Sequence-defined polymers and green chemistry. This project aims to synthesise polymers that have precise chemical structure and mimic the biological activities of natural biopolymers like peptides and proteins. Monomer sequence regulation in these natural biopolymers is important in biology and necessary for crucial features of life, such as molecular recognition, self-replication and catalysis. Current artificial techniques for biopolymer synthesis are time consuming and present low yields at ....Sequence-defined polymers and green chemistry. This project aims to synthesise polymers that have precise chemical structure and mimic the biological activities of natural biopolymers like peptides and proteins. Monomer sequence regulation in these natural biopolymers is important in biology and necessary for crucial features of life, such as molecular recognition, self-replication and catalysis. Current artificial techniques for biopolymer synthesis are time consuming and present low yields at high costs. This project expects its new materials will increase manufacturing sustainability, chemical diversity and industrial viability; produce health benefits for Australia by improving chemotherapy and diagnosis for diseases; and benefit the Australian economy.Read moreRead less
Next generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniques. This project aims to solve a common, fundamental problem limiting the performance of mass spectrometers and high resolution electron microscopes: surface modification caused by unintended chemical reactions due to electron impact. The intended project outcomes will advance current understanding of electron restructuring of surfaces and open the door to next-generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniq ....Next generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniques. This project aims to solve a common, fundamental problem limiting the performance of mass spectrometers and high resolution electron microscopes: surface modification caused by unintended chemical reactions due to electron impact. The intended project outcomes will advance current understanding of electron restructuring of surfaces and open the door to next-generation material imaging, spectrometry and fabrication techniques. It will develop a superior detector for mass spectrometry and improve the imaging and nanofabrication capabilities of state-of-the-art electron microscopes. Read moreRead less
Chlorine Evolution Catalysts for Efferent Seawater Electrolysis. Seawater is the most abundant aqueous resource on earth that is readily accessible at very low costs, but yet to be directly utilised for production of hydrogen fuel and commodity chemicals. This project aims to develop cheap and plentiful carbon-based high performance chlorine evolution electrocatalysts for seawater electrolysis powered by renewable electricity to realise the production of hydrogen, chlorine and sodium hydroxide d ....Chlorine Evolution Catalysts for Efferent Seawater Electrolysis. Seawater is the most abundant aqueous resource on earth that is readily accessible at very low costs, but yet to be directly utilised for production of hydrogen fuel and commodity chemicals. This project aims to develop cheap and plentiful carbon-based high performance chlorine evolution electrocatalysts for seawater electrolysis powered by renewable electricity to realise the production of hydrogen, chlorine and sodium hydroxide directly from seawater. The electrolyser can also be used to treat desalination brine while produce hydrogen and chemicals. The success of the project will set a firm technological foundation for seawater utilisation, which will add to Australian capability to meet future energy and environment challenges.Read moreRead less
Chiral synthetic macromolecules - control of sequence and stereochemistry. This project aims to assemble a library of novel chiral polymers mimicking natural peptides with precisely controlled primary structures using emerging synthetic technologies. A systematic investigation of these synthetic materials will provide an in-depth understanding of how sequence and stereochemistry influence chemical and physical properties. Employing rational design principles, desired functionality could be optim ....Chiral synthetic macromolecules - control of sequence and stereochemistry. This project aims to assemble a library of novel chiral polymers mimicking natural peptides with precisely controlled primary structures using emerging synthetic technologies. A systematic investigation of these synthetic materials will provide an in-depth understanding of how sequence and stereochemistry influence chemical and physical properties. Employing rational design principles, desired functionality could be optimised through the selective modification of polymer structure. These materials should be able to emulate the unique properties and functionality of natural peptides/proteins, making them invaluable for biochemical applications, such as molecular recognition and asymmetric catalysis.Read moreRead less
Naturally derived photoinitiators for biocompatible 3D printing. This project aims to develop an environmentally-friendly approach to naturally derived photoinitiators which are applicable to 3D printing through low-energy, visible light-induced polymerisation, and explore their application in the fabrication of biocompatible polymeric materials. Traditional polymer manufacturing processes such as thermopolymerisation employ hazardous chemicals which present health and environmental risks. This ....Naturally derived photoinitiators for biocompatible 3D printing. This project aims to develop an environmentally-friendly approach to naturally derived photoinitiators which are applicable to 3D printing through low-energy, visible light-induced polymerisation, and explore their application in the fabrication of biocompatible polymeric materials. Traditional polymer manufacturing processes such as thermopolymerisation employ hazardous chemicals which present health and environmental risks. This project expects to expand fundamental scientific knowledge of photochemistry, polymer chemistry and biology through the development of a novel, economical, clean, commercially-relevant platform (3D printing) for the fabrication of polymeric materials.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL100100117
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,713,582.00
Summary
Molecular Plasmonics - From Single Electrons to Quantum Catalysis and Optical Logic Gates. After a decade of basic research, Nanotechnology is now entering its most disruptive phase. New nanoscale phenomena are being exploited and converted into viable technologies. Plasmonics - the manipulation of light using metal nanostructures - is one of the most promising of these. Plasmonics will enable scientists to achieve optical computing, reach higher data storage densities, and synthesize better cat ....Molecular Plasmonics - From Single Electrons to Quantum Catalysis and Optical Logic Gates. After a decade of basic research, Nanotechnology is now entering its most disruptive phase. New nanoscale phenomena are being exploited and converted into viable technologies. Plasmonics - the manipulation of light using metal nanostructures - is one of the most promising of these. Plasmonics will enable scientists to achieve optical computing, reach higher data storage densities, and synthesize better catalysts. Other applications include bio-sensing and rapid pathogen detection. To realise these potential outcomes, a leading international cluster focussing on plasmonics will be set up and this cluster will link state-of-the-art materials science, instrumentation and theory.Read moreRead less
Probing Anaesthetic Effects with New Functional Imaging Paradigms. This project seeks new insights into the effects of anaesthetics on brain function and repair. Anaesthesia is used in small-animal imaging to immobilise the animal, but in many cases the anaesthesia itself affects the neurophysiological parameters under study. It has also been shown that many anaesthetics enhance recovery after brain injury in small animals. This project plans to exploit a novel functional brain-imaging technique ....Probing Anaesthetic Effects with New Functional Imaging Paradigms. This project seeks new insights into the effects of anaesthetics on brain function and repair. Anaesthesia is used in small-animal imaging to immobilise the animal, but in many cases the anaesthesia itself affects the neurophysiological parameters under study. It has also been shown that many anaesthetics enhance recovery after brain injury in small animals. This project plans to exploit a novel functional brain-imaging technique for conscious animals to gain new insights into the effects of anaesthetics on brain function and recovery from injury. The knowledge gained is expected to improve knowledge of anaesthetic action, guide future anaesthetic use in small animal imaging to improve the accuracy of image-derived research data, and help to clarify how anaesthetics confer neuroprotective effects in brain injury.Read moreRead less
Innovative aluminium extrusion: increased productivity through simulation. This project seeks to develop new approaches to increase the productivity and competitiveness of the Australian aluminium extrusion industry. The project will use customised simulation software to optimise the design of extrusion dies, thereby substantially reducing the time and cost of developing new extrusion dies. It intends to similarly optimise the processing conditions for high quality extrusion, further contributin ....Innovative aluminium extrusion: increased productivity through simulation. This project seeks to develop new approaches to increase the productivity and competitiveness of the Australian aluminium extrusion industry. The project will use customised simulation software to optimise the design of extrusion dies, thereby substantially reducing the time and cost of developing new extrusion dies. It intends to similarly optimise the processing conditions for high quality extrusion, further contributing to cost reduction. Anticipated project outcomes include fundamental models of material deformation behaviour and damage accumulation that, through computer simulation, will increase die life and reduce scrap.Read moreRead less
Molecular probe development for high specificity and spatiotemporal control. This project aims at developing next-generation molecular probes with enhanced specificity and spatiotemporal control for the study of proteins and neuropeptide signalling. It addresses recognised knowledge gaps and technical bottlenecks in neuropeptide and memory research. Expected outcomes include a deeper molecular understanding of long-term memory formation and the role of neuropeptides in this process, as well as i ....Molecular probe development for high specificity and spatiotemporal control. This project aims at developing next-generation molecular probes with enhanced specificity and spatiotemporal control for the study of proteins and neuropeptide signalling. It addresses recognised knowledge gaps and technical bottlenecks in neuropeptide and memory research. Expected outcomes include a deeper molecular understanding of long-term memory formation and the role of neuropeptides in this process, as well as innovative chemistry strategies and novel molecular probes to advance fundamental research across the chemical and biological sciences. Anticipated benefits include technological innovations of relevance to Australia’s biotechnology sector and enhanced capacity for cross-disciplinary collaboration.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100629
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,058.00
Summary
Evolutionary impacts of climate change in Australia’s fossil record. This project aims to identify evolutionary responses to climate change in Australia's fossil record by comparing variation in lizard and frog communities across geological time. Using X-ray techniques on museum specimens, this project will generate a large-scale database for tracking evolutionary shifts in relation to historical climatic events. Expected outcomes include the first anatomical descriptions for many species, filli ....Evolutionary impacts of climate change in Australia’s fossil record. This project aims to identify evolutionary responses to climate change in Australia's fossil record by comparing variation in lizard and frog communities across geological time. Using X-ray techniques on museum specimens, this project will generate a large-scale database for tracking evolutionary shifts in relation to historical climatic events. Expected outcomes include the first anatomical descriptions for many species, filling major gaps in our ability to place fossils in a contemporary framework. This research will demonstrate the value of our national collections for addressing important environmental issues, such as biodiversity, extinction, and future habitat change.Read moreRead less