Electrochemistry of redox-active non-metal compounds. Unsaturated compounds of heavier non-metal elements can exist in multiple stable redox states. The interconversion is best assessed by electrochemical techniques, which can measure the energetics and the mechanism of the redox processes involved in both solution and solid state phases. Compounds to be studied will be prepared in the Canadian laboratories of the partner investigator. The electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties ....Electrochemistry of redox-active non-metal compounds. Unsaturated compounds of heavier non-metal elements can exist in multiple stable redox states. The interconversion is best assessed by electrochemical techniques, which can measure the energetics and the mechanism of the redox processes involved in both solution and solid state phases. Compounds to be studied will be prepared in the Canadian laboratories of the partner investigator. The electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties will initially be investigated in Australia during the visit of the partner investigator to Monash University with follow up studies in both countries. The mutual skills of synthesis and electrochemistry in the Canadian-Australian laboratories are essential to the project.Read moreRead less
Stabilisation of Titania Pigment Slurries During Processing. This project aims to improve the stabilisation properties of titania pigment slurries during production. Current polyphosphate dispersants used by Tiwest are unstable under processing conditions. Tailored, robust dispersing reagents will therefore be investigated in order to provide improved stabilisation of pigments during processing. Enhanced understanding of the dispersing reagents interaction with the titania pigment surface and th ....Stabilisation of Titania Pigment Slurries During Processing. This project aims to improve the stabilisation properties of titania pigment slurries during production. Current polyphosphate dispersants used by Tiwest are unstable under processing conditions. Tailored, robust dispersing reagents will therefore be investigated in order to provide improved stabilisation of pigments during processing. Enhanced understanding of the dispersing reagents interaction with the titania pigment surface and the subsequent stability of the pigment will allow advances in processing and consequently improved final products. The potential growth in market share, by improved product performance, is in excess of $50M pa.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
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0221983
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$900,000.00
Summary
Interface, Particle and Complex Fluid Characterisation Laboratory. This laboratory will provide a state-of-the-art characterisation facility for complex fluids. This will service the needs of 27 research staff and 38 postgraduate students and involve collaboration between twelve major research groups based at the Universities of Melbourne, Newcastle, Monash, La Trobe and RMIT. The facility will enhance the research activities of the collaborating institutions in key strategic areas. The laborat ....Interface, Particle and Complex Fluid Characterisation Laboratory. This laboratory will provide a state-of-the-art characterisation facility for complex fluids. This will service the needs of 27 research staff and 38 postgraduate students and involve collaboration between twelve major research groups based at the Universities of Melbourne, Newcastle, Monash, La Trobe and RMIT. The facility will enhance the research activities of the collaborating institutions in key strategic areas. The laboratory will also act as a facility for undertaking consulting projects with industry groups by the applicants.Read moreRead less
Chemical and morphological engineering of semiconductor electrodes for high efficiency solar cells. The expected outcomes of the project are the preparation and development of sophisticated electrodes for solar cells, the main advantage of which resides in their designed chemical and morphological properties. The resulting electrodes have the potential to improve the efficiency of the solar cells over current industrially used materials. The products and mechanisms developed are envisaged to be ....Chemical and morphological engineering of semiconductor electrodes for high efficiency solar cells. The expected outcomes of the project are the preparation and development of sophisticated electrodes for solar cells, the main advantage of which resides in their designed chemical and morphological properties. The resulting electrodes have the potential to improve the efficiency of the solar cells over current industrially used materials. The products and mechanisms developed are envisaged to be amenable to large scale-up in industry. Hence, at a future date, there is the potential to fabricate the electrodes in Australia and then export the materials or technology internationally. This will benefit the Australian economy through employment of Australians and income generated through exports.Read moreRead less
Static and Dynamic Forces in Colloidal and Fluid Systems. Novel research based around the Atomic Force Microscope are pursued to make ultra-sensitive measurement of forces between emulsion droplets and probe the mechanical properties of long molecules such as DNA. These studies generate basic knowledge that provides insight about emulsion stability that are of importance from the food and pharmaceutical industries to manufacturing drilling mud for oil wells. The results also provide qualitativ ....Static and Dynamic Forces in Colloidal and Fluid Systems. Novel research based around the Atomic Force Microscope are pursued to make ultra-sensitive measurement of forces between emulsion droplets and probe the mechanical properties of long molecules such as DNA. These studies generate basic knowledge that provides insight about emulsion stability that are of importance from the food and pharmaceutical industries to manufacturing drilling mud for oil wells. The results also provide qualitative and predictive information about the mechanisms that determine the interaction involving large bio-molecules such as DNA and proteins. The instrumentation created along the way has the potential to be developed into special purpose ultra-sensitive devices and sensors.Read moreRead less
Repulsive van der Waals forces and Brownian ratchet motors: manipulating thermal and quantum Fluctuations. A fundamental problem with miniaturizing machines and mechanical devices below the micron scale is the issue of friction and lubrication. One way to completely circumvent the need for lubrication is to use a little-studied phenomenon known as 'repulsive van der Waals forces', to create materials that fundamentally repel each other in certain fluid environments. This effect is very large at ....Repulsive van der Waals forces and Brownian ratchet motors: manipulating thermal and quantum Fluctuations. A fundamental problem with miniaturizing machines and mechanical devices below the micron scale is the issue of friction and lubrication. One way to completely circumvent the need for lubrication is to use a little-studied phenomenon known as 'repulsive van der Waals forces', to create materials that fundamentally repel each other in certain fluid environments. This effect is very large at the nanoscale and this proposal examines how such forces can be used to make 'lubricant free' motors and nanomachines. This will open up the possibility of building small and portable sensors, actuators, microfluidic devices and eventually active drug delivery systems for health applications.Read moreRead less
Sonochemical synthesis of nanoparticles for fuel cell applications. The sonochemical synthesis of metal and semiconductor nanoparticles is one of several developing applications of ultrasound. Ultrasonically produced nanoparticles possess a number of specific properties, such as, pronounced catalytic activity. This project aims to ultrasonically synthesize metal nanoparticles and evaluate their suitability for fuel cell applications. The University of Melbourne and the Indiana University Nor ....Sonochemical synthesis of nanoparticles for fuel cell applications. The sonochemical synthesis of metal and semiconductor nanoparticles is one of several developing applications of ultrasound. Ultrasonically produced nanoparticles possess a number of specific properties, such as, pronounced catalytic activity. This project aims to ultrasonically synthesize metal nanoparticles and evaluate their suitability for fuel cell applications. The University of Melbourne and the Indiana University North-West research groups have a strong background and experience in the proposed research field. The outcome of this investigation will provide the basis for gaining other funding (e.g., ARC-NSF), which will establish a more extensive longer term collaboration between the universities.Read moreRead less
Nanocrystal Electronics: A Sol-Gel Approach. Australia is building capability in printable electronics, which will supersede traditional semiconductor fabrication methods. The main goals are to mass produce key electronic structures such as display devices, solar cells and sensors using cheaper, non-clean room based technologies via ink-jet printing and other high throughput methods. The integration of sol-gel based materials into roll-to-roll manufacturing will advance Australian manufacturing ....Nanocrystal Electronics: A Sol-Gel Approach. Australia is building capability in printable electronics, which will supersede traditional semiconductor fabrication methods. The main goals are to mass produce key electronic structures such as display devices, solar cells and sensors using cheaper, non-clean room based technologies via ink-jet printing and other high throughput methods. The integration of sol-gel based materials into roll-to-roll manufacturing will advance Australian manufacturing capabilities and generate new jobs in the rapidly growing printable electronics field.Read moreRead less
Nanocomposite Mesoporous Materials for Gas Separations of Environmental Significance. The management of greenhouse and other acid gas emissions is vital to a sustainable future of both the economy and the ecosystem. This project will develop novel nano-materials for gas separation by tethering organic functional groups to the surface of porous inorganic supports. These materials offer the promise of combining the high selectivity and high capacity of liquid phase absorption systems with the rapi ....Nanocomposite Mesoporous Materials for Gas Separations of Environmental Significance. The management of greenhouse and other acid gas emissions is vital to a sustainable future of both the economy and the ecosystem. This project will develop novel nano-materials for gas separation by tethering organic functional groups to the surface of porous inorganic supports. These materials offer the promise of combining the high selectivity and high capacity of liquid phase absorption systems with the rapid transport rates of gas-solid adsorption systems. Success would open up several new possibilities for reengineering gas separation systems based on the use of these materials in solution, as solid phase adsorbents (pressure swing adsorption) and/or as permeselective gas membranes.Read moreRead less