Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347346
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$210,000.00
Summary
Electrochemical Atomic Force Microscope and Nano-Manipulation Facility. This new Facility will add the nano-dimension to the excellent electrochemical mapping facility established at the University of Wollongong over the past 2 years. The instrument we propose to install will allow us to probe electrochemical events and, in particular, the influence of these events on the structure of customised materials at the nano level. This new capability will impact on our research into the development o ....Electrochemical Atomic Force Microscope and Nano-Manipulation Facility. This new Facility will add the nano-dimension to the excellent electrochemical mapping facility established at the University of Wollongong over the past 2 years. The instrument we propose to install will allow us to probe electrochemical events and, in particular, the influence of these events on the structure of customised materials at the nano level. This new capability will impact on our research into the development of efficient artificial muscles, biosensors, corrosion protection coatings, polymeric photovoltaics and new surfaces for mammalian cell culturing.Read moreRead less
New Transparent Polymer Nanocomposite Coatings Using Multireactive Inorganic Cages. New polymeric nanocomposite coatings are proposed with enhanced abrasion resistance, toughness and optical functionality, suitable for the coating of optical plastic substrates. These composites contain inorganic cages, dispersed and chemically-coupled within the crosslinked organic matrix. In addition to good mechanical behaviour, high value properties such as colorisation on exposure to light and resistance to ....New Transparent Polymer Nanocomposite Coatings Using Multireactive Inorganic Cages. New polymeric nanocomposite coatings are proposed with enhanced abrasion resistance, toughness and optical functionality, suitable for the coating of optical plastic substrates. These composites contain inorganic cages, dispersed and chemically-coupled within the crosslinked organic matrix. In addition to good mechanical behaviour, high value properties such as colorisation on exposure to light and resistance to damage from high energy lasers will be achieved by attachment to the cages of chemical units with optical activity. These cages are of nanometre size and an important aspect of the project involves probing the resultant structure at the molecular level, using advanced characterisation techniques.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0347258
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$170,000.00
Summary
Polymer Analysis Facility. The aim of this application is to establish a facility for polymer analysis. The infra-red spectrometer will be used primarily for analysis of polymerisation reactions whilst the thermal analysis equipment is essential for the characterisation of polymers and thin polymer coatings. The facility will contribute an essential analysis capability for three strong research groups who work in different aspects of polymer science. The main outcomes will improved productivity ....Polymer Analysis Facility. The aim of this application is to establish a facility for polymer analysis. The infra-red spectrometer will be used primarily for analysis of polymerisation reactions whilst the thermal analysis equipment is essential for the characterisation of polymers and thin polymer coatings. The facility will contribute an essential analysis capability for three strong research groups who work in different aspects of polymer science. The main outcomes will improved productivity within the current projects together with new collaborations, particularly between the Steel Institute (ISPP) at Wollongong and the Centre of Advanced Molecular Design (CAMD) at UNSW.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560981
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$160,940.00
Summary
Confronting the Challenges in Modern Spectroscopy of Polymers. Polymers and nanocomposites are increasingly being used in new, high value applications as diverse as medicine, structural engineering, optics and electronics. In order to control and understand polymer performance, a detailed knowledge of the chemical structure at all stages in their lifecycle is required - in the liquid, rubber and solid states and during degradation. This application seeks to establish a coordinated Polymer Spectr ....Confronting the Challenges in Modern Spectroscopy of Polymers. Polymers and nanocomposites are increasingly being used in new, high value applications as diverse as medicine, structural engineering, optics and electronics. In order to control and understand polymer performance, a detailed knowledge of the chemical structure at all stages in their lifecycle is required - in the liquid, rubber and solid states and during degradation. This application seeks to establish a coordinated Polymer Spectroscopy Network using new forms of infrared and NMR spectroscopy to probe samples (usually of an non-planar geometry) in a range of configurations. These will be used simultaneously with other techniques such as rheology or thermogravimetry, and will produce capabilities unique in Australia.Read moreRead less
Manipulating the self-assembly properties of fungal hydrophobin proteins for the design of novel biological polymers. Hydrophobin-based products will be novel biocompatible and biodegradable products with applications in the fields of medical implants, biosensors, detergents, coatings and pharmaceutical and industrial emulsions. They have the potential to directly improve the lives of all Australians and to be of benefit to the Australian economy and environment. This collaborative research pro ....Manipulating the self-assembly properties of fungal hydrophobin proteins for the design of novel biological polymers. Hydrophobin-based products will be novel biocompatible and biodegradable products with applications in the fields of medical implants, biosensors, detergents, coatings and pharmaceutical and industrial emulsions. They have the potential to directly improve the lives of all Australians and to be of benefit to the Australian economy and environment. This collaborative research project will enable Australian scientists to gain from working with a multinational company and to acquire skills in the rapidly expanding fields of structural and molecular biology. The University of Sydney will own any intellectual property arising from this work and will benefit from the commercialisation of hydrophobin-based products.Read moreRead less
Calcification of acrylic hydrogels in abiotic media: mechanism and control. Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHEMA) and other acrylic hydrogels are extensively used as biomaterials, yet conclusive evidence exists that they have a propensity to calcify following implantation. This process has undesirable consequences on the functionality of various prostheses. Based on preliminary observations that PHEMA can promote the deposition of calcium minerals from media devoid of biological factors, whic ....Calcification of acrylic hydrogels in abiotic media: mechanism and control. Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHEMA) and other acrylic hydrogels are extensively used as biomaterials, yet conclusive evidence exists that they have a propensity to calcify following implantation. This process has undesirable consequences on the functionality of various prostheses. Based on preliminary observations that PHEMA can promote the deposition of calcium minerals from media devoid of biological factors, which appears thus to be an inherent property of the polymer, the project aims at formulating new hypotheses to explain this phenomenon, and to confirm them experimentally. The "chelation" hypothesis will be validated by modifying the structure of polymers, and the "spontaneous precipitation" hypothesis by assessing the effect of solutes on the equilibrium water content of polymers. NMR and FTIR spectrometric techniques will be used to gain further insight into the mechanism of calcification. Methods to prevent the calcification will potentially result from these experiments, however, anticalcification agents will also be incorporated into hydrogels and their effect evaluated in calcification assays.Read moreRead less
Polymer nanoobjects functionalized by polymer brushes: preparation, organization and integration in devices. The proposed project targets the collaboration between two leading research teams. The University of Marburg is leading in the area of the preparation of nanoobjects, while the research team at CAMD (UNSW) focuses on the preparation of well-controlled polymer structures via RAFT polymerisation. The combined strength of both groups seeks to improve the properties of nanodevices by the atta ....Polymer nanoobjects functionalized by polymer brushes: preparation, organization and integration in devices. The proposed project targets the collaboration between two leading research teams. The University of Marburg is leading in the area of the preparation of nanoobjects, while the research team at CAMD (UNSW) focuses on the preparation of well-controlled polymer structures via RAFT polymerisation. The combined strength of both groups seeks to improve the properties of nanodevices by the attachment of well-defined polymer layers. We expect therefore an optimum scientific output with both groups focusing on their research potency next to being able to access new knowledge. The visit to the German research group enables the Australian researchers access to a leading team in nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Living Free Radical Polymerization for Nano Technology Applications. The proposed linkage project centres on a series of core projects from both the Australian and German collaborators. These core projects range from the synthesis of multifunctional nano- and micro-sphere particles, block copolymer systems used as efficient vehicles for drug delivery purposes to polymer brushes for nano-wires. The collaborating teams will carry out joint research tasks in the above mentioned fields via the excha ....Living Free Radical Polymerization for Nano Technology Applications. The proposed linkage project centres on a series of core projects from both the Australian and German collaborators. These core projects range from the synthesis of multifunctional nano- and micro-sphere particles, block copolymer systems used as efficient vehicles for drug delivery purposes to polymer brushes for nano-wires. The collaborating teams will carry out joint research tasks in the above mentioned fields via the exchange of the CIs and PhD students. The project is planned for a duration of three years to ensure an in-depth approach to the proposed projects.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882576
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$588,000.00
Summary
Polymer Characterization Facility (PCF). Future development of macromolecular and biotechnologies have the potential to revolutionize everyday life. Current applications include plastics for engineering, diagnostic devices for biochemical analysis, polymer therapeutics for drug delivery and prosthesis with specific functions. The proposed facility will provide the analytical tools required to probe and develop advanced materials with application in medicine, agriculture, composites, cosmetics, ....Polymer Characterization Facility (PCF). Future development of macromolecular and biotechnologies have the potential to revolutionize everyday life. Current applications include plastics for engineering, diagnostic devices for biochemical analysis, polymer therapeutics for drug delivery and prosthesis with specific functions. The proposed facility will provide the analytical tools required to probe and develop advanced materials with application in medicine, agriculture, composites, cosmetics, communications and electronics.Read moreRead less
Design of Novel Polymer Micro-Porous Coatings. This project utilises unique polymer structures that self-organise into highly-ordered polymer films. These polymer films have arrays of pores with pore diameters on the micron scale. These films are suitable for high-technology membranes applications, in for instance, biosensors.