Inventiveness and the progress of product innovation. Quantitative models of inventiveness will be used to forecast the potential rate of improvement of a technology and to re-design products to improve more rapidly and steadily. By focusing on innovation in products and technologies in energy conversion, this research can guide development funding for low-carbon energy generation.
Engineering an artificial protein molecular motor. This project aims to use non-motor protein building blocks to construct an artificial protein motor. Nature already uses nanotechnology as the basis for all its machinery, and uses proteins to construct machines. Each protein component in the motor will have a well-understood function; this artificial protein will elucidate how it converts chemical energy to motion. This process is not understood as molecular motors do not obey the same principl ....Engineering an artificial protein molecular motor. This project aims to use non-motor protein building blocks to construct an artificial protein motor. Nature already uses nanotechnology as the basis for all its machinery, and uses proteins to construct machines. Each protein component in the motor will have a well-understood function; this artificial protein will elucidate how it converts chemical energy to motion. This process is not understood as molecular motors do not obey the same principles as macroscopic machines. Comparing the artificial motor with biological motors will provide insight into the workings of natural motors. This project should lead to molecular motors for nanobiotechnology.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100715
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,000.00
Summary
Tunable plasmonics in ultra-doped transition metal oxides and chalcogenides. The project is designed to explore new classes of plasmonic materials based on low-dimensional transition metal oxide and chalcogenide nanostructures. These crystals, with stratified structures and high surface affinities to charged particles, present a new frontier in plasmonics by allowing reversible stimuli induced doping and defect embedding. The project plans to focus on achieving tunable plasmonic properties acros ....Tunable plasmonics in ultra-doped transition metal oxides and chalcogenides. The project is designed to explore new classes of plasmonic materials based on low-dimensional transition metal oxide and chalcogenide nanostructures. These crystals, with stratified structures and high surface affinities to charged particles, present a new frontier in plasmonics by allowing reversible stimuli induced doping and defect embedding. The project plans to focus on achieving tunable plasmonic properties across a broad spectrum from ultraviolet to infrared light. Targets are systems with low propagation losses or ultra-sensitivity towards environmental changes. The anticipated outcomes will serve as a base to establish the next generation plasmonic communication and sensing systems with active on-chip controllability, which could be used as the base of future telecommunications, energy harvesting and sensing systems.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200100119
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,607.00
Summary
Manipulation of non-wetting droplets for cell culture. We have recently discovered an innovative and interdisciplinary approach for manipulating non-wetting droplets called “liquid marbles” as a platform for three-dimensional cell culture. This project aims to elucidate the fundamental physics underpinning the electrostatic handling concept of this platform technology. The project is expected to deliver an inexpensive but sophisticated cell culture platform that is well-suited for high-throughpu ....Manipulation of non-wetting droplets for cell culture. We have recently discovered an innovative and interdisciplinary approach for manipulating non-wetting droplets called “liquid marbles” as a platform for three-dimensional cell culture. This project aims to elucidate the fundamental physics underpinning the electrostatic handling concept of this platform technology. The project is expected to deliver an inexpensive but sophisticated cell culture platform that is well-suited for high-throughput drug screening and preparing cells for implantation therapy. Significant benefits for end users in pharmaceutical industry, life sciences research and hospitals are expected from the project and the application of the developed technology.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210100415
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,483.00
Summary
Cross-layer Design for Ultra-reliable Low-latency Communications. This project aims to develop fundamental theories and practical technologies for ultra-reliable low-latency communications – one of the grand challenges in 5G cellular networks. Due to the dynamic nature of wireless networks, existing approaches dividing networks into multiple layers cannot guarantee a hard deadline with high reliability. The outcomes of the project will be cross-layer models for characterising the end-to-end perf ....Cross-layer Design for Ultra-reliable Low-latency Communications. This project aims to develop fundamental theories and practical technologies for ultra-reliable low-latency communications – one of the grand challenges in 5G cellular networks. Due to the dynamic nature of wireless networks, existing approaches dividing networks into multiple layers cannot guarantee a hard deadline with high reliability. The outcomes of the project will be cross-layer models for characterising the end-to-end performance, a prediction and communication co-design framework for improving the delay-reliability trade-off, and an online architecture for implementing model-based algorithms in real networks. They will underpin the development of remote control and advancing automation in manufacturing, transportation, mining, etc.Read moreRead less
Understanding the properties of layered nanostructures using in-situ TEM. This project aims to support the practical applications of layered nanostructure-based devices and systems. The development of layered chalcogenide nanostructures is a global research focus due to their potential applications in the energy sector. However, their structure–property link is unclear due to the lack of direct correlation between their structure and properties. This project aims to establish the intrinsic struc ....Understanding the properties of layered nanostructures using in-situ TEM. This project aims to support the practical applications of layered nanostructure-based devices and systems. The development of layered chalcogenide nanostructures is a global research focus due to their potential applications in the energy sector. However, their structure–property link is unclear due to the lack of direct correlation between their structure and properties. This project aims to establish the intrinsic structure–property link by closely correlating the structure (and structural variations) and properties (and varied properties) simultaneously determined from individual nanostructures inside a transmission electron microscope. Expected project outcomes may advance the knowledge base, and provide guidelines for the development of nanostructure-based devices for their high-performance applications, especially in the energy sector.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100163
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$639,369.00
Summary
Nano-bioscience imaging facility. This project aims to investigate the interactions between nano-engineered materials and biological systems through the use of cutting-edge imaging technologies. The project will consist of an ImageStreamX Imaging Flow Cytometer and a Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microscope. Together these will allow high throughput and label-free imaging of cell-nanomaterial interactions, which will underpin research by leading researchers as well as promoting collabora ....Nano-bioscience imaging facility. This project aims to investigate the interactions between nano-engineered materials and biological systems through the use of cutting-edge imaging technologies. The project will consist of an ImageStreamX Imaging Flow Cytometer and a Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microscope. Together these will allow high throughput and label-free imaging of cell-nanomaterial interactions, which will underpin research by leading researchers as well as promoting collaborations between researchers in the physical and life sciences. This will provide significant benefits, such as the development of new materials for potential applications in nano-bioscience.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170101452
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Silk-based conformal pressure sensing devices. This project aims to develop silk biomaterials-based biocompatible and conformal pressure sensing devices and systems for sustainable wearable electronics. Biocompatible conformal sensing interfaces and sensor arrays will be developed for real-time highly sensitive measurement of pressure, critical for accurate and comprehensive health monitoring and electronic skins. It is believed that the wearable products will provide comfort, utility and accura ....Silk-based conformal pressure sensing devices. This project aims to develop silk biomaterials-based biocompatible and conformal pressure sensing devices and systems for sustainable wearable electronics. Biocompatible conformal sensing interfaces and sensor arrays will be developed for real-time highly sensitive measurement of pressure, critical for accurate and comprehensive health monitoring and electronic skins. It is believed that the wearable products will provide comfort, utility and accurate physical information to end users, and improve the performance of personnel working in demanding environments, such as in defence forces, athletics and outfield industrial operations, by continuously monitoring physiological parameters.Read moreRead less
Three dimensional nano-lithography: combined electron and ion beam fabrication. By adding one more dimension to a planar (hence two dimensional - 2D) lithography, it will become possible to structure and texture materials in three dimensions (3D) by combining electron beam lithography (2D) and ion beam milling (3D) with the highest precision of several nanometres. This will open new applications in photonics and sensing.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100796
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Superior Adsorption Capability of Nanosheets for Surface Enhanced Raman. This project aims to create nanotechnologies to sense traces of chemical and biological molecules. Surface adsorption is vital to many scientific and industrial fields, but the intrinsic adsorption property of two-dimensional nanomaterials is largely unknown. This project aims to examine the adsorption capability of nanosheets, such as boron nitride, and understand the thickness effect on their adsorption at the molecular s ....Superior Adsorption Capability of Nanosheets for Surface Enhanced Raman. This project aims to create nanotechnologies to sense traces of chemical and biological molecules. Surface adsorption is vital to many scientific and industrial fields, but the intrinsic adsorption property of two-dimensional nanomaterials is largely unknown. This project aims to examine the adsorption capability of nanosheets, such as boron nitride, and understand the thickness effect on their adsorption at the molecular scale. It also aims to demonstrate the use of these nanosheets as substrates in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Their adsorption capability and other unique properties could improve the sensitivity, efficiency and affordability of this technique in chemical and biological sensing for applications such as air, water and food safety; and pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.Read moreRead less