Surface ligation of nanomaterials for biomedical applications . The project aims to explore the synergistic effects co-ligands for target recognition and biofouling protection in nanoparticle surface patterns to enable practical atomic scale precision engineering of efficient and biofouling resistant nanosensors. The project will fundamentally characterise interfacial interactions and dynamics of ligated nano-surfaces and biomolecules via advanced computer modelling. Outcomes should include pra ....Surface ligation of nanomaterials for biomedical applications . The project aims to explore the synergistic effects co-ligands for target recognition and biofouling protection in nanoparticle surface patterns to enable practical atomic scale precision engineering of efficient and biofouling resistant nanosensors. The project will fundamentally characterise interfacial interactions and dynamics of ligated nano-surfaces and biomolecules via advanced computer modelling. Outcomes should include practical molecular design guidelines for functional ligands and predicted optimal patterns for combining functional and antifouling ligands on gold nanomaterials for biosensing technologies. The advanced predictive modelling capabilities will facilitate future practical engineering of efficient biomedical devices.Read moreRead less
Structurally-bridged crystalline molecular sieve-polymer membranes. This project aims to produce a membrane platform technology for efficient and cost-effective separation in natural gas processing and petrochemicals, using crystalline sieve materials. It will address the mismatch of mechanical properties between crystalline molecular sieve materials (zeolites and metal organic frameworks) and polymers, and coating flaws which limit their use as gas separation membranes. It will create nano-rein ....Structurally-bridged crystalline molecular sieve-polymer membranes. This project aims to produce a membrane platform technology for efficient and cost-effective separation in natural gas processing and petrochemicals, using crystalline sieve materials. It will address the mismatch of mechanical properties between crystalline molecular sieve materials (zeolites and metal organic frameworks) and polymers, and coating flaws which limit their use as gas separation membranes. It will create nano-reinforcement in the coating and polymer substrate, with nano-bridges between them. The resulting membranes will be mechanically tough and separate better than existing membranes. Advanced membranes are expected to benefit fuel industries by reducing separation cost and energy consumption.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101662
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
Non-Oxidative and Scalable Electrochemical Production of Functional Graphene and its Nanohybrids. The lack of cost-effective and scalable graphene production methods is the current bottleneck that impedes the commercialisation of advanced graphene-based nanomaterials. Novel electrochemical production of those functional materials directly from bulk graphite not only holds the key to the solution but also provides a non-oxidative route for the production of highly conductive graphene which is wel ....Non-Oxidative and Scalable Electrochemical Production of Functional Graphene and its Nanohybrids. The lack of cost-effective and scalable graphene production methods is the current bottleneck that impedes the commercialisation of advanced graphene-based nanomaterials. Novel electrochemical production of those functional materials directly from bulk graphite not only holds the key to the solution but also provides a non-oxidative route for the production of highly conductive graphene which is well suited for applications such as biosensing, energy storage and conversion. Besides achieving scientific breakthroughs in graphene electrochemistry, this project will directly benefit many Australian socio-economic objectives, including manufacturing of Australia's natural resources into valuable energy related products.Read moreRead less
Tailoring smart film for energy efficient protected cropping. Cooling cost represents a major running cost for greenhouse, preventing the wide adoption of highly beneficial protected cropping technology. This project aims at solving this critical issue by developing a world-first tailored smart film that can simultaneously reject solar heat, cool down the greenhouse and maximise the yields of crops. This is made possible by advanced spectral engineering and light management with frontier nanostr ....Tailoring smart film for energy efficient protected cropping. Cooling cost represents a major running cost for greenhouse, preventing the wide adoption of highly beneficial protected cropping technology. This project aims at solving this critical issue by developing a world-first tailored smart film that can simultaneously reject solar heat, cool down the greenhouse and maximise the yields of crops. This is made possible by advanced spectral engineering and light management with frontier nanostructures combined with a scalable and low cost manufacturing process. Deliverables of the project include game-changing energy efficient solutions for protected cropping and marketable smart films readily integratable with existing greenhouse for dramatic energy saving and immediate economic and social benefits.Read moreRead less
Composite Membranes for Energy-efficient Separation Technologies. Advanced separation membranes play a crucial role in the development of clean energy and sustainable water technologies. In this project, new membranes will be developed to substantially improve separation efficiencies in these areas.
Fast stimuli-responsive polymer hydrogels as a new class of draw agent for forward osmosis desalination. The ability to extract fresh water from saline water can be important in areas such as desalination and other industrial applications. In this project new materials will be developed to perform this operation at a much lower energy cost than similar processes, whilst also improving the purity of the separated water.
Quantification of airborne engineered nanoparticles: developing a scientific framework to inform their regulation and control. Despite the presence of airborne engineered nanoparticles in many commercial/research facilities, there are no established methods for their detection/characterisation. This work aims to develop a foundation for the quantitative assessment of airborne engineered nanoparticles, which is critical for controlling exposure and minimising health risks.
Detection, characteristics and dynamics of airborne engineered nanoparticles for human exposure assessment. Recent advances in nanotechnology have led to questions about the safety of airborne engineered nanoparticles in commercial and research facilities. This project aims to develop an understanding of nanoparticle emission and behaviour in the air, which is needed to control workplace exposure to these particles and minimise the risk to human health.
Safe and efficient biomedical nanomaterials. This project aims to rationally engineer nanomaterials with controlled biological responses. Nanomaterials are becoming widespread in biomedicine and engineering, but are inefficient and unsafe. This project will develop atomic scale models to understand interactions between engineered nanoparticles and the crowded cellular environment. It will design extremely sensitive biosensors and theranostic nanodevices combining medical imaging capacity with pr ....Safe and efficient biomedical nanomaterials. This project aims to rationally engineer nanomaterials with controlled biological responses. Nanomaterials are becoming widespread in biomedicine and engineering, but are inefficient and unsafe. This project will develop atomic scale models to understand interactions between engineered nanoparticles and the crowded cellular environment. It will design extremely sensitive biosensors and theranostic nanodevices combining medical imaging capacity with precision targeted drug delivery to improve efficiency and safety of nanomaterials for biomedical applications in both vitro and in vivo enabling cost effective early diagnostics and more efficient treatments.Read moreRead less
Understanding biomolecular interactions of nanoparticles for engineering efficient biomedical materials and devices. Recent studies suggest that proteins bind differently to nano-patterned materials. This phenomenon holds a great potential for engineering of novel materials and devices for biomedical applications. At the same time, there are increasing concerns due to formation of biomolecular "coronas" of nanoparticles which can change their biological identity. This project will develop knowle ....Understanding biomolecular interactions of nanoparticles for engineering efficient biomedical materials and devices. Recent studies suggest that proteins bind differently to nano-patterned materials. This phenomenon holds a great potential for engineering of novel materials and devices for biomedical applications. At the same time, there are increasing concerns due to formation of biomolecular "coronas" of nanoparticles which can change their biological identity. This project will develop knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of nanomaterials interactions with molecular components of biological environment which will be exploited to improve molecular recognition needed in biosensors and drug delivery applications. The project outcomes will help formulate rational design principles for efficient biomedical materials and nanodevices.Read moreRead less