Synthesis of nanowires and application as nanosensors for chemical and biological detections. This project is expected to bring significant scientific, economic and social benefits. We will develop a number of techniques for the controlled growth of nanowires and making functional nanoscale systems such as nanosensors. The nanosensors will have important applications in chemistry and biology. Some chemical species can be detected by nanosensors on molecular scale. The nanosensors could be used f ....Synthesis of nanowires and application as nanosensors for chemical and biological detections. This project is expected to bring significant scientific, economic and social benefits. We will develop a number of techniques for the controlled growth of nanowires and making functional nanoscale systems such as nanosensors. The nanosensors will have important applications in chemistry and biology. Some chemical species can be detected by nanosensors on molecular scale. The nanosensors could be used for early diagnostics of cancer disease, detection of viruses, and genomic DNA screening. The nanosensors could also provide a molecular tool for probing living cells without destroying them, through which we can track life within cells in real time.Read moreRead less
Adhesive Bonding for LoadBearing Joints in Aluminium Fast Ferries. The aim of this project is to investigate new chemical pre-treatment techniques and new sensor technologies for specific use in adhesively bonding aluminium in the Australian Fast Ferry industry. These technologies are important in increasing the use of adhesives in ships, possibly leading to considerable weight savings, which, in turn increases the payload of the vessel. These advances in shipbuilding practice can help maintain ....Adhesive Bonding for LoadBearing Joints in Aluminium Fast Ferries. The aim of this project is to investigate new chemical pre-treatment techniques and new sensor technologies for specific use in adhesively bonding aluminium in the Australian Fast Ferry industry. These technologies are important in increasing the use of adhesives in ships, possibly leading to considerable weight savings, which, in turn increases the payload of the vessel. These advances in shipbuilding practice can help maintain the world-leading status of the Australian Fast Ferry industry. The technology also has the potential to expand the market for Australian-manufactured adhesives. The project also offers a stimulating learning environment for a PhD student.Read moreRead less
Combining the soft with the hard: The assembly of artificial cell membranes on porous semiconductors. The platform technologies developed in this project will have a wide range of applications. They will reveal new insights into drug-membrane and drug-protein interactions underpinning development of a new generation of drugs acting on transmembrane proteins that are linked to a wide range of diseases. The development of membrane-based biosensing devices targeting ion channels, membrane active pe ....Combining the soft with the hard: The assembly of artificial cell membranes on porous semiconductors. The platform technologies developed in this project will have a wide range of applications. They will reveal new insights into drug-membrane and drug-protein interactions underpinning development of a new generation of drugs acting on transmembrane proteins that are linked to a wide range of diseases. The development of membrane-based biosensing devices targeting ion channels, membrane active peptides or toxins which can be applied to biomedical diagnostics, biotoxin detection, environmental and food control will be readily achievable. This international interdisciplinary nanobiotechnology programme and its outcomes will enhance Australia's abilities in frontier technologies and build research strength in nanobiotechnology.Read moreRead less
New bar-encoded polymer microbeads for multiplexed bioanalysis-a quick and high-throughput approach for complex disease diagnosis. Distinguishable new bar-encoded (element-encoded) polymer microbeads associated with a mass spectroscopy-flow cytometer detector provide a novel platform for highly multiplexed biological analysis. Such an approach can simultaneously identify many non-self-agents at low concentrations, which facilitates early-stage complex disease diagnosis.
Mechanical modulation of particle-cell interactions. Mechanical forces play critical roles in many biological processes, but how particle mechanical properties modulate particle-cell interactions remains elusive. This project aims to develop new design principles for engineering nano/micromaterials with tunable mechanical properties for improved cell activation and expansion, and to advance knowledge of the role of particle stiffness in modulating receptor-mediated particle-cell interactions. Ex ....Mechanical modulation of particle-cell interactions. Mechanical forces play critical roles in many biological processes, but how particle mechanical properties modulate particle-cell interactions remains elusive. This project aims to develop new design principles for engineering nano/micromaterials with tunable mechanical properties for improved cell activation and expansion, and to advance knowledge of the role of particle stiffness in modulating receptor-mediated particle-cell interactions. Expected outcomes and benefits include new fundamental understanding of the effect of particle mechanical properties on cell function, new insights into T cell activation and expansion, and new classes of stiffness-tunable fit-for-purpose materials for various applications in cell manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180101190
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,446.00
Summary
Interfacial nano-engineering of electrodes for perovskite solar cells. This project aims to explore new strategies of functional electrode design and interfacial engineering for efficient and stable perovskite solar cell application. The key concept is to modify the electron transport and perovskite layers through structural design, interfacial engineering and contact passivation, for use in high-performance solar-to-electricity conversion systems with improved light harvesting and charge collec ....Interfacial nano-engineering of electrodes for perovskite solar cells. This project aims to explore new strategies of functional electrode design and interfacial engineering for efficient and stable perovskite solar cell application. The key concept is to modify the electron transport and perovskite layers through structural design, interfacial engineering and contact passivation, for use in high-performance solar-to-electricity conversion systems with improved light harvesting and charge collection. Expected project outcomes will place Australia at the forefront of practical low-cost and large-scale solar energy conversion technologies.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101244
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$417,276.00
Summary
Advanced zinc-ion batteries with high voltage and high energy density. Zinc-ion battery is not only cheaper than current lithium-ion battery (LIB), but it is safer due to a neutral aqueous electrolyte. However, its grid-scale development is plagued by limited output voltage and inadequate energy density compared with more mainstream LIB. This project aims to solve the discharge-voltage problem by fabricating atomic-level structure engineered manganese (Mn)-based cathode and a new stable solid-st ....Advanced zinc-ion batteries with high voltage and high energy density. Zinc-ion battery is not only cheaper than current lithium-ion battery (LIB), but it is safer due to a neutral aqueous electrolyte. However, its grid-scale development is plagued by limited output voltage and inadequate energy density compared with more mainstream LIB. This project aims to solve the discharge-voltage problem by fabricating atomic-level structure engineered manganese (Mn)-based cathode and a new stable solid-state electrolyte, and improve the device energy density by zinc (Zn) anode interface nanotechnology. The success of this project will benefit Australia’s access to new markets and introduce a new low-cost and safe energy storage technology for the long-term viability of Australia’s abundant Zn and Mn resources.Read moreRead less
Photochemical toolkit based on tetracyanoquinodimethane metal-organic semiconducting hybrids. This project aims to develop low-cost light-activated materials for flexible electronics, wearable sensors, antimicrobial fabrics and highly active catalysts. A photochemical toolkit will be developed comprising ultraviolet-active zinc oxide, visible-active metals and visible/infrared-active charge transfer semiconducting materials. Hybridisation of these components will create materials photoactive acr ....Photochemical toolkit based on tetracyanoquinodimethane metal-organic semiconducting hybrids. This project aims to develop low-cost light-activated materials for flexible electronics, wearable sensors, antimicrobial fabrics and highly active catalysts. A photochemical toolkit will be developed comprising ultraviolet-active zinc oxide, visible-active metals and visible/infrared-active charge transfer semiconducting materials. Hybridisation of these components will create materials photoactive across the solar spectrum, leading to photo-redox catalysis and light-activated antimicrobial applications. These materials are expected to lead to cost-effective industrial processes, efficient environmental monitoring, clean-up of industrially-contaminated water streams, infection control in wounds and healthcare settings, and advancing consumer technology platforms.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100892
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Designing compressible hybrid supercapacitors from graphene aerogels. This project aims to develop high-performance compressible energy storage devices. Compressible hybrid supercapacitors are promising energy storage devices for elastic and wearable electronics under large strain and deformation. However, the controlled fabrication of such devices is challenging. This project aims to design and synthesise compressible hybrid supercapacitors using graphene aerogels as substrates through structur ....Designing compressible hybrid supercapacitors from graphene aerogels. This project aims to develop high-performance compressible energy storage devices. Compressible hybrid supercapacitors are promising energy storage devices for elastic and wearable electronics under large strain and deformation. However, the controlled fabrication of such devices is challenging. This project aims to design and synthesise compressible hybrid supercapacitors using graphene aerogels as substrates through structural design and surface modification. The success of the project will benefit Australia’s booming graphite industry and promote Australian competitiveness in wearable electronics markets.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190101351
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$406,000.00
Summary
Designing new perovskite quantum dots for efficient solar energy conversion. This project aims to rationally design new perovskite quantum dots featuring prominent phase and thermal stability in humid air and remarkable optoelectronic properties. These will be crucial for the development of next-generation flexible, lightweight solar energy conversion devices. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the fundamental mechanism of functional materials for more efficient solar energy conve ....Designing new perovskite quantum dots for efficient solar energy conversion. This project aims to rationally design new perovskite quantum dots featuring prominent phase and thermal stability in humid air and remarkable optoelectronic properties. These will be crucial for the development of next-generation flexible, lightweight solar energy conversion devices. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the fundamental mechanism of functional materials for more efficient solar energy conversion. Expected outcomes include new advanced materials and commercially compelling technology for sustainable and decentralised energy utilisation. This project will position Australia at the frontier of clean energy, flexible optoelectronics and related research areas.Read moreRead less