A gold-coated magnetic nanoparticle biosensor for detecting microRNA. The project aims to develop a biosensor for detecting short sequences of RNA, called microRNA (miRNA) in blood. There are about 100 miRNA sequences that are involved in most biological processes. Changes in the levels of some miRNA sequences can serve as a biomarker for many diseases including cancers. The miRNA will be detected using gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles modified with DNA sequences complementary to the miRNA of ....A gold-coated magnetic nanoparticle biosensor for detecting microRNA. The project aims to develop a biosensor for detecting short sequences of RNA, called microRNA (miRNA) in blood. There are about 100 miRNA sequences that are involved in most biological processes. Changes in the levels of some miRNA sequences can serve as a biomarker for many diseases including cancers. The miRNA will be detected using gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles modified with DNA sequences complementary to the miRNA of interest to capture the miRNA. Application of a magnetic field allows the levels of miRNA to be detected electrochemically. The expected outcome is a commercialisable biosensor for miRNA both as a diagnostic early detection device and a prognostic device for a range of miRNA biomarkers.Read moreRead less
Novel Nanostructured Polymeric Membranes for Energy Storage Applications. The project will bring the following significant benefit to the Australian community and economy:1. Energy and Environmental benefit: will provide the nation with renewable energy storage solution, with zero emission and urban pollution2. Global Standing: will position Australia as global leader in sustainable energy storage technology through ZBB's novel battery system development.3. Intellectual property: will deliver th ....Novel Nanostructured Polymeric Membranes for Energy Storage Applications. The project will bring the following significant benefit to the Australian community and economy:1. Energy and Environmental benefit: will provide the nation with renewable energy storage solution, with zero emission and urban pollution2. Global Standing: will position Australia as global leader in sustainable energy storage technology through ZBB's novel battery system development.3. Intellectual property: will deliver the nation a strong intellectual property (IP) position in the frontier technology4. Training: will train junior researcher and a high quality graduate in an emerging and multidisciplinary area of research with commercial turnover of more than $1000 million in AustraliaRead moreRead less
Novel nanosensors for monitoring of water filtration membrane integrity. Novel nanosensors for monitoring of water filtration membrane integrity. This project aims to develop arrays of electrochemical biosensors based on nanostructured silicon for real-time monitoring of water filtration membrane integrity. Real-time monitoring of membrane performance, based on removing virus-sized particles, is a priority for the water industry to maximise asset life and meet increased demand for safe and high- ....Novel nanosensors for monitoring of water filtration membrane integrity. Novel nanosensors for monitoring of water filtration membrane integrity. This project aims to develop arrays of electrochemical biosensors based on nanostructured silicon for real-time monitoring of water filtration membrane integrity. Real-time monitoring of membrane performance, based on removing virus-sized particles, is a priority for the water industry to maximise asset life and meet increased demand for safe and high-quality water. Materials scientists, electrochemists, and specialists in water management and reuse aim to harness advances in nanostructured transducers and electrochemical protocols to develop online performance-monitoring technology. This project is expected to improve water treatment processes, removing viruses and reducing the risks and uncertainties of water recycling.Read moreRead less
Microchip Impedance Biosensor for Biomedical Diagnostics. This research proposal uses an innovative engineering approach based on novel nanomaterials with the aim of developing a new and generic biosensing technology with the potential to be widely applied in many areas including medical diagnostics, environmental control, industry and biosecurity. The outcomes from this project will benefit Australia by contributing through the development of novel materials, new technologies and new devices. ....Microchip Impedance Biosensor for Biomedical Diagnostics. This research proposal uses an innovative engineering approach based on novel nanomaterials with the aim of developing a new and generic biosensing technology with the potential to be widely applied in many areas including medical diagnostics, environmental control, industry and biosecurity. The outcomes from this project will benefit Australia by contributing through the development of novel materials, new technologies and new devices. The development of technological innovations based on fabricated nanomaterials, will also enhance capacity in frontier technology such as nanotechnology, and build Australia’s strength in using new biosensing technologies.Read moreRead less
Electronic and Optical Properties of Doped Titanium Dioxide. Titanium dioxide, is widely used as a white pigment, owing to its high refractive index, second, only after diamond. Yellowing of rutile pigment particles, observed on prolonged exposure to sunlight, is a serious problem that pigment manufacturers would like to overcome. It is proposed that aluminium-doping of rutile limits this discolouration by altering the electronic structure of the rutile particles. This project seeks to identify ....Electronic and Optical Properties of Doped Titanium Dioxide. Titanium dioxide, is widely used as a white pigment, owing to its high refractive index, second, only after diamond. Yellowing of rutile pigment particles, observed on prolonged exposure to sunlight, is a serious problem that pigment manufacturers would like to overcome. It is proposed that aluminium-doping of rutile limits this discolouration by altering the electronic structure of the rutile particles. This project seeks to identify the specific electronic cause of the yellowing process, the nature of the Al defect,it's effect on the electronic structure of rutile, and the electronic perturbations that may occur when other dopants are used.Read moreRead less
STABILISATION OF TITANIA PIGMENTS FOR IMPROVED WATER-BASED PAINT APPLICATIONS. This project aims to improve the stability and optical properties of titania pigments in water-based paints. Tailored dispersing agents will be used to stabilise pigments in paints in both the wet and dry state. Enhanced understanding of the dispersing agents interaction with the titania pigment surface and the subsequent stability of the pigment in dry paint films will allow advances in water-based paint stability. T ....STABILISATION OF TITANIA PIGMENTS FOR IMPROVED WATER-BASED PAINT APPLICATIONS. This project aims to improve the stability and optical properties of titania pigments in water-based paints. Tailored dispersing agents will be used to stabilise pigments in paints in both the wet and dry state. Enhanced understanding of the dispersing agents interaction with the titania pigment surface and the subsequent stability of the pigment in dry paint films will allow advances in water-based paint stability. This understanding facilitates continued movement away from solvent-based paints required by environmental and health legislation. The potential growth in market share for the Australian pigment industry is in excess of $50M pa.Read moreRead less
Molecular UV-A Sunscreen Filters: A Systematic Chemical Study. Australia has the world's highest melanoma and and non-melanoma skin cancer rate, with the latter representing the highest healthcare cost of any cancer. Current sunscreen formulations provide limited protection against solar ultraviolet-A radiation. This project is designed to improve this situation through developing new sunscreen filters for improved protection against ultraviolet-A radiation.
Stabilisation of Titania Pigment Slurries During Processing. This project aims to improve the stabilisation properties of titania pigment slurries during production. Current polyphosphate dispersants used by Tiwest are unstable under processing conditions. Tailored, robust dispersing reagents will therefore be investigated in order to provide improved stabilisation of pigments during processing. Enhanced understanding of the dispersing reagents interaction with the titania pigment surface and th ....Stabilisation of Titania Pigment Slurries During Processing. This project aims to improve the stabilisation properties of titania pigment slurries during production. Current polyphosphate dispersants used by Tiwest are unstable under processing conditions. Tailored, robust dispersing reagents will therefore be investigated in order to provide improved stabilisation of pigments during processing. Enhanced understanding of the dispersing reagents interaction with the titania pigment surface and the subsequent stability of the pigment will allow advances in processing and consequently improved final products. The potential growth in market share, by improved product performance, is in excess of $50M pa.Read moreRead less
Development of Dry Coated Pigment Particles: Durability and Dispersion. Tiwest is the only business in the world that mines, separates, refines and manufactures titanium dioxide products in one region. Tiwest has a major impact on the Western Australian economy with more than 700 full time and contract jobs, export earnings of $400M (in 2004) and regular incomes for an estimated 500 businesses. The current wet pigment particle coating process, to ensure ease of handling and longevity, is a major ....Development of Dry Coated Pigment Particles: Durability and Dispersion. Tiwest is the only business in the world that mines, separates, refines and manufactures titanium dioxide products in one region. Tiwest has a major impact on the Western Australian economy with more than 700 full time and contract jobs, export earnings of $400M (in 2004) and regular incomes for an estimated 500 businesses. The current wet pigment particle coating process, to ensure ease of handling and longevity, is a major cost. An optimised pigment dry-coating process would ensure Tiwest's competitiveness through reduced processing costs and improved performance. This development has the potential to increase Tiwest's profitability by 10%.Read moreRead less
The mechanism of scale formation and inhibition in alkaline industrial process streams. Scaling, which reduces flow and heating efficiency, is a serious problem in single stream alumina Bayer plants. This project will potentially save the Australian alumina industry many tens of millions of dollars a year by the development of more effective on-line scale mitigation strategies based on the fundamental understanding of the processes involved.