New Transparent Polymer Nanocomposite Coatings Using Multireactive Inorganic Cages. New polymeric nanocomposite coatings are proposed with enhanced abrasion resistance, toughness and optical functionality, suitable for the coating of optical plastic substrates. These composites contain inorganic cages, dispersed and chemically-coupled within the crosslinked organic matrix. In addition to good mechanical behaviour, high value properties such as colorisation on exposure to light and resistance to ....New Transparent Polymer Nanocomposite Coatings Using Multireactive Inorganic Cages. New polymeric nanocomposite coatings are proposed with enhanced abrasion resistance, toughness and optical functionality, suitable for the coating of optical plastic substrates. These composites contain inorganic cages, dispersed and chemically-coupled within the crosslinked organic matrix. In addition to good mechanical behaviour, high value properties such as colorisation on exposure to light and resistance to damage from high energy lasers will be achieved by attachment to the cages of chemical units with optical activity. These cages are of nanometre size and an important aspect of the project involves probing the resultant structure at the molecular level, using advanced characterisation techniques.Read moreRead less
The Synthesis and Evaluation of White Nano Particles that Reinforce the Mechanical Properties of Elastomers. This project will introduce admicellar polymerization technique to produce a bound polymer layer on the surface of fillers used for reinforcement of elastomers. The novel approach in this project will provide advanced material with excellent mechanical properties. Such composites can be used in various high performance elastomer applications such as rubber for tyres in automotive vehicles ....The Synthesis and Evaluation of White Nano Particles that Reinforce the Mechanical Properties of Elastomers. This project will introduce admicellar polymerization technique to produce a bound polymer layer on the surface of fillers used for reinforcement of elastomers. The novel approach in this project will provide advanced material with excellent mechanical properties. Such composites can be used in various high performance elastomer applications such as rubber for tyres in automotive vehicles. Products based on this new technology will produce significantly improved properties. The development of this new technology will not only advance polymer science, it will also provide great opportunities for new elastomer applications in a number of industries.Read moreRead less
New Electron Field Emission Films Based on Aligned Carbon Nanotube Guests in Liquid Crystalline Polymer Hosts. This project seeks to develop a new class of electron field emitting nanocomposite consisting of nanotubes in liquid crystalline polymers. Electron emitting materials are in much demand in x-ray and microwave generation, computer displays and low-energy lighting. We utilise the ready alignability of liquid crystalline units in magnetic fields to cause realignment of incorporated carbon ....New Electron Field Emission Films Based on Aligned Carbon Nanotube Guests in Liquid Crystalline Polymer Hosts. This project seeks to develop a new class of electron field emitting nanocomposite consisting of nanotubes in liquid crystalline polymers. Electron emitting materials are in much demand in x-ray and microwave generation, computer displays and low-energy lighting. We utilise the ready alignability of liquid crystalline units in magnetic fields to cause realignment of incorporated carbon nanotubes, followed by polymer solidification to maintain orientation. It involves low temperature processing, contrasting very favourably with current problematic, high temperature processes. This allows materials to be cast on flexible polymer substrates, potentially enabling construction of cathode tubes to replace existing mercury-containing fluorescent lighting.Read moreRead less
Energy transforming polymers: from single molecules to devices. Climate control and the rapidly increasing demand for energy is driving the search for alternative sustainable energy sources. Flexible plastics will be a primary component of the new generation of solar harvesting and energy conversion materials. The objective of this project is to gain an understanding of the way polymers interact with light and can convert absorbed solar energy into electrical power and other useful forms of ene ....Energy transforming polymers: from single molecules to devices. Climate control and the rapidly increasing demand for energy is driving the search for alternative sustainable energy sources. Flexible plastics will be a primary component of the new generation of solar harvesting and energy conversion materials. The objective of this project is to gain an understanding of the way polymers interact with light and can convert absorbed solar energy into electrical power and other useful forms of energy. The outcomes of the project will allow the improved design of plastics for applications in solar energy conversion.Read moreRead less
Single molecule actuators. The study of actuation processes in single molecules will lead to the development of improved advanced materials for Australian industry and, ultimately, to the more futuristic and exciting nanotechnologies. The research will improve our understanding of how polymer artificial muscles function, so that these materials can be further developed to meet the demand from industry. Applications include biomedical devices, robotic applicators and various machine parts. In ....Single molecule actuators. The study of actuation processes in single molecules will lead to the development of improved advanced materials for Australian industry and, ultimately, to the more futuristic and exciting nanotechnologies. The research will improve our understanding of how polymer artificial muscles function, so that these materials can be further developed to meet the demand from industry. Applications include biomedical devices, robotic applicators and various machine parts. In addition, the research will also contribute to one of the greatest promises of nanotechnology: the development of molecular machines. We will demonstrate the mechanical forces and movements possible from single molecules so that the design of useful nano-machines can begin.Read moreRead less
Novel Drug Delivery Systems. The polymer based structures targeted for production in this project will bring unique capabilities to the field of drug delivery. A multi-drug delivery platform is expected to bring significant improvements in administering therapeutic drugs for a wide range of illnesses and applications. This will have profound effects on the quality of life for those suffering from epilepsy or requiring stent implants. Here we will demonstrate the capabilities of these novel polym ....Novel Drug Delivery Systems. The polymer based structures targeted for production in this project will bring unique capabilities to the field of drug delivery. A multi-drug delivery platform is expected to bring significant improvements in administering therapeutic drugs for a wide range of illnesses and applications. This will have profound effects on the quality of life for those suffering from epilepsy or requiring stent implants. Here we will demonstrate the capabilities of these novel polymer structures both in-vitro and in-vivo.Read moreRead less
Functionalised nanostructured polythiophenes: novel platforms for bionics. The nanostructured organic polymer materials targeted for production in this project will bring unique capabilities to the field of muscle regeneration. A multi-modal stimulation platform is expected to bring significant improvements in muscle cell growth. This will have profound effects on the quality of life for those suffering from neuromuscular disorders or other traumas that require muscle regeneration. This project ....Functionalised nanostructured polythiophenes: novel platforms for bionics. The nanostructured organic polymer materials targeted for production in this project will bring unique capabilities to the field of muscle regeneration. A multi-modal stimulation platform is expected to bring significant improvements in muscle cell growth. This will have profound effects on the quality of life for those suffering from neuromuscular disorders or other traumas that require muscle regeneration. This project will demonstrate the capabilities of these nanostructures in-vitro.Read moreRead less
Supercritical CO2: A Clean, Green Reaction Medium for Novel Polymer Synthesis and Modification. This project will lead to the development of new macromolecular structures with application in many areas ranging from drug delivery to the microelectronics industry. More importantly, the processes used to manufacture these products will utilise supercritical CO2 - a clean, green processing technology that can totally remove the need for using environmentally-degrading, volatile organic solvents. The ....Supercritical CO2: A Clean, Green Reaction Medium for Novel Polymer Synthesis and Modification. This project will lead to the development of new macromolecular structures with application in many areas ranging from drug delivery to the microelectronics industry. More importantly, the processes used to manufacture these products will utilise supercritical CO2 - a clean, green processing technology that can totally remove the need for using environmentally-degrading, volatile organic solvents. The unique properties of scCO2 will be used to develop new polymer materials and processes. This technology will promote Australia's commitment towards greener industrial alternatives, while simultaneously strengthening our science and opening up new possibilities in the rapidly advancing area of nano-technology. Read moreRead less
Structure-Property Relationships of Polymers with Controlled Architecture. Mechanical properties of a polymer (e.g., how elastic it is and how it dissipates energy when compressed) govern how well it performs as an adhesive, or its behaviour when melted and shaped into a consumer item. This project aims to relate molecular architecture to mechanical properties, using new techniques which permit the creation of polymers wherein each architectural characteristic is separately controlled. This has ....Structure-Property Relationships of Polymers with Controlled Architecture. Mechanical properties of a polymer (e.g., how elastic it is and how it dissipates energy when compressed) govern how well it performs as an adhesive, or its behaviour when melted and shaped into a consumer item. This project aims to relate molecular architecture to mechanical properties, using new techniques which permit the creation of polymers wherein each architectural characteristic is separately controlled. This has the potential to develop fundamental understanding for structure-property relations for the type of branched polymers that are in common use in industry and for which adequate models do not currently exist.Read moreRead less
Advanced Polymer Electrolytes for Device Applications. The future of an energy sustainable society relies upon the development of a range of technologies that will involve devices such as lithium batteries, supercapacitors, sensors and fuel cells. One of the key challenges is the discovery and development of high performance materials which overcome performance limiting issues such as conductivity, durability and stability in current devices. Our recent discovery of novel successful approaches ....Advanced Polymer Electrolytes for Device Applications. The future of an energy sustainable society relies upon the development of a range of technologies that will involve devices such as lithium batteries, supercapacitors, sensors and fuel cells. One of the key challenges is the discovery and development of high performance materials which overcome performance limiting issues such as conductivity, durability and stability in current devices. Our recent discovery of novel successful approaches to the design of improved electrolyte materials will be systematically exploited to develop materials that will provide the significant advance in device performance that is required.Read moreRead less