The Interface of Oil-in-Water Emulsions. The interface between two immiscible liquids controls many phenomena including the formation and properties of emulsions, the nature of many chemical separation processes and the behaviour of biological systems. There are few methods to study such interfaces and most of these are susceptible to trace contamination by adventitious surfactants, but emulsions with their large surface area avoid this problem. Significant advances are possible with the new Aus ....The Interface of Oil-in-Water Emulsions. The interface between two immiscible liquids controls many phenomena including the formation and properties of emulsions, the nature of many chemical separation processes and the behaviour of biological systems. There are few methods to study such interfaces and most of these are susceptible to trace contamination by adventitious surfactants, but emulsions with their large surface area avoid this problem. Significant advances are possible with the new Australian technique of electroacoustics, complemented by neutron scattering, nmr, rheological and dielectric response measurements on concentrated emulsions. Our surfactant-free emulsions provide a fundamental breakthrough in such studies, leading to new materials from nanostructures.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453823
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$445,124.00
Summary
Atomic Force Microscopy Facility for Soft Interfaces. This proposal seeks to establish a specialized atomic force microscopy facility capable of performing measurements on nanometre scales at soft interfaces. This will service the needs of and collaboration between leading researchers at the Universities of Newcastle, Melbourne, New South Wales and James Cook University. The facility will allow direct measurements of properties of the interactions between atoms, molecules and surfaces associated ....Atomic Force Microscopy Facility for Soft Interfaces. This proposal seeks to establish a specialized atomic force microscopy facility capable of performing measurements on nanometre scales at soft interfaces. This will service the needs of and collaboration between leading researchers at the Universities of Newcastle, Melbourne, New South Wales and James Cook University. The facility will allow direct measurements of properties of the interactions between atoms, molecules and surfaces associated with soft interfaces which are required for ongoing research in fluid-fluid interfaces, surfactant and polymer adsorbed layers, and biomolecules as well as to develop new processes in emerging fields of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and medical and pharmaceutical production.Read moreRead less
Thin Films of Oxide Ceramics. Aluminium oxide films are used extensively in the Australian industries of Protective & Decorative Coatings (examples include door-knobs and cutting-tools). The industry will be offered a remarkably simple process for preparation of high quality films. In the microelectronic industry, the uses of aluminium oxide films as a dielectric alternative to silicon dioxide has just started to emerge world - wide and this new process would make a dramatic impact with commerci ....Thin Films of Oxide Ceramics. Aluminium oxide films are used extensively in the Australian industries of Protective & Decorative Coatings (examples include door-knobs and cutting-tools). The industry will be offered a remarkably simple process for preparation of high quality films. In the microelectronic industry, the uses of aluminium oxide films as a dielectric alternative to silicon dioxide has just started to emerge world - wide and this new process would make a dramatic impact with commercial benefits for Australia. Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354658
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
The Nanoparticle Network. Nanoscale materials are objects with one dimension less than about 20nm in size. Such exotic materials display unique, size-dependent properties (called "quantum size effects"). These materials will form the basis for many of the technological advances of the 21st Century. "The Nanoparticle Network" is a consortium dedicated to the exploration of different nanoscale materials and the origin of quantum size effects. The Network aims to enhance the uptake of all types of ....The Nanoparticle Network. Nanoscale materials are objects with one dimension less than about 20nm in size. Such exotic materials display unique, size-dependent properties (called "quantum size effects"). These materials will form the basis for many of the technological advances of the 21st Century. "The Nanoparticle Network" is a consortium dedicated to the exploration of different nanoscale materials and the origin of quantum size effects. The Network aims to enhance the uptake of all types of nanoparticle based technologies through an integrated network of scientists and engineers in conjunction with industry partners and government research institutions.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0221983
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$900,000.00
Summary
Interface, Particle and Complex Fluid Characterisation Laboratory. This laboratory will provide a state-of-the-art characterisation facility for complex fluids. This will service the needs of 27 research staff and 38 postgraduate students and involve collaboration between twelve major research groups based at the Universities of Melbourne, Newcastle, Monash, La Trobe and RMIT. The facility will enhance the research activities of the collaborating institutions in key strategic areas. The laborat ....Interface, Particle and Complex Fluid Characterisation Laboratory. This laboratory will provide a state-of-the-art characterisation facility for complex fluids. This will service the needs of 27 research staff and 38 postgraduate students and involve collaboration between twelve major research groups based at the Universities of Melbourne, Newcastle, Monash, La Trobe and RMIT. The facility will enhance the research activities of the collaborating institutions in key strategic areas. The laboratory will also act as a facility for undertaking consulting projects with industry groups by the applicants.Read moreRead less
Nanotribology and Nanorheometry: A Fundamental Study of the Dynamic Interactions of Particles and Surfaces at the Molecular Level. Friction and deformation occur from the mutual motion and interaction of microscopic particles and surfaces. This research aims to develop new theories and measurement techniques for these non-equilibrium phenomena by combining mathematical analysis and numerical computations with dynamic force measurement, surface modification, and surface characterisation on nanom ....Nanotribology and Nanorheometry: A Fundamental Study of the Dynamic Interactions of Particles and Surfaces at the Molecular Level. Friction and deformation occur from the mutual motion and interaction of microscopic particles and surfaces. This research aims to develop new theories and measurement techniques for these non-equilibrium phenomena by combining mathematical analysis and numerical computations with dynamic force measurement, surface modification, and surface characterisation on nanometre and molecular length scales. These insights and data will be critically important in designing low-friction surfaces that save energy and wear, in developing nanoscopic probes for the mechanical and structural properties of soft polymeric and bio-materials, and in making high performance coatings that control adhesion and particle aggregation in technologically advanced applications.Read moreRead less
Nanorheology: Hydrodynamic Slip in Newtonian Fluids. Understanding fluid flow across a surface is essential to a great number of technologies. For over one hundred years it has been assumed that the layer of fluid adjacent to the solid moves with the solid, this is known as the no-slip boundary condition. Recently direct force balance measurements of aqueous Newtonian solutions have indicated the presence of boundary slip. Using a newly developed nanorheology technique we will systematically inv ....Nanorheology: Hydrodynamic Slip in Newtonian Fluids. Understanding fluid flow across a surface is essential to a great number of technologies. For over one hundred years it has been assumed that the layer of fluid adjacent to the solid moves with the solid, this is known as the no-slip boundary condition. Recently direct force balance measurements of aqueous Newtonian solutions have indicated the presence of boundary slip. Using a newly developed nanorheology technique we will systematically investigate the conditions that control boundary slip. This information will be used to quantify, model and control boundary slip, progressing the fields of microfluidics, particle deposition, and colloid stability.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560758
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$187,000.00
Summary
Dynamics at Interfaces: a facility for the characterisation of the dynamics of structural reorganisation and adsorption at interfaces. Controlling the flow, stability, and general performance of finely dispersed materials is important in a great number of industries from cosmetics to minerals purification. These properties are often controlled by the addition of material that forms a film at the interface between the dispersed material and the solvent. We seek to develop a facility that will ena ....Dynamics at Interfaces: a facility for the characterisation of the dynamics of structural reorganisation and adsorption at interfaces. Controlling the flow, stability, and general performance of finely dispersed materials is important in a great number of industries from cosmetics to minerals purification. These properties are often controlled by the addition of material that forms a film at the interface between the dispersed material and the solvent. We seek to develop a facility that will enable the properties of this film to be characterized, in particular the rate at which the film responds to mechanical and chemical changes. With this knowledge we hope to relate the nanoscopic properties of the adsorbed film to macroscopic properties of the dispersion and be able to tune the structure of the surface film, in order to control the bulk properties of complex fluids.Read moreRead less
Exploiting the properties of gold nanoparticles for nanolithography using visible wavelengths. The next generation of nano-devices, such as biosensors and molecular electronics, will require nanopatterning as part of the production process. Conventional optical lithographies cannot provide sufficient resolution, and alternative techniques, such as e-beam lithographies are expensive. This project aims to demonstrate a solution to this problem with obvious commercial benefit. It is the first t ....Exploiting the properties of gold nanoparticles for nanolithography using visible wavelengths. The next generation of nano-devices, such as biosensors and molecular electronics, will require nanopatterning as part of the production process. Conventional optical lithographies cannot provide sufficient resolution, and alternative techniques, such as e-beam lithographies are expensive. This project aims to demonstrate a solution to this problem with obvious commercial benefit. It is the first time a multidisciplinary team has made such a concerted effort to understand the unusual science of gold nanoparticles and will strengthen Australia's already considerable reputation in this field.Read moreRead less