Material Properties of Nanocrystals. The mechanical characteristics of nanocrystals determine the viability of many novel applications and devices emerging from the field of nanotechnology. Despite their fundamental importance, the mechanical properties of these nanocrystals is only vaguely understood, because their size has prohibited their measurement. In this project, we shall investigate the mechanical properties of these materials for the first time using a combination of theoretical modell ....Material Properties of Nanocrystals. The mechanical characteristics of nanocrystals determine the viability of many novel applications and devices emerging from the field of nanotechnology. Despite their fundamental importance, the mechanical properties of these nanocrystals is only vaguely understood, because their size has prohibited their measurement. In this project, we shall investigate the mechanical properties of these materials for the first time using a combination of theoretical modelling, atomic force microscopy, and a new form of spectroscopy that allows the actual deformation of nanocrystals to be measured. The fundamental scientific knowledge gained is expected to impact on the development of current and future nanodevices.Read moreRead less
Spectroscopy of Single Quantum Dots. Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots are materials with promising applications in flat panel displays, biosensors, quantum dot lasers, and optical communication elements. Many of the applications are novel and require firm understanding of the physical and chemical properties of quantum dots to optimise reliability and performance. To fulfil the technological promise of fluorescent quantum dots, problems relating to quantum yield and photostability urgently n ....Spectroscopy of Single Quantum Dots. Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots are materials with promising applications in flat panel displays, biosensors, quantum dot lasers, and optical communication elements. Many of the applications are novel and require firm understanding of the physical and chemical properties of quantum dots to optimise reliability and performance. To fulfil the technological promise of fluorescent quantum dots, problems relating to quantum yield and photostability urgently need to be resolved. These issues will be addressed through spectroscopic studies of single quantum dots both in vacuum and in condensed phases. Ultimately, the findings will guide rational design of nanoscale devices based on quantum dot luminescence.Read moreRead less
The permeability of organized flocculated structures in dewatering in process engineering. The work aims to understand the method by which assemblies of particles in water, produced through flocculation, can be manipulated to produce highly permeable networks of particles. The work is critical to new developments and improving the efficiency of suspension dewatering processes world-wide and is of relevance to the food, pigments, minerals and electronics industries. The outcomes will be more ef ....The permeability of organized flocculated structures in dewatering in process engineering. The work aims to understand the method by which assemblies of particles in water, produced through flocculation, can be manipulated to produce highly permeable networks of particles. The work is critical to new developments and improving the efficiency of suspension dewatering processes world-wide and is of relevance to the food, pigments, minerals and electronics industries. The outcomes will be more efficient dewatering processes and novel products in these industries.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453823
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$445,124.00
Summary
Atomic Force Microscopy Facility for Soft Interfaces. This proposal seeks to establish a specialized atomic force microscopy facility capable of performing measurements on nanometre scales at soft interfaces. This will service the needs of and collaboration between leading researchers at the Universities of Newcastle, Melbourne, New South Wales and James Cook University. The facility will allow direct measurements of properties of the interactions between atoms, molecules and surfaces associated ....Atomic Force Microscopy Facility for Soft Interfaces. This proposal seeks to establish a specialized atomic force microscopy facility capable of performing measurements on nanometre scales at soft interfaces. This will service the needs of and collaboration between leading researchers at the Universities of Newcastle, Melbourne, New South Wales and James Cook University. The facility will allow direct measurements of properties of the interactions between atoms, molecules and surfaces associated with soft interfaces which are required for ongoing research in fluid-fluid interfaces, surfactant and polymer adsorbed layers, and biomolecules as well as to develop new processes in emerging fields of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and medical and pharmaceutical production.Read moreRead less
Surfactant Self-Assembly in Ionic Liquids. Room temperature ionic liquids have emerged recently as important environmentally-friendly solvents for synthesis, catalysis, and electrochemical applications. This project will generate significant new fundamental understanding, and train young researchers in the use of RTILs and advanced characterization techniques at honours, postgraduate and postdoctoral levels. The results of this project will enable the development of new technologies by adaptin ....Surfactant Self-Assembly in Ionic Liquids. Room temperature ionic liquids have emerged recently as important environmentally-friendly solvents for synthesis, catalysis, and electrochemical applications. This project will generate significant new fundamental understanding, and train young researchers in the use of RTILs and advanced characterization techniques at honours, postgraduate and postdoctoral levels. The results of this project will enable the development of new technologies by adapting water-based surfactant technologies to a range of low-volatility RTILs. Examples include new mesoporous catalysts, nanostructured self-assembled scaffolds and composite materials, nanoparticle synthesis, novel lubricants and drug-delivery systems.Read moreRead less
Adsorption and Structure at Ionic Liquid Interfaces. Ionic liquids (ILs) have recently emerged as important environmentally-friendly solvents for synthesis, but applications based on their unusual physical properties have been vastly under-exploited. This project will generate significant new fundamental understanding of ILs, and train young researchers in the use of ILs and advanced characterization techniques at honours, postgraduate and postdoctoral levels. The results of this project will en ....Adsorption and Structure at Ionic Liquid Interfaces. Ionic liquids (ILs) have recently emerged as important environmentally-friendly solvents for synthesis, but applications based on their unusual physical properties have been vastly under-exploited. This project will generate significant new fundamental understanding of ILs, and train young researchers in the use of ILs and advanced characterization techniques at honours, postgraduate and postdoctoral levels. The results of this project will enable the development of new or improved technologies by facilitating the use of ILs in specialised products. Examples include novel lubricants, catalytic mediums, surface coatings, nanostructured self-assembled scaffolds and composite materials, nanoparticle synthesis, and drug-delivery systems.Read moreRead less
Control of acoustic cavitation in complex fluids. The outcomes of this project will provide, for the first time, the knowledge needed to optimise sonochemical reactions and thus pave the way for the greater use of sonochemisty in commercial processes. There are several areas of commercial significance where sonochemical processes could be used, e.g., remediation of wastewater containing organic pollutants, destruction of biowastes, etc. We have established strong contacts with the Victorian EPA, ....Control of acoustic cavitation in complex fluids. The outcomes of this project will provide, for the first time, the knowledge needed to optimise sonochemical reactions and thus pave the way for the greater use of sonochemisty in commercial processes. There are several areas of commercial significance where sonochemical processes could be used, e.g., remediation of wastewater containing organic pollutants, destruction of biowastes, etc. We have established strong contacts with the Victorian EPA, Orica, Food Science Australia and are developing links with Nufarm and Comalco. Apart from the potential practical outcomes, we will establish stronger ties with our international collaborators as well as train/educate a number of tertiary level students, of general benefit to our community.Read moreRead less
Structure of Adsorbed Surfactant Layers at Ionic Liquid-Air Interfaces. The research conducted in the project will greatly enhance our understanding of the physical properties of ionic liquids, an important new class of designer solvents. Australian researchers will receive advanced training and experience using Sum Frequency Spectroscopy in the laboratory of OI Rutland, and in the use of Neutron Reflection. This project is especially timely with the imminent start-up of the new Australian resea ....Structure of Adsorbed Surfactant Layers at Ionic Liquid-Air Interfaces. The research conducted in the project will greatly enhance our understanding of the physical properties of ionic liquids, an important new class of designer solvents. Australian researchers will receive advanced training and experience using Sum Frequency Spectroscopy in the laboratory of OI Rutland, and in the use of Neutron Reflection. This project is especially timely with the imminent start-up of the new Australian research reactor, OPAL, and will help to seed an active program by Australian researchers at this facility.Read moreRead less
Development of stable, patterned Self-Assembled Monolayers on carbon for sensors and other nanotechnology applications. Nanotechnology - science at the scale of a billionth of a metre - rests on our ability to manipulate molecules and to build structures that will be part of useful devices. We shall develop new methods to put that chemistry on carbon surfaces - leading to very stable and cheap devices that will have 'real world' applications in environmental monitoring. A 'bottom up' method of f ....Development of stable, patterned Self-Assembled Monolayers on carbon for sensors and other nanotechnology applications. Nanotechnology - science at the scale of a billionth of a metre - rests on our ability to manipulate molecules and to build structures that will be part of useful devices. We shall develop new methods to put that chemistry on carbon surfaces - leading to very stable and cheap devices that will have 'real world' applications in environmental monitoring. A 'bottom up' method of fabrication exploits the ability of similar molecules to line up on a suitable surface, so-called 'self Assembly'. The project is based on sound fundamental science for an applied research outcome and therefore will enhance Australian's standing as a strong scientific country that applies its knowledge at the forefront of technological advancement.Read moreRead less
Enhancing Ammonium Phosphate Slurry Output from the Pre-Neutraliser Reactor via Rheological Study and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Modelling. A thorough understanding of slurry rheology is required for the design and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of slurry reactor to obtain optimal performance. A poorly designed reactor will have poor mixing, flow short circuiting and stagnant zones. This project will provide a means of characterising the ammonia phosphate slurry rheology o ....Enhancing Ammonium Phosphate Slurry Output from the Pre-Neutraliser Reactor via Rheological Study and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Modelling. A thorough understanding of slurry rheology is required for the design and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of slurry reactor to obtain optimal performance. A poorly designed reactor will have poor mixing, flow short circuiting and stagnant zones. This project will provide a means of characterising the ammonia phosphate slurry rheology on-line for WMC fertilizer plant, perform detailed rheological characterisation of the slurry with and without trace elements, and provide fluid flow behaviour within the reactor through CFD simulation. A mere 1% improvement over the current solids output of 100tonnes/hr will enhance the revenue by $2.5million/yr for WMC.Read moreRead less