Polymer nanoparticles with gradient morphology for environmentally friendly aqueous coatings applications. The commercial and practical importance of coatings (paints) in today’s society can hardly be overstated. With the ongoing drive towards more environmentally friendly coating systems, there is a strong desire to replace traditionally employed solvent-based coatings with entirely waterborne systems. Waterborne coatings are a key measure by which the coating industry can meet requirements to ....Polymer nanoparticles with gradient morphology for environmentally friendly aqueous coatings applications. The commercial and practical importance of coatings (paints) in today’s society can hardly be overstated. With the ongoing drive towards more environmentally friendly coating systems, there is a strong desire to replace traditionally employed solvent-based coatings with entirely waterborne systems. Waterborne coatings are a key measure by which the coating industry can meet requirements to reduce emission of volatile organic compounds. However, maximum performance cannot be achieved currently using waterborne coatings, which in turn limits applications. The overall aim of this project is to develop environmentally friendly high-performance waterborne coatings that will enable replacement of currently employed solvent-based systems.Read moreRead less
High-Performance Polymer Composites for Electrical Discharging. This project aims to address the problem of electrostatic discharge by developing new industry-compatible processing techniques and taking advantage of the synergy between graphene and carbon nanotubes and fibres. Electrostatic discharge due to accumulation of static electricity is a significant problem for lightweight polymer composites used in hazard environments, such as pumps for underground mining, oil and gas storage and satel ....High-Performance Polymer Composites for Electrical Discharging. This project aims to address the problem of electrostatic discharge by developing new industry-compatible processing techniques and taking advantage of the synergy between graphene and carbon nanotubes and fibres. Electrostatic discharge due to accumulation of static electricity is a significant problem for lightweight polymer composites used in hazard environments, such as pumps for underground mining, oil and gas storage and satellites. The outcomes will potentially transform the current manufacturing practice of anti-static composites for industry applications including mining, energy, space and agriculture. Read moreRead less
Functionalised biopolymers - a new class of renewable nano-engineered materials. Licella is an Australian start-up company, focusing on developing uses for the renewable resource lignocellulosic biomass; a fibrous material sourced principally from waste, such as that generated by forestry and agricultural operations. It is possible to use such waste and process it to separate the biomass components. This project proposes to modify these biomass fractions with living radical polymerisation (LPR) ....Functionalised biopolymers - a new class of renewable nano-engineered materials. Licella is an Australian start-up company, focusing on developing uses for the renewable resource lignocellulosic biomass; a fibrous material sourced principally from waste, such as that generated by forestry and agricultural operations. It is possible to use such waste and process it to separate the biomass components. This project proposes to modify these biomass fractions with living radical polymerisation (LPR) polymers to impart functionalities, such as antimicrobial properties, high tensile strengths and/or in-built photodegrability. New, high-performance sustainable materials like these will be the back-bone of the polymer/plastics industry of the future, replacing common plastics, sourced from non-renewable petrochemicals, with benign, sustainable plastics.Read moreRead less