Mechanical modulation of particle-cell interactions. Mechanical forces play critical roles in many biological processes, but how particle mechanical properties modulate particle-cell interactions remains elusive. This project aims to develop new design principles for engineering nano/micromaterials with tunable mechanical properties for improved cell activation and expansion, and to advance knowledge of the role of particle stiffness in modulating receptor-mediated particle-cell interactions. Ex ....Mechanical modulation of particle-cell interactions. Mechanical forces play critical roles in many biological processes, but how particle mechanical properties modulate particle-cell interactions remains elusive. This project aims to develop new design principles for engineering nano/micromaterials with tunable mechanical properties for improved cell activation and expansion, and to advance knowledge of the role of particle stiffness in modulating receptor-mediated particle-cell interactions. Expected outcomes and benefits include new fundamental understanding of the effect of particle mechanical properties on cell function, new insights into T cell activation and expansion, and new classes of stiffness-tunable fit-for-purpose materials for various applications in cell manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Precision-engineered hybrid core-shell materials . This project aims to develop new platform technologies for making nanostructured hybrid core-shell materials with exceptionally high drug loading and programmed release. Building on this research team's recent breakthrough in the precision engineering of core-shell materials, this research will revolutionise current approaches for making drug-loaded polymer and inorganic particles. Significant outcomes will include a novel sequential nanoprecipi ....Precision-engineered hybrid core-shell materials . This project aims to develop new platform technologies for making nanostructured hybrid core-shell materials with exceptionally high drug loading and programmed release. Building on this research team's recent breakthrough in the precision engineering of core-shell materials, this research will revolutionise current approaches for making drug-loaded polymer and inorganic particles. Significant outcomes will include a novel sequential nanoprecipitation platform technology for making drug-core polymer-shell nanoparticles, and a new bio-inspired approach for making hybrid drug-core silica-shell nanocomposites, and new materials for applications in programmed release and delivery systems.Read moreRead less
Catalysts for hydrogen-free ammonia production by electrochemical method. This project aims to realise the next generation of ammonia production under ambient conditions without hydrogen feedstock. Through a combination of theoretical molecular-level understanding and experimental materials engineering, a range of catalysts will be developed under a materials discovery scheme for electrochemical nitrogen reduction to ammonia. These new catalysts, featuring high activity, efficiency, selectivity, ....Catalysts for hydrogen-free ammonia production by electrochemical method. This project aims to realise the next generation of ammonia production under ambient conditions without hydrogen feedstock. Through a combination of theoretical molecular-level understanding and experimental materials engineering, a range of catalysts will be developed under a materials discovery scheme for electrochemical nitrogen reduction to ammonia. These new catalysts, featuring high activity, efficiency, selectivity, and stability, will facilitate an alternative artificial nitrogen fixation technology powered by renewable energies. This technology will enable the production of green fertilisers and provide renewable energy storage, which are key environmental and energy challenges that Australia and the world currently face.Read moreRead less
Develop Catalyst Materials for Future Fuels by Operando Computation. This project aims to design catalyst materials for the production of future fuels (green ammonia, hydrocarbon and alcohol). Using carbon and nitrogen as energy carriers, these fuels are generated from renewable sources such as wind or solar; they are safe, reliable, and possess high energy density. The outcomes include advance in computational electrochemistry to the Opeando level, electrocatalysts design principles with clearl ....Develop Catalyst Materials for Future Fuels by Operando Computation. This project aims to design catalyst materials for the production of future fuels (green ammonia, hydrocarbon and alcohol). Using carbon and nitrogen as energy carriers, these fuels are generated from renewable sources such as wind or solar; they are safe, reliable, and possess high energy density. The outcomes include advance in computational electrochemistry to the Opeando level, electrocatalysts design principles with clearly articulated reaction mechanisms, and candidate materials for experimental validation. Facilitated by advanced computation techniques and reliable catalyst materials design procedure, this project will address the biggest challenge in future fuel generation, which is the lack of efficient catalyst materials. Read moreRead less
Helium recovery from liquefied natural gas waste stream using nanoporous mxene materials. The waste streams from many liquefied natural gas (LNG) industries still contains valuable helium, a possible next mineral to sustain our economic growth. This project aims to efficiently separate helium from methane and nitrogen via the layered two dimensional materials. This project will seek to understand the assembling behaviour of these nano-sized Mxene flakes and their molecular sieving properties. Au ....Helium recovery from liquefied natural gas waste stream using nanoporous mxene materials. The waste streams from many liquefied natural gas (LNG) industries still contains valuable helium, a possible next mineral to sustain our economic growth. This project aims to efficiently separate helium from methane and nitrogen via the layered two dimensional materials. This project will seek to understand the assembling behaviour of these nano-sized Mxene flakes and their molecular sieving properties. Australia is playing a leading role in the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and trade. This project expects to further position Australia at the forefront of intellectual leadership in the field of gas processing and material development. This will have significant benefits, such as further improving these LNG projects economics by cost-effectively producing helium as a valuable by-product via advanced porous nano-materials.Read moreRead less
New-generation low-fouling coatings for membrane and metal surfaces for dairy processes. This project will create new coatings that provide high levels of resistance to membrane and metal surfaces fouling in the dairy industry. The project will enable the implementation of a family of readily applicable low-fouling membrane coatings that will significantly reduce operational costs.
Engineered nanoassmblies for energy conversion. This research will lead to development of clean energy technology that can compete with the traditional energy sources without subsidies, and facilitate long-term solution to the energy crisis and global warming. It will also bring significant benefit to Australian industries and economy and assist achievement of renewable energy target.
Next generation easy-clean lenses by robust liquid-repellent nanotextures. This project aims to produce better performing self-cleaning lenses, which are less likely to get dirty and are easy to clean. It will develop water and oil repellent coatings with superior optical transparency and mechanical, solvent and UV stability for both hard coated and anti-reflection coated optical lenses. Engineering of stable, ultra-liquid repellent nanomaterials on transparent surfaces will create a foundation ....Next generation easy-clean lenses by robust liquid-repellent nanotextures. This project aims to produce better performing self-cleaning lenses, which are less likely to get dirty and are easy to clean. It will develop water and oil repellent coatings with superior optical transparency and mechanical, solvent and UV stability for both hard coated and anti-reflection coated optical lenses. Engineering of stable, ultra-liquid repellent nanomaterials on transparent surfaces will create a foundation of knowledge for the industrial development of the future generation of easy care coatings, with vast application potential.Read moreRead less
Preventing biological growth – a new generation anti-biofouling coatings. The project aims to improve anti-biofouling technology by developing a ‘smart and green’ coating that requires no toxic biocides and makes use of copper already present in the water. Biofouling is the unwanted attachment and growth on surfaces in water; it causes significant problems on ships and in drinking water systems, and damages infrastructure and capital investment. Biofouling also carries a significant risk of spre ....Preventing biological growth – a new generation anti-biofouling coatings. The project aims to improve anti-biofouling technology by developing a ‘smart and green’ coating that requires no toxic biocides and makes use of copper already present in the water. Biofouling is the unwanted attachment and growth on surfaces in water; it causes significant problems on ships and in drinking water systems, and damages infrastructure and capital investment. Biofouling also carries a significant risk of spreading diseases and environmental damage through the introduction of invasive marine species. Existing coatings release highly toxic substances into the water, causing untold environmental damage. This project offers a single, comprehensive solution for all of the above problems.Read moreRead less