Electric field induced surface attachment and detachment of proteins. Microarrays are revolutionising the diagnosis of disease by enabling large amounts of data on genetics and protein expression to be obtained from one sample. Biosensors for diseases and toxins rely on the same mechanism, namely attachment of biological macromolecules to a surface. We propose a new method for controlling the attachment by micromachining an electrode system to apply an electric field to chosen sites. Ultimately ....Electric field induced surface attachment and detachment of proteins. Microarrays are revolutionising the diagnosis of disease by enabling large amounts of data on genetics and protein expression to be obtained from one sample. Biosensors for diseases and toxins rely on the same mechanism, namely attachment of biological macromolecules to a surface. We propose a new method for controlling the attachment by micromachining an electrode system to apply an electric field to chosen sites. Ultimately microelectronic engineering methods will be used. This will give control over the attachment process with potential benefits of orienting attaching molecules, minimising non-specific attachment and enriching diagnostics by enabling interrogation of the force of attachment.Read moreRead less
Atomistic mechanisms of the mechanical behaviour of nanostructured silicon carbide films. Advanced silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics are leading candidates for applications in high-power, high-speed machining and high-temperature structural components. Superhardness and high ductility (or high fracture toughness), which have been realized in some nanostructured (ns) SiC films and nanowires, respectively, are desirable properties for many applications. This project aims to understand the mechanisms ....Atomistic mechanisms of the mechanical behaviour of nanostructured silicon carbide films. Advanced silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics are leading candidates for applications in high-power, high-speed machining and high-temperature structural components. Superhardness and high ductility (or high fracture toughness), which have been realized in some nanostructured (ns) SiC films and nanowires, respectively, are desirable properties for many applications. This project aims to understand the mechanisms behind the exceptional properties in ns SiC and to explore the possibility of realizing the two properties in the same ns SiC. The results obtained from this research will be very important for guiding the structural design of SiC with exceptional mechanical properties which will have a wide range of structural applications.Read moreRead less
Novel graphene nanostructures: modelling, synthesis, fabrication and characterisation. As a key nanomaterial for future electronics, graphene is rapidly becoming one of the most promising frontier areas of nanotechnology throughout the world. This project aims to develop a new class of graphene nanostructures that hold great potential for large-scale applications in the next generation nanoelectronic devices, sensors, solar cells and light emitting devices. This project will significantly enhan ....Novel graphene nanostructures: modelling, synthesis, fabrication and characterisation. As a key nanomaterial for future electronics, graphene is rapidly becoming one of the most promising frontier areas of nanotechnology throughout the world. This project aims to develop a new class of graphene nanostructures that hold great potential for large-scale applications in the next generation nanoelectronic devices, sensors, solar cells and light emitting devices. This project will significantly enhance the international competitiveness of Australia in the areas of new materials and nanotechnology and will help place Australia at the forefront of nanotechnology. This project will produce high quality PhD students in nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Vanadium Oxide Nanostructures and Their Functional Properties. This project is primarily devoted to material science and nanotechnology, one of the cutting-edge areas in Australia's National Research Priority. Successful completion of this project will result in controlled synthesis, functional assembly and fundamental understanding of vanadium oxide nanostructures. The research findings will be useful for developing new and complex nanostructures for func ....Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Vanadium Oxide Nanostructures and Their Functional Properties. This project is primarily devoted to material science and nanotechnology, one of the cutting-edge areas in Australia's National Research Priority. Successful completion of this project will result in controlled synthesis, functional assembly and fundamental understanding of vanadium oxide nanostructures. The research findings will be useful for developing new and complex nanostructures for functional applications in lithium ionic batteries, catalysts and gas sensors. The conduct of this project will significantly expand the knowledge creativity of Australia in research in advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Nanosilver antimicrobial resistance in target pathogens. This project aims to elucidate the important phenomena of bacterial resistance to antimicrobial nanosilver, currently one of the most developed and commercialised products of nanotechnology. The integrated research approach comprises of concurrent identification of the origins and routes of nanosilver toxicity in bacteria and the arising emergence and mechanisms of bacterial defence to the toxicity. The generated knowledge is to form a bas ....Nanosilver antimicrobial resistance in target pathogens. This project aims to elucidate the important phenomena of bacterial resistance to antimicrobial nanosilver, currently one of the most developed and commercialised products of nanotechnology. The integrated research approach comprises of concurrent identification of the origins and routes of nanosilver toxicity in bacteria and the arising emergence and mechanisms of bacterial defence to the toxicity. The generated knowledge is to form a base template for novel nanosilver engineering with less tendency for resistance development and to facilitate tracking of resistance and its spread amongst microorganisms. The knowledge has far-reaching implications on the better governance of nanosilver use, including its disposal.Read moreRead less
The Molecular Basis of Nanoparticle Resistance in Mixed-Species Biofilm. The project aims to understand how the globally significant mixed-species growth of pathogens develop resistance to silver nanoparticle, currently one of the most important alternative antimicrobials to antibiotics. The integrated research is to elucidate, for the first time, the nanoparticle multi-targeting toxicity on mixed-species bacterial community and how, in turn, the bacteria activate their cell-to-cell signalling f ....The Molecular Basis of Nanoparticle Resistance in Mixed-Species Biofilm. The project aims to understand how the globally significant mixed-species growth of pathogens develop resistance to silver nanoparticle, currently one of the most important alternative antimicrobials to antibiotics. The integrated research is to elucidate, for the first time, the nanoparticle multi-targeting toxicity on mixed-species bacterial community and how, in turn, the bacteria activate their cell-to-cell signalling for a synergistic defence to adapt to the nanoparticle toxicity. The pioneering knowledge is the foundation for technologies targeting the interspecies metabolite cross-talking to overcome the resistance phenomena, ensuring a long-term efficacy of the alternative antimicrobial on the difficult-to-control pathogenic growth.Read moreRead less
Novel Carbon Nanotube Composite Materials: Elucidation of key properties for device development. As the former co-director of CSIRO Nanotechnology indicated to the Sydney Morning Herald in 2003, 'Nanotechnology will lead us into a very different future.' The proposed research on nanomaterial interactions and biomolecular incorporation protocols will provide a foundation for future bioelectronic devices. Imagine healthcare of human diseases when nanocomponents enable the design of new platforms f ....Novel Carbon Nanotube Composite Materials: Elucidation of key properties for device development. As the former co-director of CSIRO Nanotechnology indicated to the Sydney Morning Herald in 2003, 'Nanotechnology will lead us into a very different future.' The proposed research on nanomaterial interactions and biomolecular incorporation protocols will provide a foundation for future bioelectronic devices. Imagine healthcare of human diseases when nanocomponents enable the design of new platforms for devices that give point-of-care diagnosis, or the impact on the semiconductor industry with the creation of flexible electronics. Educational outreach is an important aim of the project, providing effective research training for early career researchers.Read moreRead less
New metal-molecule binding motifs for self-assembled monolayers and nanodevices. The goal of this research is to investigate technologically interesting electronic materials using new molecular assemblies. We explore their application in some fundamental components of molecular electronic systems and anticipate that knowledge gained from our investigations will have significant impact on the field of nanotechnology, especially in the area of molecular electronics. Our basic research will contrib ....New metal-molecule binding motifs for self-assembled monolayers and nanodevices. The goal of this research is to investigate technologically interesting electronic materials using new molecular assemblies. We explore their application in some fundamental components of molecular electronic systems and anticipate that knowledge gained from our investigations will have significant impact on the field of nanotechnology, especially in the area of molecular electronics. Our basic research will contribute to Australia's reputation as a source of innovative research and ideas in an area where there is growing international momentum.Read moreRead less
Nanoscale silicon field-effect transistor diagnostic technology. This project aims to overcome barriers to the implementation of silicon field-effect transistor biosensors. It will investigate the biosensors’ physical and structural properties. This knowledge, combined with technological and conceptual advances, could foster the development of an advanced and translational point-of-care diagnostic technology to rapidly and sensitively detect malignant tissues. Such technology would have commerci ....Nanoscale silicon field-effect transistor diagnostic technology. This project aims to overcome barriers to the implementation of silicon field-effect transistor biosensors. It will investigate the biosensors’ physical and structural properties. This knowledge, combined with technological and conceptual advances, could foster the development of an advanced and translational point-of-care diagnostic technology to rapidly and sensitively detect malignant tissues. Such technology would have commercial potential and important societal benefits.Read moreRead less
Design of Functionalized Mesoporous Fullerenes for Clean Energy. This project aims to design multifunctional, noble metal-free, and highly ordered mesoporous fullerene with a high conductivity and different porous structures, functionalised with nitrogen and/or metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in both powder and film forms. The most promising, stable, and highly efficient noble metal-free electrode catalyst system will be designed with the functionalised mesoporous fullerenes for polymer elec ....Design of Functionalized Mesoporous Fullerenes for Clean Energy. This project aims to design multifunctional, noble metal-free, and highly ordered mesoporous fullerene with a high conductivity and different porous structures, functionalised with nitrogen and/or metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in both powder and film forms. The most promising, stable, and highly efficient noble metal-free electrode catalyst system will be designed with the functionalised mesoporous fullerenes for polymer electrolyte membrane and direct methanol fuel cells. This novel highly efficient and low cost electrode system for fuel cells aims to help address clean energy generation and environmental problems and create new opportunities for Australian industries.Read moreRead less