Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453973
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,093.00
Summary
Surface Spectroscopic and Microstructure Analysis. Funding is requested for an X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (XPS) and an Image Plate Guinier Camera (IPGC), to update and expand capabilities in surface spectroscopic and microstructural analysis of a wide range of materials. The XPS unit, to be located at the University of SA, will replace two 18-year old XPS units at UniSA and Flinders University. The IPGC is a new and unique instrument which will be located at the University of Adelaide. The ....Surface Spectroscopic and Microstructure Analysis. Funding is requested for an X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (XPS) and an Image Plate Guinier Camera (IPGC), to update and expand capabilities in surface spectroscopic and microstructural analysis of a wide range of materials. The XPS unit, to be located at the University of SA, will replace two 18-year old XPS units at UniSA and Flinders University. The IPGC is a new and unique instrument which will be located at the University of Adelaide. These items will be incorporated into the SA Regional Facility, which provides seamless access to instrumentation across nodes. Applications include materials science, geological and biological research projects.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0239650
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Advanced instrumentation for nano-scale imaging and analysis. It is widely accepted that the emerging fields of Nanotechnology and Nanoengineering will dominate research activity in a wide range of disciplines over the next decade. Progress in nanoscience and technology requires parallel development in nanocharacterisation and nanofabrication techniques. This proposal seeks to enhance the level of research infrastructure support for nano-scale microscopy and microanalysis at UTS and the Univer ....Advanced instrumentation for nano-scale imaging and analysis. It is widely accepted that the emerging fields of Nanotechnology and Nanoengineering will dominate research activity in a wide range of disciplines over the next decade. Progress in nanoscience and technology requires parallel development in nanocharacterisation and nanofabrication techniques. This proposal seeks to enhance the level of research infrastructure support for nano-scale microscopy and microanalysis at UTS and the University of Sydney by providing the following advanced instrumentation for nano-scale imaging, analysis and manipulation of materials:
- A Schottky field emission gun environmental scanning electron microscope
- Equipment kit for the rapid preparation of high quality transmission electron microscope specimens.Read moreRead less
Development of a hydroxyapatite-containing ceramic composite core dental implant system with effective variable elastic properties. The proposed dental implant system with a bio-active 'effective ligament' and thus variable elastic properties is closer to the natural tooth structure than the current high modulus metal and ceramic implants. The new implant system provides clinical longevity by promoting hard tissue growth and by reducing the stress concentration.
Electro-mechanics of natural load-bearing materials: understanding mechanisms of toughening, remodelling, and self-healing. Nature provides some of the most advanced functional structural materials, with the capability to remodel and strengthen under changing loads. The origins of the functional properties which allow them to do this will be explored, providing the possibility of developing materials which mimic this behaviour.
Bio-inspired conducting peptide nanowires for bioelectronic applications. Some bacteria possess a natural conductive tail constructed from proteins (called a nanowire) that has metal-like conductivity. The electrical signals in these nanowires are carried through aromatic groups in the peptides and/or attached cytochromes. This project addresses the design and assembly of conducting peptide-based fibrils inspired by these nanowires. It has already been shown that peptides can, by design, self-as ....Bio-inspired conducting peptide nanowires for bioelectronic applications. Some bacteria possess a natural conductive tail constructed from proteins (called a nanowire) that has metal-like conductivity. The electrical signals in these nanowires are carried through aromatic groups in the peptides and/or attached cytochromes. This project addresses the design and assembly of conducting peptide-based fibrils inspired by these nanowires. It has already been shown that peptides can, by design, self-assemble into long thermostable fibrils that support cell growth and development. The project’s goal is now to create cost-effective, non-toxic, conducting peptide fibrils that can be used in water or physiological environments for bioelectronics applications.Read moreRead less
The development of flexible, graded plasma surface engineered coatings for superior interfacial performance. The next generation of intraocular lenses, medical devices to treat patients with cataracts, will be developed through application of advanced surface engineering technologies. These superior coated lenses will improve biocompatibility and function, leading to additional benefit for the forecasted 2.7 million Australians with cataracts by 2021.
Ultrafine grained titanium for bio-implant applications. The project underpins the potential niche applications of ultrafine grained titanium for biomedical implants and establishes a knowledge base for expanding Australia's capacity for manufacturing titanium parts. The novel technology will lead to a broader usage of titanium by biomedical industry and promote the development of the titanium manufacturing industry in Australia. The development of ultrafine grained titanium specifically designe ....Ultrafine grained titanium for bio-implant applications. The project underpins the potential niche applications of ultrafine grained titanium for biomedical implants and establishes a knowledge base for expanding Australia's capacity for manufacturing titanium parts. The novel technology will lead to a broader usage of titanium by biomedical industry and promote the development of the titanium manufacturing industry in Australia. The development of ultrafine grained titanium specifically designed for bio-implants will increase Australia's competitiveness in the global market. The project targets at least three of the priority goals specified under National Research Priority breakthrough science, frontier technologies and advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Zirconium alloying and grain refinement of magnesium alloys with ZirCAST. Zirconium alloying and grain refinement is a key issue restricting the commercial production of value-added zirconium-containing magnesium alloys for use in the automotive industry. This 3-year linkage program builds on the applicants' invention of a proprietary grain refiner ZirCAST, and is undertaken to investigate the major fundamental aspects of zirconium alloying and grain refinement with ZirCAST. In addition to an ex ....Zirconium alloying and grain refinement of magnesium alloys with ZirCAST. Zirconium alloying and grain refinement is a key issue restricting the commercial production of value-added zirconium-containing magnesium alloys for use in the automotive industry. This 3-year linkage program builds on the applicants' invention of a proprietary grain refiner ZirCAST, and is undertaken to investigate the major fundamental aspects of zirconium alloying and grain refinement with ZirCAST. In addition to an excellent postgraduate training environment, it aims to provide and develop, in partnership with industry, optimum zirconium alloying and grain refinement technology with ZirCAST and enhance Australia's leading global position in this strategically and commercially important area.Read moreRead less
Unravelling mechanisms in plasma growth of polymers. Surface engineering broadens the breadth of applications for many materials, and enhances the performance and value of current and emerging technologies. Surface engineering is particularly important to maintaining the competitiveness of manufacturing in developed economies such as Australia, that can not compete on a cost basis with emerging economies. Plasma coating replaces (alternative) environmentally-questionable surface treatments. This ....Unravelling mechanisms in plasma growth of polymers. Surface engineering broadens the breadth of applications for many materials, and enhances the performance and value of current and emerging technologies. Surface engineering is particularly important to maintaining the competitiveness of manufacturing in developed economies such as Australia, that can not compete on a cost basis with emerging economies. Plasma coating replaces (alternative) environmentally-questionable surface treatments. This project enhances Australian competitiveness; it cuts across industrial sectors and will deliver the new knowledge required to enhance material/technology functionality/performance. A PhD student will receive a multi-disciplinary training in a frontier technology and advanced analytical tools.Read moreRead less
Self-assembly and complexity: networks and patterns from materials to markets. Self-assembly leads the formation of patterns without external directing agents. It is responsible for the growth of complex multiscale structures found in biology and materials science and is a crucial concept for development of viable nanotechnologies. Complex systems, from biological ecosystems to financial markets and the Internet, are also characterized by spontaneous clustering and linkages that determine their ....Self-assembly and complexity: networks and patterns from materials to markets. Self-assembly leads the formation of patterns without external directing agents. It is responsible for the growth of complex multiscale structures found in biology and materials science and is a crucial concept for development of viable nanotechnologies. Complex systems, from biological ecosystems to financial markets and the Internet, are also characterized by spontaneous clustering and linkages that determine their collective behaviour. The project will investigate in detail the geometry, topology, materials science and statistical physics of networks, leading to design and characterization of robust self-assembled materials and complex systems.Read moreRead less