Poly-crystalline Thin Films for LASER Applications. This project is based on a recent discovery which reports LASER emission in disordered media such as polycrystalline ZnO. This behaviour appears to be related to the crystallographic properties of ZnO (wurztite) material. Using a novel deposition process the defect density, size of crystallites and macroscopic orientation within such thin films will be controlled independently. This will provide an opportunity to study the fundamental basis of ....Poly-crystalline Thin Films for LASER Applications. This project is based on a recent discovery which reports LASER emission in disordered media such as polycrystalline ZnO. This behaviour appears to be related to the crystallographic properties of ZnO (wurztite) material. Using a novel deposition process the defect density, size of crystallites and macroscopic orientation within such thin films will be controlled independently. This will provide an opportunity to study the fundamental basis of such behaviour. In conjunction with this the development of structure in similarly produced GaN (wurztite) films will be examined. This work should also provide practical information concerning the potential performance of LASER devices based on disordered materials.Read moreRead less
Biodegradable polymeric microparticles for targeted delivery. The use of microparticles with tuneable physicochemical properties and loading characteristics is of interest in the fields of biomaterials, drug delivery and imaging. Such engineered particles are likely to address problems associated with conventional drugs and drug carriers, including poor disease site selectivity, polymer toxicity, non-biodegradability and free diffusion of drugs throughout the body. These microparticles may provi ....Biodegradable polymeric microparticles for targeted delivery. The use of microparticles with tuneable physicochemical properties and loading characteristics is of interest in the fields of biomaterials, drug delivery and imaging. Such engineered particles are likely to address problems associated with conventional drugs and drug carriers, including poor disease site selectivity, polymer toxicity, non-biodegradability and free diffusion of drugs throughout the body. These microparticles may provide direct advantages to society, including minimally invasive and fast in-vivo diagnostics, localised delivery of drugs and therapeutic agents with increased bioavailability, patient acceptability and reduced healthcare costs.Read moreRead less
Thin Films of Oxide Ceramics. Aluminium oxide films are used extensively in the Australian industries of Protective & Decorative Coatings (examples include door-knobs and cutting-tools). The industry will be offered a remarkably simple process for preparation of high quality films. In the microelectronic industry, the uses of aluminium oxide films as a dielectric alternative to silicon dioxide has just started to emerge world - wide and this new process would make a dramatic impact with commerci ....Thin Films of Oxide Ceramics. Aluminium oxide films are used extensively in the Australian industries of Protective & Decorative Coatings (examples include door-knobs and cutting-tools). The industry will be offered a remarkably simple process for preparation of high quality films. In the microelectronic industry, the uses of aluminium oxide films as a dielectric alternative to silicon dioxide has just started to emerge world - wide and this new process would make a dramatic impact with commercial benefits for Australia. Read moreRead less
Low viscosity, high ionic conductivity ionic liquids for lithium metal batteries. Current consumer electronic devices rely on lithium-ion batteries to provide a high energy density power source. There are growing safety concerns about the electrolytes in these devices after recent incidents involving fires in mobile phones. Recent advances in ionic liquids (ILs) have seen the development of new electrolytes for such devices, with enhanced physical properties that offer major safety advantages. H ....Low viscosity, high ionic conductivity ionic liquids for lithium metal batteries. Current consumer electronic devices rely on lithium-ion batteries to provide a high energy density power source. There are growing safety concerns about the electrolytes in these devices after recent incidents involving fires in mobile phones. Recent advances in ionic liquids (ILs) have seen the development of new electrolytes for such devices, with enhanced physical properties that offer major safety advantages. However, the viscosity of these materials currently limit their capabilities. New IL materials to be developed in this project will pave the way for the development of safer devices and new sustainable energy industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
Better Batteries via Controlling the Properties of Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide. Physical properties of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) such as crystal structure, morphology and electrochemical characteristics determine its usefulness in alkaline batteries. However, the relationship between these parameters is not well understood. This APAI project will attempt to address these shortcomings in the current understanding of the production process by focussing on the relationships between fu ....Better Batteries via Controlling the Properties of Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide. Physical properties of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) such as crystal structure, morphology and electrochemical characteristics determine its usefulness in alkaline batteries. However, the relationship between these parameters is not well understood. This APAI project will attempt to address these shortcomings in the current understanding of the production process by focussing on the relationships between fundamental physical, chemical and electrochemical properties of EMD. The results will be of benefit in optimising the process and ensuring that EMD with superior performance can be consistently produced.Read moreRead less
Template-Free Synthesis of Zeolite Nanocrystals and Their Application for Zeolite-Polymer Nanocomposites. A novel method is proposed for template-free synthesis of zeolite nanocrystals, in which polymer hydrogels will be used, in-situ, to control zeolite nucleation and growth from precursor solutions. The as-synthesised and surface modified zeolite nanocrystals will be used to fabricate zeolite-polymer nanocomposites, which will have significant applications in areas including gas separation, ca ....Template-Free Synthesis of Zeolite Nanocrystals and Their Application for Zeolite-Polymer Nanocomposites. A novel method is proposed for template-free synthesis of zeolite nanocrystals, in which polymer hydrogels will be used, in-situ, to control zeolite nucleation and growth from precursor solutions. The as-synthesised and surface modified zeolite nanocrystals will be used to fabricate zeolite-polymer nanocomposites, which will have significant applications in areas including gas separation, catalysts and fuel cells.Read moreRead less
Understanding, prediction and control of polymorphism in pharmaceuticals. The proposed research will lead, through a better understanding of polymorphism, to more efficient production of pharmaceuticals and will enhance the establishment and protection of patents. The work will have flow-on in other areas such as the manufacture of pigments, dyes and explosives. The project uses methodology for the elucidation of local structure and function at the atomic to nanoscale level in which Australia is ....Understanding, prediction and control of polymorphism in pharmaceuticals. The proposed research will lead, through a better understanding of polymorphism, to more efficient production of pharmaceuticals and will enhance the establishment and protection of patents. The work will have flow-on in other areas such as the manufacture of pigments, dyes and explosives. The project uses methodology for the elucidation of local structure and function at the atomic to nanoscale level in which Australia is a world leader. The project will further enhance our standing in this field and will provide excellent research training opportunities in areas particularly pertinent to future exploitation of the Australian Synchrotron and the new Research Reactor OPAL, which open in 2007. Read moreRead less
Materials World Network: Nanostructured Polymer Templating of Liquid Crystals. Liquid crystals have a range of technological applications, with the most successful being displays used in computers, watches and calculators. These applications are dependent on controlling the interfaces of liquid crystals. This project will combine the areas of liquid crystals and polymer adsorption for the preparation of a new class of intelligent nanomaterials with well-defined properties. These engineered mater ....Materials World Network: Nanostructured Polymer Templating of Liquid Crystals. Liquid crystals have a range of technological applications, with the most successful being displays used in computers, watches and calculators. These applications are dependent on controlling the interfaces of liquid crystals. This project will combine the areas of liquid crystals and polymer adsorption for the preparation of a new class of intelligent nanomaterials with well-defined properties. These engineered materials are of interest in industrial applications, including the development of chemical and biological sensors and drug delivery vehicles. This program also strengthens the ties between two world-class nanotechnology groups, capturing new opportunities in nanostructured materials.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560679
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$932,870.00
Summary
Materials and Surface Characterisation Facility. Australian scientists are well positioned to be at the forefront of nanotechnology, biotechnology and advanced materials development. The proposed Facility, housing state-of-the-art equipment, will enable cutting-edge research in these areas by internationally renowned researchers at the University of Melbourne, Monash University, RMIT University, and CSIRO. Such research will facilitate the development of advanced materials for diverse applicatio ....Materials and Surface Characterisation Facility. Australian scientists are well positioned to be at the forefront of nanotechnology, biotechnology and advanced materials development. The proposed Facility, housing state-of-the-art equipment, will enable cutting-edge research in these areas by internationally renowned researchers at the University of Melbourne, Monash University, RMIT University, and CSIRO. Such research will facilitate the development of advanced materials for diverse applications including drug delivery, quantum computing, photonics and tissue engineering. The multi-user Facility will enable closer collaboration with researchers in academia and industry, and will be integral in training the next generation of Australian scientists in the nano- and biosciences.Read moreRead less
Controlled Macromolecular Architectures for Functional Nanomaterials Design. The research involves an exciting and innovative collaboration between two internationally recognized Australian research groups, cementing Australia's position as a leading country for research in polymer science and nanotechnology. Advanced polymer chemistry will be used to make ?smart? polymers that can controllably respond to changes in their surroundings. These will then be assembled to form materials with dimensio ....Controlled Macromolecular Architectures for Functional Nanomaterials Design. The research involves an exciting and innovative collaboration between two internationally recognized Australian research groups, cementing Australia's position as a leading country for research in polymer science and nanotechnology. Advanced polymer chemistry will be used to make ?smart? polymers that can controllably respond to changes in their surroundings. These will then be assembled to form materials with dimensions of the order of millionths of millimeters - forming so-called "smart nanomaterials". The materials prepared are expected to find application in the agricultural and pharmaceutical sectors, contributing to the well-being of Australian citizens and the development of a robust Australian industry.Read moreRead less