Novel Nano Particles for Advanced Automotive and Industrial Coatings. In conjunction with our industrial partner (DuPont Australia), this project will develop a new generation of automotive and industrial coatings. The technology developed from this project can integrate into the existing system. The new coatings will be environmentally friendly and will make a significant contribution to solve the emission issue of volatile organic compound (VOC) faced by the industry. The novel nano particles ....Novel Nano Particles for Advanced Automotive and Industrial Coatings. In conjunction with our industrial partner (DuPont Australia), this project will develop a new generation of automotive and industrial coatings. The technology developed from this project can integrate into the existing system. The new coatings will be environmentally friendly and will make a significant contribution to solve the emission issue of volatile organic compound (VOC) faced by the industry. The novel nano particles developed from this project will provide unique properties for automotive paint and can be commercialized at an acceptable price. The science involved in this project represents the cutting edge of world leading technology and will bring polymer science into a new field.Read moreRead less
Optimising paint adhesion to polymers. The Australian automotive export market (vehicles, parts, engines) is worth approximately $4,500 million p.a. and is a major employer in many areas. A reliable, cheap and efficient method for preparing polymer surfaces for painting will significantly benefit that market. The ability to manufacture quality, cheaper, lightweight parts improves the competitiveness of the local automotive industry. More importantly, a technology for production of cheap, high qu ....Optimising paint adhesion to polymers. The Australian automotive export market (vehicles, parts, engines) is worth approximately $4,500 million p.a. and is a major employer in many areas. A reliable, cheap and efficient method for preparing polymer surfaces for painting will significantly benefit that market. The ability to manufacture quality, cheaper, lightweight parts improves the competitiveness of the local automotive industry. More importantly, a technology for production of cheap, high quality painted polymer surfaces vastly improves the competitiveness of local component manufacturers who supply to international vehicle manufacturers. This project falls under the National Research Priority Area 'Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries'.Read moreRead less
New Electron Field Emission Films Based on Aligned Carbon Nanotube Guests in Liquid Crystalline Polymer Hosts. This project seeks to develop a new class of electron field emitting nanocomposite consisting of nanotubes in liquid crystalline polymers. Electron emitting materials are in much demand in x-ray and microwave generation, computer displays and low-energy lighting. We utilise the ready alignability of liquid crystalline units in magnetic fields to cause realignment of incorporated carbon ....New Electron Field Emission Films Based on Aligned Carbon Nanotube Guests in Liquid Crystalline Polymer Hosts. This project seeks to develop a new class of electron field emitting nanocomposite consisting of nanotubes in liquid crystalline polymers. Electron emitting materials are in much demand in x-ray and microwave generation, computer displays and low-energy lighting. We utilise the ready alignability of liquid crystalline units in magnetic fields to cause realignment of incorporated carbon nanotubes, followed by polymer solidification to maintain orientation. It involves low temperature processing, contrasting very favourably with current problematic, high temperature processes. This allows materials to be cast on flexible polymer substrates, potentially enabling construction of cathode tubes to replace existing mercury-containing fluorescent lighting.Read moreRead less
Soft solids rheology and filled elastomeric networks. Elastomeric networks that have imbedded particles are considerably more difficult to model than unfilled networks because the imbedded particles deform the trajectory of the chains. Any treatment must incorporate this dual nature of the network. Our work will address this important issue with particular reference to two important materials - liquid crystalline elastomers and bread dough. We aim to produce an accurate mathematical description ....Soft solids rheology and filled elastomeric networks. Elastomeric networks that have imbedded particles are considerably more difficult to model than unfilled networks because the imbedded particles deform the trajectory of the chains. Any treatment must incorporate this dual nature of the network. Our work will address this important issue with particular reference to two important materials - liquid crystalline elastomers and bread dough. We aim to produce an accurate mathematical description of filled soft viscoelastic solids, which include compressibility and yielding - two important new features.Read moreRead less
THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF BLOCK COPOLYMER MELTS AS NANO-MATERIALS. We shall theoretically study and predict the possible morphologies of a wide range of block copolymer architectures with a combination of simulations and accurate numerical theories. These block copolymer melts are of great technological importance because they can self-assemble into morphological patterns which are periodic on a nano-scale. Hence they are now being intensively investigated for uses in applications ....THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF BLOCK COPOLYMER MELTS AS NANO-MATERIALS. We shall theoretically study and predict the possible morphologies of a wide range of block copolymer architectures with a combination of simulations and accurate numerical theories. These block copolymer melts are of great technological importance because they can self-assemble into morphological patterns which are periodic on a nano-scale. Hence they are now being intensively investigated for uses in applications as diverse as lithographic templates for electronic and optical devices, nano-porous membranes and photonic band gap materials. We shall verify our theoretical predictions by carrying out experiments on the various molecular architectures that we have studied theoretically.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354521
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Network for Advanced Materials for Engineering Applications. Advances in modern technology and a competitive manufacturing industry depend critically on new and improved materials. The pace of change is rapid, and many countries are taking steps to improve and coordinate developments. Australia has a very successful record of materials research and innovation and is developing a substantial infrastructure in the area. However, the materials research community is scattered, and research effect ....Network for Advanced Materials for Engineering Applications. Advances in modern technology and a competitive manufacturing industry depend critically on new and improved materials. The pace of change is rapid, and many countries are taking steps to improve and coordinate developments. Australia has a very successful record of materials research and innovation and is developing a substantial infrastructure in the area. However, the materials research community is scattered, and research effectiveness is sometimes lessened by a lack of critical mass. This network will bring together university, government and industry researchers, and promote collaborative research, access to each other's facilities, staff and student exchanges, improved access to existing infrastructure and coordinated planning for new acquisitions.Read moreRead less
New Types of Biomimetic Nanostructured Adhesives. Adhesives are one of the main ways in which we join materials, and have many advantages over other methods of joining. In this work we will make a new class of adhesive using nanotechnology that attempts to copy the very fine-haired feet of animals such as geckos who can stick to almost any surface, under most conditions. We will make these adhesives over large surface areas, and thus they will have commercial possibilities in a range of high tec ....New Types of Biomimetic Nanostructured Adhesives. Adhesives are one of the main ways in which we join materials, and have many advantages over other methods of joining. In this work we will make a new class of adhesive using nanotechnology that attempts to copy the very fine-haired feet of animals such as geckos who can stick to almost any surface, under most conditions. We will make these adhesives over large surface areas, and thus they will have commercial possibilities in a range of high technology industries, as well as in harsh environments. Because we will be able to manipulate the structure and observe property changes, it should also give us a greater insight into the adhesion mechanisms used by many small animals and bugs.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560981
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$160,940.00
Summary
Confronting the Challenges in Modern Spectroscopy of Polymers. Polymers and nanocomposites are increasingly being used in new, high value applications as diverse as medicine, structural engineering, optics and electronics. In order to control and understand polymer performance, a detailed knowledge of the chemical structure at all stages in their lifecycle is required - in the liquid, rubber and solid states and during degradation. This application seeks to establish a coordinated Polymer Spectr ....Confronting the Challenges in Modern Spectroscopy of Polymers. Polymers and nanocomposites are increasingly being used in new, high value applications as diverse as medicine, structural engineering, optics and electronics. In order to control and understand polymer performance, a detailed knowledge of the chemical structure at all stages in their lifecycle is required - in the liquid, rubber and solid states and during degradation. This application seeks to establish a coordinated Polymer Spectroscopy Network using new forms of infrared and NMR spectroscopy to probe samples (usually of an non-planar geometry) in a range of configurations. These will be used simultaneously with other techniques such as rheology or thermogravimetry, and will produce capabilities unique in Australia.Read moreRead less
The development of super-toughened epoxies using a novel nanomaterial. Epoxy resins are widely used as structural adhesives and coatings in engineering structures. This project will address the problem of the intrinsic brittleness of epoxy by making it significantly tougher with superior performance and cost-effectiveness. Our technology for producing super-toughened epoxy will lead to a wide range of applications for new and existing products in the construction, automotive, aerospace, adhesive ....The development of super-toughened epoxies using a novel nanomaterial. Epoxy resins are widely used as structural adhesives and coatings in engineering structures. This project will address the problem of the intrinsic brittleness of epoxy by making it significantly tougher with superior performance and cost-effectiveness. Our technology for producing super-toughened epoxy will lead to a wide range of applications for new and existing products in the construction, automotive, aerospace, adhesive and microelectronics industries.Read moreRead less
Switchable interfaces. The discovery project will challenge some of the most demanding issues regarding adhesion and molecular separation: - Surfaces that can release/prevent bio-film formation can provide novel solutions for corrosion-protection, implants, anti-fouling in medical devices as well as in industrial piping and reactors. - Materials for separation on the molecular level, which can bring new possibilities for fast and selective processes to the pharmaceutical industry. The novel comb ....Switchable interfaces. The discovery project will challenge some of the most demanding issues regarding adhesion and molecular separation: - Surfaces that can release/prevent bio-film formation can provide novel solutions for corrosion-protection, implants, anti-fouling in medical devices as well as in industrial piping and reactors. - Materials for separation on the molecular level, which can bring new possibilities for fast and selective processes to the pharmaceutical industry. The novel combination of the two materials research fields - plasma-polymerisation and electroactive materials- will lead to an international capability at the forefront of separation and adhesion research.Read moreRead less