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
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL140100081
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,380,000.00
Summary
Engineering hybrid photocatalytic systems for sustainable fuel generation. Engineering hybrid photocatalytic systems for sustainable fuel generation. The project aims to develop next generation hybrid photo-(co)catalyst and gaseous photoelectrode systems that will effectively harness solar energy to transform carbon dioxide into sustainable fuels using a multi-scale approach: designing hetero-structured material systems; elucidating surface reaction mechanisms, and engineering coupled photo/ther ....Engineering hybrid photocatalytic systems for sustainable fuel generation. Engineering hybrid photocatalytic systems for sustainable fuel generation. The project aims to develop next generation hybrid photo-(co)catalyst and gaseous photoelectrode systems that will effectively harness solar energy to transform carbon dioxide into sustainable fuels using a multi-scale approach: designing hetero-structured material systems; elucidating surface reaction mechanisms, and engineering coupled photo/thermal-catalytic and unique gaseous photoelectrochemical systems. This project aims to yield fundamental new knowledge for the economical conversion and storage of solar energy as an environmentally benign chemical fuel, as well as create contemporary material systems and reactors for photo- and thermal-catalysis and photoelectrochemical reactions that utilise carbon dioxide as a feedstock.Read moreRead less
Engineering defect-intensive ozonation catalysts to degrade micropollutants. This project aims to engineer unique particles containing defect-intensive surfaces which are designed to accelerate the catalytic ozonation of waters contaminated with pharmaceuticals and other recalcitrant pollutants. This will enable timely treatment of industrial waste water as well as sewerage treatment plant effluents using simple and cheap catalyst materials. Wet- and flame-based particle fabrication technologies ....Engineering defect-intensive ozonation catalysts to degrade micropollutants. This project aims to engineer unique particles containing defect-intensive surfaces which are designed to accelerate the catalytic ozonation of waters contaminated with pharmaceuticals and other recalcitrant pollutants. This will enable timely treatment of industrial waste water as well as sewerage treatment plant effluents using simple and cheap catalyst materials. Wet- and flame-based particle fabrication technologies paired with unique post-synthesis treatment strategies, including either a coupled hydrogenation-illumination approach or plasma exposure, will be implemented for defect manipulation so as to produce new cheaper, stable, and higher-performing catalysts for activating ozone to treat water containing pharmaceutical and endocrine disrupting micro-pollutants under different process conditions.Read moreRead less
Electronic coupling and nanoscale engineering of two-dimensional nanojunctions. This project aims to improve the design of photovoltaic, energy storage, and nanocatalytic devices by using quantum-size tuning, orientation control, strain engineering, and surface modification to manipulate the electronic coupling and charge transfer of two-dimensional nanojunctions. The limitations of and potential environmental damage from fossil-fuel-based energy resources have increased interest in renewable en ....Electronic coupling and nanoscale engineering of two-dimensional nanojunctions. This project aims to improve the design of photovoltaic, energy storage, and nanocatalytic devices by using quantum-size tuning, orientation control, strain engineering, and surface modification to manipulate the electronic coupling and charge transfer of two-dimensional nanojunctions. The limitations of and potential environmental damage from fossil-fuel-based energy resources have increased interest in renewable energy research. The expected outcomes are electron-scale understanding of the tuneable functionalisation of two-dimensional nanojunctions and the design of low-cost and high-efficiency renewable energy devices.Read moreRead less
Interfacial design for high performance carbon fibre polymer composites. This project aims to develop customisable surfaces on carbon fibres to complement any intended resin for composite materials. Poor fibre-to-matrix adhesion is currently a known weakness of carbon fibre composites, hindering the large scale translation of these materials into mass transport solutions The outcomes of this project will be the development of superior composites and the fundamental knowledge of what interfacial ....Interfacial design for high performance carbon fibre polymer composites. This project aims to develop customisable surfaces on carbon fibres to complement any intended resin for composite materials. Poor fibre-to-matrix adhesion is currently a known weakness of carbon fibre composites, hindering the large scale translation of these materials into mass transport solutions The outcomes of this project will be the development of superior composites and the fundamental knowledge of what interfacial molecular interactions are required to obtain composites able to tolerate high shear forces.Read moreRead less
A design-led approach for multifunctional composites . This project aims to remove some of the limitations of carbon fibre composites by introducing novel functionality into the underlying carbon fibre. The project expects to modify carbon fibres, predict their functionality and develop new high-performance resins. The expected outcomes include enabling carbon composite materials to have high strength-to-weight ratio, durability, toughness, minimal maintenance, without compromising processabilit ....A design-led approach for multifunctional composites . This project aims to remove some of the limitations of carbon fibre composites by introducing novel functionality into the underlying carbon fibre. The project expects to modify carbon fibres, predict their functionality and develop new high-performance resins. The expected outcomes include enabling carbon composite materials to have high strength-to-weight ratio, durability, toughness, minimal maintenance, without compromising processability and the ability to manufacture at high volumes. The benefits should include a significant boost to Australia’s ability to lead economically important manufacturing innovations across a range of sectors including defence, energy and construction. Read moreRead less
Energy capture from polymer based synthetic foliage. Wind powered renewable energy technologies are rejected in urban or natural environments because of their noise and perceived danger to avian wildlife from conventional rotary wind turbines. The synthetic foliage will be used as a device for low energy applications which is expected to be more socially acceptable in urban settings. We anticipate that this will lead to increased adoption of renewable energy by the Australian public. Success of ....Energy capture from polymer based synthetic foliage. Wind powered renewable energy technologies are rejected in urban or natural environments because of their noise and perceived danger to avian wildlife from conventional rotary wind turbines. The synthetic foliage will be used as a device for low energy applications which is expected to be more socially acceptable in urban settings. We anticipate that this will lead to increased adoption of renewable energy by the Australian public. Success of the project will lead to long term benefits for Australia including reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the creation of jobs in the sustainable energy sector.Read moreRead less
Unlocking the catalytic activity of metal oxides through hybrid catalysis. This project aims to understand the interaction of light responsive nano-metals and metal oxide supports in photo-thermal catalysis, and channel light and heat to efficiently drive catalytic reactions. From this understanding, it will develop principles to activate the active site of metal oxides and control catalytic activity with high selectivity and stability. It will use this knowledge to selectively oxidate methane a ....Unlocking the catalytic activity of metal oxides through hybrid catalysis. This project aims to understand the interaction of light responsive nano-metals and metal oxide supports in photo-thermal catalysis, and channel light and heat to efficiently drive catalytic reactions. From this understanding, it will develop principles to activate the active site of metal oxides and control catalytic activity with high selectivity and stability. It will use this knowledge to selectively oxidate methane and oxidative coupling of methane reactions. The expected outcome is an inexpensive green catalysis method for chemical manufacture. This should lower the amount of waste, decrease energy consumption and improve human health, finite global resources and quality of life.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100098
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
Advanced facility for next generation sustainable energy, biomedical & nano-imaging optical fibre technologies. Remote optical fibre technologies are the way forward for effective and safe monitoring of many industries, and will play a big part in the sustainability of Australia's core oil, gas and alternative energy sectors. They are equally important to health industry applications, particularly in medical and imaging technologies. This facility brings together world-class Australian expertise ....Advanced facility for next generation sustainable energy, biomedical & nano-imaging optical fibre technologies. Remote optical fibre technologies are the way forward for effective and safe monitoring of many industries, and will play a big part in the sustainability of Australia's core oil, gas and alternative energy sectors. They are equally important to health industry applications, particularly in medical and imaging technologies. This facility brings together world-class Australian expertise—from across nine universities—in advanced structured optical fibres, complex fibre diagnostic systems, nanoscale imaging, and environment monitoring, to design and implement the next generation of technologies that will reduce the impact of climate change through reduced energy consumption and vastly improved health diagnostics.Read moreRead less
Hybrid materials with tunable mechanical response via topological interlocking and embedded kinematic agents. The project investigates a new approach to materials design targeting the inner architecture of materials. Such materials will be multifunctional and responsive to external fields. Applications include sound- and vibration-absorbing cladding, morphing aerospace and automotive materials, and protective civil engineering structures.