Three-Dimensional Polymer Fibre Scaffolds with Functional Nano-structured Surface. The Partner Organisation to this research, CyGenics Ltd, is a world leader in cell biotechnology. A key challenge faced by the CyGenics and other biotech companies is the provision of tissue scaffolding materials that have the right three-dimensional macroscopic structure plus a suitable nano-structured surface micro-environment, similar to the natural extracellular matrix. This joint project combines expertise in ....Three-Dimensional Polymer Fibre Scaffolds with Functional Nano-structured Surface. The Partner Organisation to this research, CyGenics Ltd, is a world leader in cell biotechnology. A key challenge faced by the CyGenics and other biotech companies is the provision of tissue scaffolding materials that have the right three-dimensional macroscopic structure plus a suitable nano-structured surface micro-environment, similar to the natural extracellular matrix. This joint project combines expertise in polymer fibres, surface engineering and cell culture to tackle the key challenge. The outcome will help position the local polymer fibre and cell culture industries at the forefront of tissue scaffolding materials research and development. Read moreRead less
Optimizing the UV Protection of Textiles with Nano Zinc Oxide. Colour fading, due to poor fastness to light - especially ultraviolet light - is a critical problem that continues to plague the textile industry, especially for products such as flags, awnings and car upholstery that are used in outside applications and therefore exposed directly to sunlight. This research, in collaboration with Micronisers Pty Ltd, will develop improved nano zinc oxide formulations that will significantly reduce th ....Optimizing the UV Protection of Textiles with Nano Zinc Oxide. Colour fading, due to poor fastness to light - especially ultraviolet light - is a critical problem that continues to plague the textile industry, especially for products such as flags, awnings and car upholstery that are used in outside applications and therefore exposed directly to sunlight. This research, in collaboration with Micronisers Pty Ltd, will develop improved nano zinc oxide formulations that will significantly reduce the colour fading problems, and hence add value to the fledgling nano-tech (as well as traditional textile) industries in Australia. It could enable local production of a specialised textile finishing agent for export to major textile producers in South East Asia.Read moreRead less
Heat conduction characterisation of buried insulation layers in silicon-on-insulator systems. This project aims to establish a new technique for the accurate characterisation of thermal conduction in buried insulation layers in advanced silicon-on-insulator (SOI) systems. The success of the project will enable the Australian semiconductor industry to develop high performance SOI systems.
Radio-magnetic nanoparticles as bimodal positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents for dendritic cell tracking. Biomedical imaging is limited by a lack of commercial dual-mode contrast agents, which may be simultaneously used for magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. This project will develop a nanotechnology-based biocompatible dual-mode contrast agent for simultaneous PET and MR imaging, reducing associated side effects.
Improving battery safety with boron nitride nanotube separators. This project aims to improve the safety of lithium ion batteries by developing high –temperature, stable separators. The use of batteries in a hot Australian summer is a major safety issue for our society. This project will develop a new and safe battery technology with the help of boron nitride nanotubes to effectively reduce the risk of thermal runaway of battery cells. The expected outcomes will have a global impact on the safet ....Improving battery safety with boron nitride nanotube separators. This project aims to improve the safety of lithium ion batteries by developing high –temperature, stable separators. The use of batteries in a hot Australian summer is a major safety issue for our society. This project will develop a new and safe battery technology with the help of boron nitride nanotubes to effectively reduce the risk of thermal runaway of battery cells. The expected outcomes will have a global impact on the safety of the current battery technology and the innovative application of boron nitride nanotubes in battery technology. It will position industry on the cutting edge of battery technology required for energy storage development in Australia.Read moreRead less
Next generation hybrid nanomaterials: bispecific antibody-targeted polymers. This project aims to develop and optimise a novel platform technology that will assist in the development of hybrid materials consisting of nanomaterials and biomolecules, which form the basis of many commercial diagnostic devices. A novel antibody, MIL38, will provide the test bed for the technology, which will aim to deliver a platform that is stable under physiological conditions and that enables facile conjugation o ....Next generation hybrid nanomaterials: bispecific antibody-targeted polymers. This project aims to develop and optimise a novel platform technology that will assist in the development of hybrid materials consisting of nanomaterials and biomolecules, which form the basis of many commercial diagnostic devices. A novel antibody, MIL38, will provide the test bed for the technology, which will aim to deliver a platform that is stable under physiological conditions and that enables facile conjugation of nanomaterials with antibodies. This project has the potential to rapidly improve the ligation process between synthetic nanomaterials and biologics, leading to more efficient synthesis of targeted diagnostics. This would provide a significant commercial advantage for any nanomaterials developed for the field, and specifically for this project, expedite translation of MIL38.Read moreRead less
Novel Fuel Materials for Radiation-Free Proton-Boron Fusion Power Source. Laser proton-boron fusion reactions are a radiation-free nuclear energy source but are limited by a low reaction rate due to a lack of efficient fuel materials. This project aims to develop new fuel materials by synthesising isotope boron 11 enriched hydrogen borides and hydrogen adsorbed boron nitride nanosheets using our research experience in hydrogen storage and nanomateials synthesis. The expected outcomes include tw ....Novel Fuel Materials for Radiation-Free Proton-Boron Fusion Power Source. Laser proton-boron fusion reactions are a radiation-free nuclear energy source but are limited by a low reaction rate due to a lack of efficient fuel materials. This project aims to develop new fuel materials by synthesising isotope boron 11 enriched hydrogen borides and hydrogen adsorbed boron nitride nanosheets using our research experience in hydrogen storage and nanomateials synthesis. The expected outcomes include two new hydrogen storage nanomaterials, the associated new synthesis technologies, and a clean and safe nuclear power source, which helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.Read moreRead less
Novel methods for enhancing room temperature figure of merit of thermoelectric/thermionic materials for refrigeration applications. With global warming and an increased awareness of climate change, devices such as thermoelectric modules can be part of the solution, particularly if their relative power and efficiency can be increased. The aim of this project is to bring together theoreticians, experimentalists, materials scientists, and industrial partners with complementary expertise to develop ....Novel methods for enhancing room temperature figure of merit of thermoelectric/thermionic materials for refrigeration applications. With global warming and an increased awareness of climate change, devices such as thermoelectric modules can be part of the solution, particularly if their relative power and efficiency can be increased. The aim of this project is to bring together theoreticians, experimentalists, materials scientists, and industrial partners with complementary expertise to develop new techniques and methods for fabricating novel thermoelectric/thermionic materials with high figure of merit, ZT, for solid state refrigeration applications. The success of the project will lead to a 3 to 5 fold increase in the market share of thermoelectric cooler and will have a significant impact on the Australian economy and reduce greenhouse emissions and global warming. Read moreRead less
Meta-optics systems for driver-fatigue monitoring. The project aims to develop novel miniaturised optical systems for driver fatigue monitoring, which provide increased sensitivity, eliminate reflections from eyeglasses and enable accurate depth measurements of facial features. The unique performance of our optical systems is derived from the concept of optical nanostructured surfaces to allow for efficient control of light wavefront and polarisation. The project aims to apply this concept to de ....Meta-optics systems for driver-fatigue monitoring. The project aims to develop novel miniaturised optical systems for driver fatigue monitoring, which provide increased sensitivity, eliminate reflections from eyeglasses and enable accurate depth measurements of facial features. The unique performance of our optical systems is derived from the concept of optical nanostructured surfaces to allow for efficient control of light wavefront and polarisation. The project aims to apply this concept to develop six different optical elements with new functionalities and performance well beyond what is possible with conventional components. This development will enable the construction of high-performance driver monitoring systems, thus facilitating a safer driving experience for all.Read moreRead less
High yield adaptive laser nanomanufacturing system for photonic devices. This project aims at developing an entirely new nanofabrication platform combining adaptive beamshaping with highly accurate large area nanopositioner to simultaneously address the throughput and accuracy challenges in nanomanufacturing. The proposed prototype system and fabricated photonic chips have performance far surpassing the state-of-the-art. Through trial in the industrial best laser nanofabrication system, commerci ....High yield adaptive laser nanomanufacturing system for photonic devices. This project aims at developing an entirely new nanofabrication platform combining adaptive beamshaping with highly accurate large area nanopositioner to simultaneously address the throughput and accuracy challenges in nanomanufacturing. The proposed prototype system and fabricated photonic chips have performance far surpassing the state-of-the-art. Through trial in the industrial best laser nanofabrication system, commercial benefits can be fast tracked for Australian industry in the rapidly expanding nanomanufacturing field. The outcomes lead to a platform technology enabling broad impact and benefits to other high-tech applications requiring high precision and throughput, enhancing Australia’s leading position in advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less