Green Manufacturing of Graphene from Indigenous Natural Graphite and Graphene-based Nanofiltration Membranes. This project aims to investigate radical new approaches to reduce chemical and energy requirements for transformation of indigenous natural graphite to a high-value material graphene. The graphite which will be used is the by-product of the Uley mines of South Australia. Graphene is an atomically thin arrangement of carbon atoms with combinations of remarkable chemical inertness, strengt ....Green Manufacturing of Graphene from Indigenous Natural Graphite and Graphene-based Nanofiltration Membranes. This project aims to investigate radical new approaches to reduce chemical and energy requirements for transformation of indigenous natural graphite to a high-value material graphene. The graphite which will be used is the by-product of the Uley mines of South Australia. Graphene is an atomically thin arrangement of carbon atoms with combinations of remarkable chemical inertness, strength, and massive surface area. Utilising fluid phase dispersed graphene, this project aims to develop scalable and industrially-adaptable methods to manufacture thin yet mechanically robust, inert, fouling-resistant, highly-permeable graphene-based asymmetric membranes. These advanced membranes are expected to find wide application in reducing discharge of mining effluents and recovery of precious metals.Read moreRead less
Functional Renewable Plastics: Developing Novel Polysaccharide, Protein and Natural Polyester Based Polymer Nanocomposites. Biopolymer based plastics (eg starch and proteins from plants; polylactic acid from wastes) are made from renewable sources and are readily biodegradable, making them good substitutes for synthetic plastics for uses like packaging and agricultural film.
Some biopolymer plastics properties (eg water migration barrier, strength) are not as high as synthetic plastics. Creat ....Functional Renewable Plastics: Developing Novel Polysaccharide, Protein and Natural Polyester Based Polymer Nanocomposites. Biopolymer based plastics (eg starch and proteins from plants; polylactic acid from wastes) are made from renewable sources and are readily biodegradable, making them good substitutes for synthetic plastics for uses like packaging and agricultural film.
Some biopolymer plastics properties (eg water migration barrier, strength) are not as high as synthetic plastics. Creating nano-biocomposites (biopolymer plastics mixed with low levels of nano particles) will improve the properties of biopolymer plastics, giving novel materials that can be substituted for synthetic plastics in a wider range of applications.
These products will reduce our environmental impact, and also create economic benefits from novel, high-value nano-biocomposites.Read moreRead less
Kinetics of phytochemical adsorption and desorption in clay nanoparticles. Biologically active phytochemicals are of increasing importance in many areas of human endeavour. There is a growing interest in the agricultural uses of such compounds. A major limiting factor has been the control of the release rate and the general susceptibility to UV breakdown. This project aims to develop a platform technology for the controlled release and for improved UV protection of these chemicals. Through the s ....Kinetics of phytochemical adsorption and desorption in clay nanoparticles. Biologically active phytochemicals are of increasing importance in many areas of human endeavour. There is a growing interest in the agricultural uses of such compounds. A major limiting factor has been the control of the release rate and the general susceptibility to UV breakdown. This project aims to develop a platform technology for the controlled release and for improved UV protection of these chemicals. Through the studies on the adsorption and desorption kinetics of select phytochemicals, we aim to develop a nanoparticle clay based carrier system and a predictive model for control of the desorption characteristics. Such a platform technology will enable wide range of applications of phytochemical products in pesticides, plant stress alleviating and growth enhancing areas.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0454249
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$157,004.00
Summary
Specialist Analysis Facility for the Development of New Nanotechnologies. Nanotechnology is a developing technology with a limited number of academic research groups working in this field. Advanced infrastructure is requested for the characterisation and analysis of novel polymers, nanomaterials and biomaterials. The specialist applications herein demand both characterisation and processing control at the nanoscopic level and will greatly enhance teaching and core research capability within Fl ....Specialist Analysis Facility for the Development of New Nanotechnologies. Nanotechnology is a developing technology with a limited number of academic research groups working in this field. Advanced infrastructure is requested for the characterisation and analysis of novel polymers, nanomaterials and biomaterials. The specialist applications herein demand both characterisation and processing control at the nanoscopic level and will greatly enhance teaching and core research capability within Flinders University and the University of South Australia. This equipment will allow the universities to carry out this research in a unique manner. Other researchers cannot offer the synergy of synthesis, processing and characterisation of nanomaterials and biomaterials as described in this project.Read moreRead less
Patchy colloidosomes at interfaces: correlation of particle surface heterogeneity, wettability, and chemical activity at the nanoscale. The surfaces of natural mineral particles are made up of spots with such different chemical and physical properties. The complexity makes it hard to predict their behaviour. This project will provide insights into how the 'patchy' nature of particle surfaces affects their behaviour in processes such as flotation separation and bio-fuel production.
Processing Pearl Nacre for Bio-Nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has exciting potential to solve major health challenges of the 21st century. The proposed research focuses on developing health care products, derived from a renewable waste stream resource from the pearling industry, en route to establishing products to benefit the rural community, and beyond. The processed pearl nacre provides the possibility of alleviating problems associated with neurotrauma following injury, and for skin regenera ....Processing Pearl Nacre for Bio-Nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has exciting potential to solve major health challenges of the 21st century. The proposed research focuses on developing health care products, derived from a renewable waste stream resource from the pearling industry, en route to establishing products to benefit the rural community, and beyond. The processed pearl nacre provides the possibility of alleviating problems associated with neurotrauma following injury, and for skin regeneration following burns. The recently established powerful multidisciplinary research team in partnership with Pearl Technology combines expertise in chemical processing, nanotechnology, biochemistry, neuroscience and tissue engineering, also providing a basis for quality research training.Read moreRead less
Nanoparticle adsorption at air-water interfaces for foam stabilization. Pharmaceutical formulations and lightweight materials and processes such as mineral flotation and biocatalysis depend on the interactions between air bubbles and particles in water. This project will provide in-depth insight into how the physics and chemistry of the particle surfaces control the structure of the materials formed in those processes.
Supercritical CO2: A Clean, Green Reaction Medium for Novel Polymer Synthesis and Modification. This project will lead to the development of new macromolecular structures with application in many areas ranging from drug delivery to the microelectronics industry. More importantly, the processes used to manufacture these products will utilise supercritical CO2 - a clean, green processing technology that can totally remove the need for using environmentally-degrading, volatile organic solvents. The ....Supercritical CO2: A Clean, Green Reaction Medium for Novel Polymer Synthesis and Modification. This project will lead to the development of new macromolecular structures with application in many areas ranging from drug delivery to the microelectronics industry. More importantly, the processes used to manufacture these products will utilise supercritical CO2 - a clean, green processing technology that can totally remove the need for using environmentally-degrading, volatile organic solvents. The unique properties of scCO2 will be used to develop new polymer materials and processes. This technology will promote Australia's commitment towards greener industrial alternatives, while simultaneously strengthening our science and opening up new possibilities in the rapidly advancing area of nano-technology. Read moreRead less
Porous Silica-Based Nanocapsules for Targeted and Controlled Release of Biocides. The project will lead to significant advances in nanotechnology and agrichemical biocide applications. A highly efficient insect control technology will be developed, that will be cost-effective with the ability for targeted control and release of biocides. The encapsulation technology will reduce the total usage and costs of biocides thus benefit the environment in terms of reduced environment pollution and enhanc ....Porous Silica-Based Nanocapsules for Targeted and Controlled Release of Biocides. The project will lead to significant advances in nanotechnology and agrichemical biocide applications. A highly efficient insect control technology will be developed, that will be cost-effective with the ability for targeted control and release of biocides. The encapsulation technology will reduce the total usage and costs of biocides thus benefit the environment in terms of reduced environment pollution and enhanced ecological safety.Read moreRead less
Characterisation and Modelling of Nanostructured Soft Magnetic Materials for Advanced Electromagnetic Applications. This project bridges the gap between nanomagnetic materials and practical applications. The knowledge generated and the international collaborations with world class scientists established through this cutting-edge research project will strengthen the leading status of Australia in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The research outcomes will stimulate the growth of world ....Characterisation and Modelling of Nanostructured Soft Magnetic Materials for Advanced Electromagnetic Applications. This project bridges the gap between nanomagnetic materials and practical applications. The knowledge generated and the international collaborations with world class scientists established through this cutting-edge research project will strengthen the leading status of Australia in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The research outcomes will stimulate the growth of world class Australian industries and hence the national economy through the commercial manufacturing of hi-tech nanomagnetic materials and innovative smart devices and systems. High quality PhD and honours project students will be trained.Read moreRead less