Engineering Functional Antimicrobial Polypeptide Surfaces. Antimicrobial coatings are vital in preventing bacterial contamination but a versatile solution does not exist. Structurally nanoengineered antimicrobial peptide polymers (SNAPPs) were recently developed to fight multidrug-resistant bacteria. To expand their application into antimicrobial coatings across a range of surfaces, a simple and universal coating strategy is needed. By developing phenolic-functionalised SNAPPs, this project aims ....Engineering Functional Antimicrobial Polypeptide Surfaces. Antimicrobial coatings are vital in preventing bacterial contamination but a versatile solution does not exist. Structurally nanoengineered antimicrobial peptide polymers (SNAPPs) were recently developed to fight multidrug-resistant bacteria. To expand their application into antimicrobial coatings across a range of surfaces, a simple and universal coating strategy is needed. By developing phenolic-functionalised SNAPPs, this project aims to exploit the adhesive nature of metal–phenolic materials to rapidly coat diverse surfaces, including stainless steel and textiles. The expected outcome is the generation of antimicrobial polypeptide surfaces, which will have benefits in food safety, medical implant technology and advanced textiles.Read moreRead less
Nanobionic sensors for Real-Time Plant Health Monitoring. This project aims to develop nanosensors to detect and monitor plant health in real-time by measuring stress molecules. The project will create new knowledge on functional materials with unique optical, electronic and thermal properties as well as their bio-nano interactions with plants. The expected outcomes of the project will provide insight into 1) how localised nanosensors target organelles in living plants to 2) generate signals tha ....Nanobionic sensors for Real-Time Plant Health Monitoring. This project aims to develop nanosensors to detect and monitor plant health in real-time by measuring stress molecules. The project will create new knowledge on functional materials with unique optical, electronic and thermal properties as well as their bio-nano interactions with plants. The expected outcomes of the project will provide insight into 1) how localised nanosensors target organelles in living plants to 2) generate signals that can be picked up by portable devices to 3) report on plant health. Functional nanosensors will enable smart farming, precision agriculture and contribute to future agronomic research, further strengthening Australia’s position as an international leader in nanobiotechnology.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100743
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$423,067.00
Summary
High-mobility transparent p-type materials synthesised from metal surfaces. This project aims to investigate the novel high mobility atomically thin materials synthesised from solid and liquid metal surfaces and to analyse the interfacial properties of their crystal. This project is expected to generate fundamental knowledge and applied research capability in interdisciplinary fields of advanced materials, nanomaterials, and electrical and chemical engineering using innovative synthesis approach ....High-mobility transparent p-type materials synthesised from metal surfaces. This project aims to investigate the novel high mobility atomically thin materials synthesised from solid and liquid metal surfaces and to analyse the interfacial properties of their crystal. This project is expected to generate fundamental knowledge and applied research capability in interdisciplinary fields of advanced materials, nanomaterials, and electrical and chemical engineering using innovative synthesis approaches. This project promises to support the development of new sustainable, low-waste and green technology for transparent, reliable, energy-efficient, high-performance nanoelectronics that can help to build high throughput and low dissipating power electronics components for energy generation, distribution and utilisation.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE240100036
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$754,700.00
Summary
Ultra-fast structure-property characterisation of materials. The design of materials for functional and damage-tolerant applications requires detailed knowledge of their structure and the mechanisms that operate at length scales ranging from interatomic layers to micro, meso and macro scales. This project aims to establish ultra-fast processing capabilities that enable ion-damage free structural modifications and microstructure-mechanical properties characterisation across multiple length scales ....Ultra-fast structure-property characterisation of materials. The design of materials for functional and damage-tolerant applications requires detailed knowledge of their structure and the mechanisms that operate at length scales ranging from interatomic layers to micro, meso and macro scales. This project aims to establish ultra-fast processing capabilities that enable ion-damage free structural modifications and microstructure-mechanical properties characterisation across multiple length scales at unprecedented speed and accuracy. Expected outcomes include the ability to create new knowledge about multi-scale structure, composition and deformation mechanisms for the design of novel materials systems that enable manufacturing benefits throughout transportation, defence and clean energy sectors.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE240100086
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,000.00
Summary
Integrated multimodal microscopy facility for single molecule analysis. This project aims to establish an integrated multimodal microscopy facility in Australia for extensive structural characterization of functional and biological materials at the nanoscale and single molecule level. Discoveries using the facility will provide new insights into the relationship between molecules, materials, and their functions. The key outcomes and benefits of this facility are to i) strengthen the research eff ....Integrated multimodal microscopy facility for single molecule analysis. This project aims to establish an integrated multimodal microscopy facility in Australia for extensive structural characterization of functional and biological materials at the nanoscale and single molecule level. Discoveries using the facility will provide new insights into the relationship between molecules, materials, and their functions. The key outcomes and benefits of this facility are to i) strengthen the research effort in materials science and biotechnology, ii) advance the development of functional materials for biosensing and energy storage, and iii) create new catalysts for green energy conversion. The funding will ensure researchers have access to the latest technology critical to maintaining world-class research.Read moreRead less
Engineering vanadium oxide-based cathode for aqueous ammonium ion batteries. This project aims to develop the next-generation rechargeable aqueous ammonium ion batteries and the scaled-up prototypes. It will be innovatively powered by nonmetallic charge carriers to show superior safety, low cost, high rate and cycle performance, and large capacity, ensuring realistic implementation for industrial purposes. Expected outcomes include a series of chemically and morphologically tuned vanadium oxide- ....Engineering vanadium oxide-based cathode for aqueous ammonium ion batteries. This project aims to develop the next-generation rechargeable aqueous ammonium ion batteries and the scaled-up prototypes. It will be innovatively powered by nonmetallic charge carriers to show superior safety, low cost, high rate and cycle performance, and large capacity, ensuring realistic implementation for industrial purposes. Expected outcomes include a series of chemically and morphologically tuned vanadium oxide-based cathode materials, a novel and reliable working principle based on reversible ammonium ion storage, and battery pack prototypes targeting industry demanded energy density and lifespan. Via industrial pilot trials, commercial benefits will be fast tracked for clean energy storage, net zero future and industry upgrades.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100480
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$445,237.00
Summary
Electrolyte design for high-performance, sustainable sodium batteries. This project aims to develop sustainable high-performance sodium batteries by investigating new non-flammable and safe electrolyte chemistries. The project will generate knowledge in materials chemistry for battery electrolytes that will underpin improvements in battery technology and help to move society towards a zero-carbon economy. The outcomes will provide materials suitable for prototyping reliable, safe and sustainable ....Electrolyte design for high-performance, sustainable sodium batteries. This project aims to develop sustainable high-performance sodium batteries by investigating new non-flammable and safe electrolyte chemistries. The project will generate knowledge in materials chemistry for battery electrolytes that will underpin improvements in battery technology and help to move society towards a zero-carbon economy. The outcomes will provide materials suitable for prototyping reliable, safe and sustainable batteries in Australia and enhance research collaborations with local and international industry partners. These advances will contribute to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy storage systems, positioning Australia at the forefront of advanced battery research.Read moreRead less
Zwitterion-based electrolytes for advanced energy technologies. This research aims to develop a new class of electrolyte that is safer, non-flammable and designed to enable excellent performance of high energy batteries made with either sodium or lithium. Through the synthesis of new electrolyte structures that are designed to improve stability and electrochemical properties, and using a range of analysis techniques to understand the material properties, the project aims to solve some of the saf ....Zwitterion-based electrolytes for advanced energy technologies. This research aims to develop a new class of electrolyte that is safer, non-flammable and designed to enable excellent performance of high energy batteries made with either sodium or lithium. Through the synthesis of new electrolyte structures that are designed to improve stability and electrochemical properties, and using a range of analysis techniques to understand the material properties, the project aims to solve some of the safety and performance problems that plague existing electrolytes. Expected benefits include new functional energy materials for safer, more reliable energy storage technologies, plus research training, collaborations and materials development capabilities to help position Australia as a global leader in this field.Read moreRead less
Early Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IE230100048
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,097.00
Summary
Ammonium-selective membranes to shift water industry into circular economy. The project aims to develop ammonium-selective membranes which are urgently needed in Australian key industries for sustainable ammonia recovery. The project expects to construct the membranes to achieve desirable pore size and surface functionality for fast and selective ammonia transport. The developed membranes should make ammonia recovery from wastewater more effective and sustainable, leading to the healthy waterway ....Ammonium-selective membranes to shift water industry into circular economy. The project aims to develop ammonium-selective membranes which are urgently needed in Australian key industries for sustainable ammonia recovery. The project expects to construct the membranes to achieve desirable pore size and surface functionality for fast and selective ammonia transport. The developed membranes should make ammonia recovery from wastewater more effective and sustainable, leading to the healthy waterway and reduced energy for both ammonia production and removal. Recovered ammonia expects to produce valuable products, supporting agriculture industry and hydrogen economy. The developed membranes should enable water industry's shift into circular economy, providing significant economic and environmental benefits to Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE240100092
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,100,000.00
Summary
Quantum microscopy facility for ultrasensitive nanoscale magnetic imaging. Investigations of 2D and van der Waals materials, biological samples, energy materials, and quantum devices on the nano- and microscale are revolutionising medicine, communications, information technology, energy production and storage by virtue of new phenomena. The new quantum microscopy facility will enable state-of-the-art capabilities in mapping chemical, magnetic, optical, electronic, and spectral properties, provid ....Quantum microscopy facility for ultrasensitive nanoscale magnetic imaging. Investigations of 2D and van der Waals materials, biological samples, energy materials, and quantum devices on the nano- and microscale are revolutionising medicine, communications, information technology, energy production and storage by virtue of new phenomena. The new quantum microscopy facility will enable state-of-the-art capabilities in mapping chemical, magnetic, optical, electronic, and spectral properties, providing cutting-edge tools that will enable breakthroughs in both existing and future multi-disciplinary projects in photonics, quantum devices, nanomaterials, nanoelectronics, biotechnology, and energy technology as key drivers of the new economy in Australia.Read moreRead less