Functional polymeric nanopores from cyclic peptide templates. This research programme will develop nanotubes prepared through the self-assembly of cyclic peptide/polymer conjugates into functional devices for applications as nanopores. The project will establish the fundamental knowledge required to develop these materials into nanoporous polymeric films and transmembrane channels. The research programme will establish new synthetic routes to the conjugates, ascertain the technique of assembly i ....Functional polymeric nanopores from cyclic peptide templates. This research programme will develop nanotubes prepared through the self-assembly of cyclic peptide/polymer conjugates into functional devices for applications as nanopores. The project will establish the fundamental knowledge required to develop these materials into nanoporous polymeric films and transmembrane channels. The research programme will establish new synthetic routes to the conjugates, ascertain the technique of assembly into nanotubes, with a particular focus on improving the precision with which we achieve structural control, and explore the use of the nanotubes to design nanopores, for applications in the manufacture of nanoporous materials, as antibiotic agents and as biosensors.Read moreRead less
Three dimensional polymer structures for bionic applications. The polymer based three dimensional (3D) structures targeted for production in this project will bring unique capabilities to the field of bionics research. A multi-modal 3D scaffold capable of delivering biofactors, supporting cell growth and providing power for stimulation will significantly advance the efforts being made in bionic research. This will have profound effects on the quality of life for those suffering from a range of m ....Three dimensional polymer structures for bionic applications. The polymer based three dimensional (3D) structures targeted for production in this project will bring unique capabilities to the field of bionics research. A multi-modal 3D scaffold capable of delivering biofactors, supporting cell growth and providing power for stimulation will significantly advance the efforts being made in bionic research. This will have profound effects on the quality of life for those suffering from a range of medical conditions, from spinal cord injury through to epilepsy. Here we will demonstrate the capabilities of these novel polymer structures both in-vitro and in-vivo.Read moreRead less
Multiblock copolymer synthesis for nano-engineered materials. This project aims to develop methodology for environmentally friendly and industrially applicable synthesis of new types of advanced polymeric materials comprising multiblock copolymers. Polymeric materials play an important role in society with applications from bulk plastics to advanced technological applications. This would enable the creation of advanced materials with specific engineering targets and applications ranging from nan ....Multiblock copolymer synthesis for nano-engineered materials. This project aims to develop methodology for environmentally friendly and industrially applicable synthesis of new types of advanced polymeric materials comprising multiblock copolymers. Polymeric materials play an important role in society with applications from bulk plastics to advanced technological applications. This would enable the creation of advanced materials with specific engineering targets and applications ranging from nanomedicine to materials science.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100315
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Combinatorial design of multivalent polymers for cell receptor clustering. This project aims to design biologically active multivalent peptide-polymer conjugates. This project will use an enzyme to conduct the reactions in tiny volumes in the open air, and prepare and screen large libraries of different architectures for their ability to kill cancer cell lines through the clustering of death receptor proteins on the cell surface. Such combinatorial techniques have been crucial to the development ....Combinatorial design of multivalent polymers for cell receptor clustering. This project aims to design biologically active multivalent peptide-polymer conjugates. This project will use an enzyme to conduct the reactions in tiny volumes in the open air, and prepare and screen large libraries of different architectures for their ability to kill cancer cell lines through the clustering of death receptor proteins on the cell surface. Such combinatorial techniques have been crucial to the development of small molecule drugs. This project aims to apply this technique to well-defined macromolecules, studying their structure-activity relationships, and could lead ultimately to the generation of lead compounds for therapeutics with high commercial relevance.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100294
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$368,446.00
Summary
Topochemical conversion of layers of graphene into diamond-like thin films. This project aims to experimentally convert layers of graphene into diamond-like thin films via novel chemical hydrogenation and fluorination approaches. Unconventional diamond-like thin films that possess remarkable physicochemical properties will be produced to trigger significant theoretical and technological interests in nano-carbon research. The project expects to impact the fundamental understanding of this new cla ....Topochemical conversion of layers of graphene into diamond-like thin films. This project aims to experimentally convert layers of graphene into diamond-like thin films via novel chemical hydrogenation and fluorination approaches. Unconventional diamond-like thin films that possess remarkable physicochemical properties will be produced to trigger significant theoretical and technological interests in nano-carbon research. The project expects to impact the fundamental understanding of this new class of graphene-derived materials whilst driving cutting-edge technological advances in electrochemical applications, membrane technologies and quantum computing.Read moreRead less
Janus particles and nanorattles: new materials for paint technology. This project will pave the way for self cleaning paints that achieve opacity with greatly reduced titanium dioxide levels. Painted surfaces will maintain their clean and new look for longer and a clean town look will be much more readily maintained. More efficient use of titanium dioxide will reduce the need for sand mining and reduce the cost of quality paint.
New high performance zinc bromine batteries with novel electrode/electrolyte systems. Renewable sources of energy are of particular interest in the era of diminishing fossil fuels. Efficient energy storage is a missing link for renewable energy. Zinc-bromine batteries have great potential as energy storage. This project will aim to fundamentally re-design the existing first generation systems to improve power density by 300-400 per cent.
Efficient ionic liquid-based reduction of nitrogen to ammonia. This project aims to develop a hybrid ionic liquid-nanostructured electrode platform to electrochemically convert nitrogen gas to ammonia. Ammonia production, mostly for fertilisers, consumes more than 1% of the global energy supply and contributes 1.6 % of global carbon dioxide emissions. A process that could convert nitrogen to ammonia using renewable energy would be an important alternative approach. This project will develop a pl ....Efficient ionic liquid-based reduction of nitrogen to ammonia. This project aims to develop a hybrid ionic liquid-nanostructured electrode platform to electrochemically convert nitrogen gas to ammonia. Ammonia production, mostly for fertilisers, consumes more than 1% of the global energy supply and contributes 1.6 % of global carbon dioxide emissions. A process that could convert nitrogen to ammonia using renewable energy would be an important alternative approach. This project will develop a platform for electrochemical conversion of nitrogen gas to ammonia and optimise it for use with surplus renewable energy supplies. The project is expected to contribute to mitigation of greenhouse emissions and create a technology for distributed production of ammonia and ammonium fertilisers.Read moreRead less
Polymer micro-capsules for stain-resistant paint. This project aims to create an advanced micro-capsule system to be used in the manufacturing of high-performance waterborne paints on a large scale. Surface coatings seal, strengthen, and decorate the majority of surfaces in the building industry. Despite their importance, advances in paint science have only been incremental and a truly stain-resistant, robust and environmentally friendly coating has yet to be developed. This project will use pol ....Polymer micro-capsules for stain-resistant paint. This project aims to create an advanced micro-capsule system to be used in the manufacturing of high-performance waterborne paints on a large scale. Surface coatings seal, strengthen, and decorate the majority of surfaces in the building industry. Despite their importance, advances in paint science have only been incremental and a truly stain-resistant, robust and environmentally friendly coating has yet to be developed. This project will use polymer Janus nanoparticles to radically redesign architectural coatings, with the goal to reduce the use of non-renewable components, and increase stain-resistance and durability. This new technology will lead to less disruption for the environment, and important economic and technological benefits for Australia.Read moreRead less