Ionic Dispersion Forces in Physical Chemistry: Implications for pH, Electrochemistry, Nanoparticle Formation and Organic Synthesis. Our current understanding of charged systems in solution is deeply flawed . Existing theories are not predictive, mainly because they concentrate entirely on electrostatics. This proposal aims to partially rectify this by including the effects of previously neglected dispersion forces in a number of problems. These forces are responsible for much of the behaviou ....Ionic Dispersion Forces in Physical Chemistry: Implications for pH, Electrochemistry, Nanoparticle Formation and Organic Synthesis. Our current understanding of charged systems in solution is deeply flawed . Existing theories are not predictive, mainly because they concentrate entirely on electrostatics. This proposal aims to partially rectify this by including the effects of previously neglected dispersion forces in a number of problems. These forces are responsible for much of the behaviour seen in the following systems: the theory of electrolytes; electrochemistry pH and buffers; self energy effects in organic chemistry; and zeolite and nano-particle synthesis. The main outcome will be accurate and predictive theories for these systems.Read moreRead less
Novel Self Assembled Particle Systems as a Key to Next Generation Biosensor Technology. Development and commercialisation of products utilising nanotechnology is crucial to future wealth creation for Australia. The translational research in this proposal will progress innovative concepts in nanotechnology-based biosensors, with potential for substantial improvements in disease diagnosis, leading to more economical and timely therapy. The products that arise from this research will also provide f ....Novel Self Assembled Particle Systems as a Key to Next Generation Biosensor Technology. Development and commercialisation of products utilising nanotechnology is crucial to future wealth creation for Australia. The translational research in this proposal will progress innovative concepts in nanotechnology-based biosensors, with potential for substantial improvements in disease diagnosis, leading to more economical and timely therapy. The products that arise from this research will also provide further employment for Australians, building on Universal Biosensor’s proven record of commercialization in Australia. The project will lead to training of Australian researchers in nanotechnology and in utilization of key Australian science infrastructure including the Australian Synchrotron and the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication.Read moreRead less
Nanotribology and Nanorheometry: A Fundamental Study of the Dynamic Interactions of Particles and Surfaces at the Molecular Level. Friction and deformation occur from the mutual motion and interaction of microscopic particles and surfaces. This research aims to develop new theories and measurement techniques for these non-equilibrium phenomena by combining mathematical analysis and numerical computations with dynamic force measurement, surface modification, and surface characterisation on nanom ....Nanotribology and Nanorheometry: A Fundamental Study of the Dynamic Interactions of Particles and Surfaces at the Molecular Level. Friction and deformation occur from the mutual motion and interaction of microscopic particles and surfaces. This research aims to develop new theories and measurement techniques for these non-equilibrium phenomena by combining mathematical analysis and numerical computations with dynamic force measurement, surface modification, and surface characterisation on nanometre and molecular length scales. These insights and data will be critically important in designing low-friction surfaces that save energy and wear, in developing nanoscopic probes for the mechanical and structural properties of soft polymeric and bio-materials, and in making high performance coatings that control adhesion and particle aggregation in technologically advanced applications.Read moreRead less
Optical Spectroscopy of Extraterrestrial Molecules. Space is not empty. In the vast regions between stars is a complex soup of molecules. Some of these molecules get incorporated into meteorites and find their way to Earth where they can be identified. Analysis has yielded amino acids; the building blocks of life, but these molecules do not match what we know about the interstellar regions. Interstellar molecules are identified by their spectra, but many features in these spectra are unknown. ....Optical Spectroscopy of Extraterrestrial Molecules. Space is not empty. In the vast regions between stars is a complex soup of molecules. Some of these molecules get incorporated into meteorites and find their way to Earth where they can be identified. Analysis has yielded amino acids; the building blocks of life, but these molecules do not match what we know about the interstellar regions. Interstellar molecules are identified by their spectra, but many features in these spectra are unknown. Could they be caused by the missing molecules? In this project we combine the skills of three spectroscopists, each expert in different areas, in an attempt to make these molecules in the laboratory, measure their spectra and thereby identify these unknown molecules that are in space.Read moreRead less
Anomalous interfacial air-bubble dynamics: the importance of electrokinetic effects in thin film drainage. Air bubbles play important roles in numerous systems including plastics and paper recycling, water treatment and mineral separation processes, foodstuffs, beverages, cosmetics, cleaning products, fire retardants, and natural systems such as rivers, oceans and biological fluids. The properties and behaviour of these systems and processes depend on how air bubbles in water interact with each ....Anomalous interfacial air-bubble dynamics: the importance of electrokinetic effects in thin film drainage. Air bubbles play important roles in numerous systems including plastics and paper recycling, water treatment and mineral separation processes, foodstuffs, beverages, cosmetics, cleaning products, fire retardants, and natural systems such as rivers, oceans and biological fluids. The properties and behaviour of these systems and processes depend on how air bubbles in water interact with each other, and/or with other materials. Currently our understanding of the bubble interactions is incomplete. The improved understanding gained from this research project will lead to better ability to control the properties of systems and processes such as those listed above.Read moreRead less
Friction and capillary forces. Reducing friction forces is important for improving the performance of moving components in devices, and also useful for relieving people from pains at joints. In ambient conditions, confined liquids have a great influence on friction forces because an attractive force is induced by capillary condensation and adsorption between the surfaces. The correlation between capillary and friction forces will be clarified by force measurements with newly developed surface fo ....Friction and capillary forces. Reducing friction forces is important for improving the performance of moving components in devices, and also useful for relieving people from pains at joints. In ambient conditions, confined liquids have a great influence on friction forces because an attractive force is induced by capillary condensation and adsorption between the surfaces. The correlation between capillary and friction forces will be clarified by force measurements with newly developed surface force apparatuses in various conditions. Theoretical interpretation of influences of molecular layered liquids between the sliding surfaces on frictional behaviour will be also given based on thermodynamics.Read moreRead less
Nanoscale Coating and Biomodification of Colloids for Biological Applications. The research entails the preparation of novel biofunctional colloids of nanometer to micrometer dimensions and their utilisation in biological applications. Self-assembly processes will be exploited to achieve nanoscale biomodification of technologically important colloid particles, including latex beads and rare earth and semiconductor nanoparticles. The studies conducted will generate fundamental knowledge pertainin ....Nanoscale Coating and Biomodification of Colloids for Biological Applications. The research entails the preparation of novel biofunctional colloids of nanometer to micrometer dimensions and their utilisation in biological applications. Self-assembly processes will be exploited to achieve nanoscale biomodification of technologically important colloid particles, including latex beads and rare earth and semiconductor nanoparticles. The studies conducted will generate fundamental knowledge pertaining to the underlying factors that govern the formation of biofunctional colloid particles through self-assembly. This is essential for the development of tailored colloids that will meet the demands placed on nanomaterials synthesis and performance by nanotechnology. The colloids prepared will find new applications in medicine, biocatalysis and bioassays.Read moreRead less
Beyond Microarrays: Nano-Scaled Devices for High Throughput Biomolecular Sensing. Current developments in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology hold many promises in terms of revolutionising our industrial base, transforming biology, medical science and practice. This project strives to achieve some of these aims by, for the first time, building and testing nano-scaled devices with the capability to 'read' massive amounts of biological information. With the recent completion of the Human Genome proje ....Beyond Microarrays: Nano-Scaled Devices for High Throughput Biomolecular Sensing. Current developments in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology hold many promises in terms of revolutionising our industrial base, transforming biology, medical science and practice. This project strives to achieve some of these aims by, for the first time, building and testing nano-scaled devices with the capability to 'read' massive amounts of biological information. With the recent completion of the Human Genome project, major opportunities exist to provide spectacular advances in human health care (eg, via personalised medicine) provided that appropriate high-throughput biological reading devices can be developed. In developing such devices, this project also aims to substantially catalyse the Australian Nanotechnology/Biotechnology industry.Read moreRead less
Making Silicon Even More Useful: Functionalising Silicon to Produce Stable Electronic Devices in Aqueous Environments. Silicon is the wonder material of our time, being the foundation upon which our electronics and device industries are based. Silicon however would be even more useful if it could be stabilised so the surface did not oxidise in air and water. If this oxidation could be prevented silicon could be used in a whole range of new devices related to biotechnology, molecular electronics ....Making Silicon Even More Useful: Functionalising Silicon to Produce Stable Electronic Devices in Aqueous Environments. Silicon is the wonder material of our time, being the foundation upon which our electronics and device industries are based. Silicon however would be even more useful if it could be stabilised so the surface did not oxidise in air and water. If this oxidation could be prevented silicon could be used in a whole range of new devices related to biotechnology, molecular electronics and sensing. The project will develop a viable surface chemistry strategy for achieving this stabilisation and hence will greatly expand the scope of devices which can be fabricated from silicon. This will have significant scientific and economic benefits for Australia. We will exploit this new capability for cancer detection, cell engineering and biosensing.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989567
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
State of the Art Surface Characterisation Facility for the Sydney Basin. Many of the grand challenges of our time, including finding alternative sources of energy, maximizing our current supply of natural resources, identifying and treating pollution in general, and in water in particular, and developing therapies and biomaterials that enable the personalisation of therapies to each individual are being solved using developments in the molecular sciences. Pivotal to the success of such research ....State of the Art Surface Characterisation Facility for the Sydney Basin. Many of the grand challenges of our time, including finding alternative sources of energy, maximizing our current supply of natural resources, identifying and treating pollution in general, and in water in particular, and developing therapies and biomaterials that enable the personalisation of therapies to each individual are being solved using developments in the molecular sciences. Pivotal to the success of such research is to understand materials and surfaces at the molecular level. The request is to purchase surface analysis instrumentation which will dramatically enhance the ability of scientists around Australia understand how to develop solutions to these grand challenges.Read moreRead less