Meta-microscopy of insect tissue: How nature grows bicontinuous nanosolids. Several butterfly species grow a complex nano-sculptured matrix whose chiral network structure confers remarkable optical properties, including jewel-like reflections. The formation process remains mysterious and a spectacular case of bottom-up self-assembly at far larger scales than accessible in the lab. The project aims to decipher this process, by (a) tomography of a species where arrested growth sites represent time ....Meta-microscopy of insect tissue: How nature grows bicontinuous nanosolids. Several butterfly species grow a complex nano-sculptured matrix whose chiral network structure confers remarkable optical properties, including jewel-like reflections. The formation process remains mysterious and a spectacular case of bottom-up self-assembly at far larger scales than accessible in the lab. The project aims to decipher this process, by (a) tomography of a species where arrested growth sites represent time-frozen snapshots of the development, and (b) by a combination of micron-resolved in-vivo microscopy of a developing butterfly wing with a growth model to infer nanometer-scale information. This insight will lead to blueprints for self-assembly strategies and shed light on function and form of inner-cellular membranes. Read moreRead less
Theory and synthesis of self-assembled polyfunctional supramolecular fibres and associated soft materials. Liquid crystals (LCs) and molecular fibres are essential structural and functional components of living systems. A new class of hybrid materials, combining LC and fibrous aspects, will be developed, based on self-assembly of 'linactants', invented by the CI and colleagues.
Tuning adhesion through polymer chain entanglement. Adhesion in materials relies on the ability to tune molecular scale interactions. This project unlocks knowledge to transfer to industry for the intelligent use of polymer additives at a surface. Outcomes will connect fields including ceramic and minerals processing, waste water treatment and for printing and coatings.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100118
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,800,000.00
Summary
UltraTEM: Resolving the structure of matter in space, energy and time. This project aims to establish a transmission electron microscope facility to analyse materials structure at the atomic level. A small number of atoms in critical locations governs the properties of materials from solar cells and catalysts to aerospace alloys, bio-sensors and quantum computers. To understand and engineer matter at this atomic level, tools are needed to characterise these critical atoms. This open access, nati ....UltraTEM: Resolving the structure of matter in space, energy and time. This project aims to establish a transmission electron microscope facility to analyse materials structure at the atomic level. A small number of atoms in critical locations governs the properties of materials from solar cells and catalysts to aerospace alloys, bio-sensors and quantum computers. To understand and engineer matter at this atomic level, tools are needed to characterise these critical atoms. This open access, national facility will be able to characterise matter at the atomic-level. Expected outcomes include better understanding of the natural world and advanced materials to solve problems in energy, technology, health, environment, communications, advanced manufacturing, transport and security.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100132
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,486,000.00
Summary
A triple beam microscope: new frontiers in materials nanocharacterisation. This project aims to establish a triple beam ion and electron microscope facility for the modification, preparation and characterisation of materials that have hitherto been too sensitive for high resolution analysis with charged particle beams. It is expected that materials will be studied artefact-free and at the nanoscale with twin ion beams and new detectors that allow novel imaging modes and extreme chemical sensitiv ....A triple beam microscope: new frontiers in materials nanocharacterisation. This project aims to establish a triple beam ion and electron microscope facility for the modification, preparation and characterisation of materials that have hitherto been too sensitive for high resolution analysis with charged particle beams. It is expected that materials will be studied artefact-free and at the nanoscale with twin ion beams and new detectors that allow novel imaging modes and extreme chemical sensitivity plus controlled atmosphere transfer to other instruments for correlative measurements. This unique facility should benefit research in many disciplines such as physics, chemistry, geology, pharmacy, materials, civil and chemical engineering by allowing first-ever observations of vital phenomena in diverse materials.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100037
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$223,039.00
Summary
Cryogenic quantum microscope facility. This project aims to establish a cryogenic, quantum microscope facility in Australia. Quantum sensing is a new field that harnesses the properties of individual quantum systems to realise new types of detection and imaging with unprecedented combination of sensitivity and spatial resolution. The potential innovations, applications and benefits to society are far reaching across the full spectrum of scientific and engineering activity, from the development o ....Cryogenic quantum microscope facility. This project aims to establish a cryogenic, quantum microscope facility in Australia. Quantum sensing is a new field that harnesses the properties of individual quantum systems to realise new types of detection and imaging with unprecedented combination of sensitivity and spatial resolution. The potential innovations, applications and benefits to society are far reaching across the full spectrum of scientific and engineering activity, from the development of atomic-scale imaging of protein structures for drug discovery, to the study of chemical, physical, and biological processes and materials for advanced technology and manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Nanoscale investigation of fission track formation and stability in geological environments. Fission tracks are used to date and constrain the thermal history of the earth's crust. This project will use innovative experimental techniques to simulate fission track formation under geologically relevant conditions and resolve open questions related to fission-track dating and materials behaviour in high-pressure and high temperature environments.
Investigation of the structure and stability of ion tracks in application-specific materials and environments. This project will use an innovative experimental approach to study the structure and stability of high-energy ion tracks in solids. It will resolve open questions related to applications in geology, nanotechnology, and nuclear physics, and provide new strategies for understanding materials behaviour under extreme experimental conditions.
A theoretical hierachy to investigate the electronic behaviour of graphene nanostructures under realistic conditions. One of the most exciting new nano-materials is graphene which promises to be the basis of a new industry producing nano-electronics and nano-devices such as chemical sensors. This project aims to provide sound scientific knowledge on the effects of environmental conditions on the properties of graphene which are vital for its industrial use.
Boron Nitride Nanotub Synthesis and Applications. Boron nitride (BN) nanotubes have an analogous structure to carbon nanotubes but offer many electronic and chemical properties. This project aims to synthesis BN nanotubes with controlled structures using a mechano-thermal method involving ball milling of boron powder at room temperature followed by thermal annealing in nitrogen gas. Systematic investigation will be conducted to clarify the fundamental formation mechanism related to various nano ....Boron Nitride Nanotub Synthesis and Applications. Boron nitride (BN) nanotubes have an analogous structure to carbon nanotubes but offer many electronic and chemical properties. This project aims to synthesis BN nanotubes with controlled structures using a mechano-thermal method involving ball milling of boron powder at room temperature followed by thermal annealing in nitrogen gas. Systematic investigation will be conducted to clarify the fundamental formation mechanism related to various nanostructures. New chemical, mechanical and thermal properties and possible applications will be explored. The outcomes of this research will be profoundly understanding of the controlled assembly of small atoms into nanosized tubules and an innovative synthesis technology.Read moreRead less