Novel graphene-based soft materials for versatile applications. This research program will develop new techniques to convert natural graphite into new carbon nanomaterials for use in energy storage/conversion devices, water purification, sensors and biomedical devices. It will enable many technological innovations in related areas and enhance Australia's engineering and manufacturing innovations.
Vapour phase detection of chemical warfare agents. This project aims to create luminescent plastic optoelectronic materials that can detect airborne chemical warfare agents, particularly nerve agents. Such agents are often odourless and invisible at lethal concentrations, so technology must detect and identify them before exposure. The intended outcomes are design rules for sensitive and selective materials that can be used in a handheld infield detector to sense chemical warfare agents based on ....Vapour phase detection of chemical warfare agents. This project aims to create luminescent plastic optoelectronic materials that can detect airborne chemical warfare agents, particularly nerve agents. Such agents are often odourless and invisible at lethal concentrations, so technology must detect and identify them before exposure. The intended outcomes are design rules for sensitive and selective materials that can be used in a handheld infield detector to sense chemical warfare agents based on the materials’ photophysical properties, and new analytical methods and sensing protocols. This research will be of interest to security agencies in Australia and internationally, and will better protect our military.Read moreRead less
New stimuli-responsive polymer membranes using graphene as a multifunctional scaffold. Membranes are used in a range of applications to filter liquids and gases and increasingly must be able to be activated by stimuli such as temperature, pH and voltage. We will develop a new type of membrane which is easy to make, is strong and allows the incorporation of a variety of stimuli-responsive polymers within a functional graphene scaffold.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101550
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Functional polymer encapsulation to enhance biological performance of implantable materials. This project will develop biomaterial films from essential oils using a low-cost 'green' technology. Applied to commercial biomaterials, these films will minimise infections and inflammations commonly associated with implants. These films will also enable clinical use of metallic resorbable implants for tissue engineering and function restoration.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100063
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$980,000.00
Summary
Focused ion beam microscope for trace element analysis and nanomachining. Focused ion beam microscope for trace element analysis and nanomachining:
This project aims to fill the critical gap in 3-D imaging and compositional characterisation of metals, functional materials, polymers, biomaterials, ceramics and minerals at micro- and nano-scales. Coupling of dual column focused ion beam microscopy with secondary ion mass spectroscopy analysis will is designed to overcome the long-standing limitat ....Focused ion beam microscope for trace element analysis and nanomachining. Focused ion beam microscope for trace element analysis and nanomachining:
This project aims to fill the critical gap in 3-D imaging and compositional characterisation of metals, functional materials, polymers, biomaterials, ceramics and minerals at micro- and nano-scales. Coupling of dual column focused ion beam microscopy with secondary ion mass spectroscopy analysis will is designed to overcome the long-standing limitation of light and trace element analysis in scanning electron microscopes. This facility would provide Australian researchers with a new capability of characterising light and trace elements using scanning electron microscopy. Along with the ability to characterise a diverse range of materials in 3-D, the new system would enable fabrication of functional nanoscale devices for nanotechnology, biomedical and energy applications. Read moreRead less
Taming light and electrons in optical fibres. This project aims to add electrical conduction functionality to optical fibres to manipulate light with electrons and vice versa in a photonics platform, which could bridge the gap between photonics and electronics. It will achieve electrical conduction in optical fibres by creating conductive phases within and onto glass using fibre drawing and polymerisation. The project is expected to lead to breakthroughs in fundamental science at the interfaces ....Taming light and electrons in optical fibres. This project aims to add electrical conduction functionality to optical fibres to manipulate light with electrons and vice versa in a photonics platform, which could bridge the gap between photonics and electronics. It will achieve electrical conduction in optical fibres by creating conductive phases within and onto glass using fibre drawing and polymerisation. The project is expected to lead to breakthroughs in fundamental science at the interfaces between photonics, electronics and materials engineering, and develop optical fibres that change functionalities and applications of optical fibre devices.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100109
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$832,648.00
Summary
Magneto-optical facility for the search of novel multifunctional materials. This project aims to establish a comprehensive photomagnetic materials characterisation facility. Novel transition metal oxide materials provide new functionalities, which by far exceed present semiconductor and IT technology. The project will enable new observations of materials’ behaviour by combining Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometry with optical illumination, under systematically contro ....Magneto-optical facility for the search of novel multifunctional materials. This project aims to establish a comprehensive photomagnetic materials characterisation facility. Novel transition metal oxide materials provide new functionalities, which by far exceed present semiconductor and IT technology. The project will enable new observations of materials’ behaviour by combining Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometry with optical illumination, under systematically controlled conditions. The photomagnetic measurement system will cover a diverse process parameter space for studying magnetic materials properties under light illumination, enabling measurements of the smallest magnetisation signals possible so far, for example in ultrathin films and nanomaterials.Read moreRead less
Engineered ion channels for selective and switchable ion conduction. This project aims to develop an innovative bioinspired approach for fabricating angstrom-sized ion-channel membranes with specific ion selectivity, high ion conductivity and efficient gating function comparable to biological ion channels. Engineering of artificial channels with ion-channel-like shapes, ion selectivity filters and functional gates is expected to bring high-efficiency technologies to applications such as membrane ....Engineered ion channels for selective and switchable ion conduction. This project aims to develop an innovative bioinspired approach for fabricating angstrom-sized ion-channel membranes with specific ion selectivity, high ion conductivity and efficient gating function comparable to biological ion channels. Engineering of artificial channels with ion-channel-like shapes, ion selectivity filters and functional gates is expected to bring high-efficiency technologies to applications such as membrane separation and energy conversion. This project has potential to result in new knowledge of biomimetic design of artificial ion-channel membranes and directly benefit manufacturing industry for Australia.Read moreRead less
Nanocrystals in glass: a new nanophotonic material. The new nanophotonic materials will enable breakthroughs in exploitation of the outstanding properties of nanocrystals in photonic devices. This will open up progress in telecommunication, medicine and solar cell technology.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100004
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,000.00
Summary
Thin film processing cluster: precise synthesis and nano-patterning of functional coatings. This facility will allow Australian researchers to create advanced functional materials with unprecedented control over material configurations and near atomic scale precision in dimensions. This will enable significant advances in high speed photonics and electronics, health and environment monitoring, and micro-energy sources.