Towards new generations of lubricants using nanoparticles. Engines are essential to the Australian manufacturing, transport, power generation, mining and construction industries. Our project will develop the basic science for high-performance lubricants and wear-resistant materials using nanoparticles. These lubricants and materials will have a significant impact in reducing system failure from the chronic wear and friction of moving parts and optimise the cost structures of system manufacturing ....Towards new generations of lubricants using nanoparticles. Engines are essential to the Australian manufacturing, transport, power generation, mining and construction industries. Our project will develop the basic science for high-performance lubricants and wear-resistant materials using nanoparticles. These lubricants and materials will have a significant impact in reducing system failure from the chronic wear and friction of moving parts and optimise the cost structures of system manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Functional Renewable Plastics: Developing Novel Polysaccharide, Protein and Natural Polyester Based Polymer Nanocomposites. Biopolymer based plastics (eg starch and proteins from plants; polylactic acid from wastes) are made from renewable sources and are readily biodegradable, making them good substitutes for synthetic plastics for uses like packaging and agricultural film.
Some biopolymer plastics properties (eg water migration barrier, strength) are not as high as synthetic plastics. Creat ....Functional Renewable Plastics: Developing Novel Polysaccharide, Protein and Natural Polyester Based Polymer Nanocomposites. Biopolymer based plastics (eg starch and proteins from plants; polylactic acid from wastes) are made from renewable sources and are readily biodegradable, making them good substitutes for synthetic plastics for uses like packaging and agricultural film.
Some biopolymer plastics properties (eg water migration barrier, strength) are not as high as synthetic plastics. Creating nano-biocomposites (biopolymer plastics mixed with low levels of nano particles) will improve the properties of biopolymer plastics, giving novel materials that can be substituted for synthetic plastics in a wider range of applications.
These products will reduce our environmental impact, and also create economic benefits from novel, high-value nano-biocomposites.Read moreRead less
Novel Waterborne Multifunctional Sealer for Asphalt Pavement. One of the long-term challenges and most serious problems faced by the asphalt surfacing and road construction industry is the rapid deterioration of asphaltic surfaces to the extent that they become unfit/unsafe for use in short time. The length of the Australian local government road system is approximately 810,000 kilometres and currently approximately $2,460 million/year is spent on road maintenance; the replacement value of ....Novel Waterborne Multifunctional Sealer for Asphalt Pavement. One of the long-term challenges and most serious problems faced by the asphalt surfacing and road construction industry is the rapid deterioration of asphaltic surfaces to the extent that they become unfit/unsafe for use in short time. The length of the Australian local government road system is approximately 810,000 kilometres and currently approximately $2,460 million/year is spent on road maintenance; the replacement value of the road asset exceeds $106,000 million. Thus providing satisfactory tough protective shield on asphalt pavements that locks out destructive elements and provide long-term protection is of enormous economic importance and national/community benefit.Read moreRead less
Porous Silica-Based Nanocapsules for Targeted and Controlled Release of Biocides. The project will lead to significant advances in nanotechnology and agrichemical biocide applications. A highly efficient insect control technology will be developed, that will be cost-effective with the ability for targeted control and release of biocides. The encapsulation technology will reduce the total usage and costs of biocides thus benefit the environment in terms of reduced environment pollution and enhanc ....Porous Silica-Based Nanocapsules for Targeted and Controlled Release of Biocides. The project will lead to significant advances in nanotechnology and agrichemical biocide applications. A highly efficient insect control technology will be developed, that will be cost-effective with the ability for targeted control and release of biocides. The encapsulation technology will reduce the total usage and costs of biocides thus benefit the environment in terms of reduced environment pollution and enhanced ecological safety.Read moreRead less
Characterisation and Modelling of Nanostructured Soft Magnetic Materials for Advanced Electromagnetic Applications. This project bridges the gap between nanomagnetic materials and practical applications. The knowledge generated and the international collaborations with world class scientists established through this cutting-edge research project will strengthen the leading status of Australia in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The research outcomes will stimulate the growth of world ....Characterisation and Modelling of Nanostructured Soft Magnetic Materials for Advanced Electromagnetic Applications. This project bridges the gap between nanomagnetic materials and practical applications. The knowledge generated and the international collaborations with world class scientists established through this cutting-edge research project will strengthen the leading status of Australia in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The research outcomes will stimulate the growth of world class Australian industries and hence the national economy through the commercial manufacturing of hi-tech nanomagnetic materials and innovative smart devices and systems. High quality PhD and honours project students will be trained.Read moreRead less
Self-organised complex ionised gas systems for ordered nanometre-scale assemblies. This proposal is to develop the physical principles of nano-scale assembly processes in complex plasmas. Novel approaches for tailoring the plasma-grown building blocks and controllable deposition of ordered nanoparticle arrays on nanopatterned solids are targeted. The fundamentals of the multi-scale dynamic processes will be elucidated and existing techniques for developing new materials and electronic/photonic d ....Self-organised complex ionised gas systems for ordered nanometre-scale assemblies. This proposal is to develop the physical principles of nano-scale assembly processes in complex plasmas. Novel approaches for tailoring the plasma-grown building blocks and controllable deposition of ordered nanoparticle arrays on nanopatterned solids are targeted. The fundamentals of the multi-scale dynamic processes will be elucidated and existing techniques for developing new materials and electronic/photonic devices will be advanced. The expected outcomes are highly relevant for the nano-materials and optoelectronic technologies, rapidly emerging areas of high-tech industries worldwide.Read moreRead less
CNTs-modified polymer composites for tribological applications. The growth of the Australian economy relies on continuous improvements in all sectors of production, manufacturing, operation and management where tribology is playing a significant role. System failure relevant to wear and friction over years and its impact on the Australian economy have continued to be a challenge for the community in the new century. The project is at the forefront of materials research, and the outcomes will pro ....CNTs-modified polymer composites for tribological applications. The growth of the Australian economy relies on continuous improvements in all sectors of production, manufacturing, operation and management where tribology is playing a significant role. System failure relevant to wear and friction over years and its impact on the Australian economy have continued to be a challenge for the community in the new century. The project is at the forefront of materials research, and the outcomes will provide (1) novel technical ways to optimise tribological performance of industrial contacting components, and (2) development of new wear resistant materials. The project will give Australia a competitive edge in the advances of tribology and nanotechnologyRead moreRead less
The Nanotechnology Desalination Research Project - Low Energy Desalination Membranes. Population growth and global warming is rapidly increasing the strain placed on fresh water supplies. Environmentally sustainable solutions to this water shortage need to be found urgently. This project will develop new, low energy desalination technologies which can be powered by renewable energy sources, to enable desalination to be widely applied with low environmental impacts. It addresses several national ....The Nanotechnology Desalination Research Project - Low Energy Desalination Membranes. Population growth and global warming is rapidly increasing the strain placed on fresh water supplies. Environmentally sustainable solutions to this water shortage need to be found urgently. This project will develop new, low energy desalination technologies which can be powered by renewable energy sources, to enable desalination to be widely applied with low environmental impacts. It addresses several national priorities: Water - a critical resource; Transforming existing industries; Overcoming soil loss, salinity and acidity; Responding to climate change and variability; Frontier technologies and Advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Complex plasmas: self-organized dusty matter from nanotechnology to astrophysics. The importance of complex plasmas is based on their intricate self-organized behaviour, on their rich variety in nature and extensive use in the laboratory and advanced technologies. This project aims at breakthrough results advancing the fundamental knowledge and contributing to frontier technologies such as nanoelectronics and nanotechnology as well as reliability of space technological systems and communication ....Complex plasmas: self-organized dusty matter from nanotechnology to astrophysics. The importance of complex plasmas is based on their intricate self-organized behaviour, on their rich variety in nature and extensive use in the laboratory and advanced technologies. This project aims at breakthrough results advancing the fundamental knowledge and contributing to frontier technologies such as nanoelectronics and nanotechnology as well as reliability of space technological systems and communications. The project will boost fundamental and applied aspects of the Australian science as well as international collaborative links of Australian research and technology by allowing access and involvement to advanced multi-national programs and high-profile experiments such as those on board the International Space Station.Read moreRead less