Transnational seafood commodity chains and the coastal poor in the maritime frontiers of the Asia-Pacific. This research aims to understand the social mechanisms by which access to the benefits of transnational seafood commodity chains in the Asia-Pacific are gained, maintained and controlled. This project will use a conceptual framework that focuses on key social relations of gender, class and ethnicity, and the key societal changes of land-use change, migration and conservation. This project o ....Transnational seafood commodity chains and the coastal poor in the maritime frontiers of the Asia-Pacific. This research aims to understand the social mechanisms by which access to the benefits of transnational seafood commodity chains in the Asia-Pacific are gained, maintained and controlled. This project will use a conceptual framework that focuses on key social relations of gender, class and ethnicity, and the key societal changes of land-use change, migration and conservation. This project offers a novel research framework for a pressing cluster of economic, environmental and social challenges in the Asia-Pacific, and will inform research and policy for poverty reduction, economic development, environmental management and food security. Read moreRead less
From alchemist's den to science city: architecture and the expression of experimental science. This project will discover the precise and nuanced ways in which architecture configures, influences and expresses the ideas and ideals of contemporary experimental science. Digital drawings, animations and critical textual analysis will expose the ways in which architecture shapes the public perception and practice of experimental science.
Contingent development in regional India: ethnographies of neoliberal globalisation in Gujarat and West Bengal. This project aims to understand the regional impacts of globalisation in India by comparing and contrasting two regional towns and their hinterlands (Anand, Gujarat and Darjeeling, West Bengal). Develop a more comprehensive, localised and regionalised account of the neoliberal globalisation process in India.
Non-equilibrium material phases. This project aims to synthesise and characterise exotic materials produced in the laboratory under conditions that replicate those inside planets and stars. Highly non-equilibrium processing methods are needed to find entirely new material forms of elements and compounds created under extreme pressure and temperature. The project will use its laser-based synthesis method to explore and understand the non-equilibrium pathways and develop new materials. Understandi ....Non-equilibrium material phases. This project aims to synthesise and characterise exotic materials produced in the laboratory under conditions that replicate those inside planets and stars. Highly non-equilibrium processing methods are needed to find entirely new material forms of elements and compounds created under extreme pressure and temperature. The project will use its laser-based synthesis method to explore and understand the non-equilibrium pathways and develop new materials. Understanding how these materials form could lead to the next materials revolution. This research will lead to materials that industry sectors can exploit for commercial benefits.Read moreRead less
The crucial role of organic-inorganic interfaces in the performance of organic optoelectronic devices. Organic electronic devices such as organic light emitting diodes and organic solar cells are expected to lead to substantial benefits over conventional electronic components. However, there is increasing evidence that the interface between the organic layers and the inorganic electrodes (or active components in hybrid devices) could be sub-optimal in terms of critical properties such as electro ....The crucial role of organic-inorganic interfaces in the performance of organic optoelectronic devices. Organic electronic devices such as organic light emitting diodes and organic solar cells are expected to lead to substantial benefits over conventional electronic components. However, there is increasing evidence that the interface between the organic layers and the inorganic electrodes (or active components in hybrid devices) could be sub-optimal in terms of critical properties such as electron transfer and stability. The aim of this project is to understand the structure and properties of such interfaces and to probe their behaviour at elevated temperatures. The results will pave the way for organic electronic devices to become a commercial reality.Read moreRead less
High-brightness, low-efficiency roll-off materials for augmented realities. The proposal aims to apply new materials design theory to create new classes of highly efficient materials and overcome device efficiency roll-off issue for next-generation transparent electronics. The project expects to advance new see-through technology through new materials and device architectures innovations. Expected key outcomes include novel highly efficient multi-nuclear metal complexes generation, establishment ....High-brightness, low-efficiency roll-off materials for augmented realities. The proposal aims to apply new materials design theory to create new classes of highly efficient materials and overcome device efficiency roll-off issue for next-generation transparent electronics. The project expects to advance new see-through technology through new materials and device architectures innovations. Expected key outcomes include novel highly efficient multi-nuclear metal complexes generation, establishment of new knowledge of materials’ structure-property relationship and fundamental understanding of device physics, creation of new transparent display pixels, new training of young scientists and new IPs generation, which will provide benefits to maximise Australia's competitive advantages and meet with global innovation need.Read moreRead less
Promoting transition metal complex catalysis with plasmonic antennae. This project aims to apply visible light photocatalysis to a wide range of chemical reactions by utilizing the intriguing effects of intense light absorption by plasmonic metal nanoparticles, such as generating energetic electrons, changing reactant adsorption and the chemical binding of reactant with the catalyst. These effects will promote catalysis at surface-bound metal complex reaction sites under mild reaction conditions ....Promoting transition metal complex catalysis with plasmonic antennae. This project aims to apply visible light photocatalysis to a wide range of chemical reactions by utilizing the intriguing effects of intense light absorption by plasmonic metal nanoparticles, such as generating energetic electrons, changing reactant adsorption and the chemical binding of reactant with the catalyst. These effects will promote catalysis at surface-bound metal complex reaction sites under mild reaction conditions. This is a part of our long-term effort to transform chemical production by heating into green photocatalytic process. This project expects to generate knowledge crucial for developing theories for catalysis, the design of efficient catalysts, green chemical synthesis methods, and enhance international collaboration.Read moreRead less
Optimising catalyst performance by tuning adsorption with light. This project aims to utilize visible light to control reactant adsorption on catalyst surfaces for accelerating reactions and tuning product selectivity. Visible light irradiation of plasmonic metal nanoparticles can generate a force that attracts reactant to the nanoparticles in a catalyst, and causes desorption of other reactant-types from the particles. These compound-selective effects can alter the concentrations of reactants a ....Optimising catalyst performance by tuning adsorption with light. This project aims to utilize visible light to control reactant adsorption on catalyst surfaces for accelerating reactions and tuning product selectivity. Visible light irradiation of plasmonic metal nanoparticles can generate a force that attracts reactant to the nanoparticles in a catalyst, and causes desorption of other reactant-types from the particles. These compound-selective effects can alter the concentrations of reactants at the catalyst surface, a new paradigm for optimising catalytic performance. This project expects to open new capabilities within fields of catalysis and light-matter interaction. The anticipated outcomes include significant advancement of knowledge in catalysis and new approaches for important chemical synthesis.Read moreRead less
Sulfoxide Polymers - A New Paradigm in Polymer Design. Low fouling polymers are important for moderating interactions of molecules and particles with cells. In pharmaceutical sciences they are essential tools for extending the pharmacokinetics of dissolved drugs. However, the widely-used low-fouling polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been recently reported to induce formation of anti-PEG antibodies. Polymeric alternatives to PEG are thus desperately needed. We introduce in this project sup ....Sulfoxide Polymers - A New Paradigm in Polymer Design. Low fouling polymers are important for moderating interactions of molecules and particles with cells. In pharmaceutical sciences they are essential tools for extending the pharmacokinetics of dissolved drugs. However, the widely-used low-fouling polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been recently reported to induce formation of anti-PEG antibodies. Polymeric alternatives to PEG are thus desperately needed. We introduce in this project super-hydrophilic polymers incorporating sulfoxide groups, mimics of the polar solvent DMSO. The project aims to explore how polymer architecture can enhance biocompatibility and reduce biofouling. The outcome will be a new class of low-fouling polymeric materials with broad application in the biosciences.Read moreRead less
Photoreactive Block copolymers: Controlling the Nanostructure of Materials with Light. The performance of future generations of computer chips, hard drives, batteries and membranes will be reliant on the ability to intimately control the nanostructure of materials. Although significant advances have been made in recent years, there still remains enormous scope to address challenges in nanofabrication of devices. Using rational design this project will develop materials whose nanostructure can be ....Photoreactive Block copolymers: Controlling the Nanostructure of Materials with Light. The performance of future generations of computer chips, hard drives, batteries and membranes will be reliant on the ability to intimately control the nanostructure of materials. Although significant advances have been made in recent years, there still remains enormous scope to address challenges in nanofabrication of devices. Using rational design this project will develop materials whose nanostructure can be controlled with light. This will allow spatial control of nanostructure, as well as access to novel materials and nanostructures. Understanding the relationships between nanostructure and performance will help guide the design of next generation devices. Read moreRead less