Microspheres from (Sun)Light – A Sustainable Materials Platform. This project will break new ground in light-induced step-growth precipitation polymerisation techniques for polymer particle formation that do not require any initiator, surfactants, additives or heating, thus constituting an environmentally friendly process. The project will establish the underpinning photochemical particle formation processes and establish a broad monomer base for the production of particles with a wide property ....Microspheres from (Sun)Light – A Sustainable Materials Platform. This project will break new ground in light-induced step-growth precipitation polymerisation techniques for polymer particle formation that do not require any initiator, surfactants, additives or heating, thus constituting an environmentally friendly process. The project will establish the underpinning photochemical particle formation processes and establish a broad monomer base for the production of particles with a wide property profile, including particles with tailored surface properties and the ability to degrade upon a defined trigger signal. Scaling the particles' synthesis, including using Australian sunlight, will enable multi-gram production allowing real-world applications.Read moreRead less
Advanced Materials from Automated Synthesis of Sequence-Defined Polymers. The project aims to develop industrially scalable and environmentally friendly methods for synthesis of sequence-defined multiblock copolymers (polymer chains containing segments of different polymer types) using automated synthesis methods. The materials to be explored will be largely based on renewable biomass-derived monomeric building blocks. Such polymers are able to undergo microphase separation into spatially period ....Advanced Materials from Automated Synthesis of Sequence-Defined Polymers. The project aims to develop industrially scalable and environmentally friendly methods for synthesis of sequence-defined multiblock copolymers (polymer chains containing segments of different polymer types) using automated synthesis methods. The materials to be explored will be largely based on renewable biomass-derived monomeric building blocks. Such polymers are able to undergo microphase separation into spatially periodic compositional patterns, thereby providing access to a vast range of nano-engineered materials. This would enable design and synthesis of new advanced materials, making use of renewable resources and supporting the circular economy, with diverse potential applications ranging from nanomedicine to materials science.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
Transforming Current Design Practice for Controlled Modulus Columns . Current design methods used for Controlled Modulus Column-supported embankments are outdated and uneconomical. This project aims to use innovative numerical and image processing techniques to develop new design methods that use 100% recyclable, environmentally friendly and highly durable EPS geofoam. Outcomes will advance the fundamental knowledge of bearing capacity increase of columns due to formation of smear zone and damag ....Transforming Current Design Practice for Controlled Modulus Columns . Current design methods used for Controlled Modulus Column-supported embankments are outdated and uneconomical. This project aims to use innovative numerical and image processing techniques to develop new design methods that use 100% recyclable, environmentally friendly and highly durable EPS geofoam. Outcomes will advance the fundamental knowledge of bearing capacity increase of columns due to formation of smear zone and damages to nearby columns during installation. Numerical tools and design guidelines will be developed for engineers. The benefits include the design and construction of lighter, cheaper, safer and more stable embankments with significant cost and environmental gains from future infrastructure developments in Australia.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101662
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,958.00
Summary
Reusable Fire-Resistant Column Rehabilitation with Fibre Reinforced Polymer. The application of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in structural rehabilitation is sometimes challenged or opposed due to the limitation of its fire resistance. This project aims to solve the fire resistance problem of FRP in column jacketing work using innovative approaches. The proposed scheme will be developed by using advanced materials and mechanical fastening technology. It can ensure structural servicea ....Reusable Fire-Resistant Column Rehabilitation with Fibre Reinforced Polymer. The application of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in structural rehabilitation is sometimes challenged or opposed due to the limitation of its fire resistance. This project aims to solve the fire resistance problem of FRP in column jacketing work using innovative approaches. The proposed scheme will be developed by using advanced materials and mechanical fastening technology. It can ensure structural serviceability of FRP jackets during a fire. And after the fire, the proposed jacketing scheme is reusable by applying a new layer of epoxy. The project is expected to advance the theory and technologies in structural rehabilitation. It will also provide significant benefits to the construction industry via sustainable construction.Read moreRead less
4D Printed Origami Structures: Deformation Mechanisms and Mechanics. This project aims to understand the physics and self-folding mechanisms of 4D printed origami structures and materials by utilising interdisciplinary approaches. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the areas of origami engineering and structural mechanics. The success of this project will form a foundation for studying shape-shifting and sequential control of smart origamis. The fundamental mechanics will be appli ....4D Printed Origami Structures: Deformation Mechanisms and Mechanics. This project aims to understand the physics and self-folding mechanisms of 4D printed origami structures and materials by utilising interdisciplinary approaches. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the areas of origami engineering and structural mechanics. The success of this project will form a foundation for studying shape-shifting and sequential control of smart origamis. The fundamental mechanics will be applied to characterise and design novel smart materials/structures with tuneable shape-morphing and mechanical performance. This should provide significant benefits to improvement of their safety, stability and reliability performance in applications such as space engineering, wearable technology and smart robotics.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100406
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,000.00
Summary
Next generation Floating Structures with High-Performance Composites. Floating structures are facing severe deterioration problem due to steel corrosion. This project proposes to address the deterioration problem by developing prefabricated high-performance fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP)-ultra-high performance cementitious (UHPC) composite elements for future floating structures. FRP-UHPC composite elements have excellent strength-to-weight ratio and improved durability. Basic mechanical propert ....Next generation Floating Structures with High-Performance Composites. Floating structures are facing severe deterioration problem due to steel corrosion. This project proposes to address the deterioration problem by developing prefabricated high-performance fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP)-ultra-high performance cementitious (UHPC) composite elements for future floating structures. FRP-UHPC composite elements have excellent strength-to-weight ratio and improved durability. Basic mechanical properties and durability of FRP-UHPC composites will be investigated. Also, reliable connection device for FRP-UHPC structural units will be proposed and verified. The project is expected to provide durable floating structures with low maintenance cost, leading to a revolution of the current floating structures.Read moreRead less
Polymer nanofibres for advanced paint formulations. Surface coatings seal, strengthen, and decorate the majority of surfaces in the building industry—a $72 billion market. Despite their importance, advances in paint science have only been incremental and a truly robust and water resistant paint coating has yet to be developed. Dulux Group Australia and the University of Sydney will use polymer nanofibres as additives to radically redesign architectural coatings, with the goal to drastically incr ....Polymer nanofibres for advanced paint formulations. Surface coatings seal, strengthen, and decorate the majority of surfaces in the building industry—a $72 billion market. Despite their importance, advances in paint science have only been incremental and a truly robust and water resistant paint coating has yet to be developed. Dulux Group Australia and the University of Sydney will use polymer nanofibres as additives to radically redesign architectural coatings, with the goal to drastically increase their durability. The partnership will bring a technological breakthrough that will lead to less disruption for the environment, and important economic and technological benefits for Australia.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL170100014
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,275,680.00
Summary
Light-Induced chemical modularity: a new frontier in macromolecular design. This project aims to develop powerful light-driven chemistries for the modular construction of advanced macromolecular materials. The expected outcome is a versatile, light-based precision macromolecular synthetic technology platform, enabling critical advances in soft matter material design and synthesis, ranging from selectivity control of chemical reactions and information-coded and biomimetic light-responsive macromo ....Light-Induced chemical modularity: a new frontier in macromolecular design. This project aims to develop powerful light-driven chemistries for the modular construction of advanced macromolecular materials. The expected outcome is a versatile, light-based precision macromolecular synthetic technology platform, enabling critical advances in soft matter material design and synthesis, ranging from selectivity control of chemical reactions and information-coded and biomimetic light-responsive macromolecules to advanced functional photoresists for 3D laser lithography as well as materials that self-report structural transformations by light or are reprogrammable in their properties by photonic fields. Harnessing the power of light as a precision tool for the construction of advanced macromolecular materials will provide technology outcomes for Australian manufacturing industries from electronics to health. This includes laser-driven 3D printing technology at the nano-level, light-adaptive smart reprogrammable coatings and materials, synthetic proteins responsive to light as well as tailor-made single cell niches.Read moreRead less
Bioinspired Ceramifiable Fire-Retardant Composite Coatings. This project aims to design bioinspired, adhesive, ceramifiable fire-retardant coatings through understanding their composition-property relationship and fire-retardant mechanism. The fire-retardant coatings are then applied to typical polymer foams to create fire-safe building thermal insulation materials. This project will generate new knowledge in materials science that helps to expedite next-generation advanced fire-retardant coatin ....Bioinspired Ceramifiable Fire-Retardant Composite Coatings. This project aims to design bioinspired, adhesive, ceramifiable fire-retardant coatings through understanding their composition-property relationship and fire-retardant mechanism. The fire-retardant coatings are then applied to typical polymer foams to create fire-safe building thermal insulation materials. This project will generate new knowledge in materials science that helps to expedite next-generation advanced fire-retardant coatings for a variety of flammable substrates. Expected outcomes of this project are cost-effective fire-retardant coatings and fire-safe, inexpensive thermal insulation materials. This project will bring significant economic benefits to Australia and help to create fire-resilient and energy-efficient buildings.Read moreRead less