Meso- and Macro-porous Bioactive Glasses for Bone-repairing. This project aims to use self-assembly and pore engineering at different length scales to fabricate novel bioactive glasses of highly ordered mesoporous structure. By precisely controlling the composition, size and volume of both mesopores and macropores, bioactive glasses with improved bone forming activities will be obtained. The successful synthesis of such bioactive glasses is expected to lead to the fundamental understanding of st ....Meso- and Macro-porous Bioactive Glasses for Bone-repairing. This project aims to use self-assembly and pore engineering at different length scales to fabricate novel bioactive glasses of highly ordered mesoporous structure. By precisely controlling the composition, size and volume of both mesopores and macropores, bioactive glasses with improved bone forming activities will be obtained. The successful synthesis of such bioactive glasses is expected to lead to the fundamental understanding of structure-bioactivity relationship, and new materials effective for tissue engineering. This will also open up new opportunities for other applications such as drug delivery, implanting.Read moreRead less
Processing - Structure Relationships in Thermal Spray Coatings. Researchers in New Zealand have developed novel thermal spray processing treatments which can be used to enahnce the wear, oxidation and corrosion resisitance of materials. However, characterization of the coatings using electron microscopy is essential to understand the relationship between processing conditions and properties. The aim of this project is to draw together specialist expertise and equipment that allows integration ....Processing - Structure Relationships in Thermal Spray Coatings. Researchers in New Zealand have developed novel thermal spray processing treatments which can be used to enahnce the wear, oxidation and corrosion resisitance of materials. However, characterization of the coatings using electron microscopy is essential to understand the relationship between processing conditions and properties. The aim of this project is to draw together specialist expertise and equipment that allows integration of microscopy into the development of these films. Australian researchers will gain access to specialized preparation and testing facilities in New Zealand, whilst researchers from New Zealand will perform structural analysis of these films in Australia.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured Hydrogel-Carbon Nanotube Composites for Artificial Muscles. This collaboration links the expertise of the two groups in advanced functional materials for the development of improved mechanical actuators for artificial muscles. The Korean group provides key know-how in synthetic and natural hydrogels. The Wollongong team has developed expertise in carbon nanotube actuators. The hydrogel-nanotube hybrids resulting from this collaboration are likely to show improved performance co ....Nanostructured Hydrogel-Carbon Nanotube Composites for Artificial Muscles. This collaboration links the expertise of the two groups in advanced functional materials for the development of improved mechanical actuators for artificial muscles. The Korean group provides key know-how in synthetic and natural hydrogels. The Wollongong team has developed expertise in carbon nanotube actuators. The hydrogel-nanotube hybrids resulting from this collaboration are likely to show improved performance compared with existing materials. The improved actuators will be utilised in on-going projects in both countries.Read moreRead less
Biomolecular surface interactions with smart biomaterials. Current materials used for medical implants are often recognised by the body as foreign materials causing implant rejection or encapsulation. Research into the interactions between biological molecules and chemically and topographically modified materials will aid in the development of new materials and devices that optimise the body's response to the implanted material. The new materials and surfaces developed from this research will pr ....Biomolecular surface interactions with smart biomaterials. Current materials used for medical implants are often recognised by the body as foreign materials causing implant rejection or encapsulation. Research into the interactions between biological molecules and chemically and topographically modified materials will aid in the development of new materials and devices that optimise the body's response to the implanted material. The new materials and surfaces developed from this research will provide longer lasting implants and reduce the need for repeated operations. This will improve the quality of life for implant recipients and reduce health care costs.Read moreRead less
Design and Synthesis of Ionic Liquids for Use in Photoelectrochemical Cells Based on Inherently Conducting Polymers. We propose to evaluate the electrochemistry of photoactive polythiophenes recently synthesised by us in a range of ionic liquids. This knowledge will be used to design and synthesise customised ionic liquids with the properties required to enhance the photoelectrochemical efficiency of devices based on substituted polythiophenes. We expect our findings to lead to the development ....Design and Synthesis of Ionic Liquids for Use in Photoelectrochemical Cells Based on Inherently Conducting Polymers. We propose to evaluate the electrochemistry of photoactive polythiophenes recently synthesised by us in a range of ionic liquids. This knowledge will be used to design and synthesise customised ionic liquids with the properties required to enhance the photoelectrochemical efficiency of devices based on substituted polythiophenes. We expect our findings to lead to the development of low-cost, flexible, organic photoelectrochemical cells.Read moreRead less
Interfacial interactions with hydrogel biomaterials. The interactions between cells of the body and the surfaces of medical implants are controlled largely by the molecules that are adsorbed on the surface. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effect of modifying hydrogel biomaterials on the interactions of the molecules with the hydrogel. This, in turn, allows us to determine the factors affecting the control of the cell's response. The significance of this work is in the improved ability ....Interfacial interactions with hydrogel biomaterials. The interactions between cells of the body and the surfaces of medical implants are controlled largely by the molecules that are adsorbed on the surface. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effect of modifying hydrogel biomaterials on the interactions of the molecules with the hydrogel. This, in turn, allows us to determine the factors affecting the control of the cell's response. The significance of this work is in the improved ability to control cellular responses to implants. Such improved response will result in better health outcomes for patients, and outcomes in the form of papers and intellectual property.
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Feasibility of biological hydrogen production from biomass wastes using activate sludge microorganisms. This study will focus on biological hydrogen production from biomass wastes, not only because hydrogen is a clean and high efficient energy, but also because it can be a process for waste treatment. The research is aimed at examining the feasibility of biological hydrogen production from an organic waste stream by hydrogen producing bacteria isolated and enriched from pretreated digested activ ....Feasibility of biological hydrogen production from biomass wastes using activate sludge microorganisms. This study will focus on biological hydrogen production from biomass wastes, not only because hydrogen is a clean and high efficient energy, but also because it can be a process for waste treatment. The research is aimed at examining the feasibility of biological hydrogen production from an organic waste stream by hydrogen producing bacteria isolated and enriched from pretreated digested activated sludge. The overall goal is to get better understanding of the biochemical mechanisms, metabolic pathways effecting on the intermediate and end-products, leading to high hydrogen productivity and yield.Read moreRead less
New clean and green aqueous metathesis. The technique of olefin metathesis has already yielded new pharmaceuticals and materials for use in consumer products and ballistic protection. This project will help move metathesis into the realms of natures aqueous environment, a key advance if metathesis is to reveal its full potential in biological, polymeric, and pharmaceutical applications. We specifically aim to target treatments for cataract (and other conditions associated with an aging populatio ....New clean and green aqueous metathesis. The technique of olefin metathesis has already yielded new pharmaceuticals and materials for use in consumer products and ballistic protection. This project will help move metathesis into the realms of natures aqueous environment, a key advance if metathesis is to reveal its full potential in biological, polymeric, and pharmaceutical applications. We specifically aim to target treatments for cataract (and other conditions associated with an aging population) and also important new biopolymers for use in health technologies of the future.Read moreRead less
Biomaterial applications of synthetic elastin. The grant will develop a new collaboration between two established laboratories. The Weiss Lab (synthetic elastin; University of Sydney, Australia) will send elastin materials to the Langer Lab (interface of biotechnology and materials science; MIT, USA). Prof. Weiss will visit the Langer Lab and be trained in and participate collaboratively in the use of established MIT methodologies that will focus on applications in cardiac tissue engineering, co ....Biomaterial applications of synthetic elastin. The grant will develop a new collaboration between two established laboratories. The Weiss Lab (synthetic elastin; University of Sydney, Australia) will send elastin materials to the Langer Lab (interface of biotechnology and materials science; MIT, USA). Prof. Weiss will visit the Langer Lab and be trained in and participate collaboratively in the use of established MIT methodologies that will focus on applications in cardiac tissue engineering, controlled release of drugs and vocal fold repair. The MIT group will benefit from access to and the use of elastin materials that are developed in AustraliaRead moreRead less