrogen production. This project aims to develop two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial heterostructures as photocatalysts for hydrogen production from the liquid carrier of methanol. In addition to transformational photocatalytic technology to utilise Australian raw resources, this project expects to generate new knowledge in the areas of photochemistry, materials science and nanotechnology. These should not only expand the applications of 2D nano ....2D nanomaterial heterostructures for photocatalytic hydrogen production. This project aims to develop two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial heterostructures as photocatalysts for hydrogen production from the liquid carrier of methanol. In addition to transformational photocatalytic technology to utilise Australian raw resources, this project expects to generate new knowledge in the areas of photochemistry, materials science and nanotechnology. These should not only expand the applications of 2D nanomaterials to a new domain of photocatalysts, but also may eventually lead to new industry advances in 2D nanomaterials for a ‘hydrogen economy’. Read moreRead less
Unravelling the rules on particle assembly into superstructures. Nanoparticle superstructures are assemblies of particles that exhibit high surface-to-volume ratio, periodicity and large packing density useful for drug delivery, photonics, sensing and energy storage. To realise the potential of these materials requires a predicative understanding of how interparticle forces control superstructure formation. This project will create a one-of-its-kind multiscale simulation framework to tailor the ....Unravelling the rules on particle assembly into superstructures. Nanoparticle superstructures are assemblies of particles that exhibit high surface-to-volume ratio, periodicity and large packing density useful for drug delivery, photonics, sensing and energy storage. To realise the potential of these materials requires a predicative understanding of how interparticle forces control superstructure formation. This project will create a one-of-its-kind multiscale simulation framework to tailor the assembly of anisotropic engineered nanoparticles into superstructures in liquids. Nanoparticle assembly simulation will be validated with a novel particle tracking microscopy in solution-based studies. This will enable the design and large-scale production of nanomaterials with controlled properties and functions.Read moreRead less
Molecular characterization of stem cell differentiation and oocyte maturation using synchrotron infrared spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy/Raman imaging. There are currently no molecular based methods to assess oocyte maturation and stem cell differentiation at the single cell level. Consequently the need for such techniques is critical in placing Australia at the forefront in this rapidly expanding field. Such technology would give Australia a leading edge in stem cell and oocyte researc ....Molecular characterization of stem cell differentiation and oocyte maturation using synchrotron infrared spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy/Raman imaging. There are currently no molecular based methods to assess oocyte maturation and stem cell differentiation at the single cell level. Consequently the need for such techniques is critical in placing Australia at the forefront in this rapidly expanding field. Such technology would give Australia a leading edge in stem cell and oocyte research and ultimately assist in discovering disease cures for debilitating neurodegenerative diseases and spinal chord injury, while techniques for determining the viability of oocytes may have important implications for future in vitro fertilization programs. The intellectual property and technologies developed from this research could also have potential to impact on the global market.Read moreRead less
DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL BIOMATERIAL FOR BONE TISSUE ENGINEERING. Tissue engineering of bone is emerging as a viable therapy for treating large defects in load-bearing bone. We wish to develop methods for combining novel heparan sulphate molecules (known to deliver growth factors to cell surfaces and thereby cause changes in bone cell phenotype) with load-bearing, macro-porous, biodegradable mineral/polymer biomaterials. Through the study of release profiles, protein adsorption and cell responses ....DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL BIOMATERIAL FOR BONE TISSUE ENGINEERING. Tissue engineering of bone is emerging as a viable therapy for treating large defects in load-bearing bone. We wish to develop methods for combining novel heparan sulphate molecules (known to deliver growth factors to cell surfaces and thereby cause changes in bone cell phenotype) with load-bearing, macro-porous, biodegradable mineral/polymer biomaterials. Through the study of release profiles, protein adsorption and cell responses to these derivatised biomaterials, a novel approach to bone replacement materials can be developed.Read moreRead less
Novel Nanomaterials for Photocatalytic Water Purification - Science and Application. Water is rapidly becoming Australia's most critical natural resource, and there is an urgent need to re-use and recycle water from domestic use (graywater) and industry, as well as utilisation of larger scale harvesting of rainwater. The outcome of this project will be a technology which can remove organic material (biological and non-biological) from water, enabling a greater range of uses of wastewater. This ....Novel Nanomaterials for Photocatalytic Water Purification - Science and Application. Water is rapidly becoming Australia's most critical natural resource, and there is an urgent need to re-use and recycle water from domestic use (graywater) and industry, as well as utilisation of larger scale harvesting of rainwater. The outcome of this project will be a technology which can remove organic material (biological and non-biological) from water, enabling a greater range of uses of wastewater. This technology will play a significant role in delivering future water security, and developing new industries involved in manufacture and export of water treatment technologies. This project directly addresses the National Priority Research area of water, and international priorities involving greater re-use and recycling of water.Read moreRead less
Reduced water usage in the Australian pulp and paper industry through novel process chemistry. Norske Skog Paper Mill operates two paper mills on major rivers in Australia. For these mills to reduce water consumption greater recycling of the process water is needed which results in a build-up of detrimental substances that will affect paper machine performance and efficiency. The knowledge gained from this project will help the paper mills to find strategies to control the build-up of the detr ....Reduced water usage in the Australian pulp and paper industry through novel process chemistry. Norske Skog Paper Mill operates two paper mills on major rivers in Australia. For these mills to reduce water consumption greater recycling of the process water is needed which results in a build-up of detrimental substances that will affect paper machine performance and efficiency. The knowledge gained from this project will help the paper mills to find strategies to control the build-up of the detrimental material and deal with it in such a way that the process water can be recycled and the paper mills can reduce water consumption.Read moreRead less
Development of a novel biodegradable ophthalmic biomaterial based on porous silicon. Within this interdisciplinary project, we will combine our diverse expertise towards the development of frontier technologies for control of stem cell behaviour on biodegradable scaffold materials. We will develop a novel ophthalmic bioimplant from porous silicon using topographical and chemical aspects of surface modification as well as immobilisation and/or incorporation of bioactive species such as growth fac ....Development of a novel biodegradable ophthalmic biomaterial based on porous silicon. Within this interdisciplinary project, we will combine our diverse expertise towards the development of frontier technologies for control of stem cell behaviour on biodegradable scaffold materials. We will develop a novel ophthalmic bioimplant from porous silicon using topographical and chemical aspects of surface modification as well as immobilisation and/or incorporation of bioactive species such as growth factors, to permit the growth and differentiation of mammalian stem cells. This project will result in biomaterials for the treatment of blinding diseases of the eye. Implanted into the limbus, bioimplants may ameliorate some common corneal diseases.Read moreRead less
The role of fat crystal wettability in altering dairy emulsion properties. The role of fat crystal wettability in altering dairy emulsion properties. This project aims to control fat crystal wettability, to create tailored dairy products with desirable stability, shelf-life and texture. Fat crystals are an essential component of dairy emulsions (fat droplets dispersed in dairy/milk serum) and control product processing, shelf life and texture. Their structuring role involves partial coalescence: ....The role of fat crystal wettability in altering dairy emulsion properties. The role of fat crystal wettability in altering dairy emulsion properties. This project aims to control fat crystal wettability, to create tailored dairy products with desirable stability, shelf-life and texture. Fat crystals are an essential component of dairy emulsions (fat droplets dispersed in dairy/milk serum) and control product processing, shelf life and texture. Their structuring role involves partial coalescence: the formation of complicated network structures of fat droplets. Unless fat crystals are partially wetted by water, they will not be present at the fat droplet interface, and partial coalescence will not occur. Expected outcomes are new dairy products with optimum stability and texture.Read moreRead less
Study of molecular interactions between wood pitch fixatives and components of wood pitch. Wood resins, released in pulping, agglomerate in the papermaking process to cause pitch deposits. These deposits adversely affect paper machine efficiency and product quality and limit further recycling of process water. This project aims to investigate the interactions between the components of the wood resins and different fixatives using capillary electrophoresis and other techniques. This knowledge w ....Study of molecular interactions between wood pitch fixatives and components of wood pitch. Wood resins, released in pulping, agglomerate in the papermaking process to cause pitch deposits. These deposits adversely affect paper machine efficiency and product quality and limit further recycling of process water. This project aims to investigate the interactions between the components of the wood resins and different fixatives using capillary electrophoresis and other techniques. This knowledge will provide a better understanding of the role of the physical and chemical properties of the fixatives in fixing the different compounds in wood resins. Molecular modelling will be used to design new fixatives that will be selective to a mixture of wood resins.
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