Nanoarchitectured multifunctional porous superparamagnetic nanoparticles. This project aims to develop a method for the direct detection of biomarkers based on a new class of highly porous superparamagnetic nanoparticles with peroxidase-like activity. The particles will be used as dispersible capture agents for isolating specific targets in biological samples, and electrocatalytic nanozymes for naked-eye evaluation and electrochemical detection. The project is expected to develop simple, low-cos ....Nanoarchitectured multifunctional porous superparamagnetic nanoparticles. This project aims to develop a method for the direct detection of biomarkers based on a new class of highly porous superparamagnetic nanoparticles with peroxidase-like activity. The particles will be used as dispersible capture agents for isolating specific targets in biological samples, and electrocatalytic nanozymes for naked-eye evaluation and electrochemical detection. The project is expected to develop simple, low-cost, portable devices for the analysis of exosomes and exosomal miRNA in biological samples. The future development of this technology into diagnostic devices will improve patient outcomes by enabling earlier disease diagnosis and improved monitoring of treatment.Read moreRead less
Force-mediated dynamic chemistry in hydrogels. This project aims to develop a new class of biomimetic material, where applied force modulates the chemistry and mechanics by incorporating mechanochemical responsive linkages in hydrogel networks. This work intends to generate new knowledge in the chemistry and mechanical properties of soft materials using an interdisciplinary approach involving synthesis, computational modelling, and mechanical analysis. Expected outcomes include novel hydrogel ma ....Force-mediated dynamic chemistry in hydrogels. This project aims to develop a new class of biomimetic material, where applied force modulates the chemistry and mechanics by incorporating mechanochemical responsive linkages in hydrogel networks. This work intends to generate new knowledge in the chemistry and mechanical properties of soft materials using an interdisciplinary approach involving synthesis, computational modelling, and mechanical analysis. Expected outcomes include novel hydrogel materials that are mechanochemically active, tough, and fatigue resistant, along with design criteria for force-activated molecule immobilisation and release expected to provide significant benefit forbiomedical applications, additive manufacturing, soft robotics and flexible electronics.Read moreRead less
Bespoke nanomaterials for understanding nano-bio interactions under flow. This project aims to develop innovative scalable synthesis techniques to produce polymeric nanomaterials with controlled properties and characterise interactions between nanomaterials and cells under flow conditions. This project expects to generate new knowledge in priority research areas of nanotechnology, polymer chemistry and immunology. The outcome of this project is an original scalable and environmentally friendly t ....Bespoke nanomaterials for understanding nano-bio interactions under flow. This project aims to develop innovative scalable synthesis techniques to produce polymeric nanomaterials with controlled properties and characterise interactions between nanomaterials and cells under flow conditions. This project expects to generate new knowledge in priority research areas of nanotechnology, polymer chemistry and immunology. The outcome of this project is an original scalable and environmentally friendly technology, new knowledge of cell-nanomaterial interactions and new design principles for nanoparticles with potential future applications in drug delivery, immunology and nanomedicine. This project should provide significant benefits to polymer, nanomaterial and pharmaceutical research and industry in Australia.Read moreRead less
Impact of Biological Coatings on Nanoparticle–Immune Cell Interactions. Nanomaterials exposed to biological environments such as blood or lymph fluids rapidly adsorb a layer of biomolecules on their surface, forming a biomolecular corona, and profoundly altering their properties. This project aims to resolve the influence of biomolecular coronas on nanoparticle–immune cell interactions by combining particle engineering, immunology, proteomics and bioinformatic analysis. The project expected outc ....Impact of Biological Coatings on Nanoparticle–Immune Cell Interactions. Nanomaterials exposed to biological environments such as blood or lymph fluids rapidly adsorb a layer of biomolecules on their surface, forming a biomolecular corona, and profoundly altering their properties. This project aims to resolve the influence of biomolecular coronas on nanoparticle–immune cell interactions by combining particle engineering, immunology, proteomics and bioinformatic analysis. The project expected outcomes are to generate new knowledge in nanomaterial–immune cell behaviour and design principles for nanoparticles with prospective applications in the agricultural, veterinary and biomedical sectors.Read moreRead less
Macromolecular Engineering of Functional Metal–Ligand Materials. Materials self-assembled from metal ions and ligands have a range of important applications, including as advanced coatings, adhesives and catalysts. However, these materials have been largely limited to those assembled from naturally occurring ligands such as phenolics, restricting their properties and function. This project aims to greatly expand the range of accessible properties of metal–phenolic materials by combining self-ass ....Macromolecular Engineering of Functional Metal–Ligand Materials. Materials self-assembled from metal ions and ligands have a range of important applications, including as advanced coatings, adhesives and catalysts. However, these materials have been largely limited to those assembled from naturally occurring ligands such as phenolics, restricting their properties and function. This project aims to greatly expand the range of accessible properties of metal–phenolic materials by combining self-assembly with advanced polymer synthesis techniques. The expected outcome of the project is a new class of functional materials applicable as self-healing coatings, nanoadhesives and antimicrobial surfaces, thus underpinning next-generation technologies in materials science and nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Next-generation lithography: photo-directing assembly of block copolymers. This project aims to introduce a novel approach to organising block polymers through the photochemical modification of the surface of a photo-sensitive polymer. Chemo-epitaxy is the science of organising materials on a surface decorated with chemical patterns. The process has the potential to revolutionise the manufacture of integrated circuits, enabling faster processors. This project expects to introduce innovative conc ....Next-generation lithography: photo-directing assembly of block copolymers. This project aims to introduce a novel approach to organising block polymers through the photochemical modification of the surface of a photo-sensitive polymer. Chemo-epitaxy is the science of organising materials on a surface decorated with chemical patterns. The process has the potential to revolutionise the manufacture of integrated circuits, enabling faster processors. This project expects to introduce innovative concepts in polymer chemistry and nanoscale assembly with the potential to advance a multi-billion-dollar industry.Read moreRead less
Precision porous polymer microparticles via integrated flow processes. This project aims at a step-change in functional, porous microparticle manufacture. To achieve this, the project will use precision flow chemistry techniques that will integrate emulsion preparation, microparticle production and chemical functionalisation in one continuous process. The expected outcome of the project is a process for the manufacture of a suite of designer porous polymer microparticles. Expected benefits are d ....Precision porous polymer microparticles via integrated flow processes. This project aims at a step-change in functional, porous microparticle manufacture. To achieve this, the project will use precision flow chemistry techniques that will integrate emulsion preparation, microparticle production and chemical functionalisation in one continuous process. The expected outcome of the project is a process for the manufacture of a suite of designer porous polymer microparticles. Expected benefits are disruptive advances in a number of key technological sectors, including biomedicine, pharmacy, energy and bioprocessing. Platform technology for cartilage tissue engineering has been chosen as an exemplar of the power of precision microparticles.Read moreRead less
Chiral synthetic macromolecules - control of sequence and stereochemistry. This project aims to assemble a library of novel chiral polymers mimicking natural peptides with precisely controlled primary structures using emerging synthetic technologies. A systematic investigation of these synthetic materials will provide an in-depth understanding of how sequence and stereochemistry influence chemical and physical properties. Employing rational design principles, desired functionality could be optim ....Chiral synthetic macromolecules - control of sequence and stereochemistry. This project aims to assemble a library of novel chiral polymers mimicking natural peptides with precisely controlled primary structures using emerging synthetic technologies. A systematic investigation of these synthetic materials will provide an in-depth understanding of how sequence and stereochemistry influence chemical and physical properties. Employing rational design principles, desired functionality could be optimised through the selective modification of polymer structure. These materials should be able to emulate the unique properties and functionality of natural peptides/proteins, making them invaluable for biochemical applications, such as molecular recognition and asymmetric catalysis.Read moreRead less
Bioinspired Ion Transporters for Efficient Energy Conversion and Storage. This project aims to fabricate bioinspired light-driven ion transporters with biological-level active ion transport efficiency for efficient energy conversion and storage. Engineering of artificial membranes with ion-pump-like pore structures, specific ion binding sites and photo-excited molecular gates by an innovative bioinspired approach is expected to generate new knowledge in the field of biomimetic design of artifici ....Bioinspired Ion Transporters for Efficient Energy Conversion and Storage. This project aims to fabricate bioinspired light-driven ion transporters with biological-level active ion transport efficiency for efficient energy conversion and storage. Engineering of artificial membranes with ion-pump-like pore structures, specific ion binding sites and photo-excited molecular gates by an innovative bioinspired approach is expected to generate new knowledge in the field of biomimetic design of artificial ion-transporter membranes and bring new technologies to applications such as in solar energy harvesting, osmotic power generation, ionic batteries, and ionic circuits. The proposed research should provide significant benefits such as new energy conversion and storage technologies for Australian manufacturing industry.Read moreRead less
Nano-fibrous structure for high-performance organic photovoltaic thin films. This project aims to create nano-fibrous active thin films with high charge mobility for organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices, using a method inspired by molecular gelation. The significance of this project is that it addresses a major bottleneck, i.e. poor charge generation and transport, that limits the efficiency of OPV devices. The outcomes will provide insights into the crucial factors that affect the self-assembly o ....Nano-fibrous structure for high-performance organic photovoltaic thin films. This project aims to create nano-fibrous active thin films with high charge mobility for organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices, using a method inspired by molecular gelation. The significance of this project is that it addresses a major bottleneck, i.e. poor charge generation and transport, that limits the efficiency of OPV devices. The outcomes will provide insights into the crucial factors that affect the self-assembly of organic semiconducting materials, and the influences of nano-fibrous structure on the charge mobility and efficiency of an OPV device. The outcomes will greatly facilitate the development of highly efficient, lightweight and low-cost solar energy harvesting devices to reduce our carbon footprint.Read moreRead less