Naturally Photoactive Biopolymers. The basic aim of this project is to assess the viability of using semiconducting biopolymers from the melanin family of macromolecules in photoactive device based applications. In order to do this, key optical, structural, electronic, and photochemical properties will be assessed on thin films in the solid state. The melanins are the only known semiconducting biopolymers, and are non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable. Their use as ?active? materials in ....Naturally Photoactive Biopolymers. The basic aim of this project is to assess the viability of using semiconducting biopolymers from the melanin family of macromolecules in photoactive device based applications. In order to do this, key optical, structural, electronic, and photochemical properties will be assessed on thin films in the solid state. The melanins are the only known semiconducting biopolymers, and are non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable. Their use as ?active? materials in solid state or photo-electrochemical devices has never before been suggested. Specifically, these materials could be used as the light harvesting components in dye sensitised Gratzel cells, or, as the donor material in soft solid photovoltaic junctions. The melanins are also a key class of biomolecules (their involvement in skin cancers is well documented), and hence, any advancement in our understanding of their functions and properties could have biological importance.Read moreRead less
Photoactive Semiconducting Biopolymers. The basic aims of this project are to elucidate, manipulate, and utilise the unique chemical and physical properties of a class of biopolymers called the melanins. These materials are the only known solid state semiconducting biopolymers, and are non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. Their use as active components in biomimetic soft electonic, optoelectronic or photovoltaic devices, has not hitherto been demonstrated. It is anticipated that the k ....Photoactive Semiconducting Biopolymers. The basic aims of this project are to elucidate, manipulate, and utilise the unique chemical and physical properties of a class of biopolymers called the melanins. These materials are the only known solid state semiconducting biopolymers, and are non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. Their use as active components in biomimetic soft electonic, optoelectronic or photovoltaic devices, has not hitherto been demonstrated. It is anticipated that the key outcomes from the project will be a demonstration of biopolymer-based photoelectrochemical and solid-state p-i-n solar cells, and an improved understanding of the physics and chemistry of these important biological macromolecules.Read moreRead less
Relationship between melanosome distribution and skin colour. This work seeks to examine how the colour of our skin is related to the distribution of melanosomes. This work may allow us to better understand how to develop novel therapies that may alter skin colour and provide protection from the sun (frontier technologies) but may also, in the longer term, lead to healthier approaches to skin management - especially for ageing skin.
Raman spectroscopy and imaging of natural and synthetic melanins. The national benefit of this research lies in three main areas. First, this research could lead to a non-invasive diagnostic for melanoma. Second, it could reveal stronger connections between melanin and melanoma development than previously believed and thus inspire possible methods of treatment or prevention of melanoma. Given Australia's high incidence of melanoma, these could have an enormous impact on our health care system. T ....Raman spectroscopy and imaging of natural and synthetic melanins. The national benefit of this research lies in three main areas. First, this research could lead to a non-invasive diagnostic for melanoma. Second, it could reveal stronger connections between melanin and melanoma development than previously believed and thus inspire possible methods of treatment or prevention of melanoma. Given Australia's high incidence of melanoma, these could have an enormous impact on our health care system. Third, it will increase our understanding of the melanin pigment and further establish Australia as a leader in this field. Given the links between melanin and Parkinson's Disease and immune response, this understanding could have greater impact on health care than simply melanoma.Read moreRead less