Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668504
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$648,000.00
Summary
Real-time Observation of Thermal and Mechanical Response at the Nano Level. The requested facility is an electron microscope dedicated to observing, in real-time, the nano-scale mechanisms that control the response of materials to stress and temperature. The insight provided by this facility is needed for the development of the next generation of materials, particularly "nano" materials based on particles, fibres, whiskers, nano-tubes, thin films and other micro-formed parts. These materials wil ....Real-time Observation of Thermal and Mechanical Response at the Nano Level. The requested facility is an electron microscope dedicated to observing, in real-time, the nano-scale mechanisms that control the response of materials to stress and temperature. The insight provided by this facility is needed for the development of the next generation of materials, particularly "nano" materials based on particles, fibres, whiskers, nano-tubes, thin films and other micro-formed parts. These materials will underpin the next generation of technological advances and new applications such as nano-machines. The facility will also be used to train the future scientists who will develop these exciting new technologies.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101244
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$417,276.00
Summary
Advanced zinc-ion batteries with high voltage and high energy density. Zinc-ion battery is not only cheaper than current lithium-ion battery (LIB), but it is safer due to a neutral aqueous electrolyte. However, its grid-scale development is plagued by limited output voltage and inadequate energy density compared with more mainstream LIB. This project aims to solve the discharge-voltage problem by fabricating atomic-level structure engineered manganese (Mn)-based cathode and a new stable solid-st ....Advanced zinc-ion batteries with high voltage and high energy density. Zinc-ion battery is not only cheaper than current lithium-ion battery (LIB), but it is safer due to a neutral aqueous electrolyte. However, its grid-scale development is plagued by limited output voltage and inadequate energy density compared with more mainstream LIB. This project aims to solve the discharge-voltage problem by fabricating atomic-level structure engineered manganese (Mn)-based cathode and a new stable solid-state electrolyte, and improve the device energy density by zinc (Zn) anode interface nanotechnology. The success of this project will benefit Australia’s access to new markets and introduce a new low-cost and safe energy storage technology for the long-term viability of Australia’s abundant Zn and Mn resources.Read moreRead less
Mechanical modulation of particle-cell interactions. Mechanical forces play critical roles in many biological processes, but how particle mechanical properties modulate particle-cell interactions remains elusive. This project aims to develop new design principles for engineering nano/micromaterials with tunable mechanical properties for improved cell activation and expansion, and to advance knowledge of the role of particle stiffness in modulating receptor-mediated particle-cell interactions. Ex ....Mechanical modulation of particle-cell interactions. Mechanical forces play critical roles in many biological processes, but how particle mechanical properties modulate particle-cell interactions remains elusive. This project aims to develop new design principles for engineering nano/micromaterials with tunable mechanical properties for improved cell activation and expansion, and to advance knowledge of the role of particle stiffness in modulating receptor-mediated particle-cell interactions. Expected outcomes and benefits include new fundamental understanding of the effect of particle mechanical properties on cell function, new insights into T cell activation and expansion, and new classes of stiffness-tunable fit-for-purpose materials for various applications in cell manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101365
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$433,082.00
Summary
Multiscale Design of Electrocatalysts for On-Demand H2O2 Production. The aim of this project is to design advanced single-atom catalysts at multiscale for efficient and selective electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxides as clean chemicals and fuels. It is expected to generate new knowledge in materials science and electrochemistry, using interdisciplinary approaches of multiscale material engineering, in situ characterisation and theoretical calculations. Expected outcomes incl ....Multiscale Design of Electrocatalysts for On-Demand H2O2 Production. The aim of this project is to design advanced single-atom catalysts at multiscale for efficient and selective electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxides as clean chemicals and fuels. It is expected to generate new knowledge in materials science and electrochemistry, using interdisciplinary approaches of multiscale material engineering, in situ characterisation and theoretical calculations. Expected outcomes include generalised design principles, innovative synthesis strategies, refined reaction mechanism understanding, and commercially relevant electrolysis technologies. Benefits include a sustainable future for Australia with advanced manufacturing, decreased emissions and resilient chemicals supply.Read moreRead less
Printable technologies for high security documents and consumer products. Printable technologies for high security documents and consumer products. This project aims to develop two next-generation printable security feature technologies to protect users from counterfeiting, which costs the world economy billions in lost revenue and undermines the security of citizens. First, it aims to enhance the security of banknotes by developing printable active device patches with energy harvesting flexible ....Printable technologies for high security documents and consumer products. Printable technologies for high security documents and consumer products. This project aims to develop two next-generation printable security feature technologies to protect users from counterfeiting, which costs the world economy billions in lost revenue and undermines the security of citizens. First, it aims to enhance the security of banknotes by developing printable active device patches with energy harvesting flexible polymers as a power source and thin film graphene/polymer nanomaterial as an electrode/energy storage media. Second, it aims to design invisible carbon nanotube inks for optical authentication via near infrared activation. Both technologies are expected to thwart sophisticated counterfeits, particularly those supported by organised crime.Read moreRead less
Conducting polymer materials. This project aims to understand the optical, electrical and optoelectronic properties of conductive polymers by studying how ions influence the charge transport through the polymeric structure. The discovery of conductive polymers in the 1970s led to smartphone and laptop touch displays and solar cells. These materials promise even more still – but how they operate at the atomic level is not understood. This project could lead to an ability to harness and control th ....Conducting polymer materials. This project aims to understand the optical, electrical and optoelectronic properties of conductive polymers by studying how ions influence the charge transport through the polymeric structure. The discovery of conductive polymers in the 1970s led to smartphone and laptop touch displays and solar cells. These materials promise even more still – but how they operate at the atomic level is not understood. This project could lead to an ability to harness and control these properties for energy storage and wearable displays. These materials’ biological neutrality could lead to drug delivery and sensing applications in the agriculture and healthcare spaces.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC170100032
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,272,072.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre in Fire Retardant Materials and Safety Technologies. The ARC Training Centre in Fire Retardant Materials and Safety Technologies aims to train a cohort of industry-focused researchers to improve the fire safety of lightweight materials and structures and fire protection systems. The Training Centre expects to create knowledge on novel green and durable fire retardant materials, advanced fire models for urban and built environment, fire suppression technologies, and new flamma ....ARC Training Centre in Fire Retardant Materials and Safety Technologies. The ARC Training Centre in Fire Retardant Materials and Safety Technologies aims to train a cohort of industry-focused researchers to improve the fire safety of lightweight materials and structures and fire protection systems. The Training Centre expects to create knowledge on novel green and durable fire retardant materials, advanced fire models for urban and built environment, fire suppression technologies, and new flammability tests for compliance with fire safety regulatory standards. An expected outcome of this Training Centre is to accelerate the transformation of Australia’s industries in fire retardant materials, products and engineering services.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101234
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Nanostructured metal organic frameworks for aqueous sodium ion batteries. Aqueous sodium ion batteries are promising to meet demands for large-scale energy storage applications in the deployment of solar, wind and other volatile renewable energy sources. This project aims to design and synthesise a series of nanostructured metal organic frameworks, especially Prussian blue analogues, with controllable mesoporosity and hollow architectures as electrode materials for aqueous sodium ion batteries. ....Nanostructured metal organic frameworks for aqueous sodium ion batteries. Aqueous sodium ion batteries are promising to meet demands for large-scale energy storage applications in the deployment of solar, wind and other volatile renewable energy sources. This project aims to design and synthesise a series of nanostructured metal organic frameworks, especially Prussian blue analogues, with controllable mesoporosity and hollow architectures as electrode materials for aqueous sodium ion batteries. Unique nanostructure design can endow the battery systems with advanced features of long cycle life, high rate capacity retention and very low hysteresis. The project is vitally important to the long-term viability of Australia's resources and supports Australia's access to new markets and supply chains.Read moreRead less
An account of wetting phenomena on nano-engineered surfaces. This project aims to provide researchers and industry with a toolbox to predict wetting behaviour on surfaces with nanoscale topography. A combined experimental and numerical study will lead to the discovery of the mechanisms by which topographical and chemical properties of the surface trigger the formation of nanostructure-induced air pockets and how these phenomena determine surface wettability. This will provide significant benefi ....An account of wetting phenomena on nano-engineered surfaces. This project aims to provide researchers and industry with a toolbox to predict wetting behaviour on surfaces with nanoscale topography. A combined experimental and numerical study will lead to the discovery of the mechanisms by which topographical and chemical properties of the surface trigger the formation of nanostructure-induced air pockets and how these phenomena determine surface wettability. This will provide significant benefits, as the predictive surface-wettability model will enhance controllability and productivity of diverse manufacturing processes and lead to new applications, high-value products and economic benefits in mining, energy, electronics, biomedicine and other fields.Read moreRead less
New bar-encoded polymer microbeads for multiplexed bioanalysis-a quick and high-throughput approach for complex disease diagnosis. Distinguishable new bar-encoded (element-encoded) polymer microbeads associated with a mass spectroscopy-flow cytometer detector provide a novel platform for highly multiplexed biological analysis. Such an approach can simultaneously identify many non-self-agents at low concentrations, which facilitates early-stage complex disease diagnosis.