Unravelling mechanisms in plasma growth of polymers. Surface engineering broadens the breadth of applications for many materials, and enhances the performance and value of current and emerging technologies. Surface engineering is particularly important to maintaining the competitiveness of manufacturing in developed economies such as Australia, that can not compete on a cost basis with emerging economies. Plasma coating replaces (alternative) environmentally-questionable surface treatments. This ....Unravelling mechanisms in plasma growth of polymers. Surface engineering broadens the breadth of applications for many materials, and enhances the performance and value of current and emerging technologies. Surface engineering is particularly important to maintaining the competitiveness of manufacturing in developed economies such as Australia, that can not compete on a cost basis with emerging economies. Plasma coating replaces (alternative) environmentally-questionable surface treatments. This project enhances Australian competitiveness; it cuts across industrial sectors and will deliver the new knowledge required to enhance material/technology functionality/performance. A PhD student will receive a multi-disciplinary training in a frontier technology and advanced analytical tools.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
The Nanotechnology Desalination Research Project - Low Energy Desalination Membranes. Population growth and global warming is rapidly increasing the strain placed on fresh water supplies. Environmentally sustainable solutions to this water shortage need to be found urgently. This project will develop new, low energy desalination technologies which can be powered by renewable energy sources, to enable desalination to be widely applied with low environmental impacts. It addresses several national ....The Nanotechnology Desalination Research Project - Low Energy Desalination Membranes. Population growth and global warming is rapidly increasing the strain placed on fresh water supplies. Environmentally sustainable solutions to this water shortage need to be found urgently. This project will develop new, low energy desalination technologies which can be powered by renewable energy sources, to enable desalination to be widely applied with low environmental impacts. It addresses several national priorities: Water - a critical resource; Transforming existing industries; Overcoming soil loss, salinity and acidity; Responding to climate change and variability; Frontier technologies and Advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Next generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniques. This project aims to solve a common, fundamental problem limiting the performance of mass spectrometers and high resolution electron microscopes: surface modification caused by unintended chemical reactions due to electron impact. The intended project outcomes will advance current understanding of electron restructuring of surfaces and open the door to next-generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniq ....Next generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniques. This project aims to solve a common, fundamental problem limiting the performance of mass spectrometers and high resolution electron microscopes: surface modification caused by unintended chemical reactions due to electron impact. The intended project outcomes will advance current understanding of electron restructuring of surfaces and open the door to next-generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniques. It will develop a superior detector for mass spectrometry and improve the imaging and nanofabrication capabilities of state-of-the-art electron microscopes. Read moreRead less
The Role of Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Self-Assembly of Metallic Nanocrystals. Global interest in metallic nano-crystals has recently increased dramatically as the realized applications of these structures begin to span the fields of nanotechnology and nano-biotechnology. In all these applications, control of the size and morphology of the nano-particles is critically important, as these characteristics determine their electronic, optical and catalytic properties. This requires an understa ....The Role of Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Self-Assembly of Metallic Nanocrystals. Global interest in metallic nano-crystals has recently increased dramatically as the realized applications of these structures begin to span the fields of nanotechnology and nano-biotechnology. In all these applications, control of the size and morphology of the nano-particles is critically important, as these characteristics determine their electronic, optical and catalytic properties. This requires an understanding of the underlying thermodynamic and kinetic driving forces, which govern nano-particle nucleation, growth and stability. This project will investigate the role of surface thermodynamics and growth kinetics in the nucleation, growth and stability of metallic nano-crystals in order to understand how to control their synthesis.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101102
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$404,748.00
Summary
Single-Atom Catalysts on Atomically Thin Nanomaterials for H2O2 Production. Single-atomic sites supported on graphene analogs is an ideal structural mode for the design of electrocatalysts due to its ultimate small size limit, atomic thickness, and easily tuned electronic properties. This project aims to use a theory-guided approach to develop efficient electrocatalysts for the production of value-added hydrogen peroxide. The structural advantages of graphene analogs will be fully utilised to un ....Single-Atom Catalysts on Atomically Thin Nanomaterials for H2O2 Production. Single-atomic sites supported on graphene analogs is an ideal structural mode for the design of electrocatalysts due to its ultimate small size limit, atomic thickness, and easily tuned electronic properties. This project aims to use a theory-guided approach to develop efficient electrocatalysts for the production of value-added hydrogen peroxide. The structural advantages of graphene analogs will be fully utilised to unlock the catalytic power of single-atomic sites, and consequently achieve high catalytic activity and selectivity. The outcome will set a solid scientific foundation to enable economically viable technologies for eco-friendly hydrogen peroxide production and bring significant socioeconomic benefits to Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100148
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,916.00
Summary
An STM/AFM Facility for Electroactive Materials Characterisation. A Scanning Tunnelling Microscope (STM)/Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) facility for electroactive materials characterisation: This project is expected to address an identified need for the characterisation of electroactive structures using scanning probe microscopy and builds on local expertise in allied methods. The instrumentation includes an electrochemical STM for electrical testing of molecular wires, switches, transistors and ....An STM/AFM Facility for Electroactive Materials Characterisation. A Scanning Tunnelling Microscope (STM)/Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) facility for electroactive materials characterisation: This project is expected to address an identified need for the characterisation of electroactive structures using scanning probe microscopy and builds on local expertise in allied methods. The instrumentation includes an electrochemical STM for electrical testing of molecular wires, switches, transistors and other single molecule electronic components, together with a pico-force tunnelling AFM (PF-TUNA) for the measurement and correlation of nano mechanical and electrical properties of fragile structures over larger areas. The facility will be a core asset for researchers that use electroactive material on conducting substrates in fields including fundamental corrosion science, nanotechnology, and moltronics.Read moreRead less
Atomically Thin 3d Transition Metal Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting. The current industrial-scale hydrogen productions are reliant on high temperature steam reforming fossil fuels, consuming large quantity of energy and fossil resources, and emitting huge amounts of CO2. This project aims to develop cheap and plentiful transition metal-based high performance water splitting electrocatalysts, enabling economically viable large-scale water electrolytic hydrogen production driven by renewable ....Atomically Thin 3d Transition Metal Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting. The current industrial-scale hydrogen productions are reliant on high temperature steam reforming fossil fuels, consuming large quantity of energy and fossil resources, and emitting huge amounts of CO2. This project aims to develop cheap and plentiful transition metal-based high performance water splitting electrocatalysts, enabling economically viable large-scale water electrolytic hydrogen production driven by renewable electricity. A theory-guided catalyst approach will be used to guide the efficient design and development of high performance electrocatalysts. The success of the project will lead to a suit of high performance water splitting electrocatalysts, leaping forward water electrolytic hydrogen production technology.Read moreRead less
Single-atom catalysts for electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion. This project aims to develop a new synthetic technique for the fabrication of template-free and metal single-atoms embedded in doped carbon nano tubes. It will generate fundamental knowledge about multiple proton and electron transfer steps in carbon dioxide (CO2RR) using in-situ synchrotron characterisation techniques. Expected outcomes of the research include the development of new single-atom catalysts for production of the ....Single-atom catalysts for electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion. This project aims to develop a new synthetic technique for the fabrication of template-free and metal single-atoms embedded in doped carbon nano tubes. It will generate fundamental knowledge about multiple proton and electron transfer steps in carbon dioxide (CO2RR) using in-situ synchrotron characterisation techniques. Expected outcomes of the research include the development of new single-atom catalysts for production of the key feed-stock of CO for sustainable use in hydrocarbon fuels, providing significant benefits in the reduction of greenhouse emissions.Read moreRead less
Poly(dendrimer) organic light-emitting diodes. This project aims to develop ultrathin efficient emissive technologies based on low embedded energy organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). It will develop transformative OLEDs that can be used in displays and lighting, by creating semiconductor materials and diode architectures that optimise each step in light generation, from charge injection, transport and capture to light emission. The efficiency improvements made possible by OLED technology can ....Poly(dendrimer) organic light-emitting diodes. This project aims to develop ultrathin efficient emissive technologies based on low embedded energy organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). It will develop transformative OLEDs that can be used in displays and lighting, by creating semiconductor materials and diode architectures that optimise each step in light generation, from charge injection, transport and capture to light emission. The efficiency improvements made possible by OLED technology can reduce electricity consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, and the cost of living.Read moreRead less