Smart Nanocapsules for Efficient Cellular Delivery of Bioactive Peptide Drugs. This project will bring about practical benefits in terms of developing efficient therapeutic drug delivery systems, which has a market growth estimated to be ca. 23% p.a. in the world. The novel encapsulation technology developed in this project is not only desirable for biomolecules but also applicable for other functional materials and will find wide applications in a number of fields, such as chemical, food proces ....Smart Nanocapsules for Efficient Cellular Delivery of Bioactive Peptide Drugs. This project will bring about practical benefits in terms of developing efficient therapeutic drug delivery systems, which has a market growth estimated to be ca. 23% p.a. in the world. The novel encapsulation technology developed in this project is not only desirable for biomolecules but also applicable for other functional materials and will find wide applications in a number of fields, such as chemical, food processing and cosmetic industries. Successful completion of the project can also strengthen our capacity to participate in new areas of research and positioning Australia at the forefront of bionanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Repulsive van der Waals forces and Brownian ratchet motors: manipulating thermal and quantum Fluctuations. A fundamental problem with miniaturizing machines and mechanical devices below the micron scale is the issue of friction and lubrication. One way to completely circumvent the need for lubrication is to use a little-studied phenomenon known as 'repulsive van der Waals forces', to create materials that fundamentally repel each other in certain fluid environments. This effect is very large at ....Repulsive van der Waals forces and Brownian ratchet motors: manipulating thermal and quantum Fluctuations. A fundamental problem with miniaturizing machines and mechanical devices below the micron scale is the issue of friction and lubrication. One way to completely circumvent the need for lubrication is to use a little-studied phenomenon known as 'repulsive van der Waals forces', to create materials that fundamentally repel each other in certain fluid environments. This effect is very large at the nanoscale and this proposal examines how such forces can be used to make 'lubricant free' motors and nanomachines. This will open up the possibility of building small and portable sensors, actuators, microfluidic devices and eventually active drug delivery systems for health applications.Read moreRead less
Controlling Anisotropic Growth of Metal Oxide Crystals in Aqueous Solution by Selective Adsorption of Small Molecules. The proposed research will enhance our ability to make both light emitting diodes (LEDs) and piezoelectric actuators from ZnO. LEDs are a high efficiency light source that save energy compared to conventional illumination sources and can be fabricated in thin films. The proposal is to also bring the technology for device fabrication to Australia where it can ultimately be used ....Controlling Anisotropic Growth of Metal Oxide Crystals in Aqueous Solution by Selective Adsorption of Small Molecules. The proposed research will enhance our ability to make both light emitting diodes (LEDs) and piezoelectric actuators from ZnO. LEDs are a high efficiency light source that save energy compared to conventional illumination sources and can be fabricated in thin films. The proposal is to also bring the technology for device fabrication to Australia where it can ultimately be used to broaden the economic base of the country. The knowledge of crystal growth rate and crystal morphology control can be applied to improvements in the efficiency of alumina production which is already an important contributor to Australian exports.Read moreRead less
Material Properties of Nanocrystals. The mechanical characteristics of nanocrystals determine the viability of many novel applications and devices emerging from the field of nanotechnology. Despite their fundamental importance, the mechanical properties of these nanocrystals is only vaguely understood, because their size has prohibited their measurement. In this project, we shall investigate the mechanical properties of these materials for the first time using a combination of theoretical modell ....Material Properties of Nanocrystals. The mechanical characteristics of nanocrystals determine the viability of many novel applications and devices emerging from the field of nanotechnology. Despite their fundamental importance, the mechanical properties of these nanocrystals is only vaguely understood, because their size has prohibited their measurement. In this project, we shall investigate the mechanical properties of these materials for the first time using a combination of theoretical modelling, atomic force microscopy, and a new form of spectroscopy that allows the actual deformation of nanocrystals to be measured. The fundamental scientific knowledge gained is expected to impact on the development of current and future nanodevices.Read moreRead less
Nanocrystal Electronics: A Sol-Gel Approach. Australia is building capability in printable electronics, which will supersede traditional semiconductor fabrication methods. The main goals are to mass produce key electronic structures such as display devices, solar cells and sensors using cheaper, non-clean room based technologies via ink-jet printing and other high throughput methods. The integration of sol-gel based materials into roll-to-roll manufacturing will advance Australian manufacturing ....Nanocrystal Electronics: A Sol-Gel Approach. Australia is building capability in printable electronics, which will supersede traditional semiconductor fabrication methods. The main goals are to mass produce key electronic structures such as display devices, solar cells and sensors using cheaper, non-clean room based technologies via ink-jet printing and other high throughput methods. The integration of sol-gel based materials into roll-to-roll manufacturing will advance Australian manufacturing capabilities and generate new jobs in the rapidly growing printable electronics field.Read moreRead less
Wet Particulate Materials - Flow or Fracture? Most advanced materials are produced from starting materials in the form of fine particles. Powders, especially in ceramic engineering, are first processed wet into near-final shape. Improved understanding of the fracture of particle networks is critical in order to process nano-sized advanced ceramic materials for use in solar energy harvesting and extreme heat engine applications as well as minimising drying cracks in paints and coatings. The resea ....Wet Particulate Materials - Flow or Fracture? Most advanced materials are produced from starting materials in the form of fine particles. Powders, especially in ceramic engineering, are first processed wet into near-final shape. Improved understanding of the fracture of particle networks is critical in order to process nano-sized advanced ceramic materials for use in solar energy harvesting and extreme heat engine applications as well as minimising drying cracks in paints and coatings. The research aims to identify the fundamental link between particle network strength and structure and the fracture of wet powder bodies. The microscopic mechanisms that control the behaviour will be investigated with a particular focus on toughening mechanisms including the influence of plasticity.Read moreRead less
Engineered nanostructured materials via continuous polymer assembly for advanced bioapplications. The development of new and flexible processes is critical to the design and construction of advanced materials for future applications in nano- and biotechnology. This project will develop innovative and versatile "bottom-up" nanotechnology techniques to afford nanostructured materials with unprecedented properties. This project has the potential to revolutionise current approaches for forming surfa ....Engineered nanostructured materials via continuous polymer assembly for advanced bioapplications. The development of new and flexible processes is critical to the design and construction of advanced materials for future applications in nano- and biotechnology. This project will develop innovative and versatile "bottom-up" nanotechnology techniques to afford nanostructured materials with unprecedented properties. This project has the potential to revolutionise current approaches for forming surface coatings, films and advanced particles, leading to significant outcomes in diverse areas, including drug delivery, biomaterial implants and biocatalysis. The project will contribute to the development of a robust Australian nanotechnology industry, with the advanced materials developed expected to have health benefits for Australian citizens.Read moreRead less
How arid zone wetlands persist: linking ecological dynamics with hydrological regimes . This project will investigate how aquatic food webs assemble and persist in mound springs, relict streams and river pools in the Australian arid zone. Knowing how aquatic systems respond to wet and dry phases is the first step towards ‘climate proofing ’ these systems against future extreme events.
Engineering and Assembly of Bioinspired Nanostructured Materials. Scientific and technological advances at the frontiers of nano- and bio-technology are poised to revolutionise healthcare and medicine. This project will involve the design, synthesis and engineering of functional biopolymer building blocks. These 'smart' biopolymers will then be assembled into responsive, nanostructured materials for targeted drug delivery and biosensing applications. These materials are expected to ultimately ha ....Engineering and Assembly of Bioinspired Nanostructured Materials. Scientific and technological advances at the frontiers of nano- and bio-technology are poised to revolutionise healthcare and medicine. This project will involve the design, synthesis and engineering of functional biopolymer building blocks. These 'smart' biopolymers will then be assembled into responsive, nanostructured materials for targeted drug delivery and biosensing applications. These materials are expected to ultimately have health benefits for Australian citizens and contribute to the development of a robust Australian nanobiotechnology industry. The project will also provide excellent opportunities for the development of outstanding young scientists and will foster exciting, multidisciplinary collaborations.Read moreRead less
Flexible dye-sensitised solar cells on polymer substrates. The expected outcomes of the project are the preparation and development of flexible solar cells. The resulting portable and compact solar cells could be incorporated in fabrics opening the solar cell market to the clothing industry. The products and mechanisms developed are envisaged to be amenable to large scale-up in industry. Hence, at a future date, there is the potential to fabricate the cells in Australia and then export the mater ....Flexible dye-sensitised solar cells on polymer substrates. The expected outcomes of the project are the preparation and development of flexible solar cells. The resulting portable and compact solar cells could be incorporated in fabrics opening the solar cell market to the clothing industry. The products and mechanisms developed are envisaged to be amenable to large scale-up in industry. Hence, at a future date, there is the potential to fabricate the cells in Australia and then export the materials and technology. This will benefit the Australian economy through employment of Australians and income generated through exports.Read moreRead less