Thermally conductive materials from boron nitride nanosheets. This project aims to produce novel two-dimensional nanomaterials, in the form of functionalised boron nitride nanosheets and investigate their chemical, thermal and mechanical properties. The project expects to design and develop unique boron nitride nanosheets with targeted thermally conductive and electrically insulating properties, to address the critical technological problem of heat management in electronic devices. The resulting ....Thermally conductive materials from boron nitride nanosheets. This project aims to produce novel two-dimensional nanomaterials, in the form of functionalised boron nitride nanosheets and investigate their chemical, thermal and mechanical properties. The project expects to design and develop unique boron nitride nanosheets with targeted thermally conductive and electrically insulating properties, to address the critical technological problem of heat management in electronic devices. The resulting new nanoscience and ground breaking design and processing techniques will have the capacity to address the current technical obstacles which are preventing further development of fast and smaller electronic devices.Read moreRead less
The great divergence, long-run growth and unified theories of economic growth. This project investigates why income has been close to subsistence levels for most of human history, and in particular, the factors that were responsible for take-off in Europe two centuries ago and then later in other countries. It is expected that both major and minor technological innovations have played a critical role in take-off.
Growth, IQ, diseases, and the great demographic transition. This project investigates firstly whether poor health and malnutrition among young children was a cause of severe cognitive impairment in the pre-industrialised West and in developing countries today, and secondly whether this has been a major factor behind the large disparities in income and growth over the 150 years since industrialisation.
Boolean plasmonics: the design of nano-optical logic gates. The success of this project will see the development of an all-optical nano-scale logic gate. Such a device will drastically improve communications and information technology. Standard lithographic techniques will be used ensuring reproducibility and mass production, placing Australia at the forefront of the photonic market.
Inequality and economic growth. This project aims to identify forces driving inequality. Piketty’s influential book, Capital in the 21st Century, stimulated research on inequality to address the increased public concern about inequality and its side-effects such as reduced growth. Piketty proposes three laws that explain and predict inequality paths over time, but there is no empirical evidence or theoretical foundations for these laws. This project will examine Piketty’s laws and investigate fa ....Inequality and economic growth. This project aims to identify forces driving inequality. Piketty’s influential book, Capital in the 21st Century, stimulated research on inequality to address the increased public concern about inequality and its side-effects such as reduced growth. Piketty proposes three laws that explain and predict inequality paths over time, but there is no empirical evidence or theoretical foundations for these laws. This project will examine Piketty’s laws and investigate factors that shape inequality and its relation to growth. This knowledge should enable Australian governments to reduce inequality and benefit economic growth, thereby reducing disadvantage and building stronger, more resilient communities.Read moreRead less
On-Chip Detection and Molecular Fingerprinting of Emerging Toxicants. The project aims to address key questions about the development and integration of advanced materials and functional molecules into cutting-edge analytical tools for screening emerging environmental pollutants. This is expected to generate fundamental and applied knowledge in analytical chemistry, using an interdisciplinary approach to engineer materials with precisely tailored properties for ultra-sensitive and selective dete ....On-Chip Detection and Molecular Fingerprinting of Emerging Toxicants. The project aims to address key questions about the development and integration of advanced materials and functional molecules into cutting-edge analytical tools for screening emerging environmental pollutants. This is expected to generate fundamental and applied knowledge in analytical chemistry, using an interdisciplinary approach to engineer materials with precisely tailored properties for ultra-sensitive and selective detection of extremely persistent toxicants in water. Anticipated outcomes are optical materials and functional molecules, integrated into lab-on-a-chip platforms with advanced features for real-life environmental applications – with significant benefits for addressing major environmental and health treats to our society.Read moreRead less
Bioinspired photo–iontronic membranes for smart neuron-mimicking systems. The project aims to address key fundamental questions about the development of bioinspired artificial nanochannels that can precisely mimic current signals and functionalities in neurons. This is expected to generate fundamental and applied knowledge in bioengineered photo–iontronic systems, harnessing a multidisciplinary approach to engineer materials with precisely tailored properties at the nanoscale for unprecedented d ....Bioinspired photo–iontronic membranes for smart neuron-mimicking systems. The project aims to address key fundamental questions about the development of bioinspired artificial nanochannels that can precisely mimic current signals and functionalities in neurons. This is expected to generate fundamental and applied knowledge in bioengineered photo–iontronic systems, harnessing a multidisciplinary approach to engineer materials with precisely tailored properties at the nanoscale for unprecedented dynamic control over ionic current through responsive, adaptable neuron-mimicking nanopores. Anticipated outcomes are advanced materials, integrated into smart architectures to overcome the limitations of solid-state systems for the next generation of integrated circuits, bio-interfacial sensors, and energy generators.Read moreRead less
Bioinspired photoreceptor and smart neural mimicking technologies. The project aims to address fundamental questions regarding bioinspired artificial photoreceptors and neural-mimicking technologies that precisely mimic light capture abilities of photoreceptors, processing of retinal ganglion cells and functionalities in neurons. This is expected to generate new fundamental and applied knowledge in bioengineered optoelectronic systems. Expected outcomes of the project include new materials with ....Bioinspired photoreceptor and smart neural mimicking technologies. The project aims to address fundamental questions regarding bioinspired artificial photoreceptors and neural-mimicking technologies that precisely mimic light capture abilities of photoreceptors, processing of retinal ganglion cells and functionalities in neurons. This is expected to generate new fundamental and applied knowledge in bioengineered optoelectronic systems. Expected outcomes of the project include new materials with tailored properties at an atomic level for dynamic control of current under different light stimulus wavelengths. This should provide significant benefits such as new advanced materials driven smart architectures that overcome limitations of solid-state systems for next generation of smart technologies. Read moreRead less
Unravelling the rules on particle assembly into superstructures. Nanoparticle superstructures are assemblies of particles that exhibit high surface-to-volume ratio, periodicity and large packing density useful for drug delivery, photonics, sensing and energy storage. To realise the potential of these materials requires a predicative understanding of how interparticle forces control superstructure formation. This project will create a one-of-its-kind multiscale simulation framework to tailor the ....Unravelling the rules on particle assembly into superstructures. Nanoparticle superstructures are assemblies of particles that exhibit high surface-to-volume ratio, periodicity and large packing density useful for drug delivery, photonics, sensing and energy storage. To realise the potential of these materials requires a predicative understanding of how interparticle forces control superstructure formation. This project will create a one-of-its-kind multiscale simulation framework to tailor the assembly of anisotropic engineered nanoparticles into superstructures in liquids. Nanoparticle assembly simulation will be validated with a novel particle tracking microscopy in solution-based studies. This will enable the design and large-scale production of nanomaterials with controlled properties and functions.Read moreRead less
Atomized mucoadhesive particles for pulmonary gene delivery. Scientific and technological advances in material science, biotechnology and biomedical devices are poised to revolutionise healthcare and medicine. By using precisely engineered biomaterials in an efficient miniature electronic inhalation device, a mist of inhalable therapeutics can be generated to deliver improved lung healthcare for Australians.