Integrated approach to functional carbon based materials. Exploiting novel forms of carbon to create new technologies for the energy, health and environmental sectors is a major challenge in nanotechnology. To address this challenge we will exploit innovative methods such as self-assembly and continuous flow spinning disc processing. Our proposed research will make significant contributions to a fundamental understanding of carbon nanomaterials. To this end, we will bring together international ....Integrated approach to functional carbon based materials. Exploiting novel forms of carbon to create new technologies for the energy, health and environmental sectors is a major challenge in nanotechnology. To address this challenge we will exploit innovative methods such as self-assembly and continuous flow spinning disc processing. Our proposed research will make significant contributions to a fundamental understanding of carbon nanomaterials. To this end, we will bring together international expertise with complementary skills, providing a more inventive research culture and excellent opportunities for training young scientists. The attractive low cost of renewable starting materials and small footprint of the ensuing technologies will provide a platform for fostering links with industry.Read moreRead less
Controlled Supramolecular Assembly in Aqueous Molecular and Macroscopic Systems. This project uses benign and mainly bio-degradable materials to produce hydrogels which are remarkable new materials containing at least ninety-eight percent water which may be made into films. Similar films are proving to be valuable in covering wounds, particularly serious burns, and in greatly improving wound healing and tissue growth. They may also be useful in new coating and aircraft de-icing technologies. The ....Controlled Supramolecular Assembly in Aqueous Molecular and Macroscopic Systems. This project uses benign and mainly bio-degradable materials to produce hydrogels which are remarkable new materials containing at least ninety-eight percent water which may be made into films. Similar films are proving to be valuable in covering wounds, particularly serious burns, and in greatly improving wound healing and tissue growth. They may also be useful in new coating and aircraft de-icing technologies. These environmentally friendly materials are likely to find a multitude of uses as their development progresses. Young Australians involved in the project will gain experience in cutting edge science, its practical applications, and in international collaboration - a training essential to Australia's future prosperity.Read moreRead less
Shape Controlled Nanostructured Electrocatalyst for Clean Energy Generation. The development of alternative clean energy technology is critical to reduce carbon emissions and global warming. This project will bring significant benefits to the Australian community and economy by addressing these needs by developing highly efficient supported-catalyst, the core issue related to the cost and efficiency of clean electrochemical energy conversion devices. An increase in the catalyst efficiency would ....Shape Controlled Nanostructured Electrocatalyst for Clean Energy Generation. The development of alternative clean energy technology is critical to reduce carbon emissions and global warming. This project will bring significant benefits to the Australian community and economy by addressing these needs by developing highly efficient supported-catalyst, the core issue related to the cost and efficiency of clean electrochemical energy conversion devices. An increase in the catalyst efficiency would translate to significant cost saving and will deliver the nation with a strong intellectual property (IP) position in this frontier area of technology. The fundamental understanding will also underpin the growth in other catalysis areas including sensors, environment pollution and efficient chemical production. Read moreRead less
Anion Binding and Sensing With Self-Assembled Metallo-Supramolecular Assemblies. Anions are of particular significance in several areas relating to the day-to-day lives of Australians; for example as contaminants in waterways and nuclear waste streams, as indicators of chemical weapons, and as antagonists in biological systems. The proposed research programme will investigate a relatively unexplored approach to binding and sensing anions. This will further research in the area of supramolecular ....Anion Binding and Sensing With Self-Assembled Metallo-Supramolecular Assemblies. Anions are of particular significance in several areas relating to the day-to-day lives of Australians; for example as contaminants in waterways and nuclear waste streams, as indicators of chemical weapons, and as antagonists in biological systems. The proposed research programme will investigate a relatively unexplored approach to binding and sensing anions. This will further research in the area of supramolecular chemistry, providing additional research expertise in this rapidly progressing area of the chemical sciences. In terms of Breakthrough science the targeted assemblies will shed further light on self-assembly processes involving ligands with different domains, placing Australian research at the forefront of such investigations.Read moreRead less
New High Temperature Proton Conducting Polymer Electrolyte For Sustainable Energy Conversion Applications. This project will bring the following significant benefit to the Australian community and economy:i)Energy and Environmental benefit: will provide the nation with an ultimate solution to zero emission vehicles and urban pollution; ii)Global Standing: will position Australia to become a global leader in sustainable energy conversion technology through the efficient fuel cell systems developm ....New High Temperature Proton Conducting Polymer Electrolyte For Sustainable Energy Conversion Applications. This project will bring the following significant benefit to the Australian community and economy:i)Energy and Environmental benefit: will provide the nation with an ultimate solution to zero emission vehicles and urban pollution; ii)Global Standing: will position Australia to become a global leader in sustainable energy conversion technology through the efficient fuel cell systems development;iii)Intellectual Property (IP): will deliver the nation a strong intellectual property (IP) position in the frontier technology, and; iv)Training: will train 2 high quality graduates in an emerging and multidisciplinary area of research with commercial turnover of more than $1000 million in Australia.Read moreRead less
Porous silicon biosensor for rapid detection of water-borne contaminants. We have recently demonstrated the rapid degradation of porous silicon by certain transition metal complexes known as biomimetic catalysts. The catalysed degradation forms the basis of a new sensor principle where the porous layer serves as matrix, transducer and signal amplification stage. Using this mechanism, we will develop a biosensor for the rapid detection of contaminants (toxins etc.) in water resources. Reservoir w ....Porous silicon biosensor for rapid detection of water-borne contaminants. We have recently demonstrated the rapid degradation of porous silicon by certain transition metal complexes known as biomimetic catalysts. The catalysed degradation forms the basis of a new sensor principle where the porous layer serves as matrix, transducer and signal amplification stage. Using this mechanism, we will develop a biosensor for the rapid detection of contaminants (toxins etc.) in water resources. Reservoir water treatment today is reactive rather than preventive because current analysis is slow. Our biosensor can be turned into a field kit to improve water quality management and prevent acts of deliberate sabotage to the water supply.Read moreRead less
SENSORS FOR AROMATIC MOLECULES BASED ON METAL ION ACTIVATED MOLECULAR RECEPTORS. This project aims to develop highly sensitive chemical sensors for aromatic compounds which will quantify their concentration, in situ, without elaborate sample preparation or instrumentation. The sensors will employ advanced supramolecular chemistry in which the aromatic molecule becomes trapped within a binding cavity in the three dimensional structure of a larger receptor molecule. Coincident with the entrapmen ....SENSORS FOR AROMATIC MOLECULES BASED ON METAL ION ACTIVATED MOLECULAR RECEPTORS. This project aims to develop highly sensitive chemical sensors for aromatic compounds which will quantify their concentration, in situ, without elaborate sample preparation or instrumentation. The sensors will employ advanced supramolecular chemistry in which the aromatic molecule becomes trapped within a binding cavity in the three dimensional structure of a larger receptor molecule. Coincident with the entrapment a change in the fluorescence level of the receptor occurs which signals the presence of the aromatic compound and its concentration. This research will stimulate economic and social benefits through the development of new environmental and medical sensing techniques and analytical diagnostics.Read moreRead less
Development of an interferometric nanoscale silicon biosensor. Voelcker et al. have recently demonstrated the rapid degradation of porous silicon by certain supramolecular transition metal complexes known as functional mimics of metalloproteins. The catalyzed degradation forms the basis of a new sensor principle where the porous layer serves as matrix, transducer and signal amplification stage. This project uses porous silicon degradation to develop a biosensor platform capable of detecting a ra ....Development of an interferometric nanoscale silicon biosensor. Voelcker et al. have recently demonstrated the rapid degradation of porous silicon by certain supramolecular transition metal complexes known as functional mimics of metalloproteins. The catalyzed degradation forms the basis of a new sensor principle where the porous layer serves as matrix, transducer and signal amplification stage. This project uses porous silicon degradation to develop a biosensor platform capable of detecting a range of analytes with high sensitivity. The project includes detection of an water-borne toxin, a plant virus and a cancer antigen as demonstrators of its wide applicability. Multiplexing of the biosensor to demonstrate its potential as high-throughput chip sensors is also included.Read moreRead less
Development of an Adjustable Porphyrin-based Molecular Platform for Nanotechnology Applications. Nanotechnology, the art of molecular control, is often heralded as the next industrial revolution. For this to be realised, the construction of useful devices will require precise control at the molecular level. Our control is realised through a process called self-assembly which means that the once the components of the device are correctly designed, the device will simply be able to put itself tog ....Development of an Adjustable Porphyrin-based Molecular Platform for Nanotechnology Applications. Nanotechnology, the art of molecular control, is often heralded as the next industrial revolution. For this to be realised, the construction of useful devices will require precise control at the molecular level. Our control is realised through a process called self-assembly which means that the once the components of the device are correctly designed, the device will simply be able to put itself together. This research will use nature's light harvesting elements, namely porphyrins, and our ability to precisely control their position with respect to each other to build new, more efficient solar cells.Read moreRead less