Pro-Fluorescent Aryl Nitroxides: New Probes for Polymer Lifetime and Kinetics Research. Internal aryl rings present in novel probes developed for this project impart fluorescence which is efficiently and internally quenched by the presence of a paramagnetic nitroxide group. Scavenging of radicals by the nitroxide however "switches on" the fluorescence and this enables powerful new fluorescence-based detection levels for the technique of nitroxide free radical scavenging. Such sensitivity is a ....Pro-Fluorescent Aryl Nitroxides: New Probes for Polymer Lifetime and Kinetics Research. Internal aryl rings present in novel probes developed for this project impart fluorescence which is efficiently and internally quenched by the presence of a paramagnetic nitroxide group. Scavenging of radicals by the nitroxide however "switches on" the fluorescence and this enables powerful new fluorescence-based detection levels for the technique of nitroxide free radical scavenging. Such sensitivity is applicable to polymerization kinetics studies, as well as providing new means for the determination of materials lifetimes. The development of pro-fluorescent markers as indicators for polymer degradation would be a significant outcome for materials where component failure has a major negative impact.Read moreRead less
Defining Polymer Structures in Radical Polymerization Systems: Chain Birth, Chain Growth and Complex Macromolecular Architectures. The project underpins and extends Australia's leading position in the development and application of novel methods to generate advanced polymeric materials. By carefully studying the reaction pathways underpinning the polymerization processes, an in-depth picture of the polymerization is obtained. The research outcomes will strongly benefit the preparation of the com ....Defining Polymer Structures in Radical Polymerization Systems: Chain Birth, Chain Growth and Complex Macromolecular Architectures. The project underpins and extends Australia's leading position in the development and application of novel methods to generate advanced polymeric materials. By carefully studying the reaction pathways underpinning the polymerization processes, an in-depth picture of the polymerization is obtained. The research outcomes will strongly benefit the preparation of the coming generations of intelligent polymer materials of a highly controlled structure, responsive to their environment, with an even broader range of applications than existing polymers. In addition, the project has a substantial educational component providing training embedded in cutting polymer science for several honours and 1 PhD student.Read moreRead less
Graft copolymers from starch and synthetic monomers. Polymer dispersions, manufactured as latexes in large quantities in Australia and elsewhere, have myriad applications, such as in adhesives, bitumen modifiers, paints and paper coatings. This project will create the enabling science to replace by starch the current synthetic products used to stop these dispersions from coagulating. This will create new uses for renewable resources and will reduce environmental insult by avoiding the leaching o ....Graft copolymers from starch and synthetic monomers. Polymer dispersions, manufactured as latexes in large quantities in Australia and elsewhere, have myriad applications, such as in adhesives, bitumen modifiers, paints and paper coatings. This project will create the enabling science to replace by starch the current synthetic products used to stop these dispersions from coagulating. This will create new uses for renewable resources and will reduce environmental insult by avoiding the leaching of biologically incompatible chemicals. By using starch from crops suited for Australia's arid climate, the new technology will reduce both our dependence on imported products and our greenhouse gas emissions.Read moreRead less
Synthesis of nanocomposite polymers with targeted properties. This project aims to synthesise novel nanocomposite polymers by living radical polymerisation in water and to understand the way polymer microstructure and nanomorphology control material properties. This will provide the enabling science so that nanomaterials with targeted properties can be tailor-made for biomedical and speciality-coatings applications, and thus dispense with the current trial-and-error methodology. The innovations ....Synthesis of nanocomposite polymers with targeted properties. This project aims to synthesise novel nanocomposite polymers by living radical polymerisation in water and to understand the way polymer microstructure and nanomorphology control material properties. This will provide the enabling science so that nanomaterials with targeted properties can be tailor-made for biomedical and speciality-coatings applications, and thus dispense with the current trial-and-error methodology. The innovations in this project are the novel synthesis of complex polymer architectures in water, and the first quantitative and qualitative structure-property correlations for such materials. This will also result in a deepened understanding of the mechanisms governing the formation of these nanocomposites.Read moreRead less
New-generation starch-based paper coatings. This project is to make a new hybrid biomaterial which encapsulates starch in a synthetic polymer latex for use in paper manufacture. A novel process has been devised for this by the parties. This project is the fundamental research and development needed to turn successful preliminary experiments into commercial reality; it involves a unique combination of cereal and polymer scientists and paper technologists. The product has the potential to set up a ....New-generation starch-based paper coatings. This project is to make a new hybrid biomaterial which encapsulates starch in a synthetic polymer latex for use in paper manufacture. A novel process has been devised for this by the parties. This project is the fundamental research and development needed to turn successful preliminary experiments into commercial reality; it involves a unique combination of cereal and polymer scientists and paper technologists. The product has the potential to set up a new industry to use starch from Australian cereal grains to replace imports and create new markets, as well as reducing environmental problems from paper manufacture.Read moreRead less
Design of Polymeric Devices for Biotechnological Applications. The research project focuses on the development of functional polymer particles for diagnostic applications. Advanced polymer chemistry will be used to synthesize devices for reliable and fast diagnostic systems. The outcome of this work will help promoting and maintaining good health in Australia by developing novel technologies and advanced materials based on polymer science.
Designer Nanoreactors: An Environmentally Friendly Solution for Polymer Synthesis. The advanced materials made from the designer nanoreactors developed in this project will be high value-added products made from cheap materials with much greater design capacity for a wide range of applications. The knowledge gained from this project will have potential applications in many areas where polymer materials are used, including high strength coatings, conducting coatings for the electronic industry, ....Designer Nanoreactors: An Environmentally Friendly Solution for Polymer Synthesis. The advanced materials made from the designer nanoreactors developed in this project will be high value-added products made from cheap materials with much greater design capacity for a wide range of applications. The knowledge gained from this project will have potential applications in many areas where polymer materials are used, including high strength coatings, conducting coatings for the electronic industry, degradable drug and vaccine nanodelivery devices, tissue scaffolds, and gene delivery. These polymers will provide Australian Industry with advanced features and capabilities, significantly improving product performance.Read moreRead less
Transformer 3D Nanostructures: Stimuli Responsive Polymers. This research program will develop smart nanostructures that will be capable of producing high value added products using cheap polymer materials but achieving a much greater design capacity for end-use functions. The knowledge gained from this project will have potential applications in many areas where nanomaterials and polymers are used, including high strength coatings, conducting coatings for the electronic industry, drug and vacci ....Transformer 3D Nanostructures: Stimuli Responsive Polymers. This research program will develop smart nanostructures that will be capable of producing high value added products using cheap polymer materials but achieving a much greater design capacity for end-use functions. The knowledge gained from this project will have potential applications in many areas where nanomaterials and polymers are used, including high strength coatings, conducting coatings for the electronic industry, drug and vaccine delivery devices, tissue scaffolds, nanosensors, and gene delivery. These polymer techniques will enable Australian Industry to significantly improve product performance by providing advanced features and capabilities previously unavailable.Read moreRead less
Surface engineering of oriented nano-layers for performance control. This research project will deliver knowledge on how to graft oriented, self assembled films from a surface, develop structure-property relationships at a nano-scale, develop a means to control these properties and develop characterization techniques at nano-scales. This research project, if successful, will deliver the ability to tailor the properties of a surface in a manner and over a range of properties that is not even cont ....Surface engineering of oriented nano-layers for performance control. This research project will deliver knowledge on how to graft oriented, self assembled films from a surface, develop structure-property relationships at a nano-scale, develop a means to control these properties and develop characterization techniques at nano-scales. This research project, if successful, will deliver the ability to tailor the properties of a surface in a manner and over a range of properties that is not even contemplated today.
In addition to the scientific benefits, there are also immediate commercial applications in Australia and worldwide for ophthalmic products (e.g. anti-fog and easy to clean lenses), if the balance of properties can be obtained.
Read moreRead less
Exploiting the self-assembly of hydrophobin proteins to engineer functional nanostructuring surfaces. There is an increasing world-wide demand for advanced nano-biomaterials with novel properties. We will use natural hydrophobin proteins to coat nanodevices and make them more compatible with biological systems. Hydrophobin coatings will be applicable to biosensors, medical devices, diagnostics and drug delivery systems. The research will lead to an understanding of the basic mechanisms of protei ....Exploiting the self-assembly of hydrophobin proteins to engineer functional nanostructuring surfaces. There is an increasing world-wide demand for advanced nano-biomaterials with novel properties. We will use natural hydrophobin proteins to coat nanodevices and make them more compatible with biological systems. Hydrophobin coatings will be applicable to biosensors, medical devices, diagnostics and drug delivery systems. The research will lead to an understanding of the basic mechanisms of protein self-assembly and will have application outcomes that contribute to Australia being an important player in the field of nanotechnology. This is critical for Australia's long term competitiveness and productivity in and beyond the 21st century.Read moreRead less