New metal-molecule binding motifs for self-assembled monolayers and nanodevices. The goal of this research is to investigate technologically interesting electronic materials using new molecular assemblies. We explore their application in some fundamental components of molecular electronic systems and anticipate that knowledge gained from our investigations will have significant impact on the field of nanotechnology, especially in the area of molecular electronics. Our basic research will contrib ....New metal-molecule binding motifs for self-assembled monolayers and nanodevices. The goal of this research is to investigate technologically interesting electronic materials using new molecular assemblies. We explore their application in some fundamental components of molecular electronic systems and anticipate that knowledge gained from our investigations will have significant impact on the field of nanotechnology, especially in the area of molecular electronics. Our basic research will contribute to Australia's reputation as a source of innovative research and ideas in an area where there is growing international momentum.Read moreRead less
Material Properties of Nanocrystals. The mechanical characteristics of nanocrystals determine the viability of many novel applications and devices emerging from the field of nanotechnology. Despite their fundamental importance, the mechanical properties of these nanocrystals is only vaguely understood, because their size has prohibited their measurement. In this project, we shall investigate the mechanical properties of these materials for the first time using a combination of theoretical modell ....Material Properties of Nanocrystals. The mechanical characteristics of nanocrystals determine the viability of many novel applications and devices emerging from the field of nanotechnology. Despite their fundamental importance, the mechanical properties of these nanocrystals is only vaguely understood, because their size has prohibited their measurement. In this project, we shall investigate the mechanical properties of these materials for the first time using a combination of theoretical modelling, atomic force microscopy, and a new form of spectroscopy that allows the actual deformation of nanocrystals to be measured. The fundamental scientific knowledge gained is expected to impact on the development of current and future nanodevices.Read moreRead less
Spectroscopy of Single Quantum Dots. Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots are materials with promising applications in flat panel displays, biosensors, quantum dot lasers, and optical communication elements. Many of the applications are novel and require firm understanding of the physical and chemical properties of quantum dots to optimise reliability and performance. To fulfil the technological promise of fluorescent quantum dots, problems relating to quantum yield and photostability urgently n ....Spectroscopy of Single Quantum Dots. Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots are materials with promising applications in flat panel displays, biosensors, quantum dot lasers, and optical communication elements. Many of the applications are novel and require firm understanding of the physical and chemical properties of quantum dots to optimise reliability and performance. To fulfil the technological promise of fluorescent quantum dots, problems relating to quantum yield and photostability urgently need to be resolved. These issues will be addressed through spectroscopic studies of single quantum dots both in vacuum and in condensed phases. Ultimately, the findings will guide rational design of nanoscale devices based on quantum dot luminescence.Read moreRead less
The permeability of organized flocculated structures in dewatering in process engineering. The work aims to understand the method by which assemblies of particles in water, produced through flocculation, can be manipulated to produce highly permeable networks of particles. The work is critical to new developments and improving the efficiency of suspension dewatering processes world-wide and is of relevance to the food, pigments, minerals and electronics industries. The outcomes will be more ef ....The permeability of organized flocculated structures in dewatering in process engineering. The work aims to understand the method by which assemblies of particles in water, produced through flocculation, can be manipulated to produce highly permeable networks of particles. The work is critical to new developments and improving the efficiency of suspension dewatering processes world-wide and is of relevance to the food, pigments, minerals and electronics industries. The outcomes will be more efficient dewatering processes and novel products in these industries.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
Self-Organised 3-D Arrays of Stimulus Responsive Block Copolymer Micelles. At the core of developments in nanotechnology is a desire to manufacture functional devices from molecular or colloidal building blocks. A significant component of this effort is directed at the self-assembly of these materials on solid substrates. Ultimately, the development of higher order functional nanomaterials requires a fine control over the 3-dimensional location of each component; this is a significant problem. I ....Self-Organised 3-D Arrays of Stimulus Responsive Block Copolymer Micelles. At the core of developments in nanotechnology is a desire to manufacture functional devices from molecular or colloidal building blocks. A significant component of this effort is directed at the self-assembly of these materials on solid substrates. Ultimately, the development of higher order functional nanomaterials requires a fine control over the 3-dimensional location of each component; this is a significant problem. In this project our aim is to develop novel self-assembled surface coatings using block copolymer micelles. Spatial control of the micelle adsorption at the solid-aqueous interface will give us a significant degree of control over molecular location in 3-dimensions.Read moreRead less
Surfactant Self-Assembly in Ionic Liquids. Room temperature ionic liquids have emerged recently as important environmentally-friendly solvents for synthesis, catalysis, and electrochemical applications. This project will generate significant new fundamental understanding, and train young researchers in the use of RTILs and advanced characterization techniques at honours, postgraduate and postdoctoral levels. The results of this project will enable the development of new technologies by adaptin ....Surfactant Self-Assembly in Ionic Liquids. Room temperature ionic liquids have emerged recently as important environmentally-friendly solvents for synthesis, catalysis, and electrochemical applications. This project will generate significant new fundamental understanding, and train young researchers in the use of RTILs and advanced characterization techniques at honours, postgraduate and postdoctoral levels. The results of this project will enable the development of new technologies by adapting water-based surfactant technologies to a range of low-volatility RTILs. Examples include new mesoporous catalysts, nanostructured self-assembled scaffolds and composite materials, nanoparticle synthesis, novel lubricants and drug-delivery systems.Read moreRead less
Adsorption and Structure at Ionic Liquid Interfaces. Ionic liquids (ILs) have recently emerged as important environmentally-friendly solvents for synthesis, but applications based on their unusual physical properties have been vastly under-exploited. This project will generate significant new fundamental understanding of ILs, and train young researchers in the use of ILs and advanced characterization techniques at honours, postgraduate and postdoctoral levels. The results of this project will en ....Adsorption and Structure at Ionic Liquid Interfaces. Ionic liquids (ILs) have recently emerged as important environmentally-friendly solvents for synthesis, but applications based on their unusual physical properties have been vastly under-exploited. This project will generate significant new fundamental understanding of ILs, and train young researchers in the use of ILs and advanced characterization techniques at honours, postgraduate and postdoctoral levels. The results of this project will enable the development of new or improved technologies by facilitating the use of ILs in specialised products. Examples include novel lubricants, catalytic mediums, surface coatings, nanostructured self-assembled scaffolds and composite materials, nanoparticle synthesis, and drug-delivery systems.Read moreRead less
Control of acoustic cavitation in complex fluids. The outcomes of this project will provide, for the first time, the knowledge needed to optimise sonochemical reactions and thus pave the way for the greater use of sonochemisty in commercial processes. There are several areas of commercial significance where sonochemical processes could be used, e.g., remediation of wastewater containing organic pollutants, destruction of biowastes, etc. We have established strong contacts with the Victorian EPA, ....Control of acoustic cavitation in complex fluids. The outcomes of this project will provide, for the first time, the knowledge needed to optimise sonochemical reactions and thus pave the way for the greater use of sonochemisty in commercial processes. There are several areas of commercial significance where sonochemical processes could be used, e.g., remediation of wastewater containing organic pollutants, destruction of biowastes, etc. We have established strong contacts with the Victorian EPA, Orica, Food Science Australia and are developing links with Nufarm and Comalco. Apart from the potential practical outcomes, we will establish stronger ties with our international collaborators as well as train/educate a number of tertiary level students, of general benefit to our community.Read moreRead less
Preparation of nanostructured surfaces by electrochemical deposition through lyotropic liquid-crystal templates. Hexagonal-phase lyotropic liquid crystals may be used as templates to deposit metals on electrodes. The sizes of the structures made by this method are a few nanometres. We propose to exploit both the aqueous and non-aqueous parts of the liquid crystal to deposit different metals, polymers or metals and polymers. Thin metal wires (nano-wires) sheathed in polymer will be the thinnest i ....Preparation of nanostructured surfaces by electrochemical deposition through lyotropic liquid-crystal templates. Hexagonal-phase lyotropic liquid crystals may be used as templates to deposit metals on electrodes. The sizes of the structures made by this method are a few nanometres. We propose to exploit both the aqueous and non-aqueous parts of the liquid crystal to deposit different metals, polymers or metals and polymers. Thin metal wires (nano-wires) sheathed in polymer will be the thinnest insulated wires ever made. Carbon nanotubes will also be aligned in the hexagonal hole in the template allowing exploitation of these unique species. The structures that will be fabricated will be candidates for catalysts, sensor arrays and electronic devices.Read moreRead less