New metal-molecule binding motifs for self-assembled monolayers and nanodevices. The goal of this research is to investigate technologically interesting electronic materials using new molecular assemblies. We explore their application in some fundamental components of molecular electronic systems and anticipate that knowledge gained from our investigations will have significant impact on the field of nanotechnology, especially in the area of molecular electronics. Our basic research will contrib ....New metal-molecule binding motifs for self-assembled monolayers and nanodevices. The goal of this research is to investigate technologically interesting electronic materials using new molecular assemblies. We explore their application in some fundamental components of molecular electronic systems and anticipate that knowledge gained from our investigations will have significant impact on the field of nanotechnology, especially in the area of molecular electronics. Our basic research will contribute to Australia's reputation as a source of innovative research and ideas in an area where there is growing international momentum.Read moreRead less
Self-Organised 3-D Arrays of Stimulus Responsive Block Copolymer Micelles. At the core of developments in nanotechnology is a desire to manufacture functional devices from molecular or colloidal building blocks. A significant component of this effort is directed at the self-assembly of these materials on solid substrates. Ultimately, the development of higher order functional nanomaterials requires a fine control over the 3-dimensional location of each component; this is a significant problem. I ....Self-Organised 3-D Arrays of Stimulus Responsive Block Copolymer Micelles. At the core of developments in nanotechnology is a desire to manufacture functional devices from molecular or colloidal building blocks. A significant component of this effort is directed at the self-assembly of these materials on solid substrates. Ultimately, the development of higher order functional nanomaterials requires a fine control over the 3-dimensional location of each component; this is a significant problem. In this project our aim is to develop novel self-assembled surface coatings using block copolymer micelles. Spatial control of the micelle adsorption at the solid-aqueous interface will give us a significant degree of control over molecular location in 3-dimensions.Read moreRead less
An in-built depolymerisation solution for polyethylene waste. This project aims to design enzymes that can be embedded into polyethylene, and later activated by the elevated temperatures of a compost heap, to depolymerise the plastic to small molecules. There are no good options available for the controlled decomposition of polyethylene waste at present, and instead researchers have focussed on solutions that rely on modifications to the underlying chemistry of the backbone and or collection to ....An in-built depolymerisation solution for polyethylene waste. This project aims to design enzymes that can be embedded into polyethylene, and later activated by the elevated temperatures of a compost heap, to depolymerise the plastic to small molecules. There are no good options available for the controlled decomposition of polyethylene waste at present, and instead researchers have focussed on solutions that rely on modifications to the underlying chemistry of the backbone and or collection to a central facility. Our approach would result in an in-built decomposition that does not require collection and recycling in a central facility. Since it is based on a depolymerisation mechanism it does not result in the production of harmful, partially disintegrated microplastics.Read moreRead less
Preparation of nanostructured surfaces by electrochemical deposition through lyotropic liquid-crystal templates. Hexagonal-phase lyotropic liquid crystals may be used as templates to deposit metals on electrodes. The sizes of the structures made by this method are a few nanometres. We propose to exploit both the aqueous and non-aqueous parts of the liquid crystal to deposit different metals, polymers or metals and polymers. Thin metal wires (nano-wires) sheathed in polymer will be the thinnest i ....Preparation of nanostructured surfaces by electrochemical deposition through lyotropic liquid-crystal templates. Hexagonal-phase lyotropic liquid crystals may be used as templates to deposit metals on electrodes. The sizes of the structures made by this method are a few nanometres. We propose to exploit both the aqueous and non-aqueous parts of the liquid crystal to deposit different metals, polymers or metals and polymers. Thin metal wires (nano-wires) sheathed in polymer will be the thinnest insulated wires ever made. Carbon nanotubes will also be aligned in the hexagonal hole in the template allowing exploitation of these unique species. The structures that will be fabricated will be candidates for catalysts, sensor arrays and electronic devices.Read moreRead less
The Interface of Oil-in-Water Emulsions. The interface between two immiscible liquids controls many phenomena including the formation and properties of emulsions, the nature of many chemical separation processes and the behaviour of biological systems. There are few methods to study such interfaces and most of these are susceptible to trace contamination by adventitious surfactants, but emulsions with their large surface area avoid this problem. Significant advances are possible with the new Aus ....The Interface of Oil-in-Water Emulsions. The interface between two immiscible liquids controls many phenomena including the formation and properties of emulsions, the nature of many chemical separation processes and the behaviour of biological systems. There are few methods to study such interfaces and most of these are susceptible to trace contamination by adventitious surfactants, but emulsions with their large surface area avoid this problem. Significant advances are possible with the new Australian technique of electroacoustics, complemented by neutron scattering, nmr, rheological and dielectric response measurements on concentrated emulsions. Our surfactant-free emulsions provide a fundamental breakthrough in such studies, leading to new materials from nanostructures.Read moreRead less
Interfacial and Structural Changes During Digestion of Milk-like Systems. This project aims to enhance the understanding of the behaviour of milk and milk-like systems during digestion. Utilising new Australian research infrastructure the project aims to unlock the complex behaviour across different types of milk (including human breast milk) and infant formulae, linking how enzymes behave towards fat droplets and the consequences for lipid structuring and nutrient transport. The rational design ....Interfacial and Structural Changes During Digestion of Milk-like Systems. This project aims to enhance the understanding of the behaviour of milk and milk-like systems during digestion. Utilising new Australian research infrastructure the project aims to unlock the complex behaviour across different types of milk (including human breast milk) and infant formulae, linking how enzymes behave towards fat droplets and the consequences for lipid structuring and nutrient transport. The rational design of systems that function much more closely to human milk will enable the development of new products with flow on benefits in human nutrition and increased utilisation of products from our dairy industry.Read moreRead less
Light Activated Electrochemistry: Microelectrode Arrays with just one wire. Electrochemistry requires each electrode to be connected to the external circuit by a wire. With many electrodes this means many wires. Wires limit electrode density in arrays and dictate that the electrode architecture must be predetermined. This project aims to remove the need for a wire for each electrode by using light to sequentially connect each electrode to a single wire. This will be achieved using modified silic ....Light Activated Electrochemistry: Microelectrode Arrays with just one wire. Electrochemistry requires each electrode to be connected to the external circuit by a wire. With many electrodes this means many wires. Wires limit electrode density in arrays and dictate that the electrode architecture must be predetermined. This project aims to remove the need for a wire for each electrode by using light to sequentially connect each electrode to a single wire. This will be achieved using modified silicon electrodes where irradiating with light causes an increase in conductivity at the illumination spot. The project will explore the variables that influence the spatial resolution and apply the ideas to making soft connects for nanoelectronics and making high density electrode arrays for electroanalysis.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100732
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,544.00
Summary
Electrostatic Catalysis: guiding reactive interfaces using electric fields. This project seeks to gain quantitative understanding of the role of electrostatics over chemical processes. Chemical transformations of organic compounds at interfaces underpin some of the most important processes, from the production of fine chemicals for pharmaceuticals to assisting bio-degradation of pollutants in clean technologies. Recent computational studies suggest that by applying oriented electric fields at in ....Electrostatic Catalysis: guiding reactive interfaces using electric fields. This project seeks to gain quantitative understanding of the role of electrostatics over chemical processes. Chemical transformations of organic compounds at interfaces underpin some of the most important processes, from the production of fine chemicals for pharmaceuticals to assisting bio-degradation of pollutants in clean technologies. Recent computational studies suggest that by applying oriented electric fields at interfaces, the rate and the selectivity of chemical processes can be altered at will. The project intends to test these theoretical findings. The knowledge generated by this research may translate into new technologies for the fine-chemical and biotechnology industries.Read moreRead less
'Multi-Coloured' Tracers for Magnetic Particle Imaging . Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) is predicted to be the future of imaging and will outperform all current imaging techniques by having 'colours', improved resolution and 3D precision. This project aims to create 'multi-coloured' high-performance MPI tracers by synthesising a range of the most effective magnetic nanoparticle structures. The expected outcome is the fundamental understanding of the relationships between nanoparticle structures ....'Multi-Coloured' Tracers for Magnetic Particle Imaging . Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) is predicted to be the future of imaging and will outperform all current imaging techniques by having 'colours', improved resolution and 3D precision. This project aims to create 'multi-coloured' high-performance MPI tracers by synthesising a range of the most effective magnetic nanoparticle structures. The expected outcome is the fundamental understanding of the relationships between nanoparticle structures and their magnetic properties for the formation of MPI signals with distinct ‘colours’. The benefits will be a library of MPI tracers that are able to provide ‘coloured’, high intensity, precise signals beyond what can be achieved with other imaging technologies.Read moreRead less