An investigation of the mechanism of lacquer adhesion failure on electrolytic tinplate. "Tin" cans used for food packaging are actually made from tin-plated steel and, in most cases, the metal is coated with a lacquer. This lacquer is required to protect the can from corrosion and the contents from taint. The incidence of adhesion failure between the metal and the lacquer has increased recently for unknown reasons, causing considerable economic loss. This project will investigate the mechanisms ....An investigation of the mechanism of lacquer adhesion failure on electrolytic tinplate. "Tin" cans used for food packaging are actually made from tin-plated steel and, in most cases, the metal is coated with a lacquer. This lacquer is required to protect the can from corrosion and the contents from taint. The incidence of adhesion failure between the metal and the lacquer has increased recently for unknown reasons, causing considerable economic loss. This project will investigate the mechanisms of adhesion failure and improve our fundamental understanding of the problem. The results will be used to enable the selection of process conditions and lacquers that are more robust and reduce the incidence of adhesion failure.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms and modelling of gels for protein separation. Gradipore approached Sydney University to collaborate on fundamental science needed to improve polymer gels for separation and characterization of proteins. These gels have many applications: e.g. proteomics and diagnostics. Presently, control of polymer microstructure in the synthesis of these gels is by trial and error. This project will create an accurate model of the process so pore size can be predicted. This involves novel work in ex ....Mechanisms and modelling of gels for protein separation. Gradipore approached Sydney University to collaborate on fundamental science needed to improve polymer gels for separation and characterization of proteins. These gels have many applications: e.g. proteomics and diagnostics. Presently, control of polymer microstructure in the synthesis of these gels is by trial and error. This project will create an accurate model of the process so pore size can be predicted. This involves novel work in experimental and theoretical methods developed by the Sydney University group. The result will be qualitative and quantitative understanding which can be subsequently used to tailor-make gels for new applications.Read moreRead less
New photoinitiators and polymers for tack-free LED cured surface coatings. This project aims to develop surface coatings curable by energy from Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS) by overcoming existing hurdles, while improving workplace health and safety.
The project expects to achieve this by developing a new class of photoinitiator molecules, with enhanced reactivity, via a unique understanding of synthesis, photochemistry and commercial coatings formulation.
Outcomes will be new surface coatings ....New photoinitiators and polymers for tack-free LED cured surface coatings. This project aims to develop surface coatings curable by energy from Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS) by overcoming existing hurdles, while improving workplace health and safety.
The project expects to achieve this by developing a new class of photoinitiator molecules, with enhanced reactivity, via a unique understanding of synthesis, photochemistry and commercial coatings formulation.
Outcomes will be new surface coatings for a wide range of end uses, publication in high ranking journals and commercialisation of the technology.
Benefits of this project will include elimination of mercury and reduction in exposure to solvents in the Australian workplace, and a lower energy requirement to produce high-quality surface coated products.Read moreRead less
Polymers for Novel Surfactants. The aim of the proposed research is to develop novel surface-active polymers with complex architectures and more efficient strategies for the synthesis of surface-active polymers in general. We will exploit the polymerization characteristics of the novel catalytic chain transfer and radical addition-fragmentation transfer polymerization techniques to achieve polymerization control that has been virtually impossible hitherto. The proposed research will thus make ....Polymers for Novel Surfactants. The aim of the proposed research is to develop novel surface-active polymers with complex architectures and more efficient strategies for the synthesis of surface-active polymers in general. We will exploit the polymerization characteristics of the novel catalytic chain transfer and radical addition-fragmentation transfer polymerization techniques to achieve polymerization control that has been virtually impossible hitherto. The proposed research will thus make accessible a wide range of novel surface-active polymers that have been impossible to synthesise to date, and which we expect to be more efficient and hence leads to greener technologies.
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Janus particles and nanorattles: new materials for paint technology. This project will pave the way for self cleaning paints that achieve opacity with greatly reduced titanium dioxide levels. Painted surfaces will maintain their clean and new look for longer and a clean town look will be much more readily maintained. More efficient use of titanium dioxide will reduce the need for sand mining and reduce the cost of quality paint.
Why is ColorbondR steel greener on the other side of the fence? Designing additives to retard weathering of surface coatings. COLORBONDR steel, the flagship pre-painted steel product of BlueScope Steel Limited, has become an iconic part of both suburban and outback landscapes whether installed as roofing, walling or water conservation accessories (tanks, down-pipes etc). This proposal aims to provide a detailed understanding of molecular level changes in COLORBONDR steel surface coatings brought ....Why is ColorbondR steel greener on the other side of the fence? Designing additives to retard weathering of surface coatings. COLORBONDR steel, the flagship pre-painted steel product of BlueScope Steel Limited, has become an iconic part of both suburban and outback landscapes whether installed as roofing, walling or water conservation accessories (tanks, down-pipes etc). This proposal aims to provide a detailed understanding of molecular level changes in COLORBONDR steel surface coatings brought about by levels of heat and radiation encountered in-service. These insights will lead to further improvements in both lifetime and aesthetic durability of COLORBONDR steel, ensuring continuing economic success of BlueScope in the domestic building market with consequent benefits to manufacturing communities throughout the supply-chain nationwide.Read moreRead less
Polymer micro-capsules for stain-resistant paint. This project aims to create an advanced micro-capsule system to be used in the manufacturing of high-performance waterborne paints on a large scale. Surface coatings seal, strengthen, and decorate the majority of surfaces in the building industry. Despite their importance, advances in paint science have only been incremental and a truly stain-resistant, robust and environmentally friendly coating has yet to be developed. This project will use pol ....Polymer micro-capsules for stain-resistant paint. This project aims to create an advanced micro-capsule system to be used in the manufacturing of high-performance waterborne paints on a large scale. Surface coatings seal, strengthen, and decorate the majority of surfaces in the building industry. Despite their importance, advances in paint science have only been incremental and a truly stain-resistant, robust and environmentally friendly coating has yet to be developed. This project will use polymer Janus nanoparticles to radically redesign architectural coatings, with the goal to reduce the use of non-renewable components, and increase stain-resistance and durability. This new technology will lead to less disruption for the environment, and important economic and technological benefits for Australia.Read moreRead less
Hermetic bonding of biomedical polymers for cardiac-assist devices. The use of a polymeric ventricular assist device will bring a much better quality of life to patients with end-stage heart failure. The project will address the remaining challenge, the creation of a hermetic polymer seal, enabling the development of a small, light and highly efficient heart pump. The project has the potential to improve the lives of many Australians as our demographic profile shifts towards older people. Patie ....Hermetic bonding of biomedical polymers for cardiac-assist devices. The use of a polymeric ventricular assist device will bring a much better quality of life to patients with end-stage heart failure. The project will address the remaining challenge, the creation of a hermetic polymer seal, enabling the development of a small, light and highly efficient heart pump. The project has the potential to improve the lives of many Australians as our demographic profile shifts towards older people. Patients with advanced heart failure will live longer, with a higher quality of life. It will assist heart failure sufferers to remain productive members of our community, because many people who use the device will be fit to return to work.Read moreRead less
Manipulating the self-assembly properties of fungal hydrophobin proteins for the design of novel biological polymers. Hydrophobin-based products will be novel biocompatible and biodegradable products with applications in the fields of medical implants, biosensors, detergents, coatings and pharmaceutical and industrial emulsions. They have the potential to directly improve the lives of all Australians and to be of benefit to the Australian economy and environment. This collaborative research pro ....Manipulating the self-assembly properties of fungal hydrophobin proteins for the design of novel biological polymers. Hydrophobin-based products will be novel biocompatible and biodegradable products with applications in the fields of medical implants, biosensors, detergents, coatings and pharmaceutical and industrial emulsions. They have the potential to directly improve the lives of all Australians and to be of benefit to the Australian economy and environment. This collaborative research project will enable Australian scientists to gain from working with a multinational company and to acquire skills in the rapidly expanding fields of structural and molecular biology. The University of Sydney will own any intellectual property arising from this work and will benefit from the commercialisation of hydrophobin-based products.Read moreRead less
Key Functional Additives in Paint Technology. The goal of this project is to create two novel advanced particle systems with complex architecture that can be manufactured on a large scale, which aim to lead to high-performance waterborne paints. It is intended that these paints will have three functional characteristics: provide more efficient use of titanium dioxide; display pronounced water-resistance; and contribute to removing the need for organic solvents from the gloss paint sector. This r ....Key Functional Additives in Paint Technology. The goal of this project is to create two novel advanced particle systems with complex architecture that can be manufactured on a large scale, which aim to lead to high-performance waterborne paints. It is intended that these paints will have three functional characteristics: provide more efficient use of titanium dioxide; display pronounced water-resistance; and contribute to removing the need for organic solvents from the gloss paint sector. This research aims to provide the means to create paint films with greatly improved properties at reduced cost, with reduced requirement for non-renewable resources and reduced environmental footprint.Read moreRead less