Multiblock copolymer synthesis for nano-engineered materials. This project aims to develop methodology for environmentally friendly and industrially applicable synthesis of new types of advanced polymeric materials comprising multiblock copolymers. Polymeric materials play an important role in society with applications from bulk plastics to advanced technological applications. This would enable the creation of advanced materials with specific engineering targets and applications ranging from nan ....Multiblock copolymer synthesis for nano-engineered materials. This project aims to develop methodology for environmentally friendly and industrially applicable synthesis of new types of advanced polymeric materials comprising multiblock copolymers. Polymeric materials play an important role in society with applications from bulk plastics to advanced technological applications. This would enable the creation of advanced materials with specific engineering targets and applications ranging from nanomedicine to materials science.Read moreRead less
A Midas touch for electrophiles in new reaction development. This project aims to address the lack of knowledge about how high-value organic molecules are formed in gold-catalysed reactions by advancing a novel mode of catalysis. This project expects to generate new knowledge about these gold-catalysed reactions using an innovative, interdisciplinary approach incorporating computational and synthetic techniques. Expected outcomes of this project include the optimisation and development of import ....A Midas touch for electrophiles in new reaction development. This project aims to address the lack of knowledge about how high-value organic molecules are formed in gold-catalysed reactions by advancing a novel mode of catalysis. This project expects to generate new knowledge about these gold-catalysed reactions using an innovative, interdisciplinary approach incorporating computational and synthetic techniques. Expected outcomes of this project include the optimisation and development of important organic reactions and enhancing collaboration nationally and internationally between computational and synthetic chemists. This should provide significant benefits in the form of improved chemical reactions for chemists to prepare new pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and materials.Read moreRead less
Accurate gas-surface chemistry from first principles. Many aspects of gas-surface chemistry remain unexplained, despite around 90% of industrial chemical production relying on heterogeneous catalysis. A major problem is that common simulation methods used to study gas-surface chemistry do not adequately incorporate the effect of the motion of the atoms in the solid catalyst surface, preventing accurate study of surface temperature and vibrational energy transfer effects. This project aims to de ....Accurate gas-surface chemistry from first principles. Many aspects of gas-surface chemistry remain unexplained, despite around 90% of industrial chemical production relying on heterogeneous catalysis. A major problem is that common simulation methods used to study gas-surface chemistry do not adequately incorporate the effect of the motion of the atoms in the solid catalyst surface, preventing accurate study of surface temperature and vibrational energy transfer effects. This project aims to develop methods to incorporate surface atom motion in realistic atomistic simulations of gas-surface interactions. The unexplained physics and chemistry of industrially-important catalysis will be investigated. A better understanding of the physics and chemistry of molecules reacting on catalytic surfaces has the potential to allow for improved industrial production, new functional coatings on materials and, for example, enhanced engineering of corrosion resistance.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured solid acid catalysts for sustainable chemical manufacturing. This project aims to develop next-generation solid acid catalysts for energy- and atom-efficient transformations of waste biomass and carbon dioxide to sustainable chemicals and fuels. Catalysis is a transformative technology, key to both life and lifestyle, contributing to 90% of chemical manufacturing processes and >20% of all industrial products, and will be a key enabler for the emerging Australian bioeconomy. The ex ....Nanostructured solid acid catalysts for sustainable chemical manufacturing. This project aims to develop next-generation solid acid catalysts for energy- and atom-efficient transformations of waste biomass and carbon dioxide to sustainable chemicals and fuels. Catalysis is a transformative technology, key to both life and lifestyle, contributing to 90% of chemical manufacturing processes and >20% of all industrial products, and will be a key enabler for the emerging Australian bioeconomy. The expected development of new high performance catalysts for the production of renewable transportation fuels and sustainable chemical feedstocks will underpin commercially viable low carbon technologies using waste resources, and should provide significant benefits to Australian science, industry, and the environment.
Read moreRead less
Advanced Materials from Automated Synthesis of Sequence-Defined Polymers. The project aims to develop industrially scalable and environmentally friendly methods for synthesis of sequence-defined multiblock copolymers (polymer chains containing segments of different polymer types) using automated synthesis methods. The materials to be explored will be largely based on renewable biomass-derived monomeric building blocks. Such polymers are able to undergo microphase separation into spatially period ....Advanced Materials from Automated Synthesis of Sequence-Defined Polymers. The project aims to develop industrially scalable and environmentally friendly methods for synthesis of sequence-defined multiblock copolymers (polymer chains containing segments of different polymer types) using automated synthesis methods. The materials to be explored will be largely based on renewable biomass-derived monomeric building blocks. Such polymers are able to undergo microphase separation into spatially periodic compositional patterns, thereby providing access to a vast range of nano-engineered materials. This would enable design and synthesis of new advanced materials, making use of renewable resources and supporting the circular economy, with diverse potential applications ranging from nanomedicine to materials science.Read moreRead less
New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. P ....New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. Plastic is present everywhere in human life, but its manufacture and disposal have a strong negative impact on the environment; the new materials manufactured in this project are viable alternatives to plastics, and are sustainable from a production and disposal point of view.Read moreRead less
Life, living and livelihoods in satellite cities: new urban forms in India . This project aims to assess the success of satellite cities, conceived as possible solutions to the urgent challenge of rapid urban growth in today’s megacities. Through an ethnography of an Indian satellite city, Mahindra World City, this project aims to generate knowledge on new urban formations and the consequences of experiments in urban development for different socio-economic groups. Understanding the lived experi ....Life, living and livelihoods in satellite cities: new urban forms in India . This project aims to assess the success of satellite cities, conceived as possible solutions to the urgent challenge of rapid urban growth in today’s megacities. Through an ethnography of an Indian satellite city, Mahindra World City, this project aims to generate knowledge on new urban formations and the consequences of experiments in urban development for different socio-economic groups. Understanding the lived experiences of residents/workers in satellite cities aims to form a robust evidence base for research driven dialogue with policy makers, planners and developers. Lessons derived are expected to inform policy and practice as to how to achieve wellbeing for urban residents, while providing indications of Asia’s urban futures.Read moreRead less
The Empire of New Idealism?: Civilisation and Australian New Idealism, 1850-1950. Philosophies, like people and commodities, travel the globe. This project traces the movement of British 'New Idealist' philosophy to Australia in the mid-nineteenth century, its transformation into 'Australian New idealism', and return to Britain. It shows how the hopes of these first Australian philosophers for a global community overlapped with politicians and policy makers, and uncovers their shaping role in th ....The Empire of New Idealism?: Civilisation and Australian New Idealism, 1850-1950. Philosophies, like people and commodities, travel the globe. This project traces the movement of British 'New Idealist' philosophy to Australia in the mid-nineteenth century, its transformation into 'Australian New idealism', and return to Britain. It shows how the hopes of these first Australian philosophers for a global community overlapped with politicians and policy makers, and uncovers their shaping role in the formulation of many social policies that remain with us today. It places Australian history and research at the heart of a new global vision of New Idealist studies and offers scholars, policy makers and educators the necessary background to more fully articulate Australian understandings of citizenship and civilisation.Read moreRead less
Understanding the role of trauma in alcohol and other drug-related problems. This project aims to investigate the relationship between trauma and alcohol and other drug (AOD)-related problems. Using a robust set of qualitative and ethnographic methods, the project expects to advance international knowledge on how experiences of trauma influence AOD consumption, and the diverse factors that shape variation in experience and outcomes for individuals. Expected outcomes include targeted recommendati ....Understanding the role of trauma in alcohol and other drug-related problems. This project aims to investigate the relationship between trauma and alcohol and other drug (AOD)-related problems. Using a robust set of qualitative and ethnographic methods, the project expects to advance international knowledge on how experiences of trauma influence AOD consumption, and the diverse factors that shape variation in experience and outcomes for individuals. Expected outcomes include targeted recommendations to improve AOD responses, policy and trauma-informed AOD care, and increased capacity of the Australian health workforce to respond to trauma and AOD-related problems. This should provide significant benefit by reducing the harms, and economic and social costs associated with AOD consumption.Read moreRead less
Antimicrobial resistance, inequality and development in India. This project aims to provide an analysis of the cultural and social drivers behind the threat of antimicrobial resistance in India. As the highest consumer of antibiotics globally, India is central to the global challenge of addressing antimicrobial resistance. This project will focus on antimicrobial resistance as a distinctly social problem. The intended outcomes include a deep understanding of how the crisis is unfolding in India ....Antimicrobial resistance, inequality and development in India. This project aims to provide an analysis of the cultural and social drivers behind the threat of antimicrobial resistance in India. As the highest consumer of antibiotics globally, India is central to the global challenge of addressing antimicrobial resistance. This project will focus on antimicrobial resistance as a distinctly social problem. The intended outcomes include a deep understanding of how the crisis is unfolding in India at the nexus of poverty, weak governance and embedded cultural practices. Anticipated findings will generate policy-relevant outputs to optimise antimicrobial use, position Australia as a leading voice in addressing a global threat, and prepare Australia against the specific issue of microbial resistance.Read moreRead less