Universal immunogenic reagents for the detection of latent fingermarks. This project will deliver the first antibody reagents for the routine detection of natural fingermarks. This will assist law enforcement agencies to provide a safer society through improved crime clearance, as they will be able to enhance and detect fingermarks that otherwise remain undetected with current techniques (e.g. fingermarks on human skin).
Why is ColorbondR steel greener on the other side of the fence? Designing additives to retard weathering of surface coatings. COLORBONDR steel, the flagship pre-painted steel product of BlueScope Steel Limited, has become an iconic part of both suburban and outback landscapes whether installed as roofing, walling or water conservation accessories (tanks, down-pipes etc). This proposal aims to provide a detailed understanding of molecular level changes in COLORBONDR steel surface coatings brought ....Why is ColorbondR steel greener on the other side of the fence? Designing additives to retard weathering of surface coatings. COLORBONDR steel, the flagship pre-painted steel product of BlueScope Steel Limited, has become an iconic part of both suburban and outback landscapes whether installed as roofing, walling or water conservation accessories (tanks, down-pipes etc). This proposal aims to provide a detailed understanding of molecular level changes in COLORBONDR steel surface coatings brought about by levels of heat and radiation encountered in-service. These insights will lead to further improvements in both lifetime and aesthetic durability of COLORBONDR steel, ensuring continuing economic success of BlueScope in the domestic building market with consequent benefits to manufacturing communities throughout the supply-chain nationwide.Read moreRead less
The Study of Pretreatment Options for Composite Fouling of Reverse Osmosis Membranes Used in Water Treatment and Production. It is recognised worldwide that fouling is a major impediment in operation of Reverse Osmosis units used for production, purification and treatment of water. This project is aimed at studying pre-treatment options for composite fouling which is the main type of fouling present in RO units by using both model feed systems and actual field water. The project outcomes are to ....The Study of Pretreatment Options for Composite Fouling of Reverse Osmosis Membranes Used in Water Treatment and Production. It is recognised worldwide that fouling is a major impediment in operation of Reverse Osmosis units used for production, purification and treatment of water. This project is aimed at studying pre-treatment options for composite fouling which is the main type of fouling present in RO units by using both model feed systems and actual field water. The project outcomes are to understand and develop pre-treatment strategies and to use those to develop a hybrid pre-treatment technology. This project will significantly impact water production in general and its outcomes will have far-reaching implications in treatment of water both within Australia and globally.Read moreRead less
The Boron Rejection by RO Membranes in presence of Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Hydroxide. Water scarcity in various parts of the world demands the use of available saline waters for production of potable water. Reverse Osmosis membranes have been used as a means of achieving this objective. Fouling is a major impediment in operation of reverse osmosis units. The project aims to study boron removal by RO under high pH which increases the boron rejection but at the same time exacerbates compos ....The Boron Rejection by RO Membranes in presence of Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Hydroxide. Water scarcity in various parts of the world demands the use of available saline waters for production of potable water. Reverse Osmosis membranes have been used as a means of achieving this objective. Fouling is a major impediment in operation of reverse osmosis units. The project aims to study boron removal by RO under high pH which increases the boron rejection but at the same time exacerbates composite fouling by calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. Optimum pH for boron rejection will be determined and propensity of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide at that pH range will be evaluated.Read moreRead less
Oral Insulin Delivery facilitated by Enteric Coating using Dense Gas Technologies. Insulin dependant diabetes is a rapidly growing disease. The current method for insulin delivery to the patient is by injection, which is inconvenient. Oral delivery of insulin is a more acceptable method. It is proposed to develop a dense gas technique to coat insulin with a pH sensitive polymer to protect it from the acidic environment of the stomach. Insulin can then be released at the high pH of the intestin ....Oral Insulin Delivery facilitated by Enteric Coating using Dense Gas Technologies. Insulin dependant diabetes is a rapidly growing disease. The current method for insulin delivery to the patient is by injection, which is inconvenient. Oral delivery of insulin is a more acceptable method. It is proposed to develop a dense gas technique to coat insulin with a pH sensitive polymer to protect it from the acidic environment of the stomach. Insulin can then be released at the high pH of the intestine when the polymer is dissolved. Particle size control is feasible by dense gas processes by manipulating operating parameters. Advantages include low residual solvent and manufacture at ambient temperatures.Read moreRead less
Development of novel environmentally benign technologies for the control of bacterial biofilms in industrial applications. Bacteria will attach to and form biofilms on almost all surfaces. This is particularly a problem in moist environments, including food preparation surfaces, pipe networks (eg. water, oil, and gas), water purification systems. The effects of bacterial biofilms are wide ranging and impact on human health, our capacity to use water resources effectively, and the environment w ....Development of novel environmentally benign technologies for the control of bacterial biofilms in industrial applications. Bacteria will attach to and form biofilms on almost all surfaces. This is particularly a problem in moist environments, including food preparation surfaces, pipe networks (eg. water, oil, and gas), water purification systems. The effects of bacterial biofilms are wide ranging and impact on human health, our capacity to use water resources effectively, and the environment where toxic chemicals are normally used to kill the biofilm. The technologies under development here have the potential to reduce our reliance on toxic chemicals as well as contribute to significant reductions in the cost to purify and distribute vital resources such as water as well as reducing bacterial contamination food surfaces.Read moreRead less
Chemical listening devices: Novel sensors targeting the clandestine manufacture and transport of illicit drugs and explosives. There can be no doubt that protecting Australia's borders from the dual threats of terrorism and illicit drugs is of paramount importance to continuation of our well-being and way of life. Our chemical sensors are simple hand-held or remote chemical listening sensors, which will have the ability to sense the presence of characteristic chemical vapours associated with exp ....Chemical listening devices: Novel sensors targeting the clandestine manufacture and transport of illicit drugs and explosives. There can be no doubt that protecting Australia's borders from the dual threats of terrorism and illicit drugs is of paramount importance to continuation of our well-being and way of life. Our chemical sensors are simple hand-held or remote chemical listening sensors, which will have the ability to sense the presence of characteristic chemical vapours associated with explosives and illicit drugs. The simplicity and low cost of the chemical listening allows for installation at key locations -e.g. transport hubs, shipping containers, airports etc as well as placement within clandestine drug laboratories.Read moreRead less
Controlling light-harvesting with complex perylene arrays. This project aims to artificially mimic photosynthesis. A new class of dye coloured plastics will create a platform technology that could have many applications including enhanced biodiesel production from algae and 'smart' building materials enhancing electricity production from solar cells.
Advanced water treatment technologies to minimise nitrogenous disinfection by-products in drinking water: understanding the role of organic nitrogen. This project will identify improved methods for treatment of drinking water to prevent the formation of potentially hazardous disinfection by-products. It will assist water resource managers and regulators to select the most economical and safe treatment for each type of water source and to plan for future demands on our limited water supplies.
Nanostructured Carbon Electrodes. The development of higher capacity energy storage devices is critical to the efficient use of energy. The fundamental knowledge gained in this project will enable the production of the next generation advanced electrode materials for this purpose and hence provide many new commercial opportunities for Australian industry. The project brings together world leaders in their own fields to address a highly multidisciplinary area of research and will provide an excel ....Nanostructured Carbon Electrodes. The development of higher capacity energy storage devices is critical to the efficient use of energy. The fundamental knowledge gained in this project will enable the production of the next generation advanced electrode materials for this purpose and hence provide many new commercial opportunities for Australian industry. The project brings together world leaders in their own fields to address a highly multidisciplinary area of research and will provide an excellent training for PhD students and post doctoral Research Fellows, enabling them to work in and contribute to the development of new nanotechnology industries in Australia.Read moreRead less