Mechanical advantage: biomimetic artificial muscles for micro-machines. This project will develop better ways to operate miniature machines by copying the way that muscle operates in Nature. The outcome will be important for portable devices like digital cameras that need small, efficient motors. The artificial muscles developed in this project may also be used in medical prosthetics and more agile robots.
Core-scale geodynamic rock-typing of reservoir rock. This project aims to develop a robust classification method for reservoir rock incorporating static, dynamic and mechanical attributes via multiscale digital core analysis using the concept of regional measures. Rock-types are used to populate reservoir models in a sophisticated routine of geological classification, spatial modelling and uncertainty analysis. Introducing high-resolution rock-types incorporating hydraulic properties and compact ....Core-scale geodynamic rock-typing of reservoir rock. This project aims to develop a robust classification method for reservoir rock incorporating static, dynamic and mechanical attributes via multiscale digital core analysis using the concept of regional measures. Rock-types are used to populate reservoir models in a sophisticated routine of geological classification, spatial modelling and uncertainty analysis. Introducing high-resolution rock-types incorporating hydraulic properties and compaction allows the development of a new generation of reservoir simulators. The project aims to derive a consistent high-resolution definition of rock-types incorporating compaction for petrophysical, geological and reservoir engineering purposes. This would greatly enhance our capacity to develop thinly layered reservoirs with direct applications in 4-D seismic reservoir characterisation and the development of unconventional reservoirs.Read moreRead less
Engineering the trafficking of nanoparticles within cells. This project aims to engineer responsive nanoparticles capable of trafficking efficiently within cells. The site of release of therapeutic cargo has importance for improving the efficacy of many treatments, for example vaccine delivery. Therefore fundamental understanding of how nanoparticle structure can be engineered to control cellular behaviour is necessary. The project will engineer new polymeric nanomaterials and investigate the im ....Engineering the trafficking of nanoparticles within cells. This project aims to engineer responsive nanoparticles capable of trafficking efficiently within cells. The site of release of therapeutic cargo has importance for improving the efficacy of many treatments, for example vaccine delivery. Therefore fundamental understanding of how nanoparticle structure can be engineered to control cellular behaviour is necessary. The project will engineer new polymeric nanomaterials and investigate the impact of their structure on biological properties. The benefits of this project will include new fundamental insights into improving nanoparticle design for vaccine delivery, as well as the expansion of Australia’s knowledge base in the area of biodegradable polymers.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100504
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,000.00
Summary
Interphases and interfaces of nanomaterials in potassium-ion batteries. This project aims to improve the fundamental understanding of interfacial interactions in multicomponent materials, which is a critical precursor to successfully designing and experimentally validating novel layered sulphide systems for potassium-ion batteries. A new layered structure construction technique will be employed to enhance the intrinsic electronic and ionic conductivities in the anode by controllable interphase a ....Interphases and interfaces of nanomaterials in potassium-ion batteries. This project aims to improve the fundamental understanding of interfacial interactions in multicomponent materials, which is a critical precursor to successfully designing and experimentally validating novel layered sulphide systems for potassium-ion batteries. A new layered structure construction technique will be employed to enhance the intrinsic electronic and ionic conductivities in the anode by controllable interphase and interface engineering. The expected outcomes of this project are to generate potassiumion batteries with high energy density, high safety, and long cycle life for next generation energy storage. This project should give Australia a competitive edge in the globally emerging sustainable manufacturing and energy-storage technologies.Read moreRead less
Engineering Nanoionic Interfaces towards High Performance Cathode Coatings. This project aims to develop novel cathode coating materials towards more durable and powerful energy storage devices. Lithium ion battery will be constructed based on perovskite oxides to provide high capacity and stability for potential applications in electric cars, mobile phones and internet of things. The project will address fundamental challenges in this field by developing high voltage cathode coated with nanoion ....Engineering Nanoionic Interfaces towards High Performance Cathode Coatings. This project aims to develop novel cathode coating materials towards more durable and powerful energy storage devices. Lithium ion battery will be constructed based on perovskite oxides to provide high capacity and stability for potential applications in electric cars, mobile phones and internet of things. The project will address fundamental challenges in this field by developing high voltage cathode coated with nanoionic thin layers. Combined with new materials fabrication techniques and innovative strain engineering, the expected outcome is high performance cathodes with enhanced rate capability and cycling life, low fabrication cost and production scalability.
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Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200101103
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$397,286.00
Summary
Stable Lithium-Sodium Metal Anodes for Rechargeable Alkali Metal Batteries. The project aims to address the safety issues derived from the dendritic growth and volume variation of alkali metal anodes, which are a challenge for the practical application of rechargeable alkali metal batteries. This project seeks to design a novel 3D lithium/sodium host featuring a lithiophilic-lithiophobic gradient interfacial layer to achieve uniform deposition and structural stability. The expected outcome of th ....Stable Lithium-Sodium Metal Anodes for Rechargeable Alkali Metal Batteries. The project aims to address the safety issues derived from the dendritic growth and volume variation of alkali metal anodes, which are a challenge for the practical application of rechargeable alkali metal batteries. This project seeks to design a novel 3D lithium/sodium host featuring a lithiophilic-lithiophobic gradient interfacial layer to achieve uniform deposition and structural stability. The expected outcome of this project is to successfully develop alkali metal batteries that are stable, safe and have high energy density. This project should have significant benefits such as the advancement of knowledge in alkali metal batteries and strengthen Australia’s competitiveness in the area of next-generation energy storage technologies.Read moreRead less
Pore Engineering of Chromatography Membranes for Bioseparation. Protein separation and purification is an essential unit operation in manufacturing processes of therapeutic proteins. The project aims to advance the practical applications of chromatography membrane, an emerging technology for protein separation and purification, by tailoring membrane pore geometry and surface functionality to achieve enhanced separation performance. The project expects to generate advanced knowledge and technique ....Pore Engineering of Chromatography Membranes for Bioseparation. Protein separation and purification is an essential unit operation in manufacturing processes of therapeutic proteins. The project aims to advance the practical applications of chromatography membrane, an emerging technology for protein separation and purification, by tailoring membrane pore geometry and surface functionality to achieve enhanced separation performance. The project expects to generate advanced knowledge and techniques in the fields of reactive polymer synthesis, functional membrane fabrication and application in bioseparation. The innovative membranes developed in the project are able to improve the production capacity of therapeutic protein manufacturing processes, providing significant economic benefits to Australia.Read moreRead less
Carbon Molecular Sieve Membranes for Organic Solvent Separation. Directly addressing the pressing challenge of organic solvent separation faced by numerous industries, the project aims to develop molecular sieve membranes with outstanding selectivity and solvent tolerance by constructing zeolite-carbon mixed matrix membrane via incorporating zeolite nanosheets into carbon materials. The project expects to generate advanced knowledge of nanosheet synthesis, membrane fabrication and selective mole ....Carbon Molecular Sieve Membranes for Organic Solvent Separation. Directly addressing the pressing challenge of organic solvent separation faced by numerous industries, the project aims to develop molecular sieve membranes with outstanding selectivity and solvent tolerance by constructing zeolite-carbon mixed matrix membrane via incorporating zeolite nanosheets into carbon materials. The project expects to generate advanced knowledge of nanosheet synthesis, membrane fabrication and selective molecule transport. The membranes developed in the project have great potentials for improving the production capacity and sustainability of Australian industries, e.g., pharmaceutical manufacturing, bioethanol production and petroleum refining, providing significant economic and environmental benefits to Australia.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL200100049
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,906,992.00
Summary
Nanofluidic Membranes for Sustainable Energy Future. This project aims to create a novel class of advanced membranes by making fundamental breakthroughs in nanofluidics, and harnessing this for developing new renewable energy and low-energy separation technologies. This project addresses the key challenges in understanding selective mass transport at the angstrom scale, thereby allowing the development of innovative materials design strategies to realise the ultrafast molecular and ionic permeat ....Nanofluidic Membranes for Sustainable Energy Future. This project aims to create a novel class of advanced membranes by making fundamental breakthroughs in nanofluidics, and harnessing this for developing new renewable energy and low-energy separation technologies. This project addresses the key challenges in understanding selective mass transport at the angstrom scale, thereby allowing the development of innovative materials design strategies to realise the ultrafast molecular and ionic permeation, and the ultrahigh selectivities observed in biological cell membranes. This new cross-disciplinary research will benefit Australia by the development of new materials for accelerating renewable hydrogen and biofuel futures, and enabling sustainable production of energy materials.Read moreRead less
Mechanical modulation of particle-cell interactions. Mechanical forces play critical roles in many biological processes, but how particle mechanical properties modulate particle-cell interactions remains elusive. This project aims to develop new design principles for engineering nano/micromaterials with tunable mechanical properties for improved cell activation and expansion, and to advance knowledge of the role of particle stiffness in modulating receptor-mediated particle-cell interactions. Ex ....Mechanical modulation of particle-cell interactions. Mechanical forces play critical roles in many biological processes, but how particle mechanical properties modulate particle-cell interactions remains elusive. This project aims to develop new design principles for engineering nano/micromaterials with tunable mechanical properties for improved cell activation and expansion, and to advance knowledge of the role of particle stiffness in modulating receptor-mediated particle-cell interactions. Expected outcomes and benefits include new fundamental understanding of the effect of particle mechanical properties on cell function, new insights into T cell activation and expansion, and new classes of stiffness-tunable fit-for-purpose materials for various applications in cell manufacturing.Read moreRead less