Physico-chemical and Biopharmaceutical Investigations of Novel Drug Delivery Systems for Oral Administration of Lipophilic Drugs. The new platform technology for carrying lipophilic molecules will be applicable to many molecules currently under development by Australian Industry and will inspire novel encapsulation approaches to new and existing drugs as well as functional foods and nutraceuticals. Improved oral bioavailability of anticancer drugs will improve the quality of life of patients, re ....Physico-chemical and Biopharmaceutical Investigations of Novel Drug Delivery Systems for Oral Administration of Lipophilic Drugs. The new platform technology for carrying lipophilic molecules will be applicable to many molecules currently under development by Australian Industry and will inspire novel encapsulation approaches to new and existing drugs as well as functional foods and nutraceuticals. Improved oral bioavailability of anticancer drugs will improve the quality of life of patients, reduce health care costs and provide broader benefits to the community. The Australian biotechnology/pharmaceutical industries can share in a greater proportion of the US$50 billion market for specialised drug delivery, which is increasing by 20% annually. Australia's scientific competitiveness will be strengthened in the fields of nano-encapsulation and colloidal delivery.Read moreRead less
LIPID AND LIPOPROTEIN ADSORPTION AT BIOMATERIALS AND BIO-DIAGNOSTICS INTERFACES. This project aims to investigate molecular mechanisms involved in the formation of undesired biological deposits on synthetic materials and thereby help establish the scientific basis for the rational design of materials with improved compatibility with biological fluids and the engineering of a new generation of biomedical implant devices and bio-diagnostic devices. It is well known that proteins accumulate on synt ....LIPID AND LIPOPROTEIN ADSORPTION AT BIOMATERIALS AND BIO-DIAGNOSTICS INTERFACES. This project aims to investigate molecular mechanisms involved in the formation of undesired biological deposits on synthetic materials and thereby help establish the scientific basis for the rational design of materials with improved compatibility with biological fluids and the engineering of a new generation of biomedical implant devices and bio-diagnostic devices. It is well known that proteins accumulate on synthetic solid surfaces. This project proposes to investigate whether lipids and lipoproteins also play key roles in the initiation of biological adsorption processes. Combined with the study of the interfacial forces responsible, this information will guide the design of preventative strategies.Read moreRead less
Periodic nano-ratchets: a new paradigm for biomolecule separation. This project proposes the theoretical and experimental study of a new separation principle. The platform technologies developed from this research will see wide ranging applications. They will reveal new insights into fundamental phenomena of membranes and separation processes underpinning development of new generation of separation technologies. New membranes and microchip separation devices which can be applied to genomic, prot ....Periodic nano-ratchets: a new paradigm for biomolecule separation. This project proposes the theoretical and experimental study of a new separation principle. The platform technologies developed from this research will see wide ranging applications. They will reveal new insights into fundamental phenomena of membranes and separation processes underpinning development of new generation of separation technologies. New membranes and microchip separation devices which can be applied to genomic, proteomic, forensic and a range medical, biotechnological and analytical applications will be readily achievable. This is an international and interdisciplinary research project and its outcomes will enhance Australia's ability in frontier technologies, advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Nanotribology and Nanorheometry: A Fundamental Study of the Dynamic Interactions of Particles and Surfaces at the Molecular Level. Friction and deformation occur from the mutual motion and interaction of microscopic particles and surfaces. This research aims to develop new theories and measurement techniques for these non-equilibrium phenomena by combining mathematical analysis and numerical computations with dynamic force measurement, surface modification, and surface characterisation on nanom ....Nanotribology and Nanorheometry: A Fundamental Study of the Dynamic Interactions of Particles and Surfaces at the Molecular Level. Friction and deformation occur from the mutual motion and interaction of microscopic particles and surfaces. This research aims to develop new theories and measurement techniques for these non-equilibrium phenomena by combining mathematical analysis and numerical computations with dynamic force measurement, surface modification, and surface characterisation on nanometre and molecular length scales. These insights and data will be critically important in designing low-friction surfaces that save energy and wear, in developing nanoscopic probes for the mechanical and structural properties of soft polymeric and bio-materials, and in making high performance coatings that control adhesion and particle aggregation in technologically advanced applications.Read moreRead less
A new angle on the coalescence of drops. Many processes depend on what happens when drops and/or bubbles collide with each other, or with the surfaces of other materials. Examples include inkjet printing, agricultural spraying, spray coating of paints, pharmaceutical formulation, stability of cosmetics and foodstuffs, formation of froths and foams, and flow of bubbly liquids. To control these processes, we need to understand how and why drops sometimes do and sometimes do not coalesce with each ....A new angle on the coalescence of drops. Many processes depend on what happens when drops and/or bubbles collide with each other, or with the surfaces of other materials. Examples include inkjet printing, agricultural spraying, spray coating of paints, pharmaceutical formulation, stability of cosmetics and foodstuffs, formation of froths and foams, and flow of bubbly liquids. To control these processes, we need to understand how and why drops sometimes do and sometimes do not coalesce with each other or adhere to surfaces. The knowledge gained in this project will enable improvements to be made in the efficiency of processes such as those listed above.Read moreRead less
Shape Controlled Nanostructured Electrocatalyst for Clean Energy Generation. The development of alternative clean energy technology is critical to reduce carbon emissions and global warming. This project will bring significant benefits to the Australian community and economy by addressing these needs by developing highly efficient supported-catalyst, the core issue related to the cost and efficiency of clean electrochemical energy conversion devices. An increase in the catalyst efficiency would ....Shape Controlled Nanostructured Electrocatalyst for Clean Energy Generation. The development of alternative clean energy technology is critical to reduce carbon emissions and global warming. This project will bring significant benefits to the Australian community and economy by addressing these needs by developing highly efficient supported-catalyst, the core issue related to the cost and efficiency of clean electrochemical energy conversion devices. An increase in the catalyst efficiency would translate to significant cost saving and will deliver the nation with a strong intellectual property (IP) position in this frontier area of technology. The fundamental understanding will also underpin the growth in other catalysis areas including sensors, environment pollution and efficient chemical production. Read moreRead less
Towards a Molecular-Scale Understanding of Sorption of Organic Pollutants to Soil. The toxicity, mobility and persistence of organic pollutants in soils are in large part controlled by their sorption to soil organic matter. The chemical nature or quality of the organic matter affects not only the amount of chemical sorbed, but also the reversibility of sorption and the rate of sorption and desorption. Until now, only bulk measures of soil organic matter chemistry have been considered in sorption ....Towards a Molecular-Scale Understanding of Sorption of Organic Pollutants to Soil. The toxicity, mobility and persistence of organic pollutants in soils are in large part controlled by their sorption to soil organic matter. The chemical nature or quality of the organic matter affects not only the amount of chemical sorbed, but also the reversibility of sorption and the rate of sorption and desorption. Until now, only bulk measures of soil organic matter chemistry have been considered in sorption studies. This project introduces novel spectroscopic techniques that for the first time identify the chemical environment of sorbed molecules at the molecular scale. This will enable better prediction of pollutant transport and degradation.Read moreRead less
Engineered Nanotube Membranes for Molecular Separation and Biosensing. This broad research effort on the development of nanotube technology will provide potential applications not just in separation and biosensors but also in nanotechnology, biotechnology, drug delivery, energy storage, and catalysis. Development of advanced separation technologies and ultra sensitive biosensing devices based on functionalised gold nanotube membranes and low-cost fabrications are an important direction for Austr ....Engineered Nanotube Membranes for Molecular Separation and Biosensing. This broad research effort on the development of nanotube technology will provide potential applications not just in separation and biosensors but also in nanotechnology, biotechnology, drug delivery, energy storage, and catalysis. Development of advanced separation technologies and ultra sensitive biosensing devices based on functionalised gold nanotube membranes and low-cost fabrications are an important direction for Australian innovation in these fields. They will bring competitive advantages for further developments and applications for molecular separation and biomedical diagnostics. These research outcomes will enhance Australia's capacity in frontier technology and build strength in new analytical and separation technologies.Read moreRead less
Friction and capillary forces. Reducing friction forces is important for improving the performance of moving components in devices, and also useful for relieving people from pains at joints. In ambient conditions, confined liquids have a great influence on friction forces because an attractive force is induced by capillary condensation and adsorption between the surfaces. The correlation between capillary and friction forces will be clarified by force measurements with newly developed surface fo ....Friction and capillary forces. Reducing friction forces is important for improving the performance of moving components in devices, and also useful for relieving people from pains at joints. In ambient conditions, confined liquids have a great influence on friction forces because an attractive force is induced by capillary condensation and adsorption between the surfaces. The correlation between capillary and friction forces will be clarified by force measurements with newly developed surface force apparatuses in various conditions. Theoretical interpretation of influences of molecular layered liquids between the sliding surfaces on frictional behaviour will be also given based on thermodynamics.Read moreRead less
Multifunctional mixed matrix membranes incorporating aligned carbon nanotubes. The pressure on water supplies in Australia will only increase in coming years meaning that effective and cheap means of recycling water must be found. By developing a carbon nanotube-based water filtration system, we intend to promote the growth of Australia's world-class reputation in water remediation. The technological outcomes from this research will lead to direct economic and environmental benefits for the comm ....Multifunctional mixed matrix membranes incorporating aligned carbon nanotubes. The pressure on water supplies in Australia will only increase in coming years meaning that effective and cheap means of recycling water must be found. By developing a carbon nanotube-based water filtration system, we intend to promote the growth of Australia's world-class reputation in water remediation. The technological outcomes from this research will lead to direct economic and environmental benefits for the community and offer commercial opportunities for industry. Training research scientists of the future forms an integral part of our program as it is crucial to maintain a critical mass in this potentially forthcoming water based economy.
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