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
Establishing In-Depth Understanding of Molecular Degradation Processes in Acrylic Based Polymer Coil-Coatings for Domestic Roofing Applications. The national benefit is multipronged: (i) BlueScope Steel will maintain its technology leadership through continued innovation by taking advantage of the scientific insights that the project delivers for the introduction of next generation long lasting coil coatings for steel, based on an environmentally friendly production processes. (ii) The applicati ....Establishing In-Depth Understanding of Molecular Degradation Processes in Acrylic Based Polymer Coil-Coatings for Domestic Roofing Applications. The national benefit is multipronged: (i) BlueScope Steel will maintain its technology leadership through continued innovation by taking advantage of the scientific insights that the project delivers for the introduction of next generation long lasting coil coatings for steel, based on an environmentally friendly production processes. (ii) The application of mass spectrometry for the analysis of polymer degradation has been pioneered by the CI and BlueScope Steel. The project will demonstrate the power of this technique and secure Australia's place at the forefront of molecular polymer degradation research. (iii) The project has a strong educational component, training a PhD student at the interface of application and fundamental research.Read moreRead less
Fundamentals of the Performance Chemistry of Water-borne Acrylic Polymer based Surface Coatings for Pre-painted Steel Employed in Domestic Roofing Applications. The proposed project will systematically investigate the structure-performance relationships of acrylic emulsion based surface coatings and provide a detailed understanding of their degradation mechanisms. The improved understanding of these coatings will lead to the development of an optimum coating for steel roofs with extremely high d ....Fundamentals of the Performance Chemistry of Water-borne Acrylic Polymer based Surface Coatings for Pre-painted Steel Employed in Domestic Roofing Applications. The proposed project will systematically investigate the structure-performance relationships of acrylic emulsion based surface coatings and provide a detailed understanding of their degradation mechanisms. The improved understanding of these coatings will lead to the development of an optimum coating for steel roofs with extremely high durability and resistance against degradation and gloss loss in typical tropical and sub-tropical Australian climates.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 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
Triggering the release of polymer bound platinum drugs. Platinum drugs are found to be highly efficient as anti-cancer drugs. Their side-effects however, limit their application. Nanoparticles are developed that bind the platinum drug tightly as long as the drug circulates in the blood stream, but releases the drug as soon as it reaches the tumour. To treat prostate cancer, the nanoparticle will be attached to a targeting moiety - a monoclonal antibody - that facilitates the effective delivery t ....Triggering the release of polymer bound platinum drugs. Platinum drugs are found to be highly efficient as anti-cancer drugs. Their side-effects however, limit their application. Nanoparticles are developed that bind the platinum drug tightly as long as the drug circulates in the blood stream, but releases the drug as soon as it reaches the tumour. To treat prostate cancer, the nanoparticle will be attached to a targeting moiety - a monoclonal antibody - that facilitates the effective delivery to the prostate cancer cells, but leaves healthy cells unaffected. This proposal aims to develop suitable synthetic pathway to enhance the treatment of cancer by using appropriate delivery vehicles. Read moreRead less
Polymer Stabilized and Bio-functionalised Metal Nanoparticles As Potential Vectors For Drug Therapies. The project aims to make novel nanoparticles (extremely small, nano means one billionth of a metre) that carry medicines to very specific sites of the body and then release them. This would result in much improved outcomes for conventional chemotherapy but may also allow new gene therapies where diseases can be silenced at their source.
Folding and dynamics of bioengineered cyclic cystine knot proteins. This project will increase knowledge of the structure and function of an important family of proteins, namely the conotoxins. Conotoxins are of particular interest in Australia as nearly 300 species of cone snails occur in Australian waters and they represent a rich source of novel peptides for drug discovery. This project will enhance their stability by altering their structures and will have a direct impact on peptide-drug ba ....Folding and dynamics of bioengineered cyclic cystine knot proteins. This project will increase knowledge of the structure and function of an important family of proteins, namely the conotoxins. Conotoxins are of particular interest in Australia as nearly 300 species of cone snails occur in Australian waters and they represent a rich source of novel peptides for drug discovery. This project will enhance their stability by altering their structures and will have a direct impact on peptide-drug based therapies, resulting in economic and social benefits for Australian society. Additionally, some peptides under study have agricultural significance for crop protection and this too, has the potential to provide significant economic benefits. Read moreRead less
Development of Novel Detergents for Green Solvent Systems and Their Self-Assembly into Nanostructures. Successful outcomes from this collaborative project will lead to the development of new commercially viable green solvent systems for the chemical industry, e.g. dry cleaning. This has the potential to impact the community on the economic and environmental level, by significantly reducing the costs of current green solvent systems, resulting in greater likelihood of conventional toxic solvent ....Development of Novel Detergents for Green Solvent Systems and Their Self-Assembly into Nanostructures. Successful outcomes from this collaborative project will lead to the development of new commercially viable green solvent systems for the chemical industry, e.g. dry cleaning. This has the potential to impact the community on the economic and environmental level, by significantly reducing the costs of current green solvent systems, resulting in greater likelihood of conventional toxic solvents being replaced. The project will also expand the training of junior and early career scientists by allowing them to work in overseas laboratories.Read moreRead less
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