Synthesis, Biological Interactions and Toxicity Studies of Precisely Engineered Nanoparticles. The proposed benefits of nanotechnology for industries from material sciences, to bioengineering, energy and the environment are currently driving unprecedented growth in this technology world-wide. Some of these benefits are borne out of the unique properties that different nanoparticles exhibit. However, if nanomaterials pose a threat to the health and well-being of the community, then their risks ....Synthesis, Biological Interactions and Toxicity Studies of Precisely Engineered Nanoparticles. The proposed benefits of nanotechnology for industries from material sciences, to bioengineering, energy and the environment are currently driving unprecedented growth in this technology world-wide. Some of these benefits are borne out of the unique properties that different nanoparticles exhibit. However, if nanomaterials pose a threat to the health and well-being of the community, then their risks may outweigh their benefits. This project will identify those characteristics of nanoparticles that can lead to adverse effects and therefore pose a danger to the general community. By defining these characteristics, appropriate changes in nanomaterial production can be considered by industry to minimise these dangers.Read moreRead less
Numerical Modelling of Strain Localization in Reinforced Concrete and Its Application to Prediction of Crack Spacing and Crack Width. Cracking of concrete has a major influence on structural performance. Prediction of crack spacing and crack widths is essential for serviceability considerations of reinforced concrete. The available formulas to evaluate crack widths are approximate and give a wide scatter of predicted values. The project aims to provide a new numerical methodology that will (fina ....Numerical Modelling of Strain Localization in Reinforced Concrete and Its Application to Prediction of Crack Spacing and Crack Width. Cracking of concrete has a major influence on structural performance. Prediction of crack spacing and crack widths is essential for serviceability considerations of reinforced concrete. The available formulas to evaluate crack widths are approximate and give a wide scatter of predicted values. The project aims to provide a new numerical methodology that will (finally) predict crack spacing correctly. The expected outcomes include a numerical analysis model and a set of algorithms to predict crack widths. This will markedly improve the understanding of the mechanism of crack spacing and provide a better prediction of crack spacing and crack widths.Read moreRead less
Origin of the New England contorted mountain belt: implications for plate tectonics, magmatism and mineralisation. The southern New England mountain chain in eastern Australia is characterised by a tight curved geometry. This research will reconstruct the formation of these, hitherto unexplained, mountain curves, unravelling their driving mechanisms and tectonic processes. Results will provide a plate tectonic model for the formation of economic resources, thus facilitating future discoveries of ....Origin of the New England contorted mountain belt: implications for plate tectonics, magmatism and mineralisation. The southern New England mountain chain in eastern Australia is characterised by a tight curved geometry. This research will reconstruct the formation of these, hitherto unexplained, mountain curves, unravelling their driving mechanisms and tectonic processes. Results will provide a plate tectonic model for the formation of economic resources, thus facilitating future discoveries of ore deposits in the New England belt, or energy resources in the associated sedimentary basins. The project will foster a pool of highly trained professionals and researchers in the fields of structural geology and tectonics, and will enhance Australia's scientific reputation, maintaining its leading international standing in plate tectonic research.Read moreRead less
Unravelling the structural complexity of ancient Australian arthropod venoms. Animal venoms contain a complex mix of molecules that have evolved over millions of years to target various biological processes. Their exquisite specificity and potent activity has made them an attractive source for development as therapeutic drugs with fewer side effects or as environmentally friendly insecticides. This project aims to for the first time explore the three-dimensional structure of all known classes of ....Unravelling the structural complexity of ancient Australian arthropod venoms. Animal venoms contain a complex mix of molecules that have evolved over millions of years to target various biological processes. Their exquisite specificity and potent activity has made them an attractive source for development as therapeutic drugs with fewer side effects or as environmentally friendly insecticides. This project aims to for the first time explore the three-dimensional structure of all known classes of toxins in the venom of two ancient Australian arthropods (spiders and centipedes). This will provide a comprehensive overview of these venoms and provide opportunities in engineering new classes of venom based drugs and insecticides. Read moreRead less
The photons take charge: Elucidating the structure and stability of distonic radical anions by mass spectrometry and photoelectron spectroscopy. Recent work has discovered that certain radical anions have electronic configurations that defy chemical convention and exhibit exceptional radical stability. Exploitation of this breakthrough first requires experimental elucidation of the intrinsic electronic structure of these compounds and how it relates to their remarkable properties. This project w ....The photons take charge: Elucidating the structure and stability of distonic radical anions by mass spectrometry and photoelectron spectroscopy. Recent work has discovered that certain radical anions have electronic configurations that defy chemical convention and exhibit exceptional radical stability. Exploitation of this breakthrough first requires experimental elucidation of the intrinsic electronic structure of these compounds and how it relates to their remarkable properties. This project will probe the fundamental structure and energetics of radical anions by modifying instrumentation to enable multi-step gas-phase ion synthesis to be efficiently coupled with anion photoelectron spectroscopy. These investigations are essential to revealing the scope of this phenomenon in free radical chemistry and biology and could inform future development of new catalysts for polymerisation.Read moreRead less
Floating Forest – a breakwater for protecting the Australian coastline. This project aims to develop structural, materials and foundation solutions for a large floating forest that will act as a mega breakwater and windbreaker to protect the Australian coastline from strong waves and winds caused by climate change. This requires the evaluation of structural and environmental loads, concepts and optimal structural solutions, design, materials and foundation. The newly developed floating structure ....Floating Forest – a breakwater for protecting the Australian coastline. This project aims to develop structural, materials and foundation solutions for a large floating forest that will act as a mega breakwater and windbreaker to protect the Australian coastline from strong waves and winds caused by climate change. This requires the evaluation of structural and environmental loads, concepts and optimal structural solutions, design, materials and foundation. The newly developed floating structure will lead to future construction applications on the Australian harsh sea conditions that call for stringent requirements on infrastructures.Read moreRead less
Progressive collapse resistance of concrete flat plate structures. This project aims to systematically and thoroughly investigate the progressive collapse mechanisms and resistance capacity of concrete flat plate structures. They represent one of the most common construction systems used worldwide in modern days, yet their progressive collapse mechanisms require attention and limited collapse prevention design guidelines are available. The outcomes are expected to broaden and deepen the existing ....Progressive collapse resistance of concrete flat plate structures. This project aims to systematically and thoroughly investigate the progressive collapse mechanisms and resistance capacity of concrete flat plate structures. They represent one of the most common construction systems used worldwide in modern days, yet their progressive collapse mechanisms require attention and limited collapse prevention design guidelines are available. The outcomes are expected to broaden and deepen the existing theoretical framework and knowledge base, prevent injury and loss of life in both new and existing buildings. This is expected ultimately to contribute to the establishment of a set of collapse-resistant design guidelines for further development of relevant Australian and international standards.Read moreRead less
An Integrated Thermal and Structural Investigation for the Development of Innovative Lightweight Cold-formed Steel Wall and Floor Systems under Fire Conditions. This research will benefit the Australian building industry by providing a set of design rules that will not only enhance the fire safety standards but also the structural robustness of steel construction, thereby resulting in a reduction in loss of lives and property due to natural or man-made disasters. This will give Australian manufa ....An Integrated Thermal and Structural Investigation for the Development of Innovative Lightweight Cold-formed Steel Wall and Floor Systems under Fire Conditions. This research will benefit the Australian building industry by providing a set of design rules that will not only enhance the fire safety standards but also the structural robustness of steel construction, thereby resulting in a reduction in loss of lives and property due to natural or man-made disasters. This will give Australian manufacturers a leading edge both nationally and internationally in developing innovative prefabricated fire resistant LSF wall and floor systems using high strength steels. Australians have an opportunity to become world leaders in fire research and LSF construction. It will provide valuable research training to young Australians and will contribute to the protection of Australia's critical infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Anisotropy of strengthening by solid solution and precipitation in concentrated Mg-Al and Mg-Zn alloys. The addition of solute increases the strength of Mg in some crystallographic directions but weakens the material in others. The weakening is called solid solution softening, and it can have profound effects on the mechanical behaviour of the material. Solid solution softening has been observed in the prismatic planes of single crystals of dilute Mg-Al and Mg-Zn alloys. Easier prismatic slip lo ....Anisotropy of strengthening by solid solution and precipitation in concentrated Mg-Al and Mg-Zn alloys. The addition of solute increases the strength of Mg in some crystallographic directions but weakens the material in others. The weakening is called solid solution softening, and it can have profound effects on the mechanical behaviour of the material. Solid solution softening has been observed in the prismatic planes of single crystals of dilute Mg-Al and Mg-Zn alloys. Easier prismatic slip lowers the strain hardening rate and increases the ductility of polycrystalline alloys in comparison with pure Mg. Despite their obvious significance, these effects have not been studied in single crystals of concentrated alloys. This is the main object of this project.Read moreRead less
Molecular grafting methods for design of peptide therapeutics. This project has the potential to lead to major economic benefits to Australia via royalty returns from novel drugs. Extra economic benefits derive from a reduction in the cost of treatment of diseases. The development of a new Australian developed peptide drug thus has the potential to lead to multimillion dollar savings to the Australian economy. Finally the project will provide training in state-of-the-art drug design that will e ....Molecular grafting methods for design of peptide therapeutics. This project has the potential to lead to major economic benefits to Australia via royalty returns from novel drugs. Extra economic benefits derive from a reduction in the cost of treatment of diseases. The development of a new Australian developed peptide drug thus has the potential to lead to multimillion dollar savings to the Australian economy. Finally the project will provide training in state-of-the-art drug design that will enhance Australia's pharmaceutical industry generally.Read moreRead less