Controllable synthesis of multifunctional boron-based 2D materials. This project aims to make it possible to control the synthesis of boron-based two-dimensional (2D) materials with the desired following features in single or multiple aspects: thickness, composition, lateral sizes, porosity, surface area, and functionality. It intends to do so by designing and synthesising novel precursors, and by optimising the fabrication process of boron-based 2D nanosheets for different applications. The pro ....Controllable synthesis of multifunctional boron-based 2D materials. This project aims to make it possible to control the synthesis of boron-based two-dimensional (2D) materials with the desired following features in single or multiple aspects: thickness, composition, lateral sizes, porosity, surface area, and functionality. It intends to do so by designing and synthesising novel precursors, and by optimising the fabrication process of boron-based 2D nanosheets for different applications. The project will advance our fundamental knowledge in synthetic chemistry, materials chemistry, materials engineering and physics. It is expected to take us closer to unlocking the potential of boron-based 2D materials for real-world applications in, for example, energy storage and high-performance flexible electronics.Read moreRead less
Multimodal polymeric nanocarriers designed for the controlled and site specific delivery of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in the development of different diseases. The chronic deficiency of NO results in severe problems such as cardiovascular diseases, liver fibrosis, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s diseases, etc. This project will describe a new method to deliver specifically nitric oxide using macromolecules.
Redefining tissue-specific endothelial cells through bioengineered matrices. This project aims to improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive blood vessel formation and function. The endothelial cells that make up each blood vessel are inherently unique across different sites within the human body and this project expects to generate new knowledge regarding their organ specificity. Using advanced bioengineering approaches, this project will map human endothelial cell specif ....Redefining tissue-specific endothelial cells through bioengineered matrices. This project aims to improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive blood vessel formation and function. The endothelial cells that make up each blood vessel are inherently unique across different sites within the human body and this project expects to generate new knowledge regarding their organ specificity. Using advanced bioengineering approaches, this project will map human endothelial cell specificity and develop state-of-the-art modelling technologies to improve knowledge of environmental influence on endothelial cell fate and function. This should provide a new framework to modulate the adaptive capacities of endothelial cells and can potentially enable more predictive and targeted drug efficacy and safety testing.Read moreRead less
Regulation of 3D Cell Migration by Microtubule-Dependent Processes. The overarching aim of this research is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that cells use to move in 3D environments: a basic biological function essential to development and homeostasis. During these processes, cells interact with their surroundings where they translate biophysical forces into biochemical signals to adapt their shape to move. This requires distinct signalling, controlled in space and time, to regulate the cr ....Regulation of 3D Cell Migration by Microtubule-Dependent Processes. The overarching aim of this research is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that cells use to move in 3D environments: a basic biological function essential to development and homeostasis. During these processes, cells interact with their surroundings where they translate biophysical forces into biochemical signals to adapt their shape to move. This requires distinct signalling, controlled in space and time, to regulate the crosstalk between organelles and the cytoskeleton. To date, the role of microtubules remains elusive. Using interdisciplinary approaches combining advanced imaging technology with novel cell biology methods, the project aims to uncover fundamental knowledge about how cells interact with their environment.Read moreRead less
Modular microfluidic platform for mimicking multi-organ system interactions. This project aims to develop a novel, modular microfluidic platform that overcomes current limitations of integrated systems in synchronising multi-tissue culture, imaging and operational complexity. Understanding multi-organ systemic crosstalk in human health and diseases demands dynamic culture systems that can mimic such interactions. This project will deliver a first-in-class platform technology and establish intern ....Modular microfluidic platform for mimicking multi-organ system interactions. This project aims to develop a novel, modular microfluidic platform that overcomes current limitations of integrated systems in synchronising multi-tissue culture, imaging and operational complexity. Understanding multi-organ systemic crosstalk in human health and diseases demands dynamic culture systems that can mimic such interactions. This project will deliver a first-in-class platform technology and establish international and disciplinary collaborations to develop different tissue and engineering modules relevant to applications in systemic nanotoxicology, drug bioactivation and chronic diseases. This will provide the cornerstone technology to develop a new generation of disease models and therapeutics targeting interaction dysfunctions.Read moreRead less
Enabling diamond nanoelectronics with metal oxide induced surface doping. This project aims to use diamond for radio frequency power electronics. This builds on the investigator’s success in controlling diamond surface conductivity using transition metal oxides. Diamond is highly desirable for building high-power, high-frequency electronic devices, particularly for use in electrical power control/conversion and telecommunication. The lack of effective and stable doping methods has impeded the re ....Enabling diamond nanoelectronics with metal oxide induced surface doping. This project aims to use diamond for radio frequency power electronics. This builds on the investigator’s success in controlling diamond surface conductivity using transition metal oxides. Diamond is highly desirable for building high-power, high-frequency electronic devices, particularly for use in electrical power control/conversion and telecommunication. The lack of effective and stable doping methods has impeded the realisation of this prospect. This project expects the high performance and technically viable device technologies will enable diamond electronic devices for applications in telecommunications, radars and the next-generation electricity grid.Read moreRead less
Dyes and Pigments as Building Blocks for Novel High Performance Organic Semiconductors. Natural dyes and pigments are well known for their bright colours, photochemical and thermal stability, and cheap cost. Recently, the necessity of high performing materials in the organic electronics has stimulated a renaissance of these historical molecules and their subsequent derivatives into new families of ?-conjugated building blocks used to construct new donor-acceptor semiconductors. The aim of this p ....Dyes and Pigments as Building Blocks for Novel High Performance Organic Semiconductors. Natural dyes and pigments are well known for their bright colours, photochemical and thermal stability, and cheap cost. Recently, the necessity of high performing materials in the organic electronics has stimulated a renaissance of these historical molecules and their subsequent derivatives into new families of ?-conjugated building blocks used to construct new donor-acceptor semiconductors. The aim of this project is to explore various novel dyes, pigments and their derivatives for constructing outstanding materials for future organic electronics.Read moreRead less
Towards an intercontinental quantum network. This project aims to address the security vulnerabilities of online data transmission. Cyber attacks and data stealing are threatening the daily operations of public and private organisations worldwide, and the privacy of individuals. This project expect to realise the key element for a new global network architecture where security is guaranteed by the fundamental laws of physics. This element is the quantum node and it will be implemented through th ....Towards an intercontinental quantum network. This project aims to address the security vulnerabilities of online data transmission. Cyber attacks and data stealing are threatening the daily operations of public and private organisations worldwide, and the privacy of individuals. This project expect to realise the key element for a new global network architecture where security is guaranteed by the fundamental laws of physics. This element is the quantum node and it will be implemented through the development of new techniques for the control and manipulation of individual atoms and innovative integrated optical devices for the interface with fibre networks. The development of this technology will lead to intrinsically secure online communication for organisations in the health and defence sectors and private individuals worldwide.Read moreRead less
Next-generation fluid-in-solid capacitor materials. This project will create next-generation materials to maximize the energy and power densities of electrochemical capacitors (ECs). The performance gap between batteries and ECs remains paradox. Devices with high energy and power densities will largely boost the performance of electric vehicles, mobile devices and smart grids. By innovating the design of capacitor materials using layered fluid-in-solid architecture, the project will produce new- ....Next-generation fluid-in-solid capacitor materials. This project will create next-generation materials to maximize the energy and power densities of electrochemical capacitors (ECs). The performance gap between batteries and ECs remains paradox. Devices with high energy and power densities will largely boost the performance of electric vehicles, mobile devices and smart grids. By innovating the design of capacitor materials using layered fluid-in-solid architecture, the project will produce new-concept ECs with energy density approaching to batteries. Such ECs will synchronously possess dramatically high power density, intrinsically unlike hybrid battery-capacitor. This project will maximize the efficiency of future electronics, vehicles and grids with the new generation ECs.Read moreRead less
Lifting the veil on the Geological Dark Ages: The search for Hadean Crust on Earth. The project involves detailed field and isotopic study of some of the oldest known rocks and minerals to develop the first comprehensive picture of the earliest growth of the Australian continent. The data will reveal the timing and processes of continent formation and shed new light on the enigmatic early period of the Earth's evolution.