Biomolecular activity modulated by interaction with nanostructures. Nanotechnological methods are able to reliably fabricate artificial nanostructures with dimensions similar to those of large biomolecules (a few to tens of nanometers). This study focuses on the interaction of artificial nanostructures with biomolecules such as proteins and DNA, and will enable scientists to better understand biomolecular recognition and binding events, which are central to all biological processes. The underst ....Biomolecular activity modulated by interaction with nanostructures. Nanotechnological methods are able to reliably fabricate artificial nanostructures with dimensions similar to those of large biomolecules (a few to tens of nanometers). This study focuses on the interaction of artificial nanostructures with biomolecules such as proteins and DNA, and will enable scientists to better understand biomolecular recognition and binding events, which are central to all biological processes. The understanding gained can then be used to design biomimetic surfaces for use in health monitoring and medical diagnostic devices with improved sensitivity, robustness and portability, thereby providing significant benefits to the health sector.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
Novel Nanofibre-Templated Nanotubes Prepared by Using ABA Block Copolymers. The aim of this project is to prepare new, highly functional nanomaterials using layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolytes on a three-dimensional template. Using this approach, a core-shell fibre is initially prepared by alternate deposition of oppositely charged materials onto an electrospun fibre template. The initial fibre can then be dissolved to give hollow nanotubes. New block copolymers, incorporating both charg ....Novel Nanofibre-Templated Nanotubes Prepared by Using ABA Block Copolymers. The aim of this project is to prepare new, highly functional nanomaterials using layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolytes on a three-dimensional template. Using this approach, a core-shell fibre is initially prepared by alternate deposition of oppositely charged materials onto an electrospun fibre template. The initial fibre can then be dissolved to give hollow nanotubes. New block copolymers, incorporating both charged and uncharged domains, will be used in the assembly, in order to design tubes with novel properties. The behaviour of these tubes under a variety of pH and solvent conditions will then be examined, and the tubes characterized using various microscopy techniques.Read moreRead less
New Biomimetic Nanostructured Coatings for Hip Implants. Over 30,000 hip implants operations take place in Australia each year, due largely to a significant and growing proportion of the population suffering from conditions such as osteoporosis. The coating on the implants, required to cause good bone ingrowth and adhesion between bone and implant, is far from perfect. We propose to spray coatings which mimic the structure of bone, and thus offer improved mechanical properties such as appropriat ....New Biomimetic Nanostructured Coatings for Hip Implants. Over 30,000 hip implants operations take place in Australia each year, due largely to a significant and growing proportion of the population suffering from conditions such as osteoporosis. The coating on the implants, required to cause good bone ingrowth and adhesion between bone and implant, is far from perfect. We propose to spray coatings which mimic the structure of bone, and thus offer improved mechanical properties such as appropriate rigidity and toughness, and stimulate better bone growth at the interface. In this way the implant should be much longer lasting and the need for undesirable revision surgery reduced. The processing technique proposed could also be a useful platform coating technology in a number of other industries.Read moreRead less
Bacterial cell behaviour in micro/nano-confined environments. The project aims to progress the understanding of the mechanisms of marine bacteria biofilm formation and surface-modulated metabolic response. We will adjust the surface characteristics of photopolymers (as ?model? surfaces) and probe the bacterial response to surfaces, passively with micro/nano-fabricated structures and Atomic Force Microscopy; and actively with optical manipulation of single cells. The results will contribute to th ....Bacterial cell behaviour in micro/nano-confined environments. The project aims to progress the understanding of the mechanisms of marine bacteria biofilm formation and surface-modulated metabolic response. We will adjust the surface characteristics of photopolymers (as ?model? surfaces) and probe the bacterial response to surfaces, passively with micro/nano-fabricated structures and Atomic Force Microscopy; and actively with optical manipulation of single cells. The results will contribute to the fundamental knowledge regarding central biological phenomena -down to single-cell processes- as well as on applied knowledge regarding the manufacturing of antimicrobial surfaces that mimic natural bactericide processes, with larger implications on biomedical practice, and environmental, civil, mining and manufacturing industrial applications.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882576
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$588,000.00
Summary
Polymer Characterization Facility (PCF). Future development of macromolecular and biotechnologies have the potential to revolutionize everyday life. Current applications include plastics for engineering, diagnostic devices for biochemical analysis, polymer therapeutics for drug delivery and prosthesis with specific functions. The proposed facility will provide the analytical tools required to probe and develop advanced materials with application in medicine, agriculture, composites, cosmetics, ....Polymer Characterization Facility (PCF). Future development of macromolecular and biotechnologies have the potential to revolutionize everyday life. Current applications include plastics for engineering, diagnostic devices for biochemical analysis, polymer therapeutics for drug delivery and prosthesis with specific functions. The proposed facility will provide the analytical tools required to probe and develop advanced materials with application in medicine, agriculture, composites, cosmetics, communications and electronics.Read moreRead less
Feasibility Studies of Using AC Electrospraying for Biomaterials Synthesis. The proposed interdisciplinary research is anticipated to benefit workers in academia and industry as well as clinicians and patients. Given the demand for point-of-care drug delivery, micro/nano-encapsulation and biomaterials synthesis, the research will be beneficial to the pharmaceutical industry and spin-off/start-up microfluidic businesses interested in commercially developing these devices. It is intended that the ....Feasibility Studies of Using AC Electrospraying for Biomaterials Synthesis. The proposed interdisciplinary research is anticipated to benefit workers in academia and industry as well as clinicians and patients. Given the demand for point-of-care drug delivery, micro/nano-encapsulation and biomaterials synthesis, the research will be beneficial to the pharmaceutical industry and spin-off/start-up microfluidic businesses interested in commercially developing these devices. It is intended that the work will improve quality of life by advancing biomaterials technology and by making medical treatment more readily accessable, portable and more efficient. For patients, the proposed drug delivery device can help prevent sudden initial bursts of dose during administration, which could potentially have fatal consequences.Read moreRead less
Biodegradable immuno-therapeutic nanoparticles. The national benefit relates directly to Promoting and Maintaining Good Health through preventative healthcare as this project will develop a new vaccine delivery platform that will contribute to preventing a host of diseases such as viral infections and malaria. The health benefits of better vaccines directly enhance a Healthy Start to Life and Ageing Well. This area of nanoparticle therapies is a global 'hot spot' and this multi-disciplinary team ....Biodegradable immuno-therapeutic nanoparticles. The national benefit relates directly to Promoting and Maintaining Good Health through preventative healthcare as this project will develop a new vaccine delivery platform that will contribute to preventing a host of diseases such as viral infections and malaria. The health benefits of better vaccines directly enhance a Healthy Start to Life and Ageing Well. This area of nanoparticle therapies is a global 'hot spot' and this multi-disciplinary team could make huge and rapid progressions in this area of therapeutics. New intellectual property in the area of therapeutic particle production is the cornerstone of this project and could deliver lasting economic benefits through the creation of new health products and patents.Read moreRead less